10 SAKISAKA

Ao Harw ideThe scent of air after rain.

In the light around us, | felt your heartbeat @

1O SAKISAKA
aes
AO HARU RIDE
N Tl n

Unwritten

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3
IO SAKISAKA
 “A
GREETINGS
Hil I'm lo Sakisaka. Thank you for picking up a
copy of Ao Haru Ride volume 1. | imagine there
are many of you who are reading this for the
first time—nice to meet youl

| find myself strangely nervous about this new

serialization, but it is what it is regardless of
how nervous I'm feeling, I'm going to focus on
the parts that excite me—at least that’s what
I've been desperately telling myself.

Even | don't know everything there is to know

about the characters yet. What | do Know is that
| want to see them grow and make choices as
they move through the many experiences | draw.
'd like to take the same perspective as a reader
would and slowly reveal the characters as | go.|
YK hope you'll come along for the ride!

Enjoy Ao Haru Ride, and please read through to

the end!

HY *
lo Sakisaka Ber
 | FIND BOYS
if / , \ DIFFICULT
// Jf Ai \ TO DEAL
/ / WITH.

|
DISLIKE |\ |
THEM.
A
 I) NY
(¢%

re _.ANDfEIs
/ISN’T LOW.
Sei), HE'S LIKE— SHORT...
‘vy /

GENTLE. TANAKA
FROM THE
CLASS NEXT
DOOR...

HE’S
DIFFERENT
SOMEHOW.
 +1 DON’T

Just Vike
hereto / WERE
wide, | GOING To
TANAKA 4 PLAY COPS |
IS WITH / \ AND
THEM. i _\ [Link]
{4 bt ee wy
| yo? ak
y IN
Ae 3

COPS AND
ROBBERS?!

| I WANT
\TO PLAY!
 we're
eousting
yo \00! TUN for ith

Se (EX) \ vat as
By) wT y CL
o7 HAVEN'TTN
: Zz\ AL) PLAYED
LX —< THIS IN
\\ YEARS.

LL HIDE
OUT HERE.

SORRY,
I'LL Go |
SOMEWHERE
ELSE.
 / THERE
| ARE COPS
OVER
THERE.

TANAKA
IS...

| -STRONGER : ENS
Wow THANI | IF LA SSS
\ o| tHouGuT. | \ ae

«AND THE
TIPS OF HIS
HAIR ARE
CURLY AND }
CUTE. :
 /

[ THAT WAS |
\ CLOSE!

< lis THIS

\/ WHAT
| |HE SMELLS |
\/ LIK! |
Y| sHampoo...|
 OH NO! WHAT IF TANAKA >
IS TELEPATHIC AND HE
JUST READ MY MIND? \ WSS
SORRY, | WON'T THINK ANY, iy v
MORE WEIRD THOUGHTS. \.~
_ A-B-C-D... \e
Cousens THOUGHTS TUSTIN
CASE HE REALLY (5 TELEPATHIC

=> “a
se / Wey, vou
f Wal (tab THINK
<A NR | fe | SOMEONE
AY, Vil / \ | IS OVER
4 ~ \|/ reo \ THERE?

YOSHIOKA,
; ( | YOU STAY
\38 / } KNEW | HERE.
--- BECAUSE
OF ME.

fos"
¥
IF AN
ALLY TAGS

--YOU==—
CAN GET
 | SHOULD
SAY
SOMETHING.
x

rtHouert |
I COULD
‘ SAVE YOU. J

THE HAIR |
AROUND MAYBE
HE’LL SAY
SOMETHING.
 j/~ \\
K ica BeOS

| | |...xinp| TANAKA /
| wHAPPY, = Nor. | IS... : WHEN YOU
is 4 & i, \\ | RAN OVER |
REALLY...AS oe IWAS...
A } (| / y.
a a : A
Pa at

.-DIFFERENT >)
FROM OTHER a Si ag wens z
BOYS.

COMPLETELY
FINE
AROUND
HIM.
| DON’T
DISLIKE
HIM.

MY VOICE {|
SOUNDS
SHAKY.
 TANAKA
1S|TAKING
COVER
HERE
TOO.

‘ \\ }

| IT CAME |
DOWN ALL OF Th

A SUDDEN,
HUH?
 MORE THAN |
“YEAH”?

"WHAT?
ME?!
IT CAN'T
ARE YOU
GOING
TO THE Sakisaka Shrine
FESTIVAL?! | ove
 DID IT SOUND
LIKE | WAS
LL BE SO ASKING HIM
EMBAR- OUT?!
RASSED IF
IT DID!

I WONDER
IF YUMI
I'LL HAVE = wants To

eS \ H i\
~ so |/ Aj
3 EMBAR- lb
\ RASSING// \
HERE, |Hs N
USE THIS. | Hf} /
bg IT|
 wo
RATHER...

+ *..MISCHIEVOUS

Ipont \ A,
CARE. I'M }/
USING IT. |
\
\ Heh
 -. WHAT
KIND OF
EXPRESSION

MAYBE.

