You Can't Be in a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends! (幼馴染とはラブコメにならない)

If there's one thing I love, it's rom-coms.

And everyone knows the best rom-coms

are between childhood friends.

Problem is, no one's childhood friends

actually do or say stuff like that.

What are we exactly?

Merely childhood friends?

Or something more?

How long until you finally take me as your wife?

I wanna get down and dirty.

And also... I love you.

Sorry, but these feelings are all brand-new to me.

In stories, sure.

But in real life? No way.

Trust me, I know.

And yet...

Are you freaking kidding me?

Hey Shio! Where are you?

I told you to stop sneaking in through my window!

What the-

Oh, come on, seriously?!

What do you think you're doing?

Shio, stop it!

This is how it always goes with us.

What could come next...

but a steamy rom-com scene.

Shio.

As if!

Hey, knock it off already!

Oh, hey you... What you doing?

Wait, what are you doing?

Pervert. Pervert.

What are you doing in my bed?!

It's all your fault! What am I supposed to do

when you leave the lock on your window broken?

You could always not break in.

Just get out of here.

Fine.

Okay, see you down at the front door.

And don't use the window again, dammit!

Oh, come on.

Nothing wrong with taking a shortcut.

Hey, Shio.

Yes?

You moron!

Your underwear!

She's my childhood friend.

We've been inseparable since we were born.

And nothing much has changed.

Always something with that girl.

To start seeing her as a woman after all this time

is unthinkable.

Then again...

Damn, that was lewd!

Took you long enough, Eiyu!

Let's go.

Hey, what are you doing? Let go of me!

Why, what's the problem?

I mean, we're just childhood friends.

There it is.

This is what reality's like.

She doesn't feel that way about me.

What's wrong with me?

I'm here having all these pervy thoughts.

If she ever found out...

How could you, you creep?

Yeah, I'm taking this to my grave.

Why isn't he getting all worked up?

My boobs are right up against him.

Take that!

And that!

Would you let go of me already?

You're making it hard to walk.

Why is he always so cold to me?

How can he not see how incredibly, ridiculously,

tremendously, unbelievably hard I'm trying to seduce him?

I swear it! I will make his heart mine, no matter what!

Secret art, rom-com cliché, Hachaa!

Watch where you put your hands!

Not bad, huh? I've been studying

those rom-com books of yours and practicing for this.

You love this kind of thing, don't you?

How about it, Eiyu?

My hands? I don't know what you're talking about.

You can be so clumsy sometimes.

He's ignoring it!

Let's go.

Oh, crap, that was way too close.

Come on, facial muscles, bear with me.

Hold on!

I think I sprained my widdle ankle.

Secret art, cutesy act! That work for you?

Pwease don't weave me.

Huh?

Hey, are you okay?

He looks like he's genuinely worried about me.

Wait. Why are you so prepared?

You really just carry around a first aid kit?

Duh, 'cause you're always so reckless.

You jump between our windows, we're on the second floor.

I've got to be ready to take care of you.

No! Damn it! Damn it all!

Does it still hurt?

Oh, no.

Good, then let's get moving, yeah?

Hey, wait for me!

I mean, I don't need help walking or anything.

I was just thinking...you know.

Oh, yeah, that's it! You know how you take

your sweet time if I don't drag you along.

-I don't wanna! I don't wanna! -Come on now, let's go!

How long ago was that?

Oh no, my ankle is starting to hurt pretty bad.

Maybe I do need help, just to be safe, you know?

Fine, whatever, dude.

Thanks so much!

Yep, we're always like this.

A couple of close, childhood friends.

No matter how romantic it starts to feel,

there's just no way we could cross that line.

We'll always be friends, and nothing more.

Oh, we're almost at the main street.

Oh, yeah.

What will people think seeing us walk out like this?

Huh, beats me.

Not like I care.

Wait, wait, wait. No way!

Is this for real?

Are we really doing this?

Shio, do you know what you're doing right now?

We're nearly in the special finger-lock position!

This is getting dangerously close to a rom-com.

Eiyu? Shio?

- Ouh, Akarin! - Ouh, Akari!

Uh... I can explain.

It's not what you think!

I can't believe what I'm seeing right now.

Maybe I should take a photo.

Your moms will want to see this.

Hang on a minute!

Look at that!

I'm laughing so hard I can barely control my hands.

And what exactly is so funny?

Just let me explain.

Don't you dare touch me!

You better keep your grubby fingers

away from Shio, while you're at it!

-What? -Akarin, just listen!

If you ever do anything to upset Shio,

then it's my duty as your childhood friend

to teach you a lesson.

You horny little monkey.

Huh? Horny?

Later.

Wait a second! I'm no horny monkey!

Drop dead!

What is wrong with you?

You got it all wrong.

We weren't doing anything.

I was just trying to drag Eiyu with me to school.

Yeah, that's right, this is all Shio's fault!

Jeez, you two. How dumb are you?

Don't be so misleading.

It can't be! Was I the only one getting all worked up before?

That was close.

So she really didn't mean anything by it.

If I had gone ahead and tried locking fingers with her...

Are you for real?

You caught feelings for your childhood friend?

I'm so sorry, I think you have the wrong idea.

Yeah, just kill me now.

I guess you really can't be in a romcom

with a childhood friend.

Oh, dear, she's starting to get the jump on me.

What do I do? It's almost too late.

Those two might really get together soon.

So, why can't I?

Don't you dare touch me.