Kokomi, time to eat!
Eat up.
Mom, aren't you making more food than usual lately?
Your tournament is coming up soon.
You need lots of nourishment.
There's plenty more, so eat up.
Right.
I knew it...
Blue Melon Buns
Good morning.
Good morning, Shiina-san.
Morning.
Wearing track clothes today?
Hm? Yeah.
It's gotten colder out,
and I don't want to catch a cold with the tournament coming up.
It is cooler,
but don't you think it feels nice and refreshing?
Yeah, it really makes you feel like working hard.
Hm? What's wrong?
It's nothing.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Team
I can't let such silly things get to me.
I need to focus on practice.
Good morning!
Good morning...
Huh?
Didn't get enough sleep?
For a model, staying up all night is bad for your skin.
How many hours did you sleep?
About twelve hours?
I slept so much, I'm tired...
Ah, so that's why.
Wow...
Amazing...
An interview?
That's right.
During today's lunch broadcast,
we're supposed to interview the school's most famous students
on the "Attacking the School's Hottest!" segment,
but today's guest got sick and can't come.
I know it's sudden, but I was hoping I could ask you, Nao-chan.
I'm not famous...
I don't know many people, either...
What are you saying?
You're a model. Lots of girls would love to do that!
I'm sure people would like to hear about you.
You really think so?
Okay, Miyoshi-san,
what would you like to do the most right now?
Uh... Go back to sleep?
Go back to sleep?
See?
That was awesome!
Seriously awesome!
Your realistic performance really impressed me, Shiina-san!
Really?
I can tell how pumped you are for the tournament coming up.
Your body looks really well-balanced, too!
Well-balanced?
Yeah, it feels like there's so much weight to your performance.
Weight...?
I have to get back to class.
I'm sorry.
Huh?
Wouldn't Shiina-san be better?
For your interview.
Shiina-san, huh?
It's true that everyone's expecting her to do well in the next tournament.
Well, there you go.
Huh? Hey, that's completely beside the point!
As you can see, by not making the reason why the teacher killed himself obvious,
Soseki gives the readers room to use their imaginations...
Now that I think about it, my mom really has been...
I made fried mincemeat cutlets tonight,
so you can fry your competition at the tournament!
Get it?
If she sticks with that pun, she'll be making a lot of fried foods...
They taste good, so I end up eating them, but still...
And I've had morning practice every day,
so I end up eating too much at lunch.
So, Shiina-san,
do you know the proverb that means "your actions have consequences"
that would appropriately match this situation?
Yes.
"What goes around, comes around."
That's correct.
There's also a similar proverb that says, "You reap what you sow."
But "what goes around, comes around" originates with Buddhist teachings,
What goes around comes around
You reap what you sow
which instruct that your actions, right and wrong, will be repaid in kind.
Recently, it's often used to refer to "bad karma."
Let's turn to the next page.
I need to go on a diet.
An interview?
That's right.
I asked Miyoshi-san from our class,
but she ran away.
You mean the Miyoshi-san who's a model, right?
Yeah.
Then your name came up
because the whole school is rooting for your win in rhythmic gymnastics.
I see...
Please! I'm begging you!
Sure. I'll do it.
Thank you!
Sorry.
N-No, it's okay.
It's time for Akane Sakurai's "Attacking the School's Hottest!"
Today's guest is Kokomi Shiina,
a second-year student who's expected to make high marks
in the upcoming fall rhythmic gymnastics tournament.
Hi there.
Um...
Yes?
I didn't know we'd have such a big audience...
That just shows how much they believe in you.
Now then, Shiina-san,
what's your biggest concern right now?
Hm?
Um...
My wei—
I-I mean, a way to do well in the tournament!
I guess that's why you're practicing so hard every day.
I hear you worked hard this morning, too,
but don't you get hungry during class after practicing all morning?
I don't!
What? Aren't you starving by lunch time?
N-Not at all...
I see...
But don't you ever crave your favorite foods?
What do you like to eat?
Melon buns.
Um, these are the kinds of questions you ask?
Yeah, we ask about people's hobbies, their favorite music, movies...
And when we can, their weight and measurements, too!
Just kidding.
Weight and measurements....
Hm? Shiina-san?
I can't tell you that!
I-I'm sorry...
That was today's guest, Kokomi Shiina-san!
Everyone, good luck in your afternoon clubs and classes!
See you. Bye-bye!
Okay, that's a wrap.
Good job!
