I'm Suzume.
I'm a maid who serves at a mansion in the UK.
However...
Due to various circumstances, said mansion has collapsed.
EEK!
Until it's repaired,
I'll be staying here in Japan for the next year!
Done!
What shall I have today?
He helped me again.
Suzume?
Tell me... What exactly are you doing?
Ricotta-chan?!
Please don't raise your voice like that.
R-Right...
I was just so surprised.
You look great in a kimono, Ricotta-chan.
It's a yukata.
But what's going on?
What are you doing in Japan?
Master sent me here.
How is everyone at the mansion?
Are they doing okay?
There's no need to worry.
But for the mansion to collapse...
Things must be quite inconvenient while it's under renovation.
They're all simply doing what must be done.
We were more concerned about you, actually.
So that's why you're here, Ricotta-chan.
Please, make yourself at home.
I'll prepare some cold tea.
Thank you.
That reminds me, Suzume...
Yes?
Tell me, what were you doing out there in this heat?
Actually... I think I was on the verge of heatstroke.
What?
Undress at once.
Is this the summer uniform?
That's right.
Master asked me to bring it to you.
The master did?
I thought the hot weather would start a little later.
I thought the same and wasn't prepared.
Why are these biscuits here?
Oh, right!
I was so happy to see them sold in Japan.
Please, help yourself!
Don't come out until you've changed!
Right!
We used to have those all the time at the mansion.
You mean you did.
I'll have one now.
What do you think? Good, right?
It's sweet.
By the way, they call them "cookies" here in Japan.
They don't call them biscuits?
Isn't it amusing how things have different names here than in the UK?
It is. Thank you for the snack.
BISCUITS
HARDTACK
COOKIE
CRACKER
BISCUIT
In Japan, most snacks of this shape fall under
the general category of "biscuits."
However, any that are more than 40% sugar and fat are designated "cookies."
They don't use this term in the UK, so everything is simply a biscuit.
Chyun!
I'm done changing.
What do you think?
Very nice.
Two words!
Is this different from what I usually wear at the mansion?
Master had it specially ordered for you.
He certainly loves to spoil you.
It's a little crooked here.
Thank you very much.
Ricotta-chan, are you going back to the UK right away?
That is the plan, yes.
That makes me a little sad...
MAKES ME SAD
Ricotta-chan?
Yes, well...
I was also asked to check in on things.
So I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I stayed in Japan a little longer.
Really?!
Like I said, do not raise your voice like that out of the blue!
Ricotta-chan's here now...
That makes me happy!
So, that being the case, Master...
I shall be living in Japan for a while as well.
What? Aren't you spoiling her too much?
You and I both.
Oh, by the way, the summer uniform looks great on her.
THREE-CHEESE BURGER SPECIAL
WHAT'S GOT YOU ALL FIDGETY?
GREAT! I'M COUNTING ON YOU!
SEE YOU TOMORROW
What's got you all fidgety?
Ugh, it's just Yujiro.
Wait, "all fidgety"?
YOU SCARED ME...
You scared me...
I'M ON MY WAY TO KARAOKE RIGHT NOW. WANNA COME?
I'm on my way to karaoke right now. Wanna come?
I'LL PASS TODAY...
I'll pass today.
I'LL PASS TODAY...
ROGER THAT!
Roger that!
See ya!
A call from a pay phone?!
Hello?
Are you okay now?!
Yes!
Thank you so very much.
I made it home and feel totally fine.
Oh, could you hold on a second?
Sorry about that.
So, you were able to meet up with your friend?
What? You want to thank me? Oh, there's no need.
Well, in that case...
Okay, yes, that works for me.
Right. See you then.
What a relief.
I forgot to ask his name...
I forgot to ask her name...
DELICIOUS MILK
Thank you, Master, for letting Ricotta-chan stay in Japan a bit longer.
I am very grateful.
I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa are happy to see her for the first time in a while.
What's that?
Cardboard?
Is someone littering?
I'm pretty sure this apartment is vacant.
I'll throw it out with the trash.
THE NEXT DAY
It's there again.
Did the wind blow it over?
Got you.
Still, how could something wind up in the exact same spot like that?
THE NEXT DAY
It's appeared again!
This is precisely where it was yesterday.
There's no top or bottom to it.
It's just an ordinary piece of cardboard.
Cardboard doesn't walk on its own...
I don't see any signs that an animal brought it here either.
Just who's doing this?
Someone cut this down to size with a box cutter...
EEK!
Is someone leaving these here on purpose?
But why?
I can't figure out why anyone would.
Could we possibly have...
a case on our hands?!
In that case...
DELICIOUS MILK
AN
PAN
I can see the ground floor from here.
I've taken care of the cardboard from earlier.
All that's left is to uncover the truth.
Now, for the tasty part!
The subtly sweet bun is packed with sweet red beans!
I've always wanted to try this after seeing it on TV!
A stakeout snack!
Chyun!
When you think of anpan, what do you imagine is on top?
If it has black sesame seeds on top, it's usually whole red beans inside.
If it has poppy seeds on top, it's usually smooth bean paste!
Paired with milk...
SLURP
So good!
The smooth, rich flavor spreads in my mouth after the sweetness of the beans!
SLURP
So good!
That was delicious!
I forgot I was doing a stakeout!
Huh?
It came right back so quickly while I was preoccupied with my anpan!
I didn't want to think so, but what if it's something scary
and ghost-related?!
Hey.
Are you the one always making off with the cardboard?
