What's Wrong With Being Cute?
p1
Fashion high schooler x industrial high schooler romcom
A delinquent-type huge girl, with the magic of fashion
shall be transformed into a cutie!
p2-3
Two high schools sit on opposited ends of a river,
opposing one another.
The fashion-focused Seika High School.
The me attending that school, Hoshino Matsurika...
and the 2nd year attending the other, Ouga Orie.
The industrial-focused Akayama High School.
The two of us
who are the "tops" of our respective schools...
p4
have a secret relationship.
p5
A few weeks ago.
That's our top for you.
You're finally on the cover of this month's issue!
Thank you!
The difference between us and that sweat inelegant Aka High
feels like Heaven and Hell~
Ahaha...
This Seika High School is famous for its fashion department.
"Beauty is supreme" is its motto.
But...
p6
the bridge between our two schools is like a warzone...
Where's the beauty in that...?
Aka High is so inelegant.
Both in behavior and attire.
These work clothes are way better than the rags you guys piece together.
Beauty?
Fashion?
Cute?
Lame~
This is what Aka High tends to be like.
Don't wear your work clothes in public.
Give it back~
p7
Well, when it comes to height,
our school's top is clearly the victor.
When it comes to a fight, she doesn't know the meaning of defeat...
She's beaten down all the guy from your school who've dared to challenge her.
Your top, on the other hand,
is small and "cute", huh~?
Hrm...
You punks shouldn't pick on people because of their height...
p8
What's wrong with being "cute"?
I never said there was anything wrong with it.
p9
Hm...?
There's a kid trying to cross here!
Don't go causing problems for the common folk!!Common folk
Ah...
Crap...
It's alright.
I'll see you across, okay?
p10
...
I'm sure that big girl isn't a bad person,
so don't be scared of her, okay?
...Okay.
You're so smart, Matsurika-chan, whereas all that Ouga can do is yell.
She's big in both size and volume. Totally inelegant, huh?
She actually seemed pretty delicate to me...
She seemed tactless, so she's probably jealous of you, Matsurika-chan~
She hasn't changed from "back then".
I messed up...
I bet everyone would be surprised if they knew
that the reason I am "who I am now"...
p11
is all because of Ouga Orie...
p13
Heh...
p14
So you like cute things, huh?
Owah!?
You... Where'd you come from!?
Were you following me!?
To think Aka High's top was into such things.
It'd be crazy is people found out, huh~?
!!
Cute?
Lame~
A-...
Are you trying to blackmail me?
Blackmail?
I'm in the fashion department, y'know?
If anything, I'm more than happy to help you.
p15
If you're looking to become cute, that is.
Huh!?
Become cute...?
Can't you tell just by looking!? It's impossible!
Besides, this store...
is a bad match for me.
Ng!?
Come with me.
?
?
p16
Uh!
A cattle iron!?
You wanna go after all!?
It's a hair iron...
Uses heat to straighten out hair.
This one has a battery for taking on the go.
If you're "a bad match", then we'll just make you a better one.
You've got a great foundation already, so it'd be a waste to give up.
It's not that simple...
That's easier said than done...
Even just the iron should make a huge change.
First, let's comb through your...
p17
You've got really great hair!
It's well-bodied!
I'm so jealous~
I-It's just normal.
Or rather,
can't you just use the iron and get it over with?
Just skip the combing part.
No can do.
Heat
RuffledThe heat transmission becomes uneven...
Heat
Combed
The heat transmits evenly.
80% of "cuteness" comes from prep work.
I-Is that so?
Thought it up just now.
Now the ironing.
p18
It's not gonna shock me or explode, right?
...
When those who don't take proper care use it,
they get shocked 1 out of 10 times.
Fufu...
Seriously...?
p19
And with that, phase 1 of the magic
is complete.
Magic?
Take a look.
p20
Who is this chick!?
You're a pretty girl, Gaorin~
?? Gaorin?
Ouga Orie -> Gaorin
Cute.
...Well, you can call me what you want.
I guess she likes being called Gaorin.
