My Awkward Senpai (不器用な先輩。)

Kannawa-san. Kamegawa-kun.

May I speak with you two?

A drinking party, you say?

Yup.

Yamaga-san from our office is getting married soon.

Congratulations!

Thank you!

Wow, that's wonderful.

Married... H-How wonderful...

That reminds me... Mom called sayin' she had someone she wanted to introduce me to...

You know how we haven't held a welcome party for you yet, Kamegawa-kun?

That's why I'd like us to merge the celebration of the marriage

and your employment into one drinking party.

Thank you so much!

Now, there's a reason why I specifically called for you two.

I want to ask you, Kamegawa-kun, to organize the party.

What? Me?

I think it'd be beneficial for the newbie

to use this experience to learn how to entertain guests.

I-I see.

Kannawa-san, be sure to lend him a hand on this.

- Show him some good restaurants. - Yes, sir.

Like I would know any good spots!

I never go to places where people socialize!

Can I also ask you two to choose a gift for the happy couple?

Understood.

It's hard enough to find a restaurant, and now he wants me to pick a gift, too?!

I'm so glad.

I look forward to what you'll have in store for us!

Let's start with the marriage celebration. Follow me!

I'll be in your care!

MY AWKWARD SENPAI

"I Gotta Support the Drinking Party's Organizer!"

Wow. There are so many to look at.

But what do people usually give their coworkers as a wedding gift?

Ceremonial occasions, including gift-giving, are fundamental to being a member of society.

- Leave it to me. - Yes, ma'am!

Is what I said...

but I honestly have no clue what to give someone who's gettin' married!

- This looks good. - My years of being introverted are biting me...

The wedding's just around the corner now!

Wait, is Kannawa-san going?

Nah, she wasn't invited.

I bet she'd just say something like,

"Weddings are just for the self-satisfaction of the people involved."

I haven't gone to a wedding, let alone organized...

- Even just plates come in so many types! - But I need to support my junior!

Something they'd enjoy, but that's appropriate for a member of society...

This looks nice.

That cat pattern...

So cute...

Oh? Matching mugs?

Would something like that do the trick?

- I-I'm sorry. It's because I startled you... - No...

Is anyone hurt?

No, we're fine.

I've gone and done it now...

My apologies. Please, let me pay for that.

No, please...

It's all right. Don't worry about it.

But I can't just leave like this. Let me at least—

In that case, do you have more of these in the back?

Oh, yes, we do...

What a relief.

- I was just thinking about getting the pair. - Hey, Kamegawa—

In that case, I'll bring them out immediately.

Hey, wait!

If you're only buying them because of me, don't!

It's not like that!

I really thought those were great mugs.

I want to use them myself, so I'm buying them for myself.

Well, I'm going to go buy them.

Hey, wait a minute!

Then at least let me buy them for you!

It's for me, so I'll pay for them.

No, no!

No, no, no...

I'm so ashamed...

I need to do better for the next gift-buying opportunity.

It's time for me to awaken my search skills from my years of obsessing over games!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I've thought of a present.

- Let's go. - Yes, ma'am!

Thanks to you, we got a great gift!

Thank you, Senpai.

I didn't do much advising.

This towel is super-duper soft.

I hope they like it.

But I was surprised to learn you take your coffee black, Senpai.

Adding things like sugar would dilute the original flavor.

- It's improper. - Is that so?

I feel like it tastes better, even with just a little...

No need.

Wh-Why am I bein' pointlessly pretentious?

I guess, to coffee aficionados, it's improper...

But it tastes good this way.

I'm so jealous.

But when I was a newbie, Senpai always took her coffee black.

I also need to...

Coffee is simply meant to keep you awake. That's all.

I see.

You eat sweets a lot, so I just assumed you'd prefer...

Should I bring you sugar or milk?

- Bring both... - Yes, ma'am!

Delicious. But this is so embarrassing...

You got this, me!

I need to be a better senpai in front of him.

Next, we need to find our venue.

Right!

We need to make reservations quickly, since it's just before Golden Week.

Yes, ma'am!

But I don't know a lot about venues...

TOP IZAKAYAS FOR LARGE GROUPS

I wonder if Kamegawa has any places he frequents.

Does he prefer beer? Japanese sake?

He could be a wine kind of guy.

I wonder what everyone would like...

- I think Hita-san would want to eat a lot. - I don't know nothin' about Kamegawa.

Just that he likes model kits and had to cut back on his lunch money.

- Senpai? - What about you?

Do you like drinking?

Me? Nah, it's not really my thing.

I see!

Shoot! I got careless because we're the same...

Yeah, alcohol tastes better when you drink with people you like to be with.

No need to push yourself.

Really?

I feel better after hearing that.

Um, I'm sorry you got dragged into organizing this with me.

Where's this coming from?

I heard that you don't usually go to drinking parties.

Don't worry about it.

It's for a celebratory event and your welcome party.

Of course I'll attend.

I appreciate it.

No worries.

Well...

If you get invited by a senior in the future,

you should decline if you don't want to go.

Yes, ma'am!

But...

I'd like to go out drinking with you, Senpai.

There'd be no point in drinking with you.

You're right.

What the heck am I sayin'?!

After Kamegawa invited me?!

But it just came outta nowhere...

Th-That's enough!

Let's hurry and find a venue!

Oh, uh, right!

We picked out a present and made a restaurant reservation, but...

Why did I turn him down that way?!

It makes it awkward for me to ever invite him out to drink!

What'll I do?!

Isn't this yesterday's...

Oh, good morning!

Oh, uh, morning.

So... what's this about?

Ah, well, you see...

After I went home, I realized a guy living alone really only needs one mug.

Besides...

It looked like you really liked that mug, Senpai.