I'm begging you, Ikeuchi.
It looks like she's in the courtyard.
No way.
You're going home now, right?
Even just calling out to her is fine.
Just call out to Oki
Ok?
...Fine.
I think it was just before final exams
Right before final exams.
I think it was at the end of our freshman year
It looks like she's in the courtyard.
It was the period when we were waiting for the classes to be mixed up.
What?
He's asking for you, in the classroom.
Who?
Kuroda. He said he had some business with you.
I've got committee work, so I can't go.
Tell him that for me, Ikeuchi-kun.
I'm not a messenger...
But I don't want to go myself.
Do you hate Kuroda?
He's persistent.
He's already confessed to me twice.
<big>The Crocus' Bloom, In The Courtyard</big>
<big>The Crocus' Bloom, In The Courtyard</big>
First Part
You're pretty popular, Oki.
Stop it. I don't like Kuroda-kun.
Hmm... She doesn't like him.
Hmm... You don't like him.
Stop it. It's not like I like Kuroda-kun.
Hmm... So you don't like him.
And you too, don't just agree to do things so easily. Be firmer.
Oki doesn't like Kuroda.
She doesn't like him.
Are you listening?
I am, I am.
Well, if you're not going to go, that's fine.
Hey, Ikeuchi-kun, if you have some free time, help me out.
Eh...
You're part of the go-home club, right.
Take this hose.
Oki didn't come yesterday.
Ah.... She seemed busy.
Ikeuchi, you told her right?
I did.
There are people saying that they saw you and Oki being friendly and watering the plants.
Huh
Huh? What's that supposed to mean.
They must have misseen.
A, anyway I called out to Oki yesterday...
And that's all I said.
Really? Hmph, then they were mistaken.
That was dangerous.
Dangerous.
Ikeuchi-kun, wait.
Calling out to me in front of the boys' bathroom is... what is it...
Now I understand how you feel.
About how being a messenger is a pain.
What?
Mada-san is calling you.
Mada? Why?
Did I do something?
It's probably the same as Kuroda-kun. She's calling to you to confess.
Ah...
Ah? ...Really?
Oki is really staring at me.
Probably.
She had been saying that you're cool.
I'm not cool...
So, will you go?
Go... Ah... Hmmm
If you're not going to go, I'll tell Mada-san that you're not.
Hmmm...
If you don't like her...
I think it's better not to go...
What will you do if she has some strange expectation of you?
...Why are you so worried about this?
She was taking it so seriously
That I was a little scared.
Mmm.... Then I won't go.
Sorry, but can you make up some excuse for me declining?
Yeah
Ah
Well... In that case
Yeah
She looked happy.
Ikeuchi-kun doesn't like Mada-san.
He doesn't like her.
Sorry
Ikeuchi, you're really friendly with Oki.
Really? I don't think so?
No, you are.
So? Are you two going out?
Nono, we're not.
But it seems like Oki likes you.
Huh?
You're persistent. I don't...
This sort of misunderstanding is pretty rude to Oki.
I guess...
Oh, so anyway
I think that Oki doesn't think anything of me.
Yeah, in any case
I don't think that Oki thinks anything of me.
Oki, you're really friendly with Ikeuchi-kun.
Really...? I don't think so.
No, you are. Are you two going out?
With Ikeuchi-kun? Nah.
Mada-san, you're overthinking this.
But... It's bothering me...
Hey, if you two start going out, tell me...
Hey, if you two are going out, tell me...
We're not.
Not at all...
Ikeuchi-kun doesn't seem like he's enjoying himself that much when he talks to me.
What are you talking about?
N, nothing!
I heard something about Ikeuchi-kun!
I said it's nothing! Right Oki!
Y, yeah.
Eh....
It's a secret, a secret.
A slender, beautiful girl...
Mada-san, who is popular and kind to everyone...
She likes Ikeuchi-kun...
...So if Ikeuchi-kun were to fall in love with Mada-san
Would they start dating?
