Manga Timeline - Year 1

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Summary

Komi Shouko, a beautiful Japanese teenage girl, has a communication disorder that makes it difficult to interact with people on a basic level, much less make friends. She begins her first year of high school at Itan Private School, and is instantly placed on a pedestal by her peers, who all assume that her silent and stoic gaze is a by-product of her superior yet praise-worthy and admirable nature. In reality, she desperately wants to make friends, but she is unable to, and her beauty creates a barrier between others. However Tadano Hitohito, a completely un-noteworthy classmate, recognises her disorder and becomes her very first friend. He helps her begin to achieve her dream of making 100 friends, some include the charismatic Najimi Osana, the skittish Agari Himiko, the competitive Yadano Makeru and the villainous, obsessive, perverted Ren Yamai.

Throughout her first year, Komi comes out her shell by going to new places, meeting new and interesting people, doing basics things she couldn't have done before, such as communicating without her notepad. She not only improves herself, but makes the people around her better (except Yamai), and opens up her feelings around other people. Her relationships strengthen, especially with Tadano, in an almost symbiotic friendship. At the beginning of her second year, a new student, Rumiko Manbagi, a former gyaru who was helped by Komi and Tadano to accept herself and her appearance.

Komi, Tadano and Manbagi develop a close friendship with each other, Manbagi develops feeling for Tadano due to his kind and good natured heart, as Komi develops similar feelings. Komi and Manbagi both discover they both have a crush on Tadano, but still preserves their friendship. Manbagi confesses to Tadano, who reciprocates, but admits that he likes Komi. Manbagi supports him, and urges him to confess to Komi. Komi admits her love for Tadano's kindness, and they begin a formal relationship.

Timeline by chapter

Pre Year 1

2nd Year of Elementary School - Najimi meets Komi:

Najimi in the 2nd grade, approximately 4 years before high school, met Komi for the first time. He (having somewhat identified as male during that time) tried to invite her to play, but was only given a cold, blank stare. Not aware that Komi had a communication disorder, Najimi assumed that they hated them and, in their failure, was bed-ridden for week.
(Chapter 10)

2nd Year of Middle School - Tadano's Confession:

(Chapter 32)

Year 1

Year 1 - Early April - First Day:

Tadano Hitohito, incredulous that he got into a prestigious school like Itan Private High School, vows to not become a big presence and instead lead a quiet, normal experience. His plans quickly go awry when he tries to greet Komi Shouko, a beautiful girl in his class, and only receives stammers and a cold, intense stare. He is puzzled, but surmises that he will have nothing to do with her, as she is way out of his league. However, he doesn't notice that he is seated next to her in the classroom, and receives heated, murmured threats from his classmates. Due to Komi's beauty and goddess like demeanour, she has quickly earned a reputation as being untouchable, and to the school, someone average like Tadano being near Komi is a blasphemy idea. Tadano gives an embarrassing introduction, as his classmates stare hatefully.
Later during the day, Tadano is knocked unconscious by a crowd of Komi worshippers, and awakens to find himself alone with her. Embarrassed, Komi runs to leave, but Tadano asks if she has difficulty communicating with people. Tadano second guesses himself, but Komi confirms it with a nod and more stammers. Komi, via chalkboard, elaborates on her condition, and how difficult it is to make friends. Tadano understands that Komi isn't a god or a celebrity, but just a normal girl.
Komi apologies to Tadano for wasting his time, but Tadano continues the conversation on the chalkboard. As they write, they begin to bond together, and Komi reveals her dream of making 100 friends. Tadano says that he'll be her first friend, and that he'll help her make 99 more. He quickly apologies, but Komi accepts his friendship. Overcome by emotion, she bolts out of the classroom, as Tadano is convinced to help cure Komi's condition. However, Tadano doesn't realise that Itan Private High School is home to many strange and quirky individuals, and making new friends will be difficult.
(Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)

Year 1 - April - Helping Komi make her 2nd friend:

