01x07 - Fluttery Confusion

[bunniefuu]

High school sucks...

I miss middle school...

CLASSMATES' GATHERING

CLASSMATES' GATHERING
You always say that.

Nothing beats my hometown.

Isn't that played out?

But you came to our culture festival
with your high school friends.

My friends are good people.

I just don't fit in with my school's vibe.

Is it a bummer?

Yeah! It's always dead quiet.

There just aren't enough idiots there.

So how are we supposed to take that?

It's about the vibe, not academics.

Our third year's after school
was the absolute best.

Back when Yamada, Miyu, and I used to
have after-school study sessions together,

it was seriously so much fun.

AHAHAHA - HIEEE
it was seriously so much fun.

AHAHAHA - HIEEE
But we were just talking the whole time.

I only remember us laughing
our heads off over dumb stuff.

Yeah! Exactly!

You're worrying me...

Even though we were preparing for exams,

there was that sense of freedom in not
having to go to clubs after school.

The overwhelming desire to live these
days until graduation without regret!

The emotional vibe of the setting sun
streaming into the classroom.

He started to tell a story now.

SLUMP
Then Yamada got a girlfriend

and started ditching us a lot.

Yeah.

Hey, that's not my fault, okay?

THE FLASHBACK FROM THE PREVIOUS EPISODE...

Sometimes around evening,

I'll randomly take a walk along the route
I used to take to school in middle school.

You okay?

When I listen to the choir songs
we sang in middle school,

I kind of feel like I'm about to cry.

Okay, you're not okay.

You never realize how lucky you are
when you're in the middle of having fun...

That's what Ricchan was saying.

I was just thinking he
really got it rough.

Huh?

That guy's way too hung up on the past.

That's cold, bro.

There's nothing harder to relate to less than
people's happy middle school memories.

And why is Suzuki just casually
at that meetup anyway?

You okay with that, Tani?

Yeah. I guess that's okay.

If I overthink it too much, it feels like
I don't trust her, which seems kind of rude.

But thanks for thinking about me.

Why are you getting all confident?

Is that bad?

You little punk...

DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND, TANI...
Huh?

DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND, TANI...

YOU AND I ARE POLAR OPPOSITES

What do you wanna eat?

I want to eat chicken curry today.

Then I'll have the chicken hayashi.

Ah, he's also been...

I think I'm on my way to liking her!

I wonder how things went after that.

Did anything happen?

No. I'm not asking unless
Yamada brings it up.

I have no idea what to say
if it doesn't go well.

And even if it's going well,
I still don't know what to say.

BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL COMPLICATED

Seriously, I...

SUBSTITUTE COMMENTATOR

SUBSTITUTE COMMENTATOR
So here's how it went for Yamada

SUBSTITUTE COMMENTATOR
during the culture festival.

Did you take this photo?

Yes.

Wow, that's cool.

HUUUSH

What should I do? I don't know what to
talk about because I'm so nervous...

"I'm sorry you reached out to me over
summer break, but I was bad at replying."

"I'm sorry if it felt like
I was rejecting you."

So, um...
- Uh...

Please go ahead.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry about contacting
you and so on...

If you two aren't close, isn't it scary when
someone suddenly asks for your contact info?

I was just thinking I
might've bothered you.

The sense of distance between us...
Or something...

I'll think things through
a bit more before I act.

Sorry.

So what were you going to say, Nishi-san?

Ah, um...

I'm sorry too.

My phone... I've only ever used it
to contact my parents

or occasionally chat with Hon-chan
or some of the other girls I know.

I overthink whether I've
written something weird

or made a mistake, so my replies get late.

And then I end up sending
unnecessarily long messages.

I worry about awkward
silences on the phone.

But...

...it's not like I didn't like it.

I'm just scared of messing up,
and I think too much.

I want to stop overthinking so much.

You and I are polar opposites, huh?

When I got a reply from you, I was just happy
and shot one back without thinking.

I never thought anything
you've said was weird.

THANK GOODNESS
Honestly, I don't sweat the small stuff

nearly as much as you think I do.

Ah!

I mean, why don't you try
screwing up with me?

HUH?
Huh?

I'm not someone you need to be
that careful around in the first place.

We're the same age.

And if I'm annoying, just say,
"You're annoying."

If I'm being loud, just go,
"Shut up, idiot!"

I could never say something like that.

"Dear Sir, you are bugging me"?

