Clannad VN:SEEN7400

Sections

• Phần 1
• Phần 2
• Phần 3
• Phần 4
• Phần 5
• Phần 6
• Phần 7
• Phần 8
• Phần 9
• Phần 10
• Phần 11

Text

// Resources for SEEN7400.TXT

#character '＊Ｂ'
#character 'Sunohara'
#character 'Kyou'
#character 'Ryou'
#character 'Furukawa'
#character 'Tomoyo'
#character 'Fuuko'
#character 'Cô Gái'
// 'Girl'
#character 'Giáo Viên'
// 'Teacher'
#character 'Tuyển Thủ Bóng Bầu Dục'
// 'Rugby Player'
#character 'Quản Gia'
// 'Housewife'
#character 'Người Phụ Nữ'
// 'Woman'
#character 'Sanae'
#character 'Giọng Nói'
// 'Voice'
#character 'Mei'
#character 'Mọi Người'
// 'Everyone'
#character 'Misae'
#character 'Nam Sinh 1'
// 'Male Student 1'
#character 'Nam Sinh 2'
// 'Male Student 2'
#character 'Nữ Sinh 1'
// 'Female Student 1'
#character 'Nữ Sinh 2'
// 'Female Student 2'
#character 'Người Bán Hàng'
// 'Clerk'
#character 'Người Thợ'
// 'Worker'
#character 'Yoshino'
#character 'Nam Sinh '
// 'Male Student'
#character 'Nam Sinh 3'
// 'Male Student 3'
#character 'Huấn Luyện Viên'
// 'Coach'
#character 'Đội Trưởng'
// 'Captain'
#character 'Cầu Thủ'
// 'Soccer Player'
#character '％Ｂ'

<0000> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, if it's that important to you, I guess I'll help out. Sheesh."

<0001> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Isn't all of this your fault?!"

<0002> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, isn't it your fault that you aren't successful with your life?"

<0003> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Could you please stop repeating such hurtful words?"

<0004> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What comes to mind if I mention a dream or goal in school life?"

<0005> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I wonder."

<0006> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Grades, clubs, and women. Wouldn't you think it's these three?"

<0007> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sigh..."

<0008> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I have none of those..."

<0009> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, there's one of those three that we can still manage to achieve. Don't you see?"

<0010> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't get it."

<0011> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's women."

<0012> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you have a girlfriend and spend every day being happy with her, won't your sister be satisfied?"

<0013> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, that might be true but..."

<0014> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If you think about it realistically, it's impossible by now, isn't it?"

<0015> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even if you thought about it unrealistically, it's impossible."

<0016> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I think I'm starting to wish you weren't my friend anymore."

<0017> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hold on, calm down."

<0018> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If it's only while your sister is here, don't you think someone could help you out?"

<0019> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "In other words, pretend?"

<0020> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Exactly."

<0021> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I think I've read something like that in an old manga..."

<0022> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Besides, there's no way that would actually work."

<0023> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, there's no other way."

<0024> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Or what? Just meet your sister like this, with nothing prepared and..."

<0025> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Let her watch one of your classmates greet you, saying 'Yo, loser!' and become disillusioned?"

<0026> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I've never been greeted like that!"

<0027> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll do it."

<0028> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't!"

<0029> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, let's at least try it."

<0030> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, of course it would be great if it succeeds..."

<0031> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't worry, it's a plan produced by \m{A} \m{B}!"

<0032> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That producer is the greatest of my concerns!"

<0033> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why...?"

<0034> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll let you know that you aren't that terrible-looking."

<0035> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If anything, your child-like face is the type that can stir their maternal instinct."

<0036> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Our school's number one baby face. It's Baby Sunohara!"

<0037> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "D-do you really think so?"

<0038> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, the only thing you didn't have was motivation."

<0039> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So, wouldn't it be cool if this started an actual relationship?"

<0040> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ooh! Is this \m{A} Magic!? I suddenly feel motivated!"

<0041> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, let's do it!"

<0042>
// Looks like I won't be bored for a while.

<0043>
// After school, we immediately started the plan.

<0044> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right. We'll start by searching for girls that might help you out."

<0045> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Crap, I'm starting to get excited!"

<0046>
// Sunohara was grinning the whole time. Perhaps he had a wild fantasy during class.

<0047> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "So, who should it be? An underclassman to make it difficult to refuse?"

<0048> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Let's pick someone that'll listen right away with a little scaring!"

<0049>
// The method was very cruel.

<0050> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Actually, this probably isn't something we can ask a stranger to do...)

<0051>
// That would surely create some problems.

<0052> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (I wonder who I should ask...)

<0053>
// Fujibayashi Sisters 

<0054>
// Someone else 

<0055> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Well, I don't know too many girls, so I guess that's appropriate...) 

<0056>
// The question was to decide on the older sister or the younger sister.

<0057>
// Older sister 

<0058>
// Younger sister 

<0059> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, let's ask Kyou." 

<0060> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Umm, \m{A}. Don't joke around so much."

<0061> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why does it have to be with that girl?!"

<0062> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Doesn't she look pretty cute?"

<0063> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, she doesn't look bad... but, her personality..."

<0064> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If it's Kyou, I'll withdraw!"

<0065> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That brutal woman, even if she becomes my girlfriend, I wouldn't be the least bit happy!"

<0066> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, she's standing right next to you."

<0067>
// BAM!\shake{2}

<0068>
// A very thick dictionary was imbedded in his face.

<0069> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "I could hear you clearly for a while now~..."

<0070>
// Unbeknownst to us, Kyou was standing nearby.

<0071> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "You've been giving me a pretty wonderful compliment, haven't you?"

<0072> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "You wanna say it one more time? If you can say it, as a reward, I'll stick my hand down your throat and pull out your vocal chords."

<0073> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I... I'm sorry..."

<0074> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "........."

<0075>
// BAM!\shake{2}

<0076> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hagagh!"

<0077> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, I apologized!"

<0078> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Ahaha~ your apologetic face kinda made me irritated~"

<0079> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Bye."

<0080>
// BAM!\shake{1}

<0081>
// Finally, she slammed the dictionary on his head and left the room with a smile.

<0082> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "S... see... it's no good."

<0083> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "First of all, let's talk after you wipe your nose."

<0084> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, isn't that obvious after insulting her so much?"

<0085> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Nothing but insults come to mind..."

<0086> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Without thinking so much, just praise her a little."

<0087> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You see, it's Fujibayashi Kyou we're talking about."

<0088> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What are you saying I should do by praising her...?"

<0089> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Maybe she's actually just really shy."

<0090> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Eh?"

<0091> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't that pretty common? People that can't be so honest about their feelings."

<0092> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "They're always rude to that person, but in reality... you know."

<0093> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Maybe, that Kyou, actually... fancies you..."

<0094> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Seriously...?"

<0095> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "As far as I can tell."

<0096> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ha... haha... I see, even she has a cute side!"

<0097> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So? Don't you think you should go after her?"

<0098> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hearing those things from you, she might be pretty hurt..."

<0099> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "All right! I'm going!"

<0100> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Good luck."

<0101>
// Becoming unbelievably cheerful, he sprints out into the corridor in high spirits.

<0102> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Kyou!!"

<0103>
// I could hear his voice beyond the door.

<0104> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You're cute!!!"

<0105>
// POOOOOW!

<0106>
// Just after, the sound of him being struck firmly with something hard echoes.

<0107> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Guaagghhhhhhhhh!"

<0108> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Ahahaha, even you've become able to say some funny things~, is that evolution?"

<0109> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Anyway, I'll provide you with training so appreciate it!"

<0110> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Gyaaaaaaaaaa!"

<0111> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "GIVE! I GIVE UUUUUUP!!!!!"

<0112> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<0113>
// I wonder what kind of tragedy is unfolding beyond the classroom door.

<0114> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Poor him...) 

<0115>
// I don't think I want to mess with her right now... 

<0116>
// Let's ask someone else... 

<0117> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "How about Fujibayashi?" 

<0118> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Class rep, huh? She might be the number one choice, but..."

<0119>
// I glance to the side to look at her.

<0120>
// It seems she's compiling the class report or something. She's at her desk, writing with a pen.

<0121>
// That determined face seen from the side would look cute to anybody.

<0122> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, she comes with a heavy burden..."

<0123> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Just quietly lure her out and it'll be fine."

<0124> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "After that, just go with your sweet talking, and then you'll easily work things out!"

<0125> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And then, the two of you will go to the dazzling world of love..."

<0126> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Ehehe..."

<0127> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "All right, I'm gonna give it a shot!"

<0128>
// Claiming to ask for a bit of advice, he takes her out to the courtyard.

<0129>
// While expressing some curiosity, she followed without being particularly suspicious.

<0130> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Uh... umm... what is it... you'd like to ask advice for?"

<0131> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "S-somehow... if I can be of any help, it's probably okay..."

<0132> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Anyways, you'll be of help then, won't you?"

<0133> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ohh, thank you!"

<0134> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Eh, n... no... nothing's been decided yet..."

<0135> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "A-and... exactly what is it... that's the problem...?"

<0136> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, about that..."

<0137>
// I roughly explain the situation to her.

<0138> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "........."

<0139> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Your younger sister... is coming from home...?"

<0140> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "A really loud one at that..."

<0141> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't want things to get complicated after that, so I'd like to do this and show her."

<0142> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "B... but, thinking about it... u-umm..."

<0143> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "If you... do it normally... y... your younger sister... would also be glad..."

<0144> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You think he can do that?"

<0145> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's unreasonable and impossible."

<0146> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "U... umm... just as the class representative..."

<0147> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "If you... t-tell me something like... that so straight up..."

<0148> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, whichever it is, it's just difficult to do it so suddenly, right?"

<0149> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "That's... about right..."

<0150> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Having said that, I was wondering if some girl might do it or something."

<0151> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "I see... s-so that's how it is..."

<0152> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "That's... quite troubling."

<0153> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "H-hang in there."

<0154> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, no, even if you encourage us, what are we gonna do?"

<0155> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's not how it is..."

<0156> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} ".........?"

<0157> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara... you explain to her."

<0158> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, Ryou-chan."

<0159> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'd like to ask you to pretend to be my girlfriend."

<0160> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Sigh, I see... so me..."

<0161> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "... Me...?"

<0162> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "......"

<0163> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Eh... ehhhhhhh...?!"

<0164>
// Her eyes were just as large as her voice.

<0165> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "N-no way... I can't...! ..."

<0166>
// She immediately shakes her head.

<0167> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "I can't... do that..."

<0168> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You just have to stand by him, right?"

<0169> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "N... no way... because... umm... for me that's such a burden..."

<0170> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Just thinking about it... is so... embarrassing..."

<0171> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "So... embarrassing..."

<0172> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wah, wawa, why are you crying?!"

<0173> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "I-I'm fine... somehow I'm crying though..."

<0174> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Your eyes are really rolling there!"

<0175> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah..."

<0176>
// And there, the tears fell.

<0177>
// It fell down in one straight line.

<0178> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I-if Fujibayashi Kyou sees us like this...!" 

<0179>
// \size{16}Tap, tap, tap...!\size{}

<0180> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Shit, she's fast!"

<0181> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Later, Sunohara."

<0182> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wait, you're just going to leave me here?!?!"

<0183>
// \size{20}Tap, tap, tap, tap...!\size{}

<0184> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "S-she's coming!"

<0185>
// \size{40}Thwaaa-----ck!!\shake{4}\size{}

<0186> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Guaahhhh!!"

<0187>
// Receiving a fierce jump kick from the sprinting Kyou, he tumbled across the ground.

<0188> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Wha~t are you doing here, I wonder~?!"

<0189> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "O-onee-chan..."

<0190> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "You okay, Ryou? Did he touch you anywhere?"

<0191> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "I... I'm fine... I'm all right."

<0192> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Youhei! The next time you do anything strange, I'll break your arm!"

<0193> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sorry... please forgive me...!"

<0194>
// So she threatens, stomping down on his stomach.

<0195>
// Full impact.

<0196> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Ryou, let's go. If you stay by him, you'll catch his idiot-fever."

<0197> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "D... don't pull... ah..."

<0198>
// Kyou takes her away, pulling her by the arm.

<0199>
// Sunohara was the only person in pain at the courtyard.

<0200> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, you alive?"

<0201> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y... you know... I figured this plan would be useless..."

<0202>
// Nothing came to fruition that day. 

<0203>
// Other than the twins, I'm trying to think of other girls I might know... 

<0204>
// I can't come up with anyone... 

<0205>
// There's Furukawa... 

<0206>
// But, with the way we parted on that rainy day, asking her... is a bit tough.

<0207>
// Let's think of someone else... 

<0208>
// Ask Furukawa 

<0209>
// Someone else 

<0210>
// All right, Furukawa, then. 

<0211> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What are you pondering about, \m{A}? Asking someone?"

<0212> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, well..."

<0213>
// A little bit uncertain, I said that.

<0214> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I thought about trying Furukawa."

<0215> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Who?"

<0216> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, you don't know her. She's one of the students in the same year as us."

<0217> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm. Then, let's try it!"

<0218> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."

<0219>
// I was somewhat reluctant, but I decided to introduce her.

<0220> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Ah, \m{A}-san!"

<0221>
// Seeing my face, she quickly dashes up to me.

<0222> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "It's been a while!"

<0223>
// She bowed her head.

<0224>
// Saying it like that... it really has been a while since we met face to face like this.

<0225> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Good afternoon!"

<0226>
// She bowed her head.

<0227> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You doing well? Well, with a lot of things."

<0228> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Ehehe... for now."

<0229> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Not that it's really working out or anything but..."

<0230> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "But, you told me to work hard, \m{A}-san."

<0231> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "So... I thought I might try."

<0232> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I see, isn't that great?"

<0233> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Not at all... thank you so much!"

<0234> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, \m{A}."

<0235> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Your friendly conversation is nice and all... but what about me?"

<0236> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry, I forgot."

<0237> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Remember me okay...?"

<0238> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "What's wrong, \m{A}-san?"

<0239> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Umm, who might he be...?"

<0240> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah... well, I haven't really introduced myself but..."

<0241> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Indeed."

<0242> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Could you be quiet?!"

<0243> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm Sunohara, in the same class as him."

<0244> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Sunohara-san, is it? Nice to meet you."

<0245>
// With a smile on her face, she politely bowed.

<0246> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm... a bit simple, but she's good."

<0247> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Ah, you're \m{A}-san's friend? Good afternoon."

<0248> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Furukawa, was it? If it's her, it'll be perfect!"

<0249> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "U-umm... what are you talking about?"

<0250> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, well..."

<0251> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "About that, Furukawa. Mind listening for a bit?"

<0252> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "O-okay!"

<0253>
// Without me explaining anything, he begins jabbering.

<0254>
// She seemed slightly perplexed by his overfamiliar expression, but she remained silent.

<0255> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "With all that said, I'm looking for someone to pretend to be my girlfriend."

<0256> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'd be happy if you would help me out, Furukawa."

<0257> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Eh, me?!"

<0258> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You can't?"

<0259> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "No, well..."

<0260> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahh, maybe... I'm hated?"

<0261> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "No, that's not, what I meant..."

<0262> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Then is it fine?"

<0263> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Fine or not is not the problem at all."

<0264> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Besides, Sunohara-san..."

<0265> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm?"

<0266> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Besides... umm, your name was?"

<0267> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sunohara."

<0268> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Besides, Sunohara-san..."

<0269> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah."

<0270> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Your younger sister is coming here, right?"

<0271> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yes, that's right."

<0272> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "And... do you understand what that means?"

<0273> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even if you say that..."

<0274> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "That is... I think it's because she's really worried about how Sunohara-san is doing."

<0275> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Because, she thought of going... even to such a distant place, right?"

<0276> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Certainly, if she sees you with a lover, she might feel relieved for the moment but..."

<0277> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "But, tricking someone is not something you should do."

<0278> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "You should show your true self, without hiding anything."

<0279> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "If you do that... she'll most certainly understand."

<0280>
// She tosses out those clumsy words one after another.

<0281> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (I see, she's like that yeah...)

<0282> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "And, even if you don't do something like that, I'm sure she'll understand you, Sunohara-san."

<0283> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "I think she'll be relieved."

<0284> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Because Sunohara-san is a good person, after all."

<0285> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "A good person...? You don't know a thing about him."

<0286> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "That's true. But I know."

<0287> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Having said that, please don't lie."

<0288> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Face her with a sincere face."

<0289> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Because you're her only elder brother..."

<0290>
// Furukawa makes that polite speech.

<0291>
// Listening to that, Sunohara...

<0292> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Uu... uuu...."

<0293>
// ... Was surprisingly moved by it.

<0294> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I see... you're right..."

<0295> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "You understand now?"

<0296> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, thanks, Furukawa!"

<0297> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "I'm glad!"

<0298> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Well then... be sure to tell your sister well."

<0299> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, later!"

<0300>
// A final bow, and then Furukawa ran off.

<0301>
// Like this, Sunohara meets her sister, and then showing her as he is...

<0302>
// And they lived happily ever after.

<0303>
// HAPPY END. . .

<0304> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, wait a second!"

<0305> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, what?"

<0306> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't give a 'what' with that stupid face. You were persuaded by Furukawa just now."

<0307> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you really fine with that?"

<0308> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What are you so hasty about, \m{A}?"

<0309> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Because you just agreed with her. You okay with that?"

<0310> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You nodded after being told you should show your true self to your sister, didn't you?"

<0311> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ehh, I did?!"

<0312> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Of course I can't do that!!"

<0313> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, why were you crying?!"

<0314> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, I was so deeply moved by such a serious atmosphere..."

<0315> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sigh, you're such a good girl, Furukawa..."

<0316> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Furukawa's already gone."

<0317> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No way!"

<0318> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You saw her off with that 'Yeah, later!', didn't you?"

<0319> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh craaaaaapppp----!!"

<0320>
// Holding his head, he faints in agony.

<0321>
// Nothing came to fruition that day. 

<0322>
// Thinking of others... 

<0323>
// Speaking of which, there's Tomoyo isn't there? I forgot.

<0324>
// Ask Tomoyo 

<0325>
// Someone else 

<0326> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ask Tomoyo." 

<0327> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Are you serious?"

<0328> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yup, I'm serious to the end."

<0329> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She's got style and she's beautiful, so there should be no reason not to consider her, right?"

<0330> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If she kept quiet..."

<0331> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Huh, you scared?"

<0332> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You twat! Who's freaking f-f-f-f-frightened?"

<0333> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You have one too many 'f's in 'frightened'."

<0334> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "There's no reason to be \bflattened\u about it!"

<0335> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Amazing, so you're \bflattened\u."

<0336> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If I take a deep breath, I'll feel better!"

<0337> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Suuu, suu, haaa, suuu, suu, haaa!"

<0338> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Okay. Good boy. Now go forth."

<0339> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're in complete chaos there."

<0340> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ha, haha... you can see that? That's a shame!"

<0341> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Idiot, you have to be strong all the way."

<0342> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even if I were, it's Tomoyo, right?"

<0343> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You don't know, do you? You guys were destined rivals up until now, weren't you?"

<0344> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm... I guess."

<0345> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "With people who recognize each other's strength, something petty will turn into co-operation."

<0346> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "For example, walking down the hallway, when your shoulders touch, right? It'd go like this."

<0347> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "What... you seem unusually worried."

<0348> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heh... it's none of your business."

<0349> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "I suppose so..."

<0350> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "But you know, I don't want to see you fighting with anyone other than me."

<0351> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Damn you, fight with who? Fighting here is fine, isn't it?"

<0352> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Hmm... I suppose so. Later..."

<0353> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<0354> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Wait."

<0355> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Hmm...?"

<0356> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "If you spoke honestly from the start, that would have been better."

<0357> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "... As for you, I'm not someone who should be helping you, am I?"

<0358> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's good!"

<0359> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't it? If you think so, hurry up and go."

<0360>
// Taking the encouraged Sunohara with me, we head to the second-year classroom.

<0361> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, here she comes."

<0362>
// We take a look around in front of the classroom for a while, as Tomoyo was holding her bag.

<0363> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Work hard until the end. She's someone who approves of those who are worthy opponents after all."

<0364> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I know! I'm gonna go now!"

<0365>
// He triumphantly heads towards Tomoyo.

<0366>
// Thump...

<0367>
// Their shoulders lightly come into contact.

<0368> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<0369> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "........."

<0370>
// Thump, thump.

<0371>
// Pushing back his shoulder, Tomoyo continued walking like that.

<0372> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, don't ignore me!"

<0373> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "I'm in a hurry."

<0374> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Also, it isn't something you brush off like it's dirty, is it?!"

<0375> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Oh, \m{A}. You heading home now?"

<0376> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "With you then? Sure, guess we'll go to the school gates?"

<0377> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Stop ignoring me, both of you! That's not how this is, right?!"

<0378> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "The rival companions have been mixed up. Is there any meaning like this?!"

<0379> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "I can't get along with every single idiot out there."

<0380> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Indeed."

<0381> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't just join her!"

<0382> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Sigh, what's with him...?"

<0383> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Now, now, listen to what he has to say."

<0384> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "I'm really busy. Could we make this short?"

<0385> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Come on, just look at me. Say that you feel something!"

<0386> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Optimistic, as always."

<0387> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Isn't it me being troubled?!"

<0388> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "All right, all right... so, what are you troubled with?"

<0389>
// She gave Sunohara an annoyed face. Does she want to leave quickly?

<0390> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heh... it's nothing to do with you."

<0391> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Indeed it isn't. Later."

<0392> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wasn't it 'I don't want to see you fighting with anyone other than me'?!"

<0393> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "There are a lot of places to do that."

<0394> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm begging you, say it!"

<0395> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "......... If you say so."

<0396>
// She sighs, looking at her watch.

<0397> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "I don't want to see you fighting with anyone other than me."

<0398> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Damn you, fight with who? Fighting here is fine, isn't it?"

<0399> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "........." 

<0400> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Ah."

<0401> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "If you wanted to start a fight, say so from the start!"

<0402> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Gah, I got delayed by an idiot. I have to hurry..."

<0403>
// Tomoyo looked at her watch again, and ran off.

<0404> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Nothing good came of that at all!"

<0405> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "There's still not enough to go along with that."*

<0406> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you mix it up with fifty fists after that, it should get better."

<0407> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm going to die before that, aren't I...?" 

<0408>
// So, with that... who's left...? 

<0409>
// Her? Is it her...?

<0410>
// Ask Fuuko 

<0411>
// Someone else 

<0412> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, let's ask Fuuko." 

<0413> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, who's that?"

<0414> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh yeah, you don't know her."

<0415> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She's a junior student. Really small and cute girl."

<0416> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "For now, I'll go and introduce her."

<0417> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Woah, serious?!"

<0418> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'm sure it'll be fine!"

<0419>
// Tap, tap, tap...

<0420>
// We walk around the school for a bit, and find her.

<0421>
// Seems she was running around carving with one hand today as well.

<0422> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Fuuko!"

<0423>
// Calling her, she stops bluntly. She turns around.

<0424> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "........."

<0425> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Ah, Strange Person."

<0426> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not a Strange Person, I'm \m{A}."

<0427> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "And what would Strange \m{A}-san's business be today?"

<0428> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, you have some time?"

<0429> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "No."

<0430> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Fuuko is very busy right now."

<0431> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Fuuko would like you to understand that she doesn't have that much time to play around like you, \m{A}-san."

<0432> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're just as always..."

<0433> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't say something like that and listen for a bit, okay?"

<0434> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Then, please be brief."

<0435> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's about him, see..."

<0436>
// I poke Sunohara beside me with my elbow.

<0437> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Hey, \m{A}. You do mean her, right?"

<0438> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Another Strange Person has appeared."

<0439> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Exactly how am I strange?!"

<0440> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Just one look at your hair shows it."

<0441> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "The same color as the traffic lights."

<0442> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "One has to be very, very careful."

<0443> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eventually, it'll become red."

<0444> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "That's very dangerous and disgusting!"

<0445> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No it won't!"

<0446> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But... how should I put it, she seems interesting..."

<0447> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Doesn't she? You won't get tired with her around."

<0448> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, doesn't she seem too much like a kid?"

<0449> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Or rather, is she really a student here...? Isn't she too small?"

<0450> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "It feels like you just said something very rude."

<0451> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Like this, you speak of Fuu-chan as if she's not an adult." 

<0452> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, that's right. You're an adult. Sunohara, you shouldn't have any more complaints."

<0453> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So see, Fuuko, we have a bit of a request to ask you of."

<0454> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Refused."

<0455> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I didn't say anything yet though..."

<0456> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Somehow, it doesn't seem like something good at all."

<0457> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "You seem to want to take part in doing bad things to Fuuko."

<0458>
// Well, that's never a mistake so...

<0459> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't say something like that and just listen."

<0460> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Will it be over soon?"

<0461> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, we'll get straight to the point."

<0462>
// I'll briefly and simply say what the circumstances are up to now.

<0463> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You see, this guy... ah, his name is Sunohara."

<0464> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He wants you to pretend to be his girlfriend."

<0465> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Well?"

<0466> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "........."

<0467> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, why do you feel like crying?!"

<0468> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "That's the worst!"

<0469> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Fuuko won't particularly be defeated with that."

<0470> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Why does Fuuko have to go with such a punishment game?"

<0471> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You're treating it as a punishment game?!"

<0472> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Now, now... Fuuko, you shouldn't exaggerate this as much either."

<0473> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's just for a little while, please?"

<0474> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Definitely \bnot\u."

<0475> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Besides, if this person suddenly wanted to get serious, Fuuko doesn't have any confidence to hurt him."

<0476> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Come on, I won't."

<0477> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "It feels like you've said something quite rude again."

<0478> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Having said that, Fuuko refuses."

<0479> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Find someone else, please."

<0480> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What should we do... \m{A}?"

<0481> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Can't be helped. I didn't really want to do this but..."

<0482> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Ah, you're planning something!"

<0483> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "You two have very bad eyes!"

<0484> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmph... we'll have to use brute force."

<0485> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heheheh... leave it to me!"

<0486> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, go, Sunohara!"

<0487> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Charge!!"

<0488> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "W-wah!"

<0489>
// Rushing in as if tackling, he holds her up.

<0490>
// It was pretty light to hold her up, even for Sunohara.

<0491> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Wahh, let go!"

<0492> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heh, heh, heh... don't struggle!"

<0493> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Be quiet and help me!"

<0494>
// He makes an excellent bad person.

<0495> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, whatever. Let's take her with us."

<0496> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah!"

<0497> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Mmmph!"

<0498>
// No matter how much she moved her legs, they were no match for him.

<0499> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Mmph, mmph!"

<0500>
// And occasionally hitting him every once in a while, Sunohara remained firm.

<0501> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hahaha, it's useless! Let's head to our love nest, Fuuko-chan!"

<0502> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Definitely no!"

<0503>
// Trying desperately, she tightens the grip on her wooden carving.

<0504>
// With all her might, she swings it down.

<0505>
// Thwa----ck!\shake{4}

<0506>
// ... She hit him really hard in the back of his head.

<0507> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Guwaaahhh-----!!"

<0508>
// He accidentally falls over.

<0509>
// Taking that one chance, Fuuko runs from Sunohara.

<0510>
// During the time he was flinching, she ran down the hallway in a straight line, and disappeared.

<0511> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ahh, looks like she's gone."

<0512> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "U, uggghh..."

<0513> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}... actually... don't you think that girl was unreasonable from the start?"

<0514> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, I really didn't think so."

<0515> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Just that, your younger sister might treat you like a criminal."

<0516> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Noooo---!"

<0517>
// Nothing came to fruition that day. 

<0518>
// Thinking of someone else... 

<0519>
// Well, there's no one else other than me...?

<0520>
// I'll do it 

<0521>
// Someone else 

<0522> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, I'll do it." 

<5370>
// "Like I will!"

<5371> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Like I will!"

<0523>
// The punch-line was in harmony yet again. 

<0524> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "How many times are you gonna do this... are you aiming for a comedian pair or something?"

<0525> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Because I'm not aiming for such a thing."

<0526> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Your right brain is separated from your left~"

<0527> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "They're both together!" 

<5372>
// "In a thousand years!"

<5373> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "In a thousand years!"

<0528>
// The punch-line was in harmony yet again.

<0529> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's enough..."

<0530>
// I'm also getting tired... 

<0531>
// The punch-line was in harmony. 

<0532>
// We'll start from scratch... 

<0533>
// I can't think of any cheerful girls we could ask... 

<0534>
// We'll start from scratch. 

<0535>
// Mei 

<0536>
// I attended school at the break from third period.

<0537>
// Dabbling about, it became lunch break.

<0538> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sigh..."

<0539>
// Walking heavily, Sunohara had a depressed face.

<0540> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What's with those eyes looking like a dead fish?"

<0541> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You make it sound so terrible..."

<0542> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And whose fault is this, I wonder?"

<0543> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Whose is it, I wonder?"

<0544> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Isn't it your fault?!"

<0545> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, see..."

<0546> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, yeah, it's all because I don't have any happiness at all, damn it-------!!"

<0547> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's a lot better for one to say it about themselves than to tell others..."

<0548> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, you see, it's like trying to say something along the lines of a rapper who has no sense of melody."

<0549> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That has nothing to do with this, does it----?!"

<0550> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I give up now, I just give up..."

<0551> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Tomorrow my sister will come, and see my unhappiness..."

<0552>
// Somehow, I feel great pity for him...

<0553> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, okay. We'll work hard and find someone today."

<0554> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Okay."

<0555> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, there's the issue with the girl we found yesterday..."

<0556>
// I say that, rolling up the bread wrapping and throwing it in the trash.

<0557> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm talking about calling people that I knew."

<0558> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Are you talking about it being fine with people that have no relation to me whatsoever?"

<0559> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. Indeed, people you don't know one bit is fine."

<0560> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, I might have a bit of a closed mind..."

<0561> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Being a delinquent is quite a disadvantage, isn't it?"

<0562> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "There's nothing in your existence beyond what you already know."

<0563> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I knew I was right in thinking it was a mistake to ask you."

<0564> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine, believe in me."

<0565>
// Right after the class bell rings, we stood in the courtyard.

<0566> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Is it really okay to be here?"

<0567>
// There were a lot of people running around.

<0568> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No matter what, we end up grabbing only friends in the school, right?"

<0569> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I see, and here there are a lot of girls alone... ah, \m{A}, how about her?"

<0570> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, I'll go and call her right now..."

<0571> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wait, Sunohara."

<0572> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Exactly what do you plan on calling her by?"

<0573> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What, you mean? Just going to ask her normally..."

<0574> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sigh--..."

<0575> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're an idiot. A dumbass. A loser."

<0576> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't think the last thing means anything."

<0577> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, if a girl was asked all of a sudden, what's she going to do?"

<0578> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Use your head more and ask her in a roundabout way."

<0579> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And, how should I do that?"

<0580> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You see, this is..."

<0581>
// Pausing for a bit, I open my mouth.

<0582> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Say this is a job."

<0583> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What do you mean?"

<0584> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Asking a girl all of a sudden would freak them out, right?"

<0585> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you say it's a job of some sort, they'll understand immediately, right?"

<0586> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, if you make it a job, I have to pay something in return, don't I?"

<0587> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I've got no money."

<0588> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Just say something appropriate."

<0589> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, she'd fall in love with your charm, right?"

<0590> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I suppose so."

<0591> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, we'll do a rehearsal. Face me."

<0592> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Okay..."

<0593>
// Clearing his throat a few times, he says something.

<0594> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey girl, I've got a good job for you. What do you think?"

<0595> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh, looks like I've got the hang of it!"

<0596> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't you? Ah, but, you should change the words right before 'job' to make it better."

<0597> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Try with '10,000 yen'."

<0598> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey girl, you want to do this job for 10,000 yen?"

<0599> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Isn't 10,000 a bit much?"

<0600> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, ask how much they'd like."

<0601> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I guess so. Then..."

<0602> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey girl, how much of an offer will you take for a job?"

<0603> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm, take out the part about the job."

<0604> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey girl, how much?"

<0605> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you make them feel like you're manly with a rough voice, it's perfect."

<0606> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "After that, just take your time and stick with them for a while, saying that."

<0607> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You'll definitely get them!"

<0608> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "All right! I'll be going then!"

<0609>
// Giving me a thumbs up, he walks to a junior student.

<0610> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, missy."

<0611> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Y-yes... what is it?"

<0612> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "How much?"

<0613> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "E-eh?"

<0614> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm saying, how much?"

<0615> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "What do you mean by that...?"

<0616> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Isn't it fine...? I've got plenty of time."

<0617> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If you're patient, it'll be over soon!"

<0618> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "That, can't, be...?!"

