Now what?
Here, in this loaded pause,
what would NO NAME...
what would Hinami do?
Game set!
Wait, what?
Winner: Found!
This might be what Hinami was thinking:
If I'm going to get caught up in some high-risk mind games,
I'm better off just taking a sure hit.
Way too single-minded, if you ask me.
NO NAME: I win
Jeez. Competitive much?
NO NAME: I win nanashi: Big deal, 1 out of 14
And after that...
Game set!
Winner: Found!
In the end,
I beat her handily, 17 matches to one.
NO NAME: I win nanashi: Big deal, 1 out of 14 nanashi: Sorry, 1 out of 17
Sorry.
Turns out I'm pretty competitive, too.
2nd Stage: Lv. 6 Everyone has different expectations about a big event
Sewing Room 2
Now, then:
Let's go through some facts first, shall we?
You had something to ask me about the Hanabi situation?
Yeah.
What you did to Konno... that was all calculated.
Do I have that right?
Yes.
I made Erika think that Nakamura and Yuzu were in cahoots.
Once she's off-balance, it only takes a little push to tip her over.
While exploiting her weaknesses, I made an example out of her,
then shut it all down with no one else in the wrong.
That's all.
Still, you didn't have to be so cruel about it.
Cruel, huh?
You used someone's crush to tear her pride to shreds in public.
For me, that... that was a step too far.
If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to stop Konno so quickly.
She was all fired up...
I had to crush her spirit completely.
But was that final blow really necessary?
You didn't need to use Nakamura like that.
Brandishing the tissue cover Izumi made for him...
That's just kicking her when she's down.
I suppose you're right.
Then why do something so cruel?
Cruel?
When you consider what she'd done to Hanabi, I don't find it cruel at all.
In other words... it was revenge?
Yes, that's right.
I see...
What?
So I get angry. Is that so surprising?
No...
I like righteous Hanabi, who stays true to herself.
When Erika Konno started harassing Hirabayashi,
Hanabi called her out—in her own words—in front of everyone.
It was uncalculated. She was undaunted.
I thought her strength was beautiful.
So when Konno was trampling that for no reason, I couldn't let it go.
That's why I worked to destroy everything about that situation.
And why I didn't feel like letting it just hang there.
That's all. What's wrong with that?
I mean...
Nothing, but—
Right? Then what's the problem?
Here's how I see it:
Hurting someone for no real reason, no real gain, is just...
When it comes to how NO NAME plays the game?
It's not right.
Maybe so, now that you mention it.
Still,
there are some things even I can't forgive.
Good morning, Tomozaki.
Hey, Izumi. Mornin'.
Sure has gotten cold, huh?
That's November for you.
Oh, that reminds me...
What's been going on with Konno and Kamimae lately?
Mmm, you know... girl stuff... I guess?
Outwardly, it looks like they're getting along,
but Erika and Mao both badmouth each other behind their backs...
And in bringing them together, you're caught in the middle.
Exactly!
But I figure it's something only I can fix.
I'll hang in there!
Must be rough.
It's better than the two of them being all awkward.
I owe Tama some big-time thanks.
So tiny and cute again today, Tama!
Not a lot of people could pull that off.
Back off already, Minmi!
I could learn something from her myself.
You've got to change what you don't like about yourself.
I think you've changed quite a bit lately, Izumi.
Yeah. I've been thinking that, too.
Yeah?
Culture Festival
Okay, the culture festival is coming up.
The big day is December 22.
Go on and get fired up. It's your last chance to have fun.
You'll be in full-on study mode soon enough.
We'll pick four committee members in our next homeroom,
so think it over if you're interested.
I hadn't even thought about the culture festival.
Brain!
What's up, Mimimi?
Are you gonna be on the culture festival committee?
I get the feeling Hinami will make it one of my tasks...
Mmm, I don't...
What?! Is that a "no"?
But I'm expecting such big things from you, Brain!
Yeah, but I can't actually do anything, though.
There's that modesty again!
Knowing you, I'm positive you'll do something nifty!
I've never looked forward to a culture festival before...
No way! Seriously?
But... this year I do. A little.
There you go! There you go!
You gotta overwrite all those old unfun memories with this year's festival!
Yeah... I guess so.
Tomozaki!
Let's make this year's culture festival super-ultra-fun!
You got it!
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki S2
Sewing Room 2
All right, let me ask you...
Ask me what?
