Love Lab (恋愛ラボ)

It's summer already.

A lot has happened since we started our love lab in here.

You're revising too much!

Hell, it turned into pure fantasy somewhere in the middle!

Love Lab?

A lot has changed since we started the love lab,

but there have been zero romantic developments.

We still don't have any contact with boys.

What are you doing, Riko?

My grades are so bad, I've been forced to attend cram school.

I've got tons of assignments.

Cram school? The same one that the boy you rejected is attending?

What? Really?

Isn't that awkward?

Don't you have some ex-boyfriends there, too?

I-It's in the past. It'll be fine!

Plus, it's a lie.

But they might still like you.

What if they start fighting over Riko-senpai?

It must be like lying on a bed of nails.

It is right now.

Is one of your ex-boyfriends...

that guy?!

The Yan in your head is steadily turning into a monster.

No way.

He did help me out a lot, though.

It was my first time, so what he did helped.

It was a little intense for me, though.

What? The Yan inside your head's blurred by a mosaic.

Entrance exams were a piece of cake for Yan, so I had him help me study.

Oh, the mosaic's gone.

He can be kind, can't he?

Some Modifications

I think he said a lifetime's worth of sarcastic remarks while we were studying, though.

What?

Editing Mistake

Hey, why don't you investigate the subject of this letter while you're at cram school?

Which one?

The one in the suggestion box from the south building.

"Hairstyles boys like."

She's particularly interested in what boys from the nearby Southern Middle School think.

The Fuji Girls' Student Council always responds to the faith our students put in us.

We must acquire all sorts of information.

And how do you actually feel?

I'm curious, too.

I'm not sure anyone at my cram school is from Southern Middle School.

Besides, everyone's got their own tastes.

But we might find tendencies toward a popular preference.

If you can't do that one, then ask that boy you rejected about this.

What?

What should you say when you just want to be friends with someone you're dating?

I can't ask him that!

Southern Middle School?

He goes there.

Uh, um...

Sacchan.

Nagi! That's what everyone calls me.

Okay, Nagi-chan!

I'll pound you!

Okay, Nagi-kun.

Why is your reaction even worse now, you jerk?!

Hurry up and say your piece. You're getting annoying.

What types of girls are popular at your school?

G-Girls who don't punch boys...

What hairstyle is the most common among the popular girls?

Is there a hairstyle boys from Southern Middle School like?

What?

Everyone's got their own opinion.

I thought as much.

Why are you even asking about that?

Someone I know was asking.

You're always trying to help people, aren't you?

Well, I guess silky, long, black hair might be popular.

There's apparently a really gorgeous girl at Fuji Girls'.

She's the idol of all the boys at our school.

I haven't seen her yet, though.

Do you know her?

Could he mean...

Southern Middle School's full of scary girls.

We're starved for cute ones.

You're cute.

S-Sorry, I couldn't help it!

But it was a compliment!

Shut up!

Based on your attitude, I bet you still haven't remembered anything about my confession.

Why did I fall for this girl?

Okay.

I just forgot about our past!

Huh? Wait...

If you don't remember, it's like it never happened.

Ah, what a relief.

My dark past is gone.

"Dark past"?!

Oh, really?

By the way, there was something else I wanted to ask you.

Sure, what is it?

What do you say when you just want to be friends with a boy

who confessed his feelings to you?

Modified it a little

Oh? Is something wrong?

Well...

Boys will eventually come to their senses and leave inconsiderate girls

who don't consider boys' feelings,

so I'd say just ride it out.

I see.

What?

Straight, black hair is popular?

Not fluffy cotton candy, but silky, pitch black hair?

The idol Nagi mentioned is probably Maki.

Boys will eventually come to their senses and leave inconsiderate girls.

What... Riko?

Why are you curling my hair?

You said you wanted to change your hairstyle before.

Stop!

Maki's House

If straight, black hair is popular,

we should develop a plan to make the most of this weapon,

and tell the girl who submitted the request.

I must work harder to care for my hair!

It's time for a bath.

All your pain will disappear.

Cold is the enemy of girls and your liver.

Natsuo, let me borrow a book.

Huh? Is she in the bath?

Ah, she must have been studying.

Let's see...

Operation: Hair Appeal

"Operation: Hair Appeal"?

Maki Natsuo's "Operation: Hair Appeal," Part 1!

Place a large fan in front of Southern Middle School's gate.

Show off your fluttering hair, and become popular.

I'm not sure I can use the budget to pay for a large fan...

I know!

If a typhoon comes, you can become popular without spending a thing!

Operation Part 2!

Wet your hair for a sexy look.

It's not unnatural during pool season.

It's a ten-minute walk from Fuji Girls' to Southern Middle School.

Considering the time it takes to dry,

if you leave dripping wet, it will be perfect by the time you get there.

Sparkling drops in your hair will multiply the effect.

The Next Day

Rejected.

Why?!

Maki Natsuo's "Operation: Hair Appeal (Modified)," Part 1!

Dance near the school!

Part 2!

Play in a band near the school!

Part 3!

Fish near the school!

Part 4!

Cram school?

Your tutor Matsubara-san is quitting after she gets married, right?

The cram school my acquaintance runs is supposed to be quite good.

But you said I couldn't go to cram school because there are boys there.

Father, something is wrong with Natsuo!

What's wrong?

Perhaps because of her lack of contact with boys,

her aspiration for romance has grown increasingly wild.

If she meets a smooth-talking boy, she'll fall for his lines in a heartbeat.

Your overprotective nature is also to blame!

What?

You need to let Natsuo learn something about reality!

You shouldn't have any contact with boys at your girls' school either...

Currently attending Fujisaki Girls' Academy

You sound like you know something about the real world.

I'm shocked.

The advanced classes seem quite difficult, so I won't force you—

I'll go! I'll go!

It's time to show the fruits of my labor.

I'm talking about academics, of course!

Oh, really?

Now knows the truth

Now I'll finally have contact with boys, too.

I might finally meet the prince of my dreams.

Natsuo, we're here.

Yes, Father.

Masaomi-san.

The girl joining the advanced class is going to be visiting today.

Irikimi-sensei, could you call me by my family name?

I'm calling you Masaomi out of friendliness.

It actually feels strangely distant.

Maybe I'll call you Yan-san, like Riko-san does.

Masaomi is fine.

So, I hope you'll be nice to the new girl.

I hope she doesn't quit immediately, saying she can't keep up.

Two people just quit recently.

Don't worry. She's a smart girl.

Oh, she's here.

This is your new friend, Maki-san.

I need to speak with her father. Will you show her around?

This way.

Just the two of them?

This isn't what we agreed upon.

They just quit the other day.

There will be more soon.

He could've told me her family name.

What's your name?

The teacher just said my family name.

It's Natsuo.