“() HERE.
| COULD
BE
WRONG.
a:
 |ARE YOU \
_—<| Gone... Lb”
|
7
4
™_
TO THE |
| FESTIVAL? |

Tr

DID YOU
| SEVEN |
SH
MAKE PLANS |
| O'CLOCK. | witd our
\ FRIENDS?
|{
 WAIT,
.-ASKING — WHAT?
| ME TOGO
TO THE
FESTIVAL
WITH ia
HIM?

I LENT HER
SOMETHING.
| WHAT ARE YOU
TWO DOING
OUT HERE
TOGETHER?
 UGH...
| REALLY
DON’T
LIKE
BOYS.

CUT IT OUT.
YOU'RE SO
ANNOYING!

/DISLIKE
THIS IS WHY
"THE
I CAN'T
STAND IT. REST.
 IT WILL
BE OKAY,
RIGHT?
 // f 4

{/f Hp uf 7 \
4 titivn es ,

,
OUR EYES

-<ALWAYS
LOOKS
<4 AWAY
/ \ NOW.

° | SEVEN |
O Corctock
\
|
1) \\ a

BUT
TANAKA...
Ro 5
HE KNOWS
| THINK HE’S
DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDS.
FROM THE
OTHERS. * |

I’M SURE HE
THERE’S UNDERSTANDS.
NO NEED
FOR ME TO
EXPLAIN.
EVEN IF
| DON’T
EXPLAIN.
 MAYBE
‘HE ao

a
f° 0

MONEE
oR MISUNDER-
STOOD
AFTER ALL.

--HE NEVER
INTENDED...

SEVEN
O°CLOCK.
THE CLOCK
TOWER IN | «TO ASK
SANKAKU ME OUT?
PARK.
 MAYBE...
THAT
_ WASN'T AN
AND INVITATION.
FROM ;
THAT
MOMENT

-- IMPATIENT.

3 OUT
*” WHAT HE
MEANT.
 TANAKA
TRANSFERRED
SCHOOLS?!

NOBODY
KNOWS HOW
q TO CONTACT \Z SOMETHING
HIM? HAPPEN?
SERIOUSLY?

waar? we {HE MOVED

DIDN'T HEAR |\ OVER THE |
«ANYTHING. | | SUMMER?!
}

BY THE
SECOND
‘ SEMESTER...
TANAKA
TANAKA was
THAT SHORT |
GUY, RIGHT? 7
PLP } \
 OF
COURSE
HE’S NOT
HERE.
NEXT TIME
LL HAVE
A BETTER
 WHEN WILL
THE NEXT
TIME BE?!

EVEN |
THOUGH... |\ |
«IT WAS A
VAGUE AND
FUMBLING
CRUSH...

STILL
LIKED”
HIM:
 BUT...

«NOTHING
EVEN
STARTED...

TANAKA...

WONDER
WHAT
\ YOU'RE
THINKING
NOW.
 Right away people sent letters and tweets, asking
about the meaning of the Japanese title Aaharaido,
So I'd like fo take a moment to answer,

Aoharaido = youth + ride

The Japanese kanji for “youth”* can also be read as
aoharu, and | imagine that the characters are on a
ride through their youth, giving it all that they can.
Compared to aoharuraido, when you say it out loud,
aoharaido is easier to say and more impactful, so that
became the title of the series.

Writing this story reminds me of my own high school

days, and while | look back at the many things that |
would've liked to have done better, | also remember
that | felt overwhelmed at the time, and | was doing
the best | could. (Although |still feel overwhelmed)

Sometimes you're optimistic, sometimes you're

pessimistic, and sometimes you just can't see clearly,
which is overwhelming in itself. Overwhelmed by both
the good and the bad. To me, that’s what | picture
when | think of youth. What about you?

“The kanji for "youth" is 1%4 (seishuun). The ao haru reading means “blue spring.”
 @~ho ~~_2)
ptm Towelket Club is the second door from the left.&
Before Ao Haru Ride was Strobe Edge. \wrote about this NS
in there a few times, and | plan to continue it here as well.
The Towelket Club is looking for new members! The
Towelket Club is for peaceful people who love the large
towel blankets known as “towelkets.” But it’s not the kind
of club that meets to do things together. For the most part,
we are active on our own. | really like towelkets, | can’t
truly relax in bed without one. | wish | could be wrapped in
one when I'm awake, and | love worn-in ones the most. This
is a great club that offers security to its members through
the affirmation that there are people across Japan who
share this love. When | started recruiting members for the
club, | thought there were probably some others who liked
towelkets, but | didn't expect there to be many. I'm honestly
surprised there are so many towelket lovers out there. It's
true! They are out there! Lots of them! Yes! If you loved
and protected your towelket despite your parents telling
you to “throw that dirty thing away” or accusing you for
being “the only weird one”—well, congratulations! You've
got company! Starting today, you can proudly say to your
parents that there are many others out there. And if that
doesn't help you out... | don't know.

Anyhow, the Towelket Club is still going strong!!

Newcomers are warmly welcome!

. lo Sakisaka, Towelket Club President

ty OX
 TANAKA
MOVED AWAY
THE SUMMER
| NEVER GOT OF OUR FIRST
TO TELL HIM YEAR OF
HOW |FELT JUNIOR HIGH.
ABOUT HIM.

