She seemed to just be there, all by herself, when I noticed.
Does her beautiful red hair represent the fighting spirit inside her?
Her cold gaze seemed to say that she cannot be fazed by anyone.
Perhaps that's why she occasionally experienced clashes like these.
Except that one time, it seemed different.
That's why I, uncharacteristically, raised my hand.
Thanks.
That was the first time I exchanged words with Mao Nanjo, classmate.
"Hensuki: Are you willing to fall in love with a pervert, as long as she's a cutie?"
Previously, on Hensuki !
I was under siege from Sayuki- senpai and Yuika, the two greatest perverts.
In the nick of time, I was rescued by Mao Nanjo, my classmate.
But suddenly, she demanded that I stay away from the others.
So... that means what I think it means, right?
What does that mean?
"Cinderella Can't Come Out?!"
"I can't eat any more!"
Kiryu, you idiot...
--Morning! --Morning.
Hey, Nanjo...
Morning, Kiryu.
Yeah, um... morning.
Hey, Nanjo...
--What? --Um...
Keiki- senpai ! Good morning!
Morning.
Good morning to you, too, Mao- senpai .
Morning.
Okay, I'm going.
Oh, yeah...
Are things a little awkward between you and Mao- senpai ?
Did it look like they were?
It sure did.
I apologize for yesterday. I went too far.
It's okay, as long as you're sorry.
Oh, but that doesn't mean I'm giving you up!
It would be great if you would.
You're very close to Mao- senpai , aren't you?
Huh? You think so?
She doesn't smile often, right?
The only time she seems to have fun is when she's with you.
Well, Nanjo is fickle.
At any rate, I can't rest easy like this.
Please patch things up with Mao- senpai !
Why do you look so surprised?
Well,
you seem quite kind for someone who says terrible things about slaves and stuff.
Oh? Didn't you know?
A good master needs to learn to use both the carrot and the stick!
Come to the club room immediately.
"Come to the club room after school." "Uh... Understood." "Come to the club room immediately."
About yesterday...
Was Nanjo- san mad?
Well... I guess you could say that...
"Await tomorrow with a spear as a pillow"
I thought so. I met her in the hall.
She seemed more discontent than usual.
I'm sorry about how I behaved with Koga- san yesterday.
We shouldn't do those things in public, don't you think?
So you're suddenly going to start valuing common sense...?
Therefore, I'm going to refrain from making advances on you in public.
Senpai...
Instead, I'm going to seduce the heck out of you in private.
Senpai?!
I'm joking.
I'll just say, I'll be well-behaved for a while.
Huh?
Nanjo- san is a close friend, right?
How can I claim to be an obedient dog if I destroy your friendships?
How can I claim to be an obedient dog?
Why say that twice?
So patch things up quickly.
Yes. Thank you.
Hey, Nanjo, class is over.
Oh. Hey, Kiryu.
Aren't you feeling well?
None of your business, Kiryu.
Is it about yesterday?
I... don't want to talk about that now.
Okay. But if there's something on your mind, you can talk to me, got it?
So you'll listen?
Of course. If a friend is in trouble, it's natural to help out, right?
Kiryu...
Are we friends?
Wait, am I the only one that feels that way...?
Just kidding.
That wasn't funny at all...
But thanks. I'm glad you feel that way.
Nanjo...
Maybe I'll ask you a favor.
Sure, what is it?
You say we're friends, but we don't hang out at all these days, do we?
True. You, me, and Shoma used to hang out a lot.
Yeah. So, I'll let you make up for that.
She's having fun.
What?
I said she's having fun!
Yeah.
She is.
What are you guys standing around for?
We haven't been to the arcade in so long, enjoy yourselves more!
She's right.
You ready for me, partner?
Oh, yeah, bring it on!
Wow, so many...!
I can't keep up!
Phew... Whoa!
Oh.
Did that hurt?
I'm okay.
Wow! Wow! Wall slam in public?
Since when did you get so generous?!
Huh? What?
And why are you taking photos?! I look stupid!
You look just the way you need to!
Seriously, what?!
Are you jealous of me for taking Keiki away from you?
Huh?!
That's...
That's totally not it.
I got the Sergeant!
Say cheese!
Wow, that was fun!
I guess that's it for today.
Keiki, it's getting dark. You should walk Mao- chan home.