<0619> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't be stingy, it's no big deal!"

<0620> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "E-Eeeeeek!"

<0621> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "I'm sorry, I'm sorry--!!"

<0622>
// Like the speed of lightning, she ran off.

<0623> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, this is like being a pervert, isn't it?!"

<0624> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Not like, but rather that you are."

<0625> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If you knew that, why didn't you stop me?!"

<0626> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, just now was a bit of a joke."

<0627> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Think seriously..."

<0628> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Calm down. This time, it'll go fine."

<0629> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It better."

<0630> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Believe me."

<0631> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Listen. You have to praise the girl from the beginning."

<0632> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey girl, you're cute... something like that?"

<0633> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's it. And then slowly change the subject to the job."

<0634> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Say something like how it's good-paying and stuff."

<0635> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Because girls are secretive nowadays, after that she should be calm about it."

<0636> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I see."

<0637> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And then she'll suddenly say that you're stooping down."

<0638> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Somehow, I don't really like that."

<0639> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "They're flattering you. Don't you get it?"

<0640> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Using group psychology at the end, you'll be able to have people do it."

<0641> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "With that, you'll get them!"

<0642> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Okay, then I'm going!"

<0643>
// Giving a thumbs up, he again heads towards a junior.

<0644> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, girl!"

<0645> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Yes...?"

<0646> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You're cute!"

<0647> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "O-okay..."

<0648> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You got some time? There's something I'd like to talk about."

<0649> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "No, I'm a bit in a hurry..."

<0650> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I've got a really good paying job for you~"

<0651> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "That's a bit..."

<0652> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's fine, it's fine, no need to say your name!"

<0653> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah, of course you'd have to keep it a secret from your parents."

<0654> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Eh, t-that's..."

<0655> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Stick around with an uncool guy like me, and you'll get some money!"

<0656> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's fine, everyone's doing the same thing!"

<0657> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "E-Eeeeeek!"

<0658> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "I'm sorry, I'm sorry--!!"

<0659>
// Pushing away Sunohara, she ran off like the wind.

<0660> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, doesn't this look like some suspicious recruiting or something?!"

<0661> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No matter how you see it, it doesn't \blook\u it, but rather it \bis\u it."

<0662> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If you knew that, why didn't you stop me?!"

<0663> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Hey--! Who the hell's the one doing suspicious stuff in the school?!"

<0664> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh crap, let's jet!"

<0665> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sigh..."

<0666> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I was an idiot to rely on you."

<0667> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh, you realized that now?"

<0668> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm begging you, don't appreciate that!"

<0669> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's enough... I'll do something on my own..."

<0670> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't bother. The result won't turn out too well."

<0671> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I guess it's better to not leave it to you, \m{A}!"

<0672> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Look at my skills and resourcefulness!"

<0673> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's all the same thing, isn't it?"

<0674> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "All right, ah... that girl wearing a jersey's pretty cute."

<0675> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, it feels like I've seen her before."

<0676> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You'll just tell me not to bother, right?"

<0677> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't want to hear what you have to say!"

<0678>
// Ignoring my words, he went off on his own.

<0679> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, you. Want to come for a bit?"

<0680> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "No, I'm busy with clubs..."

<0681> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Come on, come on, just for a bit. Ain't that fine?"

<0682> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "See... I'm in quite a pinch right now."

<0683> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Huh..."

<0684> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I have a sister from the countryside coming here... when she does, it'd be embarrassing if her brother didn't have a girlfriend, right?"

<0685> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Though talking about your circumstances so up-front is also embarrassing I think...)

<0686> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah, yeah... before that happens, I'd like you to go out with me for a bit, and break up soon after..."

<0687> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Quite shameful, isn't it, hahaha!"

<0688> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (I think showing off about something stupid is quite shameful...)

<0689> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Having said all that, would you like to be my girlfriend for a bit?"

<0690> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Of course, if you really don't want to, that's fine!"*

<0691> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "........."

<0692>
// The girl looks around as if she wants to be saved.

<0693>
// It's no use. In order to help herself, she takes a step back, and then...

<0694> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Ah, senpai!"

<0695> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Huh, senpai?"

<0696>\{Tuyển Thủ Bóng Bầu Dục} ""
// \{Rugby Player} "Yo, Sunohara."

<0697>
// A rugby member.

<0698>\{Tuyển Thủ Bóng Bầu Dục} ""
// \{Rugby Player} "What would you like with our manager?"

<0699> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Help me! This person wants me involved in something strange..."

<0700> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W-what? No, not at all...!"

<0701>\{Tuyển Thủ Bóng Bầu Dục} ""
// \{Rugby Player} "Which means, you're trying to play around with our important manager."* 

<0702>\{Tuyển Thủ Bóng Bầu Dục} ""
// \{Rugby Player} "... Come into our clubroom for a bit!"

<0703> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's not it, that's a misunder..."

<0704> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "U-uwaah............!"

<0705> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara, be angry! That's what a man is!"

<0706> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You damn rugby member, exactly what the hell do you plan on doing---?! Huh?!"

<0707> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Right, no effect---------!"

<0708> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "As always, I'm more tired than I should be."

<0709> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmmm..."

<0710> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Guess I'll take a Mocha."

<0711> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Notice for a bit! Your friend's crying! Actually, would you \bnot\u drink everything here like you want to?!"

<0712> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, you're alive?"

<0713> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Just forget it... sigh..."

<0714>
// He straddles to the kotatsu and slumps down there.

<0715> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Everyone's already gone home... and tomorrow, my sister's coming..."

<0716> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You've used up all your power. There's no one else to blame, after all."

<0717> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You seem to conclude this as if you don't care at all, do you?!"

<0718> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahh, what the hell should I do...?"

<0719> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You think too, \m{A}!"

<0720> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Tch... fine, then. There's a pretty excessive part of this duty that I have nothing to say about though."*

<0721> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I doubt how you're saying that but, at this point, I don't care anymore..."

<0722> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If it's come to this, then there's our last resort."

<0723> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, what'll you do?"

<0724> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We'll go and ask Tomoyo one more time."

<0725> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Huh? She riddled me around yesterday though..."

<0726> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She's just hiding her embarrassment. Let's go ask her seriously." 

<0727> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We'll go and ask Fuuko one more time."

<0728> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "She didn't want to yesterday, though."

<0729> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She's just hiding her embarrassment. Let's go ask her seriously." 

<0730> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We'll go and ask Fujibayashi one more time."

<0731> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Kyou seriously got in the way yesterday, though..."

<0732> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Though she might just be alone today." 

<0733> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We'll go and ask Kyou one more time."

<0734> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Huh? She riddled me around yesterday though..."

<0735> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She's just hiding her embarrassment. Let's go ask her seriously." 

<0736> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We'll go and ask Furukawa one more time."

<0737> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Is that really okay?"

<0738> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Actually, the problem's more about you explaining the problem properly."

<0739> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Or do you want to meet your sister like this?" 

<0740> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'd like to avoid that..."

<0741> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Let's take our last chance. Come on, let's go."

<0742> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, no one's left in the school anymore, right?"

<0743> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You won't know until you look."

<0744>
// As Sunohara had said, other than the club activities, almost everyone had gone.

<0745>
// The two of us split up and look inside the empty school.

<0746>
// The moment we joined back up, Sunohara was completely depressed.

<0747> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's why I told you, she's nowhere here to be found."

<0748> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I didn't see anyone either."

<0749> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahh, this is the end..."

<0750> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, not yet."

<0751> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I saw some people who were just leaving."

<0752> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We could ask the people in class, but it looks like they've gone home."

<0753> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If we hurry and catch up with them, we might make it."

<0754> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Serious?"

<0755> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You wanna go? Or not?"

<0756> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Let's go."

<0757> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If we run away from this, we'll lose our chance!"

<0758>
// Sunohara dashed with all his might in a big hurry.

<0759>
// I ran a little bit behind him.

<0760>
// Before long, we were able to find Tomoyo. 

<0761> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Pant, pant..."

<0762> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heh... heh heh heh... I've found you............"

<0763> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "........."

<0764>
// She's giving an obviously irritated face.

<0765>
// That's normal if you're being held back all of a sudden by some guy who's breathing hard.

<0766> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Even though school's over, you're..."

<0767>
// She clenches her fist and slaps it against her palm.

<0768> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wait, that's not it!"

<0769> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Then, what is it?"

<0770> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'll give an explanation."

<0771>
// I finally get close to the two, forcing myself in.

<0772>
// I tell her the entire truth, without keeping anything back.

<0773> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... So having that said, his younger sister's coming."

<0774> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And he's looking for a fake girlfriend to have during that time."

<0775> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "I see..."

<0776>
// She glances at Sunohara.

<0777> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Why didn't you say so from the start...?"

<0778> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "T-then..."

<0779> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Yeah..."

<0780> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Seriously?"

<0781> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I see, I see now... you're going to help me out."

<0782> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hahaha... somehow, I kinda misunderstood you."

<0783> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Or rather, you've become lovely..."

<0784> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "........."

<0785> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Tomoyo--!"

<0786> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Sunohara...!"

<0787>
// Shuffle.

<0788> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh...?"

<0789>
// She stepped on top of Sunohara as he tried to embrace her.

<0790> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "Why do I have to show that I'm going out with you--?!" 

<0791> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "If I knew from the start, I would have completely rejected the idea!"

<0792> \{Tomoyo} ""
// \{Tomoyo} "... How stupid."

<0793>
// Leaving Sunohara in rags, she runs off with her long hair fluttering in the wind. 

<0794>
// To some effect, we had finally caught Fujibayashi from behind. 

<0795>
// Rushing up to her, we called her out.

<0796> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Class rep!"

<0797>
// Two people turned around at the same time.

<0798> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Ah... Sunohara-kun..."

<0799> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Huh? Youhei?"

<0800> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Geh!"

<0801>
// Kyou was right beside Fujibayashi there.

<0802> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Of all places, those two have to be together...)

<0803> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "'Geh?' Did you just say 'geh'...?"

<0804> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Uh... I just felt a bit bad there just now... so I was taking a breather."

<0805> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Hmm, shall I beat all the crap out of your stomach then?"

<0806>
// She cracks her knuckles. Seems like she's preparing for war.

<0807> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Actually, you were chasing Ryou just now, weren't you?"

<0808> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Speaking of which, you called her yesterday as well... were you stalking her?"

<0809> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "From an idiot to a pervert, you can't be saved."

<0810> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W-what?!"

<0811> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Or is it that you have something else?"

<0812> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's nothing to do with you."

<0813> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Come on, there's no need for you to say anything."

<0814> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Right, Ryou? Why's this guy so insistent?"

<0815> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Ah... t-that's..."

<0816> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Hey... this is bad.)

<0817> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} (I-I know... but, what should I do?!)

<0818> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (You don't have a choice except to say the truth!)

<0819> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Kyou's not a demon, so if you're up-front about it, she'll allow it!)

<0820> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} (I see. I'll give it a shot!)

<0821> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Yesterday... he said his younger sister was coming, so... up until that time..."

<0822> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Kyou!"

<0823>
// He brings out his voice to stop Ryou.

<0824> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "W-what is it?"

<0825>
// A confused look from her.

<0826>
// He stands for a while, and then kneels down to the floor.

<0827> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Please let me take care of your sister!"

<0828> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "........."

<0829> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Ah."

<0830>
// ... However you think of this, he was too honest about it. 

<0831> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Kyou--!" 

<0832>
// The sisters were walking in the shopping district.

<0833> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Hmph!"

<0834>
// Bling!\shake{1}

<0835> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Guwaah!"

<0836>
// Turning around, she slams the dictionary into his face.

<0837> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, why are you hitting me all of a sudden?!"

<0838> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "O... onee-chan, he's..."

<0839> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Ah... it's Youhei?"

<0840> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Ahahaha, if I knew that, I would have used all my power~"

<0841> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't say something like that while smiling!"

<0842> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, what are you gonna do arguing?"

<0843> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y-yeah... I see."

<0844> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "By the way... Kyou. Have a moment?"

<0845> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, listen to what he has to say."

<0846> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "What is it with you guys being so formal... it's disgusting."

<0847> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Actually, there's something I'd like to ask of you..."

<0848> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "I don't feel like finding your bones, though."

<0849> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's so far off!"

<0850> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara, be serious."

<0851> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y-yeah, I know..."

<0852> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "So you see... Kyou,"

<0853> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "W-what...?"

<0854> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's just for a short bit of time so..."

<0855> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'd like you... to be my girlfriend."

<0856> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "........."

<0857>
// She's frozen solid there.

<0858>
// That's normal if you were asked something like that all of a sudden...

<0859> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "... Heh heh..."

<0860> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (She's smiling...?)

<0861> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "I see... Sunohara-kun's that kind of person, isn't he?"

<0862> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I-is that so? I think I surprise myself!"

<0863> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Well, I did notice it a little bit."

<0864> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, serious?!"

<0865> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "How should I put it, it's like playing in a minefield..."

<0866> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Or like swimming in a sea with sharks around..."

<0867> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, t-that means..."

<0868> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "... Heh... heh heh..."

<0869> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "It means you really want to die!"

<0870> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It really does, doesn't it?!?!"

<0871>
// Thwack!\shake{3} 

<0872> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Bfffff!!"

<0873>
// With an uppercut, he flies into the air, dancing.

<0874> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ohh, he's flying, he's flying!"

<0875> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Geez, just continue living your life out like the joke that it is!"

<0876>
// Kyou showed no mercy, even though he fell onto the ground.

<0877>
// Kick! \shake{2}\pShake!\shake{4}

<0878> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Guwaahhh!!"

<0879> \{Ryou} ""
// \{Ryou} "Ah... wawa... S-Sunohara-kun's going to die..."

<0880> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "It's fine! Even if I hit him this much, he won't have any trouble!"

<0881>
// Pow! \shake{2}\p Biff!!!\shake{4}

<0882> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Help!!"

<0883>
// Finally after kicking Sunohara, Kyou gives him a face.

<0884> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Whew... something like this."

<0885> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "The next time you say something strange, I'm going to hit you until you say you want to die!"

<0886>
// She left with that strong, harsh remark.

<0887>
// All that was left was Sunohara's silent, dead corpse. 

<0888> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "There she is!" 

<0889>
// Passing by the shopping district, Sunohara finally caught up with that figure.

<0890> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Wah, it's the Strange Person again!"

<0891>
// Seeing us, she dashes off real quick.

<0892>
// Seems like she had pretty good notice of where we are.

<0893>
// Hiding herself behind a telephone pole, she watches us carefully.

<0894> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Come on, come out!"

<0895> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Hmph!"

<0896>
// ... He's intimidating.

<0897> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's fine, come on? Here's 100 yen!"

<0898> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Don't want it!"

<0899> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Fuuko doesn't want something that cheap!"

<0900>
// If it were a lot more, you would?

<0901> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh? That's too bad."

<0902> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If you had 100 yen, you could have gone to buy some juice..."

<0903> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, hey, no matter what you say, no one's going to be attracted to that..."

<0904> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Uu... uhh..."

<0905> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No way... it actually has an effect."

<0906> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Mmph, mmph!"

<0907>
// I'm sure that the angel and the devil are fighting in Fuuko's mind.

<0908>
// She's jolting around a little bit.

<0909> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oops, how careless of me."

<0910>
// The coin rolls unsteadily.

<0911> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "........."

<0912>
// As I thought, she totters out as if controlled.

<0913>
// Seeing this chance, he immediately jumps for it!

<0914> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Now--!"

<0915> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Wah!"

<0916> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't run!!"

<0917> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "No, Fuuko will run!!"

<0918> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, another 100 yen coin slipped!"

<0919> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "........."

<0920>
// She comes tottering closer again.

<0921> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "... Ah!"

<0922>
// It was already too late when she noticed.

<0923> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I got you!"

<0924> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "W-wah!"

<0925>
// Using that one chance, he picked up her body.

<0926> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Mmph, mmph!"

<0927> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Please let go!"

<0928> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heh heh heh... you won't be running away."

<0929> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Be quiet and become my girlfriend!"

<0930> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "Please stop it!"

<0931> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<0932>
// But, no matter how you looked at this, she looked like a helpless victim being attacked by some hooligan.

<0933>
// Perhaps we were doing something criminal?

<0934>
// As proof of that, the voices of housewives can be heard whispering around us.

<0935>\{Quản Gia} ""
// \{Housewife} "Oh no..."

<0936>\{Quản Gia} ""
// \{Housewife} "Hey, isn't it better to call the police...?"

<0937>\{Quản Gia} ""
// \{Housewife} "Shh, if you raise your voice too loud, they'll look at you!"

<0938> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Uu..."

<0939>
// Sunohara realized what he looked like.

<0940> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ha... haha..."

<0941> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No way, I wouldn't be so violent with such an important girl!"

<0942> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Right, Fuuko-chan?"

<0943>
// With an awkward smile on his face, he puts her down.

<0944> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "........."

<0945> \{Fuuko} ""
// \{Fuuko} "That's the worst!!"

<0946>
// Tonk----!\shake{4}

<0947>
// With a perfect corner from the star-shaped carving she has, she thrusts it into his face.

<0948> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "My cartilage-----!"

<0949>
// Just like that, while he was in agony, Fuuko had disappeared.

<0950>
// All that was left was Sunohara suffering in pain. 

<0951>
// Catching up with Furukawa, we entered the shopping district. 

<0952> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Furukawa!"

<0953> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Eh...?"

<0954>
// Calling her, she was surprised for a bit, looking around.

<0955> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Sunohara-san... ah, even \m{A}-san!"

<0956> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Ehehe..."

<0957>
// And then, for some reason, she smiled.

<0958> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What is it...?"

<0959> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "We meet again. Twice now, counting yesterday."

<0960> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Somehow... it makes me happy."

<0961> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "She really is a good girl..."

<0962> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Not at all! I'm not a good girl at all."

<0963> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "All I do is trouble people around me."

<0964> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's exactly what makes you good."

<0965> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "E-even if you say so..."

<0966> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Now, now, besides that... Sunohara?"

<0967> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah, that's right."

<0968> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "By the way, Furukawa, about what happened yesterday..."

<0969> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Ah, yes."

<0970> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Your younger sister is coming, right?"

<0971> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's right."

<0972> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Have you already met yet?"

<0973> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No, the plan's to meet her tomorrow."

<0974> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Tomorrow? You can't do that!"

<0975> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Have you already prepared for meeting her?"

<0976> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Prepared...?"

<0977> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Like a party or something."

<0978> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "A party's somewhat exaggerated."

<0979> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Is that so...? I don't really think that."

<0980> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "I'm sure your younger sister should have fun."

<0981> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "She's really looking forward to meeting you... isn't she?"

<0982> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I-I guess..."

<0983> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "That's how it is!"

<0984> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "I'm sure, if her older brother weren't around, she'd be living such lonely days."

<0985> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "At times... she may cry on some days, wouldn't she...?"

<0986> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I see, she..."

<0987>
// It seems Sunohara was impressed by everything that Furukawa was imagining.

<0988>
// Looking far off, he kept nodding and nodding.

<0989> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Okay, having said that, please be sure to let her have lots of fun."

<0990> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, I'll do that!"

<0991> \{Furukawa} ""
// \{Furukawa} "Okay. See you later..."

<0992> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Thank you, later!"

<0993> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<0994>
// Furukawa leaves with a smile.

<0995>
// Sunohara waved his hand, seeing her off.

<0996> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Sunohara."

<0997> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You were persuaded again, without accomplishing anything."

<0998> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, accomplish what?"

<0999> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Not 'accomplish what'. Furukawa's gone off, hasn't she?"

<1000> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh damn it--------!"

<1001> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh, my, devil!!"

<1002>
// Knocking his head hard against the telephone pole, he eventually falls unconscious.

<1003> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Whatever but, don't pray to the devil."

<1004>
// This guy doesn't learn.

<1005> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's so sad... I wanted to at least grant your last wish." 

<1006> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll tell your sister how heroic you were."

<1007> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I think that's my responsibility..."

<1008>
// Clap...

<1009> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Amen..." 

<1010> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, shall I go then?"

<1011> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wait!"

<1012> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What, you're still alive?"

<1013> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Like I'd die!"

<1014> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But you know, even if we go back to school, there isn't anyone there anymore."

<1015> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What should I do, \m{A}?!"

<1016> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm, let's see..."

<1017> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "How about we hit you with a metal bat so you have amnesia?"

<1018> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "All right, let's do that!"

<1019> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, I'd die from that!"

<1020> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even more so, you'd get the girl that's doing the operation. You'll definitely find your purpose in life."

<1021> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't want such a purpose in life!"

<1022> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "In that case, it's already over."

<1023> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No way..."

<1024> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "H-hahaha..."

<1025> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eheh............ eheheheheh..."

<1026> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Trauma leading to amnesia. That's also something to do."

<1027> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No way!"

<1028> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahhhh! It's useless, my sister's going to come tomorrow--!"

<1029> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't that fine? Just show how you go to school and stuff."

<1030> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She'd see you like a bug and all, yeah?"

<1031> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't want that--!!"

<1032>
// He faints in agony within the shopping street.

<1033>
// The people start gathering around, wondering what's going on.

<1034> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, what the hell you looking at, you old crack?! I'm not on display!"

<1035>
// Eventually in an outburst of anger, he starts picking a fight.

<1036> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Asshole, you got any complaints?!"

<1037> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, stop it."

<1038>
// Shocked, I hold him back.

<1039>
// But, it looks like that wasn't necessary.

<1040>
// From that moment of curiosity, everyone stopped...

<1041>
// They don't want to be close to this garbage. Seeing that appearance, they glanced away.

<1042> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Tch... wait."

<1043>
// He clicked his tongue at the figure running off into the back.

<1044> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's enough, isn't it? Let's go."

<1045>
// Pushing Sunohara, we headed back to the dorm.

<1046>
// Someone was standing there.

<1047>
// There were people all curious and stuff, but soon there was one left.

<1048>
// In contrast to the group of people, that person gave a hard glance our way. 

<1049>
// She had a smile on her face.

<1050>
// By no means was that a stupid one.

<1051>\{Người Phụ Nữ} ""
// \{Woman} "........."

<1052>
// Maybe she's a housewife on her way back from buying things? Anyways, she's quite young.

<1053>
// It feels like I might have met her somewhere before...

<1054> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Do I know you?" 

<1055>\{Người Phụ Nữ} ""
// \{Woman} "Me? I'm Furukawa Sanae."

<1056> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, I don't know but..."

<1057>
// Having someone introduce themselves all of a sudden is troubling.

<1058>
// And I wasn't familiar with her name either. 

<1059> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah... you're Furukawa's..."

<1060>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, I'm Sanae." 

<1061> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Furukawa...?"

<1062>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, I'm Furukawa."

<1063> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... So, what is it?"

<1064>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "No, not that I have anything in particular..."

<1065>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I see you have the same school uniform as that of my daughter."

<1066> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Your daughter? What year is your daughter in?"

<1067>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Third year." 

<1068>
// A third year with the last name of Furukawa.

<1069>
// It must be her.

<1070>
// She's the one I saw before at the bottom of the hill.

<1071>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Perhaps you're Nagisa's friend?"

<1072>
// She says that, seeing that I'm pondering.

<1073> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I know her face, that's all." 

<1074> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So, she's in the same..."

<1075> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, her class is different. I don't really know Furukawa."

<1076>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "She recently came back to school, so she doesn't know anyone. She didn't make it in time for the entry ceremony."

<1077>
// Suddenly, a face comes to mind.

<1078>
// She's the one I saw before at the bottom of the hill.

<1079>
// I believe she was in the same year as me. 

<1080> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (She did mention she was resting for a long time...)

<1081> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Is it her...?)

<1082> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (If that's so... that would have been her first day back in school...)

<1083>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Um, perhaps you may be Nagisa's friend?"

<1084>
// She says that, seeing that I'm pondering.

<1085> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not sure about the name 'Nagisa' but, I have seen her face at least."

<1086>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "In that case, you really are her friend."

<1087>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You've always been of help to Nagisa!"

<1088> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sigh..."

<1089>
// ... Somehow, I feel a bit out of it.

<1090> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If that old crack comes again, I'm gonna choke him!"

<1091>
// Sunohara had returned.

<1092> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm? Someone you know?"

<1093> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, not really." 

<1094> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know Furukawa from third year, right?"

<1095> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I haven't." 

<1096> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know Furukawa from third year? You met her before."

<1097> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm? I did?"

<1098> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, whatever. Anyways, this is Furukawa's..."

<1099> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sister?"

<1100>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Thank you so much!"

<1101>
// She said so, returning a smile, probably taking it as a compliment.

<1102> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm, I see..."

<1103>
// Sunohara seems to have understood as such.

<1104>
// To correct him on every single thing was a pain, so I just left it at that.

<1105> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, whatever. We'll be going now."

<1106>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah... is that so?"

<1107> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Is there something you want?"

<1108>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Not exactly but..."

<1109>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I was wondering exactly what it was that you were troubled over."

<1110> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's not really your business."

<1111>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "........."

<1112> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Ugh..."

<1113>
// Giving out those cold words, tears formed at the corner of her eyes.

<1114>
// Like a kid. 

<1115> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Well...)

<1116> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Furukawa...?"

<1117>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, I'm Furukawa."

<1118> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... So, what is it?"

<1119>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "No, not that I have anything in particular..."

<1120>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I see you have the same school uniform as that of my daughter."

<1121> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Your daughter? What year is your daughter in?"

<1122>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Third year."

<1123> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Serious... well, that means..."

<1124>
// Only one face could come to mind.

<1125> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Hey,"

<1126>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, what is it?"

<1127> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Does your daughter like bread?"

<1128>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, she really does."

<1129>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Umm, perhaps you're a friend of Nagisa's?"

<1130> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well... no, we did talk a while ago but..."

<1131>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "In that case, you really are her friend."

<1132>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You've always been of help to Nagisa!"

<1133> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sigh..."

<1134>
// ... Somehow, I feel a bit out of it.

<1135> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If that old crack comes again, I'm gonna choke him!"

<1136>
// Sunohara had returned.

<1137> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm? Someone you know?"

<1138> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, not really."

<1139> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You say you're Furukawa Sanae, so you're Furukawa's... umm..."

<1140>
// My words tumbled a bit, feeling that she didn't really suit the image of introducing herself as her mother.

<1141> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heh... her sister?"

<1142>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Thank you so much!"

<1143>
// She said so, returning a smile, probably taking it as a compliment.

<1144> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm, I see..."

<1145>
// Sunohara seems to have understood as such.

<1146>
// To correct him on every single thing was a pain, so I just left it at that.

<1147> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, whatever. We'll be going now."

<1148>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah... is that so?"

<1149> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Is there something you want?"

<1150>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Not exactly but..."

<1151>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I was wondering exactly what it was that you were troubled over."

<1152> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's not really your business anyhow, is it?"

<1153>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "........."

<1154> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Ugh..."

<1155>
// Giving out those cold words, tears formed at the corner of her eyes.

<1156>
// Like a kid.

<1157>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... You're cruel."

<1158> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, about that..."

<1159> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahh, you made her cry, \m{A}."

<1160> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Shut up."

<1161> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, umm... Sanae-san?"

<1162> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even if you did know, exactly what would you say?"

<1163>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I thought I might try to help in some way."

<1164> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No way you could. You want to hear his problem?"

<1165>
// With a bullying tone, I explained the details.

<1166>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... I see."

<1167>
// She nodded to everything she heard.

<1168>
// I breathed a heavy sigh so that she'd hear it.

<1169> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Having said that, there's nothing to do."

<1170> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Since you know, we'll be going."

<1171>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "All right, I understand..."

<1172> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh boy. Let's go, Sunohara."

<1173>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Wait!" 

<1174>
// Sanae-san called to stop us.

<1175> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Huh? There's still something?"

<1176>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If... just, what if,"

<1177> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Okay..."

<1178>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If you say that standing beside you like a young girl like you mentioned wouldn't be strange..."

<1179>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I thought... I might like to help."

<1180> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<1181> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... What'd you say?"

<1182>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That way, it'd be like Sunohara-san having a girlfriend... is that fine?"

<1183>
// At the same time that voice came out,

<1184>
// Dumbfounded, Sunohara looks at her.

<1185>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Shall I do this then?"

<1186> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y..."

<1187> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yahooooo-------!"

<1188>
// Sunohara jumps up, bringing a fist into the air.

<1189> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Impossible..."

<1190>
// As always, I attended school late.

<1191>
// I grumbled to myself alone in the class, remembering yesterday.

<1192>
// That Sunohara and Furukawa... Sanae-san are going to pretend to be lovers?

<1193>
// I don't know why myself, but it's a shock.

<1194>
// I try imagining the two together.

<1195>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... So you were here after all?"

<1196> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sanae-san..."

<1197>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I heard that your teacher got angry again."

<1198> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Haha... no matter what I do, it's useless."

<1199>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Not at all. You're a child that can do something!"

<1200> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Please leave me alone."

<1201>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Don't take any offense to that."

<1202> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm not."

<1203>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That's a lie."

<1204>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Because you've been quite honest here, haven't you...?"

<1205> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sanae-san, that's...!"

<1206> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Impossible--!"

<1207> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, I'm a bit jealous--!!"

<1208>
// While in agony, the one happy man came about.

<1209> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Good mooorning, \m{A}!"

<1210> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's impossible for you."

<1211> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahaha, what joke are you coming up with this morning?"

<1212>
// A pleasant one.

<1213> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well... this is a complete reversal for lost time, isn't it?"

<1214> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh crap, tonight's going to be a hero interview?"

<1215> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (This guy really is being damn festive...)

<1216> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's like saying the kids have no idea what kind of charm I have!"

<1217> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If I go out with someone, I guess it's with a woman."

<1218> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know, in the end it's just all for show, being with a girl."

<1219> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hah, time's the problem!"

<1220> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Generally speaking, one glance at her gives me the shakes. Maybe it's a fated person?"

<1221> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sanae-san probably understood that as well when she took this up."

<1222> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know, to begin with, that person is Furukawa's..."

<1223> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm? Yeah, I know, her sister, right?"

<1224> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "She greeted me as such now, hasn't she?"

<1225> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (That's right, he's still got that mixed up...)

<1226> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What's wrong, \m{A}?"

<1227> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, nothing."

<1228>
// I didn't dare answer him.

<1229>
// Having said that, I couldn't believe yesterday's events after all.

<1230>
// Besides, is it really fine for him to cuddle up with her...

<1231> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara, let's hang out after school."

<1232> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sorry, sorry. I made arrangements to meet Sanae-san..."

<1233> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I mean with Sanae-san!"

<1234>
// There was something I should talk about once more.

<1235>
// After lessons in the morning finished, I went to see Sanae-san.

<1236>
// To the place we met to see her.

<1237>
// Sanae-san was at the park.

<1238>
// That particular housewife was talking to some kids she brought along. Do they know her?

<1239>
// Noticing us, she finishes up her conversation, and comes walking to us.

<1240>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Good afternoon!"

<1241> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah... good afternoon."

<1242>
// The person in front of you is a little off.

<1243> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Good afternooooon, Sanae-san!"

<1244>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yup. I'm looking forward to it!"

<1245> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Looking forward to?"

<1246>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "From today onward, I'm going to be acting as a girlfriend, right?"

<1247>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm not exactly that young, so it's really exciting!"

<1248> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What are you talking about, you're young enough!"

<1249>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Thank you so much!"

<1250> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, Sunohara... pull back a bit."

<1251> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, why?"

<1252>
// Ignoring the blank-faced Sunohara, I step in front of Sanae-san.

<1253> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "By the way, Sanae-san,"

<1254>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes?"

<1255> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Are you really serious?"

<1256>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Serious, you say?"

<1257> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "About becoming a fake girlfriend."

<1258> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You don't know this guy's true nature."

<1259>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "True nature... is it?"

<1260> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."

<1261> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be brief, but this guy's an idiot."

<1262>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Eh... an idiot?"

<1263> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Please don't agree with him!"

<1264> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even more, this guy's a beast."

<1265>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "So a beast that's like an idiot?"

<1266> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't put those together!"

<1267> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And... he's a pervert that likes to run around naked."

<1268>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "So he's a pervert that likes to around naked, and is a beast that's an idiot?"

<1269> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Exactly what the \bhell\u am I?!"

<1270> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I think you'll know how long it'll be before it becomes dangerous from hearing this."

<1271> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm strongly advising you for your own safety, Sanae-san."

<1272> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Please forget about this with this talk."

<1273>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I suppose..."

<1274> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh... \bEHHHHHHH?!\u"

<1275>
// She nods with a smile.

<1276>
// I breathed a sigh of relief with the contrasting shriek from behind.

<1277>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... But, I'm fine with this."

