Slow Start ch129

p1
>The pool?

>Yes.
>Kamu's dad gave us some tickets for the hotel's pool.
>Yep.

>>Two birds with one stone
>It comes with tickets for the buffet too.
>What a bargain.
>Rich!!
>Hya~

>It's off-season right now, so there won't be many people either!
>Yah~!!
>We've got the whole place reserved!!
>Gorgeous!!
>Hyeh~

>>The swimsuit episode is coming!?

p2
>And so, we'd like all of you to come along with us!!
>Uwawawah. Sounds fun.

>You're coming along too, right, Tsuzuri-san?
>Eh?

>I-Is it alright for me to join in...?
>You're very much welcome!!
>Yep. It's the student council's extracurricular activities.
>Yep, yep.

>Th-Then I graciously accept...
>NEW Swimsuit Girl Get~!
>Alright-right~!!!

>Are you gonna come along too, Tsukkun-senpai-san?
>Hm?

>Hmm, I wonder.
>Ah.
>That's right. You're taking entrance exams, aren't you, Tsukkun-senpai?

>Ah, that's true.
>Tsukkun-senpai... must be hard at work studying for exams right now...

>Yep.
>Fight on, Tsukkun.
>Up and at 'em.
>The Tsukkun name really caught on fast.

p3
>Hmm~

>To be honest, I'd like to think just one day couldn't hurt,
>but I can't help thinking about what'll happen if I fail.
>Ah.
>I see.
>That's right.

>It would be bad if you ended up having regrets
>like "if only I didn't go out to play that one time".
>She's imagining something cruel again.

>Ah.
>No, not that.
>?

>I was thinking more about how I'd feel bad if you were to regret inviting me.
>Aah, that's true.
>That would certainly make me feel quilty...

>There's no way she'll fail!!

>Tsuzu.
>It'll definitely be okay!!
>Tsukkun's been studying really hard to get into a Tokyo university, after all!!

>Ah.
>Scratch that thought.
>Eh?

p4
>I'm making my first choice a local university.
>Eh?
>Eh? But you've always...

>I know,
>but I thought about it and decided to go local.
>When did that happen...?

>Erm, well,
>the other day at cram school, Hannen-san...
>a friend in my class,
>told me about a teacher she admired.
>Hannen-san? You mean Hannen Hiroe-san?
>Ah, yeah.
>It must be fate!

>Ah...

>She said that person was teaching at a local university,
>and upon reading her works, it certainly sounded nice.
>I thought that I'd also like
>to take that teacher's classes.

>Ahaha.
>It sounds like I'm chasing after her. Pretty embarrassing, huh?
>Not at all!
>I think it's great!!

>Man, but Hannen-onee-san's really something.
>Yeah~
>She got Tsukkun-senpai to change her college choice just like that.
>Yep.
>She pierced through the darkness.

>A flash of lightning.
>A beam of light.
>Hiroe-san's so cool...!!

p5
>That's why
>I'll continue to be close by, okay, Tsuzu?
>...I-

>I didn't
>hear anything about this.
>Tsuzu?

>All this time,
>I've been trying to become someone
>who'd be fine, even if we're apart, so I wouldn't cause you any trouble...

>I've been
>trying my hardest...
>Ng.

>Tsukkun, you idiot!!
>Aah! Tsuzu!?
>Tsuzuri-chan!

>Tsuzu~

>I-
>I lost her...
>I'm exhausted...
>...

p6
>Miss President, I think Chouno-senpai's been worried this whole time
>about you enrolling in a Tokyo university.
>Right...

>Even so, she's been trying to make sure she wouldn't cause you any worry, Miss President.
>I'm not the president anymore.

>That's not important right now.
>Right...

>Hana-chan's really mad...
>Yep.
>She's boiling with rage.

>No, I was
>gonna talk it over properly with Tsuzu once I made my decision so that I wouldn't worry her,

>but then I completely forgot to do so...
>Hehe...
>Hmm. You're the worst.
>The worst.
>The worst indeed.
>The absolute worst...

>Tsukkun.

p7
>There's a difference between not worrying someone and not discussing things with them.
>There's more of them...
>Right...

>My thoughtless words and actions ended up hurting Tsuzu.
>I will reflect on this...
>There's a common phrase.
>I get the feeling you're always reflecting on things, Tsukkun-senpai-san.

>Ah.
>Ah...

>Tsuzuri-chan!
>Kasane-chan...

>Thank goodness I found you.
>I-I'm sorry...

>...You know,

>when I heard Tsukkun was gonna go to a local university,
>I was
>really happy.

>But when I thought about
>how she made all her college decisions on her own without consulting me,
>even though we've been together all this time,
>I felt lonely and frustrated...
>Tsuzuri-chan...

p8
>Tsukkun pretty much
>decides everything all by herself.

>...
>...Tsukkun and I
>are both cousins, but we were more like sisters.
>We've been together ever since we were little.

>I'm aware
>that I've always relied on Tsukkun
>and am of no use to anyone myself, though.

>Tsukkun kept going further and further ahead of me...
>Tsuzu~!!
>Grade schooler Tsukkun

>Hurry up, Tsuzu~!!
>>Grade schooler Tsuzu
>W-Wait for me, Tsukkun!

>W-

>Wait for me...
>Tsuzu...
>Water...
>Get a hold of yourself, Tsukkun!!!
>Hyeeeh

p9
>Don't fall asleep in the bath!
>Get changed before you sleep!
>Eat properly!
>You're gonna be late!

>Wait...
>Maybe I don't need to beat myself up about this...
>Tsukkun's also rather...

>A-Are you okay, Tsuzuri-chan?
>Eh?
>Ah.
>I-It's nothing.

>Sorry about this...
>I'm not really making any sense.
>It's okay.
>I understand.
>Kasane-chan...

>I've seen this kind of thing in gal game events!
>I saw it in a livestream~ That happens a lot with childhood friends.
>Gal...?
>Eve...?
>Eh...?

>Tsuzu!!
>Tsukkun.
>I...

p10
>I'm sorry, Tsuzu.
>I didn't talk to you because I for...
>For?

>No, erm, I for... mally apologise.
>Hmm. You're the worst.
>The worst.
>The worst indeed.
>Absolute worst...

>At any rate!!
>There's no way you're not reliable, Tsuzu!
>Tsukkun...

>It's no exaggeration to say it's thanks to you that I'm still alive.
>Y-
>You're exaggerating.
>I mean it.
>*This is an image

>If I didn't have you as my owner, Tsuzu, I'd have to be taken in by the government.
>Ehehe
>Own...?
>Govern...?
>Eh?

>I was worried about what would happen
>between Tsukkun-senpai and Chouno-san,
>but I'm glad they made up right away.

>To add onto this,
>I told Hiroe-san about what happened today.
>Hyeeeeh...

>My influence on someone's career choices
>caused an argument!
>Aaah~
>She writhed in agony.

>>Check out the 10th anniversary exhibit too!

p11
>Slow Start Exhibit!!!!!
>Yahoo!
>Slow Start Exhibit?
>That's right!!

>We Elite Four and our pleasant companions will be completely put on display!!
>Completely...

>Hana's idea of a Slow Start Exhibit
>>Tokura
>>Hannen

>Eeeeep!
>It opens on March 18th!!
>Check it out!!

>The "Slow Start 10th Anniversay Exhibit" finally opens on March 18th (Saturday)!! There won't be any crucifixions... but there'll be plenty of exhibits and merch that customers will be "nailed to"! There'll not only be new illustrations by Tokumi-sensei and ten years of work on display, but also merch based on items and motifs featured in the series! That item Hana-chan designed will also be on sale...!