Introvert Transforms Himself in Highschool To Impress A Girl But....

Our Story begins with a guy named shizuki who is a middle school student one day when he enters his classroom he overhears a group of girls talking about him they mention to one of the girls that they've seen her talking to shizuki sometimes they think you him as a creep the girl replies that shizuki is disgusting plain and simple but she adds that if they associate with someone beneath them doesn't it make them look Better hearing this the other girls comment that she is really dark overhearing this shizuki feels very sad this memory is from

shuki's past he recalls that on that day he discovered the horror hidden in Beauty and realized how low his position was leaving him broken now in the present shizuki is sitting in class when a guy comes up to him and tells him they need to go to the cafeteria shizuki politely responds that he'll join them once he finishes his Notes the guy comments that shizuki is a slow writer shizuki disagrees explaining that it's just hard for him to see from the back of the class the guy agrees and adds that shizuki needs to hurry or

Haruno will steal his seat shizuki nods in agreement when the guy leaves shizuki feels happy that his plan has worked perfectly he thinks back to the day he decided to make a fresh start in high school and how he worked hard to fix all his flaws after just a week he's managed To become part of the social middle class he's always dreamed of considering he was at the very bottom in middle school he feels this is a complete success he recalls that he took entrance exams for a reasonably Advanced School so no one knows about

his shadowy past except for one person shisuka kuseni a girl from the same middle school rumored to be the most beautiful girl in her year as soon as she entered there are already stories about her being Confessed to and being a model shizuki hasn't talked to her directly but he believes he knows what kind of girl she is according to him kusunoki is just like him they are in different classes but they used to go to the library together so they know each other at this moment some boys are standing with kuseni he stands up

reminding himself that he decided not to involve himself with beautiful women ever again he firmly tells himself that avoiding Kusunoki is for the best shizuki leaves the classroom thinking that even though they were both members of the bottom class he doesn't believe they will ever talk about it in the future as shizuki is walking he notices kuseni following him and looking at him suddenly she steps in front of him and loudly calls for him to wait and help her everyone around looks at her wondering what happened but she only calls for shizuki he is completely

stunned not knowing What to make of the situation he had thought they might go home the same way but didn't expect her to talk to him he also worries about what she wants from HIM Tears start to well up in kusi's eyes as she apologizes to shizuki with a heavy heart shizuki is surprised by kusin noi's move she then tells him that she is in a lot of trouble right now and would really appreciate it if shizuki could talk with her shizuki wonders what could be bothering her huseni explains Politely that since they went to

the same middle school it's something only he can help with with a cute smiling face she adds that it's been a while and just wanted to quickly say that he has changed a lot hearing this shizuki is surprised in feeling anxious loudly replies that she has changed a lot too kenoki is shocked by his Outburst realizing what he did shizuki quickly stops himself kusunoki becomes shocked and asks if he is okay it seems she has Triggered his symptoms ever since that day when his heart was broken by making eye contact with a beautiful woman he

developed a condition that causes him to suffer from mysterious health problems shizuki calmly tells her that nothing is wrong and mentions that it's too crowded here so they should talk in the park they both head to the park and sit on a bench kuseni politely asks if he understands her situation in other words she changed her appearance but couldn't Change what's inside she has tried avoiding conversation but is running out of steam he asks if she came to him for advice because they went to the same middle school kuseni confirms that he is correct shizuki

looks down and thinks that he could have managed if he just hadn't looked into her eyes he tries to reassure her commenting that he isn't good at communicating either confused kuseni says that's not true she tells him politely that he talks to everyone In class normally and has already made friends adding that she really respects him for that shizuki also confused asks what she means pointing out that she had has friends too kuseni looks down and sadly mentions that she doesn't have any shizuki is surprised by this kuseni tells him that she doesn't consider shuki's

friends to be real friends just because they talk to him as for the girls in class it seems like they are avoiding her shizuki is amazed and looks At her curiously he realizes that from an outsider's point of view she is surrounded by Boys which could leave a bad impression he thinks she looked like a big success and didn't expect her situation to be like his kuseni mentions that if she can change her appearance but not what's inside there is no point she tells him that she was alone in middle school because she was a

bad person as he looks at her he suddenly remembers his own past abruptly He stands up from the bench and loudly tells her to be more confident kuseni is completely surprised by this Revelation he asks her why she wanted to make a high school debut he adds that changing her appearance so much means she put in a lot of effort he urges her to take small steps and assures her that if she gets used to talking and communicating it will come to her easily as shizuki is shouting at her he suddenly realizes that he is

looking into her eyes and Talking without feeling sick shizuki picks up his bag and starts to leave but kuseni quickly stops him and asks him to wait shizuki is shocked and turns back to face her she asks how she should take small steps he politely suggests that if she can make one friend talk to the rest will be easy out of nowhere she asks if he would would like to be friends with her shizuki looks at her shocked she clarifies that he is someone she can talk to and begins begging him to be Friends with

her shizuki confused wonders why she wants to be friends with him he questions why he should help her thinking that if kuseni improved her communication skills she would only become more popular eventually her personality would shift and she would gradually realize where she stood shizuki realizes that everything he thought is true but if he rejects her offer she will be alone when he looks at her face he sees her sad expression Seeing her condition shizuki accepts her offer kuseni is stunned when she hears this tears well up in her eyes as she happily thanks him

