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

Twenty-two minutes, ten, eleven...

Nice pace!

- I can't run anymore... - If you've hit the goal, you can rest.

I-Iwa...

Apparently, people...

GASP, WHEEZE...

People confess their love during the school festival!

Huh?

I guess we humans are easily swept up in the atmosphere.

Exactly! The atmosphere! It's magic!

The atmosphere... magic?

Yes! There'll be a campfire at the after-festival party, right?

The folk dance got scrapped after a student rebellion ten years ago,

but now they play requested songs and everyone dances freely.

And that's when people confess, right when their requested song comes on!

Isn't that awesome?

Why not roll with it, Iwa?

Sui, Iwa has her own way of...

I know! Just in case, just saying it's one way to go.

I see.

That's great.

I'll give it a shot...

I'll confess.

I want you to see me as a man.

I've always seen you that way.

Huh? What?

Why are you the one who's freaking out?

Was I being too pushy? You mean it?

I mean, there's no way he'd ever figure it out unless I confessed.

I've liked you all along.

Iwata.

I saw you finish. Second place, right?

You sure are fast.

Huh? You came in third?

Or is that a peace sign?

You've gotten faster since junior high.

Iwa?

Just thinking about confessing made me so nervous.

We're not there yet! You okay?

I'm okay.

I'm still figuring out what to say...

but I want to tell him everything I've been holding in all this time.

After the midterm exams next month, the school festival is waiting for you.

Actually, the real fun comes at the after-festival party.

Well, you first-years probably...

PFFT, HEH HEH...

...don't know yet.

But, if you know, you know...

Teacher...

Anyway,

we need to decide on the committee members for the festival.

One boy and one girl.

This is your chance!

I'll nominate Kamishiro. Do it with him, you'll bond more!

What? Well, um...

Oh, you're volunteering, Iwata?

Then, for the boy, someone you're close to would be best.

Uh, teacher...

Ayukawa.

Huh? Are we... close?

Wait, shouldn't that be me?

Are we close?

Hey, teacher, maybe don't put everything on Iwata.

She's got club practice, you know. Izawa seems like a good choice, though.

So you're saying I'm dependable?

I'll do it. I'm not in any club.

Wow, volunteers just keep coming. Amazing.

Teacher, I didn't volunteer...

Okay, our school festival committee members are Izawa and Kagawa!

Give them a big hand!

Let's go get that win!

Win what?

Are you relieved?

Yeah, I wasn't too keen on it.

Me neither...

but I figured I wouldn't mind if it was with you.

Huh?

I wonder what's happening at the after-party.

You know anything?

People confess their love!

Looks like you do.

Okay, since it's time, let's get started.

I'm Subaru Kamishiro from the third year.

I was chosen as committee chair by student council vote.

I'm overseeing the whole school festival,

so if you're not sure about something or who to ask,

and I know first-years might be, feel free to ask me anything.

Let's make it absolutely amazing and unforgettable for everyone!

And now, teachers, please cover your ears. This part isn't for you.

We've now set up the request box for campfire songs.

Please drop in your requests!

Oh... the famous confession time.

Just so you know, I don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend!

Me neither!

Let's go!

She's single?

She's dazzling.

But she thinks of Kamishiro as a child, right?

I'm sorry, Kamishiro.

I'm sorry I felt relieved when I found out she didn't have feelings for you.

I'm sorry that made me happy.

Grade champs?

That's us. I've got faith in this class!

First-years will be doing classroom exhibits.

I'd like to start by deciding on a theme.

We can do this!

Each class will use their own room for the exhibit.

The student council gave us a ¥30,000 budget.

I believe in us!

- Does anyone have any ideas? - Believe in yourselves!

Believe in Izawa! Let's win this!

They're totally out of sync, it's hilarious.

Apparently, there's a vote for the grand prize.

Oh, really?

I heard the teachers are the ones judging.

I looked into what kinds of exhibits were done in previous years.

- Let's get hyped! - Think it over before our next meeting.

Kagawa's doing such a great job! It's like she's the only class rep.

That's it for today's extended homeroom session.

Always at max, my goals are deluxe!

Hope I can come up with something for the exhibit...

Sorry.

That was my stomach growling.

Don't mind it.

Oh, right. Ayukawa's bento is always pretty small.

I'm broke at the end of the month.

Oh, I've got two pieces of bread today, want one?

Whichever you like.

Really?

Thank you.

I'll pay you once I get money from home.

Oh, don't worry, they're just leftovers from home.

What's up? You hungry, Ayukawa?

Want this?

Oh, jelly drink. That might be better.

Maybe bread is too heavy on an empty stomach?

Maybe I'll go with bread.

Ayukawa prefers bread?

Which one do you want? This one?

Is it okay if I take this one?

Thanks.

So Ayukawa is a bread person, huh?

Well, the jelly is lukewarm.

Kamishiro's so kind.

Okay then, I'm off to club practice.

Are you okay?

I'm okay...

Sorry, I'm sorry!

See you!

Ah, did Kamishiro see that?

I totally messed up... I'm so embarrassed.

So, you live in the dorm, Ayukawa?

Iwata told me.

Maybe that's why you seem kind of mature.

I haven't really changed since moving into the dorm, though.

Yeah?

So you've always been this way.

Kamishiro.

You and Iwata are friends, right?

Yeah, we are.

So it's okay if I invite Iwata for shogi again, like the other day, right?

If I said no, you wouldn't invite her?

Huh? I'll still invite her. It's not really your business.

You're not making any sense.

If Kamishiro's cousin fell for someone, she would probably go all in.

- Is there room for ours? - There is.

- Okay, in it goes! - Oh, that's the request box?

So, what did you request?

"Just a Sunny Day for You" by Yorushika.

I put in Ado's "Show."

How nice...

Can I really confess my feelings? Will the words come out the way I want?

I wonder what Kamishiro will think if I say I like him.

Oh, that's Kamishiro's cousin's painting...

What...

This is terrible.

It looks like...

I did this, doesn't it?

Did you see who did it?

Huh?

I've got a lot of enemies.

What's wrong? Did something happen?

Someone messed with my painting.

It's not Iwata.

I know.

She wouldn't do that.

You're actually pretty straightforward.

It is what it is. Some people just do stuff like this.

It was a beautiful painting...

You're so sweet, Sae. I like you!

She might treat Kamishiro like a child, but she's not a bad person.

Um...

I'm sorry if I came off rude the other day.

The other day?

Not at all. Thanks, though.

I've been thinking about what you said, and maybe you were right.

What? What does that mean?

Koki, hold this. I'm heading to the student council room.

Okay.

Look at you! Definitely not a kid anymore.