I've always been bad at playing.
Come on, give me your hand!
Wait for me!
I couldn't figure out what I find to be fun.
So, maybe, I was just waiting for this.
Miki.
Miki-chan!
Yes, waiting to meet someone who can help me find what fun is.
And that became a reality.
I met Aya-chan at Kamogawa River.
Then I was introduced to analog games on the same day
by Midori-chan at the Saikoro Club, with the manager.
So...
We beat him!
Then we met Emmy, and we dressed up as maids to run a board game café.
"Board Game Café is now closed. Thank you!" Then we met Emmy, and we dressed up as maids to run a board game café.
Miki-chan.
You're early, Miki-chan.
Did you wait long?
No.
Okay, let's go to school.
Okay.
"The Place We All Love"
--Live a regular life to make sure you are all healthy
--Today is the last day of our first year in high school... --Live a regular life to make sure you are all healthy
when you return next semester.
That is the end of my talk.
--Goodbye, first-year student me!
--All bow! --Goodbye, first-year student me!
Come on, second-year student me!
What does that even mean?
Oh, well.
But really, the year flew by instantly.
Yeah...
I transferred midyear, so it was even shorter for me.
What's up, Miki?
Hmm?
You looked really happy.
Oh... yeah.
I was just thinking back on how fun this year was.
More than any other year...
Miki...
I'm also glad I was able to--
Yes!
I'm so happy I was able to meet you, Miki!
Emmy...!
She beat me to it...!
I'm glad to have met you, too, Miki-chan!
Thank you, Aya-chan.
--If only these fun times could last forever...
--Oh, we share the same opinion, Aya! --If only these fun times could last forever...
--But of course! --If only these fun times could last forever...
--But of course!
Hey, next school year, wouldn't it be cool if Emmy was in the same class?
What are you talking about, Aya? That's not possible.
Huh? Why?
Starting in the second year, the classes separate by major.
Emmy and I are going into the sciences. You and Miki are in humanities.
--Huh? --Wait, what?
So at least two of us are going to be separated...
...or we could end up all separated!
Seriously?
Hey, in that case, can we at least go on a trip together during spring break?
Sounds good!
Nice!
Yay!
I'm so sorry, Aya.
Huh?
I'm spending spring break in Germany.
I haven't seen my grandmother in Germany for a long time now.
My parents and I are going to see her.
I see...
That's very important.
I'm sure your grandmother will be happy to see you back.
Yes, thank you, Miki.
There's also one other reason I want to go back to Germany.
Huh?
My dad knows an editor at a game publisher.
I want to show him my game.
In Germany, if you want to become a game author,
you bring your game to an editor to show them.
If they like what they see, it's not unlikely for them to publish it.
I see...
Wait, you made a game, Emmy?
Yes! I was moved by how Midori submitted her game to the competition!
By me?
I thought I should work hard to realize my dream, too!
Emmy...
Actually... the results for that competition already arrived.
Huh?!
Seriously?! So how was it? Can I look?
Yeah...
"Dear new game designer,
first of all, thank you for applying to our company's competition"...
We all had a lot of fun playing your game.
The way you designed the board to allow free collection and arrangement of furniture
was truly outstanding.
Several of the members of my team rated your game quite highly.
Quite highly! Wow!
That's great.
Read it till the end...
"But"...
...I still felt that there were some pieces missing.
I especially felt the mechanics of the game needed improvement.
Due to this, I unfortunately must inform you that your game has failed.
But please don't be disappointed.
If you are serious about becoming a game designer, you can and must improve.
This is my way of encouraging and supporting you.
If you have the desire to improve further, I recommend that you visit us here.
Coming to see how games are really made should be an invaluable experience for you.
..."to this invitation, but think about it.
I have high hopes for your growth and your next game.
George Beresford."
Oh... so you didn't make the cut.
But he said don't be disappointed...
And he said you should go to America. What are you going to do, Midori-chan?!
America...
I generally prefer Euro-style game designs, but...
That's what's bothering you...?
Emmy, are you going back to Germany after graduation?
Oh...
I haven't decided yet. My dad says he'll stay in Japan for a while...
But if I'm going to make games, living in Germany is convenient in a lot of ways.
