Akine Atagawa.
Please.
I would like us to be friends.
Manatsu Atagawa's...
little sister?
Inversion
Manatsu Atagawa!
I've played ball for years.
It's nice to meet all of you.
- Welcome to the club. - Nice to meet you.
- How are ya doing! - During my first year of junior high
Sachi, my neighbor at the time invited me
to join the basketball team.
Koyuki!
I'm so glad you signed up!
Sorry, I'm no Miki, but-
Hey, I'm happy you joined us even if Miki couldn't.
Volleyball CHOP!
*MIKI JOINED THE VOLLEYBALL CLUB
- Is this your friend, Sachi? - I think we'll make a good team.
- It's nice to meet you all. - Nice to meet you!
- Glad to have you. - The upperclassmen were so nice to me.
GRADE 3 CLASS 1
Here you go.
The second and third years'll practice on the court.
The first years will practice something else today.
Okay.
It was reassuring to have someone I knew there.
Tell all the others!
Hey Koyuki.
Come again, okay?
She's so cuuuute!
Leave her alone!
That's why I didn't notice it sooner.
You guys are so lame.
- Why're we lame? - She clearly didn't like it.
What was all that?
GIRLS' BASKETBALL CLUB
The first years will be practicing outside today.
Hm?
Captain gave me this practice program to follow.
What is this?
Huh?
ATAGAWA
Why're you acting like you're in charge?
At first, I just thought the issue was that she didn't like being told
what to do.
But
CHATTER CHATTER
I wonder if we can make her grow any taller.
- Hey, you're just stretching her neck. - Mm?
- Hey every little bit helps in basketball, - I realized she didn't like me
- right? - because of how close I was to the
upperclassmen.
Hmm
I get from Manatsu's point of view, my closeness to Sachi looks like I'm
maybe sucking up, but-
CHILDHOOD FRIENDS CLOSE FRIENDS
I'M MORE SKILLED THAN HER RESENTMENT I'M MORE SKILLED THAN HER RESENTMENT
Huh?
Atagawa!
The captain asked me to come see her during lunch. Do ya wanna come
with me?
Huh?
Thank you.
I didn't feel comfortable going to the third-years' classroom on my own.
I don't get it. Why did the captain make you her go-to?
We already knew each other.
We live close to each other so she probably just feels comfortable
talking to me.
I think you're the one on the team she has the highest hopes for.
Yeah?
GRADE 3 CLASS 1
Oh! You came too, Manatsu.
That's awesome.
Huh?
- Hm? - Huh?
- Is she your friend, Koyuki? - Leave em alone, would you?
Uh. Yeah. I'm Manatsu.
So apparently we're friends.
I mean it, Koyuki.
You're like, such an awesome friend.
I had the wrong idea about you.
R-Really?
I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT, BUT...
- Why the sudden change of heart? - Oh, by the way.
Just call me Manatsu.
Being on Manatsu's good side
made club activities a lot easier.
Don't worry. Don't worry.
Whenever Manatsu was with me, she got a
- chance to talk to the upperclassmen. - Hey, what'd ya buy for lunch?
- Oh my gosh hi! - Our friendship
was based only on benefits, not trust.
So
it wasn't like there was one decisive event that caused things to break down.
Speaking of people in our grade, aren't Hotani and Igarashi super cute?
Oh, totally.
- Wait, what? - Right?
Hey, Koyuki.
What kinda guys're you into?
I can't picture what your type is at all.
Huh? Mm
Someone who doesn't make fun of other people?
We're just talking about looks here. Stay on topic.
Huh? Oh, gotcha.
Hmm...
- I'm not sure. - Okay.
AWKWARD SILENCE
Nice work out there.
- See you later. - Later.
See ya.
Is it just me or is Koyuki just-
not on the same wavelength as us?
No, I totally feel you.
She's kinda gloomy.
She is!
She talks so freaking slow, and I kinda got annoyed just then. Could
you tell? I was like, hurry up and answer.
- Of course I could tell. - Honestly, we hadn't really built
- You were so obvious Manatsu. - anything to begin with.
Koyuki, you're such a good friend.
Manatsu never liked me for who I was.
She just liked what I could do for her.
You like doing grunt work?
Don't you have anything else going on in your life?
She's eating all alone.
Ew, her water bottle is so lame, isn't it?
- Oh, that's insane. - So
- Right? Are you serious? - it didn't take much for me to be branded
- as a villain. - Like what's her problem?
I can't take it anymore. I'm quitting.
I should have quit then and there.
And cut ties with her completely, gotten her out of my life.
CLUB WITHDRAWAL FORM
So you know... Atagawa's been coming on to me super strong lately.
Huh?
Although... I'm not into in anyone but the girl I like... She's barking up
the wrong tree.
Manatsu... likes Igarashi?
Do you get what I'm saying?
Mm?
Let's go out. Koyuki.
Honestly the very first thing I thought was
Wow, at least he finally said it.
And also "I wish he'd let go of my hand,"
and, "He doesn't seem to think there's any chance that I'll reject him."
And also, "I don't understand why in the
- world he even started liking me - Koyuki.
