So, Chitose,
do you like anyone right now?
All I know is that I'm under no obligation to answer that at this moment.
I'll take that to mean you at least have some interest in me.
Did you sneak a peek at my diary?
It's just, people like you and I? We're good at drawing lines in the sand.
If you had zero interest in me,
you'd've have replied with, "Yeah, I guess."
But it seems you're not ready to make a move on me just yet.
Can you not strip my thoughts bare before my body?
Nail on the head.
This girl is a real handful.
We're very similar, don't you think?
CHITOSE IS IN THE RAMUNE BOTTLE
Why do you want a boyfriend, and why does it have to be me?
Am I not allowed to fall for you because you're hot, like any other girl?
Of course you're allowed to.
I love how cute and pretty you are, too.
I might fall in love with you someday.
But today is not that day.
You need a boyfriend. Am I right?
How mean. I've been stealing glances at you forever, you know?
And I've been stealing glances at your chest just as long.
What can I do to make you believe me?
Maybe if you gave me a kiss as sudden and fleeting as a summer downpour.
I'll admit it. Yes, you and I are very similar.
But there's no drama in following a script to the letter.
Then I guess I'll have to go off-script—
take the mask off and stop being the perfect actor.
Even if that revealed a disfigured face underneath,
I'd look you right in the eyes and kiss you twice.
That'd make me the Phantom of the Opera and you Christine.
Then I'd have to send you off to be happy with somebody else.
What an awful role!
I feel like I've finally gotten a peek of the real Yuzuki Nanase.
That's why it has to be you.
How am I supposed to go mask off with someone who hasn't even noticed the mask?
You're basically saying you're always fully aware of all the eyes on you, yes?
It's all too easy to get hate for my looks.
All the popular guys fall for me at one point or another.
I get where you're coming from, but that kind of line won't go down well with most people.
You're the first person I've ever said that to, of course.
Forget "similar." It's like I'm looking at myself in the mirror.
If you want a boyfriend, then I'm guessing hurt feelings are involved.
But it has to be a guy who gets your plight of being too popular for your own good.
Otherwise, you can't speak your mind.
I knew you'd understand.
After all, ignoring a girl in need goes against Saku Chitose's life philosophy.
Thanks, Nanase.
You've been sending me a message this whole time, right?
"Don't worry. I won't get the wrong idea and fall for you."
And you chose me because I won't get the wrong idea and fall for you.
Well, damn.
That actually made my heart skip a beat.
Again...
Knock that off.
Well?
I think I'm being stalked.
Any idea who by?
I've been spotting an awful lot of Yakon High boys lately.
Yan High, huh...
It's a school where the bad crowd stands out more than others.
I get why you came to me now. So you want...
Stop. Let me say it. It's the least I can do as the one asking.
I want two things from you.
First, be such a perfect boyfriend that the stalker will have to give up on me.
You've got that one in the bag already.
Second, deal with the stalker if he turns out to have a nasty streak.
Unfortunately, I've never once been in a fight.
Okay, but "won't fight" isn't the same as "can't fight."
You're my only hope.
Please go out with me.
You're misunderstanding something.
As it stands, being seen as your boyfriend has no pros for me, only con—
You can do whatever you want.
You can do whatever you want with me.
Anything you want, as much as you want, as many times as you want.
I think that's a fair deal.
Yeesh, is she just a female version of me?
Are you sure? There's no telling how far I'll go.
I'm fully aware of how much time and effort I'll be taking from you.
What do you say, Saku?
You're on, Yuzuki.
We have a deal.
Anything I want, as many times as I want, you said?
Yeah.
Perfect.
I've been pent-up lately. Help me shoot it out.
W-Wait...
Let me rest a little.
Did you really think we'd be done after one or two shots?
But you're going too hard.
I can't!
I'm done. Break time.
Get your act together.
This is your sport, isn't it?
You know, Saku.
You don't say stuff like, "It must've been hard," or "You can lean on me," do you?
I know people like us hate being told we can be vulnerable with someone.
So don't worry about relying on me.
Don't think about burdening me with your vulnerabilities.
Just use me when you think that it's the best course of action.
What if you aren't around then?
Everyone knows you can summon a hero by yelling his name out loud.
By the way, what do you think of when you hear the word "pet"?
Puppies.
You were looking, huh?
Cough, cough.
Saku! Good morning! Huh?
And Yuzuki? Did you run into each other?