<1278>
// But, I doubted that with the next words that reached my ears.

<1279> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What'd you say...?"

<1280>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I can tell from seeing his eyes."

<1281>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Sunohara-kun's not like that."

<1282>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "He's not an idiot, but just clumsy."

<1283>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "He has such a cute face, so he couldn't be a beast at all."

<1284>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "As for what people like... to each their own."

<1285> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you serious...? T-then..."

<1286>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, I'll be Sunohara-kun's girlfriend from here on out!"

<1287>
// Which means...

<1288>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... I guess it's here after all."

<1289> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sanae-san..."

<1290>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I heard you ran around naked again."

<1291> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Haha... I'm an idiot so I'll do anything."

<1292>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Not at all. To each their own!"

<1293> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Please leave me alone."

<1294>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Don't take any offense to that."

<1295> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm not."

<1296>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You're lying."

<1297>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Because, you're no longer such a rare creature..."

<1298> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Because I'm clumsy!"

<1299> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Impossible--!"

<1300> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, I'm a bit envious--!!"

<1301>
// He patted my shoulders while I was in agony.

<1302> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heh heh heh..."

<1303>
// Letting his blond hair flutter, he walks in front of me.

<1304> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Body!"

<1305>
// Thud!\shake{4}

<1306> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Bifff!"

<1307> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, why'd you hit me?!"

<1308> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, you made me feel really sick."

<1309>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Now, now... don't start any fights."

<1310> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ugh..."

<1311>
// She said that gently, mentioning nothing more about it.

<1312> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "The \bunpopular\u guy appears to be quite jealous. Let's leave him be, shall we?"

<1313> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (I'm so going to hurt you...)

<1314>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Well, then, what should we do?"

<1315> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's, I guess... oh man..."

<1316> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Umm... a d-d-d-d-d-d-d-ddddate, maybe?"

<1317> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're tumbling on your words, you know."

<1318>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "A date's good, isn't it?"

<1319>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But... doing that all of a sudden is a bit difficult, I think."

<1320>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If we don't practice a little bit, no one will believe that you have a girlfriend."

<1321>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "How about we have a rehearsal to begin with?"

<1322> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ohh, that sounds good!"

<1323>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "What do you think, \m{A}-san?"

<1324> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why are you asking me...?"

<1325> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Just do whatever you want."

<1326>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah, where are you going?"

<1327> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not needed here anymore, aren't I?"

<1328>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... You shouldn't."

<1329>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "It's the responsibility of the organizer to see things to the end."

<1330> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Responsibility...?"

<1331>
// The circumstances of the relationship between Sunohara and Sanae-san.

<1332>
// I try imagining their future.

<1333> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Guwaahh--!"

<1334> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why are you tugging your neck?!"

<1335> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's disgusting..."

<1336> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why?!"

<1337> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Anyways, I'm going home today."

<1338> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You two try to do something on your own."

<1339>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I see..."

<1340>
// With Sunohara as he is, he's not in the mood to pull anything strange.

<1341>
// Taking a breath, I turn around.

<1342> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You're heading to the dorm?"

<1343> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."

<1344> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Then, deal with my sister when she comes."

<1345> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And be sure to tell her, okay?"

<1346> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "About how her older brother's lovey-dovey with a girl and all!"

<1347> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Though it'd be nice if I could understand the love in the meaning of those words."

<1348> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You can!"

<1349> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Anyways, I'll let you deal with it if you're heading back."

<1350> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Fine, fine..."

<1351>
// So annoying...

<1352>
// I take another deep breath and begin walking.

<1353> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well then, shall we get started?"

<1354>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes. Sunohara-kun, pleased to meet you."

<1355>
// The voices behind my back gradually faint away.

<1356>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah... but calling you Sunohara-kun is strange."

<1357>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm your girlfriend, after all."

<1358>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Well then, let's see..."

<1359>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "From now on, I'll call you Youhei-kun."

<1360>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Pleased to meet you, Youhei-kun!"

<1361> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<1362>
// Thud!

<1363>
// Sunohara ran up to behind me.

<1364> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh crap, she called me Youhei-kun!"

<1365>
// With a blushed face, he headed back.

<1366>
// It seems that dealing with older women is a mystery zone, even for Sunohara.

<1367>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Then, let's walk together, shall we?"

<1368>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You can walk really close."

<1369>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Keeping our shoulders together makes us look like lovers."

<1370>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That's not it, be more close!"

<1371> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<1372>
// Thud!

<1373>
// Sunohara ran up to behind me.

<1374> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh crap, this is such a good smell!"

<1375>
// He turns around with a dazed face.

<1376>
// It seems for a naive Sunohara, he's very stimulated.

<1377>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Hmm, not one of this seems like being lovers."

<1378>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I guess just walking together like this isn't good enough."

<1379>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah, how about we hold hands then?"

<1380>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But, do so lightly. If you do it too strongly, it'll be a problem."

<1381> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<1382>
// Thud!

<1383>
// Sunohara ran up to behind me.

<1384> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh crap, she's so soft!"

<1385> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Stop reporting each and every single thing to me..."

<1386>
// I moved to a distant place.

<1387>
// I guess I'll have to head to the dormitory...

<1388>
// I feel depressed...

<1389> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Did you hear that just now?!"

<1390> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't see anything anymore, nor do I hear anything, so quit coming!"

<1391> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sigh..."

<1392>
// Lying down on the ten-thousand-year kotatsu, I sighed.

<1393> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why'd it become like this...?"

<1394>
// I feel like I've been saying that about Sunohara since yesterday.

<1395>
// While on the other hand, he's got Sanae-san pretending to be his lover.

<1396>
// And I'm waiting for her sister-- waiting for the ghost, so I would call her.

<1397> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ugahhh--! What's with this difference--?!"

<1398> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "This sucks... maybe I should go to the arcades every once in a while."

<1399>
// I think of doing so, but then I remember Sanae-san's words.

<1400>
// --It's the responsibility of the organizer to see things to the end.

<1401>
// I thought it stupid, but I couldn't just ignore it.

<1402> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... I'll sleep."

<1403>
// I ended up sleeping out of spite.

<1404>
// I throw myself into the pile of manga, making them a pillow.

<1405>
// Deep within the kotatsu, my pupils close, and sleepiness attacks me.

<1406>
// .........

<1407>
// ......

<1408>
// ...

<1409>
// Knock, knock!

<1410>
// Knock, knock, knock!

<1411> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Fuwaah, what is it...?"

<1412>
// I wake up to that noisy thundering.

<1413>
// My head was still so out of it.

<1414> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Did Sunohara come back...?)

<1415>
// Knock, knock!

<1416> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Shut up, it's empty."

<1417>
// Knock, knock, knock!

<1418> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What...?"

<1419>
// I squirm around, getting up from the kotatsu.

<1420>
// While a bit dizzy, I open the door.

<1421>
// .........

<1422>
// ... Slam.

<1423> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "E-eh...?"

<1424> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "Strange, did I get it wrong?"

<1425>
// I didn't just hallucinate, I also heard some sound.

<1426>
// It seems I'm still quite sleepy.

<1427> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... I'll sleep."

<1428>
// I head back to rest.

<1429>
// .........

<1430>
// ......

<1431>
// ...

<1432>
// Knock, knock!

<1433>
// Knock, knock, knock!

<1434> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Daaaaaahhh, what the hell?!"

<1435>
// Getting up from the futon, I open the door.

<1436>
// .........

<1437>
// ... Slam.

<1438> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm still asleep...?"

<1439>
// Knock, knock!

<1440> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "I'm sorry, please open up!"

<1441>
// I certainly hear words coming from beyond the door.

<1442>
// It seems like this is reality.

<1443> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It couldn't be...?"

<1444>
// I open the door a second time.

<1445> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you Sunohara?!"

<1446> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "E-ehh?"

<1447> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Well... I guess you could say I'm Sunohara."

<1448> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I see... so you got mixed up with a girl and fell down the stairs."

<1449> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And switched souls with her..."

<1450> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And while in disbelief, you returned to your room..."

<1451> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And you felt like touching yourself while looking in the mirror!"

<1452> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "... I don't know exactly what it is you're talking about."

<1453>
// That got easily thrown out.

<1454>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Besides that, I thought that this might have been onii-chan's room..."

<1455> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Onii-chan?"

<1456> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Ah, I'm sorry."

<1457> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Nice to meet you. I'm Sunohara Youhei's younger sister. You can call me Mei."

<1458>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Perhaps you're my brother's friend?"

<1459> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<1460> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Kehhhh----!"

<1461>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah... what?"

<1462> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh, you didn't understand that?"

<1463>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Uh, understanding that or not but..."

<1464>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is my brother inside?"

<1465> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Y... your brother, huh?"

<1466> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hahaha... actually, \bI'm\u your brother."

<1467> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I got mixed up with a guy and fell down the stairs."

<1468> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And switched my souls with him..."

<1469>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm, and what about that?"

<1470> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't that obvious? To head into the room and touch myself while looking in the mirror!"

<1471> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, I don't like that at all---!" 

<1472>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<1473> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Huh?"

<1474>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're just as strange as my brother, aren't you?"

<1475>
// She said I was just like Sunohara...

<1476>
// Even more than that, from his sister...

<1477>
// I've been... put together with him...

<1478> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm gonna kill myself!"

<1479>
// Clatter, I throw open the window.

<1480>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-wah!"

<1481>
// She pulled me in as I was almost out.

<1482>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Geez, what are you doing now...?"

<1483>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's only the first floor so you won't die, and you're in your socks so you'll get dirty."

<1484>
// She was so up-front saying that.

<1485> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Perhaps...)

<1486>
// Sunohara's younger sister might be normal? 

<1487>
// Speaking of which, she greeted me normally just now.

<1488>
// Her mindset doesn't seem to be much like her brother's...

<1489>
// At any rate, her speech and conduct were ordinary.

<1490>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, is there anything on my face?"

<1491> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh, ahh... no."

<1492>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Besides that, what a dirty room this is."

<1493>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There's no real place to stand..."

<1494>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, ah, laundry? There's so much!"

<1495>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The garbage can is so full... wah, this is juice, isn't it?!"

<1496>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sigh, onii-chan..."

<1497>
// Her small figure runs around the room, seeing the state of things.

<1498>
// Somehow, whatever I imagined just now doesn't appear to be coming up.

<1499> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... uhh, Mei-chan?"

<1500>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, I'm sorry!"

<1501>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm just really shocked at the moment..."

<1502> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, for now, have a seat."

<1503> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You came just now, didn't you?"

<1504>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I suppose so..."

<1505>
// The two of us sit down by the kotatsu.

<1506>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's right, there should be tea here, right?"

<1507>
// Just before I know it, she stands up right away, and goes to the hallway.

<1508>
// Guess I've ended up working with her.

<1509>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, there's so much of a tea stain here!"

<1510>
// I heard her voice.

<1511>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, you should clean it at least..."

<1512>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There's no bleaching stuff here, is there...?"

<1513>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Oh yeah, let's use some salt."

<1514>
// Most certainly a well-raised sister.

<1515>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sorry to keep you waiting."

<1516> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... thanks."

<1517>
// I take a sip to quench my thirst.

<1518>
// Mei-chan also finally breathed at that.

<1519>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "By the way..."

<1520>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I haven't heard your name yet."

<1521> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "\m{A} \m{B}."

<1522>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, is it?"

<1523>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're my brother's friend, right?"

<1524> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, calling our relationship being friends is..."

<1525>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, what is your relationship with him?"

<1526> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Someone I know, or not...?"

<1527> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If I really had to say something, he'd be like a kabuto beetle to me?"

<1528>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, I don't understand that at all."

<1529>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But... you two get along, right?"

<1530> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's like pitiful love, or maybe it's like being forced to be kind..."

<1531>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, you guys are always together, right?"

<1532>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, you're buddies."

<1533> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Buddies...?"

<1534>
// Flutter...

<1535>
// I take a quick look at the Japanese dictionary. It's been a while since I used one.

<1536>
// "buddy: to be on friendly or intimate terms." 

<1537> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm gonna kill myself!"

<1538>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-wah...!"

<1539>
// Just as she notices, she turns off the gas switch.

<1540>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That was dangerous..."

<1541> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry. Just now, I kinda floated there for a second."

<1542>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sigh, why are you so shy about it?"

<1543>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I heard from the landlady that you two really get along."

<1544> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, I see..."

<1545>
// I guess she's checked around the dorm already.

<1546>
// It's as if she's come to know how the place works and all very well.

<1547>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<1548>
// Which isn't to say that she may have heard bad rumors, could she?

<1549>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, \m{A}-san,"

<1550>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Could I ask about my brother?"

<1551> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You bring out a pretty good topic there."

<1552>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah..."

<1553>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I guess it's not really a good one to go with..."

<1554> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm joking. So?"

<1555>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Y-yes. Well..."

<1556>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "How is my brother doing right now?"

<1557> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Meaning?"

<1558>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm just wondering what he might have been doing everyday."

<1559> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What he might have been doing, huh..."

<1560>
// I think of suitable, ridiculous words to respond with, keeping it short.

<1561>
// Because Sanae-san's smile and words came to mind.

<1562> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sigh... be thankful, Sunohara...)

<1563>
// I think it over for a while, then open my mouth.

<1564> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He's getting it on with a girl."

<1565>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh...?"

<1566> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He's not here right now, right? You know why?"

<1567>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "N-no..."

<1568> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "A date. D-a-t-e."

<1569>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Date...?"

<1570>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<1571>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "E-Eeeeek!"

<1572>
// At that moment, she stepped back to the wall.

<1573> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, why are you scared?"

<1574>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "B-but, onii-chan on a date...?"

<1575>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's, with a girl, right?!"

<1576>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "To begin with, that's a \breal\u human being, right?!"

<1577>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Something like that couldn't have existed in onii-chan's mind...!"

<1578>
// She said something quite cruel.

<1579> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She's a beautiful person by the name of Sanae-san."

<1580>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<1581>
// Creak, Mei drops her jaw and puts on a stupid face.

<1582>
// I have no idea how she's feeling.

<1583>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I don't believe it..."

<1584> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose."

<1585>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, could you tell me in full detail about that?!"

<1586>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No... please don't tell me!"

<1587> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Which is it?"

<1588>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Telling me all of a sudden makes me a bit scared..."

<1589>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Let me prepare myself first."

<1590> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right..."

<1591>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O-okay... I'll cool down."

<1592>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hoo, hah, hoo, hah..."

<1593> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, after that, I'll tell you as much as you like."

<1594> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Anyways, right now is... oh yeah, have you eaten?"

<1595>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No, not yet."

<1596> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I see. Then I'll go and buy some bread."

<1597>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, no, I couldn't ask you to."

<1598>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll make something."

<1599> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Serious?"

<1600>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's simple, and shouldn't take much time either."

<1601> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then... please do."

<1602>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "All right, then, I'll just go and buy something real quick."

<1603>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Can I use the kitchen as I need to...?"

<1604> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, everyone does that anyway."

<1605>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well then, I'm off."

<1606> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Somehow... I feel bad having you do so much all of a sudden."

<1607>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Really?"

<1608>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, I'll let you deal with cleaning up the room. Is that fine?"

<1609> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh, I'm gonna?"

<1610>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's a bit too dirty here for us to eat anything."

<1611>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please take care of it!"

<1612>
// Taking out a big sports bag, she leaves the room.

<1613> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, you know the stores around here?"

<1614>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I saw them as I was coming, so it'll be fine~"

<1615>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Besides that, be sure to clean up the room well!"

<1616>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, if you get the rice for me as well, that'll help me with the cooking!"

<1617> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (She's really working hard...)

<1618>
// Mei-chan cooked chicken and eggs on rice.

<1619>
// A vivid yellow and sprinkled with green leaf pieces, it was actually delicious.

<1620>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, if you eat too fast, it won't properly digest."

<1621>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Geez, take some rice."

<1622>
// But, more and more I discover she's well brought up.

<1623>
// With the brother and this sister... though I had imagined it as such, talking with her was indeed different.

<1624>
// At that moment, I remembered a popular manga.

<1625>
// That cat-shaped robot would excel in everything that her brother could do...

<1626>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Who's Do**mi-chan?" 

<1627> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She got some oil from a good place."

<1628>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "So onii-chan got weak oil then...?"

<1629>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I was told that much long ago."

<1630> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "About the Dora*mon siblings?"

<1631>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Not that, just about how the brother was in such trouble, doing bad things."

<1632> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose..."

<1633>
// It's possible that might have been a bad example.

<1634>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Besides that, umm..."

<1635>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "How is onii-chan doing with school?"

<1636> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... you already heard about him leaving the soccer team, right?"

<1637>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I heard before."

<1638> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He had high hopes but, since he stopped it all went downhill."

<1639>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I thought it might have been like that..."

<1640>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even though he was good at soccer."

<1641>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What's he going to do, stopping like that..."

<1642> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even then, recently it hasn't been like that."

<1643> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Which brings us back to the original topic."

<1644>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "About... him and his lover?"

<1645> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, that."

<1646>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is that true?!"

<1647> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, wait, wait. Do you doubt me?"

<1648>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Not really but, I guess I'm just worried."

<1649>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is it a classmate?"

<1650> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, an older one."

<1651>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Older?!"

<1652> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I guess maternal instinct's caught up to him?"

<1653>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, how does he know this person?"

<1654> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... her sister's in the same school."

<1655> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Just something like that."

<1656>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T-that's... true?"

<1657> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Believe me."

<1658>
// At the very least, I should give a half-truth.

<1659>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, are there any pictures?"

<1660> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Nope, none."

<1661>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Isn't that strange?"

<1662> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Didn't I mention that they met just recently?"

<1663>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<1664> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Do you believe me?"

<1665>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "For now..."

<1666>
// She nodded but, it doesn't seem like she's following.

<1667> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sunohara... for you to deceive your sister is definitely not normal...)

<1668> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh, it's you Mei. You already came?"

<1669>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, you're late!"

<1670>
// The reunion between the siblings was actually pretty simple.

<1671>
// I tried to think a little more of something else, but that was it.

<1672>
// An only-child like me wouldn't know so, that's probably how it is.

<1673> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh, you cleaned up the room. Lucky!"

<1674>
// That was me.

<1675>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, you were on a date?"

<1676> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That... haha, oh man."

<1677> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, you told her, didn't you?"

<1678> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Geez, that's so annoying."

<1679>
// Smiling, he gave a thumbs up.

<1680> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Finger Submission!"

<1681>
// Tug!

<1682> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Aghh!"

<1683> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, why are you pulling my finger?!"

<1684> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, your face pisses me off."

<1685> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} (Come on man, help me out here!)

<1686> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (I am.)

<1687> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (I already explained to Mei-chan about Sanae-san, didn't I?)

<1688> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} (I guess... thanks, \m{A}!)

<1689>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What are you guys whispering about?"

<1690> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "N-nothing."

<1691> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, whatever... just that I'm really all fired up."

<1692>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm..."

<1693> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hahaha... I wanted to leave but, I couldn't get away."

<1694> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even though I had come here, I can't really chat with you, sorry!"

<1695>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hey, onii-chan,"

<1696>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Are you meeting her tomorrow as well?"

<1697> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I suppose."

<1698>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then could I meet her too?"

<1699> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why do you have to come?"

<1700>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I want to see what your girlfriend's like, onii-chan."

<1701>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I heard from \m{A}-san that she's beautiful."

<1702> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Geez, can't be helped."

<1703> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't get in the way."

<1704>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Eh?"

<1705>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's really okay to meet her?"

<1706> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why do you have to ask that?"

<1707>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... no, never mind!"

<1708>
// Of course, she's still in doubt.

<1709>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm..."

<1710>
// Taking a great deal of time, the two of us left the dorm.

<1711>
// Mei-chan was always groaning along the way.

<1712>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "So strange..."

<1713> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What was that just now?"

<1714>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, nothing, nothing."

<1715>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I just thought this city was amazing..."

<1716>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "For someone to be curious about onii-chan, going out with him..."

<1717> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "To each their own it seems."

<1718> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "After all, this isn't exactly a city."

<1719>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No, it's a city for me, alright."

<1720>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I've been living in the mountains, after all."

<1721> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Speaking of which, your home's..."

<1722>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "In the Touhoku region."

<1723>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Over there, onii-chan could get a girlfriend, but that wouldn't last long..."

<1724>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "They'd soon break up and he'd be rejected."

<1725> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And he still hasn't accepted that, I take it?"

<1726>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... no, no, it's not at all like that."

<1727>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Love is so nice, isn't it?"

<1728>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I want to get an older boyfriend too..."

<1729> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You could just get some attractive guy in your school, right?"

<1730>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No way, everyone's too much of a kid."

<1731> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You seem to look much like a kid yourself, Mei-chan."

<1732>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ehh?"

<1733>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No way, even though I got a lot older..."

<1734>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm still a kid?"

<1735> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You don't have anything that gives any appeal."

<1736>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Gaaaannnn... I'm shocked."

<1737> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "In a little while, your back'll stretch."

<1738> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I think you'll become beautiful because you're cute, Mei-chan."

<1739>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, are you serious?"

<1740> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "When you get older."

<1741>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O-okay, I'll do my best!"

<1742> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Also be sincere about it, unlike your brother."

<1743>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hahaha... I'll be careful."

<1744>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But I'm glad I came over."

<1745>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I know how my brother's living too..."

<1746>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thanks for helping make the room clean, \m{A}-san."

<1747> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I just cleaned it like I thought it should be done."

<1748>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Not at all. You did a lot of sorting to make it as such."

<1749>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But to sleep on the floor? I don't think I could~"

<1750> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you going to stay here?"

<1751>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I planned to but..."

<1752> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sleeping on the kotatsu will have you catch a cold."

<1753>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I bet."

<1754> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "There's a hotel in front of the train station. Want me to lead you there?"

<1755>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm, a hotel, huh..."

<1756>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What should I do? I've been trying to save up..."

<1757>
// She murmurs to herself.

<1758>
// After a little while, she claps her hands.

<1759>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... That's right, \m{A}-san. You have a house, right?"

<1760> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I do."

<1761>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, could I stay over?"

<1762> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Huh? What are you feeling like saying all of a sudden...?"

<1763> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know, only my old man and I live there."

<1764>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That'll be great then!"

<1765> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No it's not, you should be more careful."

<1766> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you make a mistake, it'll be too late to regret, you know...?" 

<1767>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, you said I had no appeal whatsoever."

<1768> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Guahh, crap."

<1769>
// Looks like I brought this upon myself.

<1770>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, that's right, I could make dinner!"

<1771>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm, I wonder if that supermarket from before is still open?"

<1772>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll have to go and hurry!"

<1773> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, are you serious?"

<1774>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It'll be fine! I'll keep it a secret from onii-chan--!"

<1775> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's not the problem! Hey, wait!"

<1776>
// Buzzzzz...

<1777>
// My eyes awoke to a nostalgic sound not heard in a long time.

<1778> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "You're still sleeping!"

<1779>
// I heard a cute voice.

<1780> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "Wake up!"

<1781>
// She shook me back and forth.

<1782> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... It's bright..."

<1783>
// Before I knew it, the curtain was opened up, letting the morning sunlight come through.

<1784>
// Barely opening my eyes, I looked towards where the voice came from.

<1785>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's morning already!"

<1786>
// And there was a girl with a vacuum cleaner in hand.

<1787> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (... Oh, that's right, she ended up staying here...)

<1788>
// I remembered that with sleepy eyes.

<1789> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Sleepy..."

<1790>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, you can't go to sleep again!"

<1791>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm already vacuuming!"

<1792>
// Buzzzzz...

<1793>
// The noise of the vacuum drew close to my ear.

<1794>
// But, it didn't surpass my sleepiness.

<1795>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Geez, it's time to wake up."

<1796>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm drying the futon, so please wake up!"

<1797> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "As far as I'm concerned, it's still sleeping time."

<1798>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You can't!"

<1799>
// Buzzzzz...

<1800> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Shut up..."

<1801>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then wake up."

<1802> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, while I'm this sleepy, Mei-chan is..."

<1803>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm doing what?"

<1804> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, well..."

<1805>
// Because there's a girl in the house, sleeping while stressed is bad.

<1806>
// I gulp down my words hard.

<1807>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're not going to do anything?"

<1808> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, it's all my fault."

<1809> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I see that now, so let me deal with the futon."

<1810>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sigh... can't be helped."

<1811>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, we'll leave the top cover alone."

<1812> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm..."

<1813>
// I beat it with my hand.

<1814>
// Then I rolled the bed up as if it were a rough scroll.

<1815>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're pretty good..."

<1816>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, we'll be drying the futon."

<1817>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, there's so much dust!"

<1818>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "When was the last time you cleaned this?"

<1819> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I forget..."

<1820>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Geez, after this, we'll have to clean the top cover as well!"

<1821>
// The wind coming from the opened window was cold.

<1822>
// Even then, with the futon wrapped it, it was comfortable.

<1823>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Oh right, I've prepared something to eat."

<1824> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Breakfast..."

<1825>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What is it?"

<1826> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I want to eat breakfast..."

<1827>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, come to the kitchen."

<1828> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, I wanna sleep..."

<1829>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "So selfish..."

<1830> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't you think it's lovely for someone to be sleepy while eating breakfast?"

<1831>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I think it's scary."

<1832> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Not at all. It's quite fun..."

<1833>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Sigh..."

<1834>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, just today."

<1835>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll have to wash my hands..."

<1836>
// Taking a breath as if amazed, she leaves the room.

<1837>
// A while later, she returns with a delicious smell.

<1838>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "All right, you can eat here."

<1839> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Amazing."

<1840>
// On top of the tray was toast, omelette, bacon, and coffee.

<1841>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I think it's good."

<1842> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, it looks pretty damn good."

<1843> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So... good..."

<1844>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Don't go back to sleep!"

<1845>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Can't be helped..."

<1846> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm...?"

<1847>
// I heard the clanging sounds of the fork.

<1848>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Here, please say ahh..."

<1849> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ahh..."

<1850>
// ... Chomp.

<1851> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "The toast's great..."

<1852>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Okay, what would you like next?"

<1853> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Omelette..." 

<1854>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The omelette is difficult..."

<1855>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll have to go softly so as to not break it..."

<1856>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Here, hurry up, the futon will get dirty!"

<1857> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ahh..."

<1858>
// ... Chomp.

<1859> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Delicious..."

<1860> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'd like to drink coffee next."

<1861>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Coffee's the most difficult thing."

<1862>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "First, I'll have to cool it so it doesn't burn you."

<1863>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Blow, blow..."

<1864>
// Mei-chan probably saw everything from the beginning of this tiring morning as stupid.

<1865>
// Even then, she really was well raised, so it was a bit fun.

<1866>
// I finally became quite awake around noon.

<1867>
// Mei-chan put on some ironed clothes and left the room.

<1868>
// Most obviously to go and see Sunohara and Sanae-san on their date.

<1869>
// The place they planned to meet at was the same park from yesterday...

<1870> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We're a little bit early..."

<1871>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, onii-chan's here."

<1872>
// Sunohara was one step ahead, waiting at that place.

<1873>
// Even though he had a lot of time, he was still checking the time.

<1874>
// He kept on clearing his throat and fixing his hair.

<1875>
// It was obvious that he was tense.

<1876> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Try calling from behind, Mei-chan."

<1877>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, me?"

<1878> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He might think it's Sanae-san, and get freaked out for no reason."

<1879>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, my voice is so different."

<1880> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, the way he is now he's definitely not calm."

<1881>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, I'll try it."

<1882>
// Tatter, tatter, she comes up to his back.

<1883>
// And then she stand on her toes, clapping his shoulders.

<1884>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I've been waiting for you!"

<1885> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah, hahaha, you came just now, didn't you?"

<1886> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah... before the date, please have this!"

<1887> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I have a present here that'll let you buy meals three times!"

<1888>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thank you very much!"

<1889>
// Slip!

<1890>
// He drops his wrapped package.

<1891> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "M-Mei..."

<1892> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Actually, three meals is at least 1500 yen. Cheap!"

<1893> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's filled with love, so isn't that fine?!"

<1894> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So, why are you going on a date in your school uniform?"

<1895> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Being formal's fine, isn't it?!"

<1896> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All your other clothes are wrinkled and smell strange, right?"

<1897> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I was the one who cleaned your room yesterday, remember?"

<1898> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Kuh... you guys came all the way here just to give me that crap?!"

<1899> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Shouldn't you relax yourself a bit? You're tense."

<1900>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, you're all gritty."

<1901> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm relaxed!"

<1902> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Whichever it was, you were on edge so you came early, didn't you?"

<1903>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, \m{A}-san, there are a lot of these empty cans scattered about!"

<1904>
// A large number of empty coffee cans were scattered at Sunohara's feet.

<1905> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Since when were you waiting?"

<1906> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hah, this is a mission!"

<1907> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "When Sanae-san comes, she'll see me, right?"

<1908> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Doing that, it'll be like, 'You waited \bthis\u long... kyuuun', see."

<1909> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Nah, she'll just think you're thirsty."

<1910> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, you're still so inexperienced."

<1911> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "See, this is a man's tool at the game you call love..."

<1912> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Something like a Boys Love game." 

<1913>
// So it's become a boys' game.

<1914>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But onii-chan, what's with all these cans?"

<1915> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Probably found them from around."

<1916> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "There's no way he could have drunk from all these."

<1917>
// If he did, he'd be a \breal\u idiot.

<1918> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh crap, I have to go to the washroom for a bit!"

<1919>
// He \bis\u a real idiot!

<1920>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's quite troublesome for it to be all scattered here..."

<1921>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll go and clean it."

<1922>
// Although he had gone through the trouble for this mission, Mei-chan threw them into the garbage can.

<1923> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "I'll help as well!"

<1924>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, thank you!"

<1925>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "This is such a problem already..."

<1926> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "Not at all..."

<1927>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah, \m{A}-san. Good afternoon."

<1928> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."

<1929> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Whew..."

<1930>
// There, Sunohara had returned.

<1931>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Good afternoon, Youhei-san."

<1932> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah, good afternoon."

<1933> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh, crap----!!"

<1934>
// A man, coming at the worst possible time.

<1935>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Please treat me well today too, okay?" 

<1936> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Okay..."

<1937>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<1938>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Oh my, perhaps you're an acquaintance of his?"

<1939>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, ah... yes!"

<1940>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm the younger sister of the Sunoharas... Mei."

<1941>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "The younger sister?"

<1942>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Nice to meet you, I'm Furukawa Sanae."

<1943>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sanae-san..."

<1944>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, umm... perhaps you're the Sanae-san that onii-chan..."

<1945>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, that's right."

<1946>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Youhei-kun's girlfriend!"

<1947>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<1948>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Is that, for real?"

<1949>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "It is."

<1950>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "C-can I touch you?"

<1951>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Sure!"

<1952>
// She nervously touches her.

<1953>
// And patted around as if to check.

<1954>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's real..."

<1955>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "This is, for real..."

<1956>
// And then, she glances up.

<1957>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... You're beautiful."

<1958>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Thank you very much!"

<1959>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "For someone this beautiful to be with onii-chan..."

<1960>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "With onii-chan, with onii-chan...!"

<1961>
// Thud.

<1962>
// She clinged her small body onto Sanae-san.

<1963>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "U-uuu..."

<1964>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What compassion you have..."

<1965> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What's that supposed to mean?!"

<1966>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Mei-san. You shouldn't say things about your older brother like that."

<1967>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "There are also a lot of good things about Youhei-kun."

<1968>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If you're his younger sister, you should know, right?"

<1969>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I know nothing at all though..."

<1970> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei..."

<1971>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Aren't I right... \m{A}-san?"

<1972> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Nope, simply none at all."

<1973> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't agree to that!"

<1974>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Now, now... well, we shall see from here on out."

<1975>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "And, don't start any arguments."

<1976>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Today's a date after all."

<1977> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y-yeah... I suppose."

<1978> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hahaha, we should leave these guys be and go, right?"

<1979>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "We shouldn't leave them alone. Shall we leave?"

<1980> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, wait, Sunohara."

<1981> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, what?"

<1982> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Come here for a sec."

<1983>
// I call him to stop, just as he was about to leave.

<1984>
// I grab his arm and pull him to one of the ends of the park.

<1985> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, don't you think this far's good enough?"

<1986> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, right now's the performance, isn't it?"

<1987>
// ... This guy's gotten something wrong, hasn't he?

<1988> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know, what's our objective again?"

<1989> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "To show that you're deep in love with a girlfriend, right?"

<1990> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's true..."

<1991> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, we've achieved that objective, haven't we?"

<1992> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "There's no point continuing this play anymore."

<1993> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sigh... you don't know, do you, \m{A}?"

<1994> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Certainly, my objective towards Mei's been cleared."

