Hey, Minato.
Koyun, do- do you like her?
I'd see her around.
And she stood out to me, cause she seemed different from the other girls at our
school.
So her face stuck with me.
And then...
Huh?
She's alone again.
I was always curious about her whenever I saw her...
Ever since.
I guess you could say I feel sorry for her.
Minato.
You always do this to people.
You're always pointing out those who are on their own and feeling sorry for
them. But that- that's just so arrogant of you.
I'm arrogant?
You really are.
You feel sorry for people without even knowing them.
Do you realize how they'd feel to learn you were only nice to them
out of pity?
You have this savior complex.
You want them to rely on you.
So, in the end, it makes you feel needed.
Koyun does not deserve to be one of your projects!
THE RAMPARTS OF ICE
EPISODE 4 IMPENETRABLE
Minato, you shouldn't look at her as just another sad soul for you to pity.
She's a person, not a charity case so you can feel good about yourself.
You know, I think you've got a point.
But I don't feel that way now.
When I first saw her, I did feel bad for her because she always seemed
to be alone.
But that's clearly changed.
Now...
I'm interested for other reasons.
So don't worry.
Huh?
Well, um, I don't think guys like you are exactly her type.
That's not what I meant.
And even if I did mean it that way, at least sugarcoat it. Jeez!
Whatever!
Don't try to put the moves on her or be weird!
Hey, I mean...
No harm in talking to her.
What're you, like her prison warden?
Helicopter parenting is bad for children.
I just don't want...
I just don't want to hurt Koyun anymore.
Don't you mean you don't want her to get hurt anymore?
Uh... Hold on.
Is Hikawa the girl from the basketball team?
Ha! I knew it.
Well, now I can see why you're so protective.
FLUSTERED, FLUSTERED
See? This is why I didn't want Koyun and Minato getting to know each other!
Wait, why is it okay for Yota but not me?
Because you have these crazy, fine-tuned instincts.
You're saying Yota isn't perceptive?
Well, no, I...
That's pretty rude, y'know.
I meant...
Oh, wow.
Impressive.
The size of your hand is like a sumo wrestler's.
- Yo! - Is that a compliment, or...
You're so lucky.
Am I?
When I played basketball, I always wanted to palm it like this.
Oops.
But I could never pull it off.
That would be pretty hard on your hands.
Wait, hold on. You were...
You played basketball?
Why didn't you say anything?
Oh, cause I wasn't nearly as committed to it as you were.
And I quit halfway through.
Wait...
The shame from learning someone was pitying you...
Is that...
Is that how you felt?
Since I first came up and talked to you?
Uh!
Well, I...
- Flustered, flustered! - You know, I don't really...
I'm sorry.
That really wasn't my intention.
S CRAM SCHOOL INCREASE YOUR CHANCES FOR PASSING!
- I first talked to you because you - RIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM! MEITEN HIGH SCHOOL
- looked bored all by yourself. - HIGHEST ACCEPTANCE RATE IN HISTORY
But...
Once I got to know you, I never saw you that way again.
Since you and I became friends, and then Yota joined us, I've had so much fun.
I didn't realize you felt all this doubt and shame.
I'm sorry for making you feel bad.
Minato.
- Whoa. - Back it up, buddy. You're too close!
Back it up! I've had a lot of fun with you too.
And you've helped me out a lot!
Jeez!
So, let's keep being friends, okay?
RUB RUB
Your sweater's gonna get dirty.
It wasn't really all that clean to begin with.
Yeah. Good idea.
Huh?
I guess maybe...
In the end, what I really wanted was to feel like I was equal in this
friendship, and not just someone he felt sorry for.
Ugh, I'm such a baby!
Miki?
Yeah, yeah, hold your horses!
Those two just went to buy drinks, right?
Why is it taking them so long?
SLUMP
- They're growing all the cacao - FOR COCOA
- beans first? - From scratch?
- Oh. - Oh.
Sorry for the wait, we're back!
Look, a new flavor.
DOUBLE EXTRA AZUKI BEAN SOUP—RICH
Double Extra Azuki Bean Soup - Rich.
FULL OF BEAN TEXTURE RICH WITH AZUKI BEANS' SWEETNESS
- We all have to try! - She said we have no choice.
- Mm? - Mm?
Not what I expected, but it should keep us awake.
That's right!
It should at least help us power through our exams.
Why does Miki look like she's been crying?
Should I... maybe ask her?
Miki.
Did something happen with Amamiya when you guys went to buy drinks?
Huh? Oh, we...
- DON'T GET CLOSE TO KOYUN FOR REASONS LIKE - I mean, um...
THAT
We just chatted.
He did tell me about the time you bought a curry drink, though.
Why?
He said that he made you buy it accidentally, so he paid for all of
our drinks today.
THOUGH HE DIDN'T SAY IT HIMSELF
What? He really didn't need to.