I'm sorry I wasn't able to help that much.
Don't worry.
It was pretty interesting, in several ways.
It was?
I couldn't see a thing on the chalkboard.
The tournament's almost here...
I'm not going to be able to focus on practice like this.
I have to do something.
Trendy blue and seasonal plaid!
Try a striped knit for a rock 'n' roll style!
Dictionary of Plants Food Safety Fasting to Nourish Your Intuition Choosing How You Eat: A Specialist's Guide Balancing Vegetables and Meats The Power of Wine LOHAS Eating Foods to Build Your Body Foods for Beauty Reducing Cholesterol Intake The Book of Vegetables Slow Food Food Rules The Book of Vegetables: How to Eat Nutritional Science for Your Life Dictionary of Food Labels
If you're going to go on a diet,
you need to watch what you eat.
Fun and Easy Everything We Know About Food Nutrition
Everything We Know About Food Nutrition...
Maybe this'll help.
This doesn't seem quite right.
I wonder if the school library even has books about dieting...
Are you looking for something?
Murakami-senpai!
I heard the radio show today.
It was pretty interesting.
Th-Thank you.
Are you looking for a particular book?
Oh... Well...
How should I explain?
I can't tell her I'm looking for a book on dieting because
I've gained some weight and want to lose it...
Are you looking for home ec books?
No, um...
More like nutritional science.
Nutritional science?
Are you hoping to become a nutritionist?
No, how should I put it...
I'd like to know how the body can efficiently burn calories...
So, something more scientific?
The science section is over there.
No, that's not it...
"Burn it up, young people!" Right?
Chloe-san...
You're burning it up right now, Kokomi-san!
Isn't that right?
No, that's not really what I'm talking about...
Japanese teens are wonderful.
You really get into clubs and sports.
We don't have that in France.
You're also into anime.
We don't have that in France, either.
Burn (moe)
I don't think that's what she meant by burning...
Cute (moe)
It's not?!
He wall-slammed Yoshiko! I'm so jealous!
But that's why all those blogs catch on like wildfire, isn't it?
Screw you! Someone with a real life doesn't get to be jealous! What the hell?
This topic is neither here nor there at this point...
What? No, we're right here.
I'm talking about what teens are into right here and now.
You're only young once, you know, Kokomi-san!
You want to go on a diet, right?
Miyoshi-san.
A diet?
I think Shiina-san is looking for a book on diets.
That's why you asked about nutritional science.
You're really into diets, Kokomi-san?
Not that...
She wants to burn fat more efficiently, so...
Why do Japanese girls all want to go on diets?!
Now, now...
But, why?!
I don't understand.
Now, now...
Shiina-san, over here.
Hmph! Japanese girls just don't understand the joys of being soft and squishy!
This is the school library,
so I don't think there are any decent books on dieting, but...
These girls' magazines do have
specials on how girls can go about dieting.
Um...
Hm?
How did you know that I wanted to go on a diet?
Well...
The way you talked this morning,
and during your interview just now,
just gave me a hunch.
Your conversations with the older girls just made it sound that way.
I see.
That said, I really envy you.
Huh? Why?
You're able to get along with girls in other classes,
and even with upperclassmen.
You know, like this morning, and even just now...
Harumiya-san is from my class, right?
But it looked like you talk to her more than I do...
You also seemed like you were pretty close with the third-years just now.
No...
I don't think I'm really that close to them...
You think so?
I think you're doing much better than I am.
I almost never talk to people from other classes or grades.
I mean, I'm not in any clubs.
Your modeling work doesn't leave much time for clubs, does it?
Yeah...
But, I get to do what I like,
so I can't complain.
Lunch is over.
Let's get going.
I don't understand!
Why do Japanese girls care so much about dieting?
Why do they want to fight against calories, as if they're the enemy?
I think you're exaggerating a little,
but it might be true that everyone sometimes focuses on dieting too much.
Japan has the best chicken in the world,
your fried chicken!
The best chicken in the world?
Oui.
French people love chicken, but it puts ours to blame!
That's "puts ours to shame."
But if everyone is afraid of calories,
then making good fried chicken is futility exercise!
That's "an exercise in futility."
Girls want to go on diets because that's how girls think.
They want to be prettier if they can.
Kokomi-san is plenty beautiful.
She doesn't need to go on a diet.
That might be true.
It is true!
Girl Friend BETA.
A diet?
Yeah.
You were worried about going on a diet, right?
