September 1st.
The first day back after summer break
is a depressing one for many students.
Be it despair over the end of summer, or unease about their environment,
the cause is not certain, but here's what Tadano thought…
-OH MY GOSH, IT'S KOMI… -"The kids here seem just fine."
-IT'S BEEN FOREVER… -LOOK AT ME…
GLOOM
What a bummer.
My name is Nokoko Inaka.
When I…
When I think about being back at school, my chest tightens.
Nobody knows my secret… They don't know I'm a…
I'm a…
a country bumpkin!
INAKA IS A COUNTRY GIRL.
MISSION 29 "I'M JUST A COUNTRY GIRL."
First semester was so darn tough.
If my secret gets out, they'll throw rocks at me!
Everyone else was having fun, but I stayed quiet by myself.
Everyone made their skirts so short.
But mine was 5 cm below my knees.
I can't pull off a short skirt.
But I'm different today!
I raised my skirt to 3 cm below my knees!
It's my fall semester glow up!
I'm so embarrassed.
What a bummer.
Why am I so…
That's the god of our class, Komi!
Wow. Beautiful as usual.
She's a real city girl.
CITY GIRL
I wish I could be like Komi.
I want to be a city girl walking the business district with coffee in hand.
What?
Do classes start today?
I didn't buy lunch!
Seriously?
Hey, Komi.
Get me a Sabowey turkey avocado sandwich.
Honey oat, cheese, lettuce, pickles, extra olives,
no onions, balsamic sauce, a side of basil fries and a diet cola.
Toasted bread, okay?
Go get it yourself.
Ha-ha, don't be mean, Tadano.
-S-S… -I haven't finished my homework.
S-Sabowey?
That's another trendy city shop like Standbakes!
Wow, I want to eat a Sabowey sandwich.
"Compliance-wise that's no good."
I want to try saying that!
You're my friend, aren't you?
Help your best buddy in their hour of need!
NOD
-Yay! -You're really going?
Komi's going to Sabowey!
This is a great chance!
I'll watch her,
and then I'll become a city girl who can eat at Sabowey too!
Hmm.
Someone's following Komi.
Komi, in front of such a trendy shop…
And she's standing so poised.
I would get flustered and just go in.
-She's so calm. I love it. -TOO NERVOUS TO ENTER.
I feel like that girl's seriously mistaken.
KOMI DECIDES TO GO IN.
I-I'll go too!
FREAKED OUT BY A SHOP FULL OF COMPETENT-LOOKING PEOPLE
Welcome!
I can take your order here.
It's bad to make the staff wait.
KOMI GOES OUT.
Leaving in a situation like that?!
-What's she thinking? -GOT SCARED AND LEFT.
She's so amazing!
Doesn't mind the staff. Keeps her own pace! Her own style!
She just sticks to it! That's so cool!
Wow. I learned so much.
KOMI GOES BACK IN.
ORDER
Hello!
Have you decided your order?
POINT
The Sabowey Turkey Avocado?
Take-out?
What sort of bread?
Which toppings?
Shall I toast it?
Do you want all the vegetables?
Which sauce?
How about making it a lunch set?
-PANIC -SPIN SPIN
Komi…
I-If you don't have any requests,
I'll make our staff recommendation.
FROZEN FROM TOO MUCH INFORMATION
RECOMMENDATION
Thank you for coming!
I hope it went okay.
PEEK
W…
Wow!
She got her order through without speaking a word.
Komi's powers truly know no bounds!
I… I'll be Komi's fan for life!
And someday I'll be a city girl like her!
Alright! Now I'll try and do it like Komi.
I'll buy a sandwich!
Uh, hang on…
She bought one just fine.
Uh, Komi…
This isn't…
MISSION 30 "IT'S JUST A VIDEO GAME."
When a person has extreme social anxiety…
-They struggle to communicate with others. -BLOOD ALLY… BE YE FREE TO VISIT MY ABODE?
Bear in mind…
BEEP
THUMP THUMP
BEEP
GLANCE… SQUIRM
Oh!
SWIPE SWIPE
…they only struggle to form connections.
It doesn't mean that they don't want to.
I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO VISIT.
NERVOUS. UNEASY.
KOMI IS DOING HER BEST.