Huh? Oh, yeah, you're right. I'll do that.
Huh?
See you both tomorrow.
--Yeah. --Okay.
Well, we should get going then.
I can go home alone. It's nearby.
I can't do that. You're a girl.
A girl...
Okay, well, I guess you can help me.
Thanks for today, Kiryu.
I had fun, too. It's been a while since the last time the three of us hung out.
The three of us, huh...
Nanjo...?
Our relationship is fun, for what it is.
But I'm not sure I'm satisfied with how things are right now.
Huh?
It's, um, shall I say... insufficient.
So, Kiryu, I...
What do you think about moving forward as a couple, not a trio?
As a couple...? You mean...
Whoa!
What is this!
Ugh, this is terrible.
No warning whatsoever.
Kiryu?
Hey, what are you looking at?!
Oh, sorry, um...
I didn't know you had such big breasts.
What?!
Kiryu, are you being approached by a senpai and kohai at the same time?
Um, why...?
That was the only way I could describe what you were doing yesterday.
You said you didn't want to talk about it...
So, what's going on?
They're... not what you think.
I guess they're comfortable around me, but...
Kiryu, do you think about dating girls?
Well... it is something I fantasize about.
How indecent...
Why?!
Because it is! Two girls were all over you, and your face was all droopy!
No it wasn't! It's not what you think!
You were looking like this!
No I wasn't!
Yes you were! You're such an animal!
I said I wasn't!
You were... Just now, too.
That was... an involuntary reaction!
Though I can't say I didn't appreciate the view...
Wow! You're the worst!
Look out, everyone! Sergeant Worst is here!
Hey! Cut it out! You're making a scene!
It's Sergeant Sex Animal!
Stop!
What?
Cute sneeze.
Shut up, idiot!
I'll get you something warm. What do you want?
Okay, hot cocoa then.
Understood.
Ouch, hot...
Ah, I see.
Nanjo, you like Shoma.
Huh?
No! This isn't what you think!
How is it not?
Kiryu, you've got it all wrong!
It's not that I like Akiyama...
So, instead?
I... um... uh...
I'm sorry. I'm going home.
What was that? With an expression like that,
I'm going to get the wrong idea again.
Oh, hey. Did you get rained on?
Sorry I took the first bath.
Nah.
Here, you can have this.
Oh? Yay!
Brother.
Hmm?
I like how this cocoa is nice and chilled.
Yeah...
It's very cold.
"Sleep in spring knows no wake.
Birds are heard from all over.
Wind and showers were heard last night.
How many flowers fell then?"
The poem describes how some people just fall asleep wherever they like.
Keiki, how did it go last night?
Huh?
Were you able to walk Mao- chan home safely?
Yeah... I was promoted to Sex Animal Sergeant.
What on earth...
Love...
Is it?
"Weird person"
No, um...
You're not putting your heart into it.
If you're worried about something, you may speak to me, a reliable elder.
Thank you.
But I'll be fine.
Is that so...
In that case, until you decide you want to talk,
"Longing for arrival"
I will enjoy the neglect you are inflicting on me.
How to...?
Oh.
It doesn't seem like you successfully got back on good terms with Mao- senpai .
That's, um...
You mustn't worry your master. What an inconsiderate slave you are.
Do as you're told, or you'll be punished.
Thanks.
But the look on Nanjo's face...
How am I supposed to talk to a person with such an expression?
I didn't know you were a pedophile...
You're wrong! That was Shoma's, he forgot it here!
Oh, I thought so. You like them bigger if possible.
"They're little but that's not a problem, because it's legal!" "800 years old"
Um, yeah...
So why the lap pillow...?
It is a reserved right of a younger sister to pamper or be pampered by her brother.
Yeah, I don't get it.
Brother.
What's been going on lately?
Actually, things are kind of awkward with Nanjo.
With Mao- chan ?
I think she's hiding something from me.
I couldn't understand what it was, so I lashed out and questioned her.
And I think I hurt her.
If she doesn't want to talk, you can't try to force her.
Friend or family, it can be hard to be completely open with someone,
especially because you care about them.
Could be, I guess... But...
But I still want to know her better.
You don't want to separate from her.
Yeah.
Then you really have to get back on good terms with her.
What do you think I should do?
I guess you just have to go all in?
