Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You. (どうせ、恋してしまうんだ。)

What an awful birthday.

DEAR NISHINO MIZUHO-SAMA, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE

TO END KAWAGUCHI MEGU-SENSEI'S

SERIES BY THE END OF THIS YEAR?

Well, guess it's over by the end of the year, huh?

- Pick up the pace! - Come on.

You're so busted!

You stayed up too late again, didn't you?

- - Honestly.

I'm innocent!

More like guilty as charged.

He's hopeless.

That brings back memories.

Wait...

it's me.

I didn't realize it at the time...

but in my teenage years

life was truly dazzling.

ANYWAY, I'M FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU

Rise and shine, everyone!

We're in the thick of summer now and things are getting hot!

It's July 1st, 2020, and I hope you're all making

the most of it this fine morning!

This week, highs are expected to exceed a sweltering

35 degrees Celsius all across Kanto.

Don't forget to stay hydrated,

-or you'll be sorry! -

For today's horoscope,

our lucky item for Cancer is...

a candle!

That nasty disease

is still going around,

so please be careful out there, folks!

Morning! Uh!

Mi?

- My baby! -

Now, I know you're childhood friends

but you shouldn't stay up so late

that you fall asleep together.

You two aren't little kids anymore,

right, honey?

I don't get what you're worried about.

Come on, I just asked him to model

for a panel of my manga.

Besides, you know that Kizuki is like

a little brother to me, Dad.

Hmm.

Thank you for having me over.

No problem.

Just wish I'd heard about it yesterday.

Oh, right, there's breakfast on the table.

Okay.

And thanks for packing my lunch!

Figures, dad totally forgot.

It's not just any day,

it's my birthday.

KOIGAHAMA HIGHLANDS!

My childhood friends.

The four of us grew up together right here in this neighborhood

a place called Koigahama Highlands.

- Good morning! - Uh?

We've been waiting ages.

I take longer to get ready, so what?

We've always been super close,

so it's basically impossible to keep secrets.

We're like siblings,

all going into our second year of high school together.

For real, Mizuho?

Roughing it without makeup again?

Trying to hide your shame behind those dorky glasses

won't cut it.

Eh, he's not wrong, you know?

You should be a bit more--

A bit more what, huh Airu?

Lemme take a wild guess, you were up late again

drawing your manga.

Oh, gee, nothing gets past you, Shugo.

Your time would be much better spent studying.

Nerd boy strikes again!

Just don't come crying to me before exams.

Now, Shin, there are certain things in this world

that are way more important than studying.

I'm talking about love and friendship.

Only you could be so serious this early.

You should study more, too.

My grades are okay just the way they are.

Kizuki, your backpack.

Huh?

How can you always be so careless?

Like, honestly.

In all these years, he's only grown in height.

Thanks a bunch.

He's the baby of the group.

Kizuki, remind me,

practice resumes today, right?

- Right. -Oh, cool!

That means you get to resume

creeping on your beloved Saito.

- -Hey, what?

What are you talking about?

High energy.

I'm shocked since it's so early.

Oh, okay.

How about you just keep your mouth shut?

How did I land cleaning duty

today of all days?

Huh?

You're on fire, Kizuki!

Ah?

My poor glasses.

No!

I'm super bummed that Saito's not here.

-Huh? -

Rumor has it he's quitting the swim team.

'Cause there's no inter-high competition?

Saito can't just quit like this.

Ah!

- Um, Saito? -Huh?

Hey, Nishino.

We're so unlucky.

Don't you think?

Classes were canceled out of nowhere

all because of some stupid disease.

School trips...

sports festivals...

fireworks shows...

they've all been taken from us.

I mean...

even swim practice and our last meet.

All that work...for nothing.

Not nothing.

I liked watching you trying your best

and...seeing you have fun.

I was gonna go to your final meet

and confess my feelings.

Sorry, I probably shouldn't have said that.

Not that it matters now.

But...

Please don't quit.

For your own sake.

You love it, don't stop.

No offense,

but you're not on the team, Nishino.

You have no idea how I feel.

Guess that's that.

My unrequited love...is over.

#1 AN AWFUL BIRTHDAY

What an awful birthday.

- Kizuki. -

Saito.

Hey.

You're really impressive.

Huh?

We don't even know if we'll ever get to compete again.

Why are you still trying so hard?

I promised myself something.

If I ever make it to the finals at nationals...

I'll tell her how I feel.