1 x 1/2 ch13-2

p2
>Enrollment prep course?
>>first semester final test res[ults]
>>1. Mori Asuka
>>2. Hayashi Shota
>>3. Miyamoto Daichi
>>4. Hashimoto Yuka

>Yes.
>You were at the top of the last off-campus mock exam, right, Mori-san?
>They offer some guidance on enrolling into high school.
>They said that if you hadn't decided on any such courses yet, you're more than welcome to join theirs.

>We're a simple municipal school, after all.
>It might be weird for your homeroom teacher to be saying this
>but you probably find this school's level of lessons boring, right, Mori-san?
>Huh...?

p3
>It seems you'd be exempt from matriculation fees and some of the tuition fees.
>>Invitation to Special Student Program
>>Miss Mori Asuka
>You can even just take some trial classes if you're at all interested.

>Heh~
>That sounds good!
>Why not give it a try?

>Eh?

>What is it?
>Well,
>I thought it was kinda unusual
>for you to be so eager about something, Mom.

p4
>...True.
>Actually, I've also
>>sip sip
>wanted to consult with you on this matter eventually.
>As for why...
>>slam

>It's because it's become too difficult for me to help you with your homework.
>Ah
>Aah
>I see!!

>Science aside, I'm completely clueless when it comes to liberal arts.
>How long ago do you think your mother was a student?
>>open
>Mom~ Help me with my homework~
>Again!?
>>cringe cringe
>...
>S-Sorry...

>Thanks for the meal.
>It's perfect timing, don't you think?
>You'll be studying for entrance exams next year after all, Asuka.

p5
>You can use this chance to get an expert on the subject to teach you.
>...

>Hmm...
>You may be right.
>It'd probably be more convenient to be able to ask someone about something I don't know right away, but...

>...Actually, I...

>just want Mom to teach me...
>These lessons
>cost a lot of money, right?

>Even if they say they're waiving the matriculation and tuition fees,
>>clang
>there's still textbooks and all other kinds of stuff.

>So I was thinking that maybe I'm just fine where I am right now...
>>swoosh
>Asuka.

p6
>Geez.
>You've got rice on your cheek again.
>>touch
>>drop

>You've always been way too anxious about the strangest things ever since you were little.
>>munch
>I'm not gonna force you,
>but if you're at least a little bit interested, why not give it a shot?
>...O-
>>ba-dump x 4
>Okay...
>Besides...

>If worst comes to worst, we've got an excellent ATM on standby!
>We need to make good use of it!
>>Office lady of four months - High annual salary - Single
>Me!?
>...I feel kinda sorry for her...
>Akira-chan...

p7
>But y'know, I'm glad to see you moving forward to achieve something.
>>cling clang
>>shhhh
>Ever since Rui-chan started doing club activities, you've been secluding yourself in the house, right?

>Truth is, I've been a little worried about you.
>It'd be nice if you could make some new friends.
>>clang
>Geez~ You're saying that too, Mom?
>This has nothing to do with Rui...

>You should try to make
>some other friends besides me soon~

>...
>Friends, huh...
>>chatter x 3

p8
>>Univer[
>>Kawamoto[
>>Kawamoto Courses

>...
>>knock knock
>>middle school tutoring materials
>>mathematics 2
>...Hmph.

>A special cram course targeted towards combined middle and high school students...
>They've certainly gone beyond the scope of the stuff they're teaching in middle school.
>The lessons are kind of a drag, but I'm grateful for getting these top level textbooks.
>Well.

>It should help to kill some time at least...
>>clatter
>H-hey.
>Look, she's leaving!

>Huh? Why me!?
>Call out to her already~

>Uwah...
>...
>...I have a feeling...

p9
>that it's always been like this since I entered middle school...
>>slide
>Better hurry back home...

>Hey, hey!
>>kyaaa
>Wah!
>Eh?
>Are you the girl that's starting today?

>What's your name? What school are you from??
>Isn't it unusual to enroll at this time of year?
>Ah
>Um
>Erm
>There aren't many girls in this class, so we're glad to get a new one!
>Aren't your eyelashes kinda long?
>Don't they cover your eyes??

>...Oh
>Oh crap...

p10
>No wait, come to think of it...
>>doooom
>I've never actually talked with other girls my age besides Rui up until now...!

