Original subtitles

The changing room is way too far from the venue...

Maybe it's careless to attend a cosplay event in the same town where I work.

Well, considering all the foot traffic,

and that it's in the opposite direction from the office, and it's a day off...

Cosplay Event Reception On the Left

I doubt I'll run into anyone.

Huh? Hayakawa-san?

What a coincidence, running into you on a day off.

What's up?

My name is Hayakawa Chinatsu, 22 years old...

I'm an office worker in my first year of employment.

And my boss just found out about me being an otaku.

Oh, I love you so much, I just have to laugh

My Tiny Senpai

We've got an emergency here

Are you paying attention, me?

There's someone other than me dancing around inside of my heart

I want to talk to her

I want to touch her

Look, I get it, but for now try to pipe down

What in the world am I doing?

You're right next to me

And this is the perfect chance...

HONEY

I'm trapped by that sweet rich taste

And I don't think I can ever escape

I may as well just sink into it

HONEY

It's another day in your dazzling presence

We may never be on the same page with this love but

Oh, I love you so much, I just have to laugh

#04 When It Comes to Him, I'm Not Sure Yet...

What are you up to, Hayakawa-san?

Y-You've got the wrong person! I-I'm not Hayakawa, Manager!

You just called me your manager.

Cosplay Event Reception On the Left

Of all the people...

The manager is like the textbook definition of a normie, too!

Huh. A cosplay event? I see.

Hayakawa-san.

Y-Yes?

Where do you buy an outfit like that?

W-Well, I-I actually made it myself.

I'm done.

It's all over for me...

He's probably wondering why a grown woman is doing

something like this and thinks it's creepy.

I have to say, Hayakawa-san...

Here it comes! The words every otaku dreads!

I don't wanna hear it! I don't wanna hear my manager call me creepy!

That's pretty cool, Hayakawa-san.

It is?

Yeah. I think it's really cool.

Wait, how?! What about this is cool?

Your approach to life, maybe?

A-All that?!

I don't have any hobbies,

so I respect people who do, like you. I think it's pretty cool.

Then again, that outfit is more cute than cool.

How can he just up and say something like that?!

What's wrong?

N-Nothing, th-thank you.

Manager! Please don't tell anyone about this.

Is it supposed to be a secret?

Please!

But it's really impressive.

That's a matter of opinion.

A-Anyway...

Let's keep this a secret, just between us. Please.

Cute!

Why would you say it again?!

Well...

The first one was more about your costume and how you look,

and the second one was more about you personally, Hayakawa-san.

I didn't want an actual explanation!

I didn't hear anything you just said! Not a thing!

But it's true that you're—

Like! I! Said!

I heard nothing!

I love you.

The deadline for Comiket submissions is coming up...

But I can't focus.

I can't believe my boss found out that I'm a cosplayer.

I asked him to keep quiet, and I doubt he'd blab, but...

I wonder if there's a pressure point to erase someone's memory...

Where am I? What are you?

How did this even happen?

Work is going to be a nightmare tomorrow.

Senpai!

I'd like you to review the materials I put together for the upcoming project submission.

Sure! I'll take a look.

Let's see here...

Yep, you covered your bases nicely! Well done.

Th-Thank you.

Didn't get anywhere with my manuscript...

Didn't sleep much...

This really sucks...

Hayakawa. Hey, Hayakawa?

You okay? You look worn out.

Oh, er, I-I'm totally fine!

It's just, a bunch of stuff happened yesterday... and I didn't get much sleep.

A lack of sleep can contribute to all kinds of health problems.

Be careful, okay?

When you can't sleep, try counting cats!

One kitty,

two kitties,

three kitties,

I think most people use sheep...

four kitties—

No! Cats are fine, too.

Thanks for the concern, Katase-san.

Hayakawa-san...

Are you not feeling well? Everything okay?

M-Manager?!

Uh, well... er... yes, I-I'm okay.

Okay. In that case, would you like to join me for dinner tonight?

I was hoping we could talk.

In a nice, quiet restaurant.

Just the two of us, if that's all right.

Dinner for j-just the two of us?! You mean like...

Cute... Cute... Cute...{repeat as necessary}

W-Well...

a-as long as we're done before the last train.

Sounds great.

Let me know when you're done work.

Okay.

Is this a date?

I-It isn't!

Sounds suspicious!

Well, it's not!

Right.

This isn't a date or anything like that.

My boss just... asked me out... for a bit of dinner.

It's nothing.

It's not a big deal!

Sorry about the wait.

You okay?

W-Well... er...

Thanks for the save.

Don't mention it. Watch your step, now.