<1995> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, Sanae-san and I are getting along!"

<1996> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yesterday was a rehearsal but, I'm really fired up..."

<1997> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "At this rate with the date coming up, afterwards..."

<1998> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Uhyooooo---! I'm gonna have a nosebleed!"

<1999> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Temple!"

<2000>
// Thunk!\shake{4}

<2001> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Haghh!"

<2002> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, finally hitting the head this time?!"

<2003> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know... you're thinking about really strange things there."

<2004> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san's going to help you to the end, isn't she?"

<2005> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I already know about that."

<2006> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, Mei will also be following too so... I think another push should be fine."

<2007> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It'll be fine if you overdo it without blowing your cover."

<2008>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Umm, what seems to be the problem?"

<2009> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah, nothing!"

<2010> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Let's go, Sanae-san!"

<2011>
// With a hurrying figure, he returns to Sanae-san.

<2012>
// As the two give each other a smile, they leave the park.

<2013> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Geez...)

<2014>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, we should go as well."

<2015> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're going to follow them after all?"

<2016>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, if possible."

<2017> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, tagging along on their date is kinda, I dunno..."

<2018>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If you think of it as a double date, it's not strange at all."

<2019> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That would mean I'd be with..."

<2020>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Obviously you and me, \m{A}-san."

<2021> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose..."

<2022>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, they're going to disappear on us."

<2023>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Come on, let's go!"

<2024>
// She tugs on my sleeve.

<2025>
// My legs were heavy, following behind her.

<2026>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, they held hands!"

<2027>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, their hands are swinging!"

<2028>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan's blushing..."

<2029>
// In front of us was Sunohara and Sanae-san.

<2030>
// Mei-chan and I were following not too far away.

<2031>
// Sunohara was certainly tense, but even then Sanae-san continued giving a smile.

<2032>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm... though they seem to get along."

<2033> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I... suppose."

<2034>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm a bit envious..."

<2035>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Are we getting along as well?"

<2036> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Getting along...?"

<2037>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There!"

<2038> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Owaah!"

<2039>
// She clung onto my arm as if she was jumping.

<2040> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Stop it!"

<2041>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, you're also blushing a bit, \m{A}-san."

<2042> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't fool around."

<2043>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Haha... I'm sorry."

<2044>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I've been longing a bit for something like this."

<2045> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, let go."

<2046>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Okay~"

<2047>
// With a slightly disappointed voice, Mei-chan took her hands off.

<2048>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Oh..."

<2049>
// And then, she looked at her palms for some reason.

<2050> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What are you doing?"

<2051>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, nothing, nothing..."

<2052>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I just thought you were a man and all."

<2053> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, I'm not really all that great."

<2054>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even then, you're a lot like a man."

<2055>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Your arm's built up and all..."

<2056>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Your chest also feels rugged and stuff."

<2057> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Your chest feels flat, you know."

<2058>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, you're cruel!"

<2059>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It'll be getting bigger from now on!"

<2060>
// As the two of us bickered over that, the figure of the two became smaller.

<2061>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, they're going to disappear. Let's chase after them!"

<2062>
// She went after them in haste.

<2063>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But... where does onii-chan feel like going on a date?"

<2064>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What would you do at a time like this, \m{A}-san?"

<2065> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't ask me."

<2066>
// It's not like I'm really experienced with this.

<2067> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, well... I guess at this time you'd go for food first, right?"

<2068> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I think I'd go for some stylish restaurant..."

<2069>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Does onii-chan know such a place?"

<2070>
// I take a look at how the two are doing.

<2071>
// Sunohara had just brought up an excited voice.

<2072> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "U-umm... Sanae-san,"

<2073>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes?"

<2074> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I-it's already noon."

<2075>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "It is, isn't it?"

<2076> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well... what do you think? There's a restaurant pretty close by we can go to."

<2077> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "We should eat first... haha..."

<2078>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah..."

<2079>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm sorry, I already ate at home."

<2080> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ehhh----..."

<2081>
// A problem has arisen.

<2082>
// Well now, how will you counterattack?

<2083>
// Even now, it is not an exaggeration to say the man named Sunohara Youhei has his abilities tested...

<2084> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<2085>
// Dash!

<2086> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So you're coming over here instead?!"

<2087> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}! What should I do?!"

<2088> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't you have the book, 'Men's Guide to Losing your Cherry'?" 

<2089> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't have that book on me!"

<2090>
// You read it?

<2091>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, Sanae-san's troubled~"

<2092> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei, you think too!"

<2093> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Actually, you shouldn't rely on your sister."

<2094> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh whatever... hey, Sunohara,"

<2095> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "For now, just go to the restaurant as planned."

<2096> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But..."

<2097> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You can drink coffee there together."

<2098> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "For now, go along with that small thing, and whet your appetite."

<2099> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I-I see. You're amazing, \m{A}!"

<2100> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Good luck, Minimum Heart."

<2101> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't say Minimum Heart!"

<2102>
// He runs off, rushing right back to where Sanae-san was.

<2103>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Perhaps... you hadn't eaten anything yet?"

<2104> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No, nothing like that at all!"

<2105> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W-well... for now, let's go get some tea from the shop!"

<2106>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Tea is fine?"

<2107> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh? It's a place I know pretty well, so there's no need to be scared about it!"

<2108>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You're a regular customer?"

<2109> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "A regular customer... or rather, an influence?"

<2110> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well... it's like as if it were my own shop."

<2111> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Where is Sunohara exactly planning on taking her to...?)

<2112> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "This is my favorite restaurant!"

<2113>
// The same snack shop!

<2114>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ahh... onii-chan..."

<2115>
// Mei-chan also held her head. 

<2116> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "At the very least, there's are places where you don't go to for dates..."

<2117> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I recommend the pork cutlets!"

<2118> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's so damn good! You could eat it three times a day!"

<2119> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, because it's such a good restaurant, generally almost all the students come here!"

<2120> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Hey, hey, that's not true...)

<2121>
// Look, Sanae-san's pulling back as well...

<2122>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "........."

<2123>
// Instead of her pulling back, she has somewhat sad eyes.

<2124>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Youhei-kun,"

<2125>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Do you eat here all the time?"

<2126>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Pork cutlets every day?"

<2127> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Almost, yeah."

<2128> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Though usually, every once in a while, I finish it off with bread!"

<2129> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Not once in a while, you mean almost every day...)

<2130>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You don't cook for yourself?"

<2131> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No, I don't."

<2132>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You have to."

<2133>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Eating only one thing isn't good for your body..."

<2134>
// Sanae-san's such a good person...

<2135>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Where do you live, Youhei-kun?"

<2136> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "The dormitory in front..."

<2137>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That's a relief."

<2138>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Then... let's not eat here, shall we?"

<2139> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, but..."

<2140>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Instead..."

<2141>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'll cook something!"

<2142>
// She taps her chest with a small fist.

<2143>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Even though you're a guy, your room is quite clean, isn't it?"

<2144> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I was really working hard cleaning this up."

<2145>
// No, I was the one who did that.

<2146>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm done!"

<2147>
// She places a platter on top of the kotatsu.

<2148>
// There was rice, miso soup, pork, vegetables, and Japanese pickles.

<2149>
// It really looked like a balanced, delicious meal.

<2150>\{Mọi Người} ""
// \{Everyone} "Thanks for the food!"

<2151>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Okay, please help yourselves!"

<2152>
// For now, I'll give it a try.

<2153> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Delicious."

<2154>
// Everything had an exquisite flavor.

<2155>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's very delicious!"

<2156> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sanae-san, this is the best!"

<2157>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Thank you so much!"

<2158>
// Well, certainly the food is great. Sanae-san's smile was beautiful.

<2159>
// But, this scene is...

<2160> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Sunohara,"

<2161> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "This is... a date, isn't it?"

<2162> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's a date!"

<2163> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Your girlfriend comes home, and makes you your meal."

<2164> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Like this is a date, isn't it? Right, everyone?!"

<2165> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry, please pass the soy sauce."

<2166>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Here you go."

<2167>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sanae-san, how did you season this miso soup?"

<2168> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't be so calm!"

<2169> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hahaha, my bad, my bad. Papa's just in our little circle here." 

<2170> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Who's papa?!"

<2171> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well... I guess that would be the future between me and Sanae-san!"

<2172> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "A husband and wife, a daughter... and then, a servant?"

<2173> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And the servant wouldn't be me would it?"

<2174> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, get me the food."

<2175> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Okay, I shall!"

<2176> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No, wa------it!!"

<2177>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, don't make noise while eating!"

<2178>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You have to eat while sitting."

<2179> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ugh..."

<2180>
// Being ganged on by the ladies, he reluctantly sits down.

<2181> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It'll get cold, so eat."

<2182> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I know..."

<2183> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahh, Sanae-san's cooking is delicious..."

<2184>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Thank you very much."

<2185>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But, Youhei-kun, you shouldn't just eat meat. You have to eat vegetables as well."

<2186> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I hate the green pepper."

<2187> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you a grade school student?"

<2188>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I know you may not like it, but it's good for your body."

<2189>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "And, if you try hard to eat it, you'll definitely end up liking it."

<2190> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If you put it that way, then..."

<2191>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, that's the spirit!"

<2192>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Be sure to eat a lot of vegetables from now on!"

<2193>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Also, try to avoid going out to eat. If you can, cooking for yourself is better."

<2194>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I made a lot of miso soup today."

<2195>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I also made some extra which I've put into the refrigerator..."

<2196>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Be sure to warm it up tonight for dinner!"

<2197>
// She was very polite.

<2198>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sanae-san..."

<2199>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes, what is it?"

<2200>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're such a kind person, Sanae-san."

<2201>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Thank you so much."

<2202>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And you're so beautiful."

<2203>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "A lovely woman."

<2204>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, even then, with onii-chan, with onii-chan...!"

<2205>
// The tears build up at her eyes.

<2206>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sanae-san...!"

<2207>
// She gripped her chest hard.

<2208>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're so compassionate!"

<2209> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Could you please not say compassionate?!?!"

<2210>
// Knock, knock.

<2211>
// A sound from the door.

<2212>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "A guest?"

<2213> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, I'll get it."

<2214>
// Sunohara answers as such, opening the door. Misae-san peeps in.

<2215> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "It's quite busy here again, isn't it?"

<2216>
// Sanae-san greets her while seated. Perhaps the two had already greeted each other before she cooked?

<2217> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Umm, this place here is quite closed up, isn't it? You could use the cafeteria as it's bigger."

<2218>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "What should we do, Youhei-kun?"

<2219> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, here's a bit..."

<2220> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "At home's nice, heheh!"

<2221>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That's probably true."

<2222> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Sigh... nothing fits with that..."

<2223> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "And yet you have the smell of someone's cooking around you..."

<2224> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Well, if you like it, then that's fine."

<2225> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "After that, here."

<2226>
// Saying that, she brought out a wrap basket.

<2227> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "When you're invited over, don't just cook things, okay?"

<2228> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Here's some refreshments."

<2229>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Thank you very much."

<2230>
// Inside the basket was fried food, decorated with lettuce and cherry tomatoes.

<2231>
// It's become a most gracious lunch.

<2232>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Would you like to join us as well, Sagara-san?"

<2233> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Nah, I already ate before, so it's fine. Plus, there's nowhere to sit here."

<2234>
// It seems Misae-san and Sanae-san were about the same age. 

<2235>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'll come again another time."

<2236> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "I suppose, when the guys aren't around."

<2237> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Yeah, even then, this is an unbelievable scene."

<2238> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What is?"

<2239> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Because such a cute girl and beautiful person is here after all."

<2240> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "This might be the only time I'll get to see this, so do you mind if I take a photo?"

<2241> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hah, from now onward, you'll see this anytime."

<2242> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Because Sanae-san and I are going out, after all!"

<2243> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "........."

<2244> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Sorry... I imagined I heard something. Could you say that again?"

<2245> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sanae-san and I are going out!"

<2246> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "You know..."

<2247> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "If those words are Japanese, then it's a very, very frightening reality."

<2248> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, those polished words just now meant, 'I can take care of the place on my own!'"

<2249> \{Misae} ""
// \{Misae} "Yeah, I knew it. Pretty good, Sunohara."

<2250> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Believe me!"

<2251>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I guess normal people will end up having this kind of response."

<2252> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "They can't look at reality."

<2253> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What kind of person am I..."

<2254>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That was delicious."

<2255> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose."

<2256>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sanae-san told me a lot of things about cooking!"

<2257>
// Finishing lunch, we left the dorm yet again.

<2258>
// The two of us continued walking in the town during the early afternoon.

<2259>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sanae-san really is such a kind person."

<2260>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even more, she's beautiful, and she cooks so well..."

<2261>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I couldn't believe someone like her is onii-chan's girlfriend."

<2262> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose..."

<2263>
// Because, she's not a real girlfriend...

<2264>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "We still have a lot of time right now though... where do you feel like going this time?"

<2265>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Since it's you, \m{A}-san, where would you go?"

<2266> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Me again...?"

<2267> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, movies or buying something."

<2268>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That sort of thing?"

<2269> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Rare places are bad, aren't they?"

<2270> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If I told you 'Let's go to a stoneware reference room', what would you think?"

<2271>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Haha... I'd refuse."

<2272> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Of course. I think it's better to be somewhere safe to begin with."

<2273>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I see..."

<2274> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even though it seems safe, there are places that one shouldn't go to either."

<2275> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Many couples met tragedy heading to such abominable places..."

<2276> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, even so, there are men who are attracted to such worlds..."

<2277>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T-that's...!"

<2278>
// ... Gulp.

<2279> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "The name of that darkness... is the arcade."

<2280>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The... arcade?"

<2281>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, if it's just the arcade..."

<2282> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Weak!"

<2283>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Uuuu, I'm sorry!"

<2284> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Do you have a game console, Mei-chan?"

<2285>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm... onii-chan had one left behind."

<2286>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, it couldn't get all the way into the closet..."

<2287> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, normally guys like games."

<2288> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, there are a lot of girls that aren't like that."

<2289> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Try imagining how you'd feel watching someone play fighting games."

<2290>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If you put it that way, it's probably boring..."

<2291> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even more, it's normal for guys to be really crazy about it."

<2292>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I don't want such a date."

<2293> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Having said that, don't get a guy like that, Mei-chan." 

<2294>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Okay, I'll be careful."

<2295> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Okay? Guys that call you to an arcade are the worst."

<2296>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The worst?"

<2297> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's right, they're losers! Freaks!"

<2298>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Losers? Freaks?"

<2299> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Now, where will Sunohara go..."

<2300>
// In front of us, we see the two there.

<2301> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sanae-san, let's go to the arcades!"

<2302>
// Slip!

<2303>
// The two of us fall over.

<2304>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "The arcades? It's my first time!"

<2305> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ahh... Sanae-san, you mustn't go..."

<2306> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Well... if it's a UFO Catcher game or something that involves a lot of people, I don't think there'll be a problem...)

<2307>
// I think that while gazing at the lonely arcade in the middle of the shopping district.

<2308> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Sanae-san, this, this!"

<2309>
// Sunohara rushes up to the newest virtual DJ machine.

<2310>
// Especially of all things, something like this...

<2311> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'll show you how cool my scratch is!"

<2312>
// Whaaaatever man, it's your scratch after all.

<2313>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm looking forward to it!"

<2314>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... She seems really eager."

<2315> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Let's hope that he doesn't go too far."

<2316> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If he does though, Sanae-san will also get tired I think..."

<2317>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, if it ends so fast, it means he really sucks."

<2318> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's just about how difficult this is."

<2319>
// I don't think Sunohara would be capable of such a feat.

<2320>
// There was a good pick-up hip-hop rhythm flowing from the machine.

<2321> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's here, it's here, it's here, it's here---!"

<2322> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "YO! YO!"

<2323>
// MISS! \pMISS! \pMISS! \pMISS!

<2324>
// Clatter!

<2325> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Ah."

<2326>
// A sound came with the wire screen disappearing, with the words "GAME OVER".

<2327>
// Following that, I could hear booing.

<2328> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sunohara... you sucked at the worst possible level there...)

<2329> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What the hell's with this machine?! Doesn't it know my beat?!"

<2330>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ahh, onii-chan's getting angry at the screen!"

<2331> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Besides, why isn't Bomb A Head in here?!"

<2332> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If it were, I'd get perfect!"

<2333>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Youhei-kun, you mustn't."

<2334>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You'll be a bother to the shop attendants if you break it."

<2335> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Tch..."

<2336> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Let's forget this stupid arcade, and go to the CD shop."

<2337> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'll give you Bomb A Head as a present!"

<2338>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ahh, behaving like that, getting one wound after another..."

<2339> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "There aren't any actually, are there...?"

<2340> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "None..."

<2341>
// And then we went to check the old, second-hand CDs in the major used shops. 

<2342>
// Mei-chan watched the two from outside...

<2343> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why is Bomb A Head not here?!"

<2344> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "This shop is messed!"

<2345>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Surely it must be popular."

<2346>
// Sunohara, getting carried away with his talking.

<2347>
// Sanae-san tolerated it, giving such a polite answer.

<2348> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahh, even though they just restocked..."

<2349> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's that popularity survival thing, isn't it?"

<2350>
// It's revival.

<2351>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sigh..."

<2352>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's confusing me more and more..."

<2353>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Why is such a good person with onii-chan..."

<2354> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Indeed."

<2355>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan today was absolutely terrible."

<2356>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Though he did look a little cool."

<2357> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"

<2358> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Did you... say... he looked cool?"

<2359>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... haha... nothing."

<2360>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "L-let's go take a look at the CDs as well."

<2361>
// We came close to the wall of CDs.

<2362>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What kind of music do you like, \m{A}-san?"

<2363> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't really listen."

<2364> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not too familiar with what might be popular nowadays."

<2365>
// Looking quickly at the group of albums, I could count how many there were.

<2366> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What genre do you like, Mei-chan?"

<2367>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm..."

<2368>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Rock I guess?"

<2369> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Heh... a bit surprising."

<2370>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, I don't just listen to that though."

<2371>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There are just a lot of artists I like. Like this person..."

<2372>
// No matter how many CDs she picked up, I sadly did not know any of them.

<2373>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Uwaah... this album's still around?"

<2374> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What's this one?"

<2375>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I really like it."

<2376>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, right now you can't really get it anymore..."

<2377>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Something like this is here..."

<2378> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Did the recording company go bankrupt?"

<2379>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No, not really but... you don't know, \m{A}-san?"

<2380>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's really old, but it really made the news..."

<2381> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, I didn't..."

<2382>
// The title of the album was written in such strange lettering, that at one glance I couldn't read it well.

<2383>
// Below it was the artist's name in English.

<2384> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Umm..."

<2385>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, onii-chan's come out!"

<2386>
// While we were doing that, Sunohara and Sanae-san were leaving the store.

<2387>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Let's go!"

<2388>
// In a hurry, we put the CDs back. I helped as well.

<2389>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, where do they plan on going this time?"

<2390> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Whichever it is, it's certainly a place that isn't good at all."

<2391>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I suppose..."

<2392>
// We both sigh.

<2393>
// We're already getting fed up with this.

<2394>
// Finally, the day begins to darken, and the surroundings become orange.

<2395>
// Sanae-san's going through such a harsh, painful date.

<2396>
// Even then, she put on a smile, not wavering once.

<2397> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sanae-san, you're amazing...)

<2398>
// My admiration for her was already growing.

<2399>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "It's already become so dark..."

<2400> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What are you talking about? The date's just getting started!"

<2401> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Let's go take a night view, shall we?"

<2402>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "A night view? Sounds great!"

<2403>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But, well.."

<2404> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y-you can't?"

<2405>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Hmm, let's see..."

<2406>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Just for a bit!"

<2407> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "All right!"

<2408>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Onii-chan still feels like pulling her around."

<2409> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Shouldn't Sanae-san head back home soon?"

<2410>
// It'll be evening soon.

<2411>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is that so? Oh my..."

<2412>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, let's stop this."

<2413> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Please do that, and free Sanae-san..."

<2414>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Okay."

<2415>
// With a bitter smile, she approaches those two.

<2416>
// However, along the way, she stopped as if she realized something.

<2417> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Mei-chan?"

<2418>
// Looks like she was staring at something.

<2419>
// What she was looking at wasn't Sunohara or Sanae-san.

<2420> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What is it?"

<2421>
// Coming closer, I called her.

<2422>
// Mei-chan was silent.

<2423>
// All she did was grip my sleeve hard.

<2424>
// Is there something in her eye?

<2425>
// I turned to see the place that she was staring at.

<2426>
// There was crying from a child across the street.

<2427>
// Is it a junior from grade school? Boys had formed a circle round there.

<2428>
// In the center was a much younger girl.

<2429>
// She was sobbing, her hands rubbing her eyes.

<2430>
// It was a scene involving kids bullying kids.

<2431> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You worried?"

<2432>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yes."

<2433>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's... terrible."

<2434>
// For Mei-chan, she had put on a rare, sad face.

<2435> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Can't be helped."

<2436>
// It feels immature dealing with kids like this but, let's go stop them.

<2437> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll go there for a bit."

<2438>
// And, just as I cross the road... something grabbed my sleeve.

<2439>
// Obviously that was because of Mei-chan.

<2440>
// She was silent, but it was as if she wanted me not to go.

<2441>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<2442>
// Holding me back, she glances at her brother's figure.

<2443>
// Sunohara and Sanae-san appear to have noticed it as well.

<2444>
// Is she expecting something of Sunohara?

<2445>
// She looked at her brother for a while. And then...

<2446> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, Sanae-san, shall we go?"

<2447>
// A bright voice from him.

<2448> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sunohara, you plan on ignoring this...?)

<2449>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah, well..."

<2450>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I suppose I do want to see the night view."

<2451>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But, before that..."

<2452> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahh, you should just leave that alone, shouldn't you?"

<2453> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Something like that is just a fight between kids, isn't it?!"

<2454>
// No matter how you look at it, one wouldn't say it was a fight.

<2455> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Besides, if we don't hurry, we'll be out of time."

<2456>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But, I guess..."

<2457> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Anyways, it's stuff kids do."

<2458> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "We should spend our time as adults!"

<2459>
// This guy is...

<2460>
// Shocking as it is, with a single word, he stepped forward.*

<2461>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan!"

<2462>
// Leaving that aside, Mei-chan's voice echoed.

<2463>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What are you doing?!"

<2464> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You know, Mei, you shouldn't get in the middle of a date."

<2465>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There's something you have to do before the date, right?!"

<2466> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know, you really suck."

<2467> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What, you too, \m{A}?"

<2468> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, hurry up and go. Sanae-san wants that too..."

<2469>
// The moment I said that, that sobbing was there.

<2470>
// Her voice was becoming louder. Is she being pushed around?

<2471>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Ah!"

<2472>
// No one else but Sanae-san charged in first.

<2473>
// As if playing an instrument, she cut straight through the road.

<2474> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san, it's dangerous!"

<2475>
// My voice didn't reach her at all, as she had crossed the road.

<2476>
// And then, coming close to the group of kids, she brought up her voice.

<2477>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Hey!"

<2478>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You can't bully a girl!"

<2479>
// I could hear her loud voice so clearly from over here.

<2480>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... It's fine, now."

<2481>
// She calms down the sobbing girl with her gentle voice.

<2482>
// Sanae-san's roar had scattered about the bullying kids.

<2483>
// I was the only one who had seen that.

<2484>
// Sure Sunohara did but, I felt terrible.

<2485>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "What's your name? Where's your mother?"

<2486>
// Standing silent there, I could hear her soft voice mixed with the girl's crying.

<2487>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Mei-san."

<2488>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... yes?!"

<2489>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm sorry but... could you take care of this girl for a while?"

<2490> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What is it?"

<2491>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "She got lost from her mom it seems."

<2492>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "She might have gone really quickly to the kindergarten over there."

<2493>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Besides, the name she told me, I heard it from a nursery school I know that I called." 

<2494>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "So, please take care of her for a bit."

<2495>
// She quickly ran off to the kindergarten.

<2496>
// Mei-chan was bewildered for a while, and eventually formed a smile.

<2497>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "H-Hello there!"

<2498>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm Mei. Umm, your name is by chance...?"

<2499> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "........."

<2500> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Fueeeeeeeehhhhhh..."

<2501>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, why are you crying?!"

<2502>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-what should I do...?"

<2503> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "For now, hug her I guess... there."

<2504> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Woah, she's pretty heavy!"

<2505> \{Cô Gái} ""
// \{Girl} "Sniff, fueehhhh...!"

<2506> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't be so violent!"

<2507>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "D-don't scratch him!"

<2508> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Owwwwww---!!"

<2509> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "This is why I hate kids."

<2510> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What is it with you two?"

<2511>
// I didn't know what to do. Eventually, Sanae-san came back.

<2512>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Okay, okay... I'm here."

<2513>
// She clung to her chest, crying loudly.

<2514>
// It was just so out of there.

<2515> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "How'd it go?"

<2516>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "It's a problem."

<2517>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "The kindergarten's on a holiday."

<2518>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I tried calling another kindergarten but... they're almost all on holidays."

<2519> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, it is Sunday after all."

<2520>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... What should we do?"

<2521> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm..."

<2522> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wouldn't it be better to let the police handle this?"

<2523> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What is it with you guys?!"

<2524>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Now, now..."

<2525>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But, I was thinking of the police as well."

<2526>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm sure she'll also be afraid of them."

<2527> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She cried just from Mei-chan talking so..."

<2528>
// The girl stuck close to Sanae-san, not wanting to let go.

<2529>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, I'll split off and search!"

<2530> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, if you search randomly, you won't find her, will you?"

<2531> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We don't know where she came from at all."

<2532> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wait for a bit. We should think of a better method..."

<2533>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I suppose..."

<2534>
// As we worried for a bit, Sanae-san abruptly brought up her voice.

<2535>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I suppose we should really ask the kindergarten and nursery school."

<2536> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, they're on holiday, aren't they?"

<2537>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "There is a chance one of them is still working."

<2538>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I think we should get in contact with the people in charge there and let them handle it."

<2539> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "B-but... if there's nothing but janitors left, what'll we do?"

<2540>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "We'll ask the houses nearby."

<2541>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If there's a child there, they'll surely hand this girl over to the nursery school's custody."

<2542>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "And then they'll get in touch with the people in charge."

<2543> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... You sure?"

<2544>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Yes."

<2545>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Let's start with the kindergarten in front."

<2546>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "We'll ask the houses around."

<2547> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "W-wait a second!"

<2548> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I understand this is good but, if something goes wrong..."

<2549> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know how many nursery schools there are in this city? Are we going to go around all of them?"

<2550>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I don't know how many there are but, let's go around and look."

<2551>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Come, let's go!"

<2552>
// She began walking, taking the girl with her.

<2553>
// We were dumbfounded for a while.

<2554>
// With how normal and calm Sanae-san was.

<2555>
// She had such unimaginable willpower.

<2556>
// We went all the way until late at night, but Sanae-san was able to find her parents.

<2557>
// The happy, yet crying again child headed back to her home.

<2558>
// The mother we found bowed many times, while crying.

<2559>
// Sanae-san was just like that, giving her a smile as though it was nothing.

<2560>
// ... Only that this wasn't nothing at all.

<2561>
// It was something that Sanae-san had to do.

<2562>
// Honestly, she was really impressive.

<2563>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm sorry."

<2564>
// She spoke as such, leaving us.

<2565>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "For having you come with me this late..."

<2566> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't worry about such things."

<2567>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "We were completely useless."

<2568>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Not at all."

<2569>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Because you did your best, I'm sure that she's become happy."

<2570>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm sure she'll be glad."

<2571>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yeah."

<2572>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Youhei-kun as well... although this was a date, I'm sorry."

<2573>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "We didn't get to have our night view."

<2574> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Nah, it's fine."

<2575>
// He answered quietly, glancing away.

<2576>
// It was obvious he was getting fed up.

<2577>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Are you angry?"

<2578> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Not really but..."

<2579> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, because it was our date after all."

<2580>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, are you still saying that?!" 

<2581> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, yeah, I should just shut up, right?"

<2582>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<2583>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Youhei-kun,"

<2584>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You shouldn't pout like that."

<2585>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Of course today ended up like this but..."

<2586>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If you're fine with it, we can have another date again, Youhei-kun."

<2587> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Serious?"

<2588>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Yes."

<2589>
// Sanae-san softly reaches out her hand.

<2590>
// She put it on Sunohara's head, brushing his hair through it gently as to scatter it around.

<2591>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'll always be going out with you."

<2592>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Because we know each other."

<2593>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm happy that you feel the time we spend together is important."

<2594>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But... there are times and moments when we can't."

<2595>
// That's certainly to help other people, isn't it?

<2596>
// Sunohara blushed a little bit. He brushed his forehead.

<2597>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm sure you're a child that can do that, Youhei-kun."*

<2598>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But it's bad to end up forgetting about it once in a while."*

<2599>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I'm sure that's because you lack experience."

<2600>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Even then, I'm sure you can do it."

<2601>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I believe in that."

<2602>
// A piercing, kind voice.

<2603>
// If she whispered to me in that tone, I would definitely nod without knowing it.

<2604>
// But, Sunohara...

<2605> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Eheheh..."

<2606>
// Smiled.

<2607>
// Probably thinking about how soft her breath is, and how nice she smells. 

<2608> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sanae-san, he really is just an idiot...)

<2609> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Today's also such a refreshing morning!"

<2610>
// The next day, Sunohara attended during fifth period recess.

<2611> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know you only have an hour left, right?"

<2612> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, I put Sanae-san to sleep yesterday~"

<2613> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You two left after that, didn't you?"

<2614> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I mean a call man! A phone call!"

<2615> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "When we separated, we exchanged phone numbers..."

<2616> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If we did that, Sanae-san could call me, right?"

<2617> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Just her voice alone is so cute..."

<2618> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, you guys didn't talk for long, did you?"

<2619> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Only about three minutes..."

<2620> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, that time is an eternity for lovers."

<2621> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I couldn't sleep, thinking about Sanae-san..."

<2622>
// He talked to me as if in a dream, while I looked far away out the window.

<2623>
// Normally I'd throw in something but, instead I just sighed heavily.

<2624> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know... did Sanae-san say nothing?"

<2625> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "She talked about a lot of things she remembered on the date!"

<2626> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's not it, come on..."

<2627> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah, speaking of which, she talked about when we took the kid home... numerous times."

<2628> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't really care about that brat anyways!"

<2629> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (That would be my main concern...)

<2630> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wonder if we'll call each other today as well? I have to hurry back home."

<2631> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, she cares so much about me..."

<2632> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It might be that she's fallen in love with \bme\u~"

<2633> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, if it's me and Sanae-san, it's all okay!"

<2634> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara, you know..."

<2635> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't worry, \m{A}!"

<2636> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Since Sanae-san and I are going out, be sure to introduce us to your friends!"

<2637>
// Pat, pat, I tap his shoulders.

<2638>
// I'm just not able to hang out with you.

<2639> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh, where are you going?"

<2640> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Nowhere."

<2641>
// I'll kill my time as best as I can until lessons start.

<2642>
// I move my legs in the direction of the door.

<2643> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It seems that the guy has to confess..."

<2644> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Being too much in a hurry is quite sad~"

<2645> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "April's already over so, have to start off as best I can in May!"

<2646>
// I could hear him muttering to himself.

<2647>
// I step straight out of the classroom.

<2648>
// I was still irritated when lessons had ended.

<2649>
// No, I was still fine with that.

<2650>
// That idiot Sunohara had been practicing, even though the two hadn't been particularly talking yet.

<2651>
// Mei-chan's the one who's sad here.

<2652>
// For having such a brother right now.

<2653>
// Even more, Mei-chan came to this city because she was worried about him.

<2654>
// Exactly what is she thinking, seeing him like this?

<2655>
// I guess it was probably better showing how Sunohara usually lived...

<2656> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Eh?"

<2657>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<2658>
// Mei-chan was waiting at the school gates.

<2659>
// The students heading home didn't hold back giving glances, wondering about her rare school uniform.

<2660>
// With nothing to do, she stood there quietly.

<2661> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What are you doing?"

<2662>
// In haste, I get close to her.

<2663>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... \m{A}-san..."

<2664> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you waiting for Sunohara, by chance?"

<2665>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yes."

<2666>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, where's onii-chan...?"

<2667> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Since it's him, he's already gone home."

<2668> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He said something about having to get a phone call from Sanae-san..."

<2669>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is that so..."

<2670>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Geez... it can't be helped..."

<2671>
// Mei-chan's calmed down a little bit since yesterday.

<2672>
// She was really worried about Sunohara, remembering his slight disappointment.

<2673>
// I guess that's just because they're blood relatives?

