01x10 - Working Together

[bunniefuu]

ORIGINAL WORK - SHIINA KARUHO

"WORKING TOGETHER"

Sawako!

Yes!

Sawako-chan!

Sawako-chan!

Keep it up!

Sure!

When the ball reaches this spot,
it's your show, Sawako.

Move to this position.

I see.

That makes sense.

Got it? This is important.

Obviously, our foes will come at us.

So relax and kick the ball
back to one of your allies.

It's best to always visualize
your strategy, you know?

They're pretty fired up.

That's because the Sports Festival
is just around the corner.

Sawako-chan!

Lower your hips to the ground,

and then try gouging the ball
with the inside of your foot.

Then scoop the guts out! Scoop!

-I see.
-"Gouging"?

Sawako-chan!

What're you doing?

-We're friends now.
-No way.

Is she for real?

Looks like you're not fond of her antics.

How'd you know that, Yano-chin?

You're so easy to read.

I mean, it's nice Sadako
is making new friends, but...

"Friends"?

But if she gets closer with her than us,

I'd be pissed, to be honest!

Gosh, do you know
how adorable you are, Chizu?

I made friends with someone else.

Honestly, I'm not really
trying hard or anything,

so it hasn't really hit me yet.

We're...

We're friends, right?

Do most people feel this way...

when they make new friends?

It hasn't really hit me yet,

but still, I'm happy.

Ku-ro-numa!

Why did Kazehaya-kun
come to mind just now?

It's not related to what
I was thinking a second ago at all!

Oh no!

I can't fall asleep!

Even Kurumi-chan became my friend.

I'm in such a blessed situation, but...

in inverse proportion to that...

Here.

Thank you.

What's up with them?

Can't you tell?

There's tension between them... so to speak.

I... I don't know what to do.

I feel it's become more difficult
to talk with Kazehaya-kun.

Kazehaya!

What's up?

I was told to give
you a committee handout.

-Here.
-Thank you.

Right, the CD. I'll be right back.

Wow, you brought it for me? Thank you!

Yeah... here it is.

Here you go.

Yay! I'm so happy!

So natural.

She's so adorable, kind,
and above all, friendly.

She's something special.

FACULTY OFFICE

Excuse me.

Kurumi-chan would never lose
her composure like me.

She's really good... at creating
the most natural mood.

-I wish I were like her...
-Sawako-chan!

What's up?

Thank you.

No worries.

I'm sorry I surprised you.

You didn't respond
when I called your name.

I should apologize.

I mean, for several things.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Well...

Ku...

Kurumi-chan.

I just called her by given name.
Was that too forward?

You called me
"Kurumi-chan" for the first time!

I like it.

She's okay with it.

Isn't that heavy?

You want me to carry half?

I'm fine. This is my task.

"My task"? Sawako-chan, you're funny.

I wish I could be more like Kurumi-chan.

Kazehaya, here's the handout.
Gimme your music CD.

Okay!

Sweet!

Are we American?

Sawako-chan?

Are you, by any chance,
worrying about something?

If so, please talk to me about it.

I'll do whatever I can to help you out.

Well, it's not like...

Please let me help you.

My role model, Kurumi-chan,

is willing to give me advice.

Great, all set!

Pop a fly, pitcher.

You can't talk with Kazehaya very well?

Yes. Is it because talking to boys
is different from talking to girls?

You're thinking too hard.

That's what I thought!

As someone who's known him
since middle school, I think...

he feels the need to help out
people who are not fitting in well,

no matter who it is.

He talks with anyone and everyone.

That's why he can even speak
naturally to you, Sawako-chan.

Yes, yes. That's so true.

So, the fact that Kazehaya talks to you...

isn't really anything special.

So I don't think
you should worry about it too much.

I see.

But... you and Kazehaya
have totally different personalities.

With that in mind, instead of being
with a friendly guy like Kazehaya-kun,

you might find it easier to talk

with someone who's more like you.

You know, everyone has
their own place to fit in.

I understand.

Is that why you and Kazehaya-kun
can talk so naturally?

Do you think so?

Kazehaya and I have quite
a few things in common, actually.

That's amazing!

Kazehaya-kun was calling her
by her given name.

You two seem close.

What? Us, close? No way!

We're normal.

What? That's normal?

I wasn't aware "normal"
was such a lofty standard!

I see.

I see. If the way he is
around Kurumi-chan is "normal",

it's a given for me
to get nervous around him.

All right, why don't we go back?

Sure.

Morning, Kuronuma.

At first, I couldn't
even say hello decently.

That used to be my "normal."

I get it now.

Well, Kurumi-chan.

I feel like I've been able to become
more positive since speaking with you.

Thank you.

What?

My slogan is "step by step."

