A Star Brighter than the Sun (太陽よりも眩しい星)

I'm sure it'll work out.

Once she gets to know you, she'll definitely fall for you.

You told me that before...

I mean it.

Because I like you, Kamishiro.

You've always been so kind since elementary school,

and I've liked you.

You haven't changed at all since the day we met.

It's not the "like" you feel for a friend.

You've always been my star brighter than the sun.

I hope things work out between you and the person you like.

If you're okay with it, I want us to stay friends.

ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE UP ON SOMEONE YOU LIKE? YEAH.

Wait a sec...

But Iwata said we're friends.

And that there's someone she likes...

Forget what I just said.

I still want us...

to be friends...

I hope things work out with the person you like, Kamishiro.

Iwata!

Excuse me.

Oh...

Can we go in? We want to see the exhibit.

Want to go grab lunch after this?

I'm down.

- Yakisoba for me! - What's wrong?

Dude, you eat that every day.

Oh? Done with your errand, Koki?

Takuya! Cover for me for a bit!

What?

Sae drank my milk for me!

You're lame.

Sae didn't say that!

Sae's trying to be nice.

Deep down, she thinks you're lame.

No, she doesn't.

Doesn't she get a tummy ache from drinking two cartons?

I would.

What...

Is the milk good?

Won't it make you sick?

It's good, don't worry.

Sae, I can carry two boxes, too.

They're light.

Ayukawa!

Have you seen Iwata?

What's going on?

Kamishiro.

I'll explain later!

KAWAHARA MILK

- You can have my takoyaki ! - You can have my takoyaki !

We just swapped our plates. That was pointless.

It wasn't!

Aren't you eating it?

I'm saving it for last.

Guess what, he likes Ayaka.

Do you guys like anyone?

I wonder if Sae likes someone.

I made this with my mom.

Whoa, you made it?

It looks awesome!

Koki, no running in the hallway--

Sorry, Subaru!

I've...

GRADUATION CEREMONY

Girls look weird in kimonos. They look better in regular clothes.

I've always...

always...

always...

I like you. I always have.

Why are you looking around? I'm talking about you, Iwata.

I'm talking to you.

Is it that surprising?

But you said we're friends...

Yeah, we are...

But for me, it was never just that.

You never noticed, though.

What?

I worked so hard, you know.

Everything... even choosing this school...

I came to North High because of you.

Don't cry.

Please, not anymore.

I don't want to make you cry.

You said you liked someone, Iwata.

You wrote it in the notebook.

Did you mean me?

Or was it someone else back then?

That was about you, Kamishiro.

What...

Seriously?

I feel like such an idiot.

Was it all me?

I couldn't look you in the eye and say it, kept dodging things,

but it's always been you for me.

Me too...

It's always been you!

- Iwata-- - Hey! Over here!

Let's have lunch here.

Okay.

Ah, crap.

I need to go back.

Me too... the reception...

It's okay. I got someone.

You got someone?

Oh, Watanabe.

You're helping out?

I'M NOT IN THIS CLASS...

I'll come find you when the fireworks start.

O-Okay...

You staying here, Iwata?

Huh? Oh, no, I'll go back, too.

Let's go.

- So, he couldn't eat all of it. - For real?

Walking next to him now feels different from before.

Oh, shoot. I went outside in my indoor shoes.

Huh? How come?

Well... because...

Even when we talk like we used to, it feels different.

I've always thought this could never happen,

so I just can't believe it.

Kamishiro!

Somebody was calling for you again. Student council room.

Okay! Thanks!

I think I told him I liked him...

and he said he liked me, too?

So, neither of them is here.

Why on earth?

No idea. Iwata wasn't here when I came.

Oh, I saw Iwata running.

Looked like she was crying or something.

I'm just an outsider here, so I'll go.

I wonder what happened.

I guess something happened.

Mio.

Sorry I left the reception.

Did you invite him to the fireworks?

Oh, right. I didn't ask him.

You haven't eaten yet, right, Iwa? Go eat!

Huh? By myself?

I-I need to talk to Mio.

Take my meal tickets! Have mine as well and cheer up!

Okay. I'll go and cheer myself up.

I'm sorry!

It's okay.

Sui,

what happened to your usual just-ask style?

"Just-ask"?!

What about you?

You're not mad she left the reception?

I do have feelings, too.

I can't ask.

I can't ask her.

I mean, Iwa's liked him forever and...

I stirred things up irresponsibly, and it didn't work out!

Calm down.

All we know is that Iwa might have cried,

and Kamishiro went after her.

That definitely means Kamishiro made Iwa cry!

Let's watch the fireworks together, just us three.

Fireworks...

I couldn't tell Sui and Mio what happened.

What happened feels unreal.

It still feels like a one-sided crush.

Oh.

Did you see Koki?

He went running off looking for you.

Oh, yeah, I did.

That was the second time I saw Koki desperately chasing after you.

What?

The sports festival, during the scavenger hunt.

Did you hear what it actually said?

...said "a cute girl", and you came to mind, so...

Not today, but...

Y-Yeah, I heard.