Blend S (ブレンド・S)

These photos are from when my coworkers and I went to the beach.

Hey, this swimsuit looks really good on you!

I went shopping with my manager, and he helped me pick it out.

So you're going out with your manager, huh, Maika?

No.

He's not your boyfriend but went with you to buy a swimsuit?

Is that strange?

Strange?

Shopping together for clothes is different than buying other stuff.

A guy wouldn't do that unless he likes you or is already your boyfriend.

R-Really?

OWNER INAUGURATION, SISTER ATTACK

I see.

If he likes you or is your boyfriend...

If he likes you...

A cute doggie!

What are you doing here?

PLEASE TAKE ME HOME

Good morning!

- Morni— - Morni—

What'd you bring in here?

Um, I think it's a husky.

It's pretty fluffy for a husky.

There are probably other breeds mixed in, too.

Like a collie?

I'm not asking about its pedigree!

PLEASE WAIT FOR ME

It was abandoned.

I found it on the way here.

Somebody abandoned a dog this big, huh?

It's got long eyelashes!

Don't its eyes look like Maika's?

They do!

R-Really?

Yeah!

That makes sense.

That's why...

it was abandoned, isn't it?

I didn't mean it like that!

PLEASE TAKE ME HOME

So, are you gonna take it home, Sakuranomiya?

You do have a big house and a spacious yard, right?

I wish I could,

but my brother and sister hate dogs.

What? Both of them?

Yes.

I wanted to at least find a foster parent. Could one of you take care of it?

I live in an apartment by myself, so I can't.

We don't have any space at my house either.

Pets aren't allowed in my building. Sorry.

I've got it!

We should foist it off on one of our anime freak customers!

I don't know about that.

What's this dog?

How about the manager?

Why are you deciding without me?

There's Miu, too, right?

IT'S MY DAY OFF.

Oh, come on!

Don't its eyes look like Sakuranomiya's?

No, no, no!

First, we have to put up a flyer in the café, looking for a foster home!

Manager, if you take it home, Sakuranomiya can visit to check up on it.

Is it close?

Just over the café.

An attic...

A hammock...

A foreign country-like second floor...

Maika, it's a normal one-bedroom apartment.

What's the harm, Manager? Let's take care of it!

An idol and animal pairing is a good look!

Step up once in a while.

Manager...

I would help out as much as possible. So can I count on you?

Maika...

Besides, having a big dog would make your foreign country aura stand out!

What aura is that?

Well, should we check out the manager's room?

W-Wait a second!

Okay!

He hid his otaku stuff, huh?

Come in.

Thank you.

Huh?

Aren't you coming in?

So you take your shoes off?

Maika, remember, this is Japan!

It's lovely! The houseplants and blinds have a mature vibe!

I like how neat and simple the room is.

I'm not the type who leaves stuff lying all over.

It seems the doggie likes it, too!

So that's where you hid everything?

Well, after work, I'll buy, then bring over everything you'll need.

Wait a minute!

I haven't agreed to take care of the dog yet!

He got our hopes up and then lowered the boom?

Let's ask Miu first!

Yeah. I wasn't thinking about your circumstances, Manager.

I'm sorry.

M-Maika...

All right!

For the time being, I'll take in the dog!

Thank you!

Good for you!

Oh, that's right. Let's give it a name for now.

It'll be staying with you, Manager...

How about "Owner"?

That's great!

MANAGER AND OWNER EVERYONE

STILE

OWNER MANAGER EVERYONE

Hold on there! It's higher than me?

Well, we're going back.

I'm happy we get to leave it with the manager.

Me, too!

From now on, it gets to be with the manager all the time.

I'm a little envious!

Oh, is something wrong?

No.

Come on! It's almost time to open!

Work, work!

How'd it go?

He's going to take care of the dog!

Its name is Owner!

Pedigree: Husky. (We think.) Characteristics: Nasty Glare. Friendly.

LOOKING FOR A FOSTER HOME!!

Good work!

OWNER

You sure eat a lot, huh?

Even if it's temporary, I didn't see myself having a dog.

But...

it resembles Maika!

Jeez. Please don't jump on me.

Huh?

Are you a male?

Please give me a break.

Do you know what time it is?

I'll take you for a walk later.

All right! I'll go! I'll go!

I'm sleepy...

Okay, okay.

You have to poop, right?

What are you doing?

And you kicked sand in a different direction from where you pooped!

What's that? An apology?

No, you did it!

Don't act all innocent!

Hey, Manager...

About last night's final episode of "Hana Yuri"—

I haven't seen it yet! I'm recording all my anime shows! No spoilers!

Huh? I thought you always watched in real-time.

I have to walk Owner every morning, so I can't afford to stay up late!

Is that why you've been blowing off work less lately?

That's a good thing!

Oh, now you're leading a normal life.

Mafuyu...

I think it's good. Especially for us.

Yep, yep.

I get nothing out of it!

That's not true.

Like they say, "The early bird gets the worm."

Worm...

What are you talking about?

Not being able to watch in real time is making me lose my otaku cred!

So it would be better to lose your work cred?

There's no worm for me.

The manager seems down. Did something happen?

Actually...

Oh, really?

Taking care of Owner is a burden on the manager, huh?

Oh, that's right!

Manager!

I made cookies. Would you like them?

I'm still new at baking, but if you don't mind, please take them.

But knowing Maika's homemade concoctions...

Of course, I'll take them!

Delicious!

You and I made dessert before once, right, Mafuyu?

Ever since then, I've been practicing baking at home.

Um, as thanks for taking care of Owner, can I continue making sweets for you?

This is amazing, Mafuyu!

Never mind the worm! This is the whole can of worms!