Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu (ひとりぼっちの○○生活)

My name is Honshou Aru. I'm the class vice president.

Today I realized I was carrying an elementary school backpack,

instead of the school's designated bag.

School Route

Yes, yes, I know I'm unfortunate.

But I keep that secret from everyone else.

Right now, I'm thinking up excuses to explain this situation.

Okay, got one.

This is the start of another perfect day for me.

Aru, morning!

Oh, Hana-chan, morning!

Wait, why do you have an elementary school backpack?

Oh, this?

My cousin made a mess of my bag.

Using a normal bag would violate school rules, you know?

So this was my only option left.

I see. You're too responsible, Aru.

What you're doing is weird.

Is it?

So easy.

But it's cute!

You're embarrassing me!

It suits you perfectly, though, doesn't it?

As long as I typically remain diligent,

that can explain a few things that are out of place.

That's what everyone will think.

But there are at least a few who know my true nature.

One is...

Nako!

She's dangerous!

Happens All the Time

But then they suddenly stopped.

Y-Yeah?

Hey, are you listening?

I-I'm listening. I'm listening.

It's Nako.

She'll see through me in an instant.

Wow. Did you really mistake an elementary school backpack for your normal bag?

How unfortunate.

Who are you calling unfortunate?!

That's exactly how it would play out.

So then they were wearing this really funny outfit...

R-Really?

What's the matter?

It's nothing. It's nothing.

I want to avoid interacting with her in front of this girl.

Oh, well...

Ah!

Huh?

My leg cramped!

My leg's completely cramped!

A-Are you okay?

Just let me rest for a moment.

You should stretch it out.

I'm fine. I'm fine.

I'm fine.

Wow. Did you really—

If it isn't Nako! Morning!

What's with you?

I have a name.

Oh, Sunao-san, good morning.

G-Good morning.

Well, I'll go on ahead.

Talk to you later!

Does that girl think I'm scary, too?

Who cares about any of that?!

I told you it's taboo

to keep up this "unfortunate" campaign in front of other people!

What?!

I'm not campaigning to make you unfortunate.

That's just your reality.

Don't avert your eyes from it.

Don't patronize me!

Though, you're right.

At this rate, I'll need to act even more diligent than usual,

or I'll start standing out.

Aru-chan's quite diligent,

coming to school with an elementary school backpack, instead of a bag.

Is that a substitution technique?

The Aru-chan everyone knows is surely the perfect class vice president.

It's impossible for her to be unfortunate.

So I'll take more initiative than usual.

I'll act like the perfect me!

Now, would someone read this page?

Yes!

Okay, Honshou-san.

Yes, your pronunciation was quite good.

Yes, perfect!

But what I wanted you to read was the next page.

God damn it!

Now, would someone read page 36?

Yes!

Okay, Honshou-san.

With a heavy heart, I count the days that have passed since,

and I fear I may hurt my fingers as it reaches past twenty, then thirty days.

Very good. Perfect.

However, I wanted you to read the next page.

It pains me so!

Now, would—

This time!

Honshou-san.

Greater than or equal to!

Yes, that's correct.

Yes! That makes up for the others!

Current Me ≥ Perfect Me

It was greater than or equal!

Or it should have been...

My name is Honshou Aru. I'm the class vice president.

Today, I realized I was wearing a full elementary school uniform instead of my actual one.

School Route

Yes, yes, I know I'm unfortunate.

But I keep that secret from everyone else.

Right now, I'm thinking up excuses to explain this situation.

I can't think of anything after doing this two days in a row.

This might be it for me this time.

Even if it means being late today,

I need to get home and change without anyone noticing.

Morning, elementary-schooler!

Oh, hello.

Hana-chan?!

Aru?!

I'm finished.

I'm finished.

I'm finally finished.

My perfect middle-school life...

Oh, are you Aru's little sister?

Wow, Aru has a little sister!

You look just like her!

Nice to meet you.

I'm Honshou Mieru.

Mieru-chan, huh?

I'm Yamada Hanako.

It's my pleasure.

You're such a good girl, so well-behaved.

Safe!

Thank God Hana-chan's so easy to fool.

Your older sister Aru is very responsible, too.

Huh?

Oh, well...

You're right. Aru is rather perfect.

Well, give Aru my regards.

Thank goodness.

I see, though.

I can just pretend to be somebody else.

Okay, then I'll act like someone else until I get home—

Nako!

I'm Aru's little sister, Honshou Mieru.

There's no way!

Nako!

You, are you serious?

Don't take pictures!

"I'm Honshou Mieru!"

If you keep laughing, I'll hurt you.

You already are.

Listen. I'm going home to change, so I'll be late,

but don't say anything weird.

I mean it this time!

Don't worry.

There's nothing weirder than you, Honshou Mieru.

Don't call me "Mieru"!

Damn Nako.

But I guess people who know me would figure it out.

I need to be careful.

S-Sor—

Sor—

Sorr—

S—

Bocchi hasn't figured it out.

S—

Sor—

Sor—

Master, you're mistaken. That's Aru.

S—

Huh?

Oh, Aru-chan.

No.

I'm Honshou Aru's little sister, Honshou Mieru!

Little sister?

Oh, pardon me.

Your big sister does a lot for me.

I'm Sotoka Rakita, Master's apprentice.

They're easily fooled.

Y-Your big sister is always kind to me.

Um, I was really happy when she...

became my friend.

E-Excuse me.

Farewell.

Bocchi.

Sorry. It's me, Aru.

Aru-chan.

The substitution technique again?!

It's Aru-chan! Good morning!

How do you tell people apart, Bocchi?

Still, why are you...?

Sorry.

I was embarrassed about others seeing me as unfortunate

for wearing an elementary school uniform.

No, I'm happy, since it's as if I got to meet the elementary school you.

I wish we had gone to the same elementary school.

Jeez.