Past 2 a.m.
My apartment, where I live alone.
COLD COMPRESS
COLD PACK
A high school boy who's my gaming friend.
And...
me with my 100-degree fever.
Episode 11: There's Something
I Want To Talk To You About
I was dead to the world last night, see.
Sorry I didn't notice your calls.
RICE PRINCESS
Is this enough to keep you going
for about a week?
Momo, you're truly a goddess!
BAWL
But, hey, Akane, having a fever
really knocks you flat, huh?
GET SOME TRAINING IN...
You just don't have any basic stamina.
GET THE COLD STUFF OUT
OKAY
Did you go to the hospital?
Uh, yeah. Yamada took me to a clinic
that was open late.
I'm going back there tomorrow.
WHOA, THERE'S MEAT, TOO
Huh?
Oh, you see, Yamada came
to check on me last night, and—
Huh?
Have you been dating behind my back?
Of course not! We're just friends.
He really is a great guy.
Um, what? Doesn't that mean...
MERCY
Oh, well,
I'll wait 'til you're well again.
So that's about it for today.
Okay, I'm out of here.
Thanks! Wait here while I get my wallet.
Would a man do that much
for a woman he's not in love with?
That's what I think. But I don't know
anything about Yamada's personality.
As for Akane, because she got dumped,
it seems like she won't be
falling in love again anytime soon.
STARE
WELL, NOT THAT I CAN BLAME HER...
I'M GIVING YOU A LITTLE EXTRA!
HMM
Okay, I'm heading out,
but, Akane, let me know right away
if anything happens.
Sure!
Huh?
Also, timing's everything
when it comes to love.
Uh, right. That's true.
As long as you get that, fine. See you!
THANKS SO MUCH
FOR TODAY
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
READ
SORRY, I JUST SAW THIS
I'M FINE
AT LEAST THAT'S GOOD NEWS...
I'll thank him properly when I'm better.
What should I do?
AKITO YAMADA
MOMOKO MAEDA
AYU
RURIHIME
MOTHER
RUNA
How's your cold?
I can log in this weekend if you want!
Let's play together
when you're well again!
SOB
I MISS YOU
Runa!
Come to think of it,
did Runa log in yesterday?
We were going to introduce ourselves
to the new player,
but I still haven't met her yet.
I'm worn out from studying,
so maybe I'll play a little FOS.
Runa and Yamada won't be there,
but how about Rurihime and Mr. Kamota?
It would be great to go hunting with them!
SYSTEM: AKANE IS ONLINE
I haven't been leveling up much lately,
so I want to get a lot done today!
Hey, it's Akanecchi!
Huh?
It's the rumored new player!
This is our new guild member, TSUBAKI!
Nice to meet you! I'm Akane!
I'm a Level 55 Paladin!
I'm TSUBAKI. Nice to meet you.
I'm a newbie who just started playing FOS.
I was just asking TSUBAKI to join me
for some map reconnaissance,
but since you're here, Akanecchi,
maybe we should all go hunting?
I want to go!
Huh? Um... I still have no clue
about my att*cks, though,
so I'd only get in your way.
If you want to learn about Paladin moves,
Akanecchi can show you!
So you're a Paladin, too, TSUBAKI?
Are most players in the Mage Class?
THAT'S RIGHT
NO
There are only wizards
with demonic firepower here.
NO
NO
NO
CRAWL...
Not only that, but everyone
has higher DEF than me.
There are times when I wonder
why I chose this Job Class.
I mean, doesn't it say
that it's recommended for newbies?
Still, I think that at the higher levels,
Paladins can be powerful.
I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH
Only Paladins can challenge
the end content's bosses.
I like it, because it seems
like it can be rewarding.
Ah!
WELL, PEOPLE'S THOUGHT PROCESSES
ARE ALL DIFFERENT
What a great girl!
But I did hear
that the att*cks are hard to master.
Don't worry!
Leave it to me!
I have to show her what I'm made of!
I have to make sure
that I don't drag her down.
Mom! Runa can't find her doughnuts!
Okay, then shall we head out?
Is everyone's equipment okay?
Yes.
And yes.
The sky's so beautiful!
I really like the graphics for this sky!
I think it might be
my favorite part of FOS!
What do you two think?
NOT THE TIME
We're a little busy right now!
NO TIME FOR THAT
WHATSOEVER
- Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
- Shield! Shield!
Anyway, can't you give us a hand
instead of taking in the scenery?
This enemy refuses to die!
If I were to att*ck it,
it would mean instant death!
It's not that strong of a boss,
so give it all you've got!
You've got to be kidding me!
BRUTAL DEMETAL
He's got so much HP,
there are four whole bars!
NORMAL ENEMY
DEMETAL
EVIL DEMETAL
BRUTAL DEMETAL
The damage you're both dealing
is less than the enemy's healing ability!
So interesting!
RURIHIME JUST EARNED THE HATRED OF TWO PALADINS!
ANNOYED
Hey, here it comes!
Damn it!
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
But...
BRUTAL DEMETAL
Strike! Strike! Strike...
NATURAL HEALING
it's true that...
this is getting us nowhere!
