Nikaido Haruki has a boyfriend now.
Huh?
Excuse me.
Is Nikaido-san available?
Oh. See? Right on cue.
It's that guy.
Yes? What is it?
Kaido Kazuki.
Because of what all the girls have been saying about him.
That Kaido-san thinks Nikaido-san is the one.
Then maybe I should go with you.
Thanks. You're a lifesaver.
Wait a second!
Haya—
Huh? Kirishima-kun?
And you are?
OH BOY, WAS I WRONG ABOUT HER
You're going somewhere to take care of club stuff, right?
I've been thinking of joining one too,
so maybe this is a good time.
EPISODE 6 "WHAT ABOUT YOUR CAMOUFLAGE?!"
Then why don't you join us?
Okay with you, Kaido-kun?
Yeah, I don't mind.
But what odd timing to join a club.
I'm a transfer student.
Oh, right. You're the one.
What club are you looking to join?
We'd love to have you join ours.
Gardening club.
Huh?
Hey.
You're in the soccer club, right?
What's so fun about soccer anyway?
What's so fun?
The power of a single goal, the freedom of movement,
and then, of course, the feeling of camaraderie with my teammates.
Really, there are too many things to list.
It's the same thing with gardening and farming.
You water and prune every morning.
You fertilize, weed, and take care of bugs.
It takes a lot of time. It's hard labor.
But you know what?
The vegetables always reward you for the care you give them,
and they all have different personalities.
There's nothing like the feeling when one of them produces odd-shaped fruit!
See? Take a look!
Nothing is more fun than playing in the dirt!
Haya—
Uh, Kirishima-kun, you sound like you really love gardening!
It's really nice that you have something you're so passionate about.
Well, it grows on you over time...
Hey! That hurts! Would you quit slapping my back?
Ahem. We should continue on.
Yeah...
STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICE
I sure didn't expect that.
I guess what we just saw was the true Nikaido Haruki.
Who knows?
Weren't you trying to keep up your act?
My name is Kaido Kazuki.
You are?
Huh?
Your name.
Kirishima Hayato.
Nice to meet you, Kirishima-kun.
Sure.
Mm-hmm. Nice job, man!
What are you talking about?
You blocked the cool guy from devouring our beauty!
You're a real hero!
Dummy.
Kirishima-kun, do you have any other pictures like that last one?
Kaido?!
I'm sure I've got something.
Anything's good. Can I see them?
Kirishima, you also got pictures of shrine girls, right?
Mori! Shut up!
I mean, I do, but come on.
Huh... Shrine girls are cute.
Don't get the wrong idea.
Take it easy. Just show us!
What other kinds do you have?
No, I don't!
Oh, right. I gotta go.
Hey, that girl's cute!
Um, hello, Mitake-san.
Huh? Kirishi—
N-Nikaido-san?! H-How can I help you?
Well, um, I was just wondering what you were up to.
I-I'm pruning and weeding.
Of course you are.
Oh my gosh, she's cute.
She and I are totally different types.
I wonder if she's the reason Hayato wants to join.
Argh, damn it!
N-Nikaido-san?
Uh, I'm sorry.
I, um, went full caveman for a second.
Caveman?
Um, has something been bothering you?
Yeah, I guess. Something's been on my mind.
I see.
P-Play in the dirt!
Huh?
You should try playing in the dirt!
Trust me, it's very nice.
You'll find it very relaxing.
Here, put this on.
Uh, what? I don't know...
We can trim off rogue branches here and there.
Snip those flowers right off!
W-Well, if you insist...
All righty.
I still think it's mysterious how a flower can turn into a vegetable.
Yes, it's a marvelous thing.
Oh, speaking of, when you start picking...
You should definitely come.
Um, Nikaido-san?
I just...
You finally showed me a smile.
Actually, a little while ago, I endured a fairly shocking experience.
It was sad and difficult, and I cried a lot.
But I still had an appetite,
which I thought was kinda strange.