No....
It's true that I'm unsociable and have narrow eyes.
I'm not a good match.
Oki
Ah, it is you.
Your hairstyle is different, so I didn't recognize you.
Ikeuchi-kun!
What is it? Is it about Kuroda-kun again?
No, it's not...
I was thinking that you'd be watering again.
Yep, will you lend a hand?
Eh...
You should roll up your sleeves. Otherwise they'll get wet.
Is there anything else besides watering?
Here, move all the pots.
Eh...
Ummm, can I say something weird?
What? Don't move the small pots.
Sorry.
No, I mean
I feel really calm when I talk with you.
I don't know why, but
That's the first time anyone's told me that.
No way.
You're so adult-like.
Even though I have fat arms?
Your arms have nothing to do with this.
...Ikeuchi-kun, if Mada-san were to confess to you
Would you have any interest... in going out... with her? ...Even a little...
No way. I said I don't like Mada.
Seriously?
Seriously?
Seriously seriously...
Ah, Oki
You have a bug on you.
No way!
It's on your neck.
Can you get it off yourself?
That's impossible!
If you move, it will get in your clothes.
Don't move. If you do, it will get in your clothes.
Eh! Hurry! Get it off of me!
It's not there anymore
I got it.
Uwah, that was terrible. I didn't even realize it, thanks.
Even though you hate bugs, you're good at watering.
...Somehow, whenever you're around, I feel at ease.
Getting a bug off of you isn't a big deal.
Any guy could have taken off such a small one.
Hmm, but somehow
Hmm, umm, if it's ok with you, will you please listen to my story this time?
Hmm, umm, if it's ok with you, please listen to my story this time.
What? Is it a particularly serious story?
....No, it's not...
It's a love story?
A love story...
If you're talking about love, then you do really...
Kuroda...
I said I don't have any interest in going out with him.
Why are you
So persistent in asking?
Well, should I tell you?
I don't know if you should or not
But go ahead.
...Ever since I entered this school
I've been in love.
I kind of realized it. You've always been watching.
Watching Kuroda-kun.
It's ok if you feel disgusted.
Why?
It's ok if you feel disgusted, but don't tell Kuroda.
Why would I feel disgusted towards you?
This is just a love consultation.
I'm happy that I could have this kind of conversation.
Ah, really?
...Really? Even though I'm on the verge of tears right now?
Don't cry.
That would be disgusting.
I know right.
I know, right.
I, too... have someone I love
So I understand that feeling quite well.
I couldn't consult anyone.
...But I was really relieved once I knew you didn't have any interest in going out with Mada-san.
Maybe Mada-san loves you, but
I love Mada-san...
I love her...
Whenever everyone is talking about who they like
Or who they're dating
I couldn't join in.
But I thought that having that sort of conversation with someone
Would be really nice.
But I thought that would definitely be impossible.
Sorry for saying such weird things.
I don't want Mada-san to hate me.
Well, if she finds out, she'll pull away from you.
Her pulling away won't be the only things. Surely, it will get spread around the class and the whole school, and all the students will give you the cold shoulder.
And for her... Even for Mada, it will be an annoyance.
Anyway, the ones Mada likes
Is you.
...Anyway, the ones Mada likes
How sneaky.
If that's the case
Aren't you the one that Kuroda likes?
We're all idiots.
No one will be happy like this.
But I don't have any intention on telling Kuroda.
What about you?
Do you have something you want to tell Mada?
Do you want to tell Mada something?
I do... but I can't.
In any case, I mustn't.
You said before that you've never had this sort of conversation.
That you couldn't until now.
It's the same
For me as well.
Therefore
I'm happy.
You don't look happy at all.
Even though I don't look it...
I'm happy that I could become friends with you.
Friends?
We're friends, right.
You're not my friend.
You're my best friend.
in the spring of that year
Ah... Yeah.
I got a best friend.
We became best friends.
Someone who had the same secret as me.
A girl.
To be continued
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