for his kindness shizuki tells her that while they are going to be friends it's only a temporary Arrangement until she makes other friends koseni gives him a sweet smile and says she is still happy looking at her face shizuki is confused and wonders if there is something special about her eyes and if he is Cured kenoki thanks him again calling him a friend and says she feels good to have met him shizuki thinks he doesn't really understand it but if it doesn't cause symptoms it's a good thing he also considers that although they are now

friends it's not like their relationship will change much the next day at school during break time shizuki sits at his seat for lunch suddenly kusunoki comes over and sits in front of them at the same table shizuki feels angered by this Thinking that just because they are friends doesn't mean men and women usually sit across from from each other at the table he wonders what she is thinking when the other students see them they start talking about the two of them some girls whisper that kuseni is quick to attach herself to him while some of

the guys wonder why shizuki is with her shizuki is astonished by the situation thinking that everyone is misunderstanding everything with a Smiling and polite face koseni tells him that she always wanted to eat with a friend like this shizuki is shocked by her words some of shuki's friends come over and teasingly tell him they are going to the cafeteria on their own encouraging him to take his time and enjoy the moment shizuki becomes more frustrated he turns to kuseni about to say something but she politely asks him what's wrong instead he puts his head on

the table and sadly says he has nothing To say he thinks this is the consequence of helping people feeling sorry for kusunoki who has never eaten with a friend before he decides that just for today he will play this friend's game with a cute face kusunoki asks if she can call him k from now on shizuki makes a perplexed face but she asks again mentioning that they are friends now shizuki gives her permission and comments that she can do what she wants he stands up from the chair and tells Her he will go buy some

drinks for them kuseni also says she will go with him he didn't know just yet how his dream about a peaceful high school life was going to get turned upside down while walking through the hallway he comes across an even bigger threat his Bully from middle school shizuki starts feeling the symptoms again Kus no key worried asks if he is all right he turns around and looks at her again horrified he is unable to believe this is actually Happening the person who caused his trauma is standing in front of him he had searched through all

the names on the class roster and didn't see the name hea or aresa then another girl calls out to hewa asking about the situation she turns to shizuki asking if he's all right shizuki quickly hides his face saying he is fine heoa then turns to kuseni and asks if she is his friend kuseni replies yes heaa suggests that shizuki doesn't look well and might need To go to the infirmary she steps closer and asks him to take care of himself after saying this heaa goes on her way shizuki watches her feeling confused by her eyes

her voice and the ribbon in her hair he realizes there's no mistaking it she is definitely the same person he holds his head in anxiety thinking that his peaceful high school days are now over kuseni suggests that they go to the infirmary he's feeling unwell and offers to carry him if he can't walk but Shizuki still focused on hewa loudly declares that he won't let things end like this kusunoki is surprised by shuki's sudden Behavior shizuki adds that he is not going to let her ruin his life and explains that he made a fresh start

in high school for a reason he remarks that he said goodbye to her in the past when shizuki loudly declares that's all kuseni is stunned and doesn't understand what's going on but out of fear she agrees with everything he says Kusunoki then asks if he is feeling better now shizuki replies that he is fine he realizes that if he stays focused on his school life it shouldn't be a problem he is determined to maintain the peaceful school life he has finally achieved as school ends and everyone is in the classroom kusunoki approaches shizuki with a

cute expression and asks if they can go home together this is actually a big challenge for shizuki when the other Students hear this they are all surprised meanwhile shizuki starts stammering koseni asks if he has to go somewhere else shizuki lies and replies yes she then gives him a sweet smile and says that if that's the case it's fine and she can wait for him shizuki feels guilty thinking her smile is too bright some of the boys from the class come over teasingly commenting that going home together sounds fun shizuki starts sweating one boy places

a hand on Shizuki shoulder and says that shizuki seems to be on good terms with kuseni one of the boys asks if shizuki is going out with kuseni shizuki is stunned and nervously thinks that if these popular students notice him things will only get worse he quickly replies that they are not going out and starts running away the boys watch him leave commenting on how it's a shame he's going home today they then tell kuseni that she should come with them instead after a while Shizuki walks down the streets in a bad mood muttering that

nothing good is going to happen today and that it has been a terrible day he also feels bad about leaving kusunoki behind as he walks with these thoughts kuseni suddenly calls out to him from behind when he looks back he is completely surprised to see her kusunoki greets him respectfully confused and worried shizuki asks her why she is here she replies that she was chasing him and Comments that she is very tired shizuki asks if she was running while trying to catch up with him and wonders why she would go so far with a cute

smiling face she says that she wanted to go home with him shizuki nervously puts his hand on his face she then asks if he dislikes it he replies that it's not that he dislikes it he loudly tells her that no matter how much they are friends it's not normal for a man and a woman to go home together kuseni is shocked by this He adds that even eating lunch together isn't ideal for them she asks why it looks so bad he explains that people might misunderstand their relationship after saying this he continues on his way

and tells her not to talk too much in the classroom shizuki feels like kuso understands his point she calls out to him again and says that she hasn't had the chance to talk to many people she asks him for advice on how she can create more opportunities to interact With others shizuki feels bad for her kusunoki then politely asks if she can call him at night from now on shizuki looks back at her and loudly asks if she means a phone call she confirms and explains that they can talk on the phone without any misunder

