Slow Start (スロウスタート)

It's hot, isn't it, Hana Bear?

It sure is, Tama Bear.

I feel like having ice-cold salmon on something slippery!

Like cold white noodles.

Salmon flowing down the bamboo pipe would be nice, too!

Isn't that the same thing as the fish swimming in the river as usual?

Swimming or flowing down a pipe.

There's a major difference!

That's deep!

Of course it's deep because it's a river!

Hana Bear!

Tama Bear!

U-Um...

Y-Yes?

H-Hiroe?

Hana...

Wh-Wh-What's wrong?

What's with your clothes?

Ei...

Eiko!

I-I'm sorry, Hana...

for surprising you.

Not at all.

THE SHARK'S COUSIN

Do you feel a little calmer now?

Y-Yeah.

Um, what happened between you and Eiko?

It was about my clothes.

Clothes?

Yeah.

Right now, I'm standing at a crossroads in my life!

EIKO TOKURA

I-If I do this...

EIKO TOKURA CALLING

Yes, Hiroe?

E-Eiko!

I don't know if I should keep it in or out!

Excuse me?

I'm talking about the shirt and skirt you chose for me the other day!

Oh, is that all? Either way is fine.

Either in or out.

That's no help! You decide, Eiko!

Tucked in or leave it out?

Anyway, the best way is the way you like it, Hiroe.

- But... - Bye-bye!

W-Wait, Eiko!

Inside or outside?

Eiko!

I told myself I can't fail with this outfit, and got too worked up about it.

I was rude to Eiko.

R-Really?

Um, are you going somewhere, Hiroe?

Actually,

I thought I'd sign up for a summer course at a prep school.

I was going to pick up the documents today.

That's great! I'm proud of you, Hiroe!

Hana...

After all, you went from convenience stores to more and more places,

and now you're finally going to a prep school!

You may be in the National High School Baseball Tournament next year!

What do you think I'm aiming for?

It's thanks to you that I'm able to go outside at all, Hana.

Thanks so much, Hana.

O-O-Oh, I didn't do anything!

In fact...

even though you're moving forward,

I feel like I'm walking in place.

Hana...

I know I have to tell them.

It's not good to keep it hidden.

You mean the shirttail?

No!

Hana!

What should I do about the bottom of my shirt? You decide!

Should I tuck it in? Or leave it out?

I-I'm not good at making decisions like that.

You're the only one I can count on, Hana!

You decide! In or out?

Hana, I ironed your uniform.

Help me, Shion!

Oh, what's wrong?

In or out?

In? Or out?

What's wrong with you two?

Good question.

I guess it's cuter tucked in.

You're right.

Thank you, Shion!

But this shirt...

The design of the bottom is cute,

so maybe it's better untucked after all.

You're right!

Sh-Shion, so which is it?

Let's see.

First, loosen the shirt up a bit.

Make your hair like this.

Maybe a hat would look good.

Now hold this.

It's perfect!

How's this look?

Shion?

Eiko!

Sorry for suddenly showing up.

- Eiko! - Eiko!

Eiko!

Yep, it's me, Eiko.

I-I'm so sorry for harassing you over the phone.

Not at all. I was out shopping with my little sister at the time.

Eiko! I don't know if I should keep it in or out!

Excuse me?

In or out? That's a tough question.

Either way is fine.

Either in or out.

That's no help!

You decide, Eiko!

Tucked in or leave it out?

If it's out, it'll flap around. Tucked in is better.

Anyway, the best way is the way you like it, Hiroe.

Bye-bye!

W-Wait, Eiko! Inside or outside?

Eiko, thank you so much for coming!

Don't worry about it. I was in the area anyway.

There you go.

With this outfit, tucked in gives you a more balanced look.

Eiko, you're fashionable, so your opinion counts.

No, I wouldn't say that.

You look nice, Hiroe!

Th-Thank you.

I pray you can pick up that paperwork safely.

S-Sorry for making you pray over trivial things for me.

Eiko, Ms. Hannen...

Why not stay over for dinner?

You don't mind?

I'd love to! But...

my sister's making curry tonight, so...

I can't blame you for going with curry!

Sure, it's curry.

Anyone would go with curry.

For me, the main point is that my little sister's making it, not the curry itself.

A little sister's curry... I bet it's delicious!

I wish I could have some!

Me, too!

You guys are just fixated on curry.

Well, I'm off.

See you!

Be careful going home.

Again, thank you for this, Eiko!

No, it's not a big deal.

Hana, can I talk to you a second?

What's up?

Actually, this is the real reason I came over.

I'd like you to have this.

F-For me?

Yeah.

It's beautiful!

Eiko, did you...

That's right, I made it.

It's my thanks for listening to me that time.

Oh, you didn't need to thank me.

Well, please, just accept it.

I was going to give it to you when the two of us were alone,

but didn't have the chance.

That's because Eiko is popular.

I made that with you in mind, Hana.

M-M-Me?

The motif is a four-leaf clover.

Like, "May good things happen to Hana."

Eiko...

Thank you, Eiko! I love it!

I'm glad to hear it.

I'll wear it every day!

On my uniform... The teacher might get mad, so I'll put it on my bag!

But then it might break easily.

Um, what should I do?

Hana, you tend to overthink things.

Don't think of a gift breaking from the moment you receive it.

Y-You're right.

The person who made it is always next to you,

so even if it broke, just ask me to fix it.

Okay! Thank you!

It's cute!

Eiko is amazing!

HOSHIO PRIVATE GIRLS ACADEMY

Whoa!

S-Sorry!

Oh, it's you, Ichinose.

Watch where you're walking.

S-Sorry.

I was daydreaming...

Come to think of it,

I wonder what she thinks about it.

The fact that I've kept my gap year secret all this time...

Hey, Ichinose...

Y-Yes?

I was just gonna buy some ice cream. You wanna come?

I'll treat you to one, but only one.

Just don't tell anybody else. They'd never let me hear the end of it.

That's showing favoritism!

- Favoritism, favoritism! - Favoritism, favoritism!

Gimme ice cream!