LUNCH BREAK
LIBRARY
A new issue!
My name is Himiko Agari.
I'm a very nervous person.
If people look at me,
I just stop functioning.
And right now…
I'm being watched by my classmate, Komi.
When a person has extreme social anxiety,
they struggle to communicate with others.
Bear in mind,
they only struggle to form connections.
It doesn't mean that they don't want to.
MISSION 05 "IT'S JUST STAGE FRIGHT."
Komi is beautiful, smart, and popular.
But she's down to earth.
She's always so dignified.
She's brooding, reserved, and cool.
The more I think about her, the more I admire her!
Me?
My eyes are bad, and I'm not cute or anything.
I'm chubby, my legs are short, and I get stage fright easily.
Komi… why are you looking at me?
I-I'm scared!
DID I DO SOMETHING?
My stomach hurts!
SINK
I can relax in the restroom.
It's my own personal space.
Nobody can see me. Nobody is thinking about me.
I love the restroom.
I could spend my life here.
Someone's there!
CAME TO ASK "ARE YOU OKAY?" (BUT CAN'T)
Sorry!
I don't remember what I did, but I'm sorry!
Please! I'll do anything!
Forgive me! God! Buddha! Komi!
SHUFFLE
My prayers were answered!
Now's my chance.
Oh, Agari!
Perfect timing.
Uh, um, yes? W-W-What can I foo for you?
Ah! I was so nervous I messed up!
Sixth period gym class.
It's in the gymnasium, not outside.
Tell the class for me.
Uh, but… I… Um… Ah!
I've got to get away!
Yes! Of course!
Oh! Good answer.
Now what should I do?
I've got to do it.
RESPONSIBILITY
But my stomach hurts…
It's alright! You've got this, Himiko Agari!
Ah!
Calm down! Just say this, loud and clear…
"Sixth period gym is in the gymnasium."
Right? It's easy!
Don't be afraid. Just speak clearly.
Yes. In a loud voice, so I don't have to repeat myself.
Pa!
Pa?
What?! What is "Pa"?!
Why did I say that?
-Everyone's looking! I'm so embarrassed! -You okay?
What?
I wish I could just disappe…
SHOCK
Sixth period gym is in the gymnasium!
-HUH?! -BOW!
Wow! I can't believe it!
I…
I said it!
EUPHORIA
HUBBUB
What happened?
Rewind the story by 20 minutes.
20 MINUTES BEFORE
And anyway,
I wanted to say I can't be friends with just anyone.
Komi must have preferences too, right?
What are you on about, Najimi?
From all of my childhood friends,
I've picked the people with the closest personalities to Komi!
Let's get her next friend from this list!
What?? I love it.
First off.
Same class. Himiko Agari.
Oh, she was nervous during self-introductions.
Yeah.
Agari is a good kid.
But she gets stressed around people.
Specifically, she goes red just from being looked at.
She cramps, hyperventilates, gets tongue-tied,
sweats a lot and her stomach starts to hurt.
Poor kid.
KOMI FEELS A KINSHIP.
Huh? Komi?
Wanna hear about number two?
Ah.
What happened to Komi?
Agari's gone too.
KOMI CAME TO SAY HELLO, BUT NOTHING CAME OUT.
THE PRESENT
I see. And in the end you couldn't talk to Agari.
SHE WROTE IT ALL DOWN.
GLOOM
It's alright! You'll have another chance.
-Uh, um. -Ah!
Komi, uh.
You kept staring at me.
And, uh.
It was really scary!
SHOCK
IT WAS SCARY!
But…
I don't know why you were looking at me.
But…
Thanks to you, I…
was able to change a little!
So I wanted to say thank you!
Now's my chance!
Um, you two seem like you'd get along.
What if you became friends?
Huh? That's i-i-impossible!
Nonononononono!
Uh, no, I mean…
I'm not worthy enough to be Komi's friend.
But…
PANT
If you want me to be your dog, I'll do my best!
Please treat me well!
Komi got another friend.
BEFORE CLASS
TA-DA
MISSION 06 "IT'S JUST A CELL PHONE."
What's up?
BEEP
NOT BOTHERED BY HER PACE ANYMORE
TAPPED THE WRONG KEY AND ERASED EVERYTHING
BEGINNING TO GET BOTHERED
MY PARENTS BOUGHT ME A PHONE.