I heard that vegetables are only getting started when they bloom,
since that's where the fruits grow from.
So I started doing this out of curiosity.
Mitake-san?
When you actually try to grow them,
it takes so much more work than you expect,
but it's also that much more fun!
Um, what am I trying to say anyway?
I guess simply that finding this hobby helped me through a very tough time!
Yeah. Can I come visit again sometime?
Yes, please do!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
You know, I really hate tomatoes.
Huh?
I bet this is my big bro's way of getting back at me.
When he made me dinner the other night,
I complained and said it looked dreadful.
What a minute.
You mean that your brother actually made your lunch for you?
That's insane!
Yeah, but the stuff he cooks is all like party snacks and appetizers.
Also, he's rough when he wakes me up in the morning,
and he cleans my room without asking first.
Say what? He doesn't just cook and make your lunches,
but he also cleans your room and takes care of you?
Kirishima-san, will you tell us more about your brother?
Um... He's not really that great, though.
He's only one year older, but acts really arrogant.
Aw, don't let that stop you.
You should bring him to hang out sometime.
We could go to karaoke or something.
Huh? But my brother...
Wait, karaoke?
You mean not like for bus trips or community hall events,
but a real karaoke box?
Mm-hmm! Why don't we go after school today?
Great. And I'll even treat you, Himeko-chan!
Your treat? Yes!
They all had great voices.
I'd better come with Hayato and Haru-chan to practice before the next time.
H-Hime-chan?
Haru-chan!
Oh, it's her! Nikaido-san's childhood friend!
Hey, what do you guys do when you hang out?
Uh, I don't, I mean...
Look, you've made her all nervous.
That's enough questions for now.
Hime-chan just moved here. She's still getting used to things.
Please don't give her such a hard time.
Oh, sorry. I guess we got a little excited.
Um, you surprised me a little, that's all.
I-I'm all right.
You handled that well, Hime-chan.
Good girl.
Hey! Cut it out, Haru-chan!
I'm not some little kid, you know.
It's from my brother.
"Pick up some milk, yogurt, soy sauce, and..."
Uh, this sounds like a lot.
I'll go with and carry half.
And on that note, everyone, I'll see you tomorrow.
See you.
I've never seen that side of Nikaido-san before!
Did you hear what that girl said?
She said "brother," didn't she?
And Nikaido-san knows them well enough to just drop by their house?
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Is that why Nikaido-san has been softening up?
Haru-chan, is that how you always act at school?
Do you hang out with those girls a lot?
No. I just happened to run into them.
Why? Did I seem weird?
Hmm... Maybe not weird, but kinda mysterious?
Actually, you were like that at first at the convenience store too.
Yeah, that's pretty much how I act when I'm in public.
Okay. So I guess the regular Haru-chan is sort of like our secret.
Secret...
Um, yeah. I guess it is a secret.
Well anyway, I'm glad it was you back there instead of Hayato.
Huh? Why?
At times like that, Hayato is totally unreliable.
I remember you used to watch out for me in the old days instead.
Oh, I don't know if that's true.
Anyway, Hayato isn't really cut out for—
Hime-chan, hold this.
Haru-chan!
What's wrong, Himeko?
Wh-Wh-What should I do, Hayato?
I-It's Haru-chan!
What happened to Haruki?
A big dog jumped on Haru-chan and knocked her over!
Huh?
Oh, come on already!
Come! On!
What were you gonna do if your face got hurt instead of your leg?
Sowwy for the trouble.
Um, Nikaido-san was simply trying to protect me, so...
She deserves it!
If I don't let Haru-chan have it sometimes, she'll never listen!
But are you okay, little girl?
Were you running errands for Mommy?
Is doggie here a friend of yours?
Yes. Rento is the neighbors' dog.
I think he just got excited to see me.
Oh, is that right?
So, have you met Haru-chan before?
At school... and the garden...
Um, Hime-chan, this here is Mitake-san.
We're in the same grade.
What?
What's this now?
