Akebi's Sailor Uniform (明日ちゃんのセーラー服)

Hey there! Good morning!

If I can be like my favorite idol, Miki--

cool and successful and carefree--

then hopefully, when I start at my new school...

...I can make lots, and lots, and lots...

...of friends!

Yes! I did it!

Wow, that's cold.

I wondered who I just saw fall down there.

Hi, Taira!

Should've known it was you, Komichi.

Yeah, I was just, uh,

practicing swimming while fully clothed.

Well, c'mon, I'll give you a lift home.

Hop in the back.

I hear you got into the middle school you tested for.

Yeah! Roubai Academy.

It's a private school!

I heard it's pretty tough, too.

Didn't your mother go there?

Yep.

That's why I'm so happy I got in!

Heh. Are ya, now?

Yeah, and guess what?

Each class has more than ten students!

I can hardly even imagine it!

Not like Futaba Elementary, huh?

You were the only kid in your class.

Well, I'm happy for you!

Thanks for the lift!

I'm home.

Ah! Mom! Big sister's back home!

Hm... Sounds to me like she might be up to something.

I'll go investigate!

Goodness, you're such a tomboy!

Wonder where you got that.

Oh, right.

Your dad sent you a message to congratulate you.

Really?

Huh? That's weird.

How does he know about that? He didn't see.

If you try scrolling up,

I think you'll understand.

Huh?

Huh?!

My parents take sneaky pics of me?

Yay!

Huh?!

I can't trust anyone anymore.

Hi, Dad, how's it goin'?

Mm. That's good, and how is work?

Mm-hm.

Maybe so, but I wasn't sleeping the whole time!

Oh, no?

I was studying, I just dozed off!

Well, they'd better take some cuter pictures

of me next time, that's all.

I just thought of something, but it's a secret.

Mm. Mm-hm. Got it. Talk to you later, then.

What did he say?

He's gonna do his best at work so he can be home by next month.

Awesome!

Well, kiddo, are you ready for this thing

you've been waiting for?

That's right!

I chose Roubai Academy mainly because I've always

wanted to wear a cool sailor uniform!

I was really nervous at my exam and in the interview.

But now, I finally get to wear one!

I wonder if it'll even look right on someone like me.

Stand up straight! She can't measure you!

Uh? So, what do you think?

Mm...

You've gained a little weight.

Huh?!

Well, you've had to sit around, studying.

No! No way! I'll drop it, I swear!

Get yourself changed.

It's time to go!

Time to go!

You gotta re-measure me later!

I mean, you're going through

all the trouble of making it for me.

I obviously can't let it go to waste.

Even in her sleep,

all she's talks about are sailor uniforms.

It's crazy.

Kao!

Nonstop. All night.

Well, wearing a sailor uniform

has always been your dream.

Guess I'd better do a good job on it then, huh?

What were the kids at Roubai Academy

like when you were there?

Some of them were really interesting.

There were also lots of rich, classy kids, too,

back when I was there.

That's the total opposite of me, though!

Will I be able to talk to them?

Well, this was my mantra:

"Time to flip the hierarchy!" Like a little war.

The thing is, I'm not as strong as you are, Mom.

You just be who you are, Komichi.

All you need?

Confidence and a smile.

Okay, let's find the fabric.

They have so many bolts of fabric here!

One of these is gonna be mine.

Here it is!

That was quick!

This type of fabric is called "serge."

We'll be able to make the sailor collar, skirt,

and cuffs all from this.

So, this is about to become my sailor suit!

And this one is called "gabardine."

We'll use it for the body and sleeves.

Believe it or not, there are several shades of white.

It's just a matter of preference.

I think I prefer that bolder one on the left!

It's all so smooth and shimmery!

I love it!

Isn't fabric shopping fun, Mom?

Whoa! Yikes.

I think the ribbon should be on the larger side.

It'll look cute.

You need help, sister?

Nah, I'm totally fine, thanks.

It's the stripes that really make a sailor uniform.

Hey, wait for me!

Mom! I like this one!

You've been humming all day.

Huh?

It's nice that you're happy,

but try to think about how I feel.

Oh. You're right.

You had to be patient and wait the whole time I was studying.

I get it.

But, sister, aren't you a little sad

you won't get to go to school with me anymore?

Didn't you say you were excited to go by yourself?

I don't know.

You totally did!

The truth is it makes me kinda sad, so...

Let's see, you'll be in third grade, huh?

Yeah and you'll be starting your first year again!

Yep, that's right.

Know what?

I'm just as nervous as I am happy right now.

I don't know if I'll be able to make friends.

A lot of kids from Tokyo go there.

I can't help wondering

if I'll be able to keep up, y'know?

You don't have to worry about that.

Really, you don't, 'cause you're super cool!

Well, thank you.

Hey! You don't even believe me, do you?

Believe that!

Fine. I'll try to.

We'll both be on our own.

Let's do our best.

Komichi! You got a minute?

It's finished already?

Nah. This is known as "tacking."

We use a different fabric to get all the details set

before making the real one.

I had no idea it was so much trouble.

Mom! The laundry's all finished!

And I'm gonna do the cleaning, too!

Uh, thanks, honey.

I'll do the dishes, don't worry about it!

Mom, I'm almost done!

Hey, Mom!

Sister, careful, you're wasting water!

Komichi. Come on over here.

Now, with this last snip.

It's done.

Here, try it on.

Uh. Okay.

I'll be waiting downstairs.

Hey, Mom, I think I like coffee like you do.

Don't you think you're a bit too young?

That's silly, it's fine!