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
Thanks to the master's recovery magic,
we're not going to die, but...
This is shredding our morale!
If you make a few adjustments,
you two can totally subdue
this boss at your level!
Huh?
Oh, right! I get it!
Maybe we should mash
our skill buttons like crazy?
Huh?
IS THAT WHAT
SHE MEANS BY
ADJUSTMENTS!?
But that's what
I've been doing.
Let's give it a sh*t!
The "mash it to death" strategy!
- Three, two...
- Huh?
TAP TAP TAP
THE MASTER REALIZES SOMETHING
DUE TO THE CHAT GOING SO SILENT
BRUTAL DEMETAL
ANNOYED
They must be pounding it
like there's no tomorrow.
Want me to give you a hint?
Hold up.
I think I'm starting to understand.
Seriously?
I DON'T UNDERSTAND AT ALL!!
Maybe. Please don't say anything yet.
All right!
GIVE ME A HINT
EXPERIENCE OF 500 MILLION YEARS AGO
TRASH
THE BOSS LEAVES DUE TO TIME RUNNING OUT
My fingers are dead.
Same here.
But we did manage to chip away a lot
in the second half.
It was like there was
a certain window to land our att*cks.
Right, right!
Whenever he flapped his wings!
So then maybe we should try
to inflict damage in a more efficient way?
Then that's where
we should pepper him with skills!
Why don't we both check our skill effects?
Good idea.
And let's check on our equipment, too!
Best of friends now!
TSUBAKI > My armor's battered,
so I'm going to take a break
Akane > I'm logging out
See you two later!
Akane > I'm logging out
See you two later!
Rurihime > Okay! Good work, Akanecchi
Rurihime > TSUBAKI, I'll fix your armor
for you, so let me have it
TSUBAKI > Good work, Akane
TSUBAKI > Good work, Akane
TSUBAKI > I'll take it off now
Akane, my guildmate...
Meaning she's probably that Akane.
SYSTEM: AKANE HAS SENT YOU
A FRIEND REQUEST
She was easy to talk to.
Are you awake?
Yes
AKANE
Yes? Yes.
Yes.
What?
Brutal Demetal?
What are you talking about?
The one in the first meadow
outside FOS's Town of Beginnings.
The big enemy with four bars of HP.
Is it a random-spawning boss?
That's it! That's what Rurihime said, too!
TOWN OF BEGINNINGS...
Have you ever defeated that one, Yamada?
I haven't battled that many bosses
in that tier.
I see. I was hoping that you'd have
some strategies or something.
I don't know.
If it has some kind of gimmick,
maybe you should time your moves to it?
BRUTAL DEMETAL
IT'S TOO HARD!!
Gimmick...
GOOD LUCK
Like if there's a period
when att*cks are invalid.
There are all kinds of patterns.
Yes! He had one of those!
What should I do when that happens?
Oh, a buff!
BUFF = STATUS BOOST
SOUNDS BETTER
THAN MASHING
IT TO DEATH
Do you think
you're going to like our guild?
REPAIRING ARMOR WITH SEWING SKILLS
Isn't Akanecchi easy to talk to?
Uh... yes.
Everyone's so nice.
You've really put me at ease.
I actually feel bad about it.
But why?
Originally,
I had no interest in this game.
I got myself into this guild
for a more selfish reason.
But now I'm starting to wonder what it was
that I wanted to do in the first place.
SO DARK
A-Are you okay? I'd be happy
to hear all about it if you want.
There's nothing
that I can tell you.
All I ever did was look at him.
And the whole time, I was just scared.
It's nothing.
It's just that I lack courage
and can't make a move.
THERE'S NOTHING
YOU CAN TELL ME?
NO COURAGE?
CAN'T MOVE?
Um... I'm not sure what it's all about,
but why don't you start...
by making a move?
ALL DONE
If there's something you want to do,
then why don't you just do it?
You can't just wait
for courage and motivation to well up!
You need to make a move first!
If there's something you want to change...
So... oh, hey, look at the time!
Sorry I went on and on. You must be wiped.
Yes. My hand got so numb,
I switched to Bluetooth.
Talk about honest.
What was your question again?
Oh...
Right, it wasn't so much a question...
as me wanting to hear your voice.
That's all!
Bye now!
AKANE
My hands...
are trembling.
Hey, Momo? Thanks for today.
Can you talk now?
Yeah, see...
there's something
I want to talk to you about!
MOMO
I'll contact you again
Got it
I'll be waiting.
Let's meet tomorrow
There's a cafe I want to go to,
so can we meet there?
I'll send you a map
Let's meet at 11:00!
Received location
Tap to open the map
Okay!
There's a cafe I want to go to,
so can we meet there?
I'll send you a map
Let's meet at 11:00!
This is it, huh?
CUTE
I never knew there was a place like this.
So anyway, about that thing I wanted
to ask you over the phone the other day...
Why do you think... uh...
Why did I get dumped?
May I take your order?
I'll have the fluffy soufflé pancakes
and an iced tea.
And she'll just have water!
So mean!
I'll have the same thing!
Two orders of pancakes
and iced teas, right?
Akane? I'm disappointed in you.
Why?
FINALLY!