Okay.

Speaking of... when you came for your employment test, didn't you break a heel?

You remember that?

Of course I do.

That must've been rough.

But I'm glad you passed, and now we get to work together.

He remembered...

Now, let's get a move on, Hayakawa-san.

O-Okay.

I'd think you're used to the office by now,

but do you have any issues or things you're worried about?

No. Everyone is really nice, so nothing comes to mind.

Well, that's good to hear.

The section chief mentioned how impressed he was

with how much faster you've gotten.

Come on, it's nothing that impressive.

All he's brought up during dinner is work stuff,

so I guess this is more like a dinner meeting than anything.

Manager, didn't you mention something you wanted to discuss?

Right.

Hayakawa-san...

I know this might surprise you coming out of the blue, but...

Hayakawa-san...

when I look at you, I got really excited.

I've never felt this way before,

and I'm not sure if it's fair to spring this on you...

Hang on... is this... is he...?!

Hayakawa-san!

Y-Yes?!

I'd like to attend a cosplay event with you!

I mean, when I think about how you made that costume,

I get excited thinking about how much fun it must be!

That's what you meant?!

Well... are you saying you want to cosplay, too, Manager?

Nope. When I went home and started looking into it,

I found out about photo sessions they have for cosplay, and well...

I'd love to capture your exploits with this!

What a scary combo of initiative and purchasing power!

I-I mean, you could just take pictures of whatever cosplay you want.

You don't need me for that...

But you were the one who made me realize it'd be fun, Hayakawa-san.

I want it to be you.

It's not fair how he can just say stuff like that with a straight face...

The month after next,

there's going to be an event at the same location, so if you want...

Oh, but in exchange, you need the check out the things my costumes are from!

Real otaku always proselytize

Otherwise you can't take pictures!

Cute.

How?!

None of that was cute at all!

Yes, it was. The way you're so earnest about talking about the things you like.

It was very c—

No more explanations!

But you're the one who was—

I do not want to hear it at all! Not another word!

Shinozaki, you wanna grab lunch?

Sure. Let me just finish this up.

Got it.

You need to talk?

Well... yeah.

Okay, one sec. I'll be right there.

I'll wait in the lobby.

Y'know, Hayakawa-san and Shinozaki-kun seem closer than regular coworkers.

Apparently, they're childhood friends who grew up as neighbors.

Oh, right. I remember hearing about that, now.

Are you interested in what's going on?

Katase-san, there's no need to get giddy.

Since you always pick on me, I'm just glad for a chance at payback!

Hayakawa-san might've denied it before, but maybe there is actually a chance...

m 0 0 l 118 0 l 118 168 l 0 168

Or the reunited childhood friends/ classmates romance.

A reunited childhood friends/classmates romance.

m 0 0 l 118 0 l 118 166 l 0 166

The age-gap romance between a senpai and kohai at work.

An age-gap romance between a senpai and kohai at work.

Which one am I supposed to root for?!

Sh-Sh-Shinozaki-san and I aren't like that...

More importantly, Manager!

Aren't you forgetting an option?

Another option...?

There's nothing like another girl.

H-Hayakawa-san...

Of course.

Why would you take it that way?!

You brought it up, Katase-san,

but aren't you curious about what's going on with Shinozaki-kun and Hayakawa-san?

N-Not really. The two of them can be as friendly as they want...

B-Besides, why would I care?

I dunno, why would you?

Aw! Don't answer a question with another question!

Come on, we better hurry before the lunch crowds fill everywhere up!

But why would you?!

Manager!

The manager found out you're an otaku?

I got careless.

How'd that even happen?

Did he see something you were drawing...?

Not exactly.

Shinozaki knows I'm an otaku, but not about the cosplay stuff.

I don't really think him knowing is a problem, though.

Well... maybe not a big problem...

Not a serious one, but...

Cute... Cute... Cute...

If it's not a problem, then what's the issue?

You're right.

I guess I should be glad he didn't see me drawing BL dojinshi.

Whacha talking about?

M-Manager?!

Did he hear all that?!

Are you here for lunch with Senpai?

Are you curious?

Not exactly... and why are you grinning like that?

Do you mind if we join you for lunch?

Oh, sure.

In that case, I wanna sit next to Hayakawa-san!

Don't let it bug you.

What is up with you today?!

I wonder what I should get.

I'm curious, Hayakawa-san.

What's BL?

W-Well, it's, er... it is sort of a...

What's wrong, Hayakawa-san? You've gone bright red.

I-I-I wonder why.

Is it okay if I make this picture my home screen background?

Of course not!

My Tiny Senpai.