<2674>
// I didn't really know too well myself.

<2675> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Mei-chan,"

<2676> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why are you this worried?"

<2677> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't think that idiot will start anything right now..."

<2678>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I... know that."

<2679> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, school's already started for you, hasn't it?"

<2680>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I know that too."

<2681>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But I won't be going back at this rate."

<2682>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is my brother at the dormitory?"

<2683> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah... I suppose."

<2684>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thank you very much. Then, I'll be off."

<2685> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Mei-chan..."

<2686>
// She nods quickly, then heads down the hill road.

<2687>
// Gazing at her small back for a bit...

<2688> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (... Geez.)

<2689> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan, I'm coming too!"

<2690>
// And like her, I ran down.

<2691> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You know, you guys,"

<2692>
// Upon reaching the dormitory room, it was clear he was quite irritated.

<2693> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm busy right now. I told you, didn't I, \m{A}?"

<2694> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't know when I'm going to get a call from Sanae-san..."

<2695> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If it's the phone line, I already pulled it out earlier."

<2696> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't pull it out!"

<2697> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well... that's how it is, so I don't want to deal with anyone else."

<2698> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Before love was so amazing, I thought of nothing but keeping my sister out~"*

<2699>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<2700> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Besides, Mei, what are you going to do about school?"

<2701> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You've already seen how I'm doing, so you're done here, right?"

<2702> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hurry up and go home."

<2703>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... No."

<2704>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm not going home yet."

<2705> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why not?"

<2706>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Because there's still something I have to do here."

<2707> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hmm... ah, so you mean that."

<2708> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wait, you don't get it."

<2709> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan, you came here to see how Sunohara's doing. Isn't that right?"

<2710> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What are you talking about? That's just some excuse, an excuse."

<2711> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It's not because she's so far away and stuff that she'd come here."

<2712> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "She's been yearning for the city, see..."

<2713> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "She just wants to come out of the countryside and see what living in a city's like."

<2714>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's right."

<2715>
// She seems a little bit angry.

<2716>
// Even so, she nodded to Sunohara's words.

<2717> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "See, look. That's what she was thinking about."

<2718> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hold yourself back, and hurry up and head home."

<2719>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah... I'll do that."

<2720>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, there's someone I have to meet here, though."

<2721> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What?"

<2722> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Someone you have to meet...?"

<2723>
// That's the first I've heard of it.

<2724>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's someone that I've been seeing."

<2725> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "A friend from transfer school...?"

<2726>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No, we haven't met in person."

<2727> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then... a penfriend?"

<2728>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yup."

<2729> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Still using letters in such times? Mei's still such a kid~"

<2730>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Not at all, the person's really grown up."

<2731>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Telling me a lot of things."

<2732> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Like, what sort of things?"

<2733>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm... like..."

<2734>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Playing at night."

<2735>
// Thud!\shake{1}

<2736>
// Sunohara hit his head on a corner of the kotatsu.

<2737> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "P... playing at night.........?!"

<2738> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "T-that means, the person is..."

<2739>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Oh man, it's obviously a guy, isn't it?"

<2740>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He said he was in his late twenties, part of a company and all."

<2741> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wha... wha..."

<2742>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He's really nice and knowledgeable."

<2743>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I thought of meeting him once or something."

<2744> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei, wait a second!"

<2745>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Love is beautiful, isn't it, onii-chan?"

<2746> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y-yeah... I guess..."

<2747>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Meeting him might be fun~ I wonder what kind of person is he~"

<2748>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Have to practice playing at night!"

<2749> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "P-practice?!"

<2750>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I wanna go check and have a night viewing, onii-chan!"

<2751> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "T... that's the best spot for a date..."

<2752>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's the reason I won't be heading back home for a while."

<2753>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Keep it a secret from mom and dad, okay?"

<2754>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's completely grown-up love!"

<2755> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W-well... Mei, that's...!"

<2756>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, you should have fun with your grown-up love with Sanae-san too!"

<2757> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y-yeah... I, guess..."

<2758>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, oh no, it's already this time!"

<2759>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I have an appointment, so I'll be going now!"

<2760>
// Waving her hand, she left the room.

<2761>
// Sunohara and I listened to the sound of the door closing, dumbfounded.

<2762> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "An appointment?"

<2763> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Late twenties...?"

<2764> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Holding hands with an adult...?"

<2765> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Comfort...?"

<2766> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "The climax of life...?"*

<2767> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Lost on one's path...?"

<2768> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<2769> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<2770> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... And then, to a butterfly overnight."

<2771> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\bNOOOOOOOOOOO!!\u"

<2772> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, hey, Sunohara!"

<2773> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "This isn't the time to be agonizing over this!"

<2774> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eh?!"

<2775> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Go after her!"

<2776> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y-yeah..."

<2777> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "B... but, I have to take a call from Sanae-san..."

<2778> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Are you still talking about that?"

<2779> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara, do you know your situation right now?"

<2780> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I know. But, love is relaxing..."

<2781> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Because love is wonderful, after all..."

<2782> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (This guy's hopeless...)

<2783>
// I charge ahead, leaving Sunohara alone.

<2784>
// I ran with all my might, jumping out of the dorm.

<2785>
// I was worried about making it in time but, I caught up with her figure up ahead.

<2786>
// She wasn't in a hurry, nor was she to hide herself... it was as if she stood there wanting to be found.

<2787>
// I looked at her lonely back from behind.

<2788>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Onii-chan?"

<2789> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's me, unfortunately."

<2790>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Ah..."

<2791> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "With the... way Sunohara is, he ain't coming."

<2792>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I see..."

<2793>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is that so..."

<2794>
// A sad voice. An unfortunate and cruel look on her face.

<2795>
// Feeling that, I finally figured out what Mei-chan was up to.

<2796> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Why did you lie like that?"

<2797>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh?"

<2798> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "About meeting up with that guy, the company employee."

<2799> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All of that was a lie, wasn't it?"

<2800>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<2801>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Oh boy, I've been busted."

<2802> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No matter how I could think of that, there's no such person that would be related to you, Mei-chan."

<2803>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is that a compliment of some sort?"

<2804> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Somewhat."

<2805> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... So, why?"

<2806> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why did you lie?"

<2807>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's..."

<2808> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's?"

<2809>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Because I wanted onii-chan to chase after me."

<2810>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "To catch me..."

<2811>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And scold me..."

<2812>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And tell me not to meet such a person..."

<2813>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I would have been fine if he slapped me."

<2814>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I wanted it... to be like that."

<2815> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan..."

<2816>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I hate it,"

<2817>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Seeing my brother like this,"

<2818>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "For onii-chan to have become like this..."

<2819>
// Mei-chan lowers her head.

<2820>
// It seemed... her voice shook a little bit.

<2821>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I was bullied."

<2822>
// She talked to me when it became night.

<2823>
// By this time, she had completely calmed down.

<2824>
// Mei was talking about one thing after another in my room.

<2825>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... when I say I was bullied, I mean when I was younger."

<2826>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thinking about it now, stuff like that didn't really mean anything."

<2827>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I remember being so scared back then."

<2828> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't see you as that type, Mei-chan."

<2829> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What was the reason?"

<2830>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Because of onii-chan."

<2831>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He was a show-off, violent, and annoyed people around him..."

<2832>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And they used that against me."

<2833> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's pretty bad..."

<2834>
// So even his sister gets involved because of his personality...?

<2835>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... But, I was fine. Because..."

<2836>
// Mei-chan took a breath, as if remembering that time, and began talking.

<2837>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan... saved me at that time."

<2838> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You reap what you sow, then...?"

<2839>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Something like that."

<2840>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It would have been better if he hadn't said anything from the start."

<2841>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But... I was happy."

<2842>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I would cry a lot, and onii-chan would jump straight in."

<2843>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And go, 'Mei, don't cry!'"

<2844> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That Sunohara... huh."

<2845>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He was a stupid brother, but I was still happy with that."

<2846>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I relied so much on him, despite onii-chan being stupid."

<2847>
// I remembered how panicked Sunohara was when I told him his sister was coming.

<2848>
// I'm sure he himself was aware that...

<2849>
// Before his sister came, he had to show how good he looked.

<2850>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "When he graduated from middle school, he became really good at soccer..."

<2851>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Getting so much to the point of being an ace..."

<2852>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I wasn't the only one that relied on him, but everyone from the team."

<2853>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "'If you leave it to Sunohara, he'll pull something off.'"

<2854>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Though the coach got angry at him for putting up no defense."

<2855>
// Mei-chan talking on and on about her brother.

<2856>
// Those words were somehow mixed with pride.

<2857>
// ... I was a little jealous of Sunohara.

<2858>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... But, onii-chan now has changed."

<2859>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He may be stupid... but he isn't the onii-chan I know that's kind."

<2860>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan abandoned a bullied girl..."

<2861>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He should have been worried about me..."

<2862> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan..."

<2863>
// I didn't come up with any words.

<2864>
// He was that kind of guy. Though I'd joke about him, I wouldn't say anything like that.

<2865>
// His sister felt impatient with the tormented Sunohara up to now.

<2866>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Umm,"

<2867>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'd like you to answer me honestly..."

<2868> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah?"

<2869>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is Sanae-san really onii-chan's girlfriend?"

<2870> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ahh, that..."

<2871>
// I was at my limit to keeping secrets here.

<2872>
// It might be a little bad, but I felt I had to be honest.

<2873> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure it's as you see it, Mei-chan."

<2874> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san's not his girlfriend."

<2875> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She was to only pretend to be one since you were coming..."

<2876>
// Although, it seems Sunohara has become serious about it...

<2877>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... I knew it."

<2878>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's true... such a beautiful person couldn't be his girlfriend."

<2879>
// Sunohara's school life, plastered with lies.

<2880>
// She could probably imagine just how terrible his school life really was.

<2881>
// In that, completely discouraged spirit...

<2882>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan..."

<2883>
// The deep sigh she took at the end was filled with disappointment.

<2884> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Hmm...)

<2885>
// I stood in the dormitory hallway.

<2886>
// To be honest, I didn't like being with Sunohara right now.

<2887> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (But... I suspect I feel that way for Mei-chan's sake...)

<2888>
// Readying myself, I open the door.

<2889> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Though he might be just sleeping...)

<2890> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<2891> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Woah!"

<2892> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wake up..."

<2893> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ahh... \m{A}."

<2894>
// The bloodshot eyes of a heavy bear.

<2895>
// Which means, he didn't sleep...?

<2896> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You know..."

<2897> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "About Mei-chan?"

<2898> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "N-not at all!"

<2899> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why do I have to worry about Mei..."

<2900> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Because obviously your eyes have been swimming around...)

<2901> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... You're not gonna care about her?"

<2902> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I-I thought she was a kid but she's aware of how beautiful love is. Isn't that great?"

<2903> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well... no matter who she goes out with, it's none of my concern!"

<2904> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm busy with my love with Sanae-san..."

<2905> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you still talking about that...?"

<2906> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm serious!"

<2907> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Thursday, May 1... on that day, Sanae-san will really become my girlfriend!"

<2908> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "We're going to be dating from today onward, so I better start preparing!"

<2909> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I gotta make it there by one o'clock at least."*

<2910> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, huh? Where are you going, \m{A}?"

<2911> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Shut up."

<2912>
// Being so disgusted with him, I left the room.

<2913>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah..."

<2914>
// Mei-chan was in front of the dormitory.

<2915>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, where's onii-chan...?"

<2916> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He's dating Sanae-san today as well."

<2917> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Getting dressed up now and stuff."

<2918>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... I see."

<2919>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sigh..."

<2920>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan doesn't care what happens to me, does he...?"

<2921>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He really has changed, hasn't he..."

<2922>
// With a painful face, she drops her shoulders.

<2923>
// I wonder if that's how much she loves him?

<2924>
// Perhaps she thought he really was someone to rely on?

<2925>
// For her to be this sad, Sunohara's truly an idiot. 

<2926> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan."

<2927>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yes?"

<2928> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Become my sister."

<2929>
// She spit out hard.

<2930>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-what are you saying all of a sudden?!"

<2931> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I thought that for a sister like you, Mei-chan, Sunohara doesn't deserve this."

<2932>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ahaha... you say that well."

<2933>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, if you were onii-chan, it might be fine, \m{A}-san..."

<2934> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's right, forget about that foolish brother!"

<2935> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And love me instead!"

<2936>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If I could, I would do that..."

<2937>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, even though he's like that, he's still onii-chan."

<2938>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I won't desert him even a little." 

<2939> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Tch... what is it?"

<2940>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "B-but, I do think you seem a lot like a real brother, \m{A}-san."

<2941> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Really?!"

<2942>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm not lying~"

<2943> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, try talking to me as if I were your brother."

<2944>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "As if you were my... brother? When you say that all of a sudden, it troubles me."

<2945>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm, like my brother, like my brother..."

<2946>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... You know, onii-chan,"

<2947> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Ugh!"

<2948>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh? What's wrong, onii-chan?"

<2949>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Your face is red... did you catch a fever?"

<2950>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, are you fine...?"

<2951>
// Mei-chan's face drew near mine.

<2952>
// Those slightly dim yet large eyes looked at me.

<2953> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (... T-this feels......)

<2954>
// What is this throbbing inside my chest...?!

<2955>
// What could it be, what could it be...

<2956> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (......... Good...)

<2957> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Huh?!"

<2958>
// I felt the gaze of the students in the dormitory.

<2959> \{Nam Sinh 1} ""
// \{Male Student 1} "Eh, isn't that \m{A}...?"

<2960> \{Nam Sinh 2} ""
// \{Male Student 2} "He's making some junior high student call him 'onii-chan'..."

<2961> \{Nữ Sinh 1} ""
// \{Female Student 1} "No way, even though he looks a bit cool..."

<2962> \{Nữ Sinh 2} ""
// \{Female Student 2} "... Pervert."

<2963> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not--!!"

<2964>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah ,what's wrong, onii-chan?!"

<2965> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah... oh yeah..."

<2966> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wait, Mei-chan!"

<2967> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "F... for now, let's go!"

<2968>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-where are we going, onii-chan?!"

<2969> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Stop with 'onii-chan'!"

<2970> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No, actually, please don't stop--!" 

<2971>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, what should Mei do?!" 

<2972> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Guwahhh!!"

<2973> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Huff, huff, pant, pant..."

<2974>
// If we've come this far, it should be fine...

<2975>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Geez... onii-chan, don't run all of a sudden!"

<2976> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Guwaah!"

<2977> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, you know, Mei-chan,"

<2978>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wha~t is it, onii-chan?"

<2979> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Stop it... umm, please believe my eyes, stop it..."

<2980> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I feel like I'm going to be thrown into a forbidden world..."

<2981>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... You're strange, onii-chan."

<2982> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Guwaah!!"

<2983> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ugghhh... seriously, please stop!"

<2984> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "'Onii-chan' is forbidden!"

<2985>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You want me to stop saying 'onii-chan'...?"

<2986> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ahh... actually I don't want you to stop..."

<2987>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan... what should Mei do?"

<2988> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Dahhh! Actually, please stop!"

<2989> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Banned...! 'Onii-chan' is banned!"

<2990>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<2991>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Do you hate Mei, onii-chan?"

<2992> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Guwaaahhh!!!"

<2993>
// I was in agony on the sidewalk.

<2994>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well, that was a joke."

<2995> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Guoooo..."

<2996>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Are you okay, \m{A}-san?"

<2997> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."

<2998> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (No good, "onii-chan" is too dangerous...)

<2999> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Having said that... let's stop this now."

<3000>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I will."

<3001>
// Though I feel it's a bit disappointing, I figure this is for the best.

<3002>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, you really are a strange person."

<3003> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, really..."

<3004>
// The carefree, giggling Mei-chan.

<3005>
// I liked her this way a lot better than when she had a sad face.

<3006> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, seems you're feeling a little better."

<3007>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "When you say it like that, that's true."

<3008>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... It's all thanks to onii-chan~"

<3009> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Dowaah!" 

<3010>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ahaha... are you okay, \m{A}-san?"

<3011> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Y-you know..."

<3012>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm sowwy~"

<3013>
// And then, a smile came up from her again.

<3014> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<3015>
// I wanted to see that smile more, I thought.

<3016>
// I want her to be a lot better.

<3017>
// I felt that if I could, I wanted to grant Mei-chan's wish.

<3018> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Mei-chan,"

<3019> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You want to be worried about Sunohara after all, don't you?"

<3020>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... yeah, that's right."

<3021> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It seems he's also worried this morning too."

<3022> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He's put in this strange position because he's an idiot."

<3023> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, if you shake him up a bit, he'll show his true feelings."

<3024>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is that so...?"

<3025> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."

<3026> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's why, we'll have to pretend to fool around more and more."

<3027>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, what should we do?"

<3028>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I know almost nothing about this town..."

<3029>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even if you mention a fake boyfriend, I wouldn't know what to do..."

<3030> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Guess it's my turn with that."

<3031>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You'll... be a fake boyfriend?"

<3032> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Something like that."

<3033> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What do you think? Though only if you're fine with it, Mei-chan."

<3034>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, please, by all means!"

<3035> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, then let's hurry and enjoy ourselves as lovers!"

<3036>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah, let's go, onii-chan!"

<3037>
// S-slip!

<3038> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "'Onii-chan' is banned--!"

<3039>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, \m{A}-san, what's that?"

<3040>
// Mei-chan was pointing out to the front of the station.

<3041>
// She brought up an excited voice, pointing out a pastel-colored wagon stopped on the sidewalk.

<3042> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "A crêpe shop. They come out once in a while."

<3043>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Amazing... they have things like these?! This is my first time!"

<3044> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're exaggerating this..."

<3045>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "B-because, this is the first time I've seen one!"

<3046>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The city's amazing..."

<3047>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, eh?! They have this menu here~!"

<3048>
// She ruggedly tugs my arm over to the front of the vehicle.

<3049>
// Looks like the crêpe shop was on its way home. There was a line of girls formed up.

<3050> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm, Mei-chan, you want to eat?"

<3051>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, I really do."

<3052> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, then, I'll treat you."

<3053>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But... is that okay?"

<3054> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Though it's fake, we're lovers. Since we're on a date, that's what I should do, right?"

<3055>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah! Then, I won't hold back and dive right in!"

<3056> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's the way to do it."

<3057> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "How many do you want? Pick what you like."

<3058>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There's so many, it's hard to pick..."

<3059>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, this one is amazing!"

<3060>
// Mei-chan was pointing to huge letters that were written on the cork board right at the top.

<3061> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Princess Crêpe...?"

<3062> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "A somewhat very exaggerated name."

<3063> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... 'Cake with luxuriously made fresh cream, covered with an assortment of fruits and jam, and finally finished off with caramel!'"

<3064>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Just hearing it sounds delicious!"

<3065> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "My stomach feels heavy..."

<3066>
// Exactly how much of this can I take?

<3067>
// I look at the menu again.

<3068> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Geh!"

<3069>
// The price was also very princess-like.

<3070>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Princess Crêpe looks very delicious!"

<3071>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thank you so much, \m{A}-san!"

<3072> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "W-well..."

<3073>
// Seeing that smile on her face, it was difficult to run her down.

<3074>
// Besides, saying one thing to tick her off would be disgusting.

<3075>
// If I don't lead her to something better...

<3076> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Mei-chan,"

<3077> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "The Princess may be fine but, there's probably a lot of calories."

<3078>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "While I might get a little fat, It'll be fine."

<3079> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even if you become fat on the sides?"

<3080>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Uuu... it'll be fine~"

<3081> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No way, at this time, the way you grow is important!"

<3082> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Having said that, I suggest going for something lower, like the Maharaja Crêpe."

<3083>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What's Maharaja?"

<3084> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Referring to the king of India."

<3085>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What kind of flavor would it have...?"

<3086> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If it's India, it's curry."

<3087> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Surely, the texture of the crêpe will leave much to be desired!"

<3088>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I don't want that!"

<3089>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Speaking of which, that would just be curry!"

<3090> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, there's something lower. Try the Last Emperor Crêpe."

<3091> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure they'll be putting in frozen ingredients like in China."

<3092> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It'll have the texture of spring rolls."

<3093>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I wouldn't want such a crêpe either!"

<3094>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I guess I want to eat something sweet."

<3095>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Princess is fine."

<3096> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... No matter what?"

<3097>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I can't, onii-chan?"

<3098> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't say onii-chan!"

<3099>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan... Mei wants to eat the Princess Crêpe~"

<3100> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm telling you, stop--!"

<3101>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, please..."

<3102> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Dahhh--!" 

<3103>
// I bought it in tears. 

<3104>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san! It's really delicious!"

<3105> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, really... isn't that great?"

<3106>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, I'm so glad!"

<3107>
// She had a happy face while stuffing herself with as much of the toppings from the crêpe.

<3108>
// Seeing her like this, I felt glad that I bought this.

<3109> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (My wallet hurts though...)

<3110>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But why didn't you buy any, \m{A}-san?"

<3111> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sweet stuff's a bit..."

<3112>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even though it's this delicious..."

<3113>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Oh, how about you try some?"

<3114> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's fine, you can take it all, Mei-chan."

<3115>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I feel a little bit bad about it~"

<3116>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even so... just try a bit, please!"

<3117> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Then, a bit."

<3118>
// I pick one of the fruits that doesn't seem so sweet, and eat that.

<3119>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, ah..."

<3120>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "A-aahhhhhhh...!"

<3121> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "W-what?"

<3122>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Could it be... you ate the strawberry?!"

<3123> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Speaking of which, the flavor was sweet and sour."

<3124>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "N-no way..."

<3125>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I was looking forward to eating the strawberry..."

<3126> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I told you already it'd be fine if you ate it, didn't I?!"

<3127>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Geez, I hate you, onii-chan!"

<3128> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Nooo---, please don't hate me---!"

<3129> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, y-you know..."

<3130>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ahaha... that was a joke."

<3131>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Soon I'll be using 'onii-chan' in moderation."

<3132> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You don't plan on stopping, do you...?"

<3133>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Because it's my trump card."

<3134>
// What trump card...?

<3135>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well, I'll just let you have that strawberry, \m{A}-san."

<3136>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll make do with the banana chocolate."

<3137>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, ahhh! The cream!"

<3138>
// Bringing her mouth close, the cream was dangerously balanced, falling over.

<3139>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-what should I do?!"

<3140> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan, gimme that!"

<3141>
// Taking it, I catch it in time, licking the cream.

<3142>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "A-ahh! You didn't eat the raspberry with that, did you?!"

<3143> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Speaking of which, I did get hit with a sweet and sour taste."

<3144>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No way... I was looking forward to that!"

<3145> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Before you say that, it's still crumbling."

<3146>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah! This time the almond's in trouble!"

<3147>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even the cranberry over here!"

<3148> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Got it!"

<3149>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Stop it---!"

<3150> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Somehow, my stomach's become quite full."

<3151>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Because you ate that much!"

<3152> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Because you were careless, Mei-chan."

<3153> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, you ate the main caramel cake, didn't you?"

<3154>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If I ate that, it'd be a disaster!"

<3155> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Serious. So it's dangerous?"

<3156>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, well... it was delicious enough, so I'll live with that."

<3157>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Be thankful I'm such a tolerant girlfriend."

<3158> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, yeah."

<3159>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Geez... ah, \m{A}-san, there's still some cream on you!"

<3160>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There, right in front of your hair."

<3161> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "This area?"

<3162>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Y-yeah... no good, I'll take it off!"

<3163>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Stay still, okay?"

<3164>
// Walking over, she reaches out her hand and wipes with a handkerchief.

<3165>
// Before we knew it, we came near the shopping district.

<3166>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's all off now."

<3167> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Having said so, my face feels a bit sticky from that..."

<3168>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Because we really stuffed ourselves!"

<3169>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It'd be nice if there were a washroom though..."

<3170> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll use the one from the arcade. Wait a bit."

<3171>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Okay~"

<3172>
// Turning my eyes to the arcade I came to before, we headed there.

<3173> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh, Mei-chan...?"

<3174>
// Returning a short time later, I didn't see her.

<3175>
// Looking around, she had gained an interest looking at a large machine.

<3176> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What are you doing?"

<3177>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, nothing. It's just a bit strange."

<3178>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's just the first time I've seen one up-close..."

<3179> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "First time... you mean this?"

<3180>
// It was a machine that took pictures and immediately printed them out as stickers.

<3181>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Lovers in the city take pictures with this, don't they?"

<3182>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's so nice..."

<3183> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, it's really gone into a decline, hasn't it?"

<3184> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I haven't seen many people that used this recently..."

<3185>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ehh? I-is that so?"

<3186>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The city sure is amazing, always changing so quickly!"

<3187> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Having said that... there are no arcades where you live, Mei-chan?"

<3188>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "All we have is a supermarket with a small arcade in it."

<3189>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, it's really old."

<3190>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "All the guys don't like it at all."

<3191> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Since it's the countryside..."

<3192>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, it's the countryside."

<3193>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Though... coming by a print machine like this makes me really happy!"

<3194> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, give it a good and hard look."

<3195>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I don't want to just look, umm, \m{A}-san..."

<3196> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No."

<3197>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, cruel~"

<3198>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Why'd you refuse before I said anything?!"

<3199> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "However you put it, you wanted to take a picture with me, didn't you?"

<3200> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't it better if it's not me? If you get a real boyfriend, go and take one."

<3201>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But you're my boyfriend right now, \m{A}-san."

<3202>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Besides, you have to apologize for the crêpe."

<3203> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You know..."

<3204>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Isn't that okay? Come on, come in!"

<3205>
// She half-forces me into there.

<3206>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Heh..."

<3207>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "So the inside's like this?"

<3208> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's surprisingly small..."

<3209>
// To be honest, this is the first time I've come into a place like this. 

<3210> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (But, like this... if I get found out by my classmates, I won't be able to excuse myself...)

<3211>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, \m{A}-san,"

<3212>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-is it... okay to push this?"

<3213> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I don't even know much about it either..."

<3214> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "For now just put in money, and then... this?"

<3215>
// I push the button down twice. 

<3216>
// Flash.

<3217>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah!"

<3218>
// A flash surged through.

<3219>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It took a picture just now?"

<3220> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Seems so."

<3221>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No way, I hadn't even gotten a pose going!"

<3222>
// Soon, we heard the sound of a wheel, and a batch of four print stickers fell.

<3223>
// Mei-chan picked it up at once.

<3224>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Waahhh!"

<3225>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "My face didn't even come out!"

<3226>
// My face made it into the picture, but only the top of Mei-chan's head could be seen.

<3227> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, let's go."

<3228>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wait a second!"

<3229> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What... you don't like it?"

<3230>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I really don't!"

<3231>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "This is pretty much \m{A}-san's self portrait!"

<3232>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Let's retake it!"

<3233> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh boy..."

<3234> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, the camera position's probably bad."

<3235> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Adjusting it... this should be fine. Okay, let's take it."

<3236>
// Flash.

<3237>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "E-eh, geez!"

<3238>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ahh... I still forgot my pose!"

<3239>
// Before long, the print came out.

<3240>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah--!"

<3241>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "This time, only I showed up!"

<3242> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, let's go."

<3243>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please don't go!"

<3244>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, all that came up was your chin, wasn't it?!"

<3245> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Think of that as all of me."

<3246>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I won't!"

<3247> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Geez... still don't like it?"

<3248>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well, now,"

<3249> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Can't be helped... this time, we'll try out this angle."

<3250> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Here we go."

<3251>
// Flash.

<3252>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, again!"

<3253>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hey, wahh---! This time it was right above!"

<3254> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, let's go."

<3255>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No one will understand this!"

<3256> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "This is ridiculous... we've taken it three times now, you know?"

<3257>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-well, that's true..."

<3258>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I want to take it perfectly for once. Just once. Please?"

<3259> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you say so, then just once."

<3260> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, jump this time."

<3261>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Jump... you say?"

<3262> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'll take the frame at that moment."

<3263> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Here we go."

<3264>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-wait a second!"

<3265>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There, there!"

<3266>
// She jumped up and down with all her might.

<3267>
// Flash.

<3268>
// The flash opens, and finally the print comes out.

<3269>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It ended up becoming a ghost photograph!"

<3270> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Woah, an amazing ghost."

<3271> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, let's go."

<3272>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm a human being!"

<3273> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Can't be helped... all right, let's pick this horror frame."

<3274> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, jump again!"

<3275>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There, there!"

<3276>
// Flash.

<3277> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Woah! Scary~~!"

<3278> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, let's go."

<3279>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I don't want this!"

<3280>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, seriously, take it right!"

<3281> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, all right..."

<3282>
// This is becoming too much of a joke.

<3283> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, use this."

<3284>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, this is..."

<3285>
// I was holding a pedestal from nearby.

<3286> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you get on this, you'll have the same height as me, right?"

<3287>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You knew that this was around?"

<3288> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."

<3289>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're cruel..."

<3290> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, let's take this quick."

<3291>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Uu..."

<3292>
// She gets on top of the stand, quite displeased.

<3293> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Here we go~"

<3294>
// I put in the coin, followed by the standby signal, and then the flash...

<3295>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<3296>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... There!"

<3297> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Owahh!"

<3298>
// She hugs me all of a sudden.

<3299>
// Flash.

<3300>
// It was as if she was aiming for that moment when the light flashed.

<3301>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Heh heh heh..."

<3302>
// With a pleasant look, she leaves the shop.

<3303>
// In her hand was the batch of four photo stickers, of which she takes two.

<3304>
// The other two of course she gives to me.

<3305>
// On that picture was that of the smiling Mei-chan, her arm wrapped around my neck.

<3306>
// My face was red in confusion from that on the picture.

<3307>
// ... Somehow this looks like we're in love.

<3308> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (This is a bit embarrassing...)

<3309> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (What am I gonna do with this...?)

<3310>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What should I put this on~ though I have to have two~"

<3311>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I guess I'll put it somewhere where it stands out in this city!"

<3312>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "How about on the station bulletin board?"

<3313> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Please don't--!"

<3314>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ahaha, that was a joke!"

<3315>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There's no way I'd do something like that with photo stickers as important as these!"

<3316>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll put them somewhere really different!"

<3317> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Where do you plan on putting them..."

<3318>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Like on \m{A}-san's notebook... maybe?"

<3319> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No way."

<3320>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're quite stingy, aren't you?"

<3321> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Actually, why do you want to put it on my notebook?"

<3322> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Put it on your own, Mei-chan."

<3323>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm, then I guess one on mine."

<3324>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The other one... ah, that's it!"

<3325>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, you know there are photo sticker books, right?"

<3326> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Yeah."

<3327>
// Though I vaguely remember it from her saying that.

<3328>
// Students from long back would carry these heavy books and stick a bunch of them on there.

<3329>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That'd be for collecting."

<3330>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "This'll be the first one on the first page."

<3331> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right, all right."

<3332> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, I'll also give you that as a present, so do what you want."

<3333>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Waaii, I love you, \m{A}-san!"

<3334> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Thank you."

<3335>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, hmm, where are we gonna buy it?"

<3336> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "A while ago there was a stationary shop around but, where has it gone recently...?"

<3337>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm..."

<3338>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... but, I know there's got to be one!"

<3339>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well not that I know, but I've heard about it!"

<3340> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Where would that be?"

<3341>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's a 100-yen shop!"

<3342>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "100-yen shops are a symbol of cities! They'll have anything!"

<3343> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I-is that so..." 

<3344> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, the problem is if there's one close by..."

<3345>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "With that said, let's go!"

<3346> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well it's fine if we go, but why are you clinging onto my arm?"

<3347>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Because we're lovers!"

<3348> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No way."

<3349>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Don't say such a thing, onii-chan~"

<3350> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Becoming my sister all of a sudden is a no-go."

<3351>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... you're getting used to it, aren't you?"

<3352>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I lost my trump card..."

<3353> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Because you used it too much."

<3354>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Besides that... let's go!"

<3355> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right..."

<3356>
// As Mei-chan pulled on my arm, we walked off.

<3357> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Well, whatever...)

<3358>
// At least she's become happy.

<3359>
// I think I'll go out with her for a while longer.

<3360>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, \m{A}-san!"

<3361>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There's so much here, it's amazing!"

<3362>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "All of this is 100 yen!"

<3363>
// A scent was still left around, showing the shop had undergone renovations.

<3364>
// Mei-chan ran with a happy face, pulling me along the way.

<3365>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "This is amazing, they have paperbacks and even CDs!"

<3366>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, these shoes, too! Even socks and underwear are here!"

<3367> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan... could you not pull me so much?"

<3368>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "A-ahaha... I'm sorry."

<3369>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I was a little excited..."

<3370> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Calm down just a bit, will you?"

<3371>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Okay~"

<3372>
// This time she held onto my arm, looking around slowly.