MENACING
No... If I back down now, then what about keeping things clean?
I won't be able to fulfill my duty!
P-Please don't leave your trash here!
Trash? Can't you see—
Ah, okay.
Hold on a sec.
Here.
How cute!
Wait, there's a swallow?
Sure is. Right up there.
You couldn't see it at your height.
They make a nest there every year and all sorts of stuff falls through the gaps,
so I put some cardboard out for 'em.
I see. So that's why it kept reappearing.
When I see 'em working so hard raising their babies, I just can't ignore them.
I'm very sorry. I had no idea.
That's okay. It wasn't easy to figure out.
Sorry about all this.
And thanks for cleaning up!
THE NEXT DAY
THERE ARE SWALLOWS UP THERE!
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
How cute!
I meant to leave before it started raining...
But it doesn't look like it'll let up anytime soon.
That was louder than I expected.
It looks like a flower...
So I guess it's a bud when closed?
Maybe a morning glory.
I can smell the greenery and the soil...
Are we in the rainy season already?
The air's so wet that I feel like I'm underwater.
Was that water that had collected in a tree?
It's interesting to see the rain through the umbrella.
Rainy days are fun...
But it feels humid even inside.
On days like today, I'll take Grandma's advice and indulge in what I just bought.
HONEY & LEMON MADE WITH PEELS FROM DOMESTICALLY GROWN LEMONS
Here! Honey lemon!
It's got bits of lemon peel floating around.
The honey smells amazing!
Put some in a cup...
Add water...
And mix it up!
Now you have lemonade!
TA-DA
Let's give it a try.
AHH
Chyun!
Drinks called "lemonade" exist all over the world,
but what's actually in them varies from country to country!
In the US and Japan, it's usually lemon juice mixed with cold water,
but in the UK, lemonade is made with carbonated water.
In Japan, the fizzy version is often called "lemon squash."
Chyun!
I forgot to buy soda water, but it's nice with cold water too.
The honey is sweet, and the lemon is sour and bitter.
This'll perk me up, even in this damp house.
But it feels like I'm forgetting something...
Shoot. I need to pay the power bill.
I have to double back now...
Why did I have to remember when I'm almost home?
I wanna go to sleep!
Komatsu-san! Good evening.
Suzume-san?
It must've been the white of her apron.
So you go out at night too?
What do you mean?
You seem like the early-to-bed type.
That's true!
I usually go to bed early, but today, I just couldn't get to sleep.
Yeah. Some days are just like that, huh?
Yes.
Thank you for letting me tag along.
Actually, you're helping me out, so thank you.
It's rather bright...
I won't be long. Want to come in anyway?
That's okay. I'll wait out here.
Roger.
What's that?
SUMMER FESTIVAL
A festival?
That reminds me of...
THE UK'S FAMOUS CHEESE-ROLLING FESTIVAL
the cheese-rolling festival.
What do people roll in Japan?
Mochi?
Sorry to keep you.
Here. This is for you.
A thank-you for coming along... and to commemorate our night out.
You tear it open along the perforation here.
I see.
BAM
PIPING HOT
K-Komatsu-san, what is this?
It's fried chicken.
Oh, whoops, do you not like chicken?
Then I'll eat—
I love chicken!
I got that for you, so don't worry.
Thank you for the treat!
JUICY
What do you think?
No need to ask, huh?
Chyun!
Karaage and fried chicken are both pieces of chicken deep-fried in oil,
but there's a difference.
Karaage is chicken that's seasoned before frying,
while fried chicken has the seasoning in the coating.
Juicy, piping-hot meat in a richly seasoned coating and plenty of oil...
How sinful this late at night!
But... I just can't stop!
Thank you very much, Komatsu-san.
I'm glad you like it.
Oh, but don't let it drip on your clothes.
Okay!
I've been meaning to ask...
Why do you always wear your maid outfit?
Oh, s-sorry.
You don't have to tell me if you don't want.
MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH
Yeah, my bad. Take your time.
That was delicious! Thank you again!
I... never really spent much time outside the mansion in the UK.
I've worn this outfit for the longest time...
So, um, I guess...
You could say it's kind of comforting.
When I had to come to Japan all by myself, I was really anxious...
But I thought if I could wear this, I'd be okay.
I thought it would help me feel like myself, no matter where I went.
That's such a cool way to think about it.
I'm kind of jealous.
Jealous?
B-But...
Maybe I'm exaggerating a little!
I just mean to say...
It helps me, um, feel stronger.
It really suits you.
Thanks for sharing.
I used to be anxious, but I'm enjoying my time here now.
My grandma's here and my friend came to visit.
And you're here too, Komatsu-san.
I'm glad.
Oh, would you like to wear a maid outfit with me, Komatsu-san?
For the rolling festival!
Rolling...?
Sorry, what are you talking about?
MISS MAID IS A DELINQUENT
I wanna go home and sleep...
When swallow chicks hatch, the parent swallows drop the shells.
So maybe...
Suzume-san's become a delinquent...
Komatsu-san!
Look at this!
What is that?
It's an eggshell!
I found it!
I just learned that when swallow chicks hatch,
their parents toss the shells out.
I'm learning a lot from him!
RELIEF
You were just talking about swallows.
Yeah!
If I find another eggshell, I'll be sure to give it to you!
Sure...
They're looking out for the swallows.
I wonder if I have any snacks I could bring them.
The day after it rains, the puddles glisten and everything looks so vibrant!
And when you're hungry, rice looks just as dazzling!