Nakamura.
I've actually always wanted to be your best friend.
Would that be okay?
Hirose.
A-Are you sure you want to be my friend?
Yeah.
You'll really be my friend?
Yeah.
My best friend?
Of course.
All right! As of today, you and I are best friends!
Yeah! The bestest of friends!
Hirose...
My best friend?!
Hirose...
AH HA HA...
HA HA HA...
This manga Kawamura-san drew of me and Hirose...
never gets old.
I said breakfast's ready! Come down when I tell you to, stupid Okuto!
The Miraculous Magical Holy Water!
Why does Kana have to be such a brat?
It's always "idiot" this and "stupid" that.
She should have more respect for her older brother.
She interrupted my leisurely morning reading.
Hey!
Morning.
Hey.
Hey, did you do the math homework?
Crap. I forgot.
Show me yours?
Fine. You owe me a drink.
That's nice. They seem like good friends.
The usual soda, right?
You know me too well.
I know everything about you, Hirose.
That's why you're my best friend.
Just this once.
Sorry.
Speaking of close friends,
~ The Novel BL About Personified Lunches ~
Lovable Lunches!
See episode 2 for details
according to Lovable Lunches, the series I'm reading,
they hang out together and sleep over at each other's houses.
Lovable Lunches is a novel BL about personified lunches.
See episode two for details.
A sleepover with Hirose.
A sleepover, huh?
Sorry. There's only one futon.
Do you have enough space, Nakamura?
I'm fine, Hirose.
The other day, we were stuck in a room together until it was nighttime.
Can I come over to play games?
Sure.
That's basically like half a sleepover.
Kawamura-san's manga could become reality.
Morning, Nakamura.
Maybe he'll even greet me like that.
Hey, Hirose.
BA-DUMP
So you bike to school, huh?
Where do you bike from?
D-Dangogaoka.
Wow, that's pretty far.
H-Hirose struck up a conversation with me.
I-I must be dreaming.
Dangogaoka's got good Japanese sweet shops, right?
Who's this?
Really?
Yeah. You said they were good when you came to my place.
What? Your place?
Oh, those buns?
Is this guy...
Yeah.
Oh, this is Ohmori.
You're Nakamura-kun, right?
I'm Ohmori Tsukasa. We're in the same class.
Is this your first time talking?
Yeah.
D-Do you two, um, walk to school together?
Yeah, we do.
Wh-What?
How dare he rub it in my face!
Not every day, though.
But we live pretty close.
Live Pretty Close
I-I'm not giving up yet.
O-Oh, yeah? So you're good friends? Did you go to the same middle school?
Yeah. We've been together since grade school.
Since Grade School
I guess that makes us childhood friends.
Childhood Friends
We're stuck with each other.
Each Other
With
Each Other
With
Stuck
Grade school? He's one tough opponent.
They have their arms around each other! I'm so jealous!
Let me tag in, Ohmori!
How can I take Ohmori's place?
By the way, Hirose-kun, my mom says she's missing you.
No, wait. I could use Ohmori to learn more about Hirose.
She invited you over to eat with us again.
Seriously? I'll totally come.
Your mom's hamburg steaks are the best.
Then, I'll ask my mom to make 'em for you.
Nice!
Hirose-kun?
Hey, it's a live octopus.
Reminds me of cooking class.
By the way...
Nakamura, you like octopuses, right?
H-He remembered.
Why do you like them?
First of all, they look cool.
They're also really smart and have nine brains.
They even get attached to people.
Nakamura, why do you like octopuses?
What? Well, uh...
First of all, they look cool. They're also really smart.
Huh.
They can completely transform,
and they have a brain in each of their legs.
Most of all, I love how mysterious they are, like aliens.
Oh, um—
Oh, yeah! Someday, I'd like my own pet octopus!
I'll even let you guys see it!
W-Wow. Really?
Nakamura, you're kind of...
You're a geek. You don't talk much normally.
What?
You're creepy. In fact, you're scary.
Let's go.
S-See you later.
I don't like them that much.
Huh?
I don't like octopuses that much.
I see.
Look at the time! We're gonna be late!
Seriously?
We'd better hurry since we're on foot!
See you at school!
So anyway...
I'm such an idiot!
Hirose spoke to me!
But I...
But I ruined it.
I'm the world's biggest idiot!
Oh?
You've got talent.
I can hear your soul screaming through that sinister-looking drawing.
If you haven't joined a club yet...
Care to join ours?
Club Application
Art Club
We're the art club.