No...
I don't know what you're talking about...
I was.
I knew it!
I'm sorry...
I was too embarrassed to say anything.
It's nothing to be embarrassed about!
I know how you feel, though.
You don't want people to know you're worried about your weight, right?
Well, dieting is a concern that all girls have in common.
I think we should help each other out.
Huh?
Then, Kagami-san, Harumiya-san, you're also...
Actually...
That's right.
So... Everyone!
We're the exercise club for second-years, the Diet Alliance... I guess?
We're fighting hard, too.
So you can fight along with us.
Hey!
Include me, too!
You should have just asked us, Kokomi-chan!
But, Sagara-san,
you're part of the street performing society, right?
Street performing is a sport, too!
I think she just wants to be in the group.
Well, that might be true.
Honestly...
Of course you can join.
Okay!
Let's all work hard!
Yeah!
Hurry up.
Let's get going.
We're going to leave you behind.
Wait for us!
I can't keep up!
Huh...
I still don't get it.
Japanese culture is confusing...
I don't think you need to think about it that hard.
23, 24, 25...
What's going on there?
Huh?
I can't do any more...
Wasn't street performing supposed to be a real sport?
It is, but you don't really use your abdominal muscles.
Probably.
Sagara-san, you're almost there.
Keep it up. Do it for your diet.
Yeah...
You're right.
26...
They're...
I understand now, Fumio-san!
Dieting is proof of your friendship!
This is what being young is all about!
Yeah, I guess so.
I'm so tired.
I've never pushed myself this hard before.
But it kind of feels good to work hard with everyone together.
Yeah, it's kind of a nice exhaustion.
I wonder if I lost any weight.
I'm sure you did, after all that.
Good work!
Sakurai-san?
The interview was worth it, since it got the exercise club
to help you out, Shiina-san!
I couldn't be happier!
What are you talking about?
Everyone wanted to help you train for your upcoming tournament, right?
Well...
Here's a little something
that everyone got for you after hearing today's show and seeing your friendships in action.
Here you go!
Bam!
Now, I'm sure you're all hungry after working out.
Go on, eat up.
I can't eat them...
I can't eat them, I can't eat them...
They're so good...
I can't stop...
How are they, Shiina-san?
They're good...
I see!
So good, it makes you cry, huh?
I'm so glad.
There's plenty more, so eat up.
Shiina-san.
How's your diet going?
Not well.
I... I see.
I understand.
So that's why it's not going well.
Yeah.
But maybe that's to be expected.
Huh? Why?
When you put on more muscle,
of course your weight goes up.
Muscle weighs three times as much as fat.
Oh...
Instead of putting on muscle,
you'll need to make your body more flexible.
Um, have you gone on a diet before, Miyoshi-san?
No,
but I have to watch my figure
and weight without overdoing it.
I see.
You're a model, after all.
Anyway, you can't put on too much muscle.
To keep your proportions, you need to build up your core.
Okay.
You should also try aerobic exercise and half-body baths.
You can't just starve yourself, either.
You need have balanced meals,
and make sure you don't get too many carbs.
I had too many melon buns...
If you can do that, you'll be fine.
Good luck.
Oh, um...
What is it?
Will you help me with my diet?
If you'll teach me how to diet properly, I'll feel more at ease,
and I'll be able to focus on my tournament.
Please?
Sure.
Shiina-san, I heard you got past the prelims!
Congratulations!
Thank you.
And your diet went well, too, right?
What?!
It's all thanks to Miyoshi-san's advice.
I was able to focus on the tournament because of her.
Way to go!
Good morning...
Good morning!
What is it?
Please, Miyoshi-san!
Please teach me how to diet properly, too!
Me, too!
Same for me!
I think we could all benefit from this.
So teach me, too!
Eh? H-Huh?
You're Nao-chan, right?
You're really pretty.
Could you teach me how to diet, too?
Huh? Why did you...
It's so wonderful how diets bring people together!
Scales grew on my eyes!
Help me diet,
and let me take some pictures of you while we're at it!
Erena-san, you're trying to take advantage of her.
Oh, you figured me out?
Miyoshi-san, please!
Please!
Okay.
Let's all work together.
All right!
Yay!
Preview
Erena Mochizuki here.
My hobby is photography.
You're trying to do something bad again...
Of course not!
You've done it before, Mochizuki-san.
See it in our next episode: Cameras and Shortcake.
Episode 3: Cameras and Shortcake