==: AND—_yEArs=
HE'S STILL
SOME-
WHERE
| WISH... DEEP
DOWN IN
mT MY HEART.
GOOD COULD

MORNING, ‘ | [Saat
TO THAT
FUTABA! TIME.
 | FUTABA
_ YOSHIOKA.

LIFE IS
PEACEFUL
THESE DAYS. 1

VM IN
MY LAST
SEMESTER
AS A FIRST-
YEAR IN/HIGH
SCHOOL.
 HEARING

Sometimes
\ feel like
the fourth
dimension GIRLS ARE
is inside of SUPPOSED
TO CARE
ABOUT THIS

AT LEAST
SHE'S NOT
LIKE HER. ARE
WE LIKE you
FUTUBA THE SAYING?
WAY SHE IS.
 MAKITA IS
YOU LOOK BOYS LIKE SO FAKE.
REALLY EVIL GIRLS
a LIKE THAT?
 | DON’T,
\- EVER
SieY-
BELIEVE IT
DOESN'T:
b WAS FINE | BOTHER
os FOR ME Wied
} DURING
Hey ISNT —\ THE FIRST
mery | UNiOR
YOSHIOKA f
OH YEAH,
SHE’S CUTE. CUTE? /
fi HIGH.
A

BUT THE
NEXT YEAR,
PEOPLE
STARTED
TALKING...
THOSE GIRLS
ARE ALWAYS
SQUAWKING f
ABOUT SOME- pais
\ THING.

FUTABA ACTS
.| WAS SO FAKE WHEN
| SHE'S AROUND
ALONE. —~_ \ GUYS.

[ UGH, SHE'S |
| UNBEARABLE. |
 }
Yh IT
\ SCONTINUED
LIKE THAT
UNTIL WE
GRADUATED.

I'M CRAZY
HUNGRY!
EATING ALL = LET’S HURRY
THAT TODAY

BEST TIME —
OF MY LIFE.

TANAKA AND
| WAITED OUT
THE RAIN AT
THE SHRINE...
How are we hs MA Wot
ant
supposed <
to fini by
tomorrow?

That was
nothing

Youd
Ipetter ge
iy done

YX
Y}}\ V/ —
LYYFI\\'\\" | [ ARE YOU |p"
- | CRUSHING ||/)
\ ON HIM?

YOU DON’T SEEM

TO CARE ABOUT
GUYS, BUT YOU
ALWAYS STARE AT
MR. TANAKA.
 --.NOT VERY
TALL, AND
KIND OF
RESERVED.
«IT'S BECAUSE
HE HAS THE
SAME LAST
NAME AS MY
ABOUT FIRST LOVE.
HIS FACE?
What did he
look like?

MAYBE IT’S
fii JUST. MY
ff Ze

TR THE .
"TRUTH IS
THAT MR.”
TANAKA...

SHOULD
LET IT
GO.
 f IF YOU
1 5 ACTED MORE
FEMININE...
 EVERYTHING
ABOUT \,
\ HIMIS \
DIFFERENT. \
WHY DID |
THINK HE’S

| SHOULD
HAVE
= x co> 9 =
 GOING
ME TO THE
TOO. CAFETERIA?

| GUESS MY
MIND WAS
PLAYING
TRICKS ON
ME.
 I'M GLADI |
\ | DIDN‘T say
| ANYTHING. |

. \ Et | CAN'T
IT'S OKAY. PEF" PRETEND|
IT’S WARM : / DIDN'T SEE
HER NOW.

AREN'T
YOU
COLD?

WHY DON’T
YOU EAT IN
THE CLASS-
ROOM?
 SHE’S NOT
EVEN THAT
CUTE.

ee FUTABA?
Bors Go YOU
DOTaos
ie
aepois | / LLA\\\\ For cocue
pay j|| E77 \|| GIRLS LIKE = SHE'S THAT
ATTENTION | |).AE (? = ay eerie
eeSO DUMB. CUTE?
TO HER...
\} \ \
afA
 IT MUST BE
GREAT NOT TO
CARE WHAT
THE OTHER
GIRLS SAY.

.l WISH I
COULD TOO,
BUT IT'S 2 2 |
SIMPLY NOT IN >
MY NATURE.

Ya
HAVING
FRIENDS...
 | ...BE FRIENDS \
/ WITH FUTABA IF
OLD SHE WASN'T SUCH
Vex A TOMBOY.
yea! = |
you're |
RIGHT.

“SOT HER FACE

\\ IS REALLY
CUTE... ]

| «--SO IF SHE _#
| | ACTED FEMININE,
I BET SHE'D
ANNOY ME.
 IF YOU'RE
DONE,
WOULD
YOU MOVE?

= ; ioe =
\,\ \ / AH HA HA! (ow...
IT's \
\\ J& oxay! | VA ee
My 1 (2
YOU'RE iy
RIGHT. I’M
NOT FEMININE
ATALL,I |

pio
m= /
{
YOU os
| HEAR US i.
WE LOVE THAT
YOU'RE SO it \ JUST NOW? fos
EASYGOING. Z \ EXACTLY. J
}( Se
—y/ -
——— vs ZzJ {
 THAT'S
SHUKO
MURAO
FROM
CLASS 1.