I'm still nervous, but I'll try harder.

Wait...

-See you later.
-Sawako-chan!

If I keep trying hard, do you think
I can be like you someday?

I know that's
an impossible thing to ask for.

I'm sorry. Please forget what I just said.

Kurumi is like...

how do I say this?

Well, this is just referring
to middle school, okay?

Chizu-chan!

Yumi-chan seems to like Kazehaya.

You're good friends with Kazehaya, right?

Can you help her?

I normally don't mind
when someone counts on me.

What's this? Shall I set up
a situation where they're all alone?

Simple enough.

Chizu-chan, you're such a helper!

And when that girl asked him out,
she was totally rejected.

I figured it wasn't
anyone's fault at that point.

Chizu-chan, can you help her, too?

Chizu-chan, can you help her this time?

Chizu, help me, too!

Chizu, please hook us up!

Well, there's another girl
who wants to talk to you, Kazehaya.

What's been going on lately?

Who cares? I'm outta here!

-What? Why?
-Cupid can't turn us down!

You helped Yumi, so why not me?

Were you Yumi's backup?

Man, what a drag.

Wait!

It's not Chizu-chan's fault!

It's not good for the girls
in our class to fight so much.

If this is what it's come to...

it'd be better if nobody went after him!

Seriously, I couldn't care less.

That's right!

-Kazehaya is everyone's, right?
-Kazehaya is everyone's, right?

I mean it. I couldn't care less.

The girls were afraid that someone might
take Kazehaya, so they all made that pact.

Well, so... she's...

not a bad girl, for sure, but...

her politicking and pact-forming...

Whatever, it's a pain in the butt.
I'd rather keep my distance.

You were totally manipulated, Chizu.

Just from that story, I've basically
figured out what type of girl Kurumi is.

All right.

Let's observe the situation and see
if things go as Kurumi-chan plans.

Got it!

Why don't we take a quick break?

Roger!

I'll grab some drinks.

Get me green tea, please.

If I keep trying hard, do you think
I can be like you someday?

I said something pretty shameless.

I'm embarrassed.

Kuronuma?

Kazehaya-kun.

Crap... I'm the one who called out to you,

but I'm getting nervous.

Nervous?

Kazehaya-kun is nervous?

You know,
we haven't really talked in a while.

Wait, what am I saying?

I was going to buy drinks.

I just happened to notice you.

That's all.

Kazehaya-kun was nervous, just like me.

Later.

He and I were probably thinking
similar things.

It has been ever since we were at Ryu's.

Kazehaya-kun...

-you laughed.
-You laughed.

I saw you smile...

for the first time in a while.

I'm glad.

Yeah. Maru has grown big.

Maybe... this big?

He's such a brat.

Once he starts running around
in the house, it's pure trouble.

Really?

It's about time to build him a doghouse.

Maru-chan...

You wanna come see him?

But you know,
Maru's such a lonely little baby.

I doubt he'd be able to stay in his house.

Sawako-chan!

Kurumizawa!

Zawa?

Kurumi-zawa?

Kurumi-chan?

Didn't you know?

Her name's Kurumizawa Ume.

Kurumizawa Ume?

Right, Kurumizawa?

Yeah.

Your name is Kurumizawa Ume-chan?

Kurumizawa.

I see.

He wasn't calling her by her given name.

Kurumizawa... Ume-chan.

Ume-chan, then.

Am I...

feeling relieved?

Ka...

Kazehaya, can I borrow
Sawako-chan for a second?

Well sure, I mean...

We need to have a girl talk.

A girl talk?

Why am I always interrupted...

whenever I'm with her?

What could this girl talk be about?

I wonder where we're going.

Kuru...

Ume-chan.

Don't ever call me Ume!

Kurumi-chan...

Please use that nickname.

Kurumi-chan.

I see. The nickname.

I thought I had upset her
by being too forward.

Well, to tell you the truth...

there's someone I like.

I want us to be an official couple,
but I'm not that confident.

I was wondering what to do about it.

What do you think?

What you should do? What should you do?

I know she's counting on me,
but I have no clue!

Long story short,

Sawako-chan, I want you to support me.

Me?

Be of help to Kurumi-chan?

Are you sure I can really
be the one to help?

Have more confidence.

I want you to help me.

This is...

my first time...

to be given such a major role.

I... I'll do my best.

Really? I'm glad!

But what am I supposed to do,
specifically?

Don't worry.
I'll tell you exactly what to do.

But... if I get involved in this,
don't you think I'll ruin the mood?

Of course not.

He's someone you know very well.

Kazehaya.

The person I like is...

Kazehaya.

Kazehaya-kun?

PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE

Volatile feelings...

Emotions incomparable to any others...

Next episode: "Special?"