Huh? Nikaido-san?
Mitake-san?
Oh.
Um, I was just...
M-My home is really close, and... um...
You'll catch cold out here!
Yeah, but I don't want to intrude.
Oh.
I would never abandon a friend in a s-state like this!
Huh?
Oh!
Thanks, Mitake-san.
But my home isn't that far either.
I'll be fi—
I can't!
What?
I... can't leave you alone.
When I found you,
you had the same look in your eyes as Kirishima-san.
Oh...
OH BOY, WAS I WRONG ABOUT HER
MITAKE
EPISODE 9 "TRULY SPECIAL"
Thanks for letting me take a bath.
Um, I'm sorry I didn't have anything cuter for you to change into.
This is more or less what I wear at home anyway.
O-Oh, of course.
Excuse me.
I should apologize for meddling.
I don't think you were meddling at all.
I live here alone.
My grandpa used to live with me, but he's in the hospital so it's very lonely.
So I think I brought you here for selfish reasons.
I'm sorry.
You don't need to apologize.
But... yeah. That sounds rough.
Nobody wants to be left all alone.
Ah!
Nikaido-san!
I'm the same. I'm alone.
I'm all by myself at home.
It can get really lonely, can't it?
Nikaido-san...
Hey, would it be all right if come over again?
Maybe a little earlier next time?
Of course it is! Because, well, I mean...
that's what friends do!
Friends.
Yes, we are. That's what we are!
Huh?
INCOMING CALL KIRISHIMA HAYATO
Hello?
Is everything okay?
Huh?
Um, I mean, after what happened at the movie theater.
Just making sure you're good.
Oh? Isn't the truth that you got lonely and wanted to hear my voice?
Huh? Shut up! Hell no!
But it sounds like you're fine, so...
I did.
I got lonely.
When I got home, my mom was there.
The second she saw me, she slapped me.
She screamed at me,
"What am I going to do if someone spots you?
You need to stay out of sight!"
and I couldn't take it, so I just ran out.
Huh?
The truth is,
I'm Takura Mao's illegitimate daughter.
I've never heard anything about what my father was like,
I guess I must have been a liability to both of them.
When I think about how I'm not wanted, I feel incredibly lonely.
In that case, remember what I promised?
I'm coming to get you. Where are you?
Don't come.
Haruki!
To be honest, I actually went up to your building.
I knew that you would be there for me,
to quietly listen and support me.
But you know what? I didn't think that would be right.
Haruki! What are you saying?
Because I know that you feel lonely too.
Remember what I told you before?
You are very special to me.
I don't want to lean on you all the time and become overdependent.
I want to be there to support you too.
I don't think things between us can stay the way they were.
But that doesn't...
But listen, that's exactly why...
I want to work a lot harder on myself so I can be a truly special person to you too.
Haruki.
O-Or whatever! Anyway, I'll see you at school tomorrow!
Hey! Haruki!
N-Nikaido-san!
M-Mitake-san?
I promise not to tell anyone about your secret!
It's hard to say this, but I'm actually my grandpa's...
I mean, well, um... I'm your friend too!
Look, I can be a huge pain in the neck
and I'm actually pretty useless.
Nikaido-san...
So maybe you can help me to grow stronger... I guess.
Okay, Minamo-chan?
Yes, Haruki-san! If that's all right with you!
First of all, will you let me vent a little
about my very dear and special childhood friend
who I always dragged around everywhere?
The truth is, I'm Takura Mao's illegitimate daughter,
Since it rained, we were sure able to get a lot done, Minamo-chan.
We sure were.
Can you handle that?
Is it too heavy? Want me to lend a hand?
I'm totally, totally fine, Haruki-san!
See? Look at this!
Don't be silly.
I'm actually a lot stronger than I look!
When did those two get so buddy-buddy?
Is Hayato-kun around?
Kazuki?
Yo, Kaido.
When Takakura-senpai asked you out, did you really turn her down?
What?! For real?
Isn't Takakura-senpai that super pretty second-year girl in the drama club?
Who broke records and dominated all three categories in last year's beauty contest?
Wait, that was all true?
Then why did you turn her down?