<3373> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, they really do have everything..."

<3374>
// I really admired how much they had gathered here.

<3375> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All of this is also 100-yen?"

<3376>
// Before long, we came to the toy corner.

<3377>
// We fired the BB gun and played with the reacher.

<3378>
// After that, the important thing is...

<3379> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan,"

<3380>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes?"

<3381> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Here you go!"

<3382>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh...?"

<3383>
// I throw her a rubber snake.

<3384>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Kya... kyaaaaaaaaa---!"

<3385>
// She ran off.

<3386> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hahaha, you realized what it was?"

<3387>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're cruel, \m{A}-san!"

<3388>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm going to get you back. There!"

<3389> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wahaha, so this is the beginning of the rubber fight!"

<3390>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There, brown rat attack!"

<3391> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Woah, that looks real--!"

<3392>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Heh hehe heh, you realized what it was?"

<3393> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Damn it... all right, stuffed toy attack!"

<3394>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wahh, so cute!"

<3395> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Here, I'll show you a poisonous spider!"

<3396>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Kyaahhh!!"

<3397>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "G-geez... then, I'll take some stuffed toy too!"

<3398>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Here, I'll show you a lizard!"

<3399> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Haha, I predicted you would!"

<3400>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then I'll show you another stuffed toy!"

<3401> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm, it's so pretty!"

<3402> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, what the hell is that?!"

<3403>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You've been defeated!"

<3404> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Damn it! In that case, I'll go with a double insect stuffed toy attack--!"

<3405> \{Người Bán Hàng} ""
// \{Clerk} "Please don't play with the merchandise--!"

<3406>
// We continued playing so much to the point the clerk had to warn us.

<3407>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... We got yelled at."

<3408>
// Giving a bitter smile, this time we walked around the store quietly.

<3409> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "There are all sorts of strange and amusing things here that you could just grab."

<3410>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's probably the magic of a 100-yen shop!"

<3411> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, this time let's finish what we came here for."

<3412> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Umm, it was a photo sticker book, right...?"

<3413>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san, there's a new goods corner over there! Let's go!"

<3414>
// As soon as she says that, she pulls me in.

<3415>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah... you can buy vegetables here!"

<3416>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "These are all 100 yen~"

<3417>
// There were vacuum-packed vegetables moderately cut, all lined up.

<3418>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There's also meat and fish!"

<3419>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Wah, even fruits!"

<3420> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Amazing."

<3421>
// It was kinda like a normal supermarket.

<3422>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's it! Because I've been such a bother to you today, \m{A}-san..."

<3423>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll really do my best for tonight's dinner!"

<3424> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I look forward to it."

<3425>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Okay!"

<3426>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Having said that, let's take this, and this... ah, this is also cheap~"

<3427> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Mei-chan, before that...!"

<3428>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... t-that's right!"

<3429>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The photo sticker book!"

<3430>
// Asking a clerk, we quickly find it.

<3431>
// Mei-chan was quite big on that you could buy anything here.

<3432>
// She puts the photo sticker she took with me right on top of the first page...

<3433>
// She was really pleased.

<3434>
// Holding nothing but the bought notebook, we left the 100-yen shop.

<3435>
// She walked in a rather light manner.

<3436>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thank you so much!"

<3437> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're welcome."

<3438> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, take good care of it."

<3439>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah, it's already important to me!"

<3440>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll treasure it all my life!"

<3441> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's an exaggeration..."

<3442>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm at least that happy!"

<3443>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thank you so much, \m{A}-san!"

<3444> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, you'll pay me back enough with dinner. I'm looking forward to that."

<3445>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll do my best!"

<3446>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, but..."

<3447>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is that alone enough?"

<3448> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What do you mean by that?"

<3449>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well, you gave me something so nice..."

<3450>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I was just thinking if dinner was enough."

<3451> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What are you so worried about?"

<3452> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eating food at my house is quite rare, after all."

<3453> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm thankful for just that alone."

<3454>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hmm, but still, I feel a little bad."

<3455>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I guess I should get you something better!"

<3456> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, even if you say so..."

<3457>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please, let me!"

<3458>
// Mei-chan having said so, on the other hand, she didn't really owe me anything.

<3459>
// Though, if I flat-out refused, I feel it might be sad.

<3460>
// A little bothered, my eyes fall quickly upon a CD shop.

<3461>
// It was the one Sanae-san and Sunohara came to.

<3462> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (If it's an old album, it'll only cost 300 yen at most...)

<3463>
// I think that much alone is enough.

<3464> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Mei-chan,"

<3465>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes?"

<3466> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "In that case, get me a CD as a present."

<3467>
// I point out the second-hand shop, suggesting that.

<3468>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But... it's second-hand, is that okay?"

<3469> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't mind."

<3470> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides... ah, what was it again? You said that there was stuff there that you couldn't get now?"

<3471>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes! It's really rare!"

<3472> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'd like to hear it."

<3473>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "All right! I'll look then!" 

<3474>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I wonder if it's still there..."

<3475>
// She pokes around the rack of albums lined up in the shop to make sure.

<3476>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It'll be nice if it didn't sell out... ah!"

<3477>
// She waits a bit, and then eventually brings out a CD.

<3478>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I've got it!"

<3479> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Speaking of which, I didn't get to hear it the other day..."

<3480> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Who's the singer of this album?"

<3481>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yoshino Yuusuke!"

<3482> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yoshino... Yuusuke?"

<3483>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Do you know him?"

<3484> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I do." 

<3485>
// I think I have at least one of his CDs.

<3486>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Indeed! He's really famous!"

<3487>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He had his debut when I was still in grade school!"

<3488>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "His singles recently have ranked number eight..."

<3489>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, word of mouth spread about and after that, he was able to remain in the top ten for at least two months!"

<3490>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And then, he eventually made it to first three times!"

<3491> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah... is that so?"

<3492>
// Somehow, it seems like this talk will last long, so I cut it off in a fitting manner.

<3493> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Yoshino Yuusuke... was it...?)

<3494>
// I repeat that quietly in my mind.

<3495>
// At the bottom of the album was a figure of someone singing enthusiastically on the microphone, in black and white.

<3496>
// I've heard his name.

<3497>
// And I've met him.

<3498>
// I decided to talk about him.

<3499> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I've... met him."

<3500> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even more, recently."

<3501>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh..."

<3502>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ehhhh?!"

<3503>
// She grabs me bluntly with both her arms.

<3504>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-where?!"

<3505>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even more, how did you meet him?!"

<3506> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "C-calm down, okay?"

<3507>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... hahaha... I'm sorry."

<3508>
// In haste, she lets go.

<3509>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "B-but... then, he's in this city?!"

<3510> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Seems so."

<3511>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-what is he doing right now?!"

<3512> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He told me he was working as an electrician."

<3513>
// I remember what Sunohara told me.

<3514>
// About how he was a famous artist in the past. And about how really wild he was...

<3515> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? I thought Sunohara would have told you about that, Mei-chan?"

<3516> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He told me that he gave you Yoshino Yuusuke's business card though..."

<3517>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, that, I heard about it!"

<3518>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I was so surprised and so happy but..."

<3519>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, in the end it never came here."

<3520> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Is that so..."

<3521>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's why I thought it might have been a lie or something."

<3522>
// She means Sunohara.

<3523>
// It was a pain to send it, so he probably forgot.

<3524> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But you know..."

<3525>
// I would remember his face many times.

<3526> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't really see him as that wild."

<3527> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Certainly he's got that badass look, but... was it really that bad?"

<3528>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yes."

<3529>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "In the end, he got caught... and after that, I didn't hear his name at all."

<3530> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I see... so that's why you had to buy at a second-hand store."

<3531>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, he's doing well, isn't he?"

<3532> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "At least from what I can tell."

<3533>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, I'm glad!"

<3534>
// Her facial expression shoots up to that of being relieved.

<3535>
// I could tell from her actions that she really liked him.

<3536> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Want to try meeting him?"

<3537>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I do!"

<3538>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, b-but..."

<3539>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That is a bother, after all."

<3540>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I don't think he'd just want to go back to his past but..."

<3541>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If he's okay right now, that alone is fine!"

<3542>
// In that case, that's fine 

<3543>
// It's fine to watch from a distance, isn't it? 

<3544> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "In that case, that's fine." 

<3545>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah!" 

<3546> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That might be true but..." 

<3547> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine to watch from a distance, isn't it?"

<3548>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "P-probably... it might not be a problem..."

<3549> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He's working in this city, after all."

<3550> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If we get lucky, we might bump into him."

<3551>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "R-really?! I'm so nervous!"

<3552> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, hey, it's not like we're going to bump into him, right?"

<3553>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-I know!"

<3554>
// She tightens her grip on my wrist.

<3555>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-well then, shall we go?"

<3556> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, you fine with not paying?"

<3557>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-wah! That's right!"

<3558>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll go to the register right now!"

<3559>
// With a bitter smile, she totters into the store.

<3560>
// It's clear she's quite tense.

<3561>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, \m{A}-san, there's an electrician over there!"

<3562>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Could it be, he's...?!"

<3563>
// The two of us walked together in the city.

<3564>
// No matter how many times we saw him, Mei-chan's voice became more and more excited.

<3565> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm... so, you see this geezer as Yoshino Yuusuke?"

<3566>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh... ah, ahaha..."

<3567>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "When you look closely, that's the case..."

<3568> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I was really worried about you back there, Mei-chan."

<3569> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Think that it'd be nice if you \bat least\u met him."

<3570>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-I will! I'm sorry~"

<3571>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, the truck over there stopped!"

<3572> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "They're loading it up with propane."

<3573>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "E-eh...?"

<3574>
// Even though it was related to construction work, my eyes kept falling upon them.

<3575> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Guess that alone shows I like it...)

<3576>
// In that case, I'd like her to meet him once...

<3577>
// But, I don't know where he is, so there's nothing I could do.

<3578>
// Meeting him won't happen in due course so...

<3579> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So difficult..."

<3580>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... \m{A}-san!"

<3581> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hm?"

<3582>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T-that's...!"

<3583>
// Mei-chan's now tugging my sleeve non-stop.

<3584>
// Her fingertip was shaking just a little bit.

<3585>
// I gaze ahead to where she's pointing at.

<3586>\{Người Thợ} ""
// \{Worker} "... Whew."

<3587>
// A small truck was right on the side.

<3588>
// A young man was there, taking off a white helmet.

<3589>
// Taking a towel to wipe off the sweat building up, this guy is without a doubt...

<3590>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "... Hmm?"

<3591> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yoshino Yuusuke..."

<3592>
// This is the person we've been looking for.

<3593>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "You're \m{A}, aren't you?"

<3594> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."

<3595>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... awawa..."

<3596>
// He takes off his work gloves, puts them in his pocket, and walks to us.

<3597>
// Mei-chan's confusion was quite clear.

<3598> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "An unexpected meeting..."

<3599>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah, I came out to do a quickly needed check..."

<3600>
// He looks back and forth at the clipboard he has.

<3601>
// There were part names and checklists there but, I had absolutely no idea what they meant.

<3602>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "That girl over there is...?"

<3603>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, uh, umm...!"

<3604>
// He glances over to Mei-chan, who shudders at that moment.

<3605>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "You've got quite a cute girlfriend, haven't you?"

<3606>
// He said that as a half-joke, without giving it a worry.

<3607>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T... t... thank you so much..."

<3608>
// ... But, this is a problem.

<3609>
// I thought it might have been fine to meet but...

<3610>
// Now that we've come face-to-face, I couldn't think of anything to say.

<3611>
// Mei-chan was nervous, so she was almost flat-out unable to say anything...

<3612>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "You seem to be doing well, in one way or another."

<3613>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Later."

<3614>
// Strongly patting my shoulder, he turns around.

<3615>
// And returns back to the truck.

<3616>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... umm, wait..."

<3617>
// Mei-chan reached out her arm without thinking...

<3618>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah..."

<3619>
// And the vinyl bag in her hand fell to the ground.

<3620>
// Inside was the CD she just bought.

<3621>
// The sound of it hitting the ground came out in particular...

<3622>
// And then, the contents of the bag jumped out, sliding on top of the asphalt.

<3623>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Hey, hey..."

<3624>
// He gives a bitter smile, sitting down and reaching out his hand.

<3625> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, no, it's fine..."

<3626>
// In haste, I went ahead to pick it up, but was one step too slow.

<3627>
// He picks up the CD.

<3628>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Be careful."

<3629>
// He dusts the case many times to get the dirt off.

<3630>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "........."

<3631>
// And then, his hand stopped.

<3632>
// He looked closely at the cover.

<3633>
// ... We had been completely found out.

<3634>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "You..."

<3635>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... uh... umm..."

<3636>
// Covering her face, she was trembling ever so slightly.

<3637>
// I could tell since her thumb was holding onto my sleeve.

<3638>
// Her eyes ran wild for a while...

<3639>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-I'm sorry!"

<3640>
// She bowed down.

<3641>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I knew!"

<3642>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, I heard from \m{A}-san that you two met..."

<3643>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "... Is that so?"

<3644> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Yeah."

<3645> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I brought her along."

<3646>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's not it! I unreasonably asked him to help...!"

<3647>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Truth is, I was only fine with just seeing your face..."

<3648>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "All I wanted to do was see if you were doing fine...!"

<3649>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "........."

<3650>
// Listening to Mei-chan's words, Yoshino Yuusuke remained silent.

<3651>
// This went on for a while, then he brought up his face.

<3652>
// Expressionless, he presented the CD.

<3653>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Sorry."

<3654>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "The man in this photograph isn't me."

<3655>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "That's why, if you say that, it troubles me."

<3656>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Ah..."

<3657>
// ... He decided to lie about it like that.

<3658>
// But, I'm sure, it's that he doesn't want to remember that time.

<3659>
// I could tell what kind of emotions came up to him from his facial expression.

<3660>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm... sorry..."

<3661>
// With a trembling hand, she took the CD.

<3662>
// With a small apology, she bit her lips hard.

<3663>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Later."

<3664>
// He turns around, and walks off.

<3665>
// Finally, he puts his hand on the truck door, and gets in.

<3666>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Ah, wait!"

<3667>
// Mei-chan brought up her voice.

<3668>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "........."

<3669>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I've been a big, big fan of yours!"

<3670>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I really liked your songs, Yoshino-san!"

<3671>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "E-even now... I really love them!"

<3672>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Everyday... ah, well, not really everyday but..."

<3673>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I would listen to your songs at least once a week!"

<3674>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Whenever I feel down or sad, I would definitely listen to them!"

<3675>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "When I listen to your songs, Yoshino-san, I'd feel a lot better!"

<3676>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T-that's why... well, umm...!"

<3677>
// She probably doesn't know what the hell she's talking about anymore.

<3678>
// Even then, she raised her voice.

<3679>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm happy to see that you're doing well!"

<3680>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "P... please work hard!!"

<3681>
// Just taking those words thrown at him, his hand stopped.

<3682>
// I thought he would just leave silently like that.

<3683>
// But, that wasn't the case.

<3684>
// He strongly closes the truck door.

<3685>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yoshino... san..."

<3686>
// And then he again approached us.

<3687>
// Right in front of Mei-chan.

<3688>
// The pupils in his eyes looked somewhat soft.

<3689>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "I'm no longer that person in the photograph."

<3690>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "That's why I can't sing like I did before."

<3691>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "I can't take your words."

<3692>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "But..."

<3693>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "I'll take your last words as a person."

<3694>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Thank you. I'll work hard."

<3695>
// Though he had a bit of a strange speaking style, that's how it was for him.

<3696>
// He pats Mei-chan's head with his hand.

<3697>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "What's your name?"

<3698>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's... Mei."

<3699>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "I see."

<3700>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Work hard, Mei."

<3701>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "Always walk forward optimistically..."

<3702>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "No matter what tough times you may face, walk straight ahead..."

<3703>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "I too shall wish you well."

<3704>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "........."

<3705>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "... Well, see you later."

<3706>
// Murmuring just that, he left.

<3707>
// Mei-chan blankly looked from behind...

<3708>
// And Yoshino Yuusuke gave me a smile along the way.

<3709>\{Yoshino} ""
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}, you have a good girlfriend there."

<3710>
// Again, he says jokingly.

<3711>
// And then, the sound of the engine went for a while.

<3712>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O-okay...!!"

<3713>
// Mei-chan brought up her voice one beat late.

<3714>
// It had become completely dark when we headed back.

<3715>
// The two of us walked, the street light illuminating us.

<3716>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He was so cool!"

<3717>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm so excited!"

<3718>
// Mei-chan was still as such, coming up close to me.

<3719> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, isn't that great?"

<3720>
// How many times has she told me she was excited?

<3721>
// I guess that's expected of what people would also answer.

<3722>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, b-but..."

<3723>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I also think you're cool too, \m{A}-san!"

<3724>
// I wonder if she added that in haste, feeling how I was looking at her?

<3725>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "To make Yoshino-san say that I was a cute girl..."

<3726>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Though it was just a bit, when I thought that he had seen us, I was really happy!"

<3727>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thank you so much, for the perfect date ever!"

<3728> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well... if you're fine with that."

<3729>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No, it's way too much!"

<3730>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "We took photo stickers, and went to a 100-yen shop..."

<3731>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "We're already pretty good lovers, aren't we?"

<3732> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And that's because you're always sticking around with me...?"

<3733>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Since we're lovers, that's obvious."

<3734>
// All the while on the way back, she has been putting her arm around mine.

<3735>
// I had already given up. 

<3736>
// It had become completely dark when we headed back. 

<3737>
// The two of us walked, the street light illuminating us.

<3738>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That was fun!"

<3739> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose."

<3740>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I enjoyed my date so much!"

<3741> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You were that okay with it?"

<3742>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's way too much!"

<3743>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "We took photo stickers, and went to a 100-yen shop..."

<3744>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "We're already pretty good lovers, aren't we?"

<3745> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And that's because you're always sticking around with me...?"

<3746>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Since we're lovers, that's obvious."

<3747>
// She's been putting her arm around mine since we left the 100-yen shop.

<3748>
// I had already given up.

<3749> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, with this, things should go well." 

<3750>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, ah..."

<3751> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Tell Sunohara about today."

<3752> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Of course, don't spill my name."

<3753> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He'll definitely be real worried."

<3754>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Are we really gonna go with this?"

<3755> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure it'll be fine."

<3756>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Okay!"

<3757>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Thank you so much, \m{A}-san!"

<3758> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Thank me if it all goes well."

<3759>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then... first thing tomorrow, I'll tell onii-chan."

<3760>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, but..."

<3761> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What?"

<3762>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "In that case, don't you think we should be a lot more like lovers?"

<3763> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Exactly how much more are you talking about?"

<3764> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You want to kiss?"

<3765>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh..."

<3766>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "E-ehhh---?!"

<3767> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What's with that surprise of yours?!"

<3768>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well, for me to go that far--!"

<3769>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The only things I meant were to have dinner, and get along on a lot of things and stuff!"

<3770>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "To even kiss... kiss--!"

<3771>
// She blushed heavily on her own.

<3772>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Umm,"

<3773> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "W-what is it?"

<3774>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I guess it's better to do that..."

<3775>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "N-no, we should do that!"

<3776>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "City lovers surely do that, don't they?!"

<3777> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, what are you so hasty about?"

<3778> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You don't really have to do it."

<3779>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, i-is that so?"

<3780> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It was just a joke."

<3781>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah..."

<3782>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-is... that so...?"

<3783> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."

<3784>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<3785>
// Being embarrassed, she ends up lowering her face. As a result, she wasn't talkative.

<3786>
// It feels like a pretty bad atmosphere.

<3787>
// The hand she had on my arm became more and more tight.

<3788>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Ah, umm..."

<3789> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wh... what is it?"

<3790>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-I guess, I should..."

<3791>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Kiss, I think."

<3792> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "W-wait a second!"

<3793> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You don't have to force yourself!"

<3794>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm not forcing myself! Because, I'm your girlfriend, \m{A}-san."

<3795>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Since I am, I think it's good to kiss!"

<3796> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "W-well... but you know!"

<3797> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You should just forget it, and give one to a real boyfriend."

<3798>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I think I want to give you one, \m{A}-san."

<3799> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you... serious?"

<3800>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, well..."

<3801>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But kissing mouth-to-mouth feels a bit too sudden..."

<3802>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Just one on the cheek is fine, I think."

<3803>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-is... that okay?"

<3804> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't feel there's a problem if it's just that..."

<3805>
// But, if that's what Mei-chan feels like doing...

<3806> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Yeah, on the cheek's fine... I guess...)

<3807>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... \m{A}-san..."

<3808>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Could I, kiss...?"

<3809> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well... I guess."

<3810>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... t-then, umm...!"

<3811>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll, kiss..."

<3812>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'd be happier if you leaned over just a little bit..."

<3813> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Like this...?"

<3814>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes..."

<3815>
// Mei-chan stretched out her legs as hard as she could, and finally reached the same height as me.

<3816>
// She stared at the side of my face for a while.

<3817>
// During the time she stepped on her tiptoes, her legs continued to shake.

<3818> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hurry up or you'll fall over..."

<3819>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah... I will!"

<3820>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well, then..."

<3821>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Suuu... ha...."

<3822>
// I could hear her taking a deep breath, and then...

<3823>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Mm..."

<3824>
// I slightly felt her lips touching my cheek.

<3825>
// At that time, there was a figure in my field of vision.

<3826>
// Sure there was Mei-chan's kiss, but that figure stood out the most.

<3827>
// It was a guy wearing the same school uniform.

<3828>
// It was a blonde-haired guy, walking in a weird manner, humming a weird tune.

<3829>
// A strange guy.

<3830> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Eh?"

<3831>
// ... It was Sunohara.

<3832>
// He was looking our way.

<3833>
// With a dumbfounded look...

<3834>
// Without blinking, he gazed at us.

<3835>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}... san?"

<3836>
// She moved away from me, probably noticing my expression.

<3837>
// Bringing up her whispering voice, her eyes finally fall on that figure...

<3838>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii... chan..."

<3839>
// Her throat trembled.

<3840> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei..."

<3841> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Haha... w-what are you doing...?"

<3842> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You went out with your boyfriend, didn't you...?"

<3843>
// At first, the moment he opened his mouth, he seemed calm.

<3844>
// But from that, immediately giving it a second thought, he raised his face.

<3845> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W-well, even moreso...!"

<3846> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What were you doing just now?!"

<3847>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... It's got nothing to do with you, onii-chan."

<3848> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei!"

<3849>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<3850> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, you too! Don't play around!"

<3851> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Just now, you and Mei...!"

<3852>
// Seems like he saw the kiss scene pretty clearly.

<3853>
// Fooling around... well, this isn't really the place for that.*

<3854>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san..."

<3855>
// Mei-chan shrunk like a child at fault.

<3856>
// Softly hiding herself behind my back, she gripped onto my shirt.

<3857>
// Seeing this, Sunohara become more and more annoyed.

<3858>
// ... For a while, I held my head low.

<3859>
// Thinking of what to do.

<3860>
// But, my answer soon came out.

<3861>
// That's probably because of how much I had talked with Mei-chan.

<3862> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're clueless."

<3863> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Me, clueless? What do you mean?!"

<3864> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You can tell what I was doing with Mei-chan, can't you?"

<3865>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Kyah!"

<3866>
// With one arm, I pull her out.

<3867>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... \m{A}-san..."

<3868> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You can tell if you see her not as a kid, but as a guy and girl, can't you?"

<3869> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W-wha..."

<3870> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You really are clueless."

<3871> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We're talking about me, here. The guy who exchanged letters."

<3872> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "As it stands right now, I'm the perfect boyfriend."

<3873> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<3874>
// Sunohara was dumbfounded.

<3875>
// I thought that obvious.

<3876>
// Because a classmate of his would tell him this so suddenly.

<3877> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I was also quite surprised at first."

<3878> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's surprisingly a pretty small world, isn't it?"

<3879> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, thanks to that we have something in common..."

<3880> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Being able to get along like this is pretty good, isn't it?"

<3881>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... \m{A}-san..."

<3882>
// And again, she hugged me tightly.

<3883>
// Mei-chan glued to my body more and more.

<3884>
// I could see Sunohara was gritting his teeth hard.

<3885> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei!"

<3886> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Is this true?!"

<3887>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's..."

<3888> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't it, Mei-chan?"

<3889>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yes."

<3890>
// She nodded, probably figuring out what I was aiming for.

<3891> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's how it is."

<3892> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, let's go."

<3893> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W... where are you going, Mei?!"

<3894> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "My house, isn't that obvious?"

<3895> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She's staying over today as well."

<3896>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yeah..."

<3897> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "...!"

<3898> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Today... as well...?"

<3899> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "She's been staying over this whole time."

<3900> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei, is that true?!"

<3901>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<3902>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yes."

<3903> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}... you bastard!"

<3904> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What are you so angry about?"

<3905> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't it better for you to be getting along well with Sanae-san?"

<3906> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, you must be coming back from your date as well, right?"

<3907> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you had any complaints to begin with, you should have said so at that moment yesterday, right?"

<3908> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Since you understand, get lost, Sunohara. You're in the way." 

<3909> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "When we get back, Mei-chan, I'll let you use the bath. Be sure to clean yourself."

<3910> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... \m{A}..."

<3911>
// He throws a word to provoke me on purpose.

<3912>
// Red-faced, he might soon jump at me.

<3913> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (That's right, be angry... come, Sunohara!)

<3914>
// I wished in my mind for him to come grab at me.

<3915>
// I don't care if I get knocked out.

<3916>
// I wanted him to take back Mei-chan with all his might.

<3917>
// If he did that, surely...

<3918> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Damn it..."

<3919> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Damn it...!"

<3920>
// He violently cursed out my name.

<3921>
// Even now he was about ready to lunge at me.

<3922>
// But, Sunohara...

<3923> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<3924>
// ... He stepped not one foot forward from there.

<3925>
// All he gave was a voice mixed with anger and regret.

<3926>
// That, was all.

<3927> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, let's go, Mei-chan."

<3928>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O-okay...!"

<3929>
// Making use of this chance, we head back.

<3930> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Let's have fun tonight as well!"

<3931>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... All right."

<3932>
// Her body clung onto mine.

<3933>
// However, I guess he really ended up staying there.

<3934> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Damn it...!!"

<3935>
// Only his voice echoed throughout the night of this city.

<3936> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Are you fine with this...?)

<3937> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Are you really this kind of guy...?)

<3938>
// Being enveloped in anguish, I strolled into my room.

<3939>
// The knocking sound echoes as I faintly think things over.

<3940>
// A nice smell came from opening the door.

<3941>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm finished making dinner."

<3942>
// Buttered bread and stew was on top of the tray.

<3943>
// She was carrying it in a dangerous way; maybe it was a little heavy?

<3944>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's really cooked well."

<3945>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eat it while it's still hot!"

<3946>
// Mei-chan acted calm all the way to the end.

<3947>
// She kept up her chin, so that I wouldn't worry.

<3948>
// Just from seeing her face, it was easy to tell that she was sad inside.

<3949>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, this here's the towel, and here's the spoon..."

<3950>
// Mei-chan had skillfully set things up here.

<3951> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Sunohara isn't coming, is he?"

<3952>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh..."

<3953>
// With a small voice, her shoulders spring up.

<3954>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I, suppose..."

<3955>
// Her hand stops just as her voice sinks in.

<3956>
// She turned her face away, pretending to not take notice.

<3957>
// Her shoulders were trembling a little bit.

<3958>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... I-I forgot the water!"

<3959>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll go and quickly get it!"

<3960>
// She left the room, as if to run away.

<3961>
// There were a little bit of tears building up in her eyes.

<3962> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<3963>
// I think that I have to do something.

<3964>
// Sunohara Siblings 

<3965> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "Yeah, yeah..."

<3966>
// I woke up to a distant voice.

<3967> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "I know..."

<3968>
// It was Mei-chan's. She kept her tone low as if talking in secret.

<3969>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Just a little longer, okay...?"

<3970>
// A familiar expression. Though it seemed very apologetic.

<3971>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, I'm sorry..."

<3972>
// This went for a while, and I finally understand she's talking on the phone.

<3973>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll give it some thought..."

<3974>
// Who's she talking to?

<3975>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I know. I'll come back soon."

<3976>
// Could it be...

<3977>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... I'll have to hang up soon, because of the phone charges."

<3978>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Tell daddy I'm sorry. Yeah, I'll call again!"

<3979>
// ... It really does seem like her parents.

<3980>
// Checking to see the kitchen, it seems she had just finished her phone call.

<3981>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sigh..."

<3982>
// She sighed, keeping her hand on the receiver.

<3983>
// It seems she doesn't have much time left.

<3984>
// I walk down the hallway during lunchtime.

<3985>
// Sunohara still hadn't come. This is usually the time he comes to attend though.

<3986>
// I don't want to see his face right now. The same probably goes for him.

<3987> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (I suppose he bought bread as well and found a good spot to eat...)

<3988> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "Eh, isn't that you, \m{A}?"

<3989>
// Just as I thought that, someone called me.

<3990>
// A group of three. In that was one person, who I think was someone I met from first year.

<3991> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh... long time no see."

<3992>
// Other than the slightly worn out uniform, he was no different from before.

<3993>
// But, he wasn't really a delinquent in any way.

<3994>
// He studied what was needed, and was good in front of the teacher.

<3995>
// Point is, he was a behaved person.

<3996>
// I recall that I still exchanged words with others once in a while when I meet them.

<3997> \{Nam Sinh} ""
// \{Male Student} "You're not with Sunohara today, are you?"

<3998> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Once in a while."

<3999> \{Nam Sinh} ""
// \{Male Student} "You want to come for food?"

<4000> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't mind..."

<4001>
// I guess having this sort of thing once in a while might be good.

<4002> \{Nam Sinh} ""
// \{Male Student} "So, I got close to that Hara-boy..."

<4003> \{Nam Sinh 2} ""
// \{Male Student 2} "That's impossible, I said."

<4004> \{Nam Sinh 3} ""
// \{Male Student 3} "You know, introduce us to that girl from the other day~"

<4005> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Haha..."

<4006>
// ... But, I'd think it'd fail pretty quickly.

<4007>
// Without getting into the conversation, I felt very uncomfortable.

<4008>
// Sometimes, even though I'd come up with a phony smile, I was offended.

<4009>
// I come up with a good excuse such as sleeping during noon, and quickly get away.

<4010>
// I stare out, sitting down at the courtyard bench.

<4011>
// I was getting a little fed up with this.

<4012> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Even these kinds of guys just want to fool around...)

<4013> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Damn."

<4014>
// Though I'm running this charade for Sunohara's sake...

<4015>
// I also have to do something for Mei-chan's sake.

<4016>
// What is it that I can concentrate on, though?

<4017> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Though what should I be doing...?)

<4018>
// Why was it that he became like this to begin with?

<4019>
// Of course, since he's devoted to Sanae-san, he'll disappear after all.

<4020>
// But, the problem's got to be more basic than that...

<4021>
// I start from square one.

<4022> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (He entered this school under a sports recommendation...)

<4023>
// And the club activity he finally got to doing ended up disappearing...

<4024>
// His grades steadily dropped, and he also started not going to class...

<4025>
// And finally, he continues to be late, already haven given up on university...

<4026>
// Continuing to pass the days on and on.

<4027> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sadly, just the same as me...)

<4028>
// Though I knew that, I held my head again.

<4029> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (He really is a hateful guy...)

<4030>
// In the end, I realized I also had the same problem as he.

<4031>
// Having said that, looking upon myself, there might be clues I could find.

<4032>
// Encouraging myself from those withering feelings, I began thinking.

<4033> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (To begin with, I found just about everything bothersome...)

<4034> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (That's probably because I stopped with club activities.)

<4035> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (In that case, Sunohara might also...)

<4036>
// ... But, there was just one difference.

<4037>
// I can no longer return to doing that.

<4038>
// Ever since the fight with my old man, injuring my shoulder.

<4039>
// I can no longer play basketball anymore.

<4040>
// But, he's different.

<4041> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (If he plays soccer one more time, maybe something might change...?)

<4042>
// That thought coming to mind, I immediately brush off my bitter smile.

<4043>
// He wouldn't show up at the soccer club at all.

<4044>
// He had already vowed never to do so.

<4045>
// To begin with, the soccer club wouldn't accept him...

<4046>
// ... but, no matter how I worry about it, that was all I could think about.

<4047>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I think onii-chan should play soccer."

<4048>
// Mei-chan had also come to the same conclusion.

<4049>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That was the reason onii-chan had become like this..."

<4050>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm sure it's about him quitting soccer."

<4051>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's because he became unable to play the thing he most liked..."

<4052> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But you know, that's..."

