I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class (クラスで２番目に可愛い女の子と友だちになった)

I-I'm so sorry!

Oh, look who we have here.

It's been a while, Maki.

Dad?

What are you doing here?

What am I saying? You're here to hang out, I imagine.

You're a high schooler now, after all.

Actually, nah. I came shopping.

I last saw you before summer break, right?

Yeah.

I'm sorry. I should've made time to see you again,

but I got busy with work after that.

Are you here for work, then?

Yeah. I happen to have a new client here.

I'm on my way back from a meeting.

Sounds hectic. Are you taking care of yourself?

Don't worry about me.

I'm built for this.

Chief Maehara.

I apologize for interrupting.

You were gone for some time, so I came to check on you.

Yeah, sorry to keep you waiting.

Minato, this is my son Maki.

Your son...

It's nice to meet you. My name is Minato Kyouka.

Er, I'm Maehara Maki. Hello.

TODAY SORRY TO BARGE IN ON YOUR DATE SERIOUSLY, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT... ANYWAY, TOMORROW AFTER SCHOOL. NOT DONE YET, MAKI? MAKI-KUN! MEAT'S WAITING!

Friends you're here with?

Yeah.

Well, you seem busy, so I'll head out now.

Yeah, see you.

DIVORCE NOTICE

Why are you always like this?

Why do you never say anything?!

Dad...

Forgive me, Maki.

Took you long enough, Maki. Did you get lost?

Something like that.

Umi was all fidgety until we saw you coming back.

Enough small talk. Let's get going.

Come on, Maki.

YAKINIKU QUEEN 2 HOUR ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BBQ

Maki... Are you listening?

Maki!

Hi-yah!

Ow!

Come on. I've been asking you what you want to order,

and all you say is "umm" and "ahh."

Space out all you want when you're alone, but it's rude to do it in a group.

Sorry.

I guess I'm a little worn out.

Are you okay?

If you're not feeling well, you don't have to force yourself to eat.

Nah, I'm good.

I was just spacing out. It's not like I'm not hungry.

I'll get the thick beef-tongue cuts.

Hey, that sounds good.

I'm thinking premium skirt. And Yuu?

I'm going with short ribs, obviously.

And let's get some random sausages and seafoods to go with it.

Hey! You already went and got ice cream?

And I know it's all-you-can-eat, but that's a lot.

You're one to talk. I see your childish cola and white soda mix.

Anyway, ice cream doesn't count. It goes into a different stomach.

Don't you agree, Maki-kun?

Uh, neither of you can throw stones here.

Umi, you hear that?

You're the childish one here, Yuu!

All I did was experiment with one glass!

In any case, both of you need to eat some veggies.

That's mean!

Umi's here. Amami-san's here.

And that's not all.

I know I'll make some good memories this year.

So I should forget about last year

and think about what's to come.

No! That'll fill me up!

Just try it!

This should do it.

Heya.

Hey...

It's cold out, so I'd appreciate it if you'd let me in.

Here you are.

Thanks.

Did you just sneak a peek at my legs?

It's just, it's winter out, you know?

Yeah, it's real cold.

Frankly, I started to regret it on the way here.

You didn't have to wear a skirt, then.

You got me there.

But I want my date to think I'm pretty.

I mean...

You're the boy I'm closest with, after all.

So you came here instead of meeting up outside because...

Yep. I knew it'd be a bother, but I still wanted you to see me ASAP.

Tell me, Maki. How do I look today?

Well...

Never mind!

You know...

It's embarrassing saying this to your face...

B-But you're beautiful, Umi.

You took my breath away.

Yeah? Thanks.

I'm glad I put in the effort, then.

Hey, since we're on a date and all,

let's hold hands this way.

Sure. It is quite cold out.

And yet, your hand's awfully sweaty.

Never mind, then.

Not so fast, bucko.

We look like your typical high school couple that's trying a bit too hard.

And it's all because Umi dressed me up.

I'm stuck with my looks, and I don't really care what anyone says about that.

But I don't want anyone making fun of the girl who still says she loves me over it.

What's up?

I hope you'll keep coaching me on this stuff.

I'll do my best to learn...

for you.

Oho?

Wh-What?

You're being awfully sweet today. It's adorable.

Do I take that as a compliment?

Usually, I don't think you'd want to.

But you should when it's coming from me.

Okay.

Hey... Umi?

Isn't this...

a couples' seat?

I figured it was okay, since we're on a date.

I mean, yeah, but...

Hey, Umi-san?

What is it?

Why'd you cling to my arm as soon as we sat down?

When on the couples seat, do as the couples do.

Take a look. Pretty much everyone in this row is doing the same thing.

Or are you saying you don't want to cuddle with me?

I'm not saying that.

You're so shy, Maki. Poke, poke.

Look, the movie's about to start.

Right.

Hey, Maki.

What now?

What if some of our classmates see us like this?

KAPPA REAL ESTATE

THE TRAIL YOU LEFT BEHIND

DEAD END SHARK

That was a good nap!

Man, you were out cold within 30 minutes.

I mean, that was godawful!

I came in blind because I was excited for today.

Ugh! Of course that's when you get a total dud.

The curse of film buffs everywhere.

That's just it!

DEAD END SHARK

Wish we hadn't tried to get cute and gone with

the giant cyborg man-eating shark versus the all-mighty Gustave

versus the giant deep-sea kraken versus the killing spree android

in a titanic battle of superheavyweights!

What's with the all-star lineup?!

Shark!

I'm back.

Whoa!

What'd you think, Maki?

I liked everything, including the dessert.

But I do have one complaint.

Me too, actually.

Wanna say it together?

One, two...

The portions were too small!

I know, right?

Yeah.