If there's one thing I love, it's rom-coms.
And everyone knows the best rom-coms
are between childhood friends.
Problem is, no one's childhood friends
actually do or say stuff like that.
What are we exactly?
Merely childhood friends?
Or something more?
How long until you finally take me as your wife?
I wanna get down and dirty.
And also... I love you.
Sorry, but these feelings are all brand-new to me.
In stories, sure.
But in real life? No way.
Trust me, I know.
And yet...
Are you freaking kidding me?
Hey Shio! Where are you?
I thought I told you to stop sneaking in through my window!
What the-
Oh, come on, seriously?!
What do you think you're doing?
Shio, stop it!
This is how it always goes with us.
What could come next...
but a steamy rom-com scene.
Shio.
As if!
Hey, knock it off already!
Oh, hey you... What you doing?
Wait, what are you doing?
Pervert. Pervert.
What are you doing in my bed?!
It's all your fault! What am I supposed to do
when you leave the lock on your window broken?
You could always not break in.
Just get out of here.
Fine.
Okay, see you down at the front door.
Don't use the window again, dammit!
Oh, come on.
Nothing wrong with taking a shortcut.
Hey, Shio.
Yes?
You moron!
Your underwear!
She's my childhood friend.
We've been basically since we were born.
And nothing much has changed.
Always something with that girl.
Start seeing her as a woman after all this time
is unthinkable.
Then again...
Damn, that was lewd!
Took you long enough, Eiyu!
Let's go.
Hey, what are you doing? Let go of me!
Why, what's the problem?
I mean, we're just childhood friends.
There it is.
This is what reality's like.
She doesn't feel that way about me at all.
What's wrong with me?
I'm over here having all these pervy thoughts.
She ever found out...
How could you, you creep?
Yeah, I'm taking this to my grave.
Why isn't he getting all worked up?
My boobs are right up against him.
Take that!
And that!
Would you let go of me already?
You're making it hard to walk.
Why is he always so cold to me?
How can he not see how incredibly, ridiculously,
tremendously, unbelievably hard I'm trying to seduce him?
I swear it! I will make his heart mine, no matter what!
Secret art, rom-com cliché, tada!
Watch where you put your hands!
Not bad, huh? I've been studying
those rom-com books of yours and practicing for this.
You love this kind of thing, don't you?
How about it, Eiyu?
My hands? I don't know what you're talking about.
You can be so clumsy sometimes.
He's ignoring it!
Let's go.
Oh, crap, that was way too close.
Come on, facial muscles, bear with me.
Hold on!
I think I sprained my widdle ankle.
Secret art, cutie act. That work for you?
Please don't leave me.
Huh?
Hey, are you okay?
He looks like he's genuinely worried about me.
Wait. Why are you so prepared?
You really just carry around a first aid kit?
Duh, 'cause you're always so reckless.
You jump between our windows, we're on the second floor.
I've got to be ready to take care of you.
No! Damn it! Damn it all!
Does it still hurt?
Oh, no.
Good, then let's get moving, yeah?
Hey, wait for me!
I mean, I don't need help walking or anything.
I was just thinking... you know.
Oh, yeah, that's it! You know how you take
your sweet time if I don't drag you along?
-I don't wanna! I don't wanna! -Come on now, let's go!
How long ago was that?
Oh no, my ankle is starting to hurt pretty bad.
Maybe I do need help, just to be safe, you know?
Fine, whatever, dude.
Thanks so much!
Yep, we're always like this.
A couple of close, childhood friends.
No matter how romantic it starts to feel,
there's just no way we could cross that line.
We'll always be friends, and nothing more.
Oh, we're almost at the main street.
Oh, yeah.
What will people think seeing us walk out like this?
That beats me.
Not like I care.
Wait, wait, wait. No way!
Is this for real?
Are we really doing this?
Shio, do you know what you're doing right now?
We're nearly in the special finger-lock position!
This is getting dangerously close to a rom-com.
Eiyu? Shio?
Ouh, Akari!
Uh... I can explain.
It's not what you think!
I can't believe what I'm seeing right now.
Maybe I should take a photo.
Your moms will want to see this.
Hang on a minute!
Look at that!
I'm laughing so hard I can barely control my hands.
And what exactly is so funny?
Just let me explain.
Don't you dare touch me!
You better keep your grubby little fingers
away from Shio while you're at it!
What?
Akarin, just listen!
If you ever do anything to upset Shio,
it's my duty as your childhood friend to teach you a lesson.
You horny little monkey.
Huh? Horny?
Later.
Wait a second! I am not a horny monkey!