A flip phone? In this age??
So, you've never had a phone until now?
I NEVER NEEDED ONE BEFORE.
That's really sad, Komi.
BUT
NOW I NEED ONE.
THANKS TO YOU, I MADE LOTS OF FRIENDS.
Komi!
ABOUT TO CRY
AND SO, UM…
GLANCE
I NEED MY FRIENDS' NUMBERS.
I see.
Why did she hesitate?
Okay, let's go ask Najimi and Agari.
She's pausing more than usual.
I RELY ON YOU TOO MUCH. I'LL MANAGE.
Komi!
You've grown so quickly.
FATHERLY PRIDE
Oh! Morning Komi!
What's up?
TREMBLE
What?
Why is Komi pointing a flip phone at me?
Tadano! Translate!
Sorry Najimi, I can only watch.
Paper.
Phone.
Date… numbers?
You want my phone number?
NOD
Yes! Alright!
I could just enter it, instead of writing it down.
Ah!
I see. Alright.
Tadano's pretty thick for such a perceptive guy.
Dumbass.
Why are they talking about me?
AGARI'S SEAT
Oh, K-K-Komi.
Good morning!
Need a massage? Shall I buy you a drink?
-Want me to lick your shoes? -Ew.
Do you want to take a slutty picture of me and use it for your wallpaper?
I'm so happy.
She gave up.
You did well, Komi.
You got Najimi's number anyway.
SHOW…
Huh?
I'm sorry!
You wanted my phone number, didn't you?
I misunderstood.
Of course, if you're going to call your dog, you need a phone.
Huh?
Also…
Komi wants to put Tadano's number in first.
So write your number on a piece of paper.
That's what Najimi told me.
I've got bad timing.
I-Is that true?
NOD
W-Well then…
BEEP
Here you go.
CAN'T MAKE EYE CONTACT
001 - HITOHITO TADANO
Uh.
Tadano screamed inside his heart.
HOMEROOM
MISSION 07 "IT'S JUST A STUDENT ELECTION."
We're choosing class committees.
First, class president.
The top of our class.
Does anyone want to do it?
SILENCE
What a bunch of slackers!
Okay, nominations?
EVERYONE'S GAZE
KOMI
No other nominations?
I don't see any.
Alright, Komi. You want to do it?
-Huh? -What?
SHIVER
Trembling with excitement, I see.
You're clearly very motivated!
IMPOSSIBLE.
HELP ME…
Komi's biggest crisis yet.
Hmm.
The only option is to nominate myself…
RAISE
I oppose Komi for class president.
Najimi?
I'll take care of this.
Najimi's a hero!
Huh? What are you saying, Najimi?
Oppose, huh?
-We're old friends but I won't hold back. -What's your reason?
Najimi! I can't believe it!
You sacrificed yourself to save Komi?
-Think about it, guys. -Huh?
Komi's greatness can't be contained within the small role of class president.
You have a point!
Huh?
I demand a higher rank for Komi!
-Totally. -Yeah.
I agree with Najimi.
Let's all decide Komi's position!
Yay!
GENERAL, EMPEROR, BOSS, CEO, SHE WHO MUSTN'T BE NAMED
Alright.
Komi's student council position is "God" then.
GOD
Ko-mi! G-od!
The position of class president is open.
No nominations or volunteers?
Tadano will do.
We have our god, so it doesn't matter.
-I second Tadano. -Might as well have Tadano.
Work hard for our god, Tadano.
Alright, class president is Tadano.
I got forced into it.
TADANO WANTED TO BE ON AN ORDINARY COMMITTEE.
MISSION 08 "IT'S JUST AN ACCIDENTAL CALL."
CELL PHONE (FLIP-TYPE)
TRILL
BEEP
NOT MUCH TO DO BUT LISTEN TO RINGTONES
BEEP
NOT MUCH TO DO BUT LOOK AT CONTACTS (SIX INCLUDING FAMILY)
HITOHITO TADANO
KOMI PRETENDS TO MAKE A CALL
RING
HANDY! CALL JUST BY PUTTING IT TO YOUR EAR.
CLICK…
H-Hello?
KOMI HANGS UP.
PANIC
TRILL
TADANO HOUSEHOLD
CLICK
Hello? Komi?
Um, I think you may have dialed the wrong number by accident,
but just in case there's something wrong, I tried calling back.