SHE’S
ANOTHER
LONE WOLF.

WE'D GET
ALONG. | sues
OKAY WITH
\ BEING
\ ALONE...
 Pa

__“<F
el
|

TV)
1
Bel

+ TANAKA’S
IMPOSTER...

+-SMIRKED
WHEN...
HE d f \
LOOKED ? \
AT ME. \

--WHICH
MEANS
HE’S ALSO
A FIRST-
YEAR.

--WHY |
THOUGHT
HE WAS
TANAKA.

FIGURE
OUT...
Z

SILENCE
WHy DID. 2) °°
| SAY
THAT?
 THIS IS
MY WAY
HOME
TOO.

LIVE IN MY
NEIGHBOR- //
HOOD? {//
DOWN ALL OF
A SUDDEN,
HUH?
 ii
ERFEL
—< = " EE E E
 MY NAME’S
MABUCHI.

THIS IS
EMBAR-
MISTAKE. RASSING!
DOWN ALL OF
A SUDDEN,
HUH?
 {
I'M NOT \
TANA KA Z
ANYMORE. J

I KNEW IT
MABUCHI
NOw.

WHEN MY
PARENTS
DIVORCED...

et
afk
*
: MY NAME.
 BUT/ er
\ VAND HIS
NAME-ARE HEIGHT...
/DIFFERENT.

| :
(4 Ss\) FIRST | THAT
2 LOVE. BOY...
YOU
KNOW... —

[hj Lyd = i C
/ 4 \\
\ = =
y \ y

= WONDERED ||( |
. Yo WHEN you'D |
RECOGNIZE
ey ME.

I CAN'T - ~
BELIEVE IT = =
TOOK YOU walS
THIS LONG. HERE.\-
Now.

IT's \
HILARIOUS.
 I KNEW YOU
RIGHT AWAY
EVEN THOUGH
YOU'RE SO
ODD NOW.

--REALLY
/ YOU USED TO TANAKA?
BE QUIET, BUT
YOU'VE TOTALLY
CHANGED.

TH-THEN
WHY DIDN'T
YOU SAY

I TOLD
YOU, MY
NAME IS
YOU'VE.
MABUCHI. I'M NOT CHANGED
TANAKA. TOO,
TANAKA!
SSS
«--REUNITE
WITH A
HuG?
 YOU HATED
GUYS BACK
THEN.
GUESS
YOU STILL
DO.
«DURING
THE BEST
TIME OF
MY LIFE
 I'M
RETURNING...

TO THE
BEST TIME
OF MY
LIFE.
 BUT WE
CAN'T GO
BACK.

I'VE
CHANGED
SINCE
THEN.

A LONG
TIME AGO.
New Characters

Though volume 1
is coming out now,
I'm still not used to
drawing the char-
acters. It really takes
a while. And when
my deadlines get
close, | panic...and
resentment starts to
build.
uild. tt’[t's a consta
nstant DONT CRY :
battle because| eee IV's
know that | need to || ANNOYING...
build afriendship ,
with these kids.

It’s unusual for me,

but several char-
acters in this story
have colored hair.
Shiny hair takes a
long time to draw—
| resent it. And they
are resentful in
turn. They steal my
time!!! They require
80 much time and
effort... So at the
very least | need
you readers to love
them. | hope you
enjoy them!
 GBA i) x
bY
TANAKA! Uf :| WANT TO
F ___
ao BACK OFF,
x
NO, THAT
WOULD BE
SHAMEFUL

THAT'S OKAY.
I DON'T
NEED A BAG.

DO YOU MIND
WAITING?
LET ME I'M OUT OF
GET A NEW BAGS.
 WHERE
DID CHIE
GO?
2
ml)
|

AREN'T THOSE
IN A BAG?
Of. w 4
44 \ . io THIS HAS WS.
eA)
¢ ~~
SHOULDN'T
4
| .
BEEN
HAPPENING
Alot. -|)
4s) . RECENTLY! / |

(_.

4 \ \

(..T SKIP
A ties OUT ON
PAYING!
I WOULD
NEVER DO
THAT.
ty

SHE PAID
ALREADY.
 ASK THE
WOMAN
OVER THERE.

WHAT?
YEAH, SHE
PAID ME.

WHAT?
REALLY?

WHAT?!

84
Myan
(Qa\ \
YOU OWE HER
AN APOLOGY,

ae

MADE THE
MISTAKE.
 THAT WOMAN |
WAS OBVIOUSLY
IN THE WRONG.

YOU REALLY
SAVED ME
LISTEN AT
BACK THERE.
ALL.
 BUT WHEN
YOU BACKED
 [BAKE
| FRIENDS.
"4
it
_

\
x

: Te f \

/ ms \
| | PATHETIC. |
r\ /
| ai \ /

\ I \
mS TANAKA, IT
za MAY SEEM
PATHETIC TO
DO
WHATEVER
YOU WANT.

‘ 2
——_—— 3
OY

---BUT
THEY’RE
IMPORTANT
 IS HE
REALLY
TANAKA?
 KOU
TANAKA NO
aS LONGER
I'VE EXISTS.
CHANGED...