I'm not that refined...

RIHITO - INCOMING CALL

RIHITO - INCOMING CALL
Oh, crap! Ricchan!

I've gotta head out now.

Thank you!

Is it okay if I talk to you at school?

Of course!

Great! I'll talk to you later!

And so, things were more
or less moving along.

He's been in a weirdly good mood
since the culture festival ended.

And he keeps looking around for someone...

I'm not gonna bring it up! Never!

Yamada-kun, are you looking for someone?

Huh? Ah...

Gapacho.

I'm not gonna bring it up!
Don't think about it, me!

Anyway...

Yamada and Tani are nice guys.

HE THOUGHT IT OVER

Of course someone's going to fall for them,
and they're able to accept those feelings too.

Sorry, Taira-kun.

Your personality is just
different than I expected.

Don't think about those
unpleasant memories.

What Yamada's friend said...

About how middle school was
so fun while high school sucks.

It's all relative.

Elementary and middle school are more
like hell because you were forced there.

If someone was accepted there, they've
been lucky enough from my perspective.

LIP-SYNCHING - FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP

LIP-SYNCHING - FLAP FLAP FLAP FLAP
So you weren't talking at all?

You fell for it! I tricked you!

Don't interrupt my music time!
- You fell for it! I tricked you!

And you stop laughing at me!

But I'm not laughing...

SO YOU'RE JUST TRICKING ME...
Why not?

SO YOU'RE JUST TRICKING ME...
Huh?

Taira isn't heading toward the station.

Which means you have work today, correct?

Yeah.

Then let's swing by there
on our way home too.

Right, Tani-kun?

Why?

Sure.

Don't say "Sure"!

Since we're visiting, make us
some ice cream, please?

We don't have that kind
of ice cream machine.

Besides, when we get there,
it'll still be the last guy's shift.

What?

Can you wait, Tani-kun?

Just go home!

What's there to worry about?

It's hilarious!
- Why do you always show up when I'm working?

Huh?

Because it's more fun when you're around.

Right, Tani-kun?

Yeah.

Oh, I see.

Well, whatever.

I won a prize from the popsicle I bought!

Go home already!

Ah!

It's Yamada-kun...

BDMP BDMP
What should I do? Greet him?

Should I say it first?

BDMP BDMP
I mean, why don't you try screwing up with me?

Alright!

Oh, Nishi-san!

Eek!

NERVOUS
"Eek"?

Er, no, I...

I was just mustering up the courage
to greet you first, but you beat me to it.

You were mustering up your courage?
That's funny.

I made him laugh...

SAVE

Ah, Hon-chan.

Good morning.

G'morning!

Morning...

What's with that face?

Looks like you two are
getting along pretty well.

Say, from your perspective,

what do you think of Yamada now?

Huh?

He makes me nervous.

But...

Hmm? "But"?

It's hard to explain...

I keep wondering...
What is this feeling, exactly?

BDMP
What could this feeling be?

So people actually say that in real life!

YEAH... I'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE...
So people actually say that in real life!

YEAH... I'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE...

Something like, "Why does
my heart start beating so fast?"

Ah, no, nothing fancy like that.

Nothing fancy?

It's more, "Is Yamada-kun
making me nervous?"

"Or is the situation making me nervous?"

I honestly can't tell...

URGH...
I honestly can't tell...

URGH...
Wow, that's more realistic than I was expecting.

I've barely ever talked to boys,

so I get so nervous I don't even
know what I'm nervous about.

Even if it wasn't Yamada-kun,
I feel like I'd be just as nervous.

Oh, I see.

Well, I'm kind of relieved you're not
some ultra-dense heroine type.

Ah, sorry, forget what I said.

I mean, it's fine if your heart flutters
because of the situation, right?

Eh? Doesn't that kind of make it
sound like it could be anyone?

If so... What's the point
in worrying about it?

What?

If you're getting nervous
because of the situation,

you're conflicted because you think you might
feel the same even if it wasn't Yamada, right?

Yes.

Is there actually some other guy
like that for you right now?

No.

Then there's no point comparing Yamada to
someone that doesn't even exist, is there?

All those what-if worries are things
you're creating out of nothing.

They'll just keep multiplying forever.

Instead of worrying about what-ifs,
it's better to worry about reality.

Isn't it simpler to just think
about how you feel about him?

That makes sense. You're right.

Then I guess first I need to be able
to talk to him without getting so nervous.

