Even a Replica Can Fall in Love (レプリカだって、恋をする。)

The aquarium?

Sorry. I forgot to tell you yesterday.

But we didn't skip school like the last time.

We went after school.

Who's "we"?

Uh, Aki-kun.

So? How far have you guys gone?

Let's see...

We've been to Nihondaira Zoo,

a festival, the movie theater at Cenova mall,

and yesterday was the aquarium at Matsuzakaya department store.

What's wrong? Does your head hurt?

Step Problem Set

College Entrance Exams

High School

Just go to school.

Sure.

Episode 7: A Replica Searches

Aikawa-san.

Wanna eat lunch together?

Lately, I've been discussing our project with the prop crew over food.

It's a good use of lunch time.

Aikawa-san, your food looks so good.

Thanks. But all of your lunches look tasty, too.

Mine's just reheated.

Oh, Hamburg steak. Lucky me.

Anyone want my grapes?

I'll take them. I love fruit for dessert.

Ooh, Sanada, you've got some nice grub there.

Lemme have a bite.

For 50 million.

What a rip-off.

Sanada-kun's pretty cool, isn't he?

He sure is.

He's the "stern" type.

But he's actually sweet.

He's not like the other boys.

Yeah. He's definitely not like Yoshii.

Will we see some new couples at Seiryo Fest?

Who knows?

Our haunted house will be dark enough to steal kisses.

So Aikawa-san...

What's it like to kiss a guy?

Why is she asking me?

What's wrong? You're flushed.

It's too warm in here, I think.

Aikawa-san, aren't you in the lit club?

Huh? Yeah.

Could you recommend a book for me?

Is Sato-san bailing me out right now?

Do you remember any stories or poems from language arts textbooks?

Yeah, there's one.

"Sato was enraged."

"She resolved to do whatever she must"

"to rid the land of that evil and ruthless Yoshii."

That's "Run, Melos!"

Bingo.

Just yesterday, he smashed the boxes we were using for the haunted house.

Was it bad?

Yeah, but Sanada-kun fixed them up for us right away.

He did?

You know, I'm basically an outlaw.

If you butt heads with people in a group, things tend to get awkward.

So what I do is go hang out with another group.

After a good, long while,

the first group forgets the fight happened and welcomes me back.

I guess it's what you'd call "hit-and-run tactics."

But you never seem miserable when you're alone, Aikawa-san.

But sometimes...

only once in a while, you do seem kind of sad.

Or maybe it's just me.

But there I go again, acting like I know you.

This is why other girls don't like me that much.

You don't say.

I do say.

It's only because they don't know what they're missing.

Aikawa-san, did you just hit on me?

That made my heart skip a beat.

Ah, this is where Dazai's at?

Where's that novel that got made into a movie?

Sorry, Sato-san. I've gotta go.

Uh, sure.

And thanks.

Another dead end?

This case is never going to be solved.

Ricchan?

Literature Club

N-Nao-senpai? You scared me.

Sorry, my bad.

So what's this "case" you're talking about?

Y-You heard me talking out loud? About a case?

Loud and clear.

I blew it!

You're looking for the person behind the flyers?

Huh?

Well, lessee, let me think...

Ricchan?

Yes, I was on the hunt.

Those flyers freaked me out.

They might be talking about you and Aki-senpai.

Ricchan.

Thank you.

Don't mention it.

Say, can I help search for the culprit, too?

What?

But Aki-senpai will get mad.

We'll keep it from Aki-kun so we don't worry him.

This will be our little secret, Ricchan.

And if he finds out?

I'll stand with you in the hallway after he yells at us.

And hold buckets of water, too?

Right. One in each hand.

Will we even find the perp?

It's been two weeks since the incident.

There's no point in searching blindly. But don't worry.

Let me handle this, Nao-senpai.

I'll definitely find the culprit for you...

Or my name ain't Ricchan!

You just wanted to say the line, didn't you?

Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager...

managing an imaginary...

Unfortunately, finding the culprit was easier said than done.

...inimically mimicking him hiccuping.

Two Weeks to Seiryo Fest!

Supplies

Supplies

Supplies

Supplies

Supplies

Supplies

Ricchan and I spent our days swamped with our Seiryo Fest projects.

Jeez, I thought the inspectors would be here by now.

We need them to check if the haunted house is safe, right?

Yeah.

I'll go to the student council room.

Would you? Thanks.

Student Council

What's with this test score?

I should've hidden the answer sheet in here.

Don't tell me you ditched studying to go out partying or something.

You know I'd never do that.

But this is just bizarre!

How could you of all people completely bomb a test?

Oh, shut up! Jeez.

Who cares if I get a five or a ten on some stupid test?

It doesn't mean you get to lecture me about it.

You've never had a five or a ten in your life!

You do better than this in your sleep!

Just shut up already!

You're one to preach, right after you foisted Princess Kaguya on me.

Then, just say "no" for once!

Say you don't want to act with me!

Quit putting words in my mouth!

You don't know me!

Aikawa?

Senpai, can I have a word?

What is it now?

The tone you took with her would've hurt anyone.

Mori-senpai was close to tears.

She was? I can't blame her.

Aikawa, can you keep a secret?

Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't.

Rather honest of you.

But I know I can trust someone like you.

Over summer break,

Mori and I went to the Abe River fireworks festival.

I asked her out while we were there. I'm still waiting for her answer.

Mori's really smart.

She's top three in our grade.

She's been studying to go to her dream college in Tokyo.

Maybe that's why she's been putting me on hold.

But despite all that, she's really something.

She didn't contact me once over summer break.

Then when school started again, she talks to me like nothing happened.

All the while, I feel like I'm being tortured to death every single day.

That must be agonizing.

I want to take on even more work, even though I'm already busy.

That way, I won't have to think about anything else.

Mochizuki-senpai, breathe through your nose.

Huh? Why now?

Just do it.

Breathe in.

And breathe out.

One, two, three, four, five.

Abdominal breathing exercises. You taught us that technique for the play.

So I was wondering...

Are you going out with Sanada?

No, I get it.

You wouldn't want to brag in front of a guy who's still waiting around.

I wasn't protecting you.

You're not like how I thought you'd be.

The third-years say you're either an aloof loner or an ice queen.

That's how you come across.

I'm only like this when I'm with the literature club.

Oh, yeah?

It's true.