Cotton Candy, part 2
Hamano Ringo

139
We would always go home together.

Saa-chan! Saa-chan!
Let's go home!

Saa-chan, do you think we'll be in the same class for middle school too?
I wonder.
There are a lot of classes.

But either way, let's still walk home together.

[sign:] -no Middle School

140
Saa-chan!
Let's go h-

I thought this for a while, Mii...
but why are you always so quick to hold people's hands?

It's weird for two girls.

141
I'm weird?

The bus is crowded today.
Yes,
that's rare.

Mii, do you still need to study for finals?
(Um...)
Yes, a little bit...

Let's study together next time.
At the library, maybe.

Sure.
Please hold on, the vehicle is now departing.

142
My heart feels like it's in my fingertips.

Since that day...

we always go home together, at the same time,
our hands intertwined.

"Why?"
That is...

a question I'm still too afraid to ask.
Hinako?

143
Ooh,
it is you.
Nagai.

Ah.

This is the guy...
she was with this summer.

You take the bus, Nagai?
(No,)
my bike just broke down.
Too much of a pain to walk to work.
I see.

(ba-dump)

(ba-dump ba-dump)

(squeeze)

Mii?

144
I really, really...
don't like this somehow.

And yo, hey...

What's with the hand-holding?
Two girls?
Kinda gross, isn't it?

(blush)

145
Excuse me?
What's it got to do with you?
Mind your own business.

Whoa.
For real?
(Scary)
(Ya ha ha)
Shut up...

Now arriving at...
See?

This is why.
See ya.

(blehhhhh)

What's with him?
What a loser.
(Rrr...)

Mii,
Mii.
Huh?

Are you okay?
Don't worry about him, really.

146
Yeah.
I'm fine.

(squeeze)

This is why it'll never work.

Bun-chan.
What?

...
Nothing.
(knit knit knit knit knit knit)
Mii.
You've done this three times now.

147
Is there something you want to talk about?
(I mean, I'm not going to force you...)

No, I'm fine.

After all...

(Ding dong... ding dong...)

Go ahead, I'll take care of the trash.
(I need to go back in the room anyway)
Really? Thanks so much!
(See you!)

148
Mii?

I have no idea what I should say.
Or how I should say it.

(Good morning!)

Mii!

Oh.
Good morning.
Where were you yesterday?
Did something happen?

149
Oh.
Um,
uh...

M...
my mom...
asked me to do something. I forgot about it.

(Hey.)
Are you /sure/ that's true?
(zoom)

(nod nod)
Y-
Yeah.

Hmph.
Well, all right then.
(And you don't have a phone...)

Hinako!
(We're going)
Hold up, I'm coming.

150
/Today/, we're going together, okay?

It's a promise.

What should I do?

(yawn)

151
Kinda gross, isn't it?

(Ding dong...)

(Okay,)
We're starting afternoon homeroom.
(clatter clatter)

(ba-dump ba-dump)

(ba-dump ba-dump)

As soon as last period ends,
if I run,
I'll be able to make the first bus.

152
(Okay,)
that's it, see you all tomorrow.
(Be careful going home)

[top sfx:](clatter)
[top sfx:](slide)

[bottom:](See you)

(dash)
Huh?

...i!

Mii!

Wait for me!

Hey!

153
Why are you running from me?

Did I do something?
N...
No, you didn't...
Then why??

You're acting weird, Mii.
Yesterday, too...
That thing about your mom.
That was a lie, right?

You really hate going home with me that much?

No!

...
It's not that.
It's just...

154
The way I like you...
isn't the way you like me.

Don't touch me.

155
I really...
didn't think you hated me that much.

Such small hands.

I guess it was all my misunderstanding.
I'm sorry.

No... no... it's not like that...

156
I just... I don't...

What was I supposed to do?

157
I should have stuck to just watching.

That soft, fluffy cotton candy...

Eugh...

Once you touch it, it becomes a sticky mess.

It melts,

then disappears.