We didn't. Right, Saku?
Hmm? "Saku"?
R-Right. I went to Yuzuki's place to pick her up,
and we walked to school together.
Hm? "Yuzuki"?
Huh?
The two of us, uh... are dating now.
Wha...
What?!
What the heck? That's news to me!
It just kind of happened. We both let our intrusive thoughts win.
Saku would never go with the flow and randomly pick someone!
I bet you just went to him asking for help with some trouble!
That's not true, right?
I didn't go with the flow... or anything.
See? Saku's not having a good time!
He was too nice to turn you down!
Uh, Yuko?
Is it that weird that Saku and I have started going out?
Yeah, it's weird!
If nothing else, you have no chance with Saku right now!
But hey, you have no chance with him right now either.
Grumble-wumble!
Okay, you wanna fight? You're on!
- Huh? Did I say something weird? - Welp, what do I do?
There you have it.
W-Will you be okay?
I'll figure something out.
Saku-kun...
You're thinking you don't mind if you get targeted in Yuzuki-chan's place, aren't you?
Oh, but we'll keep a weather eye open too. It's goin' ta be okay.
Right you are.
Heck, we'll have to find him and give him a good talking-to for you.
If it were me, I'd be too scared to go outside.
Saku, you better keep Yuzuki safe, okay?
I got this. You can count on me.
How like Yuzuki to pick Chitose in this situation.
You two are very alike.
Chitose, come watch our game on the weekend.
Can I have some of your time after that's done?
Cheating already, bossman?
Don't be silly. I want a one-on-one rematch.
Maybe I'll ask you to be my pretend boyfriend when I win.
Can you please not add more fuel to the fire?
What do you make of it, Kura-sen?
What'd you do in your past life to get into a secret relationship with a D-cup beauty?
Keep saying that, and your next life will be more of the same.
Chitose, you'd better not get yourself into any crazy situations.
You think we should go to the cops?
They probably won't do anything as it stands.
So you're saying?
Be smart about it.
Any hero needs an unambiguously just cause to beat up the bad guy.
Hard to tell where to draw the line.
The moment it stops being just a problem between kids, leave it to me...
is not what I'm gonna say, but talk to me at least.
This is all teachers are good for, really.
I'll see how it goes.
- One! - Yeah!
- Two! - Yeah!
- Three! - Yeah!
- Four! - Yeah!
- One, two, three, four! - Chitose-kun.
Nazuna-chan. It's rare to catch you alone.
Just call me Nazuna.
- Anyway, are you really dating Nanase? - Perfect match, right?
Not at all.
It's hard to get a read on Nanase. Who knows what goes through her head?
She ticks me off.
Come on, who says that to her boyfriend?
Huh? Wouldn't it be worse to talk shit behind your back?
I say it to her face all the time.
Talk about a breath of fresh air.
Hey... Lemme have your chat ID.
Again, please remember I'm a freshly minted boyfriend.
SAKU CHITOSE ADD CONTACT
I'm off. I don't wanna run into Nanase.
Bye-bye!
She said she could bitch her out to her face,
but she left rather easily.
Heya, Chitose.
Did you wait long?
I wasn't waiting for you at all.
Yeah, right. I know you're happy to see my dazzling smile at the end of a long day.
Can you stop fooling around with my boyfriend?
Sorry to keep you waiting, Saku.
Yuzuki was like, "I don't have my body wipes or deodorant spray!
Lend me yours, Haru!" She was panicking up a storm.
I said, "Who cares? It's just Chitose."
And she went, "That's why!"
Look at her, getting all girly.
Don't push your luck!
- Sheesh! - Sorry, sorry!
I'll get mad if thinking back to that made you laugh.
My bad. I just assumed you'd be on top of your post-practice sweat countermeasures.
They were definitely in my bag when I checked it before leaving home.
Do you leave your bags in the clubroom?
It stays unlocked,
and only a team member would realize if some outsider went in.
Anybody else would be panicking right about now.
She's almost too tough.
But if someone really did steal them, why would anyone want your body wipes?
Hey, what's that supposed to mean?
Why not your freshly worn school uniform? Or a used towel, at least.
Yikes.
Please don't get creeped out for real.
It's weird, though.
They took basic everyday items that a girl like her couldn't do without.
The reason being that she was about to meet her boyfriend.
A fellow girl with a grudge?
Say, Saku.
Why don't we go on a date?
Why?
