Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota (顔に出ない柏田さんと顔に出る太田君)

SATA-KUN'S OBSERVATIONS

My name is Sata.

Not S-A-D-A, but S-A-T-A. I try to make that clear.

People often tell me that I've got a dead look in my eyes.

She's called The Inferno's Diva,

and she's, appropriately, cute as hell!

And then, let me tell you...

Whether it's an idol act...

It was totally worth it to go to Koshien and cheer for her solo performance!

I've been a fan since she was doing loft shows!

Or comedians...

The things that interest other people don't do much for me.

I guess my lack of enthusiasm shows on my face.

BASEBALL

SOCCER

RAMEN

MANGA

INTERNET

TV

Wow, is that right?

And if you were curious...

I-I like you!

We've never even talked before.

Who is this?

I don't really understand romance, either.

But the one thing I do enjoy...

Is observing Oota and Kashiwada-san.

Okay, I'm passing back the tests from the other day.

JAPANESE 2 TEST

Oota makes every thought he has really obvious.

He must've gotten a zero, again.

Meanwhile, Kashiwada-san never seems to react at all.

Kashiwada!

What score did you get?!

A 40.

Quit looking like you're proud that you beat me!

DEPRESSED

Check it out! A snake!

Hey, she fought back.

Hey! Knock it off! Don't do that!

Stop!

Seeing these two total opposites interact,

and predicting what they'll do next, is entertaining.

But if you asked me if they were friends, or something more...

What do you think you're doing?!

Give it a rest, Kashiwada!

When I imagine them romantically, I'd wager it's mutual...

But I'm still not sure about that.

Kashiwada-san?

Slumping more than usual, for some reason.

Hey, Kashiwada!

Hey!

Kashiwada!

Kashiwa—

Get back here, dammit! Quit ignoring me!

AVOIDED

S-She's finally had enough of you, huh, Oota?

Seems kinda sudden, though.

Maybe you stink real bad or something?

I do not!

It was a joke, dude! Quit looking like you're about to cry.

I've never seen this pattern of behavior before.

Something major might've happened.

Kashiwada-san.

Did something happen?

I cut my bangs... and they turned out funny.

And that's why you've been running from Oota?

There's barely any difference.

I doubt he'd even notice.

But it's still a major deal to her.

Maybe that's what it means to like somebody?

It doesn't look bad. You're the same Kashiwada-san as usual.

Don't get the wrong idea, Oota, and don't act so shocked. It's annoying.

I wasn't shocked! Wrong idea about what?!

Let go, dammit!

Get your hands off me, Sata! You jerk!

Sata, enough!

Kashiwada-san, this is about more than your bangs at this point.

Do you mind me explaining everything?

NOD

Is that what it was?!

You let your bangs get you that down? What're you, stupid?

He sounds so happy.

If you think it looks bad, I can tidy it up for you!

It's just the bangs. Should be easy.

Okay.

Kashiwada, are you for real?! This sounds like a bad idea!

Okay...

Oh crap, that's too short.

That, too!

Aw, dammit!

He cut too much.

L-Looks really good?

That's not what your face says.

Look, if we just take this...

And curl this here...

Y'know what this needs?! A flower! Yeah!

Ch-Check it out! Kashiwada loves her new look!

FURIOUS

See, I was right! Bangs are a cinch to cut!

It turned out fine!

Lookin' good!

Maybe there's no way she likes him, after all.

OOTA-KUN'S CHRISTMAS

There'll be no more tearing off eraser bits and tossing them around during assemblies.

Understood?

Now, tomorrow is the start of winter break...

You'll wanna do your homework every day instead of letting it pile up!

And don't go too wild out there.

Especially you, Oota!

Why me?!

Dismissed.

Dammit! That shady jerk...

Making me out to be some kind of bad guy!

Let's head on home, Oota!

It's finally winter vacation!

We gotta make the most of it!

Are you gonna be sad that you won't be able to see Kashiwada-san after tomorrow?

Not having to see her poker face for a while will be a relief, actually.

What?!

Y-You just looked really torn up about it...

I-I did not!

Oota.

You were just out in the hall! Quit teleporting!

The Christmas party.

Oh, yeah, since it's Christmas tomorrow, there's gonna be a class party.

CLASS 2-3 CHRISTMAS PARTY PRESENT EXCHANGE

It's gonna be at the community center.

Pretty sure participation is voluntary.

Just gonna be present exchanges and scarfing down sweets.

Making a huge fuss over something stupid like Christmas.

I wouldn't be caught dead there.

What?!

Um, Oota... could you come?

F-Fine.

That was so quiet!

Man, shut up! Put a sock in it, dumbass!

HAPPY

Present Exchange Be Sure To Bring a Present * Limit 1

You have to bring a present?! What a pain.

Wait, this is my chance to freak Kashiwada out with a weird present.

What'd be good...?

Holy crap, what reeks?!

You mean this?

It's called surströmming! It's the stinkiest food in the world!

I bought some because it seemed interesting.

Why are you always buying bizarre crap?!

And do you realize how bad it must be to stink like this when it ain't even open?!

I think I'll eat it next time.

Oota!

You came too, Tadokoro?

Sounded like fun! Also, I was bored.

But man, I had trouble deciding on a present,

so I just brought some crap I didn't need around the house!

It's not a yard sale, man!

There's Kashiwada.

What'd you bring for a present?

It's a secret.

Damn, I can't tell!

ONLY LOOKING AT HER FACE

What about you, Oota?

Mine's a secret, too!