You're right.
George's company, Bad Dwarf, does make Euro-style games, too.
I'm seriously considering this offer.
I'm really impressed, Midori-chan and Emmy...
Yeah.
They both have things they want to do and are working to pursue them.
Hey, walking by Kamogawa River together reminds us of last year, right?
Yeah, you really startled me.
You fell into the river, bicycle and all...
Me, too! I thought I was going to die!
I'm relieved... Aya-chan is still the same.
Um...
Hmm?
Aya-chan, do you have a thing you want to do?
Yes, of course!
Huh?
My dream is to live where there are lots of animals!
Then I want to be an animal photographer like my dad.
Or become a veterinarian and cure lots of animals, or something like that!
--Or, maybe-- --Aya-chan, if you want to become a vet, don't you need to major in sciences?
Oh, right! But my point is, there are so many things I want to do!
Living in South America sounds cool, too!
Huh? South America...
Hmm? What's wrong, Miki-chan?
Nothing. I just thought, it's like you always are.
Really?
They all have things they want to do...
Midori-chan and Emmy...
Aya-chan, too...
Is it just me? Am I the only one who wants to stay this way?
--Hey, Aya-chan-- --Connecting to voicemail service.
Please leave a message after the tone--
Oh...
"Board Game Café Geschenk"
Hello...
Hello-- Oh, you are...
I'm sorry, Emmy is out shopping right now.
She should be back in an hour or so. Would you like to wait here?
Oh, no. Thank you! It wasn't anything urgent. I'll come back.
Thank you...
Sorry to make you join me for game shopping, Shibusawa.
It's fine, as long as you're serious about buying me that cake later.
Sure, count on it!
I might not look it, but I eat quite a lot.
Fine, I'll match that.
Hey, welcome.
Alone? That's different.
Um...
Midori-chan isn't working today.
Midori-chan isn't around, either...
What's wrong, Miki-chan? You look pale.
Oh, no, it's nothing.
Sorry to bother you...
Uh, Miki-chan...
Huh?!
This one...
Hey, it's me. I'm downstairs.
The weather's nice today.
I'll be right down, wait up!
Yeah, no rush.
Morning, Hana. Where's breakfast?
It's already midday, Aya.
Come on, I'm on spring break.
--Always such a child...
--Oh. --Always such a child...
"Phone call from: Miki-chan" "1 Missed Call"
It's from Miki-chan...
"Phone call from: Miki-chan" "1 Missed Call"
"Book Store"
Hmm?
Manager?
Yes, this is Ono.
Hey, Midori-chan.
Hmm? Miki was here?
Yeah.
I wonder what happened...
"Saba-kaidou Route" "Demachi-bashi Bridge"
Ryuji, we have to hurry! The movie is starting soon!
Whose fault is this? You're the one who was late!
Besides, why am I going to the movies with you on such a nice day...
Hmm?
Huh?
Hey, what's up?
Oh...
Is that Takekasa?
Yeah, and she looks kind of sad.
"Toddles Bobbles"
I bought it...
It looks kind of like the stuffed doll my dad bought a long time ago...
Wow, so fluffy!
Your name is Mojarin!
Here you are!
I was so happy, I gave him a name, which made me feel like he was alive.
I used to talk to him a lot...
What a silly face...
This one is... just a baby.
This one is a trickster, full of energy.
This one is spoiled.
And this one is...
...introverted and shy.
Just like me...
She won't pick up!
Where could she be?
I'm worried.
Oh, she's calling!
Huh?
Hello, all! Going out together?
Yes, we're going on a picnic.
I can't wait to unpack my lunch!
You eat too much!
Do you want to join us?
Are you sure?! I'm so glad!
Of course! I made too much lunch!
Wow, that sounds great!
What? Not fair! I want to go, too!
Of course! Let's all go together!
Yay! Thank you!
Hmm?
You there! Do you want to come, too?
Oh, don't mind that one.
Huh? Why?
That one doesn't want to go anywhere.
Come on, let's go! It's a bit far, but I know a hill with a great view.
Let's go! I can't wait!
Let's go!
Yes, let's go!
Wait... please... don't go.
I want to stay here forever. I want to stay here with everyone...
