Handa-kun (はんだくん)

My name is Kondo Yukio.

I'm a normal high-school student.

I'm average at studies and athletics.

I have a few good friends I get along with.

I'm living a normal but good school life.

Morning.

Y-Yeah!

M-Morning!

See ya!

Huh?

Well, that was a bit cold there.

Was it something I did?

Oh?

Morning, Yuki-kun.

As usual, you have got a dull look about you.

What do you mean "dull"?

You should learn a thing or two from Handa-san.

He's looking good, as usual.

His eyes are sharp as usual, too.

Hm...?

Hm?

Hm? What's the matter?

I feel like I'm being watched...

Watched? You?

Never mind already.

Something's definitely not right.

Morning, Yukicchi!

Carefree as usual, aren't you, Reo-kun?

What? What? Something bothering you?

We can talk, you know?

We can have a meeting after school at the Handa Force secret headquarters

You guys are just going to make fun of me.

Of course not!

I bet you're bothered because you have nothing bothering you.

You're making fun of me, all right.

You noticed?

I can't seem to get used to Reo-kun's overly friendly playboy attitude.

I guess any guy would be like that if girls were constantly attracted to him.

Hm?

Wha—?! What the heck?!

There's a heart-shaped sticker right on it!

Okay, we're going to begin with biology class.

It's pretty obvious...

This is a love letter!

I've barely even spoken with any girls before.

We'll be making pressed flowers again today.

And suddenly something like this comes to me?!

First, choose the flower you want to press.

What am I supposed to do with this love letter?

Put a weight on it, and it should be done in about a week.

Maybe I should talk to Reo-kun.

No! I can't!

It's bad manners to show a love letter to others!

But this may not be a love letter at all!

But if it isn't a letter of love, maybe it's a letter of...

Kondo-kun, what will you use your pressed flower for?

A postcard? A bookmark?

...ha-rass-ment!

What?!

Oh, I see...

Harassment using pressed flowers.

That's a new one.

No, you got it wrong! I was just...!

Way to go, Yukicchi!

It's no use...

Whether it's love or harassment, my average-guy mind can't handle this!

I see.

A love letter.

I figured I should talk to you about it, Tsuk-kun.

Sorry, Yuki...

Hm?

This isn't a love letter, it's a letter of challenge!

Huh?!

But, there's a sticker shaped like a heart on it!

I got one, too...

Last year I was called out the very same way.

They stripped my clothes off, then forced their way...

...to my ass, and...

Stop your story right there, Tsuk-kun! Don't say any more!

Maki Yoriko's an average girl, of middle-lower grade quality in terms of beauty.

Aizawa-kun?!

Never did figure out what that was all about.

She's average across every attribute.

As well matched as she is to you, I'm pretty sure this is a love letter, Yuki-kun.

I see. Thank goodness.

But I don't know who this Maki-san is.

Well, she doesn't stand out much.

What? What? Is spring finally coming to Yukicchi?

Reo-kun?! How long have you been here?

Happy news like this within the Handa Force won't go unnoticed.

Let's celebrate at the Handa Force's secret headquarters today.

Stop it!

It's not like anything happened yet.

Lame.

We should prohibit romance in the Handa Force.

Huh? But I have 300 girlfriends, you know?

Liar!

It's true!

But the idea that she's like any average girl is so... you know?

So Yukicchi?

Hey! Are you calling me "average"?

Pressing flowers...

It's actually pretty fun.

You should style your hair before she confesses her love to you.

You should reply with a bit of romance, too.

How about using the pressed flower we made in biology class...

...to make a postcard on which you can write how you feel?

Uh, isn't that a bit out of character for me?

Okay, let me write on it for you.

Wha—?! Way too literal!

What a laugh!

Well, I think it gives depth to it.

Right?

Whisper, whisper, whisper...

Ah, now I know why everyone's been treating me a bit coldly.

I'm associated with a popular group called the Handa Force now.

Even if she does have average looks, I may be getting a girlfriend.

They're looking at me with jealousy and envy.

This dull-looking duckling is transforming...

...into Handa-kun's swan!

You're just an average Joe, so stop acting like you're part of the Handa Force.

That's all I have to say.

Let's go, Yori-Yori.

Dang...

I didn't expect him to get shut down before anything even happened.

A girl's use of heart shapes is malicious.

Yu-Yukicchi, cheer up.

No matter what she says, the Handa Force will always be behind you.

That didn't go well.

Yukicchi?

I should have figured as much.

There's no way an average Joe like me would experience a school-life manga love confession.

You okay?

Yup, I'm fine.

I'm...

I'm... totally fine!

Yuki-kun?!

He's not fine at all!

Wait! Yuki!

I shouldn't have gotten so carried away when I'm just an average random character.

Once a duckling, always a duckling.

I'm so stupid to have thought that I was on the same level as Handa-kun, even for a moment.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Same here.

Handa-kun?!

You're the guy...

...who tackled me that time.

What are you doing out here?

Oh, are those for pressing?

No, that's not it!

I wouldn't do something girly like that!

Uh, I'm going to...

...harass people with them!

That's what I said.

Why does he say things that he doesn't really mean?

I hope it turns out well.

Like I said, they're to harass others with!

Handa-kun must have gone through a lot because of what others imagined him to be.

And to think that he's actually a shy and kind person...

Maybe that's why he keeps getting swayed by others without realizing it.

Just like me...

Handa-kun.

Take this.

Well, see you in school.

Um, wait...

Hm?

Thank you... very... much.

You're welcome.

I won't leave the Handa Force.

There he is!

Yukicchi!

What are you doing, standing around like that?

Heeey!

You guys...

Yukicchi!

You had us worried there!

I'm sorry, guys.

Feel a bit better now?

I don't recall ever joining them to begin with, but...

There's something about Handa-kun that makes others want to keep an eye on him.

I got me a gift!

This is how you harass others with pressed flowers for real?!

Their relationship keeps getting worse.

We are the Bishoujo Picture Club, or Bishoujo Club for short.

Our club's objective is to not only enjoy, but also create manga and illustrations.

The club creates the bulletin, "What is Bishoujo?" which is released several times each year.

Hm...

Let's see...

Despite having only three members in our club, we're quite satisfied with our daily activities.

But...

The Student Council has decided to terminate the Bishoujo Club as of this term.

...we're suddenly in a pinch now.

Damn it!

Are we subjects powerless against the Imperial Force?!

My heart aches in pain!

Nope! Nope!

Why is the Empire making such a ruthless decree?!

Reason?

There's no merit in the school spending precious funds on individual hobbies.

That's all.