A Star Brighter than the Sun (太陽よりも眩しい星)

Here's your miso ramen.

All right, one more miso here.

- Welcome. - Welcome!

Ramen shops aren't the best place for girl talk.

So many people from school.

The seats are so close.

And the noodles will get soggy.

That's fine. Let them go soggy!

What? But soggy noodles ruin the whole dish.

Isn't that kind of a no-no?

Isn't that something you can say out loud?

ISN'T THAT KIND OF A NO-NO?

Girl talk...

And how about some girl talk?

Did either of you fall for someone? Sui?

- No, Iwa. - That's not it!

OH, I'M SORRY

Iwa, you were totally flustered when Kamishiro called you cute.

- Welcome! - Welcome!

What should I get today?

Egg, egg!

Kamishiro's here!

Come to think of it, Kamishiro told us about this place.

He did say he comes here often.

Isn't it risky to talk about Kamishiro?

Kamishiro won't figure it out. It's fine.

Okay.

Water went down the wrong pipe. That was embarrassing.

YOU OKAY?

Extra noodles?

- Yeah. - Extra noodles!

Here you go.

Iwa, he just asked if you wanted extra noodles, and you nodded.

You didn't want that?

It's okay, I'll eat them.

It's a bit much, though.

She can really eat.

Girls who eat a lot are the best.

I know, right?

Wow, isn't that heart-melting?

Soccer club? Aren't they all handsome?

So the whole soccer club has that kind of energy.

That player vibe. It's not just Kamishiro.

Kamishiro's not a player.

My seniors are kind of players.

Which ramen did you get?

Soy sauce.

Isn't Kamishiro looking this way?

You two were having a moment, Iwa.

Kamishiro totally spoils you, Iwa. He's definitely into you.

Same, I got soy sauce. Their eggs are great too.

He got worried because I choked.

Nothing but friendship.

You feel the same, Iwa?

I like him, but it won't work out, so I'm giving up.

I think I don't really like this flavor... What do I do?

I like it, I can take that.

I'm getting kind of mad at Kamishiro.

What is he thinking?

Are you really okay with just staying friends with him?

I'm okay.

It won't go any further, so I'm giving up.

Wait, haven't we been over this already?

Yeah? Then maybe you should just get a boyfriend.

What about Yushin? He said you're cute, after all.

It's me, Yu!

Izawa is... you know?

He's into you, Sui.

What? Not for me, not Yushin!

No matter what?

No!

Right? If someone's not it for you, they're just not it.

It's different for you, Iwa.

- Yushin is a whole different story! - It's me, Yu--

Aren't you being a little harsh to Izawa?

Even with chocolate,

we all have our likes, dislikes, and total indifference.

Some things just won't happen. You can't change that.

Iwa, this is your crush, so I think whatever you decide is right.

But people's feelings can change.

If that happens, I can at least be there to listen.

I'm here for you, Iwa. Remember that.

Back then, it might have felt normal to you to help me out.

But to me, it was something entirely new.

I'll never forget the way you ran to me with the rope in your hand, Iwa.

What? And me? What about me?

I practiced with you, too!

Oh, and me too! I'm here for you, too, Iwa!

Thank you.

Take all the chocolate you want.

- I appreciate it. - Then, I'll take one more, too!

Yeah, my daughter took the day off from school today.

Oh, nothing serious.

She just overate.

It was a bit too much.

BIG APPETITE REGULAR STOMACH

The exam scope was out today.

I'll send notebook pics later.

Thanks. I'm all good now.

Sae, your friend's here.

Huh? Coming!

The notes from today.

It's my Japanese notebook, but I've got all of today's notes here.

PAJAMAS

Are you feeling okay?

The teacher said you overate.

Teacher!

And the printout. It's for the exam scope.

Social studies is crazy, it covers like 50 pages.

Are you still feeling sick? You don't look so well.

I'm okay. I'll be back tomorrow.

Right.

Apparently, today's Math 1 stuff is going to be on the exam.

No rush returning the notebook.

Thank you.

Okay, see you.

Mom, I wish you had told me it was Kamishiro.

And I wish the teacher hadn't gone so far as to say that I overate.

Adults can be cruel.

JAPANESE

ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE UP ON SOMEONE YOU LIKE?

Huh? "The message you sent me at the ramen shop"?

I sent it to the group chat...

I messed up.

I sent it to Kamishiro. What should I do?

Can I still play it off?

If I talk to Sui and Kagawa, and we sync our story,

maybe I can still play it off...

ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE UP ON SOMEONE YOU LIKE?

- Iwa, how's your stomach? - How's your stomach?

We heard you overate.

Yeah, I'm fine...

Iwata, are you okay now after that ramen overload?

Yeah, I'm fine...

I'm taking attendance!

Kamishiro sprained his ankle during club practice, he's off today.

I've been inside Kamishiro's house just once

when we hung out with a few other classmates.

I brought snacks. And Coke.

I love this!

Huh? Koki, I thought you couldn't drink soda?

What?!

I've never tried it before, but I like it!

Nothing but fond memories.

Yes?

- It's Iwa-- - Whoa, I'm opening it now!

Is your ankle okay?

It's okay.

I just twisted it a little doing a slide tackle.

What brought you here, Iwata?

I brought today's notes

and the notebook you lent me.

What? In front of me?

ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE UP ON SOMEONE YOU LIKE? YEAH.

Okay then... No rush returning the notebook.

I just couldn't play it off.

Maybe, deep down, I wanted him to know, even if it was just indirectly.

That I like Kamishiro even in this very moment,

even if I can't say his name.

What does this guy think of you, Iwata?

Huh?

This guy... this guy is...

I think he doesn't see me that way.

Does this guy know how you feel, Iwata?

If he doesn't, are you okay with leaving it unsaid?

Kamishiro's been looking serious this whole time.

I don't want to tell him... and then get rejected, it'd make things awkward.

I won't tell you. If I did, I'm sure it'd put you on the spot.

If he makes you feel awkward just because of that, maybe he's not worth liking.

Why do you take my problems so seriously, Kamishiro?

Because we're friends?

Because I've always been watching.

Back in elementary school,

you were so reliable

that even the teachers kind of expected you to help struggling kids.

You couldn't really do what you wanted, right?

But I was the one being helped, too.

And I realized I was the one who kept you from doing what you really wanted most.

So it wasn't about getting revenge?

Of course it wasn't revenge.

If you don't do anything, won't the feelings just linger forever?

I want you to give it a shot and feel better.

You don't have to be scared.

Even if you end up getting rejected,

I'll totally be there to comfort you!

Kamishi...

Pinning her against the wall?

No, I'm not!

I stumbled, you know my ankle... Iwata just caught me.

G-Good evening.

Iwata...

Is that you, Sae? From elementary school?

Yes.

Oh my! Look how big you've gotten!

Knock it off, Mom! Just go inside already!

Oh, I've been brushed off.

Boys can be so mean, right?

Sorry for leaning on you for so long. I must've been heavy.

Oh, not at all. You were light, so it was fine.

What...