In the first place."
- All at once. - Koyuki.
Just cutting her out of my life
wouldn't be enough to satiate my anger.
- That's why. - Sure.
I was more than well aware of all the red flags my heart was waving at me.
Why not.
But I just
pretended not to notice.
This again.
After I quit the club and started dating Igarashi
her bullying became way less direct and obvious.
And more subtle and underhanded.
Yo!
Probably because she didn't want me to go to Igarashi or the other guys about it.
Besides
I needed proof Manatsu was the one behind it.
Good morning, Koyun!
I got here with time to spare which never happens, so...
Huh?
A-ta-ga-waaa!
Get off me!
She shattered the glass!
Oh my gosh Miki! Let's go to the nurse!
Huh?
- Hey- Whoaaaa! - Whoa, was that blood?
Did they fight?
Are you serious?
You rely on the guys and now Miki to fight for you?
How are you not ashamed of always playing the victim and leeching off
everyone around you? It's pathetic.
Because
compared to someone who stoops to childish bullying
I have nothing to be ashamed of.
I already said I didn't do it, alright?
Who else would do it but you?
Could be anyone.
Everyone passes the shoe lockers.
Idiot.
I never said that.
Huh?
I never said anything about the shoe lockers.
You were the one who mentioned it.
Hey, over here! This way, guys.
In here.
You did this to yourself.
- Come on. - Are you nuts?
Come on.
Hey!
First you abandon the club then you get everyone to take your side.
You're just a sad pathetic loner who can't do anything herself.
Stay just like that.
Why are you grinning?!
What are you doing?
- Igarashi. - Hey.
Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
What are you- What are you doing, Atagawa?
Are you okay, Koyuki?
That hurt.
That was sick, Igarashi!
Whoo!
You're the man!
Hmph
You're really lucky, Koyuki.
You can cry so well.
A delicate little flower.
And so cute.
You may have a man fighting your battles right now.
But don't get carried away.
That's enough!
What'd you just say to her?
Let's go, Koyuki!
Manatsu Atagawa
And her little sister, Akine.
What exactly and how much
does she know about me?
Ugh, I hate this so much!
I'm getting sucked back into the toxicity of junior high that I hated so
much
Not just that. I hate the person I was back then. Ugh, I hate it all!
Miki You're on social media now?
Yeah, Miharu and Sora recommended this app.
MIHARU, SORA FRIENDS FROM JUNIOR HIGH
Oh! Found it! This is Manatsu's younger sister.
#SISTERS #BESTIES
#Besties.
What's up?
What're you guys doing over here?
Huh? Atagawa?
We're in the same class. We talk all the time.
Yeah, Akine said she hears a lot about me from you actually.
So, what have you told her?
Well,
just that we've been close friends for a long time.
Koyun, if you marry me, you and Miki will be related. Isn't that so cute?
- You're a genius. - Yeah sure, whatever.
I also told her you and I might get married.
- One day. - Why'd you tell her that?
Well anyway
DUH-HUH!
All that to say, I have no idea what
She always acts cool and aloof.
She's thinking, to be honest.
She's not a bad person, I think.
Probably. Maybe.
That's what Yuki said.
But I still have no idea how much or what she actually knows about me.
I hate the fact someone might know things about me I don't want anyone to know.
Just that thought makes me me so incredibly uncomfortable.
Please.
I hope I don't have to see much of her anymore.
Well duh... We live in the same neighborhood so of course we could run
into each other on the way to school.
So do-
Do first years not participate in the soccer club's morning practice or
- something? - There's no practice this morning.
Oh... I see.
SILENCE
This is awkward.
In moments like this
the older one is supposed to start the conversation, right?
But what should I talk about?
What do we have in common?
Anything?
I really don't wanna talk about junior high school.
Maybe high school?
Ugh who wants to talk about school?
What should I do? I'm so bad at talking.
Good morning.
Hey, Amamiya.
What was that reaction?
THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP
Thank goodness.
I'll be okay now.
Hi Amamiya...
Huh?
- Good to see you. - Did you two come together?
Ran into each other on the train.
Wow!
You like that song too?
I play it on repeat.
Wow...
He's so good at keeping the conversation going.
Amamiya
I'm sorry for thinking you asked way too many questions or found it exhausting.
And I'm also sorry for laughing at you when you were totally losing it.
Stare.
W-What? Something on my face?
No
MMPH MMPH
I just feel
kinda bad for teasing you back when you were freaking out during spring break.
Wait, why now?
- Oh I'm getting it. - Mmm
Right here.
- Force field. - C'mon.
You two're close, huh?
Not really. I'm being bullied by her.
She's blackmailing me.
Huh? Hold on a minute.
Hey, good morning, Akine!
Momoka.
I happened to see you and just ran right over here.
Wow
she looks like a doll or something.
Oh hi, Amamiya.
Good morning to you too.
Kuriki, right?
You came to check out our club the other day.
Oh my goodness, you remember me?
I ended up ultimately choosing not to join a club after all
so I haven't been back since.
Aha, don't even worry about it.
Plus, Atagawa's joining us.
