Oh Boy, Was I Wrong About Her (転校先の清楚可憐な美少女が、昔男子と思って一緒に遊んだ幼馴染だった件)

Nikaido Haruki has a boyfriend now.

Huh?

Excuse me.

Is Nikaido-san available?

Oh. See? Right on cue.

It's that guy.

Yes? What is it?

Kaido Kazuki.

Because of what all the girls have been saying about him.

That Kaido-san thinks Nikaido-san is the one.

Then maybe I should go with you.

Thanks. You're a lifesaver.

Wait a second!

Haya—

Huh? Kirishima-kun?

And you are?

OH BOY, WAS I WRONG ABOUT HER

You're going somewhere to take care of club stuff, right?

I've been thinking of joining one too,

so maybe this is a good time.

EPISODE 6 "WHAT ABOUT YOUR CAMOUFLAGE?!"

Then why don't you join us?

Okay with you, Kaido-kun?

Yeah, I don't mind.

But what odd timing to join a club.

I'm a transfer student.

Oh, right. You're the one.

What club are you looking to join?

We'd love to have you join ours.

Gardening club.

Huh?

Hey.

You're in the soccer club, right?

What's so fun about soccer anyway?

What's so fun?

The power of a single goal, the freedom of movement,

and then, of course, the feeling of camaraderie with my teammates.

Really, there are too many things to list.

It's the same thing with gardening and farming.

You water and prune every morning.

You fertilize, weed, and take care of bugs.

It takes a lot of time. It's hard labor.

But you know what?

The vegetables always reward you for the care you give them,

and they all have different personalities.

There's nothing like the feeling when one of them produces odd-shaped fruit!

See? Take a look!

Nothing is more fun than playing in the dirt!

Haya—

Uh, Kirishima-kun, you sound like you really love gardening!

It's really nice that you have something you're so passionate about.

Well, it grows on you over time...

Hey! That hurts! Would you quit slapping my back?

Ahem. We should continue on.

Yeah...

STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICE

I sure didn't expect that.

I guess what we just saw was the true Nikaido Haruki.

Who knows?

Weren't you trying to keep up your act?

My name is Kaido Kazuki.

You are?

Huh?

Your name.

Kirishima Hayato.

Nice to meet you, Kirishima-kun.

Sure.

Mm-hmm. Nice job, man!

What are you talking about?

You blocked the cool guy from devouring our beauty!

You're a real hero!

Dummy.

Kirishima-kun, do you have any other pictures like that last one?

Kaido?!

I'm sure I've got something.

Anything's good. Can I see them?

Kirishima, you also got pictures of shrine girls, right?

Mori! Shut up!

I mean, I do, but come on.

Huh... Shrine girls are cute.

Don't get the wrong idea.

Take it easy. Just show us!

What other kinds do you have?

No, I don't!

Oh, right. I gotta go.

Hey, that girl's cute!

Um, hello, Mitake-san.

Huh? Kirishi—

N-Nikaido-san?! H-How can I help you?

Well, um, I was just wondering what you were up to.

I-I'm pruning and weeding.

Of course you are.

Oh my gosh, she's cute.

She and I are totally different types.

I wonder if she's the reason Hayato wants to join.

Argh, damn it!

N-Nikaido-san?

Uh, I'm sorry.

I, um, went full caveman for a second.

Caveman?

Um, has something been bothering you?

Yeah, I guess. Something's been on my mind.

I see.

P-Play in the dirt!

Huh?

You should try playing in the dirt!

Trust me, it's very nice.

You'll find it very relaxing.

Here, put this on.

Uh, what? I don't know...

We can trim off rogue branches here and there.

Snip those flowers right off!

W-Well, if you insist...

All righty.

I still think it's mysterious how a flower can turn into a vegetable.

Yes, it's a marvelous thing.

Oh, speaking of, when you start picking...

You should definitely come.

Um, Nikaido-san?

I just...

You finally showed me a smile.

Actually, a little while ago, I endured a fairly shocking experience.

It was sad and difficult, and I cried a lot.

But I still had an appetite,

which I thought was kinda strange.

I heard that vegetables are only getting started when they bloom,

since that's where the fruits grow from.

So I started doing this out of curiosity.

Mitake-san?

When you actually try to grow them,

it takes so much more work than you expect,

but it's also that much more fun!

Um, what am I trying to say anyway?

I guess simply that finding this hobby helped me through a very tough time!

Yeah. Can I come visit again sometime?

Yes, please do!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

You know, I really hate tomatoes.

Huh?

I bet this is my big bro's way of getting back at me.

When he made me dinner the other night,

I complained and said it looked dreadful.

What a minute.

You mean that your brother actually made your lunch for you?

That's insane!

Yeah, but the stuff he cooks is all like party snacks and appetizers.

Also, he's rough when he wakes me up in the morning,

and he cleans my room without asking first.

Say what? He doesn't just cook and make your lunches,

but he also cleans your room and takes care of you?

Kirishima-san, will you tell us more about your brother?

Um... He's not really that great, though.

He's only one year older, but acts really arrogant.

Aw, don't let that stop you.

You should bring him to hang out sometime.

We could go to karaoke or something.

Huh? But my brother...

Wait, karaoke?

You mean not like for bus trips or community hall events,

but a real karaoke box?

Mm-hmm! Why don't we go after school today?

Great. And I'll even treat you, Himeko-chan!

Your treat? Yes!

They all had great voices.

I'd better come with Hayato and Haru-chan to practice before the next time.

H-Hime-chan?

Haru-chan!

Oh, it's her! Nikaido-san's childhood friend!

Hey, what do you guys do when you hang out?

Uh, I don't, I mean...

Look, you've made her all nervous.

That's enough questions for now.

Hime-chan just moved here. She's still getting used to things.

Please don't give her such a hard time.

Oh, sorry. I guess we got a little excited.

Um, you surprised me a little, that's all.

I-I'm all right.

You handled that well, Hime-chan.

Good girl.

Hey! Cut it out, Haru-chan!

I'm not some little kid, you know.

It's from my brother.

"Pick up some milk, yogurt, soy sauce, and..."

Uh, this sounds like a lot.

I'll go with and carry half.

And on that note, everyone, I'll see you tomorrow.

See you.

I've never seen that side of Nikaido-san before!

Did you hear what that girl said?

She said "brother," didn't she?

And Nikaido-san knows them well enough to just drop by their house?

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

Is that why Nikaido-san has been softening up?

Haru-chan, is that how you always act at school?

Do you hang out with those girls a lot?

No. I just happened to run into them.

Why? Did I seem weird?

Hmm... Maybe not weird, but kinda mysterious?

Actually, you were like that at first at the convenience store too.

Yeah, that's pretty much how I act when I'm in public.