Aharen-san wa Hakarenai (阿波連さんははかれない)

Hey there, Ren-kun.

Raido-niinii!

Huh? Where's Neenee? She's not with you?

She had a meeting with the guidance counselor after school,

so I'm on my own today.

What are you up to?

I was looking for a birthday present to get Neenee.

A birthday present? For Reina-neenee?

Yeah.

I see! That must mean Aharen-san's birthday is coming up!

Ren-kun, thanks for letting me know.

Sure!

She never mentioned it. Kind of a shame.

However...

now I have the chance to get her a surprise present!

Episode Eight It's Christmas, Huh?

If I'm going to surprise her, I can't just ask what she wants.

Which leaves...

asking around about what girls are into these days.

Wh-What did you want to talk about?

Is there anything you'd want for a present, Oshiro-san?

A-Are you trying to say...

Yeah, I guess I'm being kinda obvious. I'm thinking about a gift.

H-How could you, Raido-kun?

I'm disappointed in you!

Whoa, wait a sec!

You can't go giving me presents!

Not when you have Reina-chan!

Oh well. Next is...

What? You wanna ask me something?

Yeah. What kind of stuff do you like?

M-Mr. Boyfriend is trying to find out what I like.

Could this be—

This is a darling little daughter you have.

Please, leave her alone! Anything but that!

He's indirectly threatening to go after what I hold dear!

Spare my life!

Wait, what?!

Guess I'll have to figure this out myself.

I mean, what's commercially available isn't everything.

I need to consider something handmade, too.

Happy birthday, Aharen-san

Her birthday just keeps getting closer, and I still don't have an answer.

Taiyaki We vouch for our flavor

The taiyaki shop?

Don't tell me... I've got it!

What Aharen-san really wants...

1 Azuki=Yen

is to speculate on azuki stocks!

That way, she can use her sparse funds to earn dozens of times more!

Is she looking for a way to make easy money?!

Except this also carries the risk of losing your investment...

One wrong move could lead to bankruptcy!

Is Aharen-san really willing to gamble like that?!

Here.

You can have half.

You've looked like you were worried about something lately.

So...

If you don't mind, I'd be happy to talk about it.

She's worried about me...

What a fool I've been!

Aharen-san, is there anything you want right now?

I've been trying to figure out what to get for your birthday present.

Oh... but I never even mentioned it...

You don't have to get me anything.

But...

I'm really glad. Thank you.

That's a relief.

Still, is there anything you want?

In that case, can I ask you to do something?

Happy birthday, Aharen-san!

You wanted a birthday party, huh?

Thanks for the invite!

Y-Yeah, thanks!

I can't believe I'm actually at a friend's birthday party!

I haven't had many parties like this before.

Thank you.

Sure. Don't mention it.

Now, let's get to business.

Here. Your birthday present: a life-sized doll of me.

I thought long and hard, and this is what I chose.

Do you like it?

Yeah. Thank you.

Now, Raido-kun, if you don't mind...

What's up?

Ready and...

Happy birthday, Raido-kun!

For me?

Yeah.

The surprise worked perfectly!

Imagine that, you two sharing the same birthday!

We came up with the plan.

I also get to surprise a friend for their birthday!

I'm so glad to be alive!

I guess it is something, huh?

Here. A present from me.

Sorry for keeping it a secret.

I got the feeling you'd shoot a gift down if I brought it up.

But I wanted to celebrate you, too.

Happy birthday, Raido-kun.

Yeah. I'm really glad. Thank you.

Can I go ahead and open it?

This is...

A life-sized Raido-kun doll.

Yeah. Thank you.

Today's a good day to clean up my room.

Physics

Geography

My notes from middle school.

That takes me back.

Raido's Diary

Hey, my diary.

At long last, I have managed to descend upon the mortal realm.

'Tis the advent of the demon lord's heir apparent, the almighty Raido!

I have decided to mark the occasion by recording my thoughts!

And that's what was inside. It was so nostalgic.

Maybe I should keep a diary again.

I want to read it.

Maybe I should keep one myself.

In that case, wanna do an exchange diary?

Exchange diary?

It's when two people take turns writing in the same diary.

Social media and texting make communication easier than ever,

but analog exchange diaries are gaining popularity as an alternative.

I like the sound of it. It's like we're sharing a secret.

Yeah, I like the idea, too. I can't wait to start.

It's been ages since I wrote in a diary.

I wrote an entry for yesterday.

I have once again descended upon this world!

Now that the seal is finally broken,

I will reflect on how I had a rolled omelet for breakfast!

Then for lunch, pork fried with ginger!

After physical education concluded, I—

Here.

Yesterday's entry was pretty epic. Ten whole pages.

My pen got away from me a little.

I should try writing an epic, moving entry, too.

Today I broke my fast with grilled salmon!

As the sun rose high, I had Hamburg steak!

Upon returning to my lair, I consumed curry before retiring to my chambers!

Ended up like any other day, huh?

Let's reread Aharen-san's entry and think about it more.

Huh? This is a new notepad...

Japon Academic Notebook

Unruled Pages

Plain White

Did Aharen-san buy a second?

And this one's all illustrations.

But what do they mean?

I know!

It's some dreadful ritual!

Perhaps a depiction of a twisted Aharen family tradition!

Apples represent the forbidden fruit. They're symbols of sin!

And to pick one with a human face on it...

This could be interpreted as cleansing someone of their sin—killing them!

Even these trees in the background look like cypress, a symbol of death.

And this basket of fruit... A metaphor for bottomless human greed!

Add it all up,

and you have a ritual for gaining immortality via human sacrifice.

Aharen-san, I know this diary is our secret, but...

Can I really bear the burden of this forbidden knowledge?!

Good morning, Aharen-san.

Morning.

I admit it came as a real shock, but I've come to terms with my feelings.

I'm going to believe in you, no matter what.

And I'll do whatever I can to stay by your side.

Thank you...

I want to stay with you, too.

It'd be my pleasure.

So when the time comes, I'll be ready.

Now, about the diary...