Original subtitles

KIRINOSHIMA MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our club's so demanding.

I was counting the days till it was finally over.

You know who's cringe? Miki. She didn't fit in at all.

-She took it way too seriously. -I know.

But I was too scared to speak up.

Me too.

I wanted a new environment where I could change myself.

TOP GRADES GUARANTEED CRAM SCHOOL

I chose a cram school outside of my city

to get into an academically competitive high school.

MIKI

I knew this would happen, but…

I don't know anyone here.

Everyone's already formed their friend groups.

I've got to approach… No, I can't.

FRIEND GROUPS - GIRLS TERRIFYING COMBINATION

They may act sweet and friendly on the surface,

but they'll talk bad about me behind my back.

GROAN

I'm tearing up just thinking about it. It's turned into trauma.

I'm so lonely.

Hey, you here alone? Care if I sit by you?

-Who are you? -Me?

My name's Minato Amamiya.

THE RAMPARTS OF ICE

EPISODE 3 3+(←)1

MEITEN HIGH SCHOOL

Hear me out. Why does the upcoming exam cover so much?

Why didn't you start studying earlier?

This is off topic, but why are you back?

I forgot to grab my notebook. I wanna study it today.

-The torture never ends! -Sheesh.

A four-man study session.

It feels a little strange.

Listen, Miki. We broke up.

What? Again? When?

Two days ago.

What? That's super recent! What happened? What'd you do?

Why do you assume it's my fault?

Well, you know…

LIVELY CHATTER

Should I be listening?

-She called me because she wanted to meet. -What a personal thing to talk about…

Man, I'm always getting dumped.

That's what bothers you?

What? Didn't expect it?

Huh? No…

How do I put it?

Well, it's like…

when you just go through a break up,

I thought you're supposed to be depressed or resentful.

Not at all.

On the contrary, I'm thankful they liked me, even for a short time.

Capisce?

You hear this guy?

Gee.

Guess that's how some people see it.

-You think I'm a player, huh? -He got me.

I may not look it, but I'm heartbroken.

Of course he is. That was insensitive of me.

FEELING DOWN

Sorry, I guess.

Then, why don't you comfort me?

Okay, that's enough from you!

Minato, you're kinda like this.

Your grip!

Koyun, you can brush off whatever Minato says.

-'Kay. -How come?

Miki?

Yota-sensei, so, about this part…

-Oops, there I go again. -Ugh, again.

Yota, you klutz!

Klutz?

What am I gonna do with you? Always dropping things.

Oh, shoot.

FLUSTER FLUSTER UGH!

Here. Is that everything?

Thanks.

She laughs just like the rest of us.

Oh, well.

See ya. We're heading this way.

Don't want us to walk with you?

No thanks, but I appreciate the offer.

I'm with her. It's time for my grip strength to shine!

Hey, it's actually really powerful.

You be careful too, Miki.

Bye, guys! Thanks again, Yota!

What about me? I helped you with English.

Thanks to you too.

Am I an afterthought?

Koyun! I want Dyna Potato by the station. Can we stop by real quick?

DYNAMITE POTATO

I'm down, but what about dinner at home?

Don't worry! It'll be an appetizer.

Liar.

I've got a separate stomach for it.

Miki sure loves to chat.

She should be like that all the time.

What're you up to today, Yota?

Wiener dog!

I'll chomp on this and head to the community center.

You're kidding. It's gonna catch up with you someday.

Wanna have dinner at my place?

My mom's always happy to see you.

I'll pass. Thanks though.

See ya.

Don't overdo it.

I know.

With everything. I mean it.

Yota acts that way,

but as for her…

What's on her mind?

What if she has a crush on him?

I wouldn't go for Yota if I were you.

Wait for me!

Koyun, how long have you known Minato?

Huh? We only recently met.

It was a little before we walked home together.

He approached me at the bottom of the staircase, and…

What'd he say to you?

Huh?

