02x07 - Gradation

[bunniefuu]

Spring is here.

Second year is over.

Everyone spends their spring break
however they like.

SPRING BREAK: NISHI AND YAMADA'S CASE

It's different from what I expected.

I'll feel more at ease
if I finish my homework first.

Let's go out together once you're done.

Let's go on a date and have some fun.

A date.

It's amazing
how he can say that without hesitating.

Ni... Nishi-san, is there
anywhere you want to go?

Where would that be?

I want to go to the aquarium.

AQUARIUM

It's so sparkly.

Nishi... san, do you like aquariums?

When I was little, I had a yearly pass
to an aquarium near my house.

So I used to go there
often with my family.

It's my first time coming here, though.

But I've always been curious about it.

I see, I see.

I accidentally started talking too fast.

A merry-go-round!

It's rare to see one at an aquarium.

I want to ride it, I want to ride it!

Do you want to ride it?

No, it's fine.

Is that so?

It's a bit late to say this now,
but I'm nervous

taking someone to a place I want to go.

I'm suddenly getting worried.

I hope it's not too boring for Yamada-kun.

Well then, let's go.

OVER THERE

Okay!

Let's head out.

Heading out to battle?

It's so pretty.

STARING

DAZED...

AH!

I accidentally got too mesmerized.

Wait, we just started.
Am I taking too much time?

It's beautiful, isn't it?

Yeah.

I should try to move a bit faster.

Jellyfish.

What an amazing room.

It's beautiful.

If I took out a big camera now,

would I seem like I'm too into it?

Na...

Hey, it's time.

We have to go get seats
for the dolphin show.

It's already full.

Sorry, sorry.

What are you sorry for?

There are empty seats over there!

So close!

These are great seats.

The seats in this area
get splashed with water easily.

Seriously?

What should we do?

He won't like it, will he?
He probably won't like it.

How wet will we get?

WORRIED...

Well, maybe we should move back...
- We'll need raincoats!

I'll go buy them!

TA-DA

So cute!

Let's take a photo together.

AH

EXIT

Is it over already?

Was there anything we missed?

Is it okay to leave now?

Um...

Can I go back and look
at the first tank again?

Of course.

Are there any creatures in here?

They're camouflaged.

Look, over there.

Oh, you're right.

Thanks for coming with me. I'm so happy.

Well, I have one regret too.
Can we go there?

Yay!

EXIT

So you wanted to ride that?

Now I'm satisfied. Thank you.

CHUCKLES...

Wow, this is amazing!

At first, I was worried that
I was the only one having fun.

I was so nervous.

Why? I've been having a blast.

I'm glad.

When I'm looking at things,
I tend to get tunnel vision.

I'm more of a big-picture person.

In the eyes of an expert like Dr. Fish,
is that considered unorthodox?

IMAGE: LOOK AT THEM ONE BY ONE

What do you mean by that?

How should I put it?

If Natsumi-chan is happy,
then I'm happy too.

You can take it a little easier.

"Natsumi-chan"...

Was that too much? This is embarrassing.

Because calling you Nishi-san is a bit...

That's what I thought.

Natsumi-chan.

Yes?

Natsumi.

Nacchan?
- I'll let you decide.

SPRING BREAK: SUZUKI AND TANI'S CASE

Hello?

What's up?

Happy birthday.

Thank you!

Anywhere you want to go
near the park tomorrow?

What should we do?

I don't want to plan too much.
Let's just wander around.

Miyu, are you awake?

CLUCK

Dad!

Sorry, Tani-kun! Let's talk tomorrow.

Tani-kun? Are you on the phone?

CRAM SCHOOL

Where should we go this spring?

And so, we came
to see the cherry blossoms!

I came here with Azu, Nabe,
and Sato not long ago too.

They're in fuller bloom
than they were then.

Was that when you sent me the photo?

Exactly.

They celebrated my birthday
while we were flower viewing.

I even got a present.

Huh?

Huh?

Did that sound like
I was pressuring him for a gift?

Well, it's not like
earlier is always better.

By the way, I can't help but feel...

STUFFED FULL

Isn't his bag way too big?

What if he's prepared a huge surprise?

What should I do?

Oh, right.