Care to join the art club?
Oh, she's weird.
What? Hey!
Wait a minute! You really do have talent!
No, thank you.
I understand exactly how you feel.
There's an uncontrollable passion hidden in your heart.
It hurts, doesn't it?
That's how you could draw that sinister— I mean, that beautiful art.
But you mustn't try to bear it alone.
I recognize your talent and want to help you.
Just a little.
Just give it a little try.
Trust me.
I, club president, Aokiyama Reiko, believe in your potential.
H-Hey, listen.
Yes, welcome to the art club.
I'm not joining.
What? Why not?
What's wrong with this girl?
Are you already in another club?
No, but I'll decide for myself.
Sorry, but don't worry about me. Well, bye.
I see. That's a shame.
You'll never learn the art club's unbelievable secret.
A secret?
Yes, and I'll even let you in on it.
You know the city art contest that's been held for years?
City Art Exhibit
Artworks Wanted
Submission Deadline
Yeah?
They say if you enter the contest,
whatever you draw will become real.
That's the superstition.
What?
That's ridiculous.
Curiosity
Your face screams "curiosity."
Curiosity
People have said it since the first contest.
When participants draw their dreams...
I went to a tropical island.
I got rich.
I turned into a hottie when I awoke.
The contest's famous for making dreams come true, one after another.
R-Really?
You're very lucky.
Our club has room for one more person to enter the contest!
O-One more?
It's a matter of time until people start fighting over it.
Th-The superstition grants any kind of wish?
Yes, of course. It does.
If you were to create a drawing about love...
I'll join!
Yes, great! Thank you!
Just write your name here.
Okay!
Club Application
Art Club
Naka
Year
Class
Club Application
Art Club
Naka
Year
Class
Club Application
Art Club
Naka
Year
Class
Huh?
There's something under here.
No, wait!
Occult & Horror Club
Club Application
Naka
Year
Class
Fare thee well.
No, wait! Stop!
Please join the club!
We need members or we'll be disbanded!
Not my problem! Let go!
But you'd be helping me!
Wh-Why me?
I'm glad you asked.
I, Aokiyama Reiko, may use petty tricks, but I have a keen eye.
BLAH BLAH BLAH
Honestly, you couldn't have done that creepy drawing without darkness in you.
Plus, you look like you'd be into the occult.
And you latched onto that superstition 'cause you're a chump.
In any case, you'd be perfect for our club.
BLAH BLAH BLAH
Bah!
I see the issue. You want to ask what our club does—
No, not really.
Ominous Letter
Yes
Ringo
No
Mansion of Gore
We study everything occult.
My specialties are superstitions, curses, and horror film analysis.
We're one person short for the séance we want to hold, so...
Please!
No, thank you.
Okay, fine.
If you'll join our club, I'll give you this for free.
Our club made this super serious, miraculous, magic holy water.
I'm sure it'll bring you good luck.
It's dark red!
If something good happens to you in the next week, consider joining our club.
What?
I-I don't want this.
As of this moment, that holy water is yours because I made it so.
What?
I hope you'll consider joining us!
Hey!
She made me keep it.
I'm late! I can't believe my luck!
Lucky holy water, huh?
Yeah, right.
It stinks!
What is this smell? What did they put in this?
How should I dispose of it?
Can I wash it down the drain?
It stinks!
They study the occult.
Will I be cursed if I throw it away?
Nakamura.
H-Hirose?
Do you like candies?
Huh? Uh, y-yeah.
Here.
F-For me?
Sorry we ditched you this morning.
Oh, it's fine.
Later.
Th-Thanks.
A gift from Hirose?
Holy crap. I'll hold onto it for life. I'll make it my family treasure!
Ah, but I wanna know what flavor he gave me.
What should I do?
Glance.
Th-There's no way, right?
No way.
Let's sit here.
Sure.
N-No.
Sorry.
That lucky holy water can't be real.
Go ahead.
It can't be.
But I clearly had a lot of encounters with Hirose today.
Hey, Hirose.
Is the lucky holy water actually working?
You're the class health rep, right?
Yes, sir.
Honestly, this could still be a coincidence.
Without a miracle like just us walking home together like best buds...
Nakamura, wanna walk home together today?
H-Hey, are you okay?
Y-Y-Y-Yeah, but why?!
I-I'm delivering these handouts to Sato's place.
I have to go to Dangogaoka. You live there, right?
I don't know the area well, so I thought you could show me the way.
Is that okay?