NAKANAKA
NAKANAKA HAS A RICH FANTASY LIFE.
Well met, Princess Komilia.
You may enter.
Sh-She really came!
Th-This is my abode.
INTERESTED
Komi's here, in my room…
Wait. This is a big deal.
The god of our class is in my room.
I've won at life, haven't I?
I've gotta snap out of this and show Komi a good time.
K-Komi. Um…
Sit wherever you so desire.
FIRST GUEST SINCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
-Tranquility! -THE STATE OF BEING TRANQUIL OR CALM.
Ah yes!
I'm just getting to the best part of this game.
I'd be honored to show you.
SOME COOL IMAGE
Look at these graphics!
These new games are so advanced.
It's even more beautiful than reality!
Isn't it gorgeous?
And the story.
The worldbuilding is so complex.
The character always remains the focus!
Yes! And this last scene, how can you not cry?
DOESN'T REALLY GET IT
Oh, hold on!
Komi's a non-gamer, an ordinary person!
She won't understand the fine points of the technology!
-ONLY THINKING "NEAT." -At this rate, Komi will say…
You bore me.
…and leave!
I'll never get her to come over again!
W-What can I…
Oh.
L-Let's invite Najimi over.
The more the merrier, right?
NAKANAKA BROKE CHARACTER
You call and I appear! Da-da-dan!
Da-dan-daaan!
Terrible rhythm.
It's been ages since I came over.
Hey Komi!
Oh, I brought Tadano too.
Oh, uh, boys are not…
Ah, I understand.
It's fine.
You'll hardly know he's here.
Huh?
What do you wanna do?
-TADANO WAS PERMITTED TO STAY. -Let's do a four-player game.
Let's play Swamp Bros!
Why do you get to decide?
Swamp Bros.
It's an abbreviation of Combat: Swamp Brothers.
People love the variety of characters and dumping their opponents in a swamp to win.
This was huge when we were little.
Everyone's played it, right?
Najio!
-Who are you talking to? -Chuni!
I've tried it a couple times.
Tadashi!
FIRST-TIMER
Ah, as I thought.
Komyusho!
Uh, guard with this…
And I think this one…
Whoopee!
The combat has begun!
Komi!
You're a sitting duck! Yoooo!
-Oh! -I won't let you touch my ally.
Nicely done.
This button is how you move.
Come at me!
Yes! Like that!
And here's how you jump…
Komi!
Keep hitting the jump button.
The jump button!
I invited her to my castle.
I've got to make sure Komi has a good time!
I won't let her get smashed!
Not so fast!
You haven't changed one bit!
-Combo and attack! -No!
Heh. I'm still a rank above you.
Now for the finishing bl…
Ah.
I'll admit you once were better than me.
But.
I've got someone to protect now.
"Lose" isn't in my dictionary!
This game doesn't reward people for simply wanting to win!
Oh, if you fall in the swamp, the mud slows you down.
Press the R2--
The R2 button--
I'M SORRY…
Oh, that's part of the game. Don't worry about it.
Right here.
Yes! You've got it!
What?!
The Mud Cancel?!
Who pulled off this advanced technique?
Where are you looking?
No!
W-Wow! I beat Najimi!
I lost!
Did you see that? My first victory!
No! That was a fluke!
Huh?
I was just caught off guard by Komi's mud attack!
Don't be a sore loser!
Next time I'll bring my A game!
Fine.
I'm finished getting warmed-up anyway.
MISSION 31 "IT'S JUST A PART-TIME JOB."
BEEP
H…!
Sorry to call you on your day off.
The other person suddenly had to cancel.
I asked around, but nobody had time.
Let's get started!
A job handing out tissues!
COULDN'T REFUSE
I have to hand out 5,000 today.
It's just handing out tissues. Komi, you'll be fine.
I'll be working over there. Thanks, guys!
Here!
Please take one!
Here you go! Hey! Tissues! Anyone need tissues?
FIRED UP
Hey, that girl's so pretty!
For sure. What's she doing?
-Handing out tissues? -Let's go get some!
But she's not handing them out.
Then what's she doing?
Maybe we shouldn't get involved.
RE-FIRED UP!
ABOUT TO CRY
FIRED UP!
