Tomo-chan Is a Girl! (トモちゃんは女の子！)

I love you, Jun, okay? So...

It's cool if you wanna respond.

It was right after I started high school,

when I decided to make that confession.

I thought it was pretty obvious that I was confessing my love!

Can't believe it took you so long to tell me that.

But then...

Love ya, too, my friend. Come on. Bump!

Bump. Yeah.

Dude doesn't get it.

Not a word I said, or that I'm even a girl!

But it's true.

I, Tomo Aizawa, am a girl!

"I Want to Be Seen as a Girl!"

I'm out!

Hey, what's up, Tomo?

Uh-- Oh, hey.

So, this guy. Junichiro Kubota.

He grew up next door to me

and we've hung out together since we were kids.

We went to different grade schools

and only played together as neighbors,

but that changed in middle school.

We can finally walk home together!

Oh, wow.

That's a strange way to make a fresh start.

Why're you wearing a skirt, bro?

Huh?!

That was the first time I realized it.

I wasn't just his friend, he actually saw me as a guy!

We're about to miss the bus.

Giddyap!

Somethin' wrong?

That slimy little punk.

You suck.

Forgot to mention I also know karate.

Hi there!

Mornin'!

Good morning!

Morning.

Jun is so stupid!

Is he gonna treat me like a dude for the rest of our lives?

I think you should say something to him for me, Misuzu!

Well, I disagree.

Look, I'm saying this as someone who's been a friend

to you both for many years.

I think you're getting exactly what you deserve.

Huh?

You only play the games that boys play.

In middle school, you even fought

with kids from other schools.

Uh...

And while I'm listing things, back in kindergarten,

when I asked you to play house or dolls with me...

Every single time, you told me no.

Well, I'm sorry about that.

At this point, it might be easier for you

to just become a boy.

Do you think that you ever would?

Why would you ask me that?

I mean, seriously! I'm freaking out here.

Are you gonna start treating me like a guy, too?

It would be easier for me, honestly.

But unlike Junichiro, the things I've seen dispel all denial.

You're definitely female.

Anyway, the first thing I'd address is your speech.

Yeah, like how?

I can't start talking all girly overnight.

Then maybe you should start by softening your tone a bit?

Less blunt, more polite.

Mm...

You're buying lunch, right? So what're you gonna get?

Me? Heavens! Couldn't say.

But thank you for asking.

Hah! You sound like an old man.

Why are you talkin' that way?

No, he didn't.

He did not just call me an old man!

What the hell's your problem?

For real? Only problem I have is you!

Say it again, punk!

Can't hear, old man?

Uh! Wait! Stop! Time out!

You told me to say it to you again!

And then I told you to stop, so knock it off!

I'm home.

That you, Tomo?

What is going on with your face?

Rude! I got in a fight with Jun.

You fought with Junnie-boy?

I hope you won, at least! Please tell me you won?

Tomo!

Yeah right, like I could beat him!

Don't be a wuss!

You're gonna be teaching the Aizawa method here one day!

That's got nothing to do with it!

You know he's not a wuss 'cause you taught him karate!

Ah--

And I'm a girl, so it wasn't a fair fight!

What did you just say? Go to the dojo right now!

I'm gonna beat some guts back into you!

Oh, shut your trap, old man!

Your stupid method doesn't work!

That's the reason I got beat in the first place!

This is your fault!

You've lost your mind, kid!

C'mon, Tomo, I said I was sorry about yesterday.

And you hit me first, what was I supposed to do?

Um. Hi?

Actually, you've been hitting me a lot lately

for absolutely no reason at all! But you can make it up to me

by shooting that juice out of your nose!

Shut it now!

I'm being real with you, man.

I don't get it. But I apologize.

Can we be cool now?

Life's so boring when you're not around, and you know it.

How long do you plan to keep ignoring me?

I don't think I can take much more.

He always gets like this the day after we fight.

What is he trying to do to me?

All right, fine. I'm done ignoring you.

Oh, sweet! Who's awesome?

The best buddy in the world, am I right?

That's me. Besties for life.

How is he so oblivious to it all?

You know, I was thinking.

You and Junichiro always walk to school together.

And aren't you usually hanging out

during the school day as well?

I mean, sure. I guess.

Right.

So why am I the only one you ever eat lunch with?

Well, think about it.

If I ate lunch with a dude,

that would give everyone the wrong idea!

It might look like we're dating!

I wish you could hear your voice.

You would rather eat lunch with him, though. Right?

Uh-- Misuzu?

Don't worry. I'll handle everything.

Whoa, whoa, wait! What exactly are you handling?

All three of us can eat together.

Absolutely not! Anything but that!

You don't mind, do you, Junichiro? Eating with us?

What's this about, Gundo?

Be real.

What did I do to deserve this honor?

I'm not thrilled about it, either.

This is why I begged her not to do this!

These two hate the crap out of each other!

Hey, that fried chicken looks good.

It's pretty awesome. Here.

It's delicious!

Sweet DNA!

He just low-key made out with my chopsticks!

Yo, yo, yo, Kubojun!

Oh, hey, Tanabe.

You gotta fill me in.

How far have you gotten with ol' Aizawa?

What do you mean?

Aw, dude! Don't play me like that!

You know what I mean!

How long have you two been playing

"the forbidden contact sport?"

I'm not sure which sport you're talking about.

Oh, that? We've done it since we were kids.

What? Are you for real?

Dude, that body is killer!

I bet she's been wearing you out!

Yeah, those legs and feet. Tomo knows how to use them.

Her feet? Man, that's hardcore!

I overheard Junichiro telling another guy

that you two play "hardcore contact sports" together.

He doesn't do anything hardcore.

Wait. Karate?

Different "sport."

Huh?

Jun, you pathetic asshole!

Uh. Someone's in a mood today.

Whoa! Cut it out!

Hey, Tanabe? Can I talk to you?

Who, me? Uh, yeah. Whatcha got?

Sparring? My 'B!

Yeah. Those two aren't dating at all.

Junichiro doesn't even look at Tomo as an actual girl.

Huh?! Uh, is he not aware of her "personality?"

I hear what you're saying.

And you're disgusting.

Whatever. You get it.

Wow, I had no idea their relationship was so bizarre.

How's it bizarre?

I just don't buy that neither of them

has any feelings at all for the other one.

What can I do to give them a push?

Don't you dare.

Right. Sorry.

Guess I prob'ly shouldn't be

gettin' all up in your friends' love drama.

Tanabe. You've only known Junichiro