So please stay here...
Stay here with me...
I understand.
I'm too weak. I'm afraid to move forward.
But this is the first time I've found something I find to be fun.
Is it so wrong to want to stay here?
Come on, now.
Huh?
That's a bad habit of yours-- always letting your thoughts turn negative.
Mojarin...
They're your friends, right? You like them, right?
Yes... I love them.
Then it's fine! I'm sure they think of you the same way.
--Hey!
--See? --Hey!
--See? --Huh?
--Miki-chan! --Huh?
Miki!
Everyone!
We were looking for you, Miki-chan!
How did you know I was here?
Tanoue-kun called!
Tanoue-kun?
I didn't notice you called me last night, so I called back,
but you didn't pick up, so...
Huh? Oh, I didn't notice...
Oh, no, battery's dead...
The manager called me and told me Miki was behaving strangely.
When I got home, my dad told me you came by.
So we called you, but you didn't pick up, so we were worried something was wrong.
We were looking for you.
Looking... for me?
Wh-What's wrong, Miki-chan?!
Sorry, I... I'm such a weakling.
I had so much fun this past year...
So us getting split up next year, and you all having plans and moving forward...
But I want things to be the same...
I want the four of us to be together...
That's all I could think about... so...
Miki...
If you all aren't around, I...
Miki-chan, I'm the same.
Huh?
Aya-chan?
When I had that fight with my dad and ran out of the house...
...you saved me, Miki-chan!
Same with me!
Thanks to Miki, I was able to get close to Midori!
I was able to put away my silly pride and be honest with myself.
Midori-chan... Emmy...
Miki, you're indispensable to us now.
Even if we are in separate classes, and go different places,
no matter how many years pass, we'll always be friends!
All together! Miki, you're not alone!
Yes... Thank you, everyone...
Hmm?
Hey, that's Toddles Bobbles. Did you just buy it?
Yes, just now, at the Saikoro Club.
I know this one. A Russian game, where you give weird creatures some names, right?
What is that?! Sounds awesome! Let's play!
Sounds good. Let's play!
Yes!
Yay!
So, here are the rules.
First, shuffle the cards and make a deck.
On your turn, flip a card from the top, so, for example, "Bob!"
Give a name to the creature on the card.
--Repeat this, and when you see a card someone already named...
--Long-legs. --Repeat this, and when you see a card someone already named...
--Pinky. --Repeat this, and when you see a card someone already named...
--Bob! --...you call out its name.
The person who said the name fastest gets all of the cards.
Got it!
The person who collects the most cards wins.
Sounds like fun!
Okay, you start, Aya.
Okay!
Hmm... Mamekichi!
I'll go next.
Madame Curl!
My turn.
Griessing Nars!
Gr... Gree...?
German names, huh...? This might get tough...
Oh...
Mojarin...
Me again!
Another new one! So cute! How about...
Mon-chan!
What kind of name is that?
It's the name of a pet flying squirrel I had before!
You had a flying squirrel for a pet?
Yes!
Um... okay.
Mojarin!
Huh?!
Oh...
Miki-chan, so fast!
Oh, Mojarin!
See, I told you, right?
Yes. Thank you, Mojarin.
This is fun! Let's keep going!
I won't lose!
Here we go!
Eighteen, nineteen, twenty... twenty-one.
Miki is in first place!
Wow, you're too strong, Miki-chan!
Even if we're in separate classes, we'll still have our games!
We can play after school like this.
Emmy...
Hey, let's make a club! A club just for us!
Huh...?
Sounds good. What should we name it?
Um, Analog Game Group?
Denied, too bland.
Dice Club...
How about After School Dice Club?
We'll borrow the name of the shop.
After School... Dice Club.
I like it. I think the manager would, too.
Yay! I agree!
Well, that makes all of us official members of the After School Dice Club!
Yes.
I'll be okay.
--I love Miki. She's kind, unlike certain other people!
--I'm not who I used to be. I can move on... --I love Miki. She's kind, unlike certain other people!
--I'm not who I used to be. I can move on... --Hey, Aya!
...because I now have friends who can find fun with me.
"The end" ...because I now have friends who can find fun with me.
"The end"