First, there's Yuzu.
Then Mimimi and Hanabi,
and finally Fuka.
Who would you most want to date?
Huh?!
Or...
maybe you'd like to date me?
Tell me. Who do you like?
W-Well, uh...
What's wrong? You're all red.
Damn her...
Now hang on. Why's Izumi even an option? That's not right!
Ah, I see. You may have gained a level or three,
but you're eternally chaste at heart.
Mind your own business.
Listen, there's no rule saying you can't go after a girl who's attached.
It's not like she's married.
That is true...
What if Yuzu broke up with Nakamura and said she wanted to date you?
What?! But that would never happen!
No, it wouldn't.
Hey!
But what if it did? What would you do?
I mean, jeez, I don't...
That goes for other girls, too—not just Yuzu.
If Mimimi or Hanabi or Fuka confessed their love to you, what would you do?
Have you ever given it even the slightest thought?
No, I mean, it wouldn't happen.
That's true...
But your inability to say one way or another ties into your current situation.
Another what-if...
Let's say...
After school, a girl says she has something to talk about
and gets you somewhere alone.
She's a little embarrassed, but reveals that she's liked you for a while now.
Well? Are you picturing it?
Huh?!
Wasn't there someone you could imagine dating? Just a little?
No—well... maybe...
Dating her will be the main focus of our work going forward.
Oh, and ideally, there'd be two or more of them at any time.
Two or more?! Why on earth? That's messed up!
Some wiggle room is crucial.
But two or more at the same time... There has to be another way.
Just being able to think "I have other girlfriends" gives you a broader perspective
and wiggle room for whatever you decide to do.
That way you can keep a cool head for decision-making.
This isn't just defense. It's offense, too.
In other words,
you throw one girl into a tizzy by hinting at others waiting in the wings.
This is all really dark...
If you think that's dark, you're only proving that
you're still in the starry-eyed romantic stage.
Y-You mean it gets darker?
And don't forget the result of all this:
You'll gain confidence in yourself for having done something that seemed so difficult.
I get it...
And with that...
Which two girls?
Small Goal: Who do you want to get closer to?
Who do you want to get closer to?
Can my answer wait a while?
If you insist.
But time is of the essence, so...
Here—I'll give you an easy little task, too.
Pinstagram?
A woman who can do anything would take good pictures.
402 posts / 6085 followers / 94 following Aoi Hinami
Look at you, getting the most out of life.
Wait—
you have six thousand followers?!
That's insane...
Not really.
There's demand for it.
It's just what happens if you keep posting high-quality photos.
I honestly didn't plan for it.
Huh...
We got off-track.
Anyway, I want you on Pinstagram.
Me on Pinsta, eh?
Yes. In order for you to live a normie life here at school,
you need to boost your image among our class.
The smallest things will shake up the hierarchy.
It changes based on how others see you.
Yeah, I get that.
So your mini-task will be
Mini-Task: Create private Pinstagram and self-promote
to create a private Pinstagram account and do some self-promotion.
Simple enough. I'll send you the details later.
Okay.
Here are those details. Simple, right? Pinsta Tasks: Selfie w/ Shuji & Takei
She calls this simple?
Pinsta Tasks: Selfie w/ Shuji & Takei, Takahiro in glasses, Hanabi making a face, Minami eating ramen, Selfie w/ Fuka
This is going to be incredibly hard.
I'm glad everything's calmed down.
Uh-huh.
Wasn't Hanabi amazing, though?
It's as if she soared over all those walls in her way.
I'm sure Hanabi always had the strength to fly.
She just didn't know how to use her wings.
Right.
And once you can fly, you have total freedom.
That's true.
Kikuchi, I need to thank you again for all you've done.
You were a huge help.
S-Sure.
I'd be happy to help again if you need me.
Not that I can do very much.
Sure you can!
I might be leaning on you again someday.
Whatever you need.
G-Great. I'll let you know.
Uh-huh.
Still...
I don't know what Hinami was thinking.
Something felt a little... off.
"Off," huh?
So Kikuchi picked up on that, too.
I'm wondering why Hinami thought to go to such lengths.
It really has me curious...
There must be something inside Hinami that just couldn't forgive her.
There are some things even I can't forgive.
When someone's angry,
I think it's because the way things are doesn't match
the way they think things ought to be.
How things ought to be, huh?
I wonder what that is for Hinami?
Oh, right!