<4053>
// Something that you can't help saying at this time.

<4054>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... I know."

<4055>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But I guess, he has to."

<4056>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I don't like how onii-chan is right now."

<4057>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan as he is now is... no good at all."

<4058>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I want him to be the same way as before."

<4059> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."

<4060>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "How is my brother today?"

<4061>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I guess, umm..."

<4062> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Yeah,"

<4063> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't think he's in the school today anymore."

<4064> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I heard from the other guys roaming around about him leaning towards Sanae-san..."

<4065>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Did he go straight back home again...?"

<4066> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Seems so."

<4067>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... I guess onii-chan should play soccer."

<4068>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He's lost his way."

<4069>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I really want him to play."

<4070>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even if it means only accepting and not playing him..."

<4071> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But you know, Mei-chan,"

<4072> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "The problem is them accepting him. What do you plan on doing?"

<4073>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I suppose... asking this school's soccer club."

<4074> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, are you serious?"

<4075> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Everyone really, really hates Sunohara."

<4076> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Because he got in a fight with other schools, he became unable to go to tournaments."

<4077>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even then, I want to ask."

<4078>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Two years have already passed... if I talk to them, they'll surely understand."

<4079>
// ... She's quite stubborn.

<4080>
// She's saying she'll go negotiate with that small body and kind voice of hers.

<4081>
// For nothing other than her brother.

<4082>
// If that's the case, there's no way I would let her go alone.

<4083> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll follow as well."

<4084>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san..."

<4085> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you want to do something, I'll hang out until the end."

<4086> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Let's go, Mei-chan."

<4087>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O... okay!"

<4088>
// The first person we went to see was the coach.

<4089>
// Mei-chan doesn't really have any personal connections with the students, and I don't want her to go but...

<4090>
// But, that wasn't a reason to stop her.

<4091>
// We came close to a middle-aged man in a jersey, smoking a cigarette in the courtyard.

<4092>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Hey, what are you coming in for?"

<4093>
// Approaching him, the smell of nicotine and sweat roamed about.

<4094>
// Mei-chan shuddered from him raising his voice, and did the same.

<4095>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm not an outsider!"

<4096>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "U-umm... are you the soccer coach?"

<4097>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "... Huh?"

<4098>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm Sunohara Youhei's younger sister, Mei."

<4099>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Sunohara... Sunohara?"

<4100>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "The third year, Sunohara?"

<4101>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, that Sunohara."

<4102>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Hahaha!"

<4103>
// A dry laugh with no meaning.

<4104>
// He acted like he was being tickled somewhere.

<4105>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Sunohara's family's in Touhoku, ain't it? I know."

<4106>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That is so, but it's the truth."

<4107>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "What happened to school?"

<4108>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... I'm taking a break for a while."

<4109>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Huh... skipping."

<4110>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "If your brother's your brother, the younger sister's the same."

<4111>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Or is it that you instigated her into this, \m{A}?"

<4112>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san is not that kind of person!"

<4113>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, please hear me out!"

<4114>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "........."

<4115>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's about my brother..."

<4116>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I apologize for him troubling the club before..."

<4117>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "B-but, he's reflected on himself enough..."

<4118>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If possible I would like to have you approve his return to the soccer club."

<4119>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Return?"

<4120>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes... that's right."

<4121>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "U-umm... how is that?"

<4122>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "You came all the way for that?"

<4123>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's right!"

<4124>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Are you an idiot?" 

<4125>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh...?"

<4126> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} ".........!"

<4127>
// I listened to the filthy-mouthed coach.

<4128>
// I knew he had a habit of calling people idiots real quick.

<4129>
// Even so, I was seriously offended.

<4130>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Are you really serious about that?"

<4131>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That I am."

<4132>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's why I came to ask you!"

<4133>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Sunohara, huh..."

<4134>
// Crossing his arms, he moans for a while.

<4135>
// Mei-chan coughed a little bit from the tobacco smoke floating to her.

<4136>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Well, it's difficult."

<4137>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Thanks to his crap, the third years right now haven't had any rookie games."

<4138>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, umm..."

<4139>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "To begin with, what are you going to do, saying that?"

<4140>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Is the person responsible saying this? Huh?!"

<4141>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm going to take him with me, I definitely will!"

<4142>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He'll also apologize... and promise never to cause any more trouble again!"

<4143>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "So... please!"

<4144>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He doesn't have to formally enter the club. At least see how he is!"

<4145>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "You idiot... you'll say whatever, won't you?"

<4146>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "So he seriously apologizes once in a while?"

<4147>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "To begin with, even if he were to be allowed into the soccer club at this point, he couldn't do that at all, could he?"

<4148>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Of course he can..."

<4149>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "He's nothing but a bother if he shows up."

<4150>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "He hasn't played for two years, will he even be usable?"

<4151>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Well... he could at least be the ballboy."

<4152>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-in that case... is there a place you could introduce us to where my brother could play?"

<4153>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Oh, there's a good one."

<4154>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "How about the Boy Scouts? Ahaha!"

<4155> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4156>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "... What's with those eyes, \m{A}?"

<4157>
// Those insensitive words really pissed me off.

<4158>
// He noticed that I was scowling at his unshaven face.

<4159>
// But... if I say anything here, it'll all be for naught.

<4160> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Nothing."

<4161>
// I hold out hard, turning my face away.

<4162>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan might have been slacking off this whole time..."

<4163>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, he's really good at soccer."

<4164>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "There must be somewhere where he can show that."

<4165>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "And how far are you going to go with that?"

<4166>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's... nothing like that."*

<4167>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Do you know how many players I have seen so far?"

<4168>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "He's just mediocre."

<4169>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "And mediocre's still fine. But he's not co-operative, and in addition to being violent..."

<4170>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "He's just hopeless."

<4171>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "B... but... if he gets to show you, you might understand."

<4172>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Just for a little while."

<4173>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Could you give onii-chan one more chance...?"

<4174>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "So you'll lower your head for that, huh?"

<4175>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Well then, first go get approval from the guys in the club."

<4176>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "They hate playing with Sunohara, don't they?"

<4177>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<4178>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Get it now? If you're quiet, then it seems so."

<4179>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No... well, but..."

<4180>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... If we get, approval from that club members..."

<4181>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Huh?"

<4182>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If the club members approves it, would you also approve as well?"

<4183>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "... What?"

<4184>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll be talking to the members now."

<4185>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If, everyone approves of him..."

<4186>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Approves... huh?"

<4187>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Well, it's something to really think about."

<4188>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Really?"

<4189>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Do you doubt me?" 

<4190>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, w-well... umm..."

<4191>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Then please, excuse me."

<4192> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan..."

<4193>
// She bows over.

<4194>
// She softly brings her eyes to me, then walks away.

<4195>
// She's probably going to head to the grounds now? I follow after her.

<4196>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Wait, \m{A}."

<4197> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... What is it?"

<4198>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "That girl was able to introduce herself."

<4199>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "That's not something you can do."

<4200> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4201> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Excuse me."

<4202>
// Without bowing, I said only that, and followed after Mei-chan.

<4203>
// Mei-chan was silent, hurrying through the hallway.

<4204>
// Her eyes were a little red. She tightly clenched her fist.

<4205>
// Seems like she's putting up with all this.

<4206> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Mei-chan."

<4207>
// I softly hold her small, clenched fist with my hand.

<4208>
// I wanted to give her encouragement, even if it's just a little bit.

<4209> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "We're going to where the members are, right?"

<4210>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Yes!"

<4211>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm going to go talk to them!"

<4212>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "To talk to them about onii-chan so that they would accept him..."

<4213>
// She tightened her grip on my hand.

<4214>
// ... I'm not going to do anything.

<4215>
// At the very least, I want to be by her side.

<4216>
// The clubroom door with the sign, "Soccer Club", hung on it.

<4217>
// Mei-chan stood in front of that with a tense face.

<4218> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you okay?"

<4219>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, I'm fine now."

<4220>
// Taking a couple of breaths for a while, she nods.

<4221>
// As if to encourage herself, she tightens up her hand, and then releases.

<4222>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Here we go..."

<4223>
// She puts her hand on the doorknob.

<4224>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Ah!"

<4225>
// The glances of the half-naked guys all focus on her.

<4226>
// A sour, dusty atmosphere was about.

<4227>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "U-umm...!"

<4228>
// Being blown away by their intimidation, she musters up her voice.

<4229>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Is the captain around here?"

<4230>
// A stir from within the room.

<4231>
// Within the slight bantering, a spiking noise echoed.

<4232>
// A man with slightly bleached hair and a large build walked up.

<4233>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "That would be me."

<4234>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "... You're not a student from here, are you?"

<4235>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm, umm..."

<4236>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sunohara Youhei's younger sister."

<4237>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "What?"

<4238>
// He raises his eyebrow. The rest of the club does the same.

<4239>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T-that's right... I'm his sister, Mei."

<4240>
// The room becomes noisy again. Scratching his head, the guy who called himself captain raised his voice.

<4241>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "And... what do you want, sister?"

<4242>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I came to ask a favor."

<4243>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's... about my brother..."

<4244>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "I cann't hear you!"

<4245>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's about my brother!"

<4246>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "What about Sunohara?"

<4247>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He was in this club before, wasn't he?"

<4248>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And, if it's possible..."

<4249>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I would like for you to have him come back in!"

<4250>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Eh?"

<4251>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "W... wait a second."

<4252>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "You want him to come back in?"

<4253>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, that's right!"

<4254>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "... Are you serious?"

<4255>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm serious!"

<4256>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "... Pfft!"

<4257>
// A somewhat sarcastic laugh.

<4258>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Really now..."

<4259>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "This is a gag, isn't it?"

<4260>
// Smiling, they all whisper amongst each other.

<4261>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "And, Sunohara said this?"

<4262>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No, he didn't but..."

<4263>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan... ah, I mean, my brother...!"

<4264>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "She said onii-chan."

<4265>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "A brother complex?"

<4266>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Onii-chaaan~"

<4267>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ugh..."

<4268>
// A teasing voice came.

<4269>
// Glaring at them, I remained silent.

<4270>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Umm... \m{A}? You think the same too?"

<4271> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm only accompanying her."

<4272> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But... I would like for you to listen to her clearly."

<4273> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Please."

<4274>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please...!"

<4275>
// In haste, Mei-chan bows her head beside me.

<4276>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Doesn't look like you're putting effort into that bow."

<4277>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Bow a lot lower."

<4278>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sorry, like this?"

<4279>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Not you, I meant \m{A}."

<4280>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... uh..."

<4281>
// A laughter going back and forth as if directed towards a fool.

<4282>
// Mei-chan glanced down with regret and embarrassment.

<4283> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Let's go, Mei-chan."

<4284>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, but..."

<4285> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara would never think of being together with these guys."

<4286>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, but..."

<4287>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even so, I still...!"

<4288>
// She again faces the clubroom, and bows deeply.

<4289>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please...!"

<4290>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Just for... a single day, is that fine?"

<4291>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Let onii-chan play soccer again!"

<4292>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I believe it'll be a new start!"

<4293>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please...!"

<4294> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan..."

<4295>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please......!"

<4296>
// A bitter voice echoed.

<4297>
// But... that too, seemed nothing more than fruitless.

<4298>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "How brave of you."

<4299>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Captain, she's begging on her knees~"

<4300>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Hmm, what shall I do..."

<4301>
// Each of them laughed...

<4302>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Nah, I guess not."

<4303>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah..."

<4304>
// Seeing the dumbfounded Mei-chan, they had a particularly louder laugh.

<4305>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "P... please, I beg you!"

<4306>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Give my brother a chance...!"

<4307>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "I told you no."

<4308>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Captain, you're cruel~"

<4309>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Hey, hey, you're gonna make her cry~"

<4310>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please..."

<4311>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "P... please...!"

<4312>
// Being humiliated in front of many people in the club...

<4313>
// Even so, Mei-chan continued to raise her voice.

<4314>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It... didn't go well, did it?"

<4315>
// But, Mei-chan was firm.

<4316>
// Her reddened eyes, and trembling shoulder.

<4317>
// But, by no means was she going to cry.

<4318>
// She went to the end with a smile.

<4319>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But... they didn't approve."

<4320>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm definitely sure they'll understand!"

<4321> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... You're still going to continue?"

<4322>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll ask them, no matter how many times."

<4323>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll continue until onii-chan is accepted."

<4324>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I feel something like that is the best."

<4325>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If that happens, I'm sure onii-chan will also..."

<4326> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4327>
// She was not afraid being in front of the soccer club members.

<4328>
// Desperately appealing to them...

<4329>
// Not once crying, only lowering her head.

<4330>
// Besides, how far was her courage going to go?

<4331>
// Even though Mei-chan was working this hard...

<4332> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sunohara...)

<4333> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (What the hell are you doing...?)

<4334> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Sunohara."

<4335>
// Attending at the same time, I called him.

<4336> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah... it's you, \m{A}."

<4337> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You need something?"

<4338>
// Is he out of it? It's like he's putting effort to acting normal.

<4339>
// Even so, he never made eye contact.

<4340> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You never met Mei-chan after that, did you?"

<4341> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "No I didn't!"

<4342> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Don't you care?"

<4343> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why do you have to say something like that..."

<4344> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Actually, why should I even be worried about Mei?!"

<4345> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I've been busy with Sanae-san..."

<4346> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you still seriously saying that?"

<4347> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, I'm serious!"

<4348> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm going to be a lot more busy from now on!"

<4349> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4350> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I told you before I'm confessing to her."

<4351> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "April's already over... I plan to do that today."

<4352> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "When that happens, I'll slowly lose more and more of my time."

<4353> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh crap, I might hold her body, hahaha..."

<4354> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You..."

<4355> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's how it is, so I really don't care what happens with Mei..."

<4356> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why are you still acting so tough..."

<4357> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm not acting tough."

<4358> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Aren't you worried?"

<4359> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't know what's happening to Mei."

<4360> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Get ahold of yourself, man!"

<4361> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What are you so angry about..."

<4362> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well... she doesn't care about me either anyway!"

<4363> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Sunohara!"

<4364>
// Being driven by anger, I grab his chest.

<4365>
// The chair falls over, and a loud voice echoes in the classroom.

<4366> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W-what is it, man...?"

<4367> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I don't get you one bit..."

<4368> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Do you know what the hell Mei-chan's doing right now?"

<4369> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I dunno anything about that."

<4370> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Besides, she's getting along with you, isn't she?"

<4371> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... It's nothing to do with me."

<4372> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Go grab someone from the soccer club and ask them!"

<4373> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What do you think Mei-chan is doing...?"

<4374> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You should know... how much she believes in you!"

<4375> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I told you I don't know, didn't I?"

<4376> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Let go."

<4377> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4378> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What...?"

<4379> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You want to fight, \m{A}...?"

<4380> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Tch!"

<4381>
// Glaring at each other, I can tell the onlookers are gradually beginning to gather round.

<4382>
// The room went from completely silent to bustling with noise, as if hit by water.

<4383>
// Hearing the voice of the teacher coming, I let go.

<4384> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4385>
// I walk in the direction of the door, through the commotion of people. The students clear out in haste.

<4386>
// The class representative from somewhere tried to hold me back, going, "Wait a second!"

<4387>
// Ignoring her, I left the school.

<4388>
// I left during afternoon classes.

<4389>
// I come around to the park where the date was being held before.

<4390>
// To meet Sanae-san.

<4391>
// Looking around, I recognize a figure behind the bench.

<4392> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Sanae-san."

<4393>
// Getting close, I called her.

<4394>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Oh my, \m{A}-san."

<4395>
// Turning around, she gave a smile.

<4396> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Is now okay?"

<4397>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Ah... I'm sorry, could you wait a second?"

<4398>
// She had a slightly apologetic face.

<4399>
// I dunno what happened just now, but there was a number of young boys in a circle around Sanae-san.

<4400>
// Seems she was making a speech to them.

<4401>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Having said that, bullying a young girl is no good."

<4402>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But, if you're kind, it'll definitely be great."

<4403>
// The boys listened to her quietly, face-up.

<4404>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Of course, doing that so soon is quite difficult."

<4405>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Just a little in the beginning is fine so... tell her this then."

<4406>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "First off, begin by apologizing, shall we?"

<4407>
// They all nodded to that.

<4408>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You understand, don't you?"

<4409>
// They all responded with a large voice...

<4410>
// And then, while swaying her knapsack, she gave parting words.

<4411>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Now then..."

<4412>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I apologize, \m{A}-san."

<4413> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, not at all..."

<4414> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What was with the kids?"

<4415>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You don't remember them?"

<4416> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No. Or rather, I've met them?"

<4417>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "It's that time when Youhei-kun and Mei-chan went together."

<4418>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "A girl was being bullied, right?"

<4419> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I remember that."

<4420>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "These boys are the ones that bullied her."

<4421> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"

<4422> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, why are you talking to the bullies?"

<4423>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I thought that would be proper."

<4424>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If they don't, they won't get the fundamentals down."

<4425> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, just now..."

<4426>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Just a bit of a lecture."

<4427>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "But, everyone's a good kid."

<4428>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If you talk to them, you'll understand them well."

<4429> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Is that how it was...?"

<4430>
// As always, this person is...

<4431>
// Admirable and amazing.

<4432>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "And, what happened today? It's kind of rare at this time!"

<4433>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Eh... but, right now should be fifth period."

<4434>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "What happened to classes?"

<4435> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Skipping."

<4436>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That's not something you should do."

<4437>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You have to study properly."

<4438> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san,"

<4439>
// To cut her off, I pile my words on top.

<4440> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I have something important to talk about. It's about Sunohara and Mei-chan."

<4441> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Please listen."

<4442>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Okay."

<4443>
// I suppose she can guess how serious I am?

<4444>
// She nods with a stern expression.

<4445>
// I tell Sanae-san everything that's happened.

<4446>
// The reason for Mei-chan coming to this town.

<4447>
// And seeing her brother.

<4448>
// The gap of time with the once reliant person.

<4449>
// And, Mei-chan's wish and actions.

<4450>
// I explain everything, leaving nothing out.

<4451>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... I see."

<4452>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I understand."

<4453> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I have something to ask of you, Sanae-san."

<4454>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... What might it be?"

<4455> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're on a date with Sunohara today, right?"

<4456>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That's what was arranged."

<4457> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If he has become lost with that..."

<4458> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If there's something that will make him realize..."

<4459>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "........."

<4460> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Somehow, make him think of Mei-chan."

<4461> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If he doesn't, Mei-chan will..."

<4462>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "... Yes,"

<4463>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I suppose that's not something that should be done."

<4464> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh, but..."

<4465>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You know, \m{A}-san."

<4466>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That's... not something you have to worry about."

<4467> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"

<4468>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Recently, I've somehow noticed."

<4469>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Youhei-kun seems to have been always worried about something."

<4470>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Truth is, he should understand."

<4471>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That... there is something that he must do."

<4472>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "If you look, he's capable."

<4473> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san..."

<4474>
// ... I see.

<4475>
// Now I understand.

<4476>
// Why it was that we have been working so hard.

<4477>
// I remember the kids that were listening to Sanae-san's speech up until now.

<4478>
// They're surely the same as him.

<4479>
// On the day they met, where Sunohara didn't care and made such reckless remarks...

<4480>
// She though that there was something that had to be done.

<4481>
// That's why she's giving him this much support...

<4482>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I believe in him."

<4483>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "That he'll definitely realize it."

<4484>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "All that I can do..."

<4485>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Is just push him forward, even if it's just a little."

<4486>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "So, \m{A}-san..."

<4487>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "You should also wait a little, and believe in him."

<4488> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... All right."

<4489>
// All I did was nod to those words just now.

<4490>
// Sunohara... really is thinking about Mei-chan, isn't he?

<4491>
// As Mei-chan puts it, will he become that reliable person?

<4492>
// A gloomy feeling. As if speaking for another, the day darkens.

<4493>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It'll be fine."

<4494>
// That day, Mei-chan waited at the gates again.

<4495>
// Seeing my face, we exchanged words, and she put on a smile.

<4496>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan will understand."

<4497>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He'll definitely, definitely understand."

<4498>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's why, I want to try hard."

<4499>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "So that onii-chan will become the same old onii-chan..."

<4500> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Yeah, I suppose."

<4501>
// Though she understood... we went to the soccer club again.

<4502>
// I also want to work hard.

<4503>
// I want to grant Mei-chan's wish.

<4504>
// But, at the same time, I didn't want to stain my eyes with any more contempt.

<4505>
// I don't want to feel any more sorrow than this...

<4506>
// If today's result is the same as yesterday,

<4507>
// No, if that continues on from back then...

<4508> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sanae-san... in that case, I'll...)

<4509> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Definitely, no longer be able to...)

<4510>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "You guys again?!"

<4511>
// Seeing us, he gave a very obvious and annoyed face.

<4512>
// The members were all stretching around us. Were they about to practice?

<4513>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Sorry for bothering you during this busy time..."

<4514>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I came again to ask!"

<4515>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Ask, you mean yesterday?"

<4516>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "And, do the members approve of this?"

<4517>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T-that's..."

<4518>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Hey, did any of you said it was okay?"

<4519>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "No one said anything."

<4520>
// The captain's bitter voice echoed. There was a crowd of laughter.

<4521>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "I told you to go and get permission. Did you lie?"

<4522>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I didn't lie!"

<4523>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I came to ask you to have the members understand!"

<4524>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "You're in the way of practice, go home."

<4525>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm not trying to be in the way!"

<4526>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "I told you that you are!"

<4527>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T-then... let me help!"

<4528>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Help?"

<4529>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes, since I'm bothering you as such!"

<4530>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll do whatever!"

<4531>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Whatever...?"

<4532>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "W-whatever..."

<4533>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "In that case, be my opponent, Mei-chan!"

<4534>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "E-eh...?"

<4535>
// A vulgar voice from the members.

<4536>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Or rather, strip."

<4537>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Strip, strip!"

<4538>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<4539>
// A small voice, finally becoming loud.

<4540>
// Mei-chan flushed red, hanging her head alone.

<4541> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (These guys...)

<4542>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Stop it, you people."

<4543>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "You shouldn't do that either. You an idiot?"

<4544>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... I'm sorry."

<4545>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I'm serious about wanting to helping out."

<4546>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "if there's anything I can do... please let me!"

<4547>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Tch..."

<4548>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please..."

<4549>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Go pick up the balls."

<4550>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh, ah..."

<4551>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "You understand, don't you?"

<4552>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O-okay...!"

<4553>
// A whistle echoed through the campus.

<4554>
// Light jogging, followed by practicing passes, and then finally the members gather round the goal.

<4555>\{Huấn Luyện Viên} ""
// \{Coach} "Shooting practice!"

<4556>
// Kicking the ball, they all lined up towards the coach's loud voice.

<4557>
// Seems the plan was to have one person become warmup catcher, and do shoot passes back and forth...

<4558>
// The ball tumbles by the edge of the goal.

<4559>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm sorry \m{A}-san..."

<4560>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "For having you come with me."

<4561> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I don't care about that at all."

<4562> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I told you I'd be around to the end, didn't I?"

<4563>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Thank you so much."

<4564>
// Mei-chan came this far, being prepared.

<4565>
// Feeling that she should do something.

<4566>
// I could really hear the strong voice of the goalkeeper from the grounds.

<4567>
// Seems like things are starting up.

<4568>
// One by one, each of the members shoots out.

<4569>
// The lone, kicked ball, flies up into the air, not caught by the edge.

<4570>
// It flew to the fence on one end of the grounds.

<4571>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Pass it over!"

<4572>
// At once, they called for us.

<4573>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O-okay!"

<4574> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine, I'll go and get it."

<4575>
// I gently command Mei-chan just as she starts running.

<4576>
// The distance to the fence was quite large, and when I finally struggled there, I was a little short of breath.

<4577>
// Holding it in my arms, I pass it right back.

<4578>
// At that time, as if timed just right, the ball was kicked up again.

<4579>
// Making a large arc, it flew from where I was to another lone spot.

<4580>
// When that happened, Mei-chan hastily rushed over to take it.

<4581> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Are they aiming for that...?)

<4582>
// With her small body, Mei-chan desperately chased after it.

<4583>
// When she returned, she was panting heavily.

<4584>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "You're damn late!"

<4585>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm sorry!"

<4586>
// Rolling over, it returns to the members.

<4587>
// At almost the same time, another ball flew near the fence.

<4588>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Stop being so stupid, and pass it back!"

<4589>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O-okay!"

<4590> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wait, Mei-chan, let's take a quick break!"

<4591>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "B-but..."

<4592> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll go over there and get it."

<4593> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Until then, catch your breath..."

<4594>
// Saying that much, another ball flew straight into the day after tomorrow.

<4595>
// It fell in a direction completely different from the last shot.

<4596>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "What are you doing, hurry up and get it!"

<4597> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Kuh..."

<4598>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-I'm okay!"

<4599>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll go!"

<4600>
// Forming a smile, Mei-chan charged ahead.

<4601>
// Gritting my back teeth, I also ran.

<4602>
// Running round at full speed, we finally return to the goal post.

<4603>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Pant... pant...!"

<4604>
// Mei-chan's face was pale, her chest frequently moving up and down.

<4605>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Be a bit quicker!"

<4606>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I... I'm sorry!"

<4607>
// After that, everyone made shots.

<4608>
// This time, they didn't fly off too far.

<4609>
// That was a relief.

<4610>
// I was relieved that they let Mei-chan rest a little bit.

<4611>
// ... But, that was also brief.

<4612>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah...!"

<4613>
// A small shriek.

<4614>
// The sound of a thick wind came towards us.

<4615>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Close!"

<4616>
// I couldn't tell whether it came from the kicker or his teammates.

<4617>
// But, could it be their doing...?

<4618>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "H-haha... I guess there are times like this!"

<4619>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll go get the ball!"

<4620> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Wait, Mei-chan!"

<4621>
// Saying so, they flew over my head again.

<4622>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "\m{A}, don't slack off!"

<4623> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Damn it...!"

<4624>
// I ran with all my might.

<4625>
// I was uneasy about leaving Mei-chan alone, so I returned as quickly as I could.

<4626>
// But the ball flew towards where the trees were planted, so finding them took a bit of time.

<4627>
// Finally finding it, I passed it back.

<4628> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Mei-chan?!"

<4629>
// When I returned, I saw her with the ball in her stomach.

<4630>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ugh..."

<4631> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "W-what's wrong?!"

<4632>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... haha..."

<4633>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "The ball... hit me a little bit..."

<4634> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hit? Are you okay?"

<4635> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Or not, that's hitting you isn't it...?"

<4636>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's wrong."

<4637>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I was just daydreaming a little bit, and then I got hit."

<4638>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm slow... aren't I?"

<4639> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4640>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You don't have to be that worried."

<4641>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, it's coming again! I'll go and get it!"

<4642>
// She slowly comes up to the rolling ball.

<4643>
// In haste, I chased after her.

<4644> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Owaah!"

<4645>
// Another strong shot flew right by as if to cut the space between the two of us off.

<4646>
// At that moment, even though she was close, she hesitated. When Mei-chan went to pick it up, she crouched down.

<4647>
// Clunk, the sound.

<4648>
// The sound of hitting one's skin.

<4649>
// The shot that flew hit her thigh.

<4650> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan!"

<4651>
// In haste, I went over to her fallen figure.

<4652>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm, fine!"

<4653>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm okay!"

<4654>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah, ball, ball..."

<4655>
// The ball rolled around and around.

<4656>
// Picking it up, her legs were limp.

<4657>
// Staggering two, three steps, and then...

<4658>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "A-ah...!"

<4659>
// Her body falls over.

<4660>
// I rushed to reach my hand out to catch her, but it didn't make it in time.

<4661>
// Mei-chan dropped on top of the ball like that.

<4662>
// The members had a burst of laughter.

<4663>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "...!"

<4664>
// But, Mei-chan had decided not to cry.

<4665>
// Biting her lips, she got up and threw the ball back.

<4666>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Here it comes again, don't slack off!"

<4667>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Okay!"

<4668>
// Her legs were limp, but she tried her best to chase after it.

<4669>
// No matter how far the ball flew, she chased after it with all her might...

<4670>
// And when she got close, the ball would hit her. Even at times they'd attack her...

<4671>
// And every time she got up, she'd continue getting balls.

<4672> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Why are you going so far...?)

<4673>
// That's not what I should be thinking.

<4674> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Why is it... that you can do this much?)

<4675> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sunohara, even though your sister's suffering this much...)

<4676> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (What the hell are you doing...?)

<4677>
// When it had become completely dark, the practice finally ended.

<4678>
// Mei-chan frequently held her stomach.

<4679> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Does it hurt?"

<4680>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-it's fine!"

<4681>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It's nothing..."

<4682>
// She's trying her best to hide it...

<4683>
// But, her delicate body has a number of bruises, doesn't it?

<4684>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Good work."

<4685>
// In contrast, the captain wore a cheerful mood.

<4686>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Ah, sorry for the trouble."

<4687>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No, its' nothing at all!"

<4688>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "A-and... about my brother!"

<4689>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Ah, before that..."

<4690>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Could you take the field rake and level the grounds?"

<4691>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh...?"

<4692>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "I'm counting on you!"

<4693>
// Waving one hand, he quickly returned to the clubroom.

<4694>
// Mei-chan lowered her head at the start for a while.

<4695> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (That asshole...)

<4696>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Okay!"

<4697>
// Even so, she lifted her head instantly.

<4698>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Let's do it!"

<4699>
// And then, she quickly took the rake and headed out.

<4700>
// Her body's at her limit now...

<4701>
// It was very pitiful, seeing Mei-chan face forward no matter what.

<4702>
// Carefully leveling the grounds, we then opened the clubroom door.

<4703>
// Already six or seven club members were left, changing into their school uniforms.

<4704>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Ah... we're done."

<4705>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Oh, good work."

<4706>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm, where's everyone else..."

<4707>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Went home."

<4708>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh...?"

<4709>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Because club activities are already over."

<4710>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "B-but... about... what we talked about..."

<4711>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Now, now, you'll hear it from us."

<4712>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Well, I dunno about the other guys agreeing with what we say."

<4713>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "No way..."

<4714>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "So, what was it?"

<4715>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "About my brother... Sunohara Youhei!"

<4716>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I thought that I'd like for him to return to the club."

<4717>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If that can't be done, just let him play for a little bit."

<4718>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's all I want..."

<4719>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Oh, was that it?"

<4720>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Nah, sorry."

<4721>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<4722>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Eh?"

<4723> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (... These assholes...)

<4724>
// ... Certainly there was nothing to be hopeful about.

<4725>
// Mei-chan had worked so hard.

<4726>
// They didn't feel anything seeing her like this?

<4727>
// They didn't even think the least bit, taking any of her feelings...?

<4728>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Having said that, give it up."

<4729>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "P-please, somehow, anything!"

<4730>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please, let my brother play soccer once again!"

<4731>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "No."

<4732>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Why... not?"

<4733>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Because I hate him."

<4734>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hate...?"

<4735>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Is there anyone here who likes him?"

<4736>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Of course not."

<4737>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "He's cheeky and annoying."

<4738>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "He's crappy, I don't want to be with him."

<4739>
// Each one of them put him down.

<4740>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Well, that's how it is."

<4741>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Want me to make it easy on you? They hate your brother."

<4742>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That's why, you can't...?"

<4743>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Why..."

<4744>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Does... everyone hate my brother?"

<4745>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Because, he's incompetent."

<4746>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} ".........?"

<4747>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "He's got no guts."

<4748>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "He's weak and cries."

<4749>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Guess he's a loser?"

<4750>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Loser...?"

<4751>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "He quit soccer, and can't keep up with studies."

<4752>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "That's a loser, isn't it?"

<4753>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan is a loser...?"

<4754>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "However you think it."

<4755>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Speaking of which, he got any reason to live?"

<4756>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "None."

<4757>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<4758>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Well, little sister?"

<4759>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Is there any reason to be working hard for crap such as him?"

<4760>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan... isn't crap..."

<4761>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Garbage is fine."

<4762>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "...!"

<4763>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "You knew from the start, didn't you?"

<4764>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Sunohara knows that this stuff is happening to you, you know?"

<4765>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Eh...?"

<4766>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Seems he came to our club."

<4767>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Looks like he heard about you."

<4768>
// ... He probably investigated after I told him about Mei-chan.

<4769>
// About where she was, and about what she was doing.

<4770>
// Sunohara knew.

<4771>
// Knowing that, he...

<4772>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "So, how's that?"

<4773>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Your big brother ain't coming."

<4774>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "T... that's..."

<4775>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "He's abandoned you."

<4776>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "He's afraid of fighting with us, and ran off."

<4777>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "He can't save a single person."