>What should I do?
>What's the correct way to respond at a time like this...!?
>Um...
>I-I'm...
>...Oh?

>Might you be Asuka-chan?

p11
>...Eh?

>>clang
>>The cover will automatically open when your order is ready.
>>automatic cover
>...I can't believe it.

>I never thought you'd enroll in this cram school, Asuka-chan.
>Well...
>I'm really just kinda starting today.

>You've become quite the young lady in the time we've been apart.
>If I didn't call out to you, I might not have recgonised you.
>...Come to think of it, Miyuki-senpai...

p12
>you...
>don't seem that different at all...
>>chuckle
>Eh~ What does that mean?

>Ah, no.
>I didn't mean anything bad by it...

>You're still giving off that class president vibe, right?
>It's fine.
>I feel the same way.

>Hah...

>By the way, why are you being so formal?
>Speaking so casually towards a high school student at my age is a bit...
>Huh?

p13
>It's Miyuki.
>I thought you didn't have classes today?
>Chika.
>Manami.
>>Good work today~

>There's no lessons today, so I'm just studying on my own.
>Senpai's friends...?

>Huh?
>>grab
>!?

>You've been an A student since the spring, right?
>Don't cram more than you need to~
>It doesn't matter what you say.
>I'm the type who hits a stone bridge until it breaks.

>>Gyahaha
>What's the point of breaking it?
>Alright
>See you at school tomorrow~

>...Yeah.
>>Later.

p14
>...Hey, Senpai
>So they go to the same high school...

>How long have you been like that?
>Eh?

>Always cheerful and kind.
>Relied on by everyone.
>Gets along with anyone really quickly.
>Good at dealing with things...

>I'm jealous that you can do everything so easily.
>I've always been bad at communicating with others.
>It's never bothered me up until now but
>lately

>I've been thinking that I can't stay like this...
>Or something...
>...

p15
>"It is only while man is alone that he is free."
>>twitch

>Schopenhauer said that.

>?? Show pen??
>A man cannot reach a complete mutual understanding with others,
>but at the same time, without them, he cannot be content for an eternity all alone.

>He also said that the moment when you're truly satisfied is the moment you face what's inside you...
>although it is clear that if it were so easy to face, there would have been no difficulties at all.
>But here's what I think.

p16
>You can remain unsatisfied,
>and you can stay isolated forever.
>Even so, you'll want someone by your side.
>After all, the boredom that comes from loneliness can't even compare
>to the life you'll live with the person you exchanged your freedom for.

>...Hey, Asuka-chan.
>Is that truly
>what you want?

p17
>...Ah... Sorry, Senpai.
>You've been saying confusing stuff for a while now...

>I don't really know what you're...
>>swoosh

>That's no good, Asuka-chan.
>You're putting a lid on your true intentions.

p18
>A word of advice.
>You can lie to others as much as you want.
>But
>you must be true to yourself.
>If you keep on lying to yourself, then eventually...

>you'll be shocked by how easy it is
>to forget what kind of person you were.

>>open
>I'm home~

p19
>Welcome back, Asuka.
>How did cram school go?
>>twitch

>Hmm...
>I wonder.

>Hard to say since it was just the first day.
>Can I use the bath first?
>Go ahead.

>...
>>pshhhh
>I couldn't tell her

p20
>that I ran into Miyuki-chan...
>Hah

>You'll be shocked by how easy it is
>to forget what kind of person you were.

>...
>The person I am.

>I've long since
>>plop
>lost any idea who that is...
>>books

p21
>Ah.

>Jun-nii.
>Hey.
>Woah, it's been a while.
>Or rather, what are you doing in a place like this?

>This place has some good stuff.
>>Whaddaya mean a place like this?
>I could say the same to you. There's a bookstore right next to your house...

p22
>Right, President?
>Eh?

>Hello, Mizuno-kun.
>On your way home?

>That's right.
>President?
>Perfect timing.
>I've got business to attend to...
>Could you escort Asuka-chan home?

>Alright.
>See you, Asuka-chan.
>>books
>Sure.
>Thank you.

>...What gives?
>You're pretty close with the president.

p23
>No, we're not that close. We just happened to be at the same cram school.
>We were only picking out reference books...

>...
>Hey.

>You
>shouldn't get too involved with the president.

>...Eh?