Miss Caretaker of Sunohara-sou (すのはら荘の管理人さん)

Kay, let's see. If North is this way--

I'm starving. Wanna grab some food?

I've got just the thing!

There's a new cake place down this way.

Everyone's saying it's great,

so I've been meaning to check it out!

You always hear about these things

much sooner than I do.

What colorful characters. That's Tokyo for you.

Hey. Did you see that cutie?

Uh. You mean that girl?

What? Pretty sure they're a boy.

There's no way.

One hundred percent boy. Am I right?

Uh...

Good question.

'Scuse me, could you help me?

The Sunohara House? Oh yeah.

Just keep going down this way

and take a right at the second corner.

Go straight from there, and you'll eventually find it.

I appreciate your help.

You wouldn't happen to be moving into the dorm,

would you?

I am! I'm Aki Shiina, by the way.

It's nice to meet you it's been a pleasure.

Right back atcha, Aki. You take care! See yah around!

Such a cute kid. Ayaka's gonna be pretty happy.

Today's the day I move into my dorm

for the middle school I decided to go to.

Because of my feminine looks,

I wasn't treated like much of a man back home.

But today's the start of a new, masculine life!

To my middle school debut!

Can't I get a better omen

than a sudden torrential downpour?

breathes deeply]

Good afternoon!

Or, not?

Maybe no one's home.

Ah! Guess who!

What are you--?

Nice to meet you! I'm the caretaker of Sunohara House,

Ayaka Sunohara.

Glad you're here. Hope you like it!

The caretaker?

That's me.

I'm the keeper of this place, if you will.

Uh. Okay.

And I take it that you're Aki Shiina?

Hello? Hey.

Well, honestly, it really doesn't matter

who you are right now.

If you don't take off those soaked clothes,

you'll catch a cold, so let's go!

Wait! This is no time to be relaxing!

Nobody warned me there would be a caretaker!

And such a young, pretty lady at that!

But wait, if she works here then that means

we'll be under the same roof until I graduate.

I'll be living with that beautiful woman

for three years of my life.

-- -- I'm coming in!

It's long been a tradition in this dorm

for the caretaker to wash the new resident's back

on their first day.

Until just recently, grandmother had been doing it.

But she stays at the hospital now.

So starting this year, the duty is all mine.

Dear My Honored Father in Shizuoka,

I trust that you're in good health.

Know that your son is healthy, too.

Tokyo is incredible. So many sights to see!

Are you all right?

Maybe you're used to bathing by yourself,

but don't be embarrassed.

I mean, look. It's just us girls in here.

No need to freak out.

All right. Let's get that back washed, come here.

What? Just us girls?

Now, let's get started, shall we?

Couldn't tell you why, but this hot chick

thinks we're a girl for some reason.

I don't see a reason to correct her, do you?

We must! A real man would tell the truth

and if we want to be manly we will too!

You've got a point.

Now that we have a plan.

Time to execute!

Miss Caretaker. I'm actually--!

Yes?

Oh, never mind.

Hm... Huh... Ah!

Okay I'll tell you. I'm a guy--!

I understand! You're still so young!

Don't worry about size.

Everyone grows at their own pace.

Listen!

I see. That's quite the misunderstanding.

You're the first boy to move in.

Up until now, it's only been girls.

So I just assumed you were a girl too.

Glad that's all cleared up but now that you know I'm a guy,

why are you still here? This is super embarrassing.

Don't be silly. I still haven't washed your back.

I can't leave yet.

Getting a little close there!

It doesn't matter whether you're a boy

or a girl. At the end of the day, you're still a kid.

And remember. I'm the caretaker here.

I take care of you.

Goodness!

Huh? Did I pass out?

For how long? Whatever, it's fine.

For some reason I feel so warm and cozy right now.

Hey now, don't move so much, it tickles!

I can't see... her head.

Whoa, I'm sorry!

I must have passed out in the bath for some reason.

Uh. Yes. I was worried that you might get sick,

laying there in the bathroom.

Wait, I have clothes on? So, does that mean...?

You weren't lying when you said you were a boy, huh?

Sorry about that. Between your face and your name,

I really had no idea until you told me.

I know it doesn't quite make up for it,

but from now on I'll do all I can to make your experience

here a positive one.

Thanks, but I don't need special attention.

Besides, I kinda just want to forget it happened.

And don't you worry!

Your size is perfectly normal for your age and body type!

Not that I would know.

Not helping things!

Anyway, I should really start preparing for lunch.

When everything's done and ready, I'll come get you, okay?

Just be patient.

Whoa, what are doing?

Just absorbing some of your youthful energy!

From the looks of it, she's pretty skilled.

And she does all the work here herself.

She's also really pretty and kind.

It's just...

Oh! Little Aki!

I have my doubts that she plans to treat me like a man.

Um! Excuse me!

Can you do me a favor and not call me "Little Aki?"

Aww. Why not? It sounds so cute! Little Aki!

You really do look so much like a girl, Aki.

Why don't you let your big sister

help you be one even more?

Uh...

Little Aki... Little Aki...

Little Aki.

Sorry!

Oh! The soup.

I thought by coming to Tokyo, I could start over.

That I could make people see me as a man.

But, I guess my life will be the same here, after all.

No, it's too early to lose hope! It's still the first day!

Maybe I can fix this! And be treated like a man!

Go for it, Aki.

Huh?

First step to manhood is showing her that I'm reliable!

Miss Caretaker! I'll help you!

Oh?

I just gotta hang the clothes in this basket, right?

Is this your bra?

I'll take that. I appreciate your eagerness to help,

Little Aki, but this is mostly my stuff,

so I'll take care of it.

So naughty, aren't you?

If you really want,

you can hang up the sheets that are in there.

Uh, yes! Will do!

Next up on the list is the flower beds.

Oh, please! Allow me!

-- --

Now it's time to scrub the floors.

Don't worry, I got it!

Careful, there's wax on the--

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

It's just, I decided to be manlier.

'Cause, ever since I was a kid,

my sister has been telling me how girly I am.

I came to Tokyo alone

because I want to change that about myself.

So I'm trying.

You don't have push yourself so hard.

I'm sorry I didn't consider how you felt.

Obviously, I should be thinking more before I act.