understandings she repeats her request shizuki thinks that calling a female friend at night is not appropriate he wonders if she is being odd or if he is overthinking the situation kusunoki continues to ask very Politely and shizuki looks at her confused later shizuki is at home lying on his bed and looking at his phone it's 2:35 a.m. he glances at kusi's phone number saved in his contacts and thinks about the moment she asked to talk on the phone he was confused at the time but agreed to her request now they both have each other's phone

numberers saved when kusunoki sees shuki's phone number she is a amazed she politely asks if she can call him tonight shizuki is Initially surprised but agrees he mentions that he will call her himself she agrees and says she will wait for his call shizuki says this because he needs to prepare himself koseni with a cute smile tells him she will be waiting shizuki lies on his bed thinking about what he should do next he doesn't really want to make the call and he's unsure what to talk about he adds that he has no idea because

he hasn't spoken to her in so long as he lies there his eyes Land on the alarm clock he picks it up and sets it for 10 minutes he decides he will talk to her for only 10 minutes then he makes the call When shizuki Calls he starts with a Hello and introduces himself kuseni responds with her name shizuki apologizes for calling so late and kuseni reassures him and thanks him for calling after that shizuki falls silent realizing he's being awkward and needs to say something he begins with small talk asking if it's Colder tonight

compared to yesterday koseni replies that it is shizuki adds that he's really bad with cold weather and asks about her preference kuseni simply replies that she doesn't mind shizuki feels uncomfortable thinking she isn't giving much detail and feels awkward about the conversation noticing there are only 5 minutes left he decides he needs to choose a safe topic he asked her about her Hobbies or something similar whoi replies that she likes Watching anim and reading manga shizuki is surprised by her choice of hobbies and says he enjoys the same things he asks her what genre she

likes she begins to explain in great detail after hearing her lengthy explanation shizuki feels uncomfortable and thinks she's become very talkative when discussing her favorite series he comments that she sounds like a stereotypical otaku kusunoki asks if he has a favorite manga shizuki thinks about his childhood Favorite and tells her that he likes a manga called asterisk Noah asterisk she replies that she also likes it and mentions she owns all volumes suddenly the alarm clock starts ringing shizuki looks at it and kuseni asks what the sound is shizuki tells her it's nothing and then asks

if she's heard the rumor about the third part being serialized next year kuseni becomes more Curious and asks him to give her all the details about it the next day while shizuki is Sitting in class and feeling dizzy he checks his phone and notices the call timer from his conversation with kuseni he's surprised to see it lasted 1 hour and 32 minutes he's confused about how it went on for so long feeling a bit unsettled he comments that he never expected they'd be on the same wavelength he reassures himself thinking it's because he's an otaku

at heart too suddenly huseni enters the classroom shizuki notices she looks gloomy and is Surprised to see her like this kuseni places her bag on the desk and wishes shizuki good morning he responds with a good morning of his own as he looks at her he wonders what might have happened since she was so cheerful yesterday then he shakes his head realizing he doesn't need to worry about it he decides that during school hours he should try to avoid her as much as possible thinking about this shizuki tries to avoid talking to kuseni but he

can't help Glancing at her when school lets out and everyone is getting ready to go home shizuki calls out to kuseni in the corridor he approaches her and she asks if something is wrong he replies that it's nothing he feels unsure about what to say but eventually he calmly tells her that he noticed she seems very down today even though he had intended to avoid saying anything he realizes that if he doesn't speak up it will be even more Awkward for him as kusunoki begins To talk about their phone call from yesterday she realizes she

was the one who spoke the entire time with a sad expression she apologizes to shizuki her face clearly shows her regret shizuki is stunned by her reaction and thinks that she is feeling down because of this he reassures her that their phone calls are meant to help her get used to talking and that there's no need to worry it's not a big deal despite this kusunoki remains sad she sits down and says it Felt very one-sided mentioning that she was the only one who had fun and that she feels awful about it shizuki feels bad

for her and kindly tells her not to apologize he adds that their conversation was surprisingly enjoyable she is surprised by his comment suddenly shuki's friends harino and suji arrive shizuki is startled to see them they ask what he is doing and mention that they were looking for him because he suddenly disappeared they come closer and ask if They're interrupting one of them ads that shizuki seems to be forgetting his friends shizuki politely assures them that it's not like that heno then asks what exactly his relationship with kusunoki is suddenly shizuki bids farewell to kusunoki leaving

her surprised by his abrupt Behavior he tells her to go home and she agrees his friends look disappointed and politely ask if he is really not going with kusunoki they apologized to shizuki for Their earlier remarks shizuki reassures them that he already mentioned he's not involved in such things meanwhile as kusunoki is heading home she suddenly stops and turns back she calls out to shizuki with a cheerful smile and says that she also had a lot of fun last night she then wishes him goodbye shizuki and his friends are left completely surprised by this shizuki

worries about what his friends will say next his friends look at him with Annoyance and teasingly remark that it seems like he had a lot of fun last night shizuki hurriedly tries to explain that nothing like that happened and insists it's all a misunderstanding in class herim sternly asks shizuki if he really hasn't done anything with kuseni shizuki tries to stay calm and repeats that they don't have that kind of relationship heno admits he doesn't fully trust him shizuki thinks they're giving him a headache in notes that Kusi's vague words are to blame sui adds