Tadano attempts to make Komi practise the phrase "Let's be friends", with minimal success. Tadano thinks that if he asks people to be her friends, they will jump at the chance and 100 of them will be quickly made. However, when he tries to ask Ren Yamai, a sweet girl and the leader of the cool group, she whispers insults in his ear, and tells him how undeserving he is of her friendship, much less to sit next to her or even speak her name. Yamai quickly re-applies her cutesy façade, as Tadano tactfully retreats. As he is unpopular, trying to get people to make friends with Komi will be almost impossible, so, out of options, he goes to his old friend Najimi Osana, an extremely sociable extrovert and the opposite of Komi. Ambiguous gender (although currently "identifying" as a "she"), pathological liar, and, most importantly, friends, friends of friends, or friends of friends of friends with essentially all of the country and potentially others too. Getting them to become friends of Komi should be a cinch. However, when Tadano asks for Komi, Najimi refuses.
Komi goes into shock, as Tadano takes Najimi out of the classroom to interrogate them. Najimi explains that they met Komi back in 2nd grade (when they were 7-8 years old, and also when "she" identified as a "he"), and when they offered their friendship, Komi only stared coldly back, The shock to Najimi had them bedridden for a week. Najimi harbours no ill will, but when they lock eyes, Najimi trembles in fear. Tadano convinces Najimi to give Komi another chance, as they tease him as to if he likes Komi, but Tadano assures them that they are incompatible. Najimi also tells Tadano to call them Najimi, their given name, instead of Osana, their last name, as they were friends for a long time back in school. They also allude to the time Tadano got rejected back in middle school.
Najimi and Komi walk home after school, with Tadano following behind in support. All of Najimi's attempts to communicate fail, as they discreetly text Tadano that they give up trying to be Komi's friend. Suddenly, two delinquents and old friends of Najimi's, Maa-Kun and Shii-Chan, rush up to the pair and Maa-Kun, a very large and burly teen, confesses to Najimi, but is instantly rejected as they claim to be a boy. Unfazed, Maa-Kun grabs Najimi without their consent as they ask to be let go, as Komi touches Maa-Kun on his shoulder. Komi tries to tell him that his key fell out his pocket, but Maa-Kun misinterprets her words as a threat against his life for touching Najimi, as he and Shii-Chan run away. Najimi, thankful that they were saved, agrees to be Komi's friend and Komi silently celebrates.
(Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)

Year 1 - April - Making a 3rd friend and interactions:

At school, Najimi eats lunch with Komi, to her immense joy. Najimi, scheming, asks Komi to get her an extremely complicated drink from Standbakes (Starbucks parody), and if she doesn't, Najimi will no longer be her friend. Komi agrees, as Najimi explains to Tadano that doing things outside her comfort zone is good for her. Komi successfully enters Standbakes, but being unable to communicate Najimi's order, the barista gets it wrong as he tries to guess and Komi takes the drink without correcting him. Komi gives Najimi the wrong drink, and almost cries from her failure, as Najimi and Tadano apologise profusely.
Najimi next tries to help Komi get more friends and, from a selection that includes the entire student body, confirms that Agari Himiko is the closest to Komi in terms of personality traits, being introverted and nervous. Komi followed Agari to the library but couldn't ask her to become friends. Agari runs to the toilets as Komi follows, concerned for her well-being. As Agari continually escapes Komi, she is asked by a teacher to inform the class that gym period has changed location and, eager to leave Komi's presence, Agari perfectly repeats the instruction. Afterwards, Tadano assures Komi that she'll have another chance to talk to Agari as, speak of the devil, she appears. She thanks Komi for unintentionally helping her to come out of her shell, by terrifying her into reciting an instruction to the class. As Tadano suggests becoming friends, Agari refuses as Komi is much beyond her, but agrees to be her dog, metaphorically.
Komi shows Tadano her new flip-phone, albeit an outdated model. She wants her friends phone numbers, but when Tadano offers to help her, she refuses, saying that she's too reliant on Tadano (Tadano is very proud of Komi). She gets Najimi's relatively easily, but Agari takes a while and when she does, she accidentally tells Tadano that Komi wanted his number to be first in her contacts, as he was her first friend. Tadano obliges, as neither of them can make eye-contact.
At school, the position of class president is being decided, and Komi is an immediate candidate for the people in the room. Komi doesn't want the fame and attention, so Tadano is about to volunteer himself, but Najimi beats him to it. As the class threatens Najimi with bodily harm and/or death, Najimi explains that the title of class president is not prestigious enough, and that Komi deserves a higher title. The class agrees, and eventually decide on class Goddess, much to Komi's embarrassment. With a void to fill with class president, the class quickly concurs on Tadano, as Komi already has the highest position, effectively forcing him into the most difficult position with none of the benefits.
At Komi's home, Komi plays with her new flip phone, practises calling people, but accidentally rings Tadano. She quickly hangs up out of embarrassment, and when Tadano calls her back to make sure she's ok, she pretends to be an answering machine and hangs up again. Tadano exclaims that her voice is beautiful, as his sister tells him to keep the noise down. Komi is overjoyed and embarrassed at making her first call, as her brother tells her to keep it down as well.
At school during lunch, Najimi, Yamai and a group of popular kids play a game together, as Komi watches and wants to join in. Tadano suggests having a game after school with Najimi and Agari, but Najimi overhears the conversation and invites Komi to join the current game, which the participants are overjoyed at the idea of. Najimi teases Tadano as to if he's going to let Komi struggle/get embarrassed, so he decides to join the game as well. When he asks, the group happily agrees, but Tadano, being a master reader, can tell that they hate him and only let him join because Komi is there. Komi quickly loses a game, but the group allows her to win the next one. Najimi introduces a punishment for the next game, whoever loses has to show their "kissy face". The group, determined to win and see Komi's kissy face, collaborate, leaving only Tadano and Komi. As the game requires communication, Komi will not be able to win, so all Tadano has to do is speak his turn. Although he wants to see Komi's kissy face, he saves her from the embarrassment by intentionally losing, having to show his own kissy face. Komi later thanks him for saving her, and says that she had fun regardless of almost being humiliated.
(Chapters 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)