There's something
I want to talk to you about!
Really?
Hold up, hold up! I want to see you
and talk to you in person!
A sit-down, meaningful chat!
While I waited a whole week for you
to make a full recovery from your cold,
Momo hasn't been able to focus.
All I could manage
was three group dates.
Yet now that I'm
hearing from you,
you've shattered my fantasies and
started with a totally lame line.
I'm so disappointed.
LAME
Three group dates in a week
sounds like full throttle, doesn't it?
GRR!
Here I was
expecting to hear some fun girl talk!
NOW, NOW...
Hey, hear me out, will you?
Lately, something's been on my mind.
And I can't really...
You know, in a romantic sense.
In order to move on...
If I have any major flaws,
I'd like to fix them, you know?
Like, maybe I don't realize it myself,
but I have a really bad habit!
SINCE I CAN'T TELL MYSELF
IF I HAVE ONE!
Why so many questions?
It's like, no matter who I
fall in love with, I've got to fix it.
When I think that it might be
a fatal flaw, it scares me.
Well, you don't have one.
REGRET...
If I knew I was going to agonize
about it after the fact,
even if it would have been embarrassing,
I should have asked Takuma.
NOT THAT...
No, that's not...
Welcome!
Hey...
E-Excuse me, sir.
I thought I saw a knockout,
and it was you, Momo!
Ugh!
Hey, what a coincidence!
Uh, let me show you to your—
Wh-Who are they?
I was at a group date with them
the day before yesterday.
Oh, I'll just sit with them.
I'd like to show you
to your seats over here.
They're super pesky and
super touchy-feely, so I left right away.
How can you go on group dates
with guys like them?
Well, a friend of a friend introduced us.
Can we share this table with you?
No way! No way! No way! No way!
Hey, hello there, Momo's friend!
I'm really sorry.
Momo will deal with them,
so Akane can just ignore them.
Aren't you being a little pushy?
Momo doesn't know what to do!
I know, we're making so much trouble
for you. Both of us!
Momo! You skipped out on paying
for your drinks the other day, didn't you?
Huh? I gave it to the organizer.
Really? That's news to me!
Did you check with her yourself?
Oh, who cares about a few drinks?
Let's all get along now, huh?
Hmm, they're not going anywhere soon,
are they?
Momo, you smell awesome, don't you?
No way! No way! Personal space!
H-Hey!
Thank you for waiting.
You ordered the fluffy soufflé pancakes
and iced tea, right?
Huh?
Wait, were there four of you
in your party?
E-Eita!
Sasaki! Actually, this table is—
Oh, my.
Yeah, we know these girls!
So don't give it another thought!
OHH, EITA,
PLEASE SAVE US
GUILD MEMBER'S GAZE
- Oh!
- Oh!
Sirs, I apologize, but you're
inconveniencing these other customers,
EEK
so allow me to show you
to a different table!
We're fine right here!
Sirs, I apologize, but you're
inconveniencing these other customers,
so please move to another table.
No, but we're—
Thank you for your cooperation.
- Uh...
- Uh...
Thank you, Eita!
What a coincidence, huh?
What a surprise! I had no idea!
Well, I sure noticed!
What? Then say so!
Well, keeping quiet was more amusing!
You know each other?
E-Excuse me.
I'm sorry to have caused trouble here.
No worries.
Man, what a shock.
Thank goodness Eita was there!
How good-looking was that guy?
Eita's another of my guildmates!
Aww!
Huh? Him, too?
That's right. He's our master.
This game that you're playing
is dreamier than my group dates.
I DON'T KNOW
ABOUT THAT...
You know what,
I'm starting to feel hopeless.
Momo, about what I
was talking about earlier...
Huh?
Good work!
KEEP THINGS TIDY AND IN ORDER
Good work!
Sasaki, do you have a second?
What? No.
Because I'm off the clock now.
It's not about work.
I'm going to go to karaoke
with the daytime staff. Come with me!
Since you helped me out earlier,
it's my treat.
My kid sister's waiting for me
to come home, so I can't.
HMPH
Sister complex.
How rude.
I merely love her a bit excessively.
In other words, sister complex.
You just admitted it.
SASAKI
Good work!
Hey, Eita!
Huh? You're both still here?
What are you doing in a place like this?
We were waiting for you, Eita.
Oh, my, like groupies?
NOOOO
Huh?
Mysterious character...
Huh?
There's something
I want to talk to you about.
Do you mind?
Okay, want to get going?
Is everyone's equipment okay?
- Yes.
- Yes.
I have to show her what I'm made of!
Huh?
Equipment...
SEARCHING FOR EQUIPMENT
Actually, is your gear
different than mine, TSUBAKI?
Wow, it's so cool! Rare equipment?
ANYONE CAN
GET THEM BY ADVANCING
IN THE MAIN QUEST
N-No.
Hey, how did you acquire those?
It's not like I acquired them.
The first quest—
Right, right! Go on.
Actually, since you leveled up
your initial gear to the max,
yours is the super-rare one, Akanecchi!
LUCKY YOU
MAXED-OUT
BEGINNER'S ARMOR
MAXED-OUT
GRAPHICS CARD