Vague!
Don't try to do anything special.
Just do what you naturally do, as you feel.
But...
If that fails, I'm here to comfort you.
Mizuha...
Nanjo, are you awake?
Hello? Miss Nanjo?
Wake up or I'll grab your boobs.
Idiot.
Oh... You're awake.
Wait, Nanjo!
It's all your fault.
Huh?
I'm losing sleep, super annoyed, in so much pain... It's all your fault, Kiryu!
Nanjo?
All night, every night, I think about you.
My head is all jumbled up, I don't know what to think!
It's all your fault...
Nanjo, I...
I want to apologize to you.
I don't know why I'm causing you to be in such a troubled state.
But I regret hurting you.
I don't want to fight with you.
I want you to forgive me, and then I want to know more about you.
So can we be friends again?
Kiryu...
I'll do anything to get you to forgive me!
Really?
Yeah.
Really, anything?
Uh, yeah...
She's really close...
She's really cute, once I look at her straight-on like this...
Okay, let's get in a relationship.
Huh?
I told you. It wouldn't be a bad idea to become a couple. So...
Nanjo...
It's settled then. Nanjo is the Cinderella that I've been searching for...
Let's get you in a relationship with Akiyama!
Hmm?
I'm sorry, Nanjo. Could you repeat that?
I want you and Akiyama to become an exclusive romantic couple.
Me... with Shoma?
Yes.
Romantic?
Yes!
What on earth are you saying?
This is the desired outcome!
What...
"Short and Cake, Thick Whipped Cream Showdown" "Mao Minami"
What is this?!
So, Miss Nanjo. What in the world is going on here?
Isn't it obvious? I'm what they call a fujoshi .
Fujoshi ... You mean a person who likes stories where men love other men?
Precisely, that fujoshi .
So Nanjo, for you, man-to-man love is...
Yes! Love it!
And how about physical expressions of said love...?
Oh, yes! My favorite!
Oh...
Why are you wearing glasses?
Oh, this? It's like a " fujoshi mode switch."
I see...
No! I mean, why are you drawing boys' love manga about Shoma and me?!
Oh, are you upset?
Of course I am!
Besides, Short- kun and Cake- kun ? These are almost our real names!
It's Shortcake . Has a nice flow to it, don't you think?
My privacy got sacrificed for a pun?!
Wait!
So when you were staring at Shoma and me...
I was hoping you'd do something inspiring.
When you occasionally ask me to take over for clean-up duty...
I was on a super tight schedule for the deadline to print the manga.
So...
When they almost made you librarian and you seemed to be crying...?
I don't want to lose time I could be spending writing.
So boys' love is at the center of everything?!
Wait, so when you were looking at a picture of Shoma on your phone...
I was reviewing the reference material.
He's got a pretty face. It's great to use as reference.
By the way, here's a draft based on the events from the other day.
Cake- kun ?!
This posture is true genius, I must say...
"Fu, fu, fu, fu, fu, fu..."
Nanjo, your hobbies are none of my business. I don't judge you for that.
But could you at least stop basing it on Shoma and me?
I can't do that.
There are many girls waiting for the sequel.
Huh? Waiting?
The Shortcake series is actually really popular.
There's a series?!
Please! For my work and my fans, go out with Akiyama!
No way!
You said you'd do anything.
I can't let that happen to Cake- kun !
Fine then! If you want to be that way, I'll have to do what I have to do.
I'll do everything to get in the way, so that you never date a girl!
What?!
If you had a girlfriend, I wouldn't be able to write at all.
What kind of boys' love book ends with a character getting stolen by a girl?
Your lewd constraints are not my concern...
You'd better brace yourself!
I'll thwart every attempt you make at romance!
What...?
Kiryu, you insensitive idiot...
That said, I guess I can't blame him for my lack of courage.
All he did was lend a helping hand, but...
Who would have thought Nanjo, too...?
So now all of the candidates have been eliminated...
I'm back to square one.
Hmm?
Another unnamed envelope...
Is it Cinderella again?!
I'm out!
"To be continued"
Hop, hop, hop.
So who is Cinderella after all?
It's possible that there is a fifth Cinderella candidate.
Next on Hensuki , "Operation: Koharu is a first-year student"
Are you willing to fall in love, as long as she's a cutie?