So...
Can we start moving stuff yet?
I'm sorry.
Gettsuu's a big company.
We'll have to wait our turn.
Ah...
Jeez, Mom, you shouldn't have cheaped out.
We're almost there.
Have some snacks while we wait.
Thank you.
I'll take this one, then.
Let's see...
Good thing he's a nice guy, though.
Dorm Registration Form
Dorm Registration Slip
March 17th
Prep A
Wakana Tabata
Reception
Wakana Tabata-san?
Yes.
The RA will be with you shortly.
Just wait a moment.
Sure!
A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA
Awajima Revue School Dorm
Sorry for the wait.
Pleased to meet you. I'm your roommate, Takehara.
I'm also the RA here.
My full name is Kinue Takehara.
I'm in Class A of the regular program.
Kinue?
She has my grandma's name!
It's Tabata Wakana-san, right?
Oh, yes! Sorry I haven't introduced myself.
My name's Wakana Tabata, and I'm new to this dorm.
I have some relatives in Gunma Prefecture too.
Wow, do you really?
I'm from Hiroshima myself.
Let's be good friends.
Of course!
Wakana Tabata & Prince Takehara
We have a shared communal bath.
The upperclassmen bathe first, followed by the prep students.
Cleaning Duty
We prep students take care of the cleaning too.
I used to go to public bathhouses often, so it didn't bother me too much.
But one girl couldn't handle it and started sobbing.
I have to use the same water as other people?
That's too gross!
Unbelievable.
Why would you choose to live with other people
if you're that put off by being around them?
That girl's such a pain.
I heard the upperclassmen were annoyed with her too.
I bet.
I'm glad the one I'm dealing with isn't such a pain.
Must be nice.
But as for the girls the upperclassmen said weren't "a pain"...
That's amazing!
Their peers generally didn't care for them.
She's just sucking up to the older girls, trying to score points.
I'm starting to get scared.
I know what you mean.
Everyone's talking about each other behind their backs.
Yeah.
We're getting along just fine right now, but I wonder if we're
going to start getting excluded or excluding people ourselves.
Dunno...
I like you, Tabata-san.
Huh? How come?
You're so carefree.
Not in a bad way.
I like that about you.
Th-Thanks.
I'm sure I'll come to you if anything ever gets to me.
And if there's ever anything you don't like about me,
say it to my face and not behind my back.
R-Right.
Can I call you Batayan?
No way.
D
Dear Mom
Dear Mom,
Dear Mom...
I made a good friend in my class.
She's in the dorm room next to mine.
Her name is Momoko Murakami.
Sending
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Vocals
Japanese Dance
Pilates
Modern Dance
Piano
Modern Dance
Ballet
Choir
Classical
Ballet
Choir
Vocals
Stageplay
Props
Ballet
Choir
Special Lessons
Stageplay
Piano
Stageplay
Piano
Special Lessons
Theory
Vocals
Stageplay
Prep A
Let's go.
Okay.
Vocal class is on the third floor, right?
I've gotten over my TV addiction.
I'm so nervous!
The vocal teacher is really strict.
She's so pretty, though.
It's the girl who was crying about the bath...
Her voice stopped all our chatter cold.
When I was little, my parents took me to a musical.
I got so super excited. I told myself I'd become a musical star.
One time, a taiko troupe performed at the civic center.
They were so, so awesome...
I went up to a representative to ask how I could join.
But the elementary school where they practiced was too far, so I gave up.
Basically, I'm easily starstruck.
Waka-chan, you're so tall.
Maybe you ought to go to that revue school.
Stop it. You know she's impressionable.
And leave an impression on me she did.
Tabata-san.
I'm sorry.
Did I wake you?
No, it's fine.
I was awake.
This is your first time living in a dorm, right?
Yes.
Then I bet there's a lot to get used to.
You're right.
The mornings are early.
There are so many mandatory courses.
Yeah...
Why did I even come here?
"Why did I even come here?"
That's what all the first-years think.
Th-That scared me!
It isn't as glamorous as it looks from the outside.
I guess she's going to tell me to buckle up.
A few girls always end up quitting.
Uh-huh.
Thoughts?
I-I guess it's a tough world.
Everyone drags each other down.
We're all clamoring to get to the top.
Is there any point in reaching the top by stepping on other people?
Platitudes won't get you anywhere.
