Slow Start (スロウスタート)

We're having dried mackerel for dinner tonight!

I stewed some veggies, and we have chopped burdock root, too!

I'm proud of this meal!

MOMOCHI

Oh, I'm looking forward to it.

I'm not at your level yet though, Grandma Fumio!

Even now, you're a good cook, Tama.

Right, Taka?

Yes.

How can I put it? There's a youthfulness to her cooking.

Yes, exactly. A youthfulness.

Fumi and I both always look forward to your meals, Tama.

Thank you, Grandma Takako!

Actually, my friend from school complimented me on it, too!

The friend you're going to see today?

That's right!

Watch out for cars!

I will!

See you later!

- See you later! - See you later!

U-Um...

Nice to meet you! I'm Tamate Momochi!

SLIMINESS OF AN EEL

Hana is always helping me out!

The way I hear it, you're always helping Hana out.

I'm Shion Kyouzuka.

Please feel free to call me Tama!

Oh, then please just call me Shion.

Shion!

Yes, Tama?

Shiotama is like a salty ramen-flavored egg topping!

Really? It sounds delicious!

Are you a salty ramen kind of person, Shion?

I like everything, but I have to have my bamboo shoot condiment.

I bet delicious bamboo shoots are made from high-grade splittable chopsticks!

I bet they use cedar or cypress.

Splittable chopsticks?

Tama, please continue to take good care of Hana.

Sure! I'm not much good at anything, but I promise I'll make her happy!

T-T-T-Tama?

You said you'd cook dinner for us tonight, right, Tama?

If you need anything, take it from here.

Thank you!

I can shred the cabbage with this peeler!

I've got this, too.

You can easily make potato chips at home with that!

And this!

Wow, you can make ground meat at home?

SAWAIZAMA STATION

Tama, you're amazing.

Why?

I mean, you hit it off so easily with people you've only just met.

That's not because I'm amazing, but because the other person is nice!

I-I see.

And there's someone else who forcibly leads everyone around by the nose.

Sorry to keep you waiting!

G-Good morning, Eiko and Kamuri!

Morning.

Thanks for the invite.

Thanks.

Thanks!

Th-Thank you for coming!

Oh, boy, it's a beautiful day for a sleepover!

I brought video games, too!

Tama, why are we staying over again?

To work at night and then play.

Wrong.

To stuff ourselves on Tama's cooking.

I really am looking forward to that, but it's not the reason for this.

It's a study session, right?

You're the type who always sticks to the original premise, Eiko!

Your cousin is out today, huh?

Yeah, a reunion.

So I'm thrilled you guys are staying over, but I'm also a little relieved.

Being all alone would make any of us kind of nervous.

That's true.

I've been afraid before when I had to stay home alone.

I kept thinking someone was behind me.

That's like when I've taken a shower before

and had the feeling somebody was watching me.

Well, in most of those cases, you were right! It was me!

Oh, that was you!

Now that you mention it, the other day...

I was studying in my apartment

when I heard something fall to the floor behind me!

I nervously turned around and saw...

a...

sma...

Smoke?

Small...

screw!

I kept thinking about where that screw came from

and was so scared I couldn't sleep!

Because of a screw?

Something smells good.

It's probably that eel restaurant.

SPECIALTY EEL RESTAURANT

That aroma is heavenly!

It sure is!

But when it comes to good smells, nothing beats Eiko!

I'm not competing with eels, so your consideration isn't necessary.

Tama, do you know how to prepare eel?

I've never had the experience.

But I've worked at an eel restaurant before!

You know how you get work experience on a field trip in middle school?

I did that, too.

That was a tough experience!

Amid the fragrant aroma of eel,

I worked my butt off, and the meal awaiting for me...

...was the lunch box I brought from home.

So lunch wasn't provided.

You must've been in agony!

I was in total agony!

It's like, if I were an eel, I would've been undercooked!

Don't eat eel that's been undercooked.

Now if I'd been a popular woman like Eiko,

I bet they would've thrown in one or two slimies!

Is a slimy a unit for counting eels?

Just talking about this is giving me a craving for eel.

But I'm in a bit of an economic pinch this month.

A pinch?

In my house, I'm given a monthly budget for food,

and I get to keep whatever's left as pocket money.

That's so responsible of you, Tama!

Yeah, but therein lies the problem.

I learn new dishes, find delicious-looking ingredients,

and feel like cooking for my grandmothers.

So I don't think I have enough left to go to dinner with my family this month.

I see. That's responsible of you, too, Tama!

Really? You're praising me?

Then keep going, shower me with praise!

Make a fuss over me!

Okay, I will! I'll make a fuss over you!

Tama, you really are incredible! I admire you!

Tama is incredibly admirable.

Th-That's really blunt!

Y-You can make a fuss over Eiko, too!

What about her?

Look, she's right here.

Good girl.

Y-You're embarrassing me.

This is rare for Tama.

She's undercooked.

This is agonizing!

Hana!

Hiroe!

You're all here!

Long time no see.

You're back to wearing sweats, huh?

She's back to the sweats.

You're right! I'm wearing sweats!

That's right! When did that happen?

What am I doing?

I started with taking out the garbage, then I went to the convenience store!

Then my discipline slipped by the day!

I'm sorry, Eiko!

Hit me until you get tired!

Um, I'll pass.

Why, Eiko, why?

There you go.

You look cute, Big Sis Hannen!

You look lovely, Hiroe!

Th-Thank you.

Sticking to it is important.

Yes, you're right!

This is like retempering a dull sword of femininity.

I have to work to maintain this form!

By the way, what's the occasion?

Is this one of those girls-only gatherings I hear rumors about?

If only that were the case...

Unfortunately, we're just having a study session.

We've got semester finals coming up,

so I thought we'd have a sleepover study session.

That makes sense. So that's what it is.

Then how about I help you guys study?

Really?

It'll be my way of giving back for helping me increase my femininity.

No need to be shy!

Thank you!

Yep!

You're smart, Hiroe!

What is this? I'm shocked!

What did they think of me...

before this?

I'm tired.

I'm hungry.

Yeah.

But thanks to Hiroe, we got a lot accomplished.

I'm just glad I was helpful.

The bath is ready.

- Thanks! - Thank you!

Then I'd better get going...

That's right! I brought over bath salts.

Is it okay if I put that in?

S-Sure.

Hiroe, you can take the first bath.

Uh, I'm...

Go on, take the first bath!

We owe you that much, Big Sis Hannen!

But, um...