H2
	 Volume 6
	  Chapter 4 (53)
	   You're My Friend

 - Page 59 -

(Ch. 4) You're My Friend

 - Page 60 -

Hiro: Huh?
	What's with this ratty old hat?

Hideo: Don't touch it!

Hiro: Ooh, scary.
	Tellyphone.
	(click)

 - Page 61 -

Hideo: Hello?

Shuji: Hi, Hide-chan.
	It's me, Shu.
	Regarding that thing I asked you about.

Hideo: Oh,
	yeah.
	Actually,
	y'know...  I haven't...

Shuji: It's okay.
	Pretend I never asked.

Hideo: Huh?

Shuji: When you think about it, it's a pretty stupid idea.
	and I don't want to cause trouble for you.
	I'll just tell him the truth.

Hideo: But...

 - Page 62 -

Shuji: Hey, it's cool.  I was known at my old school for being a liar, too.  No big deal.
	Later.

Hideo: Wait, Shu!

Phone: (ding)

Hiro: Hikari told me about it.

 - Page 63 -

Hiro: I don't wanna have to say this-

Hideo: Then don't.
	I don't want to hear you insult my old friend.

Hiro: Pardon me.
	I forgot I was only a SHALLOW acquaintance from middle school.

Hideo: You're my friend.
	The best one I've ever had.

 - Page 64 -

Hiro: Nice job not blushing on that line.
	So anyways, why don't you give me a full introduction
	of your old friend.

Hideo: He had a brother, four years older than me...
	He's the one who taught me to play baseball.
	The catcher and No. 4 hitter for the neighborhood team.
	He was the closest thing to a star I'd ever known.

 - Page 65 -

Hideo: He played catch with me and Shu every day, from sunrise to sunset.

Hiro: So is that guy's older brother
	still playing?

Hideo: He died.
	When I was in fourth grade...

 - Page 66 -

<<Hideo: Too bad,
	the game got cancelled.

<<Shuji: Well, we can't play like this.
	There's a storm coming.

<<Hideo: Yeah, it was all rainy yesterday.
	The ground was so muddy.

<<Brother: I wanted to surprise those Southside kids.
	You two have gotten so good in the last six months, they'd hardly recognize you.

<<Shuji: Yeah, you're so good, Hide-chan.

<<Brother: He's just got a good coach.

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<<Hideo: Ah.
	Don't worry about it, Tetchan.
	It's too dangerous.

<<Brother: No sweat.
	I can reach it.

 - Page 68 -

<<Brother: Look!
	Huff.
	Huff.

<<Shuji: Come to our house, Hide-chan.
	We'll play Nintendo.

<<Hideo: 'kay.

 - Page 69 -

 - Page 70 -

Hideo: Shu was prouder of his brother than anything else.

Hiro: *IF* your hat hadn't blown off...
	*IF* the storm hadn't come,
	*IF* it hadn't rained the night before...

 - Page 71 -

Hiro: *IF* he hadn't played baseball,
	*IF* his mom and dad had never met,
	*IF* they hadn't married,
	If, if,
	if, if...
	*IF* he hadn't been born,
	he wouldn't have died.
	It's easiest to talk about ifs after the game is over.

Hideo: Want some coffee?

Hiro: Sure.

 - Page 72 -

Hiro: ...and there you have it.

 - Page 73 -

Hikari: Well, I understand that,
	but there's no guarantee that he'll be safe after a whole five years.

Hiro: ...there you have it.

Hikari: Most of the worst criminals were still sweet little kids in elementary school.
	So, he lied to a friend from his old school and said he had a girlfriend?
	And that friend has just suddenly decided to come pay us a visit?
	And I happen to look exactly like the image he gave his friend?
	Really.
	Really, now.

Hiro: I think you should help Hideo save face here.
	Don't worry, I'll be on the lookout without him catching on.
	If he tries any funny business, I'll burst out of hiding.

 - Page 74 -

Hikari: He looked like a good fighter.

Hiro: I know.
	I'll try not to get knocked out before you can escape.
	You can't simply judge the guy based on your first impressions.
	Hell, if you just talk to 'em, sometimes they turn out to be nice guys, after all.

Hikari: ...sometimes.

 - Page 75 -

Shuji: Huh?
	Oh,
	really?
	Thanks, Hide-chan.
	Now I won't be ashamed in front of my friend.
	...yeah,
	okay.
	Later.

 - Page 76 -

 - Chapter 4 Owari -