See? He didn't tell you cause he knew you'd feel bad about it.
- 1, X, 2, SOCIETY, W, HAN DYNASTY, ICE, - Oh, wait. I'm forgetting what we just
- ROME, H2O - studied!
I need to review! Where's my notebook?
Ugh, c'mon, come back, come back!
If that's all, it still doesn't explain what might've made her cry.
Time to finally put all that studying and cramming behind us.
FIRST PERIOD: ENGLISH COMMUNICATION I SECOND PERIOD: PUBLIC STUDIES THIRD
PERIOD: BASIC CHEMISTRY, SHR NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 30
First day of exams.
And begin.
Hm?
It's exactly the same.
Thank you, past exams.
We've been over this problem already with Yota!
Off to a good start!
Yay!
FIRST PERIOD: LANGUAGE CULTURE 9:00–9:50
SECOND PERIOD: LOGIC AND EXPRESSION AND
I've got this. I've actually got this!
EXPRESSION 10:00–10:50
THIRD PERIOD: GEOGRAPHY 11:00–11:50
- FOURTH PERIOD: BIOLOGY 12:00–12:50 - Alright.
Your time's up.
Notifications?
- NINE MIKI: 9 NOTIFICATIONS - And quite a few of them.
Koyun.
Let's grab lunch somewhere on the way home.
Oops, group chat.
Wanna join Yota?
You're not an afterthought, I swear!
Please come.
Sure, I'll come.
Koyun, come on!
Oh, there you are, Koyun.
Looks like you and I are the first ones to meet up.
Miki's still in the classroom?
What's going on?
What's wrong, Miki?
Oh, Minato. Yota...?
He went downstairs.
Wait, did he leave already?
Need something from him?
It's just Koyun, Yota, and I, we made lunch plans.
- What gives, Miki? - Ah! It's freezing!
Are you trying to leave me out of your good time?
N- N- No that's, uh, not it at all!
BUOONO BUONO!!
Stare.
What? Five more? I can't tell what's different.
The grapes maybe?
It isn't.
I found a difference.
- BUOONO BUONO!! MENU - And another one.
- Oh. - Jeez, you're too fast. Hold up.
If we don't find all of 'em soon, our food's not gonna come.
Is that really how it works?
They're just acting like regular friends.
I'm glad.
SPACING OUT
Am I reading too much into it?
Have you been here before, Hikawa?
Hm?
Not really.
First time.
I don't normally go anywhere after school.
Uh. Whoa.
Is that pity I see creeping into your eyes?
Is it?
That's not it.
- CAFÉ RESTAURANT BUOONO BUONO!! - Bon appetit!
- Bon appetit!
It was cheap but actually pretty good.
So, Hikawa...
You're not in any clubs, right?
Do you work part-time?
Uh, yeah.
But honestly, I don't work that many shifts.
Where do you work?
REGULAR CUSTOMERS
A laid-back spot only the elderly in the neighborhood come to.
- It's just a local restaurant. - So then what do you do in your free time?
- Give it a rest, would you? - Good question.
How do I spend my time?
I read books.
What is this? It looks boring.
I watch movies.
Is this even interesting?
And I study ahead.
You're such a nerd.
Nothing, really.
Just space out most of the time.
Oh, really?
That's kind of a shame.
Glare!
Koyun spends her free time hanging out with me!
Does she really?
Are you paying separately?
Yes.
- Hey. Minato, what are you doing? - Mm?
What's with the interrogation?
I told you, didn't I?
Well, I figured...
If we were the only ones involved in the conversation, she'd be bored.
- SLICK, SLICK - Oh!
- You have a point! - Right?
All of these questions are kind of exhausting.
- Whew, man, I am crazy full. - The people and environment are so
different from back then.
I'm going to burst.
I'm still not very good at talking about myself.
I don't hate him or anything.
But I'm scared of people finding out who I am on the inside.
I'm trying to avoid rejection.
To avoid hating myself more than I already do.
That's why I keep my distance when people try to get close to me.
God, you're such a weirdo.
You know that?
What is normal anyway?
SECOND TRIMESTER FINAL EXAMS DAY 3
FIRST PERIOD: MODERN JAPANESE 09:00–09:50
Good job! We nailed those exams!
SECOND PERIOD: BASIC BIOLOGY 10:00–10:50
EXAM AFTER-PARTY CLASS 1-5
- Yay! - Yay!
- It looks delicious. Do you wanna try it?
Sure, I'll have a bite.
Ahh.
Azumi is absolutely glowing today.
I'm sick to my stomach.
I somehow managed to get through the exams, but...
My stomach feels so queasy.
SCHOOL NURSE'S OFFICE
- Noriko. - Huh?
Help.
Are you seriously back here already?
I keep telling you this isn't the place to get warm.