Drop dead!
What is wrong with you?
You got it all wrong.
We weren't doing anything.
I was just trying to drag Eiyu with me to school.
Yeah, that's right, this is all Shio's fault!
Jeez, you two. How dumb are you?
Don't be so misleading.
It can't be! Was I the only one getting all worked up before?
That was close.
So she really didn't mean anything by it.
If I had gone ahead and tried locking fingers with her...
Are you for real?
You caught feelings for your childhood friend?
I'm so sorry, I think you have the wrong idea.
Yeah, just kill me now.
Guess you really can't be in a romcom with a childhood friend.
Oh, dear, she's starting to get the jump on me.
What do I do? It's almost too late.
Those two might really get together soon.
So, why can't I?
Don't you dare touch me.
You horny little monkey!
Drop dead!
Why can't I stop myself from being
so mean to him all the time? I don't know.
But can you really blame me?!
That boy is just too freaking horny.
Can't believe you'd hold her hand like that as if nothing.
And then he had the audacity... to feel up my boob.
I wonder if he was comparing me to Shio.
Oh, jeez.
His deeds will not go unpunished.
He's gonna have to pay for what he's done.
Big time.
But just to be clear,
it's not like I actually care about him or anything, okay?
I'll be sure to make his heart race next time.
Or things are always gonna stay this way.
I'm gonna take these feelings to my grave, no matter what.
Because that's what it means to be childhood friends.
I can't believe you, talk about creepy.
Right back at you, weirdo.
This is Akari Hiodoshi.
Another childhood friend of mine.
As you can see, we get along.
Why'd you buy the same drink as me?
This has been my drink of choice since I started here!
Like cats and dogs.
-What did you say? -Got a problem?
Please don't fight you guys.
Yeez!
You get to sit next to each other.
So play nice, will you?
No way.
I can't stand this gross creep.
That's what I was gonna say.
Hey, Minamo, want to go over our class rep duties?
Oh, sure.
Now, you two get along, okay?
I don't know.
I suppose I'd be willing to play nicely
if a certain someone were to beg for it.
Give me a break.
We'd be fine if one of us wasn't such a stuck up jerk.
Oh man.
Why can't I just keep my stupid mouth shut?
Wait for me!
Hey, you!
She's to stick to me like glue when we were kids.
But now, I'm not even sure she considers me a friend anymore.
It shouldn't be like this.
We should be happy we got into the same high school.
Hey, you know Akari.
This drink is great, am I right?
Huh?
Mmm... huh? What was that?
I didn't say anything, idiot! What?
What? You're so annoying.
Nope, couldn't do it. It's too embarrassing.
You're the idiot. You stupid, stupid boy.
I got all glammed up so Eiyu would look my way.
Studied hard to get into the same high school.
Bought the same drink so we have something to talk about.
Just notice me a little, would you?
If you do, I promise not to completely shut you down.
I might even be somewhat nice to you for once.
Would you quit copying me already?
You're the one copying me.
Oh, no, not again!
Yeez!
What the-
Didn't I already drink some of this?
Oh, wait a minute!
I think that's my drink.
Wait, does that mean Eiyu and I just shared an indirect kiss?
Hey, don't worry about it.
-It's not a big deal. -Huh?
Worry about what?
Oh, brother.
Don't tell me you were thinking that was an indirect kiss.
You loser.
It's not like we're little kids anymore, you know.
Don't start blushing about that, it's creepy.
Hang on.
Don't tell me you're still a...
virgin?
What?! A virgin?!
That's a yes.
What's wrong with this guy?
He's acting cool while my heart is beating out of my chest.
I feel so stupid.
Oh, yeah? So, what experience do you have, then?
I bet you're in the same boat.
Please, I've got plenty of experience.
Forget indirect kisses, real ones are nothing to me by now.
I was just caught off guard with that drink.
I mean, that bottle had touched your gross virgin lips.
You keep calling me a virgin, but just so you know,
kissing isn't any big deal to me either.
Oh...
Are they fighting? What's happening?
You don't have to lie, you know.
You kissing someone?
Funny, so funny.
It is not a lie.
I'm told my kisses are to die for.
Is that so? And where's your proof?
Well, I mean, you'd have to experience it.
Then get to it already.
Kiss me right now.
Huh?
Oh my goodness.
What do I do?
Hurry up with the kissing, someone might walk in on us.
What the heck is going on?
Oh, just shut it, quit rushing me.
Are we really... going to kiss?
Hey, what's wrong? You're trembling.
Oh, I'm just getting ready to rumble.
We're not boxing.