that shizuki is the only guy kusunoki calls by his first name and they both seem unusually close suji adds that in his opinion they look quite close heno agrees with him shizuki explains that he and kuseni just happened to attend the same middle school and she's the girl he's closest to among his friends herena was surprised to hear they went to the same middle school and says shizuki is lucky He commments that kuseni must have been very pretty back then and wishes he had seen her hearing this shizuki stands up and loudly tells him to

stop and end the conversation the guys look at him in confusion heno then says he wants to get along with kusunoki too and asks if shizuki can arrange for them to have lunch together shizuki steps forward and firmly declines he thinks it's out of the question since kusunoki struggles with communication and hanano can't sit Still as shizuki comes down the stairs the thought of kuseni and hero meeting makes his heada ache then he realizes that if they could get along he wouldn't need to worry about koseni making friends he thinks that if he can make

this happen one threat to his peaceful high school life will be removed just then from the other side of the corridor heaa approaches and they bump into each other causing her books to fall shizuki apologizes and asks if hewa is okay as He looks at her he is shocked to see her sitting on the floor heoa comments that they keep bumping into each other and adds with a cute smile that they seem to have a habit of meeting like this suddenly shizuki bows his head and starts to shout in frustration hea is surprised by his

reaction just then suji arrives and observes the scene noting that shizuki seems to be having quite a meltdown suji comes closer and asks what happened heoa Explains that she thinks shizuki suddenly got sick suji is stunned by this heoa then turns to shizuki and politely asks if he can stand she asks suji to help her pick up the scattered books as they assist shizuki and gather the books heaa comments that they are such good friends with a sweet smile she tells shuk iuki to take care of himself as hiawa leaves suji suddenly grabs shizuki and

asks if he's friends with her shizuki trembling insists that suji Is mistaken and that he has no connection with her hero asks suji if he knows hiawa suji replies that he does and mentions that he knows all about the pretty girls in their year he explains that hewa is from Class 8 and is rumored to be the second prettiest girl in their year hero then asks who the first prettiest girl is suji says that the prettiest girl is kuseni shizuki turns to him full of attitude and asks if that's why he should be grateful for

Getting along with kusunoki suji replies that he'd also like a chance to get to know her better and asks shizuki to help him out shizuki agrees to ask kusunoki suji is pleased to hear this later shizuki calls kuseni and asks if they can have lunch together she declines saying she isn't interested shizuki is surprised and asks if she's really rejecting his off offer kuseni confirms that she is shizuki is surprised that kuseni flatly rejects his Lunch invitation kusunoki asks what he wanted to discuss as he get mentioned he needed to ask her something shizuki explains

that he wants her to see it as a crash course to improve her communication skills and notes that she has nothing to lose by participating kuseni clarifies that when she mentioned eating together she meant only herena would be joining them shizuki adds that suji will also be There and politely asks if she is comfortable with having more people around shizuki assures kusunoki that herena will be a better friend than he is to his surprise koseni disagrees saying that if they're having lunch together he should be there too she adds that she won't be coming otherwise

and her sadness is apparent shizuki notices her downcast expression and asks if she's upset with him he also apologizes feeling responsible for her distress Kenoi says she's going to sleep and hangs up she shizuki looks at his phone noting that their call lasted about 15 minutes he's puzzled wondering if she's angry with him or if he said something wrong meanwhile kuseni sits on the floor feeling deeply saddened the next day shizuki and kuseni head to the cafeteria to eat joined by tuji and heno as they sit around the table and join their meals heno remarks

that for some reason everything tastes particularly delicious Today he turns to suji for his opinion but suji with his usual attitude simply responds that the food isn't that great sipping his juice and sitting with a casual demeanor shizuki observes the group he thinks hero seems overly excited when he glances at koseni who is quietly eating and appears sad he is struck by how miserable she looks he wonders if she is okay noticing she hasn't said a single word yet suddenly hero curiously asks kinoi if she Attended the same middle school as shizuki kuseni is taken

back by the question shizuki explains that although they went to the same middle school they were in different classes and only started talking to each other here in high school suji nonchalant remarks that this means they haven't been friends for very long then hero stands up from his chair and with a confused smile comments to shizuki that it's nice with a bit of fear in his heart he tells everyone that He also wants to be friends with kuseni he extends his hand for a handshake and asks for her contact information offering to give her his

number in return with this sudden Behavior everyone is stunned into silence kuseni doesn't respond making hero realize she is ignoring him he quickly apologizes for his sudden approach shizuki watches the scene unfold then turns to kusunoki and in a polite manner assures her that it's Fine and that he thinks she and hero would make good friends he adds that once she gets to know hero she'll see he's a pretty serious and nice guy hearing this hinoki remains silent and Confused but she trusts shizuki and agrees with him she comments that if shizuki says so she

can do it suji and hero are astonished by her response harano quickly thanks kuseni for her kindness and asks her to wait as he doesn't have his phone with him right Now shizuki tells him that his phone is probably in the classroom hero promises he'll be back shortly later at school shizuki and hero Stand Together hero clasps his hands in front of him and sincerely thanks shizuki for help helping him build a friendship with kuseni shizuki modestly comments that he didn't do much heno however insists that he's serious and that it's all thanks to shizuki

