Teasing Master Takagi-san (からかい上手の高木さん)

Huh?

Oh my.

Guess you're still wearing your summer uniform, huh?

Right back at you. You changed to your winter uniform early.

Uniform

Change

Uniform Change!

Well, the forecast said it was going to be cold today.

Oh? I'm surprised, I didn't think you checked the forecast.

Guess I messed up.

I made a contest out of it and was going to win by changing my uniform on the same day you did.

Without telling me?

So, that means you win this one.

Nuh-uh! That doesn't sit right with me!

Though, thinking about it...

You just admitted to losing a contest that you never even told me about. You must feel pretty stupid about that.

Plus...

you're going to be awfully cold wearing that summer uniform.

Actually, cold weather doesn't bother me much.

You're just acting tough!

Okay. If you say "cold" at all today, then I win.

Can you extend that to include me just agreeing that it's cold?

Why? What's the point of that?

Who knows.

Fine. Then starting from right now!

Sounds good.

We've gotten a little off topic,

but it's important to be curious about the history behind each kanji...

So like, my dad keeps saying that he saw a UFO or whatever.

Seriously?

Look it over carefully.

Yes sir...

And be sure to show your parents when you get home.

I intentionally avoided trying to make her say "cold" at all today.

Because now, Takagi-san will think that I've forgotten all about our little contest.

This is my chance!

Hey, Takagi-san.

Pop quiz.

Ben is older than Bob. But he's younger than Hank.

So, out of the three of them, who is the youngest?

Bob?

That's right! Okay then...

What does that make Hank?

The answer is "oldest".

Put that together and you get...

Hank

Oldest

"Hank oldest" or Han-KOLD-est.

Ha-KOLD-est

Cold!

Cold

If you say "ouch" then it means you lose. Sound good?

What do you call those again?

Not massage chairs...

Massage couches.

You lose.

Massage c...OUCH!

I'm gonna give her a taste of her own medicine!

Come on, Takagi-san!

Go ahead and answer!

Um, Hank, right?

Oldest!

No, my brilliant plan...

Was I right?

Y-yeah...

Nice try.

Huh?

You tried to get me to say it, huh?

That was my one and only hope of winning...

No! There's still a way!

Takagi-san was full of herself when she suggested that rule change! I've got her now!

Gosh, the forecast sure was right about the temperature.

Yeah, definitely.

Are you feeling... a little cold?

Takagi-san said herself that she never lies to me!

Which means all she can do is admit the truth!

What are you going to do if I answer "yes"?

Are you going... to come and warm me up?

You will warm me up, won't you?

No, uh, I...

F-forget I said anything!

I lose! It's over! We're done!

Jeez, Nishikata. You fold so easily against this stuff.

All right.

That makes me the winner. Guess I'll have you warm me up as a penalty.

What?!

Psych.

Ugh! Curse you, Takagi-san!

Good morning.

G... good morning.

Winter Uniform

Winter Uniform.

I can't believe this. You're the one who made all that fuss about us changing uniforms together.

Really? You didn't send Sanae a text, Mina?

I did!

See?

SANAE-CHAN

Okay.

See you later.

Winter uniforms starting tomorrow, k?

Winter uniforms starting tomorrow, k?

Not delivered

Uh, that says it didn't go through...

Huh?!

I'm sowwy...

How're you going to make it up to me?

Look on the bright side, Sanae-chan!

It's all sunny and hot outside today!

So not changing your uniform was for the best!

I mean, I already want to roll up my sleeves!

Look, I'm doing it right now!

It's all good now, Sanae-chan!

Because today's hot!

You're not off the hook.

Just relax.

I'm chilly now.

Sanae-chan...

I'm cold, too. Can I put my sleeves down now?

I'm sowwy...

Sweet!

It's finally time for lunch!

Are you ready to chow down, Kimura?!

Oh, right. He's out sick from food poisoning.

Takao!

...is faking sick because a new game came out today.

Sakurai?

...has a cold.

Guess a solitary lunch ain't so bad once in awhile.

Can you believe that?

Oh yeah, totally.

Lunch

Lunch!

Man, having lunch alone is great!

Got a window seat here with a great view. And most importantly...

fried chicken! The best of the best when it comes to lunch!

I take it back. I'm kinda lonely.

Ah! Found you!

Care to have lunch together?

S-sure, I guess.

But... why?

I noticed you were by yourself, Nishikata.

And figured that you might feel lonely, so...

I came to tease you.

Coming to tease me when you think I'm lonely is kinda messed up.

Time to dig in!

That's some tasty-looking fried chicken you've got.

Wanna have a showdown with that on the line?

She's throwing down the gauntlet, as usual!

Sure. But if I win, I'm going to take...

those wheel-looking things.

Crispy lotus root.

Deal.

Meat is the core of a tasty lunch!

I cannot afford to lose this, no matter what!

Okay...

Can you guess what kind of filling this riceball has?

A simple question, but so difficult to answer! You're good, Takagi-san!

Can I figure it out based on what else she's having?

No, that seems impossible...

I'll just wing it... wait, no! My fried chicken is on the line! That's way too risky!

What should I do?!

The answer is "salmon"!

Oh?

Okay. Let's find out if you're right.

I paid close attention to your lunch, Takagi-san!

And saw the pink of salmon poking out of your other riceball!

That crispy lotus root is mine!

The correct answer was...

plum!

Wha?!

Thanks for the chicken.

I'm so stupid! I should have known from how intricate her lunch was!

There was no guarantee that both riceballs had the same filling!

No! Not my fried chicken!

I feel kinda bad for you.

So I'll agree to making it a trade for my crispy lotus root.