Why?
It's the day before Comic Festival and I'm not excited at all.
It's Comic Festival! I used to get worked up like a moron.
What's happened to me?
You look happy, Kanako.
No wonder!
Today I get to cosplay with everybody!
Everybody was busy with their own thing yesterday,
but today I'm counting on you!
Okay!
So you're going straight back to America after Comic Festival is over, Angela-san?
How much do you love it?
She's tough! She does tennis and swimming too!
They're really excited today.
Especially Ohno-san.
They've been like that since yesterday.
I won't deny that cosplaying is fun.
Anyway, isn't Madarame-sempai late?
Our purchasing plan's wrecked without him.
Is that him?
Sorry, am I the last here?
Don't worry. There's still time before the first train.
That's good.
Good morning, Madarame-sempai. It's been a while.
Oh, uh, morning.
Is that you, Hato-kun? I didn't know you had a wig like that.
Let's get moving.
Hey, it's been forever Kugayama.
Since graduation.
That's right, sempai can talk to me normally when I'm a guy.
You look a little pale, Madarame.
I'm a bit hungover.
Hungover?
Hey, do you remember?
Last summer at the room.
When we were reading an anime magazine together,
you flipped the pages with these fingers.
Come on, Kanako! Interpret!
N-No.
I don't get it at all.
That really happened!
Well, I skipped some things, though.
Hey, it doesn't make sense.
What is this? What is this?
Dunno.
I think, basically, she wants to say thanks for helping her last year in the club room.
I'm not sure I understand, though.
Last summer in the club room? That's a long time ago.
I don't really remember, but you're welcome.
He doesn't remember.
Oh. That's a shame.
I could return the favor in a different way.
Stop that.
Go Next!
Angela-san's still clinging to him.
She's so aggressive.
Can we assume there's something going on?
I read on the net once that Japanese guys are really popular overseas.
I don't think that's true.
I don't know, but what we're seeing here--
I'm sure Madarame-sempai is bothered.
He likes Kasukabe-sempai.
But it's not my place to interfere.
And when I'm a girl he avoids me.
Ohno-sempai!
Yes?
Madarame-sempai said he was hung over.
Can I go help him buy doujinshi today?
I was really looking forward to today though!
I see...
I'm sorry. Please.
Well, you did it yesterday and the day before.
Thank you.
Madarame-sempai! Kuchiki-sempai!
The male version!
I'll be going with you guys.
I think it works.
W-what does?
It's a big help.
Why are you giving a thumbs up?
I thought we could cosplay all the main characters, but...
Probably that's guided by the law of cycles.
Can I ask you something by now?
What was that this morning? Since when do you like Madarame so much?
I told you then.
He was kind to me when I came to Japan last summer.
But you weren't flirting with him in winter!
That's not surprising.
He had Saki.
But Saki graduated.
And Madarame was left broken-hearted, right?
You know what I think? Madarame deserves to be happier.
And isn't it about time he finds a new love?
Don't scare me!
I don't get it at all.
It's perfect for you. Too perfect.
But if Ogiue-san was here you'd do my character, right?
What?
I agreed to dress like this because we were all going to do it.
That Hato... I should've quit too.
I need you here for my character though! We're a couple!
And don't you think Hato-chan's fine where she is?
Why?
A guy, dressed like a guy, is going with his guy friends to buy doujins for guys.
What's the problem?
I guess.
No, I mean that should be just fine.
I don't understand them.
Hato-kun, you get all your stuff?
You too?
Yeah, I got all the stuff on the list.
Well, your being here helped a lot.
It meant I had less to buy. Thanks.
Not at all.
How are you feeling?
I'll be fine once the alcohol's out of my system.
A junior caring for him sempai!
Did you drink that much?
It's been so hot lately.
I can't concentrate. Get lost.
I'll head upstairs for now.
I'm everywhere and nowhere, you know!
Anyway, what do you think of day three? There's more people here, right?
There's people everywhere. It's overwhelming.
Yesterday I only went to the spaces for girls.