That's totally fine. Please allow me to go with you.
Uh, great. Thanks.
Thanks.
See you later.
I'm so glad to be alive.
Thanks, Nakamura.
I-It's totally fine.
I'm actually walking home with just Hirose.
I'm so happy. So, so happy.
Sato seemed surprisingly healthy.
Is this because of the lucky holy water, too?
I don't want to think it's because of that liquid.
Please join, please join, please join, please join, please join, please
Nakamura, do you have any siblings?
Huh? O-Oh, yeah. A younger sister.
Aw, lucky. I wish I had one.
My older sister's so annoying.
What? Little sisters are annoying, too.
She came into my room to yell at me this morning.
She's younger but she bosses me around and kicks me.
How long are you gonna use the sink for?
She makes our parents side with her, and she's a brat.
You're the older brother!
She takes my stuff,
Idiot, stupid.
she won't let me choose the channel, and she sucks at cooking.
Shut up.
Stupid brother.
Go away.
Stupid Okuto.
An older sister would be a hundred times better!
I dominated the conversation again.
You're funny.
Sorry. To be honest, I thought you didn't talk much.
I was hesitant to talk to you, but I'm relieved.
You're actually easy to talk to.
My sister's such a busybody.
I wish time would stop.
Well, I'm going this way.
Later.
Heck...
Heck yes! I could die right now!
I don't care if it's because of this liquid or not.
I'll hold onto my memories of today forever.
Hey, that hurt!
That came from the direction Hirose went.
There's no way, right?
Y-You ran into me.
What was that?!
You little shrimp!
Bold of you to piss off students from Mad Road High.
Huh?
I got curious and came to check it out, but...
Y-You guys are old hat!
What? You'll regret saying that!
Crap, crap, crap! What should I do?
If I don't do something, Hirose...
B-But they'd just beat me up.
I'm sure it'll bring you good luck.
Hold on, Hirose.
You know what'll happen if you don't shut your mouth.
L-Let go!
Did you hear that? He sounds like a puppy.
No doubt.
Hey, wait a minute. He's got a pretty cute face.
You're right. He looks real nice.
If we bring him in, that might please the bosses.
You're coming with us.
S-Stop, you perverts!
S-Someone help!
Hey, you!
Get your filthy hands off—
Authorized Personnel Only
Do Not Enter
Was someone there?
Who knows?
Well, whatever. Forget about that. You're gonna come help us...
as the photography club's model!
D-Don't!
First, you'll hold these flowers and pose.
I'm not posing for you!
What's that sound?
B-Bro, look!
Wh-What is that?
From him.
Away from him.
Get away...
from him.
It's a zombie in a school uniform!
N-Nakamura?
Yeah. A-Are you okay?
What are you doing? You look terrifying.
Oh, s-sorry. I'm creepy, aren't I?
Not at all.
You were awesome.
Thanks.
You're bleeding. Are you okay?
Oh, this is just some liquid someone gave me.
What? U-Uh, really?
You came to return this?
How surprisingly conscientious.
By the way, I heard a rumor that a zombie appeared around Dangogaoka 3-chome.
I gathered eyewitness testimony and drew a sketch.
This is it.
This is you, isn't it?
It's so horrific.
Are you sure you won't join?
Yes, I'm sure!
Who are they calling a zombie? Rude.
That boy really does have potential.
I'm not giving up.
I'll make him join the club.
She's so persistent.
Maybe that holy water deserves some credit,
but grotesque, creepy, horrific thing doesn't look like me!
Ah, it's Hirose.
Caution
School Uniform Zombie
Spooky!
Caution
School Uniform Zombie
Spooky!
What's he looking—wait, what?!
Caution
School Uniform Zombie
Spooky!
Caution
School Uniform Zombie
Spooky!
Caution
School Uniform Zombie
Spooky!
Caution
School Uniform Zombie
Spooky!
Caution
School Uniform Zombie
Spooky!
Caution
School Uniform Zombie
Spooky!
Why'd she post that to the bulletin board?
I drew that.
And stop staring at it, Hirose.
Yeah, he definitely looked like this.
Flump.
Th-That's what I looked like?
m 0 0 l 100 0 100 100 0 100
Bonus
m 0 0 l 100 0 100 100 0 100
Horror Award
m 0 0 l 100 0 100 100 0 100
They won an award with their school uniform zombie photo.
I was freaking out.
But I let my heart guide me and captured this candid image.
m 0 0 l 100 0 100 100 0 100
Horror Award