THERE'S
. NO GOING
BACK...
elttyour heartbeat\
CHAPTER
\ f
2
When | create manga, | periodically fee\ anxious
about my work. When that happens, | always go to
others for their opinions and advice, but everyone has
a different opinion. And when | hear their thoughts,
| always think the same thing: “This is how it always
goes.” What | mean is that there is no perfect solution. |
know this, but | still get anxious and repeat the process
over and over, though their advice only makes me more
confused. There's really no point in doing this. It may
be important to hear the opinions of many people, but
once | try out those ideas and they don't work, | end
up thinking, “Why don’t these work for me?!” and | get
discouraged. When really | should acknowledge they're
not right for me and change my perspective. Also, if |
get anxious, | should just talk to my editor. Yes, that’s
what I'll do. (It will be more work for my editor, but if
you would mostly just lend an ear, then that will
probably be enough for me. Thanks in advance for your
help!) And so, together with Futaba and the others, I'd
like to become stronger! Despite what I've written here,
| think I'm generally strong, so please don't be too
worried about me. This is who | am, so thank you
in advance for your support.

Saki W
 BROUGHT
YOUR LUNCH
AGAIN,
FUTABA.

DEFENDED
WOMAN? BACK TO THE
YOU THAT SHE WON'T CAFETERIA.
DAV... REMEMBER
YOU.
 I THINK
HE’S IN THE
HE’S PROBABLY
STUDIED SO HONORS
MUCH THAT HE’S
FORGOTTEN HOW
TO BE KIND.

WHATEVER
YOU WANT.

“our ~~ WO WONDER
THEY’RE I DIDN'T
TO BE ~~
ONA
MEAN oon :T ;
SPIRITED,i NDE FlFUTABKS. BRAIN DIFF EREN

Acmais

WHAT A
SHOCK.
WE REALLY
CAN’T GO
BACK TO THE
WAY THINGS
SO WHAT? WERE.
| STILL HAVE
ASUMI AND
CHIE.

>
* bse p )»

\ A SP

GOOD THING
HE WAS THERE
WATCHING.
|| DIDN'T YOU
} GUYS THINK

Zh J

WELL...
q S
SEEMED
LIKE IT.
WAVE YOUR
CHOPSTICKS

Ws
 / ii.
ff %
/
f OW Was \ WE WENT TO THE \
{ phage SAME JUNIOR
DATE, ASUMI? HIGH, BUT HE
x Y TRANSFERRED
py EARLY ON. y

TO TELL
THEM HE
WAS MY
' FIRST LOVE.

| DIDN'T
EXACTLY
MISS IT.

HEY,
MAKITA.
 WITH FRIENDS
FROM

WHERE EAT IN THE

DO YOU CLASSROOM,
DO you?

IT'S LIKE
WE'RE
HAVING A
PICNIC.
¥

MAKITA IS
ADORABLE.

THERE'S NO YEAH, SHE

WHY CAN'T THEY WAY WE'D
SEE THAT HERts
Direness' GET ALONG. seerwo; RESWARM
FEEL AE
JUST AN ACT? AND FULLY
They're
besotted.
 RETURNING
THE NOTE-
PICK THEM UP AT BOOKS
THE TEACHER'S THAT WERE
OFFICE BEFORE HANDED IN.
LUNCH ENDS.

WE'RE SLOW
AT EATING.

| DON’T MIND
AS LONG AS
THEY KEEP
HANGING
OUT WITH
ME.
Until recently |
couldn't draft out
stories while listening
to music, but sud-
denly | can. And |
do it while wearing
headphones. When
\'m focused, | don't
hear anything at all. FREEZING
TODAY!
But when | get stuck,
\ hear the music. And
when | get really
stuck, | start to think
the music is too loud
and annoying. It’s 80
interesting, It feels
\ike 'm moving
between two worlds,
and it’s rather
fascinating. Focus is
really interesting.

IT’S NICE
AND WARM
IN THE SUN.
 8 :=
3MINE,2 SO =I
w

THOUGHT MAYBE
YOU LIKED IT.
 IT WAS
FREE WHEN
I BOUGHT
FABRIC
SOFTENER.

\
THE OTHER | |(Ze
GIRLS DON'T NARS
LIKE ME.
\\ (|0

I KNOW I
ACT TOO

\
\ / «--FOR TALKING
i O# | TOME TODAY,
\\ / I GET NERVOUS AND THE
\ | IN FRONT OF \ OTHER DA.
he BOYS, AND I
a |\ ¥ CAN'T HELP IT.
\. I'm really self-
conscious. /

\ | {
 | WE ALL DRESS
UP AND PUT
ON MAKEUP...

BUT
| I DON'T
THINK IT’S
Z d=ros WRONG...

__- BECAUSE eeBOYS he

WE WANT TO THINK |
TOiLOChFOR
| GOOD YOU'RE
OTHERS.

HOw ISmuar |
DIFFERENT it
FROM ME
ACTING
DIFFERENT
VALUES.

UNDERSTAND
WHY THE
GIRLS THINK...

--.1 WANT TO
BE TRUE
TO MYSELF.

PEOPLE
THINK
SHE’S
DIT2Y....

..BUT SHE
REALLY
KNOWS
HERSELF.
 Wy A. SHE LIKES \
BEING BY
HERSELF,
THOUGH.