I'm actually sick today, I swear.
Oh.
It's my stomach.
Oh no. You stressed?
Or did you eat something you shouldn't have?
I haven't eaten anything today.
Oh, I had three cups of coffee, though.
That'll do it.
Okay, you can sleep it off here.
I can't get comfortable laying in my uniform.
Alright, don't push it, kid.
Did you go to junior high with anyone here at Meiten?
I did actually. He was a nerd.
Well, yeah, you have to be smart to get in here.
What about you, Igarashi?
You know anyone?
Ah?
I have no idea.
No one I know would get in here.
We have some snacks left, I think.
Did we buy too much?
- Yeah, we might have. - Mm-hm.
Aren't those guys from West High?
Mm.
Huh?
Igarashi?
- What the... What? - What?
Head on home. I gotta catch up with someone.
Okay, have fun.
Bye, Miki.
Why are you here?
Azumi.
You...
I what?
You just look so different than you used to.
Where'd "gorilla" go?
Shut up! Do not call me that!
Mm.
Hm?
Why're you at this school?
Huh?
I'm here for club activities.
We have a joint soccer practice.
By the way, I didn't know you went to Meiten.
I bet you're probably the only one who commutes this far every day, huh?
Why bother?
I guess he doesn't know Koyun goes here too.
Hm?
Hey! Igarashi!
What's the hold up?
Oh.
Oh, sorry.
See ya later.
Who was that girl?
She's so cute.
Dude, get your eyes checked.
Huh?
Koyun.
Please tell me you've already gone home from school.
So dark. Wait. What time is it?
Oh, it's just because the curtains were closed.
Thanks, Noriko.
It's still pretty bright outside, so at least it hasn't been that long.
Igarashi!
Right, that was today!
Well, he's visiting our school soon, but you don't know each other, so never
- mind. - When?
For a scrimmage on the last day of exams.
He told me about it, but...
Oh, by the way...
Earlier, I ran into Azumi.
Are you two classmates?
Oh. Miki?
Not classmates, but friends.
So, is she causing trouble here too?
She broken any windows?
Nah, she's great.
Earlier, I ran into Azumi. Are you two classmates?
They're talking about Miki.
- Oh, Miki? - Why?
Not classmates, but friends
Agh, I can't hear them very well.
...Causing trouble here too?
Hikawa. What are you doing?
Um, I was just...
Are you feeling any better?
Yeah, I'm fine.
- Can you go home? - Yes.
I'm gonna book it so he won't notice me.
I couldn't hear everything, but they were definitely talking about Miki.
They're not gonna talk about me, are they?
I wonder if Amamiya will bring me up.
You know Igarashi?
Where do you work? Whadda you do in your spare time?
SO CURIOUS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE
I bet he will.
I'd hate that.
I don't want people having any interest in me.
I don't want anyone to know my true self.
Oh.
By the way, Igarashi, do you remember Hikawa?
Huh?
Oh, Hikawa!
Hey there! Good morning!
Eh?
Why does he look all warm like that?
Oh! We just finished morning practice.
- Amamiya, did you run here, or something? - I'm steaming from the cold.
Morning practice. Boy, I remember those.
Oh. By the way, Igarashi was here yesterday.
Although...
You don't really care, do you?
Seems like you weren't close friends with him, or anything.
Huh?
Where did that come from?
Tell me, was Igarashi super popular back in junior high?
Well, I mean, I guess so.
He was always the center of attention.
- With people constantly around him. - I knew it.
Figured he was like that.
He's the kind of person who just butts his nose into other people's business...
Without even asking.
Oh. I'm sorry.
Let's stop talking about junior high.
Hey, don't worry.
You'll make all new memories in high school.
There's a lot of events, and fun stuff coming up.
There's the dance, and field day too. Oh, and don't forget soccer season.
Speaking of which, any chance you might come to some of our games?
I've never talked to Amamiya about my memories from junior high school, so...
Why'd he suddenly mention them?
Did he hear something?
From Igarashi?
What did he tell him?
Koyuki. Oh my gosh, no way!
You're really dating Igarashi?
So...
How far have you two gone?
It's funny.
She only seems to be nice to guys, am I right?
I know, right? What a "pick-me."
- Did you know? - Igarashi is...
I heard Koyuki's family is...
- No way. - You're kidding!
What? Seriously?
- Why does everyone love rumors and - So that rumor was true.
- Gossip so much? - Why can't they just leave me alone?
Hey, Koyuki.
Do you get some sick pleasure in meddling in my life?
What's really going on with you two?
You don't care if it's true or not...
Just as long as it's entertaining, right?
Well, I'm done.
Mind your own business.
- I don't get it. - Uh?
WARM, WARM
Ah, the cold air feels so good.
Huh?
- Koyu- - Why do you have to be such a busybody?
I don't understand.
It makes me sick.