While we're at it, try making a growling pose.
No way!!
You just wanted to make me do that!!
p21
Now then, time for a rematch!
M-Maybe I should pass for today...
The ironing already used up my energy!
All you did was sit... What are you scared about?
Look... Everyone's looking at me.
They must think that the clothes here...
would never suit someone like me.
Hah...
Who cares what other people think?
Just stick to what you "love"!
p22
Don't let some phantom thing
like "your image" sway you.
Phantom...
Her hair's so smooth~
How nice.
...Yeah.
You're right...
I ain't gonna be scared over something that doesn't exist.
p23
That's the spirit!
I'm jealous of how quick she can change her gears.
Are you looking for anything in particular?
C-Clothes...?
She hasn't changed gears at all!
Something like this...
Ah, that's cute, isn't it~?
But
p24
rather than something of that taste,
something more simple would suit you better, Miss!!
Eh...?
Ah...
You're rather tall, so
Orie in a ribbon... It doesn't really match your image.
something natural that makes use of your assets would be better than something girly...
Personally, I think something cool would...
Hang in there...
p25
Convey what you like!
For example, something like this...
Ah... Um...
I picked some things out.
How about trying them on?
She's not gonna be able to refuse like this...
Maybe I should help...
...
I...
p26
I really want
something cute!
The magic
worked...
p27
I-I'm sorry!
I just assumed...
She's shyer than she looks, so please go easy on her.
We'll come to you for advice if we need it!
Let's pick something out!
It feels fresh...
But I could go further?
This is... cute!
I guess I can settle with this for today.
Are you okay with that, Gaorin?
...
p28
Okay, if I must~
Knitted sweater - 3,500 yen
Onepiece dress - 4,980 yen
Socks - 1,8000 yen
Loafers - 5,980 yen
Babushka - 2,200 yen
Russian for "grandma". A simple way to give off a sweet + retro vibe. User-friendly and can be wrapped around the neck like a scarf or hung around the chest too.
~Hng.
Nice!
That babushka suits you~
p29
Phase 2 of the magic is complete.
Seriously, what's all this magic stuff about...?
That girl is cute...
The loafers were over my budget...
It's magic to make you cuter,
and there's lots more where that came from.
Magic can't do a thing, though.
Truth be told,
my first choice was Seika High School's fashion department.
...
EEEEH!?
p30
But I became increasingly aware of what my image was.
Fashion department?
That don't suit your character at all~ lol
I guess so...
Haha.
So I went with Akayama High because it "suited me".
Industrial work is pretty fun in its own right.
But
if I had
Fu
a friend like you back then,
my life might've been different.
...
p31
I can't turn back time,
but I can help you change into who you want to become.
As a friend.
...!?
Sh-...
Should the tops of rival schools
really become buds?
...I guess it really is "too late" for that.
Back in middle school...
during a period where I was going through a lot...
p32
I fought Gaorin countless times.
...Thought it looks like she doesn't recognise me as I am now.
Fighting don't suit you.
You're not "someone like me".
?
Strength gained from nothing but fighting
Fu
is reserved for cowards who never change.
Aah...
p33
This girl is just like me.
What's the point in hurting each other?
Having realised that, I stopped seeing her.
And afterwards,
I was somehow able to change myself.
I figured...
it was my turn to give her a push on the back.
But if I do that, her image as Aka High's top will fall to pieces.
Cute?
Lame~
Gaorin might lose the place she belongs...
I guess I should end things here...
Even so...
p34
Would you
teach me some magic again?
p35
Huh?
Isn't she way too cute?
p36
...
Becoming cute might be a thorny path for an Aka High girl.
?
But if you can proudly stick to what you "love",
then you won't be contradicting the "cool top" that everyone sees you as, right?
!?
That's way too good to be...
...ng
You're the one who said it,
so stay with me until the very end, y'hear!?
Stay with you...?
Don't take it in a weird way!!
If it's Gaorin's "cuteness", then I'm sure...
The two decisively walking down the path of "cute"...