What did he say?

Well, we really didn't talk about anything important.

Sorry.

Koyun, you're kinda like this.

Well, then it's fine, I guess.

Miki…

Could it be that she…

I overslept.

I wanted to start walking when no one's on their way to school.

That's at least half an hour earlier.

Early morning during the exam period,

that's when the path to school becomes quiet for a change.

This kind of vibe…

For some reason, I like it.

Hikawa, do you usually walk to school around this time?

-Huh? -Morning.

Here I was, thinking I left a tad early.

That's admirable.

No…

I come much later when it's not exam period.

And I planned on leaving much earlier this morning.

Ugh, it'll take too long to explain.

Not at all.

Common interests…

Say, Hikawa,

do you know a guy named Igarashi?

Wait. What?

What did he say just now?

Igarashi?

Why'd you ask? Do you know him?

My soccer club has joint practice with West High from time to time.

That's where I met him.

Were you friends with him? He might recognize you if I told him your name.

No. We had no connection whatsoever.

He wouldn't recognize me even if you told him my name.

I see.

Well, he's coming to our school, but you wouldn't recognize each other then.

When is that?

It'll be during club activities on the afternoon of the last day of exams.

Really.

I'm definitely leaving early.

Wait, if he's asking me about him, then…

Is Amamiya good friends with Igarashi?

Joint practice starts right as the exams end.

-We're pullin' out all the stops. -They even mentioned their middle schools.

West High's exams are also…

Oh, no. I can't pay attention to what he's saying at all.

I brought questions for last year's finals today.

Apparently, the test for subjects like History barely changes.

What? How'd you get your hands on it?

Let's just say I asked for a tiny favor from a senior.

You're coming to my classroom after school again, right?

Well, later then.

BOW

Morning. It's been like, what, yesterday?

What do I even say?

He's not a shy one. He can talk to anyone.

STRONG COMMUNICATOR

Miki has a crush on…

No, it's only a guess at this point.

Miki looked clearly bothered that me and Amamiya knew each other.

His connection with Igarashi is worrisome too.

This might be a good time for me to take a step back from it all.

SIGH

All I want is some peace.

Koyun and Minato…

This guy's Yota.

He's massive.

My younger brother's a tough one like me.

Yup. My cram school just ended.

Yup, I'm at the usual convenience store.

What're you worried about?

Wonder what sides everyone brought today.

Yeah, lookin' forward to lunch!

Hey Miki. Let's swap our sides.

Let's!

Hikawa.

It's good that you're a serious student and all,

but you should at least have some fun during lunch.

But the teacher's room is warm.

What are you? A cat?

Anyway, got a question for me?

You do it like this, and it becomes this. That's how you get the answer.

That makes sense.

Now, be on your way. Go.

-Shoo. -Tsk.

I'll go visit Noriko then.

Stop going room to room for the heater.

She stops by here often.

Yes, she does.

I've never seen her hang out with the other students.

I'm concerned for her.

Perhaps she finds it easier to speak to adults.

There's a clear distance between a teacher and a student.

She knows there's a line you won't cross,

and that's why she feels at ease with you.

I want the students to be besties and enjoy their youth together!

THE TEEN YEARS GO BY IN A FLASH!

Suwa-sensei, you should know that forcing your good intentions

can end up hurting people.

Matsumoto, what happened to you?

Let's see. My paint set and sketchbook…

-Is that everything for today's class? -I'm saying it for your own good.

-No, seriously. -You gotta know your limits.

POKE OUT

Can I take your word for it?

It's Amamiya.

FLASHBACK

-Why did you ignore me? -I'm reminded.

I need some distance.

No, wait. He's surrounded by people I don't know.

Besides, he hasn't noticed me.

Remember, I need some distance!

This is fine. I'm not ignoring him.

I'll stay quiet so he walks off without noticing.

No, he's looking right at me.

BOW THE QUICK BOW AND DIP OUT STRATEGY

Hi.