he adds that he never thought he'd be able to exchange contact Information with kusunoki watching heno shizuki thinks he seems unusually happy about this he realizes that jeno's obvious Delight indicates he genuinely likes kusunoki shizuki smiling comments that heno is experiencing the wonders of Youth he then politely asks if they're finished and if they should head back to the classroom hero stops him again saying he has one more request shizuki starts to sweat wondering what it could be Hero's request is for him and kuseni To have lunch together shizuki agrees and sends a message to

kusunoki on Hero's behalf as shizuki sends the message he feels a surge of irritation thinking that heno should be asking kusunoki himself he sends it anyway because hero had begged him saying he was too shy to make such a request directly shizuki also wonders why if hero is so shy and unable to ask for lunch directly he would still want kusi's phone number after a moment Shizuki sits in class and kuseni is there as well when she picks up her phone shizuki notices that she has seen his message he gestures for her attention but when

she looks at him she suddenly turns her face down appearing sad and doesn't speak shizuki is left stunned and confused by her reaction shizuki thinks that KUSI might be ignoring him and wonders if she is upset which could explain her behavior he questions why she might be feeling this Way just then suji approaches shizuki to say goodbye as school is ending shizuki Returns the farewell in silence kuseni stands up grabs her bag and heads outside shizuki realizes that kusunoki has been acting strangely ever since their phone call yesterday and her behavior at lunch today was

no different suddenly he puts his hand on his head feeling a surge of anxiety he thinks to himself that he needs to stop overthinking things about girls and pull Himself together shizuki decides in his mind that he won't let kusi's mood affect him whether she's angry or not is none of his concern as kusunoki leaves the school silently shizuki follows her and soon they are standing together on the street with a polite and somewhat apprehensive expression kusunoki asks him what's wrong shizuki remains silent looking down at the ground shizuki feels uneasy about questioning Kus and

's Behavior but he eventually asks why she Is ignoring him kuseni simply responds by asking if they should continue talking to each other shizuki is confused by her reply she then points out that it was he who said she shouldn't talk to him at school hearing this shizuki feels guilty and thinks that kuseni knows how to argue she then turns and starts walking away with shizuki watching her as she walks she tells him that she knows he hates her shizuki is stunned by her accusation Ki Glances back at him and adds that she can tell

he's pushing her towards his other friends kuseni sadly adds that she knows he wants to end the friendship which is why she has been behaving this way realizing this shizuki thinks he can't deny that she might be right even though he was the one who saw her in a difficult situation similar to his own and reached out to her he acknowledges her feelings shizuki realizes that he was so caught up in his own feelings That he ended up treating kuseni as if she were insignificant he reflects on his his childhood remembering a time when he

approached someone with a hopeful heart asking to be their friend at that time the person had rejected his offer and apologized shizuki realizes how deeply such actions can hurt people understanding that he has done something wrong he approaches kuseni apologizes sincerely and asks for her forgiveness kuseni sits on the ground still looking Sad and politely admits that she isn't very good at talking to boys koseni adds that she was bullied in middle school with which has made boys seem intimidating to her ever since shizuki points out that he is a boy too kusunoki quickly looks

at him and emphatically says that he is an exception and not like the others kuseni adds that back in middle school shizuki was often in the library like she was and they were in the same class she admits that she never Expected they'd end up starting high school together or find so many things in common kuseni comments that she feels at ease when she's with shizuki and that's why she's okay with him being being her only male friend even though she wants friends shizuki sits down beside her and starts crying he tells her that he

understands and will stop trying so hard to find other friends for her kuseni thanks in in response shizuki feels his own heart pounding loudly and Rapidly kuseni then reveals that her heart is also racing shizuki is surprised to hear this kusunoki gives him a warm smile and politely mentions that this is the first time she has ever had a disagreement with a friend shizuki gaze lingers and he realizes that this is the first time he's had a disagreement with a female friend which is why his heart is racing kenoki stands up and politely asks if

they can talk more even at school shizuki agrees and Gives her permission as she walks away with a happy heart shizuki watches her from behind still puzzled and wondering if there could be any other reason for his heart pounding so intensely the next day while they are all in the classroom a lady teacher enters with a cheerful expression she announces that to help all the new enrolled students get to know each other they will be holding their traditional dodgeball tournament where all the classes will compete Against each other she adds that since not everyone can

be on the same team they will be drawing lots to decide the team members upon hearing this shizuki feels sad and thinks that the teachers must see them as kids to organize a dodgeball tournament worried he considers the possibility of being chosen as a player and messing up in front of everyone which would be embarrassing he also realizes that if they compete against other classes have The C will be there too his face turns even more anxious at the thought he steps forward to draw Lots feeling extremely worried and nervous the mere thought of being

chosen makes him feel sick and he desperately hopes he won't be picked in his heart he prays to God for strength after drawing lots shizuki and the others sit on the stairs shizuki is in a sad mood while suji and heno are in High Spirits suji is drinking juice and the others are eating as well in Casual tone suji mentions that luck seems to be on shizuki side adding that he wishes he could play too shizuki thinks about how he had a bad feeling when he drew his lot and it still ended up like this