BUNNY. Havea
{t's not really HAND
afair trade. ‘we _ WARMER.

| GUESS
hy THAT
HEY. . ey) MEANS...
ARE YOU ° zak
LISTENING? f

|
Usatie I’M HER
 YOSHIOKA.
PLEASE ENTER
THE OFFICE
sorry! \ QUIETLY NEXT
\ TIME.

WASN'T
LOOKING!
wen

ISHOULD |
HAVE LEFT
THE DOOR
OPEN.

| GUESS
THIS
WORKS
WITH MY
TOMBOY /
PERSONA.
 AH! YOU
REALLY
WON'T HELP

WHY IS [APOLOGIZE
MR. TANAKA
APOLOGIZ-

LET’S TAKE
THE STAIRS.
IT’S COLD

\
LET ME HELP. |
\ | WHICH CLASS
\ ARE YOU IN?
//
 areyou |
FRIENDS |
WITH KOU?

WE WERE IN
JUNIOR HIGH
OSeneR

»,

[ HE SEEMS
HAPPY TO
\ HEAR THAT.

.-.-BUT ONLY
FOR A LITTLE
WHILE.
wow, Ke
has $2710)
\ ee
 HE'S ROUGH,
BUT HE'S REALLY
A GOOD GUY.
PLEASE BE
FRIENDS
WITH HIM.

YOU'RE
ASKING
TOO MUCH!

NO!|NEED
TO STOP
SEARCHING
| FOR THE OLD |
\ I TANAKA!
 \ UPSTAIRS.

{ N% YOUR
[aie SO-CALLED YOU
ay FRIENDS... WERE
/ Eat GONE
AWHILE.
 TANAKA...

WHAT'S.
IN YOUR
POCKET?
 GAVE IT
TO ME.

FRIENDS
NOW?

sue ep?! |/ p \ | OH REALLY?

a SHE WASN'T |) SHE was
| WITH HER EATING BY
rrinpse / | \\ || HERSELF

WELL, SHE’S
THE TYPE THAT
THANKS % DOESN'T seit
FOR 8 MIND BEING
TALKING ALONE.
TO ME.
 WHAT'S
GOTTEN
Into Your |

DOESN'T
WANT TO BE
ALONE...

Ss ——
Se

SHE CAN \ YY
HANG OUT | | amen’
WITH THE i | | ®
GUYS.

SINCE THE BOYS IT’S FINE.

ALWAYS PAY THE GUYS |
ATTENTION TO | WILL TALK
HER, WE DON’T \ TO HER.
HAVE TO. \ \. / /

117
 IT’S UNFAIR
THAT SHE ACTS
COMPLETELY
DIFFERENTLY
AROUND BOYS.
---YOU WISH
BOYS WOULD
THINK YOURE

THEN WHY
NOT STOP
COMPLAINING...

THAT WAY
AROUND
THEM TOO?

HAH?!
WE'D NEVER
DO THAT
JUST TO
MAKE BOYS
LIKE US!
 THEN JUST
IGNORE I'VE BEEN
HER. SAYING ALL
ALONG THAT
I HATE THOSE
KINDS OF
GIRLS!

BUT YOU'RE
SO JEALOUS
THAT YOU

MAYBE
SAYING
THOSE
THINGS
ABOUT
HER...

---MAKES
YOU FEEL
SUPERIOR,
BUT...
 : : \
. YOU'RE KIND \/ g y
OF OBSESSED es; = IF YOU
WITH ME, {| Mare me.
RIGHT? : /
j | ~_-7
= owe i}
 KNOW WHAT
YOU REALLY
THINK OF US.

DIDNIT |)
THAT'S a Kua :WANT». T| S
ALLIT gt>/ Abby tro. Be, 7) ead
TOOK. Deh 227ALONE
a NG AGAINN i

LA [ WORKED
ZS. {fi | SO HARD.
fey Mf \\_ po
NOW.:: HX i
\\ \
H \7 A
/
\ \ |
STANDING
UP FOR
ME.
 I WASN'T DON'T
SAYING IT by THANK ME.

I THINK I
WAS SAYING
IT FOR ME.

SORRY FOR
PULLING
YOU INTO IT.

IT STILL
MADE ME
SAT ee
oe

WHAT AM I
DOING...?
 EATING BY
YOURSELF?

WHAT
HAPPENED
TO YOUR
FRIENDS?
 YOU SAID...
OF WHAT
BECAUSE
IT's

;
ey
‘Er2 w ——— ©
SB » _———————— Ee5
(LAA O°
y .
AggZ@= zaz |
| A ~<<
we | =
WS o) =e 2
S@e7
— OF & y
 AND
IGNORED
WHAT REALLY
MATTERS.

| FORGOT
ABOUT
EMOTIONAL
CONNECTIONS, [7 mT A
TRUST... LT ae
EVERYTHING.
 | NEVER
TRIED TO
BUILD
THOSE

I'VE MADE
SO MANY
MISTAKES. / fh
, r i/

Plug | AG~
|

erry \i ~

¥
} j

ri
THEY'LL
\ SEE ME!
THEY'RE
7D
iyMy
COMING
FROM
BOTH vs
SIDES! SY
 Take that
Outside.