In the end, that's what it comes down to.

BACK TO SQUARE ONE
Heave-h*.

You'll be fine. Regardless of gender,
they're all nothing but just human.

Hon-chan, you can be
kind of scary sometimes.

Just slowly get used to it.

See if your nervousness
comes from your shyness.

How unusual the situation is,
or the person you were talking to.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out!

You really don't get shy
around people at all.

I'm jealous.

It's not that I don't get shy.

I sort of dislike everyone I don't know,
regardless of gender.

No way...

LIBRARY
Thank you for your help today.

You too.

Tani-kun...

He's always been so quiet that I could
never tell what he was thinking.

And that made me a little
uneasy and nervous.

But ever since we talked
a bit at the culture festival,

THAT'S THE FLUTTER OF BEING SHY AROUND PEOPLE
I've definitely felt less nervous.

THAT'S THE FLUTTER OF
BEING SHY AROUND PEOPLE

Come on, Suzuki!

THE GO-HOME CLUB'S "WE WANT TO EXERCISE TOO!"
You knocked it into the school building!

MEETUP IRREGULAR SCHEDULE
That doesn't count!

That was the wind's fault!

Ah!

Tani-kun!

TWICH

And Nishi-san! Hi!

Eh?

Suzuki, when did you
become friends with Nishi-san?

Huh? That doesn't matter.
Right, Nishi-san?

SHE ENDED UP WALKING HOME WITH THEM
Was it okay for me to join them?

BDMP BDMP - WAAH WAAH - SHVR SHVR

Were you playing
badminton this whole time?

Were you playing badminton this whole time?
Yes-minton!

Yes-minton!

HEH
Even the Go-Home Club gets rusty

HEH
if we don't exercise once in a while.

And yet you're always so dull.

Stop acting tough.

PFF
Are you slowing down already?

Which Suzuki are you talking about?

Huh? Was that funny?
- Which Suzuki are you talking about?

It was funny when she countered
sharp with dull so fast.

That's what you found funny?

Whoa, it's a bit chilly.
My sweat's freezing.

Yeah.

Oh, crap! Do I smell sweaty?!

Huh? Are you the type
to care about that?

Of course! Since always!

You really laugh a lot, Nishi-san.

Eh?

HE CAUGHT ME...

BDMP BDMP
Ugh, this is embarrassing...

BDMP BDMP
This nervousness is...

Um, I'm trying to fix it, but it's
so hard to hold it in sometimes...

But why?

I think it's great.

You're great just the way you are.

This nervous...

Yamada, if you're worried about sweat,
you can use the rest of this.

Oh, thanks.

Sato,

SWOOSH
what's this scent?

SWOOSH
Huh? Cool mint.

It's so cold!

What the heck?!
I'm legit freezing now!

I don't use it anymore,
so you could use the rest of it.

You were just trying to get rid of it?!

It's really easy for
people to make me laugh.

But it's also because Yamada-kun is so good
at making things funny too.

See?

THROB

BDMP BDMP
Huh? What?

BDMP BDMP

Good morning, Tani-kun.

Good morning.

PHEW
Great! I greeted him naturally.

I'm so sleepy...

Ah!

JOLT

FWSH

What?

Oh, morning, Tani.

What was that...?!

Tani-kun, what were you and
Nishi-san just talking about?

Huh? Nishi-san? Where?

Nothing. She just greeted me.

Really? You didn't do anything
to make her run away in a hurry?

No.

Hey, Tani-kun.

What kind of a girl is Nishi-san?

Huh?

You've both been student
librarians for a while, right?

So you must've talked to her a lot.

SILENCE
No, not at all.

I see.

Ugh, he said the limited-edition

GETTING FOOD
beef cutlet sandwich is sold out. Dammit.

Hey, Taira.
Can I ask you something?

A question for me?

W-What is it?

Suzuki keeps asking you about the student
librarian girl who works with you?

Yeah. There must be some reason,
but I can't figure it out.

What? Isn't it obvious?

She's suspicious of you.

EH...?
Of me?

Yeah. She probably thinks
you two are close.

Suzuki's just jealous.

Uhh...

But I haven't done anything
to make her jealous.

In fact, it's honestly hard to imagine
Suzuki-san feeling something like that.

YAAY
Yaay!

That's true.

Well, if Suzuki really is jealous, then she
should stop acting so high and mighty.

You're fine getting mad at her.