Shinozaki-san!

Trick or treat! Happy Halloween, Shinozaki-san!

Senpai!

It's Halloween, after all.

What do you think?

It's cu—er, very nice looking.

I was kinda surprised.

That being the case, once again: trick or treat!

S-Sorry, I didn't get anything ready...

That's okay.

Here you go!

Oh, thank yo—

T-Trick or treat?

Well done! Here you go.

Come on, don't treat me like a kid.

What are you grinning about? And with cat ears on.

Which one would you like?

Just thinking how this is going to be one sugary Halloween!

By the way, Hayakawa-san.

Happy Halloween!

Yep, I was right. Your cat-like nature makes it a good fit.

And we match!

M-Manager! Wearing cat ears at work is...

*Can't bring herself to take them off

The trick to happiness is a bowl of candy!

I love Halloween!

It's pretty great.

It's not a good idea to overindulge on sweets, though.

Right! It can cause all kinds of problems.

But it's Halloween, so what can you do?

True.

That also applies to Christmas, Valentine's, birthdays, and Hinamatsuri.

Agreed!

That's a lot of exceptions!

Senpai, did you try these chocolates?

Not yet.

They're pretty good. They've got a more mature taste.

A mature taste?

I-Is she...?

Sh-She's waiting for me to feed her the chocolate?

But if I do that...

M-My finger might touch Senpai's mouth!

But a chance like this...

Yoink.

Too bad. Time's up.

Yummy!

I'm so stupid! I wasted my chance!

Shinozaki-san...

I-I feel weirdly toasty now.

Shinozaki, is there any candy left?

Hayakawa-shan! Hayakawa-shan!

Smooch! Smooch! Smooch!

What's going on with Katase-san?

Don't go!

She just had one of these chocolates...

Chocolate?

Oh, these have alcohol in them.

Who could get that drunk off of one chocolate?

Smooooch!

Would someone please help me?!

Who would've guessed that Katase-san would turn

into a kissing machine when she gets drunk?

A kissing machine...

Does that mean I've got a chance?!

Shinozaki-san...

Uh, well, I—I wasn't thinking anything naughty!

Stare...

Could you at least say something?

Sorry, sorry!

Is that...

Manager! Manager!

Manager...

To be honest, I...

There's something I need to tell you.

Senpai! Senpai! Our manager doesn't photosynthesize.

Over there, see?

I'm right over here!

What's up?

Manager! Manager!

Manager... the truth is, there's something I need to tell you...

Wait, is this going where I think it is?!

Are Senpai... and Manager going to...

K-K-K-Kiss?!

Manager...

No! Hold on, Senpai!

I am so, so grateful for the way that you always, always work so hard for us,

and to get our work done!

She's bowing out of gratitude?!

Maybe it's less about kissing

and more about her emotions towards people getting amplified?

Oh bless you, bless you, God and Manager!

Th-That might be it.

I'm partly glad, and partly disappointed...

Now, then, Katase-senpai, your kohai's right over there.

My kohai?

Kohai, Kohai!

Hang on! Finding out how she feels about me...

I-I'm not emotionally prepared for this!

U-Uh, Senpai, I...

Wha...?!

Tears?!

I-I'm so sorry! I know I'm always causing trouble for you, Senpai!

It's not that.

You used to have no idea what to do on your own,

but you're so capable now...

It makes me really happy, as your senpai!

So she's my mom?

But...

if you do need help, you can always turn to me, okay?

S-Senpai...

I-I think I'm gonna get you some water! You sit here and wait a sec!

Tasty.

'Kay!

Nice.

So Senpai thinks...

You used to have no idea what to do on your own...

I'm a little disappointed, but I'm still glad.

Katase-san, Katase-san.

What do you think about Shinozaki-kun personally, and not as a coworker?

Senpai, I've got your water.

Shinozaki-san is...

When it comes to him... I'm not sure yet...

I thought I had her that time.

Never mind that! Could you please delete that picture?

Which one do you mean?

The one with Katase-san and I... y'know...

This one?

Hurry up and delete it!

Can I use it on my home screen?

Of course not!

Bleary-eyed and not fully awake from a dream

I still can't bring myself to drink that bitter coffee

So I sneakily toss in two pinches of a sweet secret

And let it slowly spread throughout

There's a local bakery that's only open sometimes

Where I once had some toast that glittered

What is it that makes it so satisfying?

Almost like magic

I find myself thinking about that kind of thing

How the small things can be the most precious

Deep inside my heart

It's ever so bittersweet

"Just being around you is enough"

Becomes my mantra

Baby like sugar

Baby you're the sugar