The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (薫る花は凛と咲く)

FLUMP

Man, today couldn't get any worse.

The humidity's messing up my hair, and even my socks are soaking wet.

This muggy weather's the worst.

Can the rainy season just end already?

It literally just started.

Anyway, where's Rintaro? He's late.

THE FRAGRANT FLOWER BLOOMS WITH DIGNITY

Morning, Rintaro.

That was some bang... You good?

Morning! Rough start, huh?

Morning...

Yikes!

Your glare's extra menacing today.

What? That bad?

- Yeah. - Yeah.

Also, Rintaro, why the full uniform?

It's summer wear from today.

Crap, I forgot.

I mean, you're wearing a cardigan too, Saku.

Well, it's freezing in here with the A/C on full blast.

Speaking of summer wear,

the girls at Kikyo switched into theirs too.

My bad.

Is it just me, or is Rintaro acting weird again?

I did see him using the wrong end of his chopsticks yesterday.

Do you think we should ask him?

It'll be fine.

If something's wrong, he'll be the one to tell us.

True.

Hey, how about hanging out this Saturday? It's been ages...

WORLD HISTORY

What do I do?

I haven't been able to stop thinking about Ms. Waguri since the other day.

I wonder how she spends her mornings.

Maybe she's studying?

Or maybe chatting with Hoshina and her other friends to pass the time.

Man, I'm thinking about her again.

I've known for a while that Ms. Waguri goes to the school next door.

That's nothing new.

Why can't I calm down?

It's like I'm being swept up by my own emotions.

Rintaro?

Rintaro!

What is it?

My bad. Didn't mean to scare you.

Listen...

What? Hang out at my place?

Now that midterms and the sports festival are over,

we were saying it's been a while since we all hung out.

Then we realized we've never actually been to your place before.

Are you free this Saturday?

My house...

Just tell us if you don't wanna.

Yeah, we can always go somewhere else.

I never once talked about my family to them.

Guess they were worried about my feelings.

I heard his family runs a cake shop.

It totally doesn't fit his vibe.

But no more hiding...

Forget I ever brought it up! We can just go to my place.

Okay? Okay?

No, my place is fine.

What? You sure?

Yeah. Saturday, right?

I'll ask my parents.

Heck yeah!

Man, I'm so hyped!

CHOCOLATE CAKE

Rintaro, your family owns a cake shop?

Yeah.

Rintaro, dude...

Why didn't you tell us sooner?!

Yeah, that's awesome!

Your family runs a whole cake shop!

Whoa, these look so good!

I've never seen pastries shaped like this before!

Hey, look! They've got tons of baked sweets too!

I might get some to take home.

Whoa, check out the whipped cream on that pudding!

Totally doesn't suit him.

Sorry, guys...

I should've known you weren't the kind of people who'd say stuff like that.

Just what was I so afraid of?

Hey, you're here!

You're Rintaro's friends, right?

Welcome.

Are you Rintaro's mom?

Hi, I'm Usami.

- I'm Yorita. - I'm Natsusawa.

Hey there! Aren't you full of energy?

Dang, your hair color is so cool!

- Thanks! Suits me, right? - Totally!

THEY HIT IT OFF FAST...

Excuse me...

This is a little thank-you for having us over today.

Really? You didn't have to! Thanks for being so thoughtful.

Right, I made plenty of lunch, so I hope you're all hungry.

- Thank you so much! - Thank you so much!

Mom sure seems happy.

Rintaro, why don't you go take them up?

Sure. The entrance is this way.

I'll bring this with me then.

Why, thank you!

- Wait, you live right above the shop? - Yeah.

So cool!

Sorry, guys, I'm gonna step into the house for a bit.

Okay!

Ms. Kyoko, you're in a good mood today.

Did something happen?

Rintaro brought some friends over.

Wow, Rintaro?

Now that's rare.

Forget rare. This is a first!

Excuse me!

Yes, coming!

Welcome...

So...

this is your home.

It's super clean!

Where should we put our stuff?

Next to the sofa should be fine.

No way! Is this a photo of you as a kid?

For real? I wanna see too.

Hey, is that your older brother next to you?

Yeah, it is.

Wow, I didn't know you had a brother.

You two look alike.

It feels kinda weird having my friends over like this.

Rintaro! Come here for a sec.

What?

Ms. Waguri?!

Sorry for dropping in like this.

THE FRAGRANT FLOWER BLOOMS WITH DIGNITY

Ms. Waguri?!

Sorry for dropping in like this.

What're you doing here?

She came to buy some cakes with her friend.

STIFF

Hello. Sorry to intrude.

Ms. Hoshina?

Whoa, it's Ms. Hoshina and Ms. Waguri!

No way! Hi there.

I heard you're all friends. Mind if they stay for lunch too?

What?

Ms. Tsumugi, we really shouldn't... We just showed up out of the blue.

We don't mind at all.

Yeah, come on in!

- This isn't your house, remember? - I'm kidding! My bad.

Don't worry. Make yourselves at home.

Rintaro, where's the bathroom? I wanna wash my hands.

- Right behind that door. - Thanks.

Sorry for roping you into this.

Since you're a friend of Ms. Waguri's, do you go to Kikyo too?

Yes. My name is Hoshina.

Well, thanks for being friends with Rintaro.

You're more than welcome here.

Thank you very much.

Sorry for barging in like this.

Don't worry, all good.

Something wrong?

No, not at all...

Well, time to start prepping the food.

Anything I can help out with?

In that case, could you grab the tea from the fridge and bring it over?

Gotcha!

Subaru...

Yeah?

My outfit's not weird, right?

I had no idea this would happen.

I should've worn something cuter.

And my hair's the same as always.

Don't worry. You look adorable.

I'm being serious here!

Jeez!