Ume ni Uguisu

Ume quietly observes and writes about her crush, Isezaki-kun, who sits in front of her in class and already has a girlfriend. She is content to admire him from one seat behind, convinced that he could never return her feelings, until he asks to borrow her class notes. Dazzled by the attention, Ume hands him the wrong notebook: the one filled with thoughts about him. Mortified when he discovers its contents, she flees, but Isezaki responds kindly and decides to be her friend. Being closer to him is both a joy and a source of heartache while he has a girlfriend. When their relationship ends, Ume wonders whether she might have a chance to win his affection. The volume also includes the one-shot “Nanairo Closet.”