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

It's an unrequited crush.

She feels like someone out of my reach.

Iwata, you know my uncool sides, right?

I was small as an elementary school student,

I'm not that good at studying,

and I'm trying my best to catch up.

To me...

she's like a star that shines brighter than the sun.

I love you, Kamishiro.

You have always been my bright star, Kamishiro.

See? I told you!

Kamishiro has a crush on someone, right?

Why are you doing push-ups?

Iwa?

EPISODE 4 He's Still There Even When I Close My Eyes

Hey! It's past 11:00 p.m. Lights out!

When I close my eyes, I remember.

That face of Kamishiro's I had never seen before.

Did you ask him what his crush is like? What'd you say?

What are you going to do now?

Sui, you're bombarding her with questions.

But I want to know!

I give up.

If I stop looking at him and keep my distance,

I think I'll eventually forget about him.

I'll avoid talking to him, too.

Even though you're in the same class?

Just talking to him should be fine, no?

Hmm...

I feel like if I talk with him, I'll end up catching feelings.

He said she was like a blindingly bright star.

That she was someone out of his reach.

He was staring into the distance, while I stood right beside him.

Kagawa, what are you--

Thought you needed some moisturizing.

I feel like what Iwa needs right now is a hug.

I wasn't sure if Iwa was comfortable with physical contact.

Iwa, you've done your best!

You think so? I feel like I didn't do much.

You tried your best!

Right.

Iwa!

How about some more mist?

No!

Girl talk's not so bad after all.

Right?

- We'll stay up with you till morning. - Maybe it's because I did my best

that I got to see how kind they are, and that we can do girl talk like this?

- Where there's a will, there's a way. - Kamishiro trusts me with his secret.

- A magic spell? - I'm glad I gave it a shot.

I'm sure it was worth the shot.

It was definitely better than just watching it all pass by.

- Ow... - Ow...

Ouch.

Your head's like a rock, Iwa.

Sorry.

It's okay. There's no sign of Kamishiro, Iwa.

Th-Thanks.

You don't need to make a big deal about it.

I'll go find seats.

Thank you.

We'll get in line.

I'll just let some distance happen naturally.

I think I'll be able to forget about him in time.

Morning. Did you sleep well?

Morning. I did.

His bedhead...

Hey! I've got us a spot.

Okay, thanks. Appreciate it.

- Let's go. - Yeah.

Don't go near him.

Don't look at him.

Don't talk to him.

Keep my distance...

Iwata.

We've got the same meat as yesterday, that mystery meat.

Oh... thanks.

Don't go near him.

Don't look at him.

Sui, is that all you're having?

I can't eat that much in the morning.

Iwa?

Water! Drink some water!

Mystery meat?

The curse of mystery meat!

- That stuff gets stuck if you eat a lot? - Uh-oh...

Huh? Huh?

I'm fine.

That's Iwa for you. She's got a strong throat, too.

Okay, let's have each group present the materials you made yesterday.

EACH GROUP

Who's presenting? Should we do it together?

Aiming for a sustainable society...

Izawa, you...

...should do it, maybe.

Me? Sure, but can someone join me...

I think you can handle it on your own.

Huh? Am I doing it alone?

Okay, let's do it together.

Use this.

He's so kind...

Oh, thank you.

Uh, ours is about sweets made with local ingredients.

Uh, all the details are on the slide you're looking at.

- Don't look at him. - Kamishiro, you take it from here.

Everyone, get on the bus.

Don't forget anything since we're not coming back here.

Don't go near him.

Teacher, what're we doing after this?

It's written in the itinerary. Read it, Kamishiro!

What? I didn't say a word.

How admirable, Iwa...

If Iwa's holding on, we can't be the ones to give way first, can we?

You're right.

But it hurts. Iwa...

Huh? Are you crying, Onodera?

Why? Want me to call Iwa?

She's okay, just leave her be.

The hole in my heart is slowly growing bigger.

But I'll be okay.

I've learned that giving your all can leave you with scars,

but that same effort brings gentle healing, slow but steady.

So I'll be okay.

Iwata, are you feeling sick? Need some water?

Thank you.

I'm fine.

I just stayed up a bit too late last night.

Yeah, that's right. Don't worry.

It's just that our girls' night bloomed a little too much.

Yep. It was like full bloom, I think we even got a pollen allergy.

- Do you have a tissue? - Just a moment.

Don't look at him.

It's going to get tough from here. Make sure you stay hydrated.

Your skin's so clear, Kamishiro.

Do you use anything?

I don't really do anything. I just sleep well.

I'll avoid him and keep my distance.

Is there something there?

You've been staring hard for a while. Is something there?

Nothing.

There's nothing?

This isn't working.

Gather!

Next time for sure...

All right, it's time for North High's traditional orienteering,

a ten-kilometer race through the forest, up to the Memorial Tower, and back.

Pair up in boy-girl teams. Just do it randomly.

Boy-girl pairs!

Want to pair up?

Sure, I guess?

Thanks. Let's get going to the starting point.

-A Star Brighter Than the Sun. - A Star Brighter Than the Sun.

Hey, sorry, Kagawa.

Have you seen Iwata around here?

She looked unwell earlier.

Iwa paired up with Ayukawa.

Ayukawa? Why?

Well, they sit next to each other.

How about teaming up with me, Kamishiro? Our seats are next to each other, too.

I haven't been able to distance myself at all.

I need to go at it like I'm running from him, anything less won't work.

I have to be ready for him to think I'm being a bit rude.

Ten kilometers, huh? Can you run, Iwata?

I think I can run the whole thing if it's flat.

Wow, that's impressive.

How about you, Ayukawa?

I'm not sure, but let's just get as far as we can.

Look out for your partner.

It may be a race, but winning isn't the goal.

Let's make sure everyone crosses the finish line.

On your marks.

Kamishiro said he was shy around new people,

but he's fine now, right?

Back in junior high, he had no trouble talking to anyone, boy or girl.

- Really? You're so funny, Kamishiro. - I wonder if his crush was among them.

Or could she be a student here?

Is that why he put in a lot of work?