YAY

Man, he's so expressive with his movements.

HELLO THERE

-What is it? -Stare.

STARE

Stop it! Make it stop!

Please, don't mind me!

Gimme a sec.

Wait. He's coming over!

There really isn't a need to do this.

What're you doing?

You should've just said hi.

There's no need to peek out.

But…

Before I forget.

Tell me your contact info.

Distance!

Thanks.

What's in that bag?

I'm headed to Art next, so…

I see.

Class 2's elective is Art.

What're you doing? Oil paint?

No, we're doing acrylic gouache right now.

Good luck!

Miki.

-Oops. -What is it?

Sorry. Switching classrooms. Gotta go.

Time to get going!

WHOOSH

She was by herself again.

SMILE WITH YOTA

Hey, Yota.

PHEW - TEEHEE - SMILE

WITH MINATO

I meant to stop by my locker.

Switching classrooms.

She acts way too differently between the people she likes and everyone else.

EVERYONE ELSE

Heya.

You approached the Queen like it's nothing.

You've got a heart of steel.

Well, I was hoping we could be friends.

But she ran away from me.

Now I'm sad.

As if you know what it's like to be sad.

-For real. -Come on, that's rude.

Here they are. Last years' questions!

Minato, you're godly!

This will be my ticket to ace the subjects heavy on memorization.

You're not in the position to relax yet.

Keep your guard up.

The last math test had a super low average score,

so there's a chance it'll be fairly easy.

I hope that's the case.

And what was your score on this test with a low average, Yota?

Say something!

Yota, you could've enrolled at East High.

They've got a decent basketball team too.

Why'd you pick Meiten?

Huh? Because I live close by.

That's why you chose this school? And you're happy with that?

Come on,

he can't tell you that he deliberately chose a school below his academic level

so he can rank near the top and aim for a designated-school recommendation.

That's how it is.

Hey. Minato, it's really not like that.

Guess we're worlds apart.

Miki!

Koyun, you're locked in today.

Hey! You changed the subject.

Well, I wanted to get some distractions off my mind.

What? Is something distracting you?

Yup. All sorts of things, actually.

Like I thought. She acts totally different.

Hikawa, do you have a boyfriend?

What?

No, but…

Why's he asking all of a sudden?

Okay, then.

What is it?

What's the point of asking something like that?

Do you know a guy named Igarashi?

Is Igarashi trying to dig around through him?

No, I'm definitely overthinking it.

As if he'd get someone else to ask.

It was a long time ago. He wouldn't take it this far.

Minato.

You can't aim for her, all right?

Is that what this is about?

Can't I have her, Father?

You won't date my daughter.

They're joking around.

See, I was just overthinking.

Self-conscious and paranoid…

I'm ashamed.

Wait. What about Miki?

Blank!

I can't get a good read on what she's thinking.

What do I do?

I can't even tell what my childhood friend's feeling.

I'm gonna replenish on sugar.

SUGAR

I'm gonna check out the vending machine.

I'll grab something for Koyun and Yota too.

What about me?

-You get your own. -Hey!

So, come with me.

Huh? Sure.

We'll be back soon.

Miki…

Hey, Miki. What was that about?

I read the manga you told me about, Ishida.

See you later, Yoshino!

Yamashita! About that anime you mentioned.

-I watched it. It was good. -You know,

Minato's such a social butterfly.

He's like that at school too.

Really.

I'm jealous. I wish I could be like him.

Apparently, Minato

can't help but intervene when someone seems lonely.

-What? -It's like he pities them.

Pities them?

Here, I'll pay.

I meant to buy Hikawa a drink anyway.

Why?

The other day, I tried to talk to her here but it made her jump.

She ended up buying a super weird drink on accident.

AUTHENTIC CURRY DRINK

That's the one.

I'd forgotten all about it until now.

Say, Minato…

What do you think of Koyun?

What?