01x10 - Episode 10

[bunniefuu]

You're afraid of the sports competition?

I understood you to be a proficient
athlete, Miyakojima-san.

Y-Yeah, I-I am, but...

Calm down, Narika.

There's nothing to be nervous
about here, is there?

You're kidding, right? Anyone would
be nervous around Konohana-san...

She's the most prominent figure in school!

Maybe so, but still...

So, do you have some kind of problem
with the sports competition?

Last year,
I participated in the kendo event.

Kendo, huh?

You've been working hard at that
since you were a kid, right?

I'll bet you won.

Yes, I did win.

But perhaps, because I won too decisively,

it made everyone afraid of me.

Oh, so that's what it was.

MIYAKOJIMA THE DEMON

Thinking back now, I think that
was the start of my isolation.

I doubt it was the start.

You've always been isolated.

Th-That's not true!

I had a friend or two in
the past... p-probably.

She didn't have any.

That's what you say
when you didn't have any.

D-Don't look at me like that!

Both of you!

Anyway, I'm afraid of
that happening again!

She's always been sensitive
about that, yeah.

Okay, Narika,

let's make you some friends
before the sports competition.

I'll help you out too.

R-Really?

Yeah.

In exchange, will you coach
Konohana-san and me in tennis?

Coach you?

RICH GIRL CARETAKER

- EPISODE 10: THE PLAN TO
FREE NARIKA FROM ISOLATION

- I see. An excellent idea.

- Kagen-sama will surely approve
of Miyakojima-sama as well.

Though it's a rather
complicated situation...

Complicated?

Miyakojima Narika-sama outdoes Her
Ladyship in most athletic fields.

She's considered a rival to
Konohana family dominance.

Okay, I get that.

Kagen-san sees Narika as a threat?

She'd probably faint if she heard that...

I'm glad we've resolved
the coaching issue.

I'll have the courts prepared at once.

BADMINTON TENNIS TABLE TENNIS

Hey, Tomonari, you into tennis?

May I ask what the two of you chose?

I'm skiing.

Dance for me.

You can ski at this time of year?

It's called summer skiing.

They lay out these slick
mats you can ski on.

It hurts if you fall, though,
so you can't go too fast.

I suppose it would.

Dancing is done on the athletics
field at the opening ceremony.

You can come watch us if you like!

I can't wait!

It's Konohana-san!

She's as gorgeous as ever!

Hinako? What's going on?

I was on my way
to plot strategy with Narika.

I'm coming too.

I don't want it to turn out
like it did with Tennoji-san.

And Miyakojima-san is
particularly dangerous.

Dangerous?

You change a bit when you're around her.

I do?

Yeah. You seem... natural.

Natural how?

Oh, Tomonari-san, Konohana-san.

Tennoji-san...

Have you decided on your
field of competition yet?

We've decided to play tennis.

You, Tennoji-san?

I'll be playing polo.

Polo?

Isn't that a horseback sport?

Yes, each player has multiple horses
they race around that grand field!

That sounds huge.

Pretty fitting for Tennoji-san.

It's a glorious, beautiful sport.

Would the two of you like to participate?

I'll pass.

I've never even been on a horse before.

In that case...

I-I'd be happy to teach you
another time, if you wish.

That sounds like it would
be really fulfilling.

I fear I must decline.

I see.

Then, Tomonari-san, if you wish—

I fear I must decline.

I was asking Tomonari-san!

Tomonari-san intends to
play tennis with me.

T-Together?!

Yes, together.

We decided it together.

There's another field in which
I must defeat you, then...

However, at the moment, I have a duty
to lead my polo teammates to victory.

Let us meet again, Konohana Hinako!

Okay, officially...

Let's initiate the Plan to
Free Narika From Isolation!

Y-Yes...

Yes... indeed.

She's freakin' adorable.

I guess that's how you become the
most popular girl in the school...

W-Well then, first, I'd like the full
picture of your current situation.

Is that all right, Narika?

Y-Yes.

First, other than you... you guys...

- I've got no friends at all.

- NARIKA

- NO FRIENDS

Next, when I try to talk
to people, they run away.

BEWARE OF DOG

But even if I don't do anything,
they still get scared of me.

When I'm just walking along, they
part like the Red Sea before Moses...

I get it.

I get it, Narika.

I've heard enough.

The question is, why are
they so scared of you?

I feel like there's been
some big misunderstanding.

What's your impression
of Narika, Konohana-san?

Let me see...