Yeah. Get mad at her.

TAIRA'S VERSION OF FAIR
Do you want us to fight?

Are you the type who likes
his girlfriend getting jealous?

Yeah. I see it now.

It's "hard to imagine," but part of you
wants it to be true that she's jealous.

You just lack the
confidence to believe it.

Right?

That's not it...

...Right?

Huh?

Hm?

TWCH - SHVR
You two have become pretty close, I see.

You two have become pretty close, I see.

PANT PANT

Did I scare you that badly?
Sorry about that.

AFTER SCHOOL

You're working in the
library today, right?

Yeah.

And Nishi-san will be there too, right?

Yeah.

I see. Okay.

Yay! Yay! Yaay!
- Suzuki-san, is there something...

WHEEE
Look!

TA-DAA
I bought all kinds of stuff!

CATCH BALL - BUBBLES - HELICOPTER
I bought all kinds of stuff!

DISCONTINUED MISCELLANEOUS TOYS
Whoa! Awesome!

CLEARANCE SALE!!
Whoa! Awesome!

Check this out, Yamada!

Look!

Whoa! That's sick!

WAAH WAAH
Whoa! That's sick!

I missed my chance to ask her.

GLOOM GLOOM
REQUEST BOX

I was able to greet
Tani-kun this morning...

But I ran away the
instant I saw Yamada-kun.

Just when I thought
I was doing a little better.

I'm already back to how I was before.

Are you the type who likes
his girlfriend getting jealous?

That's...

NOT ACCURATE AT ALL - NOT REALLY ACCURATE

NEITHER
SOMEWHAT ACCURATE - ACCURATE

MENTAL CHECKLIST

This is bad.

If someone getting uneasy makes me happy,
it means we're not on equal ground.

Though...

Even if you don't have a clear answer yet,
or you're still figuring things out...

Just tell me and say
it's sort of bugging you.

I feel the same way.

GLOOM GLOOM - HMM HMM

GLOOM GLOOM - HMM HMM
I wish she would tell what she wants to say.

There's no reason for her
to feel uneasy in the first place.

If she is suspecting something,
it could affect how she sees me.

At this rate...

I'm sure I'll regret it as I did
during summer break.

I have to make sure I don't run next time.

About what her intentions are
or what she's feeling…

I won't find the right answer on my own.

Getting hung up on things and
totally freaking out is embarrassing.

The next time I see her...

The next time I see him...

I need to ask her.

I need to talk to him.

Ah!

JOLT

Oh, Nishi-san!

And Tani! Good work today.

Good work.

Talk to him... Come on...

Huh? What should I say?

Whenever I run into him,
I can't even look him in the eyes...

Suzuki-san...

Nishi-san!

Do you like bubbles?

We just finished up playing with a bunch
of stuff, and we're having a bubble party now.

A bubble party...?

Here, you can use this one.

Yamada's got the bubble mix.

Huh?

SQUEEZE
Thank you!

I'll gratefully accept it!

That's so formal of you!

Come here!

Back then...

You really laugh a lot, Nishi-san.

Eh?

That reminds me...

I think I'm on my way to liking her!

THROUGH OUR CONVERSATIONS SO FAR, I'VE GOTTEN
TO KNOW THE INFORMATION OF THE GIRL

SAME SCHOOL - DIFFERENT CLASS - SHY?
Same school... Different class... Shy?

MATCHES HER IMAGE

MATCHES HER IMAGE
But why?

I think it's great.

BDMP BDMP
You're great just the way you are.

BDMP BDMP
Is it Nishi-san?! Is it her, Yamada?!

Then, this morning...

FWSH

What?

Oh, morning, Tani.

What was that...?!

Did she blush and run away
when she saw Yamada?!

Could it be...

They're totally into each other!

I'm glad I managed to keep Yamada
here until the library closed.

Suzuki-san, you asked me
about Nishi-san a few times today...

Huh? Ah.

I just wanted to know more about her.

Because I want to be friends with her.

What kind of a girl is Nishi-san?

She meant exactly what she said...

Huh? What's wrong?

SHAME

SHAME
Are you okay? Do you feel sick?

SHAME
Just k*ll me...

SHAME
Why?!

Sorry, Nishi-san.
Suzuki can be a bit pushy sometimes.

It's okay! It was fun!

Someone should watch Yamada.

He's getting super into it.

SEE YOU NEXT EPISODE...