Good morning!
Morning.
Sorry for calling you here so early in the morning.
It's totally fine!
So, about yesterday...
At first, I was so surprised, I couldn't even believe it.
But I want to give you a proper answer.
Ishihara-san...
I'm sorry.
It's fine!
I'm also sorry for putting you on the spot like that.
That's not what I meant.
Huh?
Right now, I'm not confident that I can live up to your expectations.
Huh?
I've got some things on my mind at the moment.
What I really wanted was to ask for more time before I respond,
but you're so popular that I'm sure you'll find someone better than me in no—
I can't wait.
You're the one I want, Watari-kun.
There's no one else as sincere and thoughtful as you.
I was ready to give up completely if my feelings for you made you uncomfortable.
I didn't want to be like Fujioka-senpai
and force you to accept my feelings if you didn't feel anything in return.
But if that's not the case...
We could do a trial period of sorts, from now until summer break.
If being with me starts to bother you at any point,
we can call it off there and then.
I-I couldn't possibly!
It'd be way too disrespectful to only date you as a trial!
Please.
If I give up here, I won't have anything at all.
I'm not part of your family or your childhood friend.
I don't want there to be nothing at all to connect us.
Please.
Watari-kun's ****** Is about to Collapse
So you're going out now...
on a trial basis?
I never expected her to go that far.
I really don't know what she sees in me.
I can't help but feel like I'm the one who's being trialed here.
Why couldn't you just be honest and tell her yes right away?
I thought you had feelings for her.
I do, which is why I don't want to end up disappointing her.
I do get where you're coming from.
Especially considering that it's her.
Which is why I'm trying to put some proper thought into my future.
Like, what I want to do after graduation.
Graduation? That's over a year away.
I mean, yeah, but Suzu and I are all by ourselves.
I was just talking to her about this yesterday.
It's a given that I'll get a job right after I graduate.
We're staying with our aunt now,
but eventually the two of us will have to live on our own.
So I was saying I want to get a part-time job to start putting away money for that.
I want be independent as soon as possible,
in all sorts of ways.
And I'd like to gain whatever confidence I can
so that I can go out with Ishihara-san without feeling ashamed.
All that aside, you two are formally going out now, right?
So how do you feel?
Honestly, so damn happy.
Then you have no choice but to make it work out.
That's right.
If you have any questions regarding dating or part-time jobs, ask away.
I can teach you all the basics.
Thanks.
How is he so experienced when we're the same age?
Interesting.
Satsuki?
Tachibana.
I see. So you and Miss F-Cup are going out.
Wouldn't have thought it after all the whining you did to me yesterday.
It's complicated, okay?!
Oh?
Well, good for you. Congratulations.
That's it?
What? Did you want me to be jealous?
No!
Tachibana, that's quite the cute work outfit.
Did you come here with Glasses-kun to make fun of me?
Why don't you go home?
You're way off the mark.
I'm here for a part-time job interview.
At this place.
I called the boss, expecting him to refuse, but he actually agreed to see me.
Oh?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but today's my last day.
Huh?
I found a place that pays better, so I'm switching.
I see...
Sorry I won't be here with you.
I don't care...
Tachibana-san, you're on the clock!
It's almost time.
Seriously?!
I'll let you know if I get it!
Guess we'll have to see if he'll manage to do this and date Miss F-Cup.
He's so awkward.
And you? Are you all right?
I'm fine.
Childhood friendship is a powerful thing.
Restaurant MEIMEI
Office & Meeting Room
Thank you for coming.
Th-Thank you.
We've got one more interviewee for today.
Since Tachibana-kun is leaving and all.
Wait here together while I get ready.
Another person?
Excuse me.
And she's asleep.
A girl...
Her school uniform isn't from around here.
Wait. I feel like I've seen her somewhere before.
Where, though?
I don't know anyone from another school.
Did I see her on TV or something?
No, that's not it.
But she really does look familiar...
Wh-What did you do to me?!
Nothing! I didn't do anything!
I was just looking at your face—
Liar!
You were trying to kiss me, weren't you?!
What?!
What's going on?!
Sir, this person was trying to assault me in my sleep!
Really?!
That's not true!
I just thought I recognized her!
I understand!
Why don't I hear you both out separately?
I really was just trying to get a look at her face.
It's fine. Just calm down.
Oh, yes. Would you like some katsudon?
No, thank you.
Just take it, man.
Watari... Naoto?
I'm screwed.
There's no way I got that job.
Man, did she have to put it that way?
Watari-kun.
Ishihara-san.
Tokui-kun told me what you were up to.
I thought I might be able to catch you at the station.
Sorry for being so hard to reach.
I'll get a smartphone once I start my job.
It's fine.
I was able to find you, after all.
Say something! Anything!
Watari-kun.
Want to go somewhere after school tomorrow?
We only have morning classes,
and finals are coming up,
so we'll be busy studying from next week on.
Before that happens...
Yeah. Let's go.
It's a date, right?
That's right.
We've randomly hung out after school before,
but this time, it's different.
Trial or not, I'm going out with her, so it's a date!
But... Sorry in advance, Ishihara-san!
Zoo
I'm sorry, but what?!
It was supposed to be just the two of us today!
I couldn't exactly leave Suzu home alone.
I'll find a good time to tell her that we're going out.
I'm sorry... for all of this.
Why are you apologizing?
We met once before, right?
At the hardware store.
My name is Ishihara Yukari. I'm one of Watari-kun's classmates.
It's nice to meet you, Suzu-chan.
You can't fool me just because you're pretty and seem nice!
I hope we can have fun together today.
I-I guess! Just for today, though!
Thank you.