Oh I'm not that great-
Akine seems like she'd be really good at it.
- It's like she glows. - Hm?
Oh.
Oh... I get it.
I think I'm not welcome here.
That's it.
I guess I'll just head to class then.
What is he-
Well then, Amamiya
See you around.
See you at the cheer squad.
- What was that? - I dunno...
just thought you might be trying to quietly float away again.
- You got me. - It was obvious.
WHOOSH WHOOSH
- I feel like a dog being taken for a walk. - Wanna run in the park?
What is this?
PONTA
No thank you.
I'm over the moon.
I didn't think Amamiya would remember me!
Momoka. You've only met this guy one time.
Correction: I met him two times!
Okay.
Hey Akine...
Do you think that Amamiya
might have a girlfriend?
CHATTER CHATTER
Hmm... I don't know.
Can you find out for me?
So how's your new class?
You keep staring at me with this weird grin and it's making me uncomfortable.
IRREGULARLY HELD DINNER MEETING
Oh what a delight. I'm ever so happy to see you happy.
Yeah whatever that is, knock it off.
I didn't think I'd ever be fussing over people this much.
So, anything going on with you?
Huh?
No. Nothing.
HMPH
Okay, sorry I asked.
To be honest with you, back in junior high
I only dated this one guy.
I tried to get to know him little by little.
I dated him, thinking I'd eventually fall in love with him over time.
But that didn't go too well.
I realized
you can't fall in love by forcing yourself to like someone.
It won't work.
IMPURE MOTIVE
And that wasn't the only reason I dated him.
I'M SURE
- C'mon don't ask me that. - But you're different aren't you?
There's a lot of different kinds of love in the world.
DIFFERENT KINDS
If the type or the sizes don't match
one of the people is going to struggle.
It's not enough to just be liked
or to give love one-sidedly
I'M THE ONLY ONE STRUGGLING
Love is hard.
I feel like I'm still so far
from understanding it.
CREEP CREEP
CURRENT SITUATION
- Don't tell me that. Oh nooo - Oh.
Get outta here!
I'm sorry.
- I didn't mean it like that. - How about gyoza?
- No, that stuff makes your breath stink. - Oh. They're from our school.
Mm?
HURRIEDLY
Upperclassmen.
This is awkward.
A gyoza date's kinda low-key cool, though.
Wait, that girl...
Sorry if my breath stinks.
My breath smells the same, so I can't tell.
Oh.
Good morning.
You... scared me.
Reading a book while walking? That's not safe.
- Tch. - Don't "tch" me.
What were you reading?
Um, I-
What's that? It looks boring.
THE NERVOUSNESS OF TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING I LIKE Oh
Huh?
I haven't read it, but I did watch the movie.
It was interesting.
SOFTEN
Another movie based on their books will be streaming this week.
Oh I watched that in the theater.
I really liked the original novel so
of course I was super excited to see it adapted for the screen.
Oh... Well, she's in a good mood.
Well if you thought it was good, I'll check it out.
She looks happy.
She's so cute.
Oh
But I'm sorry in advance if you end up not liking it.
Woah, why so negative?
I MAY HAVE SET THE BAR TOO HIGH
It'll be fine.
Oh, so we meet again!
Morning, Amamiya!
Oh, Kuriki. Good morning.
Hey, are you going to the cheer squad's morning practice too?
Mm-mm. I have club practice.
But you'll be there, right Koyun?
Oh.
Yeah.
He calls her... Koyun?
Hello.
THE CONVERSATION ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE
Madam Koyun?
What a weird nickname.
We met yesterday, right?
In front of the restaurant.
Uh Right.
I didn't think she recognized me.
That really tall guy I saw you out with
Is he your boyfriend?
What- No- He's just a friend!
Oh
You guys looked so good together that I thought you were a couple.
Though I don't remember what he looked like to be honest.
No way.
Is that what we look like to other people?
This misunderstanding's a problem.
Yay!
Um...
we're really not like that, okay?
We're just good friends. That's all we are.
Oh gotcha. Well that's still really nice.
So then
Do you guys go out to eat together?
Just the two of you?
Alone?
Just the two of us?
- No, not really. - Right.
Want to?
Stop messing around.
I was being dead serious.
I'm not comfortable asking other people about their private lives.
Ask him yourself.
Woah, that's kinda harsh, don't you think?
Is it cause your girlfriend would get jealous?
Huh? No, I don't have a girlfriend.
Are you serious?
That's weird. You seem like you'd be really popular with girls.
Right, Madame Koyun?
Huh? Oh
CONVERSATION FROM A WHILE BACK
I guess so. You DO seem like you've dated a lot.
Th-That's not even remotely true!
Denying it like that just makes it more suspicious.
Huh?
- Yeah, it does. - Hey, now...
No no no, wait, come on.
Is that the impression you have of me?
The reason he's trying so hard
to deny it...
GRADE 1 CLASS 1
Guess what, Akine?
PERKING UP
I just found out Amamiya doesn't have a
So why waste your time telling me?
Girlfriend!
Go on then... this might be your chance.
I know, right?