he simply says he wants to go home suji agrees saying that just cheering for their team is kind of boring and he wants to go home too hero speaking loudly comments that their morale is way too low and urges everyone to get hyped already saying this hero Moves up the stairs suji asks where this enthusiasm is coming from reminding him that he didn't make the team and should calm down hero grinning says to think about it they usually don't have P class with the girls but today they get a full display of them in workout

clothes he happily adds that this alone is more than enough suji and shizuki however remain calm and look ahead seeing their lack of enthusiasm hero gets a little angry and tells them not to ignore him Just then kusunoki arrives and calls out to shizuki mentioning that she finally found him she is also dressed casually hero is stunned when he sees her koseni explains that the teachers are about to go over the rules and want all team members to come to the gym kenoki asks shizuki if he wants to go with her before he can respond

harino quickly says that shizuki will go and orders him to go right now shizuki surprised by this realizes that kusunoki must have Been chosen too he tells her that he hasn't finished eating yet so she can go ahead hanano sternly warns him that he does doesn't have the right to decline kusi's invitations and orders him to go now shizuki reluctantly agrees and goes with kusunoki as they walk kusunoki asks if he's sure it's okay he reassures her that it is and tells her not to worry about it when shizuki looks at her properly he notices

her face is shining he comments that she looks kind of Excited kuseni is surprised to hear this shizuki explains that he thought she might not like these kinds of events and is surprised she's into them with a confused expression she tells him he's right she doesn't like them then smiling she adds that this time might be fun because they'll be playing together shizuki is astonished by her words he suddenly turns his face feeling hot and thinks it must be a particularly warm day they reach the area where everyone Is gathered with the teacher standing in

front she happily announces that class A's first match is against Class B shizuki hears this and becomes anxious commenting that he can't handle it suddenly harano appears and calls out to shizuki from behind chiding him for giving up before the match has even started and ordering him to show some fighting spirit shizuki is stunned to see heno there and asks why he's there since he's not playing hero replies that He switched with someone who didn't want to play harano adds that his greatest desire is to personally protect kuseni shizuki thinks that if that's the case

then why didn't hero switch with him meanwhile some of the guys approach hero and insist that they also want to protect kuseni commenting on Hero's Cockiness heno angered turns to shizuki and warns him that he's dead wrong if he thinks he can beat him shizuki confused asks if they're not supposed to be Teammates as they argue some girls in the corner watch them the girls are questioning why the guys are being so annoying kuseni overhears their conversation one girl comments that everything is happening because of kuseni and that the boys in their class are all

idiots another girl agrees saying that kuseni is a the center of it all and adds that from what she can tell kuseni is a Maneater hearing this kusunoki feels deeply saddened and Lowers her head in shame shizuki notices her distress and approaches worried about her he politely asks koseni if something is wrong she gives herself a quick slap and assures him that she's fine after a while the teams line up shizuki looks around anxiously the teacher announces that the match between Class A and Class B is about to begin hero is visibly excited but shizuki

is preoccupied with worry about hiawa he scans the opposing team and realizes She's neither with her team nor behind the lines he wonders if she didn't come to school today shizuki feeling a sense of relief silently thanks God thinking that his prayers were answered he's genuinely happy that hewa hadn't shown up until now suddenly the teacher starts looking around confused and asks if someone is missing shizuki with a feed expression of Innocence asks who is does not here just then they hear footsteps approaching and hea appears shuki's Relief quickly Fades as he realizes she has

arrived after all with a smiling face heala apologizes to everyone for making them wait she explains that it took her some time to change clothes but hopes it's all right now the teacher pleased with her dramatic entrance despite the delay assures her to be more punctual in the future she then instructs everyone to line up as shizuki watches hiawa he starts sweating and becomes increasing ly anxious suji also Looks worried as he watches hewa and mutters that he couldn't ask for more shizuki feels a deep sense of dread and comments that this situation is the

worst however he reminds himself to stay calm and approach the situation rationally he decides there is only one optimal course of action for him right now and resolves to act quickly as the match begins and the players start moving with the ball shizuki positions himself to catch it suddenly heran of Steps in front of him and grabs the ball himself heno apologizes to shizuki saying that today is his moment to shine shizuki feels a surge of anger towards him heno adds that he needs to impress kuseni with his skills as hero throws the ball to

hit an opponent it unexpectedly slips from his hand and head straight for hewa both hero and shizuki are stunned by the turn of events just as the ball is about to hit hewa another player rushes in and blocks The ball saving her from the impact the player who blocked the ball declares with a lot of attitude that he's the one who will protect heaa he turns to her and calmly assures her that he'll deal with anyone who tries to Target her hiawa thanks him with a sweet smile fueled by anger the player hurls the ball

powerfully at hero the ball strikes heno sending him crashing hard to the ground shizuki watches in concern as hero collapses meanwhile the opposing Team members assert that they're not going to lose this game they aggressively engage hitting each other with the ball and even targeting the girls causing chaos on the field after some time all the players are out of the game except for shizuki and kuseni on one side and heaa with the guy who saved her on the other shizuki scans the field searching for a chance to grab the ball and make a play