Isn't that what couples do?
I'm down, but what about practice?
We're off. Exam period starts tomorrow.
Oh, right. But don't you have a practice game on the weekend?
That's different.
It's against a powerhouse school from outside Fukui. It's been scheduled for ages.
I take it all back, then.
I'll go cheer for you, so win the game.
If you do, I'll take you on a date.
I didn't have you down as the motivational type.
I just want to see you on your game.
I'll have you know I'm pretty damn good.
Not to copy you,
but if you really do win, I'll do one thing you want. Anything.
Challenge accepted!
What should I ask for?
Thank you, Saku.
What for?
What for, indeed?
If you're so grateful, you could let me grope your thigh.
Dumbass.
Saku-kun. Saku-kun.
Sorry. I was spacing out.
No, I'm sorry to interrupt.
Do you have any spare loose-leaves?
Oh, yeah, I do.
Here.
Thanks.
You're wearing glasses today, huh?
I guess I look weird, huh?
I've never once found them weird.
They just remind me of last year. Takes me back.
I'd prefer if you didn't remember that, actually.
You used to be a glasses girl?
I didn't pay too much attention to my appearance. I really didn't care about it.
I asked her to switch to contacts because I'm over the whole
"glasses girl was secretly a hottie" trope.
"Hottie surprises you with a glasses look" is more my style.
Oh, yeah? I'll keep that in mind.
Yuzuki.
SOME YAN HIGH GUYS ARE HERE
You see 'em?
Nobody I recognize.
Will you be okay by yourself for a bit?
What are you thinking?
Oh, just going for a walk to clear my head.
Huh? Wait!
Hey.
You were sitting with Yuzuki Nanase just now, right?
I was. I'm her boyfriend, after all.
You're Saku Chitose, then?
I'm probably the only Saku Chitose in Fuji High.
Introduce us to Yuzuki Nanase, will ya?
Didn't I just say she's my girlfriend?
You're a famous manslut, right?
And Yuzuki Nanase lets anybody hit, right?
Where'd you get that scoop?
A senior of ours wants to get in her pants.
Wait, is he a scary dude?
Super scary! And willing to throw hands!
Also, he can't resist his slutty hot girls.
Have you been following Yuzuki around lately on his orders?
Wha?
Guess the answers'll have to wait.
Quit blabbing and just give me her chat ID.
Let's keep this friendly.
Do that, and we'll let you walk.
We're doing this the American way?
Okay.
Ow! Ouch!
That hurt! What was that for, asshole?!
It's going according to script so far.
If I pick a fight with them here,
they'll either come after me first or go talk directly to Yuzuki.
They'll be forced to choose one or the other.
You jerk!
Somebody wants to be cut down to size, huh?!
Hey!
What's going on here?!
Forget it. This is no fun.
Senpai will be hearing about you, though.
Yuzuki and I are in a pure, loving relationship.
I'd appreciate it if you stayed away from her.
Are those guys the stalkers?
They're the prime suspects for now.
And I used to be so good at skipping stones.
...ry. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry you had to do that,
Saku.
Hey, I've always wanted to try it.
But...
You were about to get hit.
Please. Those scrubs could never land a punch on me.
I get it, so stop talking. Speak up when you're back to being Yuzuki Nanase.
Yuzuki Nanase shouldn't stop being Yuzuki Nanase, like she's doing now.
I want katsudon.
Wha?
I want katsudon from Yoroppa-ken.
Where did that come from?
Anybody with Fukui blood wants katsudon when they're down.
Anyway, you're incredible. You didn't let those scary punks faze you.
Remember this.
Men of all shapes and sizes can be put out of commission with a swift kick to the groin.
That's how flawed our design is.
Really? You too?
Okay, don't try it. Don't you dare try it.
I see. I'll remember that.
Here's your reward.
I put my body on the line for this?
You were awesome. Thanks.
I guess it was worth it after all.
Let's get going.
Her back looks beautiful and frail, yet proud as she walks away.
In this world where not everybody can live strong,
this girl stubbornly insists on standing tall at all times,
and she cuts a stunning figure to me.
Translation: Sriram Gurunathan
Subtitle Editing: Geoff Mazzolini Subtitle Timing: Krzysztof Kunc
Quality Check: Riley Dalton Translation Check: Rei Miyasaka
NEXT TIME BLUE BASKETBALL SHOES
"Blue Basketball Shoes."