Are you sure you've done this before, Akari?
Just shut up, I don't want to hear it
from a guy who's getting all weak in the knees.
Well, I mean...
I was lying.
There, you happy now? I've never kissed anyone before.
Oh... really?
Go ahead and laugh at me already.
I see.
Then that makes this your first time, right?
Akari?
What's going on? I thought she hated me all this time.
I guess we might be starting our own rom com after all.
What are you doing?
Shio?!
I can explain!
I've been looking for you two, and here you are.
Oh-oh.
This isn't just any old rom-com.
It's turning out to be a messy love triangle.
You silly Billy.
Looks like Akari missed a strand, but I got it.
Or not.
What's up? See any more?
Nope, all good now. That Eiyu sure is messy.
Akari!
Ouch!
Who put that broom there?
A teddy bear?
Well, what do you know? You act like you're all grown up now,
but you haven't changed at all.
-Why? You little- -Open up your skull.
I need to get inside your brain and delete...
This is why you can't be
in a rom-com with your childhood friends.
It really looked like they were about to kiss.
That Akari is not to be underestimated.
Yeez, Minamo. She's so bubbly and cute.
She's just so nice to everyone, plus she's stacked.
Akari Hiodoshi is really pretty as well.
And she's so fashionable. Damn it!
Why do those two have to be the childhood friends of this bozo?
Yunosuke Sakai.
Yeah, who cares?
We live near each other growing up, it isn't a big deal.
You can watch them changing from your window, can't you?
And why would I do that? Don't be stupid.
For your information, I have never.
Hey, Eiyu.
seen my childhood friend
Show me the homework.
as women!
Oh. Is that so?
-I guess not. -Wait, I didn't mean.
Yep. We're always like this.
Now for the classic bittersweet rom-com misunderstanding.
It totally makes sense, he's my bestie after all.
What the heck?
Or not.
Let go of me, Shio.
What's the problem? We go way back.
Speaking of which...
Would you let me take a look at your homework real quick?
Really? Again?
Listen, stop clinging to me when we're at school.
I mean, people are going to get the wrong idea.
Upsy daisy.
What do you think you're doing?
Uhm, copying homework?
Hey, can't you just do it at your own desk?
Why? It's not gonna take me long to copy.
Come on, you're being a pain.
-Coochie scoochie. -Gah!
Oh, crap.
She's gonna figure out I'm actually perving on her.
I knew it, he is a fag.
Get away from that precious angel, you monster!
Wait, I can explain.
Nah, it's totally cool, that's just how we are.
Eiyu and I have always been this close, we're like family, right?
Yeah. I guess.
There's such purity in her eyes.
Fine, just get the homework finished already.
Okay.
Now's my chance.
I only sat on him to mess with him.
He said he doesn't see me as a woman.
It turns out that touching his thighs really makes him squirm.
Oh, sorry, this position is a little awkward.
Oh, God.
This is perfect, I've discovered his true weakness.
Now to make him all trembly in the knees.
Is this better? How about this?
-Just do the freaking homework. - Hey.
What are you doing?
You do realize you're still in school right now.
What perfect timing.
Shio, you're going to cause some rumors
about you and that creep there.
Hey, I'm not the creep here.
I'm just doing homework.
Homework?
You could literally do that at any desk.
Akari...
Come hither.
Wait, hang on, Akari.
Thanks for your concern, but...
Eiyu and I are both fine with this, okay?
Oh...
Oh, then scoot over, would you?
Huh?
I forgot to do my homework too.
And this way, nobody will get the wrong idea about you two.
Once again, you guys could just do this at your own desks!
Hey! Akari!
Just shut it. Don't talk. Don't even breathe.
Silence.
Don't you dare move.
Hold on a second. What am I even doing now?
At this very moment, I can feel the warmth
of Eiyu's body right on my butt.
I can't believe Shio isn't even fazed by this.
Maybe she doesn't like him like that.
Why is Akari doing this if she calls him gross all the time?
Wait a minute! Is she trying to show off with those sexy moves?
Good boy.
I-
Just hold it one damn second!
This is way too much for me! I can't handle it!
Stop right now, you two!
Huh?
Oh...
That's enough, lap time is over!
Oh...
You don't have to be so rough.
Oh, sorry, Eiyu, you must have really hated it.
Nah, it's fine.
I just need to pee.
Whoa. That's Sakai, stone cold.
Is he for real? That did nothing for him?
I'll get you next time.
Your heart will be mine.
I can't believe it.
I can still feel the sensation on my butt.
-You see the new episode? -Sure did!
Those girls are way too loud.