Go for It, Nakamura-kun!! (ガンバレ！中村くん！！)

Anybody who hasn't submitted their club preference,

do so.

Quickly.

The handout you're receiving right now

is for tomorrow's Home Ec cooking class.

Make sure you read through it,

so you're prepared for the activity.

My name's Okuto Nakamura.

I'm 15 years old,

and as of this spring, a student at Hoshimi High School.

Your typical first year.

And one more thing,

I'm full-on, head-over-heels in love...

Well, that's all I've got for you.

...with a classmate of mine.

Here.

I hope you like cooking!

Aiki Hirose!

You still have your handkerchief?

Of course I do.

The very first time I saw Hirose

was at the opening day ceremony.

I'm all the way from Middle School Number One!

Cool, I'm from Number Three!

If you went to Three, do you know my boy Yamada?

Oh, yeah. I sure do.

Then let's add Yamada to our group chat,

if that's cool with you guys.

Ah! Look! There we are!

We're both in the same class!

Uh? Oh, thank God!

Hooray!

We're together in high school, too!

We lucked out!

Best news ever!

I see lots of new faces.

So please join me and welcome them with open arms.

We feel very fortunate to have you joining us

here at Hoshimi High.

We wish you a fruitful academic year

and vow to give you all the tools for success.

- -I'm sure you're full

of both hopes and fears right now.

But don't worry, Hoshimi High is a place

we can all come together

-to focus on education... -

He has a head full of curly, shiny chestnut hair.

And big, round, gleaming eyes full of curiosity.

And sun-kissed skin.

Hm? Is that how it works?

He's expressive and full of life.

But my favorite feature?

A smile that gives me the warm fuzzies!

It was a complete shock to my system.

Love at first sight.

That was a month ago.

And I've made zero progress since.

Your parents' PTA attendance check sheets are due.

Bring them tomorrow.

Put them on my desk before class.

'Kay.

We're not even friends yet.

In fact, we haven't even spoken to each other!

Since the first day I saw him,

I've been patient, waiting for the right opportunity

to talk to him.

But I haven't even found a chance

to properly look him in the eye.

No more!

One second longer and I'm gonna explode!

That's all for now. Who's on day duty?

Stand.

Today's the day, I'm gonna talk to Hirose!

Bow.

We will be friends before the sun sets!

Hirose, let's head home.

Oh, right. Give me, like, one sec.

Staying late again?

I sort of forgot about yesterday's homework.

Stop stressing, it'll be fine.

I've simulated every possible conversation in my head

since the first day of school.

You do homework, nerd?

- Of course I do! - It'll be perfect.

- Hello, Hirose. - Hm?

How are you on this fine day?

Good. Hey, Nakamura.

You and me, at a top-of-the-line café!

I'll treat you to high tea.

Can't say no to that!

Like I said. Perfect.

Uh...

Right. Come on, Nakamura.

I've rehearsed this in my head a thousand times.

My days of fantasizing are over!

It's time to do it for real.

Ah!

He dropped his eraser!

That's good. That's an in!

So, now I, uh...

Wait, why am I being

such a weenie?

It's not that different than what I had in my head.

Here, you dropped your eraser.

Thank you, Nakamura!

I'm not inviting him out on a date.

I'm just asking if he wants to go to a café.

Even the neighborhood cat could do that!

Let's paws for a latte!

Hey, we're gonna leave you!

Sorry, I'm almost ready.

I promise, it won't take much longer.

Uh? If I don't hurry up

-and say something, he'll leave. - We'll wait outside.

Cool. Thanks.

Softly, naturally...

normally, like no big deal.

- Done-zo! -

Hm?

Hmm?

Mmm...

Hmm?

I absolutely, positively can't do it!

My mind goes blank every time I see his face.

But on the bright side,

we locked eyes for the first time.

Wow. He looked so cute.

- - Uh?

Uh?

That's enough. I give up for today.

Uh?

Hirose didn't even notice it.

Hirose...

Hm?

How, now... Your hanky, my lord.

You so saved me, Nakamura.

Seems like you're always staying after class these days.

I can help you with your homework sometime.

Just say the word.

Yeah! That'd be rad!

I look forward to it!

Let's go!

It's a natural starting point for a conversation,

and he'll think I'm really cool.

Am I brilliant or is this divine inspiration?

No! It's destiny!

Oh, hey, Hirose?

You dropped something.

But I'm supposed to save the day!

Stop it, trollop!

You can't have this!

He's mine!

Uh...

Uh...

Uh?

Hey, you dropped this.

Take it.

So...

Why did you step on it?

Huh?

I screwed everything up!

I'm so dumb, I just know he totally hates me!

Icchan, not only was I a pathetic weirdo,

I crushed his hanky!

I should've just handed it over like a normal person.

I can't even talk to him.

I doubt we'll ever be friends at this point.

Huh?

What's that, bud?

I think you're right.

It's way too soon to give up.

My high school life has only just begun.

Time is on my side,

and I'll have a billion more chances to talk to him.

I'm ready! Your papa's got this in the bag!

I swear on your life and mine

that I'm gonna become friends with him, Icchan!

Bro, stop! You're killing me!

Good morning, class! I hope you brought

the ingredients you were supposed to.

I'm excited for us to get to it.

Today, we're making cucumber salad,

-miso soup, and grilled fish. -Do you cook much at home?

Mm-mm. My mom won't let me.

I have the fish

and other perishable ingredients up here.

Each group can send one representative to get them.