The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

Uh?

Hmm?

So-— this is where I wish you good morning.

Huh?

Right back at you.

Believe it or not, there's an angel

living next door to me,

and she's right here in my apartment.

No, not actually an angel, but the first girl I've ever loved.

Her name is Mahiru Shiina, and we've started dating.

Huh?

Wait, don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't want to.

It's just, now that we're starting over

as an actual couple, I...

sort of get anxious being close to you.

Hard to relax.

Same here. I'm not exactly

any better. It feels like I've got

butterflies in my stomach.

I'm a real mess, but the need to feel close to you

no matter what overpowers that.

That sounds corny, I know.

Look, let's set some ground rules about our relationship.

No more hiding how we feel as a couple.

-Let's just act natural. -Huh?

Is it all right if I get closer?

Be my guest.

You can be honest, Amane.

If it makes you uncomfortable to touch me, say so.

No, not at all. Sorry for being weird.

It's just-— can I ask you something really quick?

Sure, ask away.

So, you know, I was thinking-— since we're officially

together now and all-—

Yes?

This whole couple thing-— do you have any idea how it works?

I mean, I'm not exactly an expert, but if you have

any helpful tips on how we go about this, I'm all ears.

Yeah. I see what you mean.

Any suggestions?

- Um, we can hold hands. - We always do that.

Or hang out together in our free time.

We hang out all the time.

Hmm...

-Go someplace nice. -Once again, that's nothing new.

-We can always try hugging. -Done that.

So, um, this is kinda hard to explain,

or maybe more just embarrassing to admit.

Uh...

But maybe we were acting like a couple before

we officially got together and started dating like one.

Huh?

If you put it that way-— no, any way you put it,

she's right!

Um, more than anything, I really wanted you to like me,

so I tried everything to put the signals out there.

But now that I think about it,

it was all basically stuff that a girlfriend does, right?

I see.

How about this?

Instead of worrying about what normal couples do,

we should act like nothing's changed

and, um, try to be close and spend time together.

Maybe that's good enough.

So instead of trying to do what we think should be normal,

I say we do things our own way and see how things go.

One day at a time. How does that sound?

Great. I'm sorry about this.

I guess I'm overthinking things.

This is new to me, so I wasn't exactly sure what to do.

Yeah.

Hey, how's this? I'll do what I always do.

The only difference is-—

-now I'll put more love into it. -Don't be silly.

I feel it being right here with you.

Same here.

Here's an idea, starting Monday,

do you think we could go to school together?

Yeah, I'd like that.

THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR SPOILS ME ROTTEN 2

As promised, the following Monday

was the first time Mahiru and I walked to school as a couple.

-Hmm? -Hey, what's the rule?

No bare-chested shenanigans!

Didn't we have this discussion before, Amane?

What's the big deal? Well, I don't mind if you see me.

Lovely, but I do mind, okay?

What about going to the pool?

Hu?

If I can't get her used to it,

then it's gonna be real awkward when we finally-—

Anyway, I think now's a good time

to start putting together breakfast, yeah?

Great idea! I'll get started.

Early in the morning and I'm thinking this?

I'm feeling a little conflicted.

Conflicted?

I'm gonna miss having you for myself.

You and that new hairstyle of yours, that is.

Better have your way with me while you can then, right?

Don't mind if I do.

I know for a fact all the other girls

will want to talk to you now.

But I do like your new look. It's cool.

Forget about how I look for a sec.

Do you expect me to start chasing other girls?

No, absolutely not.

It's more of a problem of my own feelings.

Feeling jealous?

Kinda. So I've decided the only way to solve that is

to keep smothering you with love so nobody else makes a move.

Don't get too excited.

Can't have other people seeing how sweet you actually are.

Yeah? Maybe if you didn't drop stuff like that

on me so casually, I wouldn't be stuck with this problem!

Stuck with what?

My heart really can't take it.

Think you're the only one struggling?

You're so naturally affectionate that sometimes

it feels like my heart will explode.

Yours is more destructive 'cause you attack me out of nowhere.

Poor thing. I'll let you off the hook with a warning

just for today.

It really does feel like your heart's gonna burst.

I think I could get used to this,

even though I'm a little nervous.

Yeah.

I'm still sore from all that running we did on sports day.

Seriously? But at least we got to see the angel.

Huh?

There she is!

I can feel their eyes on us.

It's gonna be bad when we get

-to class for sure. -You'll just have to

put up with it.

-If it bothers you, we can stop. -No, forget it. I've made up

-my mind to go through with it. -Well, if you say so.

Yeah, Mahiru!

Spill the beans. Did you finally take the plunge, my man?

-Paws off. -I'll take that as a yes.

-Isn't that right, Mahiru? -Sure is.

Congrats, girl!

I'm so glad all my mentoring paid off.

You gave a lot of good advice. I owe you one.

It was nothing!

Always happy to give you some pointers on this airhead.

-What pointers? - Well, the thing is,

you did seem oblivious about my crush.

Also, is it just me, or is Amane rocking

a new and manlier side this morning?

That's one way to put it.

Chitose, that's on me for not telling you sooner.

Oh, stop it. You didn't make it official

until after sports day anyway. Besides, you probably had

your hands full making out. I know how you operate, mister.

You'd rather talk face-to-face and send a text.

So we're cool.

-Appreciate it. -You're very welcome.

And as the matchmaker who brought you two

together, you may feel free to continue singing my praises.

In that case, I humbly offer Her Highness

a crepe from her favorite shop down by the station.

Oh, I suppose it'll have to suffice.

Way to go, Fujimiya.

Guess you finally surrendered, huh?

What are you talking about? Get real.

Listen, she won me and I won her.

It sure took you a while.

The will-they-won't-they

was pure torture. I'm just glad you're official now.

He's right, you know.

I had to watch that drag on for half a year.

There's patience and there's pain, and that was pain.

Fine, my bad. You've made your point.

-Hey, is that who I think it is? -Huh?

Whoa, no way! It really is you, Fujimiya!

You just look so different now, it surprised me.

I gotta say, the new look isn't bad.

Who are you? And what have you done with nerdy Fujimiya?

-Hey, nerdy is kinda mean! -Oops, sorry, just kidding.

It's okay. And truth be told, you're not wrong.

You totally changed your hairstyle, huh?

-I guess I did. Is it weird? -Oh, come on, are you kidding?

I think you look amazing!

By the way, can I ask you something?

Shoot.

Are you two going out? A little birdie told me

you were holding hands earlier!

We are. And it's been fun. We got together last week.

Now I gotta know how the two of you met up!

We sort of crossed paths last year, then just naturally

became friends from there. Right, Mahiru?

Pretty much.

It's a bit of a long story,

but after a while we decided to start dating.

I had a crush on him for the longest time before that.

Holding hands out in public?

You can't blame me for showing affection