Sasaki and Miyano (佐々木と宮野)

You think you can just pick a fight

and then walk away?

I'm not trying to fight with you.

Sorry, it's too late for the innocent routine!

Is this really happening?

I usually only see people get bullied like this in manga!

But it's kind of cliche nowadays,

even for Boys' Love stories!

What's up, Miyano?

Hirano! I'm behind the south building

and there's a student getting beat up by three guys!

I don't know what I should do!

I have to stop this!

Hey.

You hold this. I'll go and break it up.

Huh? Who's he?

But--

Here.

Huh? What do you want?

I'm here to clean up.

Hey, you okay?

You should get out of here.

Um, thanks.

Are you kidding me with this?

I admired my upperclassman in secret

as I watched him march into the fray.

Miyano! Good morning!

Good morning, Sasaki.

Look at you, Mya, you're as cute as ever today.

Will you cut it out?

For the hundredth time: don't call me cute.

You know I'm self-conscious about how feminine my face is.

Fine, then you're an inner-cutie!

Not really the adjustment I was hoping for.

How did we end up like this?

Recently, Sasaki's been overdoing it

with the physical contact.

Hey, Mya! What's up?

You want me to put you in slash art?

'Cause I'll do it if you don't cut it out!

Go right ahead, it doesn't bother me!

Well, it would bother me!

By the way, what's slash art?

It's probably better if you stay in the dark.

And please don't ask your friends about it, either.

Wait, is slash art related to "moe"?

Or that "seme" or "uke" stuff, maybe?

I can never keep track.

No! Those words are way more embarrassing

coming from a non-otaku's mouth!

Oh yeah, you like manga, right?

Got any good recs?

Here we go.

Normies always end up asking for recommendations.

I dunno, what kind of manga are you usually into, Sasaki?

Well, I guess recently I was kind of digging

this cool shoujo series that my sister was reading.

But I want to try something you like.

Okay, but this is all I have on me!

Oh, you don't mind if I borrow it? Thanks a ton!

But you have to promise me that

you'll only look at it in your room!

And whatever you do, you can't take it out of the bag

unless you're alone!

Basically, treat it like it's a toxic substance!

Also, I don't want you to assume anything about me

just because I like reading this stuff.

I mean, not that there's anything wrong...

Right. I get it.

Good morning, Mya.

Hey, Sasaki, how's it going?

That manga from yesterday. I read it.

Yeah? And what did you think of it?

I liked that one part at the end where

the two guys were in the hotel together--

Shh-shh-shh-shh-shh!

Look, rule number one!

No matter what, you should never

discuss that kind of subject matter

in front of random people at school, do you hear me?

It's way too awkward!

Oh, uh, sure thing, sorry.

Well, now that it's just you and me.

I can't exactly say I have any experience

reading that kind of manga.

So yeah, it caught me off guard at first, but I really liked it!

At first, I assumed it was a typical detective story.

But then the romance between the two guys started

and it was really good!

I liked how in spite of everything

the main character was dealing with,

he pushed through and made it work.

And then by the end,

he ended up way stronger because of it.

It was a great story. I loved it.

Right? It's so good, isn't it?

What did you think of the uke?

That's what they call the more submissive character

in the BL pairing, in case you didn't know that term.

Uh, okay.

The uke is usually small and cute

and kind of a crybaby,

but sometimes, he turns out to be

the more masculine half of the couple!

Uh, right, got it.

So, the part at the end. I liked that a lot, too.

Oh, yeah, same here!

Actually, if I had to pick a favorite moment

of the whole manga, that would be the one!

I think it's a really nice way to express how happy

the characters are in that moment, don't you?

Yeah, definitely.

I wasn't sure what you would say about it, since it's BL,

but I'm so happy to hear...

Damn it.

The author's one of my favorites.

She writes about couples who are so different from each other

and shows them being so happy together!

He's so cute.

Hey, uh... Mya?

What's up?

Lend me another one.

Uh--

Delivery for Mya!

Wait, what?

Lately, he's been stopping by to see me so much

that it's starting to feel a bit excessive.

I want you to have these cookies

that I made in cooking class.

Thanks for the manga.

Oh. Thanks, that's nice.

They're not super-sweet though. I hope you don't mind.

Actually, I'm not into sweets anyway, so it's perfect.

Oh, great! Later, then.

What was that? Didn't know the two of you had

a "homemade cookies" level relationship.

It's not like that!

Isn't he a delinquent or something, though?

You sure he's not bad news?

Seriously, it's okay. He's actually a really nice guy.

Mm... If you say so.

Miyano?

Hi, Hirano!

Listen, I noticed Sasaki's been

visiting your classroom a lot recently.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, it's great! I mean, awful.

I'm pretty down in the dumps,

could you tell me about your love life

to make me feel better?

Yeah, no.

Read through this committee paperwork.

You got it.

But hey, don't think you can fool me.

I saw you chatting up that basketball player

from Class 1-A, you know.

The one with the really nice smile?

You sure you can't give me any details

about your relationship--

I'm sorry about that, Hirano. I got a little carried away.

Yeah, I'll say.

He's my dorm roommate, nothing more, got it?

I see, living together in close quarters, huh?

Now that's a juicy premise!

Back to the subject at hand.

I'm the one who told Sasaki

which class you're part of in the first place,

so I'd feel bad if he was harassing you,

you know, since you're my underclassman and all.

Uh, right.

Hey, there you are, Mya!

I'll get rid of him.

Um, thanks, I guess?

I told you, don't wander into

other grades' classrooms for no reason!

Haha! Joke's on you, I have a reason, so there!

Just don't be late to class!

Yeah, thanks, Mom.

So did you need something?

Yup. I'm here to return the manga from yesterday.

Okay, let's talk somewhere else!

Something wrong?

It's just... I'm a fudanshi,

so I try to stay under the radar, that's all.

Hm?

And since upperclassmen like you attract attention,

I'd rather we talk here.

Okay.

So, the manga, how'd you like it?

I thought it was awesome!

Guess I like comedies.

Good to know.

Whatcha doin'?

I'm writing down all of your preferences.

Gotta make sure I remember them for next time.

Wow, you're thorough.

So cute.

By the way, Mya.

You really don't eat sweet stuff?

No, it makes my stomach upset.