MIXED IN
WITH HIS
COLOGNE...
 a
lS A
\ \
| \ \ FAMILIAR
\) SCENT.

YOU MUST
HAVE BEEN
DESPERATE...

/ ...IF YOU LOST

| SIGHT OF
\ EVERYTHING
ELSE.
 AFRAID...

..THE TANAKA |
KNEW WILL BE
COMPLETELY
GONE IF |. CALL.
Ml. MABUCHI:
 y
/ tuat’s |
£ BETTER
—| THAN |
| TANAKA, /
\ RIGHT?

! you DON’T
MIND IF I NOW WE'RE
CALL YOU | ONA
\ Kov,do FIRST-NAME
yOu? ; BASIS?

.-. JUST DO
WHATEVER
YOU LIKE.
w= COULDN'T
CALL
HIM KOU,
THOUGH:

| DON’T
..LOOKING THINK...
FOR THE
erKNEW. - | CAN
\\
\\
iy STOP...
 The scent of air af ter rain...
In the light around us, | felt your heartbeat. CHAPTER 3 ff
Q 0 _°
Now, if you read the drama between the girls and
thought it was a typical girls’ quarrel, then | must tell Oo
you that you are mistaken. The truth is | came up with
Asumi’s and Chie’s lines based on a conversation |
overheard between two men. They said, “That guy does
well at work because he’s good-looking. If that’s all it
takes, I'll go get plastic surgery.” (They went on and on
about it.) In our society, women are often said to be
catty, but | don’t think that’s the case. It’s not about
gender. People who are like that are simply like that.
| also think age doesn't play a role either. There are
adults who are like this too. When | used to work for
a company, there were many disingenuous older men
there. Q

e
| need to watch out to make sure | don't end up like
Asumni without realizing it. Maybe it’s more likely that
I'\\ become more like Chie than Asumi. ©

| should be careful. | will be careful. Yes.

O
| wish the world would overflow with nice people! _

Loto &
| SPOKEN
TO ASUMI
OR CHIE

THIS IS
MY LAST
Make sure
aes AND
THE
DAY AS REST
to clear out |
A FIRST- --DOESN’T OF THE
your desks |
YEAR. j TALK TO CLASS...}
ME MUCH
EITHER.
ALL RIGHT, |
THAT'S IT!
 I WASN'T
HONEST
WITH
..BECAUSE YOU...
I WAS HAVE SAID IT
AFRAID YOU LIKE THAT.
WOULDN'T
LIKE ME.
 (7, AND IF
THAT'S WHAT
YOU REALLY

WE
CAN'T BE
FRIENDS. STAND HOW
YOU FEEL.
 —— ul
ie— ys Hn
 / /
ffs
| 4
/ Mi , }

|/ I[ft /
| if /

\i
\\\i
?\ NY / d

.THAT ||
LETTING| \\ | SOMETIMES
GOISA | \ | THERE'S SIMPLY
STRENGTH \/\\\ NOTHING TO
BE DONE!

Yeah!
| solicited requests
from the readers
for these sidebars
in Ao Haru Ride!
It's my hope that |
can make these fun
for you.

| also wanted to
mention something,
In the magazine we
often give gifts or
prizes to readers,
If you don't get
selected for a
prize—or if you
didn’t enter before
the deadline—
please understand
that even if you
ask our editorial
department, they
can't give the goods
to you. 0 But it
would make me
happy if you picked
up the magazine
from time to time
to increase your
chances of getting
the gifts!
 IN THAT
MOMENT,
——— | FELT LIKE
eo WE SHARED
AZ, SOMETHING.

| WANT TO
FEEL THAT
AGAIN.
 I WAS
LOOKING
FOR YOU!
I WANTED
(A TO TELL YOU
DID YOu \ i) } SOMETHING.

WittYOUR \ LOOKING [TJJ| HE'S LEFT

FRIENDS? ? Ji | nd

I'M GOING
ARD TA
FINE WITH
TO START
 THE GIRL
FROM THE

FINISHED
TALKING.
Enough
already
 I’m
COMING OVER
TO COOK
TONIGHT, SO
YOU'D BETTER
BE HOME.

HE’S MY
BROTHER.
Can't you tell?
 \ \\ THOUGHT W
3s | I \eTHEYa™
LOOKED
ALIKE!..
i Se N

pe
--.5O NO
EVERYBODY
KNOWS.
4
sre
SECRET...
eS
BECAUSE
\ | KEPT \ i,
>STHINKING=>e]
ee

ARE YOU
TwO
DATING?
 ARE YOU
CONFUSING
ME WITH HOW
YOU FELT?

YOU TOLD J
ME THAT
YOU LIKED 4 YOU LIKED
ME BACK
IN JUNIOR

THIS IS A
STUPID
CONVER-
SATION.
 ICAN TELL
YOU TWO
GET ALONG.

AHA!
FUTABA!
THIS TEACHER
1S HITTING ON
A STUDENT!
 es / *

THIS IS OUR —
Last DAY |= hh }) T]| YOU'RE NOT
TOGETHER AS Ce | | COMING TO
} | TODAY'S
\ GATHERING?
 I DON'T HAVE
A PERSONAL
CONNECTION
TO ANYONE IN
OUR CLASS.