I brought a picnic mat.
Where should we sit?

Thank you...

AH... STEAM...

I brought some warm drinks.

That's great.

Let me know if you need a wet wipe.

Thank you.

Where was this photo taken?

Near Azu's place.

We were thinking of asking Taira
to come along too.

Oh, Taira lives around here too, right?

Should we call him?

Let's do it, let's do it!

It must be tough being the only guy.

We're this close.
Do we really need to worry about that?

But it's so sudden.

Would he even come if we called?

He'll act reluctant at first,

but he'll end up coming anyway.

Oh man, I can totally see that.
That's hilarious.

Anyway, the weather is lovely today.

It's already spring.

Every year,
when that slightly chilly air disappears

and the warm sunlight
signals the end of winter,

it feels like something new
is about to begin.

Didn't you say you felt lonely
just a little while ago?

That was on the eve of spring.

You're hard to follow.

I really wish

we could keep having moments like this.

CAFE

This looks so good!

I'm surprised you knew such a cozy cafe.

When my family buys cakes,

they usually get them from here.

But this is my first time eating here too.

I see.

I'm so happy.

Happy birthday.

This is delicious.

Um, here.

You don't sound very confident?

THUD

It's heavy.

What is it?

It's a mug!

It even has my name on it!

And is this the insulated kind?

It even comes with a lid.

I think it'd be perfect to use
in your room.

It's so practical.

That's great.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SHE WANTED
SO I JUST PICKED SOMETHING PRACTICAL

I'm so happy.

Not only did you give me a gift,
but you did so much for me today.

You really felt like my boyfriend.

What kind of comment is that?

But

none of these are things
I would do on my own.

I guess you could call it pushing myself.

Part of it was also trying to act cool.

I can't believe you just said that.

But I'm glad you feel that way.

HEHE

I'm so happy. I'm so lucky.

I hope this can last forever.

I'll have to be careful,
so you won't get bored of me.

Wait, what's wrong with me?

That won't happen.

He's so certain.

I see.

I...

It's so pretty with the lights on.

The sun is setting later and later.

Are you feeling anxious?

I just feel like once we're third-years,

I'd be happy if we're in the same class,

but the odds are against us.

I'm worried that with new classes
and the pressure of exams,

we'll drift apart
and I'll end up feeling lonely.

I tried not to think about it,

but I realized I'm actually
a little uneasy deep down.

Or should I say,
I'm warming up for the anxiety?

It'll be fine.

We might have less time
to see each other than before,

but this is an important time
for our future.

Don't just tell yourself
not to care and accept it.

I want you to tell me how you feel.

That way, we won't grow apart.

Nothing's going to change.

I mean me.
- What?

I won't change either, okay?

THE WAY HE SAID THAT IS SO FRUSTRATING

But

hearing you say that
makes me feel a bit better.

Am I too simple?

Thank you for always
being so direct with me.

HAPPY

I'm pretending to be honest,

but I'm still just putting up a front.

It'll be fine.

I pretended to reassure her,

but I was actually saying it to myself.

I'm actually the one who's afraid
of being apart and feeling anxious.

Trying to act cool
just makes me feel pathetic.

Yusuke-kun.

You're so cute.

She saw right through me?

The 17-year-old me is in your care too.

Welcome back.

Oh dear, Yu-chan. You've become so cute.

I DID THAT - HEE HEE HEE...

SPRING BREAK: AZUMA'S CASE

Yamada?

It's rare for him to call me.

Hello?

Azuma, what are you doing? Are you free?

I just finished my shift.
I'm at the bike parking lot.

I guess you could say I'm free.

Great. Then, in a bit...

Hey.

Explain the situation to her first.

Oh, right.

I'm at a family restaurant with Taira.

It's in your neighborhood.
I thought you might be nearby.

GOSTO CAFE & RESTAURANT

Hey!

You got here fast.

Sorry for the sudden invite.

I smell like ramen right now.
Is that okay?

It's fine, it's fine.

We smell like a karaoke box too.

You guys went to karaoke? How unexpected.

What kind of songs do you sing, Taira?

It doesn't matter what I sing.

He--
- Hey, don't tell her!

I feel like you only
put up a wall with me.

That's because you ask with such malice.

