Episode 21

## It'll Just Be Our Secret

**It'll Just Be Our Secret** (私と凪くんだけの秘密じゃん, *Watashi to nagi-kun dake no himitsujan*?) is the twenty-first episode of the A Couple of Cuckoos anime series.

## Plot

After placing 1st in the school's year ranking, Nagi proposes to Hiro again, but once again, he's rejected, but she confesses that she wishes she was engaged to him. Nagi would later tell this to both Erika and Sachi, and Erika proposes a beach retreat to figure out what Hiro meant by her confession. Eventually, despite their hopes for her not to learn the fact, Hiro learns that both Nagi and Erika live together.

## Summary

In the classroom of his school, Nagi opens up his report card in front of the two class nerds, and they're amazed to learn that Nagi earned 1st place in the year ranking. On the other hand, Nagi already knew that he'd earn 1st place after placing 13th last month and was hoping he'd be praised as a Pheonix for his comeback. However, the response he receives from the two nerds is tepid as they're disappointed his feat isn't good rom-com material. The three boys who bet on him before also don't care about Nagi's year ranking placement, but Nagi is still satisfied with his it and vows not to allow Hiro to get first place again.

Afterward, Nagi gets a note from Hiro asking him to meet her on the rooftop. Recalling Hiro's declaration that she wouldn't lose to him again, Nagi wonders if Hiro intends to do it again. If this were the case, Nagi wouldn't mind; however, he'd steel himself to do the same and ask her out on a date. Unbeknownst to Nagi, Shion was secretly eavesdropping on Nagi and was glad that Nagi was going to meet with Hiro and ask her out.

On the rooftop, Hiro sits on a bench and patiently waits for Nagi; once he arrives, Hiro congratulates Nagi for 1st place in the year ranking. She also compliments him as a phoenix for climbing his way from 13th place last time. Flustered, Nagi downplays it as from behind the doorway to the rooftop, Shion eavesdrops on Nagi with his conversation with Hiro. Continuing the conversation, Nagi comments on how confident he was with the test, then openly declares that he won again and asks to go on a date with Hiro. The proposal surprises Hiro, but she refuses and states that they still don't know each other enough as of yet. Hiro admits that fate seems to be changing for her, and Nagi vows to change her's, which pleases Hiro and comments that she wishes she was engaged to him. Shion continues to watch the scene roll out, amazed and tearful.

That night at home, as Hiro laments over what he's going to do, Sachi praises Erika for placing 167th in the year ranking. Erika notes how she's up by 80 places since the last time, and Nagi tries to get the girls' attention, which annoys Sachi. Nagi then admits that Hiro confessed to him, shocking the two girls. He explains the situation between himself and Hiro to them, and Erika is amazed, while Sachi is unimpressed and points out that Hiro didn't explicitly confess to him. So, Erika proposes they all investigate what Hiro said for their summer break. Furthermore, Erika suggests they stay at another vacation home her family owns, with its own private beach. However, Nagi refuses the idea claiming it's not a good study ground and claims that Hiro wouldn't goof off at a holiday home, but Erika receives a text from her agreeing to go. Hearing this, Nagi changes his mind and decides to tag along. Erika then proclaims that they'll go on a shopping day for their upcoming beach retreat. Sachi decides to stay home and study while the two go shopping.

At the Mega Store, Erika finishes getting supplies for their trip, and before they check out, Nagi suggests they purchase a stick for breaking watermelons. Furthermore, Nagi suggests they buy tridents, and Erika agrees to purchase them after hearing Nagi's motive behind getting them. Erika then suggests they get sunscreen, and Nagi suggests they purchase the spray type, but Erika cheekily suggests the cream type, noting Nagi could rub some on Hiro's body. The suggestion backfires as Nagi is afraid he wouldn't rub enough cream on Hiro's body, giving her an uneven tan. In the end, they decided to buy both types just in case.

Outside the store, Nagi and Erika wait for the bus to arrive and talk about how Nagi's family used to go to the beach all the time. Erika admits that she's envious of Nagi, claiming it must have been fun having beach trips with his family. Curious to know, Nagi asks if Erika had fun on her beach trips at her family home as a kid, to which Erika answers that she'd only walk the beachside alone after sneaking out of her parent's hotel. The bus then arrives, and Erika complains about how cramped it is; she also mentions that while Hiro is privy to their engagement, she mustn't learn they're living together. On the other hand, Nagi wants to tell Hiro about their situation, which earns him a rebuke from Erika.

Back at home, Nagi and Erika plan to surprise Sachi with their beach outfits and gear, but are surprised themselves to learn that Hiro was there helping Sachi study. To make matters worse, Hiro was now privy to Nagi and Erika living together, but she confesses that she always had a hunch that they lived together after hearing they were engaged. The revelation makes Nagi believe their summer vacation at the beach will be an absolute mess.

Eventually, the group reaches the beach, and there Nagi asks Sachi why did she reveal to Hiro that both Erika and he were living under the same roof together. Sachi confesses that she did it so Hiro would agree to help with her studies, to which Nagi claims he could have helped her; however, Sachi confesses that Nagi isn't as good of a teacher as her. Soon, Nagi is roped into a volleyball game and is partnered with Erika, who offers to talk with Hiro, who is acting distant from Nagi. However, Nagi ultimately decides to talk to her himself and later does so on the rooftop of the beach house. There, Nagi flusteredly explains his living situation with Erika to Hiro, who calmly listens. To own confession, Hiro admits that she was hurt that Nagi didn't tell her about his living situation with Erika. Hiro then proceeds to pluck some hairs from his head and jokingly threatens to curse him if he lies to her again like that.

Afterward, Erika learns about this meeting with Hiro from Nagi and is glad she forgave him. Erika also mentions that his talk with Hiro confirms that she has feelings for him, which Nagi agrees with, but Sachi disagrees, claiming Hiro thinks of him as a rival. Unperturbed by this rebuttal, Nagi then mentions something that Hiro relayed to him and asks Sachi if she has feelings for him. Flustered Sachi loses it on Nagi and holds him in a sub-lock wrestling pose.

## Characters

* Nagi Umino
* Hiro Segawa
* Shion Asuma
* Sachi Umino
* Erika Amano
* Yohei Umino (Mentioned)
* Namie Umino (Mentioned)
* Souichirou Amano (Indirectly mentioned)