There's something I'd like you to see, if you don't mind.
I wrote a new novel, so, um... if you could...
Y-Yeah, sure. Of course.
Okay, I'll... I'll bring it next time!
Oh!
Hanabi making a face, Minami eating ramen, Selfie w/ Fuka
I forgot to do my assignment.
Selfie w/ Fuka Kikuchi
Today How are those photos coming? Read: Couldn't take any...
The day's not over yet.
My most likely option now...
Hanabi making a face, Minami eating ramen, Selfie w/ Fuka
Since Tama, Mimimi, and Kikuchi aren't around...
Pinsta Tasks: Selfie w/Shuji & Takei, Takahiro in glasses
It'll have to be a selfie with Nakamura and Takei
or Mizusawa wearing glasses.
Get 'em!
Game set!
You really are good at this, Fumiya.
Shake it off, Shuji!
Tch! We're takin' a break!
Yikes!
It's hard to get the timing right for a photo...
If I suddenly suggest a selfie, I know they'll think it's weird.
I need some kind of excuse...
Given any thought to the festival committee, Shuji?
Oh yeah...
You're doing it, right?
Kinda have to, don't I?
Yes. What about you, Fumiya?
Huh?
The culture festival committee. You're gonna join, right?
Eh? Uh, yeah!
Wait. Now I'm... on the committee?
I was too focused on my assignment.
We oughta start heading home.
Okay.
Homeward bound!
Damn. My photo homework...
Isn't there anything I could—
H-Hey...
L-Let's take a picture with this!
Huh? That's out of the blue.
What gives, Army Boy?
Well, uh... I was thinking of going on Pinstagram.
Army Boy on Pinstagram?! Sure thing! Fire away!
Well, I'm not a little kid, so I'm heading home.
Aw, don't be like that. C'mon! It'll be like a memento!
What are you talking about?
I mean, why not?
Let's do it. You too, Shuji.
You gotta be kidding...
Sheesh.
Hurry up already. You get one shot, pal.
O-Okay.
Sewing Room 2
The assignment was to take a selfie with Nakamura and Takei,
but Mizusawa wound up in there, too.
Mmm... that doesn't bother me.
But this shot is blurry as all hell.
W-Well... that's because...
Just be mindful from now on.
O-Okay.
Now let's whip up one of these babies for you.
A Pinsta account, you mean?
Exactly!
There it is.
I hate to use this blurry thing as your account icon.
But it's the only one you have, right?
Y-Yeah...
Pinstagram Cancel / Open
While you're setting up your account,
I'll explain your additional task.
I have an additional task?
We'll be putting together our festival committee today during homeroom.
Culture Festival Tasks: Join the committee
You'll be taking a spot on it.
Yeah, I already raised my hand for that without you assigning it.
Yesterday, Nakamura and the guys and I were talking about doing it together.
I see. You've come a long way.
I expect the girls' members will be from the normie camp as well.
Not only will this earn you XP,
but seeing you all working together will make a good impression on the class.
Pinstagram Log In
The same idea behind Pinsta.
Right.
Then use your opinions to actively market yourself.
That's your new assignment.
Show maximum enthusiasm on all fronts
Just show the absolute greatest enthusiasm you can muster on any and all fronts.
The g-greatest enthusiasm, on all fronts...
Got it.
All right.
Culture Festival Committee Boys / Girls
Time to choose our committee members for the culture festival.
We need four guys and four gals.
First, the boys.
I'll do it!
Okay, for the boys,
Boys: Takei / Mizusawa / Nakamura / Tomozaki
we have Takei, Mizusawa, Nakamura, and Tomozaki.
Next up: the girls.
Any takers?
Here!
Count me in!
And Nanami kicks us off. Anyone else?
Tama! Come create the culture festival with me!
Pass.
Dang, girl! That was fast!
Aoi!
Another pass.
C'mon! Turning me down twice in a row? I've got feelings, y'know!
Sorry, sorry! I just have all this student council work.
Oh, right...
Too bad, Nanami.
Anyone else?
I could do it!
Me, too!
You go, Sakura and Yuki!
Um... me too.
That's our Yuzu!
Okay, our girls are
Girls: Nanami / Kashiwazaki / Seno / Izumi
Nanami, Kashiwazaki, Seno, and Izumi.
Committee members, front and center!
I was to show every last drop of the enthusiasm I had in me here on the committee.
That, and...
decide who I wanted to date.