Don't tell me you actually thought she was younger than you.
Haru-chan, be quiet!
I apologize, Mitake-san!
I guess you really do act differently outside of school, Nikaido-san.
Oh! Uh...
You caught me.
Does it seem weird?
No, not at all!
In fact, you seem much more approachable this way!
Oh, okay.
So Mitake-san here is a friend of yours from school.
Huh? I-I can't exactly say we're friends...
I would never be that presumptuous!
So you aren't?
Friends?
Mm-hmm, sure we are.
School friends and gardening buddies, right?
Yes, I guess so!
We're gardening friends at school!
Um, so, thank you very much! And...
actually, I should probably get going, so goodbye!
Himeko! Haruki!
What do you think you're doing, you big dummy?
Wow, do you have to be so mean?
Give me a break, Haruki.
Climb on.
Um, I think at my age, a piggyback ride would be somewhat embarrassing.
But you can't go walking around on that leg, right?
Do you want to stop off at our place?
Oh, now I remember.
I guess Haru-chan actually did lean on my brother a lot in the past.
You're sure a lot heavier now than when we were kids.
Hey! Is that anything to say to a young lady on a diet? Why you...
Oh, come on. You're so inconsiderate, Hayato.
You said it, Hime-chan! Give him a piece of your mind!
Yeah, yeah.
Eww, the tomato stems are getting bumpy all over.
Are these okay, Mitake-san?
They aren't sick, are they?
No, those are called aerial roots.
What are you guys up to?
Morning, Kirishima-kun.
What am I doing?
Picking vegetables and helping with garden work.
Um, Kirishima-san, do the tomatoes with aerial roots look okay to you?
We haven't had a lot of rain lately, so they probably just need more water.
But it's okay. They aren't sick, and this won't affect the vegetables at all.
Oh, I see. Thank goodness.
Um, are you good?
Yeah, Mitake-san is nice and we're garden buddies now,
so it's all good.
Okay. But that's not the only thing.
What about the sun?
If you aren't careful, you could get a nasty sunburn.
Yeah? Well what about you then, Kirishima-kun?
Ah!
Hey! Stop it!
I see, I see. You're still a nice, pasty white.
Hey, mind if I feel you up a little?
Ah!
Would you cut it out?
Um, it's lovely that you are such close friends,
but we are outside, and um...
I don't think you should be doing anything dirty out here!
Mitake-san!
Dang it, Haruki.
I didn't get a chance to give her my club application.
I'll talk to her later to straighten things out.
Hey, Kirishima-kun. What are you doing for lunch?
I have no intention of eating with y—
I mean, why'd you plop down next to me anyway?
Don't get so comfortable!
What the heck does Kaido want with me?
I know he's still got a thing for Haruki.
Sorry, today I gotta...
We have an appointment, don't we?
Huh?
Oh, is that right, Nikaido-san?
Why, yes it is, Kaido-kun.
H-Hey!
How long do you think it'll take?
Do you mind if I wait here until you finish?
We're cleaning the library storage room, and it will likely take some time,
so I would suggest you find another companion today.
Oh? In that case, wouldn't it be best if I joined you to help?
Don't you think, Kirishima-kun?
What? That's kind of... Um...
What about your camouflage?!
Come on. Let's get going, Kirishima-kun.
Aw, guess I struck out.
But I'm still very curious about how he's able to get her to drop
that ridiculous act of hers.
LIBRARY STORAGE ROOM
Haruki, where do these go?
Drop them here next to me,
then grab these other books that I pulled out.
Got it.
So, what's going on with you today?
Going on?
Like this morning, and in class...
Ah. Was I out of character?
Yeah. Weren't you trying to stay camouflaged?
Well, to be honest, I've been having some second thoughts recently.
Second thoughts?
That maybe I don't need to keep it up anymore.
Look, Hayato. How do I put it?
I'm not sure if this makes sense, but...
What, Haruki?
I want to try a bunch of new things.
I want to change...
Y-Yeah, never mind.