Oh yeah. Yesterday was what you were really here for.
Dorarara?
Yes, that's right. I searched the whole space for stuff.
And in cosplay.
Tanaka-san's really good, to be able to make that in a night!
That's a real turnabout!
A female character who dresses like a guy. I'm crossdressing but at the same time I'm not.
And since it comes with pants I can stand up in the bathroom.
End of the Line (#2)
Or so I thought. But it wasn't happening.
You're having a good time, I see.
When I was a student I came all three days,
bought all the doujinshi, and lined up at all the company booths.
Company booths?
You don't know them? Second floor of the west hall.
Lots of companies. H-game makers and publishing companies.
They all hold events or sell things you can only buy here.
I didn't know they had that here. I'll go later.
I tripped in a line and fractured my hand.
But I stayed in line and bought something at the booth. It's a good memory now.
Fractured your hand?
The foolishness of youth.
And now that I'm out of school I can only go one day.
It kind of kills the fire.
No, I don't think that's the issue.
It's just a mental issue for me.
But it was hot in another way, wasn't it?
The temperature?
No... Angela-san.
No, no, no. She's just making fun of me.
Is she? You don't think it's finally your turn to get lucky?
It's a lie that everybody gets lucky once in their life. I never have.
And she only comes to Japan for Comic Festival.
She's just messing around.
Forget 3D girls anyway. 2D for the win.
And I got plenty of them today.
Um...
Then have you ever fallen in love with a 3D girl?
Huh?
Never.
He's lying.
No. It's not fair to keep asking these questions when I saw those photos.
But if she knew the real you,
I think you could get along fine with a girl.
What's gotten into you?
You're a good cook.
And you treat somebody like me like a normal person.
You're SURE you aren't into guys, right?
I-I'm not!
The only 3D people I've ever fallen in love with were girls.
Is that after you got into BL?
Yes!
Oh, hey. There you are.
Hello there, Kugayama-sempai!
Hey. It's really hot, huh?
Good timing, Kugayama.
Hato-kun said he wanted to check out the company booths.
That's right.
Can you keep our place?
Sure, I'll just be reading my doujins.
I think those two are really suspicious, Kugayama-san!
But I guess normal people don't care.
No matter what you say, she's got a boyfriend already.
Even in an H-game, it would never happen.
And what a boyfriend.
I'm gonna feel like a loser for the rest of my life.
Well, how do I approach him on the way back?
So this whole floor is company booths.
There's a lot of places.
Madarame-san!
I was just thinking of contacting you.
Kousaka!
W-why? And why are you--
I've been recruited to help advertise.
Our new H-game is about traps.
I've fit Hato-kun up for the clothes...
What?
Actually, I wanted Ogiue-san to cosplay this character, though.
Hato-kun's also fabulous,
but we may want to find someone smaller.
And if she were here, Hato-kun would cosplay this one!
Yeah, should be this.
Yeah.
If Ogiue-san would do... well, she won't change her mind though.
Hey, what's wrong Sue?
You want to cosplay this one?
But you're blonde!
Anyway, I don't think Ohno-sempai works as a middle schooler.
It's not a character with big boobs.
Madarame-san says Kousaka-san is cosplaying as girl at the company booths!
And he sent a picture!
Wow...
A natural!
I want to go see it!
But I can't leave here alone. We're cosplaying as a group!
And Kousaka-san is working so they can't come here!
And going anywhere in this crowd is near impossible.
This is Kasukabe-sempai's boyfriend?
Ohno-san says she wants more pictures.
Sure.
In other words, he's Madarame-sempai's rival.
Okay, ready?
Yeah, I don't think he can win.
Win what?
Kuchiki-kun sent a selfie.
Oh, he's in line.
"Gimmie an upskirt?"
I guess they're rivals, but they get along.
Look at me! I can't get in between them!
Are they going to fight over Kasukabe-sempai?
I guess not.
They're already dating, and Madarame-sempai watches from a distance.
I can see it in my mind's eye.
Even I think his crossdressing is perfect.