When you're nervous, your
expression stiffens,

and that makes you look frightening.

Sounds right.

But then what do I do?

We'll have to get you friends you can talk
to casually, like you're doing right now.

Let's try to think of opportunities
to get closer to people.

Okay, we've narrowed it
down to three strategies.

Let's start tomorrow.

T-Tomorrow, already?!

Hang on a minute!

I'm not sure I'm ready for this...

It's three weeks until the competition.

You don't have time to lose.

Narika.

Let's work hard together.

Together?

That's right. I've got Itsuki helping me.

I'll do the best I can!

Strategy the first:

Take part in a study group.

A study group doesn't require
a lot of social graces,

and you've done it with us, so
you understand the dynamics.

Thankfully, there are some people
from your class already in one...

Is that them?

Yes. I'm getting anxious.

Don't be anxious! Deep breaths!

Your face gets scary when you're nervous!

I-I'm off!

'S-Scuse me!

She's already tripping over her words.

Yes, and it's got her nervous again!

M-Miyakojima-san, can we help you?

Hey!

U-Um...

Hang in there!

I-I see you're studying?

Y-Yes, we're studying.

D-Do you think I might join you?

Yes!

Wh-What do we say?

Can we really let Miyakojima-san join us?

But she might be able to help us a lot...

True...

A-As a matter of fact, my grades aren't
good enough to really teach anyone...

U-Um, we're actually trying to get into
the top places on the next test...

I-I'm terribly sorry.

Itsuki!

Why does everyone assume I'm smart?!

True, we didn't know what your
grades were like at first either...

Well, don't sweat it.

Tomorrow, we'll carry out
our next strategy!

Strategy the first had failed.

The next day, we got together
before class, and...

Strategy the second:
Change your presentation!

Konohana-san, we'd like your assistance.

Of course.

Miyakojima-san, you have a very
straightforward air to you.

Let's try to soften it.

Much appreciated.

We came up with this plan
from watching Hinako.

She's a master of different presentations.

Got a problem?

Nothing!

How's it going, Narika?

I-It's a little nerve-wracking,
but I can endure it.

Still, is it all right
for me to be so unbound?

It feels like it might all fall apart...

You might wanna fasten that top button.

Ow!

A-Anyway, I just need to go
to class like this, right?

Yeah. Go on.

AFTER FIRST PERIOD

Huh? She's not here...

Itsuki!

Narika! What happened to you?!

A-After we parted ways, I got so nervous
on the way to class that I tripped.

And when I got up, this is
apparently how I looked.

She looks like a delinquent
on the way back from a fight.

A teacher made me go to the guidance room.

Did they chew you out?

No, they very politely asked
who I'd been fighting.

And how badly I'd hurt them so they
could estimate the cost of treatment.

Even the teachers are afraid of her?

Even if they were assuming
I'd gotten in a fight,

why didn't they even consider
the idea that I lost?!

Let's try the next one.

Strategy the second, failed.

Strategy the third:

Put forth an everyman air to
make her seem more approachable.

As a member of the Miyakojima family,
she's assumed to be violent and cold.

We want people to see that
she's an ordinary girl.

But why the cheap snacks?

Narika thought someone might feel a
connection and decide to talk to her.

She's loved those cheap snacks
since she was a kid, after all.

No one's talking to her.

Yeah.

They're looking at her.

I thought a little change of
image would be enough, but...

M-Miyakojima-san...

Is that... a cigarette?

W-Wait a minute! No!

Look, it's a Chuba Chuba Chubs!

I don't know anything
about cigarette brands!

I'm telling you, it's not a cigarette!

It's not a cigarette?

You mean it's... reefer?!

Her imagination's running wild.

The kids at this school don't
know much about cheap candy.

I swear, I didn't see anything!

Hey, wait!

That's bad! I've got to
set the record straight!

I guess this one was my fault too.

I might've taken this too lightly too.

I didn't realize things
were this bad for you...

Strategy the third failed too!

So all three of our strategies failed.

What do we do?

It may seem strange to say this
after I asked for your help...

But you really shouldn't
let it bother you.

I'll pay you back tomorrow.

Pay us back?

But we haven't done anything for you yet.

No, I couldn't have done
any of that by myself.

You've already both been a huge help.

If she could smile like that
in front of anyone else,

that'd do the trick for sure...

The next day was Saturday,

the first day Narika would
be coaching us in tennis.

They're both incredible.

Itsuki, swap in.