Hold on, guys. Take a breath.
The stuff about Takakura-senpai is true,
but there was a reason for that.
Wh-What do you want?
Nikaido-san,
I would like you to be my girlfriend.
Meaaah!
What?!
Like I said yesterday, I have absolutely no interest in you, Kaido!
Yeah, I remember what you said.
I guess that means I struck out again.
Huh? What is going on here?
So it was true that Kaido-kun thought Nikaido-san was the one?
Yesterday too? Does that mean he keeps going after her?
That jerk.
Huh?
Let's go, Haruki!
Huh? What?!
H-Hayato?
Where are you taking me?
The arcade by the station.
I've never been in before.
Why the arcade?
To check it out.
All of a sudden, I wanted to see what it's like!
What are you talking about?
If we run, we should make it back before break's over.
Let's get moving, partner!
Starting today, you and me are partners, Haruki!
Oh right.
Here.
Huh?
That's a, uh, well...
A spare key.
Huh? Oh.
You can use it whenever you want.
If something like last night happens again,
I want you to come over.
Nighttime or morning, doesn't matter.
Haya—
Hey! What do you think you're doing?
And you know,
what you said about wanting to be supportive...
You're not the only one.
Hayato?
I'm gonna get stronger too, so I can be there for you whenever you need me.
Okay.
Oh. Gate's up.
Let's go!
Huh? Wait. Hayato!
If you're gonna act like old times, don't do it with anyone else around!
Jeez.
Let's play, man!
Shut up! Leave me alone! Go away!
Oh.
The truth is, I'm Takura Mao's illegitimate daughter.
Huh?
Haruki.
But listen, that's exactly why I want to work a lot harder on myself
so I can be a truly special person to you too.
Haruki!
Meaah!
Huh?
What are you doing?
I-I haven't done anything yet.
"Yet"?
Oh!
I'll go wake Hime-chan up, okay?
Hey!
Wh-Wh-What are you doing here, Haru-chan?!
Ugh.
SIMPLE HOMEMADE BASQUE CHEESECAKE
Hey, hey, Hayato!
Hmm?
W-Watch it!
About that Basque cheesecake Hime-chan brought up this morning,
do you have cookware like this at home?
Oh, and can we get all these ingredients at the supermarket?
Do you think we need to find a specialty shop?
Would you cool it a sec?
What's wrong?
Hmm?
Stare...
Oh.
Wow, you two sure are gettin' comfy together.
So, what were you talking about, anyway?
Uh, yeah, it was just...
Gosh, now you've gotten me curious too.
Would you mind sharing, Hayato-kun?
Kazuki.
It's no big deal. My sister said she wants a Basque cheesecake, that's all.
I was trying to get advice.
More importantly, what might have brought you here today, Kaido-kun?
I came to see you, Nikaido-san. Or is that off-limits?
Well, I have absolutely nothing to discuss with you,
so I would very politely ask you to withdraw.
Aww, darn. Guess I struck out again.
Where am I going wrong, Hayato-kun?
How the hell would I know?
Get a load of these guys. "Hayato-kun" and "Kazuki"?
When did you guys get so buddy-buddy?
Actually, not so long ago.
He bailed me out of a tough spot when we were hanging out
and that was that.
What's he mean? I can't really picture it.
You were pretty cool back there, man.
No, I wasn't. I didn't do a damn thing.
Don't talk like that, man.
Kaido!
Maybe you sort of became friends a little,
but that doesn't mean you're free to invade Hayato-kun's space like that! Right?
Is this really too close?
If we're pals, shouldn't this be fine?
Yes, but only in moderation.
See? Look at how nervous you're making Hayato-kun. Right?
Huh? Uh, yeah, I don't really...
Well, if you want to get closer to him too,
you should just go for it.
Kaido!
Kazuki, are you truly that stupid?
And you, Nikaid—
It's Haruki.
Huh? Nikaid—
It's Ha! Ru! Ki!
Haruki-san?
Hmm. Acceptable.
What is even happening?
Didn't Kirishima-kun grab Nikaido-san and run out with her earlier?
Woo-woo!
The hell are you doing, Haruki?
