My Awkward Senpai (不器用な先輩。)

Today's the day I'll finally ask Kamegawa out for drinks.

"As..."

"As a thank-you for lending me your umbrella, want to go out for drinks?"

"As a thank-you for lending me your umbrella..."

Would it be better if I said it's my treat?

Hmm...

So then I entered the raffle, and I won!

Wow! That's amazing!

Kamegawa and... Who is that?

Maybe a new hire like him?

I bet it's easier to get along with people in the same age group.

Huh?! Wait, why am I feeling down about this?

As a mature adult, I should be happy to see coworkers getting along smoothly.

You got this, Kamegawa!

A fireworks festival, huh? I'm excited!

You should be thankful for my insanely good luck!

Thank you, O great Hotta-sama!

It's been a while since I went to see fireworks.

Guess I'll invite him out for drinks some other time.

What's this? Are you guys going to the fireworks festival, too?

Wha—

Can we go with you?

What?!

MY AWKWARD SENPAI

"A Yukata Is the Norm For Fireworks Festivals."

Who butts into the conversation of a couple of coworkers

hyped up about goin' to see the fireworks?!

Are they insane?! Don't get in their way!

Oh, yes. If you two don't mind.

We may be in different departments,

but this would be a nice opportunity to get to know each other.

Whaddya mean, "get to know each other"?!

Read the room! Idiot!

Thank you. I feel the same.

Where should we meet up?

Can we pick the spot?

Um...

I'll leave that to you, then.

Oh, no! They're going deeper into the plan!

Give me your contact info, then.

Hey.

This fireworks festival...

Mind if I join you?

Oh, um... Not at all...

Oh! But it'll be harder to get around in a larger group!

Y-You're right!

We'll have to skip it this time.

Maybe next time!

Later.

What? Um, okay...

Behold.

A skill that's only achievable for people who are outcasts...

Um, Senpai...

I was lying about wanting to go.

- Don't worry about it. - Huh?

It's your long-awaited fireworks festival.

You two should enjoy it together.

Could it be that...

they actually wanted to go with those two?!

If this turns out to be a huge misunderstanding, I...

Oh, no... I should have minded my own business.

Um, Senpai!

Wh-What is it?

Would you like to join us, Senpai?

At the fireworks festival!

Nice to meet you. I'm Mio Hotta.

I'm in the Public Relations Department and started at the same time as Kamegawa.

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!

I'm Azusa Kannawa.

It feels as if it's not our first time meeting.

I've heard so much about you from Kamegawa.

Hey! Senpai's busy, so let's move on to the festival...

I was able to win the seated spots for this fireworks festival!

ENTRY RESULTS WINNER - CONGRATULATIONS

Wow. I didn't know fireworks festivals these days needed reservations in advance.

Well, not like I've been to one since I was a li'l kid.

Hotta suggested that we new hires should all go together.

Huh? All the new hires?

Yes, ma'am! All six of us, including Kamegawa and me.

So it wasn't gonna be just the two of 'em...

No, wait. It's gonna be awkward insertin' myself in a group of six juniors.

Wouldn't it be better for the newbies to have fun with each other

without an outsider like me?

Please don't worry about it!

I've been wanting to talk with you for a while now, Kannawa-senpai!

Wh-Why?

Aren't we talking right now?

Oh, I'm sure Senpai must be tired and all, so... Right?

I'm looking forward to it, Kannawa-senpai!

Y-Yeah. Me, too.

It's a festival, so...

Of course people would wear yukata.

I've no idea what would be good.

Come to think of it, I do have that one Mom bought me ages ago that I never wore.

MOM - CALLING

Hello!

- Hi, Mom— - Getting a call from you is so rare, Azusa-chan!

Are you doin' good?

Are ya off work for the day?

What's the matter?

Oh, yeah, um... Hey, Mom?

That yukata you got me a while back—

Yukata!

That yukata, yeah!

It was love at first sight, so I bought it.

But you ended up movin' to Tokyo without even wearin' it once.

Wait! Do you need it?

Yeah. So could ya send me a photo of the yukata?

Could it be a date?!

No!

I-I'm just going to a fireworks festival with some people from work!

Really?

I guess some work places do that.

Oh, I just sent ya the photo!

Never mind. Sorry.

It's a li'l too cutesy for me.

Really?

I even have the hair piece, bag, and geta that go with it!

Oh. Then can you send me those?

Okay!

I'll send ya some cash, so go buy yourself a new yukata!

I'm a working adult.

It's okay. I can buy it with my own money.

Yer right!

Since all you do is play games and never leave the house, you've got the money to spend!

Wh-Whoa...

I dunno what to pick, or how...

I don't even know what I'm doing when I need to buy normal clothes.

Are you shopping for a yukata today?

This area is our new release section.

What kind of style are you looking for?

I'm all right.

Please feel free to let me know if you need any help.

Sure.

I'm so sorry, Ms. Employee Person...

She's just doin' her job...

Kame (turtle)...

I wonder what Kamegawa will...

Wait! Why was I reminded of Kamegawa?!

It's okay!

I may not know what to wear, but I need something!

In situations like this...

Excuse me! I'll take this one!

EVEN BEGINNERS CAN DO IT!! HOW TO PUT ON A YUKATA

Hm? The right side goes over the top and... the left is under?

Wait, which is which for me right now?

H-Here? Hm? Huh?

I thought I could do this by myself, but I could use two more hands!

AN HOUR LATER

I can't do this...

Skitter, skitter...

Oh? Good morning, Kannawa-senpai!

- M-May I speak with you for a bit? - Of course!

You see... About the fireworks festival...

Huh?! Could it be that you have other plans?

No, I don't!

I bought a yukata, and...

What? Are you going to wear a yukata, Senpai?

Aren't you?

I was thinking of just going in my regular clothes.

I-I could have just chosen to wear my normal clothes?

Since I went out to get a yukata,

now I look like someone who's super excited to go!

If you're going to wear a yukata, I'll wear mine, too!

Well, I was also thinking of wearing one since it's a good opportunity,

but I figured everyone else would be wearing regular clothes,

so I thought if I was the only one wearing a yukata...

Which is why I'm so happy to hear that you're going to wear yours!

R-Really?

Oh, sorry.

You were saying... about buying a yukata?

Oh, um... How are you going to put it on?

Hmm...

Some salons can get you ready along with your yukata if you bring it, I think?

But nowadays, there are tutorial videos online.

Just watch those and you'll be set!

Yeah, I suppose.

All right. Time to make a salon reservation.

Hey! I was just chatting with Kannawa-senpai.

With Senpai?

What?

Look forward to Kannawa-senpai in a yukata!

Huh?

- H-Hey! - Senpai in a yukata! Senpai in a yukata!

A yukata...

TODA-KOEN STATION

You guys arrived early today!

Of course we did!

The notorious Kannawa-senpai is coming, right?

- We can't be late if she'll be here. - Yeah!

So, how is she?

What do you mean?

People say she's good at her job, but she's also really scary.

Well, it's true that she takes her job seriously and can be strict...

It's amazing that you can be friendly and hang out

with someone like that privately.

Kamegawa-kun is friendly and kind, after all.

It's not because I'm kind, but because Senpai's—

Oh! Kannawa-senpai!