You're just thinking of ways to tease me.

I am thinking of teasing you.
- At least deny it!

Bickering?

It's just banter.

That's pretty mean coming
from the one doing the teasing.

That's ours, right?

Here, here.

You can do it!

That furry thing over here...

What exactly are my feelings?

The thought suddenly crossed my mind.

I thought things would get awkward,

but we actually get along
pretty naturally.

Come to think of it,

I've never really been this close
to a guy as just a friend.

Before, it always felt like we'd end up
dating from the moment we met.

They had that vibe
when they approached me,

and I accepted them knowing that.

I even used to think that
the initial romantic tension

was the most enjoyable part.

This is bad.

Our relationship now
is definitely not like that.

Ultimately, what do I want to do?

Date?

With Taira?

No.

Before, I could fall into romance mode
just by liking someone a little.

But I need to be more careful
and think this through properly.

So stop...

BAM

I'll just stop thinking.

IMMEDIATELY CONTRADICTS HERSELF

NEW SCHOOL TERM

What class am I in?

NOISY CHATTER

CLASS 3-1: AZUMA, SATO
CLASS 3-7: SUZUKI, WATANABE

Azu and Sato are in Class 1.

Nabe and I are in Class 7!

We're in the same class again!

How can you even see that from here?

We're in the same class again!
- Yay! Yay!

You're so energetic
so early in the morning.

Suzuki, what about Tani-kun?

Tani-kun is in Class 8.

I said, how can you even see that?

Really?

By the way, your seat number is 20!

Oh, you're right.

And Taira's there too!

You startled me!

What's there to be startled about?

Azu, let's go to the classroom.

CLASS 3-8: RIKAKO HONDA

CLASS 3-8: NATSUMI NISHI

Hon-chan!

We're in the same class again!
I'm so happy.

Yeah. Let's have a great year, Nishi.

There's no way I'll use all of these.

Yeah.

Really?

Really, really.

Suzuki-chan!

Kawasaki!

I hear about you from Azuma all the time.

So I feel like
I already know you pretty well.

What a coincidence. Me too.

Yay!

Tani-kun and Taira-kun.

Saotome-kun, Hasegawa-kun.

The OP glasses guy
with the gyaru girlfriend.

If Yamada were in Class 8 too,
I'd be so happy.

Hey.

HEART POUNDING

Shoo, shoo!

Maybe being in the class next door
is just right.

It'd be weird to plan around each other
or wait for each other after school

just to go home together.

It's not like we went home
together every day before.

That'll probably happen even less now.

Hey, don't just pass me without a word!

WALKING FAST

I thought you were walking really slow,
so I didn't want to bother you.

This guy...

So?

How's the new class?

Are you my mom or something?

I think it'll be a good class for me.

Since Tani is there too.

That's not what I meant.

I mean, it feels like
there won't be any trouble.

And there are other people from Class 7.

You could've just said "Yeah"
at a time like this.

Because the first thing he said
after sitting down was...

"I can't see the blackboard."

That was it.

That's so funny!

How about your class?

How should I put it?

I'm happy to be in the same class as Sato.

But I haven't talked to anyone else today.

So I don't know the vibe yet.

Well, it's only the first day.

I think it'll be a good class for me.

I'm surprised he answered so directly.

Even someone you're really close to

might have a friend
they're even closer to.

That's actually quite common.

If you start worrying about
things like that,

there's no end to it.

I used to be
so much more chill about this.

How should I put it?

Lonely? Sad? It feels a bit different.

It's frustrating.

My head is the only one
filled with these thoughts,

but I don't seem to be
in Taira's head at all.

It's so frustrating.

What is this feeling?

It's lame. It's childish.

It's pathetic.

I hate this.

How long do you think
we can keep the badges

from last year's festival on our bags...

SO FRUSTRATING...

What's wrong?

See you.

We're in different classes.

Yeah, that's true.

What's with that attitude? So cold.

We'll see each other after school anyway.

At the station or around here.

Is it just me?

He's making that face.

No, I mean, you're right.

Let's keep talking, okay? Hey!

Why are you being so pushy?

I'm off. See you.

See you.

No...

That's not it...

Let's go home.

SEE YOU NEXT EPISODE...