I-I mean...
Kaido was...
Kazuki?
I don't know.
It feels like he snuck in and took over the spot I used to have with you.
He's always that way.
But it'd be more of a problem if you start acting like you used to.
Haruki, look, you're a girl, so...
Isn't there a lot of stuff girls gotta be careful about when they get older?
For girls, huh? I wouldn't really know.
I haven't gotten very close to anyone here anyway.
Would you know, Hayato?
You know how secluded Tsukinose was, right?
I mean, you're the only friend I had who was my age.
Um, but what about that girl at the shrine?
The one who was quiet and polite, and looked like a doll.
Himeko used to talk to her a lot,
but whenever I said hi or tried to start a conversation, she'd run away.
Huh? Run away?
Did you go up to her trying to show off a stag beetle you caught?
No, I'm not you!
And I know that girls aren't interested in stuff like Miyama stag beetles!
Yeah, but if girls can't appreciate how cool the shape of the head is,
they're missing out on seventy percent of the joy of life.
Yeah, you used to love those Miyamas, didn't you?
Anyway, too bad the one girl there wouldn't give you the time of day.
I-It's not that bad. I might not be her favorite person,
but she still taught me some good recipes and things for diets.
Oh, she did?
Well, Himeko might have been in on it too.
Oh, she also sent me a picture of her outfit for this year's Kagura dance.
The Kagura dance?
During the summer festival. Yeah, here it is.
This is...
Isn't it really fancy and pretty?
Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm just a little surprised.
Surprised?
I've never seen her smile like...
Oh. Let's go back.
Yeah.
More feminine?
Yeah. I've been thinking about femininity recently.
I mean, how do I put this?
I don't think you could say I'm naturally very feminine.
Hey, don't laugh, Minamo-chan!
CONNECTED MITAKE MINAMO
No, it's just, hearing the beauty that everyone worships from afar
say she thinks she isn't feminine enough...
It's actually pretty funny.
Yeah, but that's just me putting on an act.
Oh, I know.
Huh?
That girl had such an enchanting smile, it got me thinking about it.
Then, as a start, why don't you try talking to her?
Talk to her?
CONNECTED MITAKE MINAMO
Yes. I got to know you a lot better after we spent time talking too.
I guess so. But I'd need an excuse to get in touch first.
Would you help me out with that, Minamo-chan?
Sure! Leave it to me.
Eh?
Huh?
CONNECTED MITAKE MINAMO
Hello? Haruki-san? Is something the matter?
Hello?!
S-Sorry!
Haruki-san! Is everything all right?
Did something happen?!
Yeah, everything's okay.
Though it might not be.
But it's okay. Unless it isn't.
I-I'm sorry you had to see that.
Yeah, no big deal.
But why were you changing in my room?
If I use Hime-chan's room, we might get our clothes mixed up.
Oh, and I left a few things in your room.
Without even asking me first?
Hey, if you're curious, feel free to try them on.
I'm just starting to realize how fun it can be to dress girly sometimes.
Hell no. I wouldn't even fit!
But... you sure are wearing a cute outfit again today.
Is it weird?
Uh, no. I-I don't think so.
I-I think it looks good on you.
You do?
Um, between this and the outfit I wore to the movie,
which one looks better on me?
Huh? Well, I don't... This and that are both, yeah, you know.
Oh, they are?
So, um, which are you more into, this or that?
H-Haruki? I can't, um...
Hayato, I'm so hungry! Huh?
What are you two doing in here?
We were discussing what to have for dinner!
Yeah, yeah. The diet's over, but we don't want to rebound, right?
You're talking with your backs turned?
O-Oh, right! We should have asked you for ideas, Hime-chan!
You're right! Himeko, do you have any requests?
Hmm...
I would like to have meat!
Okay, then meat it is.
Now, what should I throw together?
Hold on, Hime-chan.
What is it, Haru-chan?
I actually have a little favor to ask.
TRANSLATION: MICHAEL ARNOLD
TIMING: HENRY LIN EDITING: ZACHARY CARLYSLE
QUALITY CONTROL: S. BILYEU TRANSLATION CHECK: ELIZABETH ELLIS