Teasing Master Takagi-san (からかい上手の高木さん)

So here, we say,

"I am Hanako."

As opposed to here, where we say, "He is a teacher."

Hey, Nishikata.

Huh?

What are you doing?

Stop accusing me, Takagi.

I'm learning.

I swear.

Right.

"Eraser."

This'll work well as a spring.

Now I have all the pieces I need

to make my desktop jack-in-the-box!

Just you wait, Takagi.

Huh?

Hey. What's goin' on?

I'm not sure.

My pencil case just won't open.

Maybe it got dented when I dropped it earlier.

Do you think you could try opening it, Nishikata?

Uh.

Yeah, sure.

You must have loosened it or somethi--

What is it, Nishikata?

Huh? Oh, it was nothing.

I'm sorry for shouting.

Seriously, Nishikata,

you should see your face.

Ugh.

Just shut up.

You suck.

She totally got me.

And worse, she got me with what I was about to get her with!

Now that I think about it,

it's unusual for Takagi to ask me for help.

Why didn't that raise any red flags in my mind?

I have to plan my next move.

But how am I supposed to embarrass her of all people?

Hey.

Uh.

What's up?

Can I borrow your eraser?

I forgot mine.

How did you forgot your eraser?

Takagi, you're such an airhead sometimes

Guess so.

Thank you very much.

That reminds me.

Hmm?

Know what I heard?

If you take your eraser,

write the name of your crush on it, and use it all up,

they'll like you back.

Yeah, I've heard that before too.

Only a little kid would actually believe it, though.

Hmm?

A kid, huh?

Huuh...?

Hmm?

Ahh.

Huh?!

What do you see?

Huuuh?

Huh? Ohh...

Wha...

What are you doing?

Nothing's written on there, right?

C'mon.

I'm not some dumb little kid who'd believe that works.

Oho? You sure about that?

There's no way.

You're just making fun of me again, aren't you?

Yeah?

You think so?

Did I actually?

Did I actually write something on there?

And then just forget that I did?

You're done with it, so can you give it back now?

Sure.

It wasn't me, I swear!

Someone else must have gotten a hold of it and then...

I knew there was nothing written on that thing!

Hey!

You didn't forget your eraser, it's right there!

No yelling in class.

I'm sorry, sir.

Not only did you freak out, but you got in trouble!

I think that's enough messing around for one class.

I should be the one saying that!

Mr. Tanabe?

May I go to the bathroom?

Fine.

There's gotta be something.

Something I can do to embarrass her.

Anything!

Huh?

That's it!

I'll write someone's name on Takagi's eraser and make fun

of her for it when she comes back from the bathroom!

Genius!

Just one question:

Whose name should I write?

Huh?

There's a name on it already?

Should I not look, then?

Maybe just a tiny peak.

"Lo"? "Lo"?

Then that means...

...it's not my name.

Not that I'm, like, upset or anything.

Come on!

I'm gonna look at it!

I have to know!

I can't believe it!

She got me again!

Nishikata, that face was priceless.

And man, you acted exactly how I thought.

I just have to tease you.

I can't help it.

Oh yeah?

Well just you wait, Takagi!

Mark my words, one of these days I'm gonna get back at you

and embarrass you so bad!

Like that'll ever happen.

You don't think I can do it, huh?

Well, yeah.

I'm serious!

You better be on your guard.

I think it's impossible.

But keep dreaming.

You can't even win fifty-percent odds.

"Fifty-percent odds"?

Whaddya mean?

Not telling.

Man, day duty is such a pain in the butt.

Why do I have to go to school early

to clean the blackboard and write a lesson log?

I take it back, day duty's awesome!

I guess what they say is true.

The early bird gets the worm!

I thought this was money, not some stupid arcade token.

"Day Duty."

I just got a great idea!

I should use this opportunity

to rig Takagi's desk with some kinda prank.

Just thinking about it woke me up a little.

Ta...

My plan is ruined, she's already here.

Wait, why?

I don't see anyone here.

That's weird.

Did I just imagine it or something?

No, she's definitely here!

My Takagi-sense is tingling!

But where is she hiding?

And that was a close one.

I was about to let my guard down and start humming.

But not today!

Where are you?

Show yourself.

You're making this too easy, Takagi.

I can see the name on your shoes under the desk.

You're probably planning to surprise me

when I go up to clean the blackboard.

But I won't give you the chance.

Ahh...

Day duty is such a pain, I don't feel like doing anything!

Not like anyone will notice if I don't clean the board anyway.

Ooo, stings, doesn't it?

You must be mortified that this silly plan of yours didn't work.

I can hardly contain myself!

I wanna see the look on her face so bad.

But wait...

Would Takagi really make such an amateur mistake?

This is hide-and-seek 101!

No!

She wouldn't!

Which means that's a trap!

That was close.

She's devilish, that one.

Gotta stay on my toes.

So if she's not there,

where is she?

She's gotta be nearby.

She wouldn't miss the opportunity.

I don't see her in the hallway,

so there's only one place left.

Welp!

I guess I'll go to the bathroom!

Now pretend I'm not here.

I got you!

What?

She's not there!

Huh?

Well that was a waste of time.

What the heck was I doing?

Hey!

Are you okay?

Come on!