My Awkward Senpai (不器用な先輩。)

TODAY'S LUNCH

I'M HEADING BACK NOW.

THE TEA FROM TODAY'S MEETING HAD A STALK FLOATING UPRIGHT.

SO

I'LL SEND YOU LUCK, TOO

LUCKY

Senpai.

Someone's in a good mood.

Were you chatting with Kamegawa or something?

H-How did you know?

I wonder how.

Seems like you're getting along with Kamegawa-kun.

Do you really think so?

Am I wrong?

Well, how do I put this...

He's the first friend I've made, so...

I'm being a good friend... right?

Why are you laughing?!

Sorry, don't mind us.

Oh, come on!

By the way, Senpai,

his birthday is next month, right?

Are you going to celebrate it?

That!

About that!

I do want to celebrate it.

But I've never celebrated someone's birthday before, so I don't know what to do.

Oh...

Then how about we celebrate it during the group birthday party?

You know, the one we do at the beginning of every month?

We hold a party for all the staff with birthdays that month.

I could use that!

I owe you one, Kankaiji!

So that means you'll give Kamegawa something, right?

You know, a P-R-E-S-E-N-T.

A p-present...

They're taking too long.

But she seems to be having fun.

I mean, yeah,

they went from a senior-and-junior relationship to friends.

There's no doubt they've made progress.

But also, it's obvious that they like each other.

Why can't they be self-aware about that?

Hmm...

At the very least, Kannawa isn't aware.

Agreed.

Well...

I wonder how this is going to turn out.

MY AWKWARD SENPAI

WE'RE GONNA CELEBRATE YER BIRTHDAY TO THE FULLEST!

"We're Gonna Celebrate Yer Birthday to the Fullest!"

Yeah! The group birthday party!

You heard from general affairs, right?

Are you going?

I'd like to go, yes.

Would you like to go together, Senpai?

Of course I'll attend.

I'm going to celebrate it to the fullest, so be prepared!

Okay. I'll prepare myself.

A-All right.

Uh... Want to grab lunch today?

There's... something I want to ask you.

Understood.

Good. Later, then.

Oh! Hello, Kamegawa-kun the "friend"!

Ugh. What do you want?

You and Senpai seemed to be having a good time.

G-Got a problem with that?

Not at all.

But I do wonder if you're okay keeping things like this.

What do you mean?

Let's all do our best today.

Today's special is good.

Y-Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

What was it you wanted to ask me?

Huh?! Er, well...

Well, you see... my cousin's friend's...

little sister's neighbor's big sister confided in me...

and I need your advice!

That's quite a distant relationship you have.

So what did she discuss with you?

Sh-She wants to know...

what kinds of gifts men like to get from women.

I see.

I wonder what...

Huh?!

I'm sorry.

I never really thought about that myself.

I-I see.

Th-Then... wh-what about you?

Huh?

What would you like to get as a gift?

If it were me...

Since it's gotten colder, maybe a pair of gloves?

Gloves?

If I were to buy gloves, what's his size?

Senpai?! What's wrong?!

There are so many gloves to choose from.

I forgot to ask if there were any specific materials or colors he'd prefer.

You're sure struggling over buying a single pair of gloves.

Shaddap!

How about we ask an employee for recommendations?

You're right. Yeah.

But also, I bet you want to take this opportunity to choose a pair on your own.

Yeah! But...

Sorry. I'm not confident about this.

This is my first time choosing a gift for someone.

I'm worried I'll pick something weird.

Your birthday's next week, right, Miki-chan?

We should have a birthday party!

Really? Thanks!

Let's invite everyone!

I'm so happy!

Oh, but I don't really like Azusa-chan.

I get it. She's scary.

I feel like she'd bring a weird present.

Yeah.

What are you saying?

You're friends with Kamegawa-kun now, right?

I like to think so, but...

I don't know if he'll like my choice or not.

Hey.

Don't you think anyone who doesn't like what a friend gets them isn't really a friend?

Even if it's something they don't want,

they should be happy just to receive it.

That's what I believe.

Thank you!

You're welcome.

Okay!

Touch.

Thank you!

Good morning.

Cute.

What's up?

Yu, your birthday's next month, right?

What do you want for your present?

Ah, forget it. I'm scared about what you'll want in return.

What do you mean?

Oh! Are you going on a birthday date with Kannawa-san?

N-No way!

What?

But I think my company's having a party, so she might celebrate with me then.

Hmm.

Just so you know, nobody likes a suck-up.

What? Since when was I one?

You don't remember?

Your birthday party from way back.

Happy birthday!

Th-Thanks.

Hey, so whose present was the best?

U-Um...

I liked everyone's!

Forget it!

Huh?

Back then...

I had no other choice but to say that.

I get that.

But if you're nice to everyone, someone ends up getting hurt instead.

You're right.

What?

We need to keep it a secret from Kamegawa that you're

helping out with the birthday party?

It's not exactly a secret...

but there's no need to tell him about it.

This is something I decided on my own.

I don't want him to feel guilty about it or anything.

How commendable...

Good work!

You two must be hungry.

I bought some hot pork buns and snacks.

Pork buns!

Yippee!

Since the birthday party's in two days, we need to put in one last push.

It won't be easy, but let's do our best.

Yeah!

Where would you like to go for lunch today?

Sorry. I've got things to do, so can we go another time?

Oh... Sure.

Be sure to eat real food!

Y-Yes, ma'am.

For tomorrow's birthday party,

Kannawa-san from the publicity department is part of the volunteer staff, right?

Yeah. She said she wants to help and she's willing to do anything.

Really? That's out of character.

I wonder what brought about that change of heart.

LIST OF BIRTH MONTH PARTICIPANTS YU KAMEGAWA

Looking good.

Yeah. Looks like we'll manage to get it done today.

Oh, by the way,

I brought the list of birthday people.

Wanna see?

Yeah.

Usa-san from general affairs has a birthday, too.

We were in her care when we were first hired.

She told us where to find cheap apartments near the company.

Do you know what Usa-san likes?

Fried chicken, salted fermented seafood, and apple pie?

Do you think we can add those to tomorrow's catering?

What?