Whoever makes it onto that stage wins.
That's how this world works.
Do you think you're ready to play in that kind of world?
I don't know.
I'm sure you don't.
I don't really know myself.
One of my friends promised she'd go here with me.
And yet... I wound up attending alone.
I'm not saying I'm carrying on her dreams or anything.
But I spent my whole first year thinking about that.
About her.
Then my first year came to an end...
And I'm still thinking about it in my second year.
I felt as though I'll be here until I stop thinking about her.
"The Awajima Revue School Dorm."
What a dull name.
Which is why the students have always taken to calling it the boarding house.
We've decided to go into town for some shopping.
More on that another time.
Kinue Takehara & Ryouko Ueda
In fifth grade,
we'll get to participate in electives and club activities.
Fujigaya Girls' Academy
I decided back in the third grade that I would join the drama club.
Kinue Takehara-san said the same.
You gave me a good start when you mentioned my name.
Looks like we're finally doing a reading today.
Really?
Everyone says the teachers will be choosing roles today.
Romeo and Juliet Characters -Romeo -Juliet -Tybalt -Mercutio -Laurence -Paris
Kinda like an audition.
"What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!"
"A crutch! Why call you for a sword?"
"My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, and flourishes his blade in spite of me."
Are you nervous too?
You there! No chitchat!
We're sorry!
Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet
Romeo will be played by Takehara Kinue-san.
Juliet will be played by Ueda Ryouko-san.
Wow, wow, wow!
We got the parts! We aren't even sixth graders!
Shh!
Oh man! I'm so happy!
Yeah!
And I'm playing Romeo, of all things!
You were so good, Takehara-san.
You were good!
I had no idea you were so talented!
No, I...
Let's make ours the best Romeo and best Juliet ever.
Better than all the middle and high schoolers!
Yeah.
Let's do this, Prince Takehara.
It would be my pleasure, Princess Ryouko.
It started off as a joke.
Oh, Prince!
Really? You too, Sensei?
Good job on your summary.
Keep up the pace with the essay too.
But it just kept spreading.
Hey, Takehara-san, what's this about being a prince?
It's just something my friend called me as a joke!
Her! This girl right here!
It's all her fault!
What's gotten into you?
Hey, what do you think of this Romeo?
"By yonder blessed moon I swear, that tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops..."
Again?
You're going to get in trouble changing it up again.
I thought it was good.
She couldn't help but try out every new idea she had.
She never noticed the headache she was causing for the people around her.
I guess you're going on to high school, then, huh?
Huh? Yeah.
You aren't, Kinue-san?
First Career Plans Survey
Hey, what if...
What if...
I'm thinking of applying to Awajima.
So what if...
If it's all right with you, do you want to apply together?
No? Bad idea?
I don't hate it or think it's a bad idea...
I just never even considered it.
You're amazing, Kinue-san.
How so?
You've put serious thought into your future.
It's not much of a plan.
It's no different from me deciding to join the drama club.
I'm just going with my gut.
Awajima Revue School
I never thought I'd get so into it myself.
So I figure I'll apply and see what happens.
Your parents won't object?
I don't know.
I haven't told them yet.
I'll try to convince them.
You really are amazing.
Congrats.
Thanks.
My dad just wouldn't budge.
Can't blame him.
It just so happens my aunt is big into this stuff.
I have her to thank for putting on the pressure.
My parents aren't too thrilled.
They were hoping to get me into Fujigaya.
It's not like we're never seeing each other again.
Don't cry.
I wish we could've gone to the same school.
I really and truly do.
I'll be back for summer break.
We can hang out lots then.
High School Performance Rokumeikan Hall
Seriously, though!
I could hardly believe you playing a guy.
I'm still surprised too.
But you were so, so good!
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I couldn't walk that path with you.
Sorry I felt relieved that we were going our own ways.
I never even talked to my dad about it.
I've always looked up to you.
When I'm with you, I can't help but want to be like you.
Oh no, what's wrong?
Are you feeling overwhelmed?
Yeah.
I know. I bet it's just relief after all that tension.
You worked so hard.
I would have ended up growing jealous if I'd stuck by you.
Say, "Your hand, my lady."
What's this about?
And I'll say, "Gladly, my prince."
You're so needy.
Your hand, my lady.
But what was the harm?
I had no idea.
Gladly, my prince.