I ended up going to the zoo with Watari-kun.
Ishihara Yukari
He took his sister to their first date.
That's on brand for him.
So I guess you're also concerned about them?
Not really.
Well, I guess we saw them meet up safely.
Time to go home.
See ya.
Don't tell me you're going to keep tailing them.
Shh! Be less visible!
She's quite practiced at that.
She must do this a lot.
There's so many!
So soft...
A tanuki!
Cat!
Wow! So long!
Onii-chan!
Let's see the monkeys next. The monkeys!
Put me on your shoulders!
She's really loving this.
And she was so pouty before.
Ishihara-san, can you see the monkeys, too?
Want to get on his shoulders?
Next up, the goats!
Yay!
Petting Zoo
Don't run! You'll fall!
That's so pure.
So? You want to keep following them?
Tachibana? Hello?
I've never been to a zoo before.
It's kinda... scary.
Tachibana, I think you'll be more popular as a girl if you just lie and say they're cute.
They're looking at me.
Actually, that works in its own way.
Petting Zoo
He's like a grandpa!
Sorry everything's so crazy.
It's fine.
I haven't been to a zoo in a long time, so I'm having fun, too.
When I was little, I often came with my family.
I'm starving!
Right. We haven't had lunch yet.
Um, so...
I actually made some packed lunches.
Really?!
Ishihara-san's home cooking...
This looks so good!
Wow!
It certainly looks good this time.
But I haven't forgotten the rice porridge incident.
Let's eat!
Suzu, let me try it first!
It's so good!
Looks like you're also a good cook, Ishihara-san.
That's amazing. If unfair.
I wish that were true, but my mom actually helped a lot.
She says you have to be careful with packed lunches in the summer.
Oh, I see.
Wow, that's good!
Really?
Yeah!
Glad to hear it.
Next time, I'll bring lunch, too.
Okay.
That sounds great.
Bringing homemade lunches on the first date...
That's very like her.
Hey. Want to go get some lunch?
Just go by yourself.
They were so cute!
Where to next?
What are those?
Dad, let's go over there.
Sure.
I've got to go soon.
Then go home.
How long are you going to keep watching them?
I don't know.
Even I don't know why I'm doing this.
I only have gum. Want some?
No.
I guess she's a little tired.
She was really excited, after all.
This is our first real outing since we moved here.
She must have been happy.
I'll clean up while she's resting.
Ishihara-san is such a good person.
She hasn't shown any sign of being annoyed by any of this.
And she even made us lunch and brought it along.
Once again, she's way too good for me.
No, no!
Once I have a job,
I'll save up to take you somewhere during summer break.
You mean the job at that Chinese restaurant?
Oh, yeah, that place...
It's a long story, but I probably won't get that job.
Though I won't find out till next week.
But I'll look for another place right away.
I don't need to go anywhere special.
Just being with you is enough. And of course, I'm fine with Suzu-chan, too.
Ishihara-san...
I need the bathroom!
Can you go by yourself?
Yeah.
Suzu-chin's coming this way.
Quick, get up.
Satsuki-chan, what're you doing here?
Guess you found me.
Who's that guy?
That's Glasses-kun.
I'm Naoto's friend, Tokui.
Nice to meet you.
Hm, you're pretty handsome.
I'm Onii-chan's little sister, Suzushiro. Ten years old.
Nice to meet you.
Hey, Suzu!
Who are you talking to?
What are you two doing here?
Sorry.
We're here because we were worried about you on multiple fronts.
I have no excuse.
Same.
I have no excuse.
Tokui is one thing, but you always do this!
You could at least act a little ashamed!
Tachibana-san...
Sorry for getting in the way of your date.
I'll be going home now.
Anyway, I'm thirsty, Glasses-kun.
Suzu-chin, want to go to the food court with us?
Glasses-kun said he'd buy you an ice cream.
Really? I'm coming!
There it is.
Enjoy being alone for a while.
We'll be back in about thirty minutes.
Wait, aren't Onii-chan and Ishihara-san coming?
They said they'd wait for us back there.
So, Onii-chan and Ishihara-san...
Food Court
Curry
Never mind!
I wanna get a soda-flavored one!
I got you.
This all got a little weird. So, um... Sorry.
So you and Tachibana-san are no longer...
Huh? Satsuki?
Oh, nothing.
Don't worry about it.
Yeah!
Wait up!
I ended up holding hands.
With Ishihara-san.
This is crazy.
Damn, now it finally feels real.
Going out with someone is amazing!
Maybe we'll hold hands again during summer break.
I need to work harder. At my exams and getting a job.
I need to get it together, and then maybe...
I can ask her out for real. Not just as a trial.
He and Tachibana-san already kissed...
Want to go somewhere on the way home?
Sounds good.
Where to?
Where's Ishihara-san?
I thought we were supposed to go home together.
If you're looking for Ishihara, she already left.
Can't help but notice you two have been together a lot lately.
You'd better not be dating our Ishihara!
Perish the thought!
As if she'd give someone like me a chance!
If I come clean about us going out, they'll kill me!
Guess that's true!
I need to make sure this doesn't get out at school.
Well, it's almost summer break, so I guess it should be fine.
Summer break can't come soon enough.
You have to plug the previous one in there.
Oh, right.
I'll see you later, then.
Yeah.
That's the uniform of the fancy girls' school that's near here, right?
Hey, are you waiting for someone?
Not your boyfriend, surely?
I'm not.
Then you wanna exchange numbers?
You should join our next mixer.
Why not?
For real?!
But first, tell the second-year Watari Naoto to come here.
Tell him that his kouhai, Umezawa Makina, has come all this way to see him.