SO YOU
GOT A ”
oom . - MR. TANAKA fsss::
ei ‘ DOESN'T LIVE
jf % WITH YOU?
ba BECAUSE I’M Hs
STUDENT AT sess
Why? _gasesesssess
s3aeeeea
sesss : : [e! /\ ATHe scHOOL / sessss
‘ (cl WHERE HE
TEACHES. EL
:
 YOU MOVED
BACK TO
YOUR OLD
HOUSE?

DON'T YOU
CHANGE
YOUR NAME
BACK-

ENOUGH
IT HAS : ALREADY.
NOTHING : ,
TO DO
WITH YOU.
YOU’RE THE
ONE WHO'S
DRAGGING
ME INTO IT!
 we: a jA

jA
--DOES /
i,
IT FEEL
LIKE HE’S
LOOKING
AT
NOTHING...

ali
WE’RE
STARING
AV NCL
OTHER?
 / ips

iy] G @ HEART
~’-\\ RIGHT
C/N NOW?

A
YOU WANTED
ME TO LET
6o?
DISAPPEAR
SUDDENLY,
AND THEN
COME BACK...

I CAN’T HELP NOW LET

IT IF I HAVE
A LOT OF
QUESTIONS!
 TO MAKE SENSE/
OF THINGS! /

Saas

DIDN'T I
TELL YOU
TO STOP
CRYING?
 WERE
YOU AT
SANKAKU
PARK...

WAITING }
FOR ME
THAT DAY?
 I WAITED

---HAD
PLANNED TO
MEET YOU AT
SANKAKU PARK.

«+. THINGS
GOT CRAZY
AT HOME.
I WAS
RIGHT WHEN
DEALING
SUMMER
WITH A
BREAK
LOT.

I'M SORRY
I COULDN'T
GO THAT DAY.
 SORRY.
I WAS BEING
INCONSIDERATE
BY ASKING
TOO MANY
QUESTIONS.
 YOUR
DINNER
TONIGHT.
DON’T YOU 4
REMEMBER? |\\» ©

MR. TANAKA
MAKING
DINNER FOR
YOu?
HE’S STILL
SCARY
SOME-
TIMES...

\)
TLA,

SASS
 mea
| Ss ~e)3 2
=||

YOUR BIG
BROTHER
) | IS WAITING
Ay\
FS
2
SSS :
YOU LIKE
A GIRL!

YOU
WHAT'S THIS
FUTABA STUDYING.
YOSHIOKA
LIKE?

SO THAT’S
FUTABA
YOSHIOKA.
 oO!
Eo
YOUR BIG

z>
BROTHER
=a
29D
~~
uw
WL
SL ie
 THERE!
CLASS 2.
..-EXCITED...
'M WITH
MAKITA.
 M
12
A
lieve
Tir Rae at
\\7a 4

J )| ieront
ores
N Y A Vy
f yj

THERE’S
MAKITA.
 YOU SAID
YOU DIDN‘T
HAVE A PERSONAL
CONNECTION WITH
ANYONE IN OUR
CLASS LAST YEAR...

.--BUT I
WON'T LET
YOU SAY THAT
THIS YEAR!
 | WONDER
WHAT THAT’S

THIS CLASS
HAS A LOT OF
ENTHUSIASTIC
PEOPLE IN IT.
 )
Ao Haru Rede
VOLUME 1
SHOJO BEAT EDITION

STORY AND ART BY IO SAKISAKA

TRANSLATION Emi Louie-Nishikawa

TOUCH-UP ART + LETTERING Inori Fukuda Trant
DESIGN Shawn Carrico
EDITOR Nancy Thistlethwaite

AOHA RIDE © 200 by lo Sakisaka

All rights reserved.
First published in Japan in 20n by SHUEISHA Inc., Tokyo.
English translation rights arranged by SHUEISHA Inc.

The stories, characters and incidents mentioned

in this publication are entirely fictional.
No portion of this book may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means without
written permission from the copyright holders.

Printed in the U.S.A.

Published by VIZ Media, LLC

P.O. Box 77010
San Francisco, CA 94107

10987654321
First printing, October 2018

PARENTAL ADVISORY
‘AO HARU RIDE is rated T for Teen and
is recommended for ages 13 and up.
This volume contains the awkwardness of youth.

NIZ men Bedi

[Link] [Link]
 | love the springtime, and it makes me
happy that volume 1 is coming out in the
spring in Japan. | feel excited whenever |
start something new, no matter what it is.
All aboard! The Ao Haru Ride Express is
leaving the station! Hurry—don't miss this
ride through youth!

10 SAKISAKA

Born on June 8, lo Sakisaka made her debut

as a manga creator with Sakura, Chiru. Her
works include Call My Name, Gate of Planet
and Blue. Strobe Edge, her previous work, is
also published by VIZ Media's Shojo Beat
imprint. Ao Haru Ride was adapted into an
anime series in 2014. In her spare time,
Sakisaka likes to paint things and sleep.
 om _shojobeat.com
$9.99 USA $12.99 CAN £6.99UK
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0265-7
50999

781974 " 702657