If you're okay, just say "Ah" or something.
Um.
The number you have dialed
i-i-is not in service.
Komi?
I'm sorry. It was the wrong number.
Oh.
Sounds like she can talk a bit if it's over the phone.
Goodbye.
Oh, uh. Okay.
Her voice is so pretty!
Knock it off, Hitohito!
KOMI'S HOUSE
HAPPY YET MORTIFIED OVER HER FIRST CALL
Knock it off, Shoko.
HITOHITO TADANO
MISSION 09 "IT'S JUST A GAME."
Starting with Ren, match the rhythm!
Oni, three!
Pe, pe, pe!
Osa, one!
Pe!
Saito!
I'm Saito!
AH HA HA HA
GLOOM
WANTS TO TRY
Um… Do you want to try it?
NOD
She's doing so well.
But it's the cool kids.
It won't be easy to join in.
I'm sure Komi realizes that.
After school, when everyone's gone,
we can invite Najimi and Agari and have a private game.
TEAM NO PEOPLE SKILLS
I can hear you, Tadano!
Hey, Komi! Do you want to join in?
It's fine! Come on over!
No way! Is Komi joining us?
Oops.
Oh no, my face is breaking out today.
It's okay. Everyone's happy to have you. Right?
Her Majesty? Here?
-A manifestation of a god? -We are blessed.
Though it's not a typical display of happiness.
Uh… Ah! Huh?
Heh-heh.
She needs a little tough love in order to build her people skills.
Are you just going to watch?
Watch Komi get bullied?
Damn it! I guess I've gotta try!
Um, can I join too?
Of course. The more the merrier.
-Are you joining us too? -Ahaha, yay!
Join us.
Huh? Who does he think he is?
I'll be nice for Her Majesty, but seriously, beat it, trash.
-Read the room. -Ahaha, go away.
Begone.
I can practically hear what they're thinking.
The Saito Game is kind of hard.
So let's start with Yubisuma.
Hold out your fists and say a number in turn.
If the thumb count matches your number, remove a fist and continue.
You win once both are gone. Easy, right?
I'll start.
Yubisuma, six.
One too few.
Twinkle, nine.
Oh, yay!
Huh?
Ready, set, four!
Oh no.
Huh?
-Chichichichi barichichi, 10! -Hang on a second!
The game has many local variations.
In the end, everyone did it their own way.
Is this really okay?
Yay!
KOMI'S TURN
Five.
SLICK…
They let her win!
KOMI WON! TADANO GOT LAST PLACE.
Heh.
Looks like she got the hang of it.
Let's up the stakes.
Let's play Bamboo Shoot!
The loser has to make a kissy face!
A kissy face?!
I want to see Komi's kissy face!
Bamboo Shoot is…
a game of speed with yelling and arm raising.
Everyone counts in sequential order.
Say the wrong number and you lose!
It's a thinking game! Try it at home!
I've got to win!
A kiss? A kissy face to me?
The mood has changed!
Let's begin.
Bamboo, bamboo…
Shoot! One shoot!
WATCHING A RIDICULOUS SCENE
EVERYONE LOST
Okay, once more.
Bamboo, bamboo. Shoot!
-One shoot! -Cheater!
-Two shoot! -Three shoot!
-Four shoot! -Five shoot!
They're like a well-oiled machine!
They're aiming to see Komi's kissy face!
You two are the only ones left.
They've trapped me!
Win, Tadano, win!
Augh!
If I win, we'll get to see Komi's kissy face.
No!
I can't put Komi through such trauma!
Komi! You've gotta say it!
Seven shoot!
DOESN'T GET THE RULES
Oh no…
-Is there some other way I could lose? -Win already!
I've got an idea.
I'd rather not, but I have no choice.
E-Eight shoot.
Oh no! I said the wrong number!
I guess I lost!
Kill me now.
Class is starting.
Sorry Komi.
Let's play the Saito Game next time.
THE TWO RETURNED TO THEIR SEATS.
ARE YOU OKAY?
Ah.
Uh, yeah. I'm fine.
I just feel like I have a stomach ulcer.
Ow, ouchie…
Oh it hurts…
Huh?
THANK YOU. I HAD FUN.
Oh.
Oh good.
Tadano. Show me your kissy face later!
Ow, ow, ow.
Subtitle translation by: Claire Tanaka