Hana-Kimi (花ざかりの君たちへ)

Osaka High School Student Dormitory

Hey, are you done yet?

Sano...

There.

You're good to go.

You really are trash at tying a tie.

I'm just not good at it.

Mizuki!

Morning, my sweet!

Don't you have morning practice?

My affection for you is so overflowing,

I came back so we could walk to school together.

That's the power of love. Yup, yup.

You do know that I'm a guy, right?

Yeah, I know!

It's not like I expect you to get it right away.

I'm in for the long haul.

R-Right.

Hey! Our destination for the school trip has been decided!

It's Hokkaido!

Hokkaido

Hokkaido, huh?

That means crab!

And salmon caviar and scallops!

And corn.

A school trip?

What's that about?

So we all go on this trip together?

Sano, aren't you originally from Sapporo?

Yeah.

Sapporo is in Hokkaido, right?

Yup.

It's where we'll spend most of the trip.

Wow, really?

When I got into middle school here, I came on my own.

All right!

We're going to Sano's hometown!

How Did You Know?!

Are you coming on the school trip too?

I'm just assisting the person in charge,

so it's a pretty relaxed affair.

Hopefully I'll meet someone there.

By "meet," you mean...

Lots of beauties up north.

Why are you even going?!

Is there another reason to?

Say, Doctor...

What is it about men you find attractive?

Obviously... the thing they have that women don't.

Th-That's it?!

That's an extremely simplified version.

Although there are people who feel that way.

Even I don't want to sleep with just anyone,

I'll have you know.

Are you concerned about Nakatsu?

You knew about that?!

I've got my sources.

He says he likes me as a guy,

and I don't really know what to do.

Plus, I've already got someone I like.

What are you getting all red about now?

Anyway, as far as I can tell, he's as straight as an arrow.

I'd say he's reacting to your feminine side that's not fully hidden.

He's a bit primal.

Is that all it is?

Then I just have to act more manly, and all will be solved!

No guarantees, though.

Osaka Private High School 43rd School Trip

Hokkaido

I wonder what Sano's family is like.

Ah, I can't stand it!

Oh, you're back.

Yeah.

So, hey, I was talking with Nakatsu and everyone...

Sure.

We were saying that next Sunday,

we should go shopping for stuff we'll need on the trip.

You'll come too, won't you?

I guess so.

You're from Hokkaido, right?

What's it like?

The snow...

Huh?

It's a beautiful place with deep snow.

Hey, hey, so whereabouts is your house, exactly?

Another time.

I'm going to do laundry.

Sano?

Sano!

Want to watch a movie together?

It's something scary, isn't it?

I want to see it, but I'm too scared to watch it alone.

Fine. Just hang on for a second.

Good.

He's back to his regular self.

If you're sleepy, don't force it. Just go up to your bed and sleep.

I'm fine...

No, you're not.

Damn it, you fell asleep without a care in the world.

You have no idea how I feel...

Osaka Private High School

I ended up spending the night in his bed again...

I am trying to be more cautious,

but Sano was so warm and cozy!

Ashiya, what are you obsessing over so early in the morning?

Humans are so truly weak.

What now?

This is not a drill!

There's a beautiful blonde standing in front of the school gates!

What?!

I'm going to check her out!

Those idiots.

A blonde?

H-Hello!

How do you do?

Doofus!

Like she's gonna understand you!

May I help you?

The seducer himself!

She snubbed him!

She rejected Nanba!

Excuse me!

Let me through!

Julia!

Mickey! I missed you!

As baby-faced as ever!

You doing well?

C'mon, not this again.

Goes to show he's been abroad.

This is so out of the blue.

What a surprise!

I kept it secret to surprise you.

Are you on vacation?

No.

But don't faint when I say it.

I also decided to study abroad in Japan!

What? You're also here to study?!

And so, this is my very good friend...

Hi and konnichiwa!

I'm Julia.

Hello!

I doth speak Japanese, so ask me any which thing you fancy.

What?!

J-Julia, where did you learn Japanese?

I done watched loads of Japanese motion pictures to study!

Y-You don't say...

Oh, right, Mizuki!

You haven't introduced me to these two boys there yet. Pretty please?

Oh, right, sorry about that. Well, this is Nakatsu...

Nice to meet you.

And the guy next to him is Sano.

Sano?

So you're Izumi Sano, eh?!

I done heard lots about you from Mizuki!

Been dying to meet you!

Whoa, Mizuki! He's way hotter in real life than in photos!

R-Really? This is kind of embarrassing.

So, where exactly are you going to be studying?

Let's see... I believe it's called St. Blossom Academy.

St. Blossom?!

That's a prestigious school!

Apparently, she's doing a homestay on a one-month exchange program.

Oh, she's almost here.

Huh? Who's coming?

My friend from my host family.

Really? What's she like?

Hey!

R-Rio-chan?!

Mizuki-kun?

What're you doing here?

You two are friends?

Man, what a coincidence.

Unbelievable!

The world works in mysterious ways.

Actually, it's more inexplicable that you're part of their circle...

How dare you leave us behind!

Yeah.

How are you even friends with her in the first place?

Well, I mean, Rio-chan is Doctor Umeda's little sister.

Wh-What'd you say?!

I'm Umeda Rio.

I hope my big brother's not too much of a bother.

You're telling me this cutie is that monster's li'l sis?

No freaking way!

Guess I won't mention that she's also Nanba-senpai's aunt.

He's so loud...

What the hell?!

That damn American woman!

So what? Just because they're friends,

she thinks she can be all lovey-dovey, kissy-wissy with my Mizuki?!

And then when we said goodbye...

See you later, Mizuki.

I'll call you!

Bye.

Damn her! I wanna do that too!

She can get away with something like that because she's a girl,

but if I were to do that...

That's it!

What if I did?

Please stand by.