128 MENTAL DAMAGE (22 LEFT)
Huh? Was she handing out tissues?
I should have taken some.
Oh no! Right now…
-I really want some tissues! -WOMAN WHO REALLY WANTS TISSUES.
I feel like I might sneeze.
I spilled my cola. My hands are sticky.
I'm going to see someone, but I'm sweaty.
I've got gum stuck to my shoe.
And I forgot my handkerchief!
-WOMAN WHO REALLY WANTS TISSUES. -So I really need some tissues!
Oh! Over there, could she be…
Handing out tissues?
But it'd be weird if I asked for some.
The beautiful tissue girl is looking my way.
Will you give me some tissues?
Tissues… I want some tissues…
-KOMI VISION. -Tissues…
Thank you!
SHE CLEARLY WANTED TISSUES SO KOMI MANAGED TO OBLIGE.
Oh, you really are handing out tissues!
Can I have some?
I'll take a pack!
Me too!
Alright!
-Line up for tissues! -YAMAI APPEARED OUT NOWHERE.
The maximum is five packets per person!
EMPTY
We did it!
That's amazing Komi! Thank you!
I'll give you a third of the money!
Alright, see ya!
A THIRD?
So… hot…
Good morning!
MISSION 32 "IT'S JUST… SOMETHING ON YOUR FACE."
Good morning, Komi.
You're early today.
Huh? What's wrong?
Komi?
CAN'T DECIDE IF SHE SHOULD SAY SOMETHING.
KOMI DECIDES TO JUST OBSERVE FOR NOW.
CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS.
OKAY!!
POINT
What is it?
-ARE YOU TADANO? (HE'S USUALLY PERCEPTIVE) -What's that mean?
WHY NOT TELL HIM WITH A NOTE?
BUT HE MIGHT FEEL HURT…
JUST DON'T MENTION IT?
HE'LL BE MORE HURT IF PEOPLE SEE.
Komi?
GETS CONFUSED AND STARTS CRYING
Hey Komi! Tadano!
I'M SAV…
Hello!
What's up today, Komi?
What are you doing, Komi?
Good morning!
N-N-Nice weather today!
Good morning Komi!
Loving you as usual!
Komi got here before me again!
Your forbidden power is blazing as usual.
GASP
It was a dream.
THE NEXT DAY
Good morning!
Good morning, Komi.
You're early today.
Najimi, you skipped out on the meeting again yesterday.
What gives, Tadano?
You want to hang out with me that badly?
Najimi, about the papers for the culture festival…
Najimi, that book I lent you…
Najimi, you…
Najimi!
Naji…
Huh?
What's wrong, Komi?
SQUIRM
CALL ME BY MY NAME TOO.
Huh? Your name?
What do you…
"You and Najimi are friends,
so you say, 'Najimi' right?"
Oh, yes.
…SO,
Yes.
CALL ME "SHOKO" TOO.
BOOM
No, no it's just like, you know!
Calling a girl by her name…
Hey Tadano!
Are you trying to say I'm not a girl?
You can zip it.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO, IT'S OKAY.
I-It's not that I…
I just… how can I put it?
Shoko.
-SHOKO… -JOLT
FEELS WEIRD, BUT NOT IN A BAD WAY.
Now you try it, Tadano!
Shoko! It's Shoko!
Stop.
Do I really have to say it?
I'M NOT TRYING TO FORCE YOU.
Of course you have to!
It's a request from Komi herself!
Sho…
HE COULDN'T SAY IT.
Komi.
-He couldn't say it. -You got no balls!
CALL ME "SHOKO" TOO.
Okay, next!
Komi, now you try.
Hey. You're going to put Komi through this too?
Of course!
She's the one who brought it up.
She should start it, right?
Flawless logic!
Alright, try saying it!
By the way, Tadano's name is Hitohito.
Just in case you forgot.
I should hope she remembers…
No writing it down either.
HITOHITO
Hi…
Komi couldn't say it either.
CAN WE JUST GO BACK TO HOW IT WAS?
You guys are hopeless.
Well, Hitohito is tough. Doesn't roll off the tongue.
Oh, Tadano. You've had a sesame seed on your face all day.
You have a sesame seed on your face.
Najimi could say it all.
Subtitle translation by: Claire Tanaka