Slow Start (スロウスタート)

I'm back!

Welcome home!

Shion, the package by the door...

I forgot!

I took in Ms. Hannen's package this morning!

Ms. Hannen?

She lives on the second floor. I have to get it to her!

But the chicken...

- Do you want me to take it up? - What should I do?

You, Hana?

Are you sure?

Yeah, no problem.

Even though you were so shy before...

you've made progress, Hana.

Shion!

Tell me what to say after I ring the bell and hand over the package!

As detailed as possible!

Hana...

THE PREMIUM TOURNAMENT ON THE SECOND FLOOR

Yes?

U-Um, I'm the landlady!

I've come to deliver a package

that came when you were out

this morning!

Th-That didn't come out strange, did it?

U-Um...

Who are you?

Th-The landlady...

No, you're not.

The landlady has more up top.

HANDLE WITH CARE

Boom!

U-Um, but I'm the landlady's—

The one before the stacked one was a middle-aged man!

I see right through your scheme!

H-Help me, Shion!

So let me give you a proper introduction this time.

This is Ms. Hannen.

And this is my cousin, Hana.

Hello.

I-It's nice to meet you!

I'm sorry, Ms. Hannen.

I forgot all about the package.

Not at all! I apologize for all of the packages that come in.

All apologies aside, stay for fried chicken.

Oh, I...

Ms. Hannen graduated from high school last year

and was living here alone to study for college entrance exams.

So right now...

You're still studying for them, huh?

Yes, because I failed them all!

This year, too!

Hot!

I see. Ms. Hannen is here to study for exams just like I was.

U-Um, I apologize for before.

I wasn't able to explain myself well.

Oh, well, I apologize for suddenly yelling at you.

Good, now you've patched things up.

We weren't close enough to have patched things up.

But now that you've met and live in the same apartment building,

you can be friends!

Go on, shake hands!

Nah, I don't think that's something the landlady can decide.

Shake hands!

- A-All right. Just this once. - O-Okay.

Ms. Hannen is shaking?

Hana, too!

And...

now...

the shaking has squared!

U-Um, actually...

I'm a year behind.

That explains it!

You're good with umbrellas because you've been here a year!

Huh? What?

You're also good at tying lace sandals.

I-I didn't even realize I had those abilities!

Someone with experience like that has different abilities!

I think it's cool!

Viva gap year!

E-Everyone...

Then my gap year wasn't a waste.

Thanks, everyone!

That was an extremely self-serving dream.

The ball game tournament is in June.

Think about which game you want to enter.

We'll decide on Monday.

Okay!

Speaking of balls, "tama," right?

And not to put too fine a point on it, but that's me, Tama!

I'm prepared to be fawned over as the tournament's mascot character!

So let's see it!

- Never mind that. Take your seat. - Sure.

TAIKAI HANNEN

Taikai Hannen...

Yes?

Um, I'm here to give you a package that came.

Oh, w-wait a second!

S-Sorry! A big package like that...

- But it's light— - It must be heavy!

Give it to me...

M-Ms. Hannen?

I'll just leave it here.

Sorry about this. Making you carry my packages around...

Even though I'm always at home,

I've been missing them because of bad timing.

The landlady holds my packages for me when that happens.

Um, do you host an event or something, Ms. Hannen?

Event?

It says "Taikai Hannen." "Taikai" for like a "tournament."

Oh, it's not read as "Taikai," but "Hiroe."

It's my name.

S-Sorry! That was a terrible mistake!

Oh, no one can read it.

Anyway, despite the size, this package is really light.

What the heck is in it?

Scotch tape, huh?

Yes, that's Scotch tape.

Sorry for invading your privacy on the pretext of delivering a package!

- I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! - No, I'm the one who made you bring it!

That's right! How about some tea?

P-Please don't fuss over me!

H-Huh? I don't have anything.

I thought I had some right here.

Ms. Hannen's apartment...

It reminds me of my apartment.

Sorry! Hold on a few minutes!

I'm gonna order online!

Y-You don't have to do that for me!

It's okay! I'm a premium member!

If I order it now, it'll come by this evening!

Y-You don't have to.

Help, Shion!

That's not eligible for immediate delivery!

U-Um, if you want a drink, I can go to the convenience store.

Convenience store?

W-Want to go to the convenience store?

I-I can't do that!

Wh-Why not?

I don't have the clothes to go to the convenience store.

I-It's the convenience store.

Even the convenience store!

I don't have the clothes to wear any farther than the garbage cans outside!

Huh? But what about the clothes you wore for the entrance exams?

I didn't.

I didn't take the exams.

Two years ago, when I was a third-year high school student,

everything was smooth sailing for me.

I was the president of student council,

had irreproachable conduct, and was a high achiever.

I was basically a perfect student.

Third-year, Class 2 Seat: 18 Name: Hiroe Hannen

ABILITY TEST ENGLISH ANSWER SHEET

I was told getting into the college of my choice would be a breeze.

However...

...on the day of the entrance exam, there was suddenly heavy snow.

I wasn't discovered for two hours.

After being rescued, I got a terrible cold.

I couldn't take my backup college's exam,

let alone the one for my first choice.

How awful...

Hannen-senpai, good work on the entrance exam!

Th-Thanks.

I'd like to go to the same college as you,

but I know it's really tough to get in.

If I do pass the test, we'll be together again next year!

Y-Yeah, that's right.

- Good luck! - Thanks!

Staying in town after that got awkward,

so I moved away and started living alone, but...

If I do pass the test, we'll be together again next year!

Unable to forget that feeling,

I became more and more of a shut-in.

And then, this year's college entrance exams...

It's so silly. I look like an idiot, right?

It isn't silly!

I-It isn't silly,

and you don't look like an idiot!

Ms. Ichinose...

I-I...

I'm a year behind, too.

So you're a year behind in high school, huh?

It must've been hard on you, Ms. Ichinose.

Oh, no, not really!

You've had it much rougher, Ms. Hannen!

No, no, having a gap year before high school is rough!

You've had a much tougher time than me, Ms. Ichinose!

But I am in high school now, and I've made friends,

so I'm much better off than you, Ms. Hannen!

Much better off...

I-I'm sorry!