the other players cheer loudly marveling at how it's come down To just these four frustrated shizuki thinks to himself that this is the end game and he's still stuck in it he wonders what he should do next from the sidelines arano shouts at him urging him to play hard and make sure kinoki doesn't get hurt shizuki thinks they'd come this far but they need to play defensively until the very end he feels conflicted about having to cover for kusunoki as well making him feel like his hands are tied while he's mulling This over kusunoki suddenly

steps forward and stands bravely in front of the opposing player shizuki is taken a back and urgently tells her not to stand in front of him he worries about her safety stressing that it's too dangerous to be so close to someone like that the guy hurls the ball at kuseni declaring he won't hold back just because she's a girl so she shouldn't expect any leniency as the ball hurdles toward kusunoki shizuki rushes forward and Jumps in front of her to protect her the ball strikes in with full force and he crashes to the ground kuseni

is taken aback by shuki's sudden Act of Bravery lying on the floor in pain shizuki laments that he couldn't catch the ball and wonders what kind of person throws such a hard shot at a girl shizuki reflects that if he hadn't intervened the ball would have hit kusunoki very hard he suddenly remembers his earlier remarks about her as he lies on the Ground kusunoki approaches him with concern with a gentle and concerned expression she asks if he's okay and apologizes for everything noticing a painful scratch on his arm she exclaims in surprise that he's injured

and insists he should go to the nurse's office right away shizuki reassures kuseni that he's fine and advises her to stay clear of that aggressive player He suggests she play more defensively for her own safety despite this kuseni Stands up retrieves the ball and declares that she's going to avenge shizuki shizuki is taken aback by her determination with a surge of anger kusunoki advances and hurls the ball at the guy who injured shizuki the impact is so powerful that the guy falls to the ground and loses Consciousness the entire field is stunned by the intensity

of her throw the other players are in disbelief exclaim exping that it's impossible heaa watches the Fallen Player but remains silent then the teacher announces loudly that kusen noi's performance was incredible taking out two players on her own and declares Class A the winners kuseni turns to shizuki with a sweet smile shizuki is completely taken back he reflects on the situation wondering if kusunoki was always this formidable bowing his head to the ground he mutters that things turned out better than he expected the other girl checks on hewa asking if She's all right after kusin

noi's hit she commments that kuseni is a real wild card another girl approaches hiawa with a laugh hoping her arm isn't broken heoa glares at her and angrily asks why she's laughing the girl quickly apologizes later shizuki and his friends walk together suji remarks that he never expected they'd win the match heno in High Spirits Praises kuseni saying he never expected her to be so impressive meanwhile shizuki feels a twing of Sadness her Reno then remembers he forgot to greet kusunoki and plans to go over suji suggests he might as well forget it noting that

something odd is happening when shizuki turns to look he is taken aback to see a crowd of guys gathered around kusunoki eager to praise her bravery shizuki is surprised and reflects on how popular she has become he decides that maybe he should step in and help her out seeing the crowd around kuseni herena remarks on her Newfound Popularity suji agrees noting that k seni is like the main character while they seem like minor players from different worlds he nudges harino suggesting they should leave to avoid bothering her further as they head out shizuki watches kusunoki

with a Melancholy expression he lowers his gaze and follows an outside reflecting sadly on suji's words about being from different worlds as shizuki is lost in thought kusunoki suddenly approaches him And asks if she has done something to upset him startled shizuki responds that she frightened him and asks for a moment to catch his breath kuseni notes that their eyes had met and it seemed like he was trying to avoid her shizuki reassures her explaining that he didn't want to intrude and thought it best to step outside kusunoki moves closer and gently tells him that

he is never a bothered to her shizuki is taken aback by her words seeing the tears in her Eyes kusunoki admits that she actually wanted him to reach out to her she explains that with so many people surrounding her she felt overwhelmed and thought she might faint shizuki takes in her expression and realizes what she means suddenly kusunoki lowers her head and lets out a small cry concerned shizuki asks her what's wrong she looks up at him with a sweet smile and says she feels relieved now that they've had a chance to talk Shizuki responds

saying he's also very happy to have this moment with her shizuki feels a wave of relief knowing that kuseni is okay hearing a faint noise kusunoki curiously asks if he said something shizuki replies no and tells her to ignore it he turns around with a smile and suggests that they'll meet again reminding her to go change her clothes kuseni is puzzled by his comment but walks away thinking that if he tells her to ignore something it will only Linger in her mind as she's mulling over what shizuki said hiawa the girl from the match suddenly

appears in front of her from another room kinoki is taken back to see hiawa and comments that she's the same girl from class B hewa introduces herself and Kus notes that while she had recognized her during the game heaa now seems even more strikingly beautiful hus noi's gaze then falls on hea's arm which is wrapped in a bandage concerned she asks if heaa was injured Heaa confirms that she was and adds with a smile that her arm has swollen up since the match she remarks to kuseni that she's stronger than she appears kuseni humbly apologizes

and suggests that heaa should boil or fry her if it would make her feel better hiawa reassures her saying there's no need to be so dramatic her arm is fine now and doesn't hurt anymore heaa then steps closer and says she finds kuseni truly interesting revealing that she's been Thinking about her for some time kuseni is taken a back in surprised by this heaa politely asks if they could be friends leaving kuseni stunned by the unexpected offer kuseni gives a confused smile and asks if heaa really means they're going to be friends heaa confirms with