Wait? Are you not wearing makeup, Kousaka-sempai?
That's right.
It's hopeless, Madarame-sempai.
What's up?
I guess in that case,
dating Angela-sempai is the best option for him.
Come on.
No, that doesn't seem quite right.
What? Still shocked by Kousaka?
Your crossdressing is amazing too.
Kohsaka's a natural. Don't worry about it. He's from a different dimension.
Anyway, I'm not gonna win.
I think in general terms I'm as good as he is.
So you too...
Don't say you can't win.
What did you say? I couldn't hear you.
I want him to try just a little more.
It may just be me being selfish.
But all the things we want are like that.
Stop it, please.
You're bothering him.
It's just about what we want.
Interpret, Kanako.
Okay...
But...
Even if it may be a one-night stand,
it could be a very memorable event in your life.
A one-night stand?
I'm so jealous!
I-I don't think so!
I'm sure a feeling that develops over time is much stronger!
I believe the feeling that you have developed over time is surely stronger.
Oh, you forgot what happened in the morning?
I told you I have been fancying Madarame since last year.
It's nothing than a trigger.
And it's OUR right to make a decision for the future.
It's nothing for an outsider to interfere.
She's really aggressive.
It's so direct that translating it is embarrassing.
Hang in there.
It doesn't matter whether I'm an outsider, or what rights I have.
Because Madarame-sempai...
... likes Kasukabe-sempai!
Madarame-sempai...
Sempai...
He's a bottom!
Hey!
He's what we call a bottom in BL!
And he's a damn good one, so he should be paired with a guy!
Like Tanaka-sempai x Madarame-sempai!
I'm the example?
Or Kugayama-sempai would be great too!
N-No I wouldn't.
Or even Kuchiki-sempai trying to be a top and failing!
He's not here, but Sasahara-sempai would work too!
But my personal favorite right now...
... is the love I saw today!
Shut up already!
Kousaka-sempai x Madarame-sempai!
Now who should I send this picture to?
Stop it, please...
So Madarame-sempai doesn't have the time to be dating a girl.
What am I saying?
I can't breathe! I can't look at him!
Madarame as total bottom?
Yes, total bottom...
Yes! Total bottom!
Total bottom! Total bottom!
Madarame the total bottom!
Angela, I forgot you liked that stuff.
But that is that.
My fingers again?
Oops, you got really uptight?
Chai... Chai Kick!
Ouch!
Oh... my.
Hato!
Good job!
See you at the next Comic Festival, Madarame!
Yankee go home!
Go to hell!
What was that?
I'm not entirely sure.
Um, I'm sorry for the weird things I said.
Nah, you saved me so it's okay.
But one thing...
Where did you get that thing about a feeling that develops over time?
It just came to me.
I see. Fine then.
Hato-chan's one of us, isn't she?
Excuse me.
You should be more careful with these things!
Sorry.
And what happened to Hato X Madarame?
I'm the bottom?!
It was a big shock for us to accept him. It was a big shock for all of us.
No, I think it's a bigger shock for him.
Is he forgetting how close he came to a girl's boobs?
And that's the end of this year's Comic Festival!
Okay, calm down. It's not time to freak out yet.
"Bottom" is just a concept that exists in a rotten girl's head.
It doesn't affect me in reality.
I'm not sure if Sasahara's lets his girlfriend use him in BL 'cause he's tough,
or if Madarame is just delicate.
While I'm sure tastes will vary, I think that trait is probably what makes him good for BL.
Next Time
Comic Festival was so much fun!
I bought too much, my legs are sore, and I can't lift my arms.
Really? I'm just fine.
It started to get to me on the second day.
Me too.
You're still fine, Yoshitake-san?
Is that possible?
No, it hit me the first day.
I've had torn muscles and everything!
Torn muscles are a pretty big deal, aren't they?
It takes two or three weeks to heal, if you're lucky.
She's got so much energy.
And she's so excited to cosplay.
Farewell!
She ran!
Next time on Genshiken: Second Generation: Shout "Moe!" Beyond the Event Horizon