Anyway, once we take these back to the front desk—
Haruki!
Ouch!
Hayato?
Haruki... You okay?
Um, yeah. I'm fine.
Okay. Thank goodness.
Sorry, that really knocked the wind out of me.
Can I stay like this for a minute?
Yeah, doesn't bother me.
See, Senpai?
Just like I said, it looks like it's empty.
Oh!
Sure, but are we really allowed to eat lunch in the library?
Maybe not, but since nobody else is here,
we can at least kiss.
I missed you so badly. I was starving for another dose of you.
What do we do?
Me...
Me?
Meaaah!
Hey! They're gonna hear us!
B-B-But I, right now, I just can't...
Meaaah!
The heck is her problem?
Hey, Nikaido.
Wh-What is it, Kirishima-kun?!
Kirishima-kun, leave this one to me, my boy.
Huh? Um, you are?
Isami Ema.
Nikaido-san, would you mind stepping out with me for a minute?
Meah!
Yeah, we have a few quick questions for you.
Apologies for my girlfriend's behavior.
Mori? Wait, girlfriend?
Yeah. Well, we've only been going out for about three months.
Oh, you have?
Ema and I have been friends since kindergarten,
and I thought I knew everything about her,
but I realized I was mistaken.
Huh...
She actually loves collecting stuffed animals at arcades,
and she's into frilly clothes, even though she says she looks bad in them.
Dating has revealed all these new sides of her to me.
You sound smitten.
I sure am.
Well, let's just say the more time you spend together,
the more you start to learn about each other.
You guys wanna come out and hang with us sometime?
Sure, that sounds fun.
But where in the world could we safely take the new Haruki?
I'm back.
Welcome home, Hayato.
What's that you're wearing?
I just bought it.
Does it look good on me?
Yeah, sure.
I was thinking that I've been too much of a burden on you recently.
Have you?
Dinner's not a big deal, though.
You even pay for your portion of the food.
You carried me home the other day.
I did it all the time when we were kids.
Yeah, I figured you'd say something like that.
Anyway, I thought about it,
and I decided to start doing what I can to help out.
So from now on,
please allow me to help with the cooking and other housework.
Please!
H-Haruki?
I can't let you take care of everything.
It doesn't feel right.
All right, then. You really want to help out?
Yeah!
Hayato, aren't you coming in?
Oh, you were talking together?
So when's dinner?
Mmm, this is so good!
Is there any rice today?
We still have some packaged rice if you want any.
I'm still on a diet, so maybe I'll pass today.
Hey, are you free next weekend?
I've got to put in some serious work on my game, manga, and anime backlog...
You do?
If you were free, I thought we'd go out somewhere.
What? I'll go!
I'm totally in! Let's go!
Okay. But what about your work?
It's fine! This is more important anyway!
So, where should we go? Oh, did you already have a place in mind?
No, I haven't found anything yet.
Do you know anyplace good, Haruki?
Uh, I'm actually kind of an indoor person.
I know!
I want to go to the movies!
Movies? Are they playing one you want to see?
The Seven Hundred and Sixty-Eight Seats.
Huh?
The seven hundred and sixty-eight seats. In other words,
there exists a movie theater housing an auditorium with an enormous screen
that can accommodate a maximum of 768 viewers all at once!
Incredible!
More than half of Tsukinose's population could watch a movie simultaneously!
Don't you wanna go and see how big it is?
If it is really that impressive, we would be fools not to want to try it.
That sound good to you, Haruki?
Uh, sure. I'm cool with that.
Hey, hey, do you think they might even sell popcorn there?
Of course, Hime-chan will be coming with us, right?
Obviously, Haruki! What else could it be?
It's been so long since the three of us have gone somewhere together!
Yeah, I guess.
TRANSLATION: MICHAEL ARNOLD
TIMING: HENRY LIN EDITING: ZACHARY CARLYSLE
QUALITY CONTROL: S. BILYEU TRANSLATION CHECK: ELIZABETH ELLIS