a smile saying she's happy to befriend such a cute girl kuseni feels nervous about the new friendship But ultimately agrees and asks heaa to take care of her heaa then requests to Be called Rissa instead of hiawa as she doesn't like her last name kuseni agrees and suggests that she can call her shizuka they both smile and begin walking together pleased with their new friendship suddenly kuseni pauses and starts thinking deeply she realizes she needs to tell shizuki about her new friendship politely she asks hiawa if they can put their friendship on hold for the

time being later that night koseni calls shizuki and tells him Everything shizuki is taken back and asks if she really made friends with heoa kusunoki confirms explaining that after the match heoa approached her and requested to be friends shizuki is initially shocked but then reflects on kusi's impressive performance in the dodgeball tournament he considers that perhaps her positive impression on the girls has led to this new friendship shizuki I izes the situation and comments that it's great news Congratulating kuseni however she informs him that their friendship is still on hold curious shizuki asks why kuseni

explains that if she doesn't she might have to end her friendship with him this makes shizuki recall his own words where he mentioned that their friendship would end if she made new friends and that their bond was only temporary he acknowledges that he had forgotten about that kosi admits that it might be a bit selfish on her part Kinoki politely adds that she wants to spend more time with shizuki confused he asks why she's saying this she clarifies that it's because she likes him shizuki is astonished and taken aback by her confession she reassures him

that she's speaking the truth and explains that he is the first friend she has ever made shizuki sits back in his chair puzzled about whether she means it as a friendship or something more and wonders why she makes such ambiguous statements Kusunoki quickly adds that if her feelings are troubling him she will step back shizuki reassures her that it doesn't bother him at all when kusunoki hears shizuki response she suddenly shouts into the phone in excitement shizuki is taken ab and tells her to stop shouting she starts smiling apologizes for her outburst and expresses her

happiness at the prospect of continuing their friendship meanwhile shizuki reflects that he might have been Expecting a bit too much considering it's kusunoki even if she makes a new female friend he thought she might say something like this however he feels it's a bit unfair to him kuseni feeling relieved and happy excitedly mentions that now she can share this news with Risa shizuki then asks kuseni about the friend she has made kuseni happily tells him that her new friend is Rista hewa from class B she adds that she'll introduce her to him as well when

Shizuki hears hea's name he is shocked and shouts into the phone koseni taken a back by his reaction asks him not to shout like that the next day at school shizuki sits at a table and complete silence suji glances over and asks what's wrong noting that it looks like shizuki soul is leaving his body hero comments that he doesn't know what happened but shizuki has been like this since the morning meanwhile shizuki is deep in thought reflecting that kuseni Didn't initiate the friendship it was clearly heaa he wonders why heaa did it and worries that

their differing personalities might not mesh well he fears that if things go arai kuseni might end up being bullied as he Ponders the concerns hero suddenly looks out the window and appears shocked hero exclaims loudly for chuji to look outside commenting that it's insane he points out that kuseni and heikala are standing together chatting suji looks over and Notes that it seems like they're pretty close he adds puzzled that it's the first time he's seen kusunoki hanging out with other girls hero grins saying with a smile that only the most beautiful and academically gifted students

could form a friendship when shizuki hears this he shouts back emphatically insisting that they are not the same herena was taken aback by shuki's reaction after shizuki leaves hanano turns to suji and asks what's Going on suji admits he has no idea actually both kusunoki and hiawa are beautiful they are very different from each other later shizuki and kuseni are in a school hallway cleaning the floor kusunoki politely informs shizuki that she plans to hang out with hewa shizuki is stunned and asks if she is really going out with her koseni replies that they are

planning to hang out this Sunday shizuki feels a Pang of sadness wondering if they have already grown so Close or if he's misjudging the situation then a thought occurs to him and he asks koseni if she has discussed their middle school with hewa yet kuseni responds that she hasn't shizuki feels a sense of relief thinking that if it becomes known that kuseni and he went to the same middle school not only could kuseni face trouble but his own position might also be at risk as they talk shizuki notices some girls chatting upstairs he calls kusunoki

over to a Corner under the stairs kinoki agrees and follows shizuki to a secluded corner where they can talk privately shizuki gently advises her not to mention their middle school to hewa as hewa too attended the same middle school kusunoki looks surprised at this Revelation shizuki explains that hea's name back then was takagaki shizuki asks koseni if she remembers hewa from middle school kuseni shakes her head saying she doesn't know as she didn't interact much With anyone back then shizuki advises her gently that if hea finds out about their shared Middle School it could lead

to significant trouble therefore she should avoid discussing anything related to middle school with hiawa kuseni happily agrees with shuki's advice he adds that if heaa brings up Middle School she should try to change the subject or steer the conversation elsewhere kuseni fully understands his instructions as shizuki starts to move Away kuseni calls him back and politely asks if she can still contact him later that evening even though it's not practice day she mentions that she has something she wants to ask him shizuki asks if it's not possible for her to ask him now kusunoki replies

that she can't say it at the moment she mentions that she has something she wants to show him shizuki is stunned and surprised by her words kusunoki explains that she will send him a picture when she gets home And adds that since it's a bit embarrassing he should make sure to look at it when he's alone [Music]