<4778>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "He's probably shaking in his boots at home right now."

<4779>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Actually, will he even come to school starting tomorrow?"

<4780>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Maybe he'll give up?"

<4781>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Sunohara being scared and dropping out is just like him."

<4782>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Since that suits crap like him!"

<4783>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Uh..."

<4784>
// Mei-chan only closed her eyes, bearing those words.

<4785>
// She had decided not to cry... no matter what treatment or pain she felt.

<4786>
// Her shoulders began to faintly tremble.

<4787>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Ahh, you made her cry."

<4788>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Is that my fault?"

<4789>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Come on, don't be sad, Mei-chan!"

<4790>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Uh... uh..."

<4791>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Rather, get ahold of yourself."

<4792>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "You can, go home now, you know?"

<4793>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Even if you cry, onii-chan ain't coming."

<4794>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Wrong......"

<4795>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "... Huh?"

<4796>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're wrong..."

<4797>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You're... wrong...!"

<4798>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan will come...!"

<4799> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan..."

<4800>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He'll definitely come..."

<4801>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "What's with that?"

<4802>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "He ain't coming, he ain't..."

<4803>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He will...!"

<4804>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan will come to save me...!"

<4805>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He'll definitely, definitely come...!"

<4806>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "... What's with her?"

<4807>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "She an idiot?"

<4808>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "She's Sunohara's sister after all."

<4809>\{Cầu Thủ} ""
// \{Soccer Player} "Cry a lot louder, onii-chan can't hear you~"

<4810>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "U-uu...!"

<4811>
// They grab her arm and swing it.

<4812>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Fuuuu... it hurts...!"

<4813>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "It hurts... it hurts...!"

<4814>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Come on, say onii-chan!"

<4815>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Uuu... onii-chan...!"

<4816>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "Like that, onii-chan ain't coming."

<4817>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan, onii-chan...!"

<4818>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan...!!"

<4819> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4820>
// ... There was nothing more to wait for.

<4821>
// We had gone past the point of no return.

<4822>
// I'll give Mei a lot of respect for being so patient for what she wanted...

<4823>
// That somewhere, she might have believed in him.

<4824>
// But, that was also over.

<4825> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (Sorry, Mei-chan...)

<4826>
// Watching only to the end...

<4827>
// But, I couldn't just watch anymore.

<4828>
// It's several guys against me.

<4829>
// It feels bad, but this is the only thing left.

<4830> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (... Sunohara...)

<4831>
// Cursing him, I remember his face at the end.

<4832>
// But, I shook that off quickly.

<4833>
// I formed a tight fist.

<4834>
// Taking a breath, I looked straight ahead.

<4835>
// I take one step forward.

<4836>
// I swing my arm, and then...

<4837> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't make Mei cry-----!"\shake{4}

<4838>
// I see someone come sprinting right in, jumping with a kick.

<4839>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Ah..."

<4840> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Are you bullying Mei?!"

<4841> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "People who bully Mei, people who bully Mei...!"

<4842> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I definitely won't forgive that!!!"

<4843>\{Đội Trưởng} ""
// \{Captain} "You bastard..."

<4844> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Uraagggghhhhh---!"

<4845>
// Bringing up his fist, he hits them.

<4846>
// It became anarchy all at once.

<4847>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii... chan..."

<4848>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan...!"

<4849> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Step back, Mei-chan."

<4850> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It'll be fine, onii-chan definitely won't lose."

<4851>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "O-okay..."

<4852> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right..."

<4853>
// I take a step back slowly and make sure, and then looked ahead again..

<4854>
// I saw the club members had grabbed ahold of Sunohara.

<4855> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't forget me!!"

<4856>
// Raising my fist, I rush right in.

<4857>
// Hitting them, a thick sound echoed.

<4858>
// The tall night sky spread out across my view.

<4859>
// It was terribly suffocating. I breathed hard, grabbing air.

<4860>
// Every time I did, everywhere around my chest hurt.

<4861>
// I had lied down with my body spread out across the dirt.

<4862>
// I didn't care that my hair or my clothes had all been dirtied.

<4863>
// My lips were beginning to dry with the sand and blood, and just that felt terrible.

<4864> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}..."

<4865>
// Sunohara said, his body laid out in the same way.

<4866> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Did we win...?"

<4867> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Who knows."

<4868> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Then, did we lose?"

<4869> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm pretty sure we didn't lose..."

<4870>
// I didn't know what the reality was.

<4871>
// At the time we jumped at the soccer club, my memories were all jumbled.

<4872>
// There was only one faint scene I remembered.

<4873>
// But, for my fists to hurt this much was probably because of that.

<4874>
// I had only been hit as much so that the blood in my mouth went into my throat...

<4875>
// I'm not exactly sure how it all ended.

<4876>
// "You guys have lost." Those lines were said, with the figure of the club members stepping back.

<4877>
// Though we made chase after them, our legs wouldn't move.

<4878>
// With a staggering way of walking they left. The only thing I remember about that was continuing our glare at them.

<4879>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "F... fueee..."

<4880>
// Mei-chan remained sitting there, sobbing.

<4881>
// The voice of her crying came through.

<4882> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You idiot."

<4883> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Who's an idiot...?"

<4884> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Who else would it be other than you?"

<4885>
// I struggle to move my painful body.

<4886> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're a really big idiot."

<4887> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Apologize."

<4888> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Apologize to Mei-chan!"

<4889> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why do I have to apologize...?"

<4890> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're still saying that?"

<4891> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You're a failure as a brother."

<4892> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "What'd you say?"

<4893> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan also waited, suffering for this older brother."

<4894> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you had done things properly, something like this wouldn't have happened."

<4895> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You really are a hopeless brother."

<4896> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You picking a fight?"

<4897> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Guess so."

<4898>
// With an infuriated face, Sunohara also got up, facing me with a sharp glance.

<4899>
// Yet staggering, I got close to his chest. We both stared each other down.

<4900>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please... stop..."

<4901>
// Mei-chan's thin voice could no longer reach us.

<4902> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You damn asshole!"\shake{4}

<4903>
// I catch Sunohara's head, butting it.

<4904>
// Holding his nose, he staggered backward, and fell like that.

<4905> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Don't screw around, Sunohara!" 

<4906>
// I get on top of him and grab his blonde hair.

<4907> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "How do you think Mei-chan feels thanks to you?!"

<4908>
// I beat him with all my might.

<4909> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "How... miserable do you think she feels?!"\shake{4}\wait{300}\shake{4}\wait{300}\shake{4}

<4910>
// I hit him in the cheek two, three times.

<4911> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "It's all your fault!"

<4912> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What are you going to do with you being unreliable?!"

<4913> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Are you a damn brother?!"

<4914>
// Blood spilled from the spilled tissue around his forehead. Did I wound him?

<4915> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Apologize...!"

<4916> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Apologize to Mei-chan...!"

<4917>
// The flowing blood fell to the ground, creating a dark blot.

<4918> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Damn you..."

<4919> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"

<4920>
// The bottom of his eyelids were swollen black.

<4921>
// Glancing at me, I could tell he was scowling.

<4922> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}...!"

<4923>
// His hand stretches out, and also grabs my hair.

<4924> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You got no excuses, do you?!"

<4925> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You never thought of Mei-chan, did you?!"

<4926> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I have...!"

<4927> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You liar!"

<4928> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even though your sister was tricked by weird guys..."

<4929> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "You didn't do anything! You weren't worried, were you?!"

<4930> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I was! I was worried!"

<4931> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, why'd you do nothing?!"

<4932> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why'd you leave it be?!"

<4933> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Isn't that obvious?!"

<4934> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, tell me!!"

<4935> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If you got any excuses, spill it!!"

<4936> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Because I thought it'd be fine if it were you!"

<4937>
// I stopped my hand at those words.

<4938>
// At that moment, my vision went blank. 

<4939>
// Sunohara got in a punch in that space of time.

<4940>
// Right between the eyebrows, the light blurs.

<4941>
// It continued with a thick pain at the nose bridge.

<4942> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Gah!"

<4943>
// I could tell the blood was running.

<4944>
// Taking the opportunity, he pushed me off him.

<4945> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You apologize as well!"

<4946> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Apologize to Mei!"

<4947>
// I stood up, leaned over pretty badly.

<4948>
// There was a gap in my guard, where he hit me many times.

<4949> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why'd you bring Mei this far?!"

<4950> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You should protect Mei!!"

<4951> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's your damn responsibility!!"

<4952> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara, you asshole!"

<4953> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}--!"

<4954>
// Grappling each other, a cloud of dust builds up.

<4955>
// Pulling off each others' hair, we continued our fist fight, blood-stained.

<4956>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please... stop..."

<4957>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please stop!!"

<4958>
// Mei-chan's voice echoed.

<4959>
// Our breathing was wild. Scowling at each other, we realized what we were doing upon hearing that shout.

<4960>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Hic, uu... uuu..."

<4961>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Please... don't fight..."

<4962>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm, fine!"

<4963>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm not sad at all!"

<4964>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Because, because...!"

<4965> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei..."

<4966> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Mei-chan..."

<4967>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Uu... uuu..."

<4968>
// A lot of tears streamed as she groggily stood up.

<4969>
// She wipes her cheek, frequently rubbing her eyes, and then...

<4970>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan...!"

<4971>
// She jumped into her brother's arms.

<4972>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan... onii-chan...!"

<4973>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "U-uuu...!"

<4974>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry...!"

<4975>
// Mei-chan cried like a child.

<4976>
// Sunohara watched that look of hers for a while, dumbfounded.

<4977>
// But, that was also fleeting.

<4978> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei..."

<4979>
// He softly hugs her.

<4980>
// And gently brushes her head.

<4981> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<4982>
// I watch them for a while.

<4983>
// And then finally get up.

<4984>
// Being covered in mud and blood stains here and there, it looked pretty bad, even for me.

<4985>
// I fix up my hair, which is in disarray and mixed with sand.

<4986>
// I'll have to take a shower when I get back.

<4987>
// I'll also have to get a change of my school uniform from the closet.

<4988>
// What should I eat for dinner...?

<4989>
// I absent-mindedly thought about it.

<4990>
// Putting my hands in my pockets, I turn around.

<4991>
// I walk for a while, then take a look around.

<4992>
// I see the figure of a brother hugging his younger sister.

<4993>
// Taking a breath of awe...

<4994>
// I begin walking again.

<4995>
// Mei Epilogue 

<4996>
// I slide open the classroom door.

<4997>
// The classmates who were all busy up until now suddenly fell silent.

<4998>
// Everyone looked at my face.

<4999>
// Blue bruises and compresses all over.

<5000>
// That kinda stands out, doesn't it?

<5001>
// They give me a glance for a while, and then all at once turn away their eyes.

<5002>
// Though they didn't care much about it.

<5003>
// The usual time as always...

<5004>
// I slowly approach my seat and take a seat.

<5005> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Fuwahh..."

<5006>
// A single yawn.

<5007>
// It's already afternoon.

<5008>
// The warm and silent day calls me to sleep.

<5009>
// And finally, the class returns to its noisy self.

<5010>
// And again, like being hit by water, the place falls silent for a while.

<5011>
// I sleepily look towards the door.

<5012>
// A guy stood there with a compress stuck to his face.

<5013>
// A strange guy, with blonde hair.

<5014>
// That was obviously Sunohara.

<5015>
// He hesitates at the class' looks, but then immediately walked off, slowly.

<5016>
// Our eyes meet.

<5017>
// Sunohara stops there.

<5018>
// We stared at each other.

<5019>
// At our fists, and at our bruised up faces, and then..

<5020>
// I laughed.

<5021>
// A laughter from the bottom of my heart.

<5022>
// The way we had completely looked different here was somehow too strange.

<5023>
// Unable to hold back my nauseous laughter, I brought up my voice.

<5024>
// Sunohara blankly looked for a moment...

<5025>
// And then, laughed as well.

<5026>
// Even though we pointed at each other and were choking, still...

<5027>
// We laughed.

<5028> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "S-Sunohara!"

<5029>
// We did so for a while, and finally wiped the tears that came up.

<5030> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "L-let's go and get lunch!"

<5031> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "S-sure!"

<5032>
// After that, it was business as usual.

<5033>
// Nothing's really changed.

<5034> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "The cafeteria?"

<5035> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's nice!"

<5036> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, gehhhh---! I have to pay 150 yen?!"

<5037> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That's too bad."

<5038> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, I guess I'll make do with a ramen cup from the convenience store."

<5039> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Where are you planning to eat that?"

<5040>
// The two of us leave the classroom.

<5041>
// What we talked about was somewhat strange again, and we burst into laughter.

<5042>
// That's right, we had this kind of relationship.

<5043>
// There was nothing we were worried, uneasy, or much less troubled about.

<5044>
// Lingering was left in our hearts. A very strong feeling of resentment.

<5045>
// A feeling that didn't disappear like a lie.

<5046> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (... What have we been doing up until now?)

<5047>
// Even though this should have been fine.

<5048>
// Even though this alone should have been fine.

<5049>
// Yapping back and forth, we walked down the hallway.

<5050>
// The classmates only looked at us, dumbfounded.

<5051> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... You have to go home now?"

<5052>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yes. You've been a lot of help."

<5053>
// That day after school.

<5054>
// I exchanged words with Mei-chan, who had collected her things into her luggage.

<5055> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "If that's the case, you could just stay until next week."

<5056> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Not like you're missing much, are you?"

<5057>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If I could, I'd also like to do that."

<5058>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, my parents said I had to."

<5059> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "They're angry, I guess?"

<5060>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Well, that's..."

<5061>
// I can tell from the way she leans her head.

<5062>
// Mei-chan gave nothing but a bitter smile.

<5063> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, it can't be helped."

<5064> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Take care."

<5065>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah, I know."

<5066>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I just regret it a little bit..."

<5067>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I'm glad I came."

<5068>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And met you, \m{A}-san..."

<5069>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And... also met onii-chan."

<5070> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."

<5071> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'm glad too."

<5072>
// As I thought, the way Mei-chan smiles is cute.

<5073>
// Though it was just a little bit, I was also happy to have helped her.

<5074> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Geez, what was with that old guy..."

<5075>
// With a nod, her brother appeared.

<5076>
// He got pressed hard by the teacher over his injuries.

<5077> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ain't that great for you to be released so early, \m{A}?"

<5078> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "There's only one way to say that."

<5079> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Besides that, you made something up, right?"

<5080> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I suppose, just leave it to me."

<5081> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "We're innocent victims, yeah."

<5082>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Umm... what do you mean by that?"

<5083> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Talking about the injuries. We made the industrial high school guys the culprits." 

<5084> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "They picked a fight with us, and we got beat up one-sided... like that."

<5085>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Then, there aren't any problems?"

<5086> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, none, yeah."

<5087>
// Though I'm scared of the tell-tales the soccer club guys have, that too is also fine, I think.

<5088>
// We had passed by the captain in the hallway...

<5089>
// Just from our eyes crossing each other, he lowered his head, and left as if running.

<5090>
// Judging from that, he was already scared out of his pants, not wanting to follow.

<5091>
// Besides, they have a match coming up soon.

<5092>
// They also figured that it wasn't anything too big to deal with right now.

<5093>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... I'm glad."

<5094>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "If you ended up dropping out of school, you'd be like an idiot."

<5095> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I guess..."

<5096>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'd like onii-chan to come to this school."

<5097>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "To... stay in this city."

<5098> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Mei..."

<5099>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Truth is,"

<5100>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Up until I came here, I didn't think that was possible."

<5101>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I thought it'd be better for you to leave school."

<5102>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And that you should come home."

<5103>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Showing yourself to be tough as much as you could..."

<5104>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I didn't like that kind of onii-chan."

<5105> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<5106>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Gramps... ah, you know old man Mitani, right?"

<5107>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "He asked what you thought of opening a car garage and stuff..."

<5108>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Our friends might come in and stuff, he said..."

<5109>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And thought it'd be nice if you came back."

<5110>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And live like old times..."

<5111> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, that's..."

<5112>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah, I know."

<5113>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But... that's wrong."

<5114>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You have reasons for being here..."

<5115>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Don't you...?"

<5116>
// Mei-chan's words.

<5117>
// Sunohara took those, and slightly lowered his head.

<5118>
// He kept quiet for a while...

<5119>
// And finally, he slowly nodded.

<5120> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... That's right."

<5121> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm here."

<5122> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And I'll be here until the end, for one more year."

<5123>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even if you don't keep up with studies... right?"

<5124> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah."

<5125> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Because, right now..."

<5126> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "This is the one chance in a lifetime, where I have to spend my most important time, right?"

<5127>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Important time..."

<5128> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "The time to be an idiot."

<5129> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Because I won't be able to come back to being an idiot after this."

<5130> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And, I have a friend here who'll be an idiot with me during this time..."

<5131> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I can only get that right now!"

<5132>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan..."

<5133>
// ... And that friend would be me, wouldn't it?

<5134>
// That's why, I sighed in disbelief...

<5135>
// And then, slowly opened my mouth.

<5136> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry, I never thought of you as my friend."

<5137> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Think of it as such from now on!"

<5138>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "H-haha... now, now, onii-chan."

<5139>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Having an argument over a joke is being friends, isn't it?"

<5140> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Though it was a bit of a close gag..."

<5141> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But you see, Mei,"

<5142>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah?"

<5143> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "The friend I have right now is not related to me just by the school." 

<5144> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even if we graduate and move far away..."

<5145> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even so, when we have holidays we'll come and meet... that kind of relationship."

<5146> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry for you come all the way this far?" 

<5147> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You should visit me as well!"

<5148>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I-it's a joke, onii-chan."

<5149> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's true..."

<5150>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "From now until you become an adult..."

<5151>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Even if your surroundings change..."

<5152>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "You guys will still be friends, right?"

<5153> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Yeah, that's right."

<5154> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even if everyone does well... and gets really busy..."

<5155> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even if I find a new place with a job and coworkers..."

<5156> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even if I get married, have kids, and protect my family with all my life..."

<5157> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Even then... when we cross each others' paths, we'll be smiling."

<5158> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "We have to be such friends."

<5159> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's... what I think."

<5160>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yeah..."

<5161> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That's why I'm here."

<5162> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "For one more year, until the end..."

<5163> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Your brother will..."

<5164> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Be spending his most important time."

<5165> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "And then after a year, I'd hear you say that you just want to play."

<5166> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Please, don't ever hear that!"

<5167> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'm saying something real good right now!"

<5168>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "But, I kinda agree as well..."

<5169> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."

<5170> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You guys..."

<5171>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... But, I think it's amazing,"

<5172>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "That you want to be in such a school, even though you say you hate it."

<5173>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Just to play, right?"

<5174>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "... Sounds fun."

<5175> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah."

<5176>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'm envious."

<5177> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... Hey, Mei,"

<5178>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "What?"

<5179> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Do you have any friends that will always be smiling?"

<5180>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I have a lot of friends but..."

<5181>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Friends that go that far, not really..."

<5182> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Then, when you enter high school, work hard and find someone."

<5183> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And be idiots."

<5184> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "People who'll be idiots with you during your school life will always be there for you."

<5185> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Even if they don't like it."

<5186> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Something like that's fine."

<5187> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Afterward, in your life having such friends around..."*

<5188> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You'll definitely smile, no matter how much pain you feel."

<5189> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, that's right. Their life will be one where you hit them and they laugh going, 'Uhyahyahya!'"

<5190> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You've completely gotten the wrong idea!"

<5191>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "........."

<5192>
// The usual exchange between me and Sunohara.

<5193>
// Mei-chan looked at us with a satisfied look on her face.

<5194>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Onii-chan,"

<5195>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll do my best,"

<5196>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "And find myself friends."

<5197>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Good friends, like \m{A}-san."

<5198> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, hey, I'm not really..."

<5199>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "\m{A}-san,"

<5200>
// She looked at me with widened eyes.

<5201>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I won't forget about this city..."

<5202>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I won't forget about you, \m{A}-san."

<5203>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "For onii-chan to have such a good friend..."

<5204>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I definitely, definitely, won't forget."

<5205> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Well, do what you like."

<5206>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "I'll come and play again."

<5207>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Next time, I'll be at least really grown up and stuff, so be surprised, okay?"

<5208> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I look forward to it."

<5209>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Yup. See you..."

<5210>
// She carried the sports bag that was laid at her feet.

<5211>
// It was a little sad, but that was also fleeting.

<5212>
// She lifted her head, with a beautiful smile.

<5213>\{Mei} ""
// \{Mei} "Later!"

<5214> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, later."

<5215> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Until next time."

<5216>
// Mei-chan left, waving her hand.

<5217>
// We stood there until she disappeared from our sight.

<5218>
// Sunohara 

<5219> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Hey, \m{A}."

<5220> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You awake?"

<5221> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm...?"

<5222> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry, fell asleep for a bit."

<5223> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Nah, that's fine."

<5224> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Just pretend you're listening well."

<5225> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What is it...?"

<5226>
// I squirm around, turning over in the kotatsu.

<5227>
// And then I slowly move my body.

<5228> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well..."

<5229>
// Looking up at the night sky outside the window, Sunohara began to talk.

<5230> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I thought I was going into some stupid school."

<5231> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Full of everyone studying too much..."

<5232> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Though there are clubs, no one's thinking of everyone else afterward."

<5233> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I definitely thought I wouldn't be making friends here."

<5234> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Despite that, I wondered about being confident here..."

<5235> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But you see... doing that..."

<5236> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I felt like I wasn't too encouraged by that..."

<5237> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."

<5238>
// That talk seeps into my ears, as I gaze at the wood on the desk.

<5239>
// I'm also the same.

<5240>
// Thinking, and worrying in the same way...

<5241> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Everyone I knew from middle school was working hard when they went to high school..."

<5242> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "They all ended up feeling they wanted to return to the good old days."

<5243> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Being irritated by the soccer club guys... half, just half of my feelings were that..."

<5244> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And then, I started that up."

<5245> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "The big fight with the students from another school..."

<5246> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "If I retired, I'd have to voluntarily drop out of school, and return to my family."

<5247> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Do you remember?"

<5248> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "About our first meeting."

<5249> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Yeah."

<5250>
// Something in my memory comes to mind.

<5251>
// It was a strong, clear, and vivid memory.

<5252> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "The time that we met."

<5253> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "At that time, you were with that gramps, Koumura."

<5254> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "He took over for us and gave us counsel because gramps was our homeroom teacher, huh..."

<5255> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I guess..."

<5256> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "And also..."

<5257> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "When you saw me with my face swollen and beat up...do you remember what happened?"

<5258> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... Yeah."

<5259> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "... You laughed so hard, man."

<5260> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "You were laughing while crying."

<5261> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It was so damn strange."

<5262> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I was thinking, why was this guy making such a weird face and laughing...?"

<5263> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Thinking that, I also became amused."

<5264> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I thought I could hold it in, but it was useless."

<5265> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I also ended up laughing."

<5266> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "That was the first time I had laughed like that ever since I came to this school."

<5267> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It felt so great."

<5268> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I... guess it did."

<5269>
// I could already see it so clearly.

<5270>
// The scene at that time.

<5271>
// I let a smile break suddenly, remembering that.

<5272> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "After that, you were taken in by gramps, who talked to you over tea..."

<5273> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Now I understand why he did that."

<5274> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Everything that gramps had planned."

<5275> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "It was to introduce us to each other..."

<5276> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "So that we'd graduate."

<5277> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "He definitely noticed that if we were alone, we'd give up."

<5278> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why don't we ask him someday,"

<5279> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Why it is that we're still in this school?"

<5280> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Indeed..."

<5281> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Well, we've still got a year ahead of us."

<5282> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Let's work hard together."

<5283> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."

<5284>
// It was peaceful inside.

<5285>
// I felt glad and relieved somehow, hearing just our words echo.

<5286>
// ... Two years ago.

<5287>
// There was a guy I passed by in the hallway.

<5288>
// A strange guy with blonde hair.

<5289>
// Just seeing how strange his face was even more strange, I laughed so hard.

<5290>
// Coming to school, that was a first.

<5291>
// Ahh, I felt that I could still laugh.

<5292>
// That made me so happy.

<5293>
// I found a little pleasure. 

<5294>
// Guess I'd try being idiots with him.

<5295>
// And trying that, as I thought, it really was fun.

<5296>
// Another big laugh came up.

<5297>
// It was fun and happy...

<5298>
// And many times, we laughed.

<5299>
// And even now, we were still...

<5300>
// Sunohara Epilogue 

<5301> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "So this is the bakery where Sanae-san works..."

<5302> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Oh crap, I'm really getting fired up!"

<5303>
// How long has it been since Mei-chan went home?

<5304>
// It's finally the time where our bruises were going away...

<5305>
// The two of us looked up at the sign reading, "Furukawa Bakery".

<5306> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Should we stop?"

<5307> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Nah, let's not!"

<5308> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Before, in the end I became hazy about it..."

<5309> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "But, Sanae-san is here, the woman I love!"

<5310> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I see, good luck."

<5311> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure Sanae-san is also waiting for you!"

<5312> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, I'll get it on!"

<5313>
// Giving a thumbs up, he went into the store.

<5314> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "........."

<5315>
// ... Or so I thought, he suddenly came out with a pale face.

<5316> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "There seems to be some strange pops in here..."

<5317> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "Who the hell's pops, huh?"

<5318> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eek! He came!!"

<5319> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "You enter a bakery and don't buy any bread? What's your problem?"

<5320> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "You're buying, right?"

<5321> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Yes, I'll go and buy some!"

<5322> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "You'll buy with all the money you have on hand?"

<5323> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I'll buy with everything I have!" 

<5324> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} (This person couldn't be...) 

<5325>
// A threatening man with a neckline. 

<5326>
// This person's probably...

<5327>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Oh my, Youhei-kun, \m{A}-san!"

<5328>
// Sanae-san looked outside of the store to see all the noise in front.

<5329> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "Kaah, someone Sanae knows?!"

<5330> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Y-yes! We get along well!"

<5331> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "If that's the case, hurry up and say it!"

<5332> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "Okay, I'll put a 10% discount on everything."

<5333> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "So buy everything with all you've got."

<5334> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "I-I'd be glad to!"

<5335>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san, you shouldn't scare them."

<5336> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "Tch... if that's what you think Sanae, it can't be helped."

<5337> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "You narrowly escaped death, brat!"

<5338> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Eeeeeeek!"

<5339>
// Letting him go, he rudely returns back into the store.

<5340> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "P-pant... pant..."

<5341>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "I apologize for letting you become so frightened..."

<5342> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "W-who the hell is that guy...?"

<5343>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "He's my husband."

<5344> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Heh, is that so?"

<5345> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Wha, \size{30}\bEHHHHHHHHHHHH-------?!?!?!\u\size{}"

<5346>
// ... Pitiful Sunohara.

<5347>
// Looks like the time where reality kicks in has come.

<5348>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "So, what business might you have?"

<5349> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Ah, n-nothing..."

<5350>
// Cat's got Sunohara's tongue there from that shock.

<5351>
// That's why I brought up my voice instead.

<5352> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "He came to say that he likes you, Sanae-san!!!!!"

<5353> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Stop it----!!"

<5354>
// Thud, \shake{1}\pthud, \shake{1}\p thud, thud, thud, thud, thud...!!!\shake{1}\shake{1}\shake{3}

<5355> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "H-he's here---!"

<5356> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "So you're the asshole that's been laying eyes on my woman---?!?!"

<5357> \{\l{B}} ""
// \{\l{B}} "Come with me!"

<5358> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "\m{A}, save me!"

<5359>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Umm... was that true just now?"

<5360> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Hahaha, that's just a joke for him."

<5361> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So don't worry about it, Sanae-san."

<5362>\{Sanae} ""
// \{Sanae} "Okay, I won't!"

<5363> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "Don't follow up with that----!!"

<5364> \{Sunohara} ""
// \{Sunohara} "U-uwaah..."

<5365>
// UWAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaa---------...!

<5366>
// The day I first met Sunohara.

<5367>
// From that day onward, small fun things piled up on and on...

<5368>
// And even now, we were still...

<5369>
// Laughing.\wait{5000}

Sơ đồ

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×	Chính	Fuuko	Tomoyo	Kyou	Kotomi	Yukine	Nagisa	After Story	Khác
14 tháng 4	SEEN0414							SEEN6800	Sanae's Scenario	SEEN7000
15 tháng 4	SEEN0415		SEEN2415	SEEN3415	SEEN4415			SEEN6801
16 tháng 4	SEEN0416		SEEN2416	SEEN3416			SEEN6416	SEEN6802	Yuusuke's Scenario	SEEN7100
17 tháng 4	SEEN0417	SEEN1417	SEEN2417	SEEN3417	SEEN4417		SEEN6417	SEEN6803
18 tháng 4	SEEN0418	SEEN1418	SEEN2418	SEEN3418	SEEN4418	SEEN5418	SEEN6418	SEEN6900	Akio's Scenario	SEEN7200
19 tháng 4	SEEN0419		SEEN2419	SEEN3419	SEEN4419	SEEN5419	SEEN6419
20 tháng 4	SEEN0420				SEEN4420		SEEN6420		Koumura's Scenario	SEEN7300
21 tháng 4	SEEN0421	SEEN1421	SEEN2421	SEEN3421	SEEN4421	SEEN5421	SEEN6421	Interlude
22 tháng 4	SEEN0422	SEEN1422	SEEN2422	SEEN3422	SEEN4422	SEEN5422	SEEN6422	SEEN6444	Sunohara's Scenario	SEEN7400
23 tháng 4	SEEN0423	SEEN1423	SEEN2423	SEEN3423	SEEN4423	SEEN5423	SEEN6423	SEEN6445
24 tháng 4	SEEN0424		SEEN2424	SEEN3424	SEEN4424	SEEN5424	SEEN6424		Misae's Scenario	SEEN7500
25 tháng 4	SEEN0425		SEEN2425	SEEN3425	SEEN4425	SEEN5425	SEEN6425	Mei & Nagisa
26 tháng 4	SEEN0426	SEEN1426	SEEN2426	SEEN3426	SEEN4426	SEEN5426	SEEN6426	SEEN6726	Kappei's Scenario	SEEN7600
27 tháng 4		SEEN1427			SEEN4427		SEEN6427	SEEN6727
28 tháng 4	SEEN0428	SEEN1428	SEEN2428	SEEN3428	SEEN4428	SEEN5428	SEEN6428	SEEN6728
29 tháng 4	SEEN0429	SEEN1429		SEEN3429	SEEN4429		SEEN6429	SEEN6729
30 tháng 4		SEEN1430	SEEN2430	SEEN3430	SEEN4430	SEEN5430	SEEN6430		BAD End 1	SEEN0444
1 tháng 5		SEEN1501	SEEN2501	SEEN3501	SEEN4501		SEEN6501		Gamebook	SEEN0555
2 tháng 5		SEEN1502	SEEN2502	SEEN3502	SEEN4502		SEEN6502		BAD End 2	SEEN0666
3 tháng 5		SEEN1503	SEEN2503	SEEN3503	SEEN4503		SEEN6503
4 tháng 5		SEEN1504	SEEN2504	SEEN3504	SEEN4504		SEEN6504
5 tháng 5		SEEN1505	SEEN2505	SEEN3505	SEEN4505		SEEN6505
6 tháng 5		SEEN1506	SEEN2506	SEEN3506	SEEN4506		SEEN6506		Other Scenes	SEEN0001
7 tháng 5		SEEN1507	SEEN2507	SEEN3507	SEEN4507		SEEN6507
8 tháng 5		SEEN1508	SEEN2508	SEEN3508	SEEN4508		SEEN6508		Kyou's After Scene	SEEN3001
9 tháng 5			SEEN2509	SEEN3509	SEEN4509
10 tháng 5			SEEN2510	SEEN3510	SEEN4510		SEEN6510
11 tháng 5		SEEN1511	SEEN2511	SEEN3511	SEEN4511		SEEN6511		Fuuko Master	SEEN1001
12 tháng 5		SEEN1512		SEEN3512	SEEN4512		SEEN6512			SEEN1002
13 tháng 5		SEEN1513	SEEN2513	SEEN3513	SEEN4513		SEEN6513			SEEN1003
14 tháng 5		SEEN1514	SEEN2514	SEEN3514	EPILOGUE		SEEN6514			SEEN1004
15 tháng 5		SEEN1515			SEEN4800					SEEN1005
16 tháng 5		SEEN1516			BAD END					SEEN1006
17 tháng 5		SEEN1517			SEEN4904					SEEN1008
18 tháng 5		SEEN1518			SEEN4999					SEEN1009
--	Image Text								Misc. Fragments	SEEN0001
										SEEN9032
										SEEN9033
										SEEN9034
										SEEN9042
										SEEN9071
										SEEN9074