You're great at athletics
as well as academics.

It tires me out, so I kinda hate it...

But my fat...

Nothing.

You said you've never competed before,

but you're better than I expected.

Really?

Yes.

At this rate, you'll be in good
shape by the time of the tournament.

Glad to hear it.

Is there anything I need to work on?

Let's save the advice for
after a full practice.

It's more efficient that way.

I'm glad to have her in my corner.

I never told her this,
but when I first met her,

I was enchanted by the earnest
way she swung her bamboo sword...

And I still am.

Her intensity is awe-inspiring.

Okay. Let's take a break.

That was like an hour and a
half of constant motion...

She's way past me in stamina too.

You okay, Itsuki?

Yeah, I think I survived.

I want you focusing on
shot type and trajectory.

You unconsciously tend to hit it to
the center of the opponent's court,

but it's better to keep
a mix of both sides.

I see.

Konohana-san, you're good enough
that I don't have much to teach.

Though not nearly as good as you.

Don't sell yourself short.

You can reliably serve and receive,

and you've even got volleys down.

You're as flawless as
your reputation suggests.

But your control wavers a
little when making high shots.

Especially backhanded.

I think you tend to move forward to
make use of your strong volleys, but...

Narika is brilliant in
every sport she tries.

She might not realize it, but she's
talking comfortably with Hinako.

A new strategy?

Yeah. Why not talk to people
about the sports competition?

Even though the competition terrifies me?

Sports is a subject you know, so I think
you can talk comfortably about it.

You really came alive when
you were teaching us tennis.

I did?

You were an excellent teacher.

R-Really?

You were even talking
comfortably with Konohana-san.

Now that you mention it, yeah...

At a time like this, I'm sure everyone
would be interested in talking sports.

I'll try it.

Sorry, Hinako.

To make you help me out this much...

I kinda understand
how Miyakojima-san feels.

The way others see her
isn't how she really is.

I haven't seen a movie in so long.

It was so good!

E-Excuse me!

Y-You were in the kendo event at last
year's sports competition, correct?

Y-Yes?

Will you be taking part this year?

Y-Yes...

W-Well, you better watch out.

H-Help!

She's here!

Don't intimidate them.

Yeah, you seem really nervous.

Should we rethink the plan?

No, I'd like to try again.

Can you really not talk to others the
way you're talking with me right now?

I-I think it would be difficult.

What about someone who
had a similar vibe to me?

No...

It's not about the kind of person you are.

You're uniquely special to me, Itsuki.

Someone's coming.

Yeah, he's in my class.

He's good at a number of sports.

That's great! You might get along.

Okay, why not strike up a conversation?

E-Excuse me!

You took part in last year's
kendo event, correct?

Yes, why?

Wh-What kind of guards do you use?

They're all the same, aren't they?

M-Maybe so...

Excuse me. I'm in a hurry.

Was it my face?

Is my face all wrong?

No, you didn't do anything wrong.

Wait there a minute.

Can we talk?

What's your problem?

I saw what happened back there.

Don't you think that was a bit rude?

What business is it of yours?

It is my business.

I'm Narika's friend.

Narika's not the person you think she is.

If you don't get along, you
don't have to hang out with her,

but you don't have
to be intentionally rude.

And if she is the terrifying
person everyone says?

My parents are always warning me.

"Stay away from the richest families."

"If you got on their bad side, they
could crush our whole family!"

That's a thing students at this
school have to think about also?

Tomonari from Class A, right? I know you.

Not everyone's as good
at sucking up as you are.

S-Sucking up?

Is that how people see me?

Wait a minute.

Could it be not just Narika...

Am I in trouble too?

I can see how it looks like I'm
sucking up to people in power...

Hinako, Tennoji-san, Narika...

I've spent a lot of time with the
school's most exceptional girls.

I've had study groups and
tea parties with them, too.

I guess that's drawn attention.

He's not even in my class,
but he still knew about me.

So they see me as unworthy of
being around Hinako and the others.

Should I not be around them?

Itsuki.

Hinako?

When did you get there?

A while back. Shizune brought me.

I didn't realize.

Itsuki. Your face is all scrunched.

Yeah, I'm just thinking about something.

Hey, Hinako.

Do you want to be with me at school too?

Yeah. I wanna be with you all the time.

All the time, huh?

Got it. I'll do my best.

I need all kinds of people to accept me.

Now, go back to your room.
I'll walk you there.

I don't know exactly what to do yet,

but I've decided not to back off.