Year 1 - May - Physical Examinations and Fitness Tests:

Physical tests are happening at school, and Yadano Makeru, a fairly average student, vows to beat Komi, as the honour that would come from defeating the (supposed) most powerful student in school would be immense (she is also very competitive). Komi, oblivious to Yadano's duel, "beats" them in all categories, but Yadano concludes that they tied with some questionable logic. At the 50M track, Yadano passionately gives it her all, but still loses to Komi regardless. Yadano humbly accepts defeat and goes to shake Komi's hand, but when she doesn't take it, Yadano assumes that Komi wants her to improve, and that she sees her as a formidable opponent. Yadano promises to better herself, and declares herself as Komi's rival, to Komi's and Tadano's confusion.
(Chapters 20, 21)

Year 1 - May - Visiting Komi's House:

At school, Najimi talks excessively with Tadano and Komi, before dropping a killer question, which was if they could come to Komi's house. Komi is conflicted, especially when Najimi suggests that Tadano comes, but accepts. At Komi's they meet her mother for the first time, who, unlike her daughter, is extroverted and energetic. Najimi claims that they need the toilet, but spies outside Komi's room, leaving her and Tadano alone together. After 15 minutes of no awkward or suggestive activities, Najimi comes back in, bewildered. Najimi rummages through her books and her photo album of her childhood. Tadano notes that in all the photos Komi is alone, without any friends. After Tadano and Najimi leave, Najimi sends a photo of the 3 of them that they took in secret, which Komi buys a photo frame for.
(Chapter 22)

Year 1 - May - Tadano kidnapped and becoming "friends" with Ren Yamai:

Tadano walks to school, thinking about his friendship with Komi, when he is attacked by an unseen assailant. Yamai walks to school, and silently declares that she has a crush on Komi. However in Yamai's case, her crush is more of a stalker-like obsession, licking her hairs and smelling her aroma. She tries to say good morning to her, but is interrupted by Agari. Agari looks behind her to see Yamai giving off a demonic look, and she runs away, terrified. Yamai tries again, but is again interrupted, by Najimi this time. Yamai finally says good morning, but even when Komi doesn't respond, Yamai is overcome with misplaced joy. Yamai sweetly invites Najimi around a corner.
Yamai, throwing Najimi against a wall, demands to know their relationship with Komi, to which they respond, fearfully, that their just friends. Yamai ominously asks Najimi to introduce her to Komi. Najimi, literally and metaphorically back up against a wall, agrees. When they introduce her, Komi can only stare, and Yamai, in love, wants to do various things with/to Komi, but restrains herself. When Yamai asks Komi to have lunch together, Komi imagines Tadano encouraging her, and agrees with a nod. After Yamai leaves, Najimi and Komi wonder where Tadano has gone to, as he is absent from school. It is revealed that Tadano has been kidnapped and tied up, in a darkened room in an unknown location. He sees many photos of Komi, including some on the ceiling, and confirms that he is in Yamai's room.
Back at school, Najimi asks if them and Komi can go to Yamai's house after school (possibly due to suspicion). Yamai briefly considers her prisoner, but agrees at the thought of Komi's scent lingering on her bed. When they arrive, Yamai says she needs to tidy her room, but secretly threatens to bury Tadano alive if he makes any noise, and leaves him in the cupboard. When Najimi and Komi enter, Tadano, hearing Najimi's voice, bangs on the cupboard. Yamai leaves to make "tea", and Najimi opens the cupboard to reveal Tadano. Yamai returns with a knife, explaining to Komi that she kidnapped Tadano for her, and that he was in the way pf their friendship. She cruelly elaborates that Tadano is unremarkable and doesn't deserve to be around Komi, and that Komi should hang around cool and popular people like Yamai. Komi shakes her head, to Yamai's shock. As the trio go to leave Yamai, she blocks the door, knife in hand. Komi writes with her notepad that she will choose her own friends, and leaves. Yamai sobs, as Najimi, having stayed behind, wonders to do in terror.
Back at school, Komi and Tadano sit in silence, until Komi asks Tadano to talk alone. Komi talks about how Tadano was kidnapped yesterday, and how it was her fault for being close with him. She wonders what could have happened, and that something like this could happen again. She sadly suggests that they shouldn't be friends anymore, but Tadano, quoting Komi, says that he will choose his own friends. Komi says, for the first time intentionally, in person, that she still wants to be Tadano's friend. Both are embarrassed by this, but Najimi abruptly interrupts with Yamai. Yamai gives a poor apology to Tadano, which he accepts, and a more genuine one to Komi, which she responds, via notepad, with a simple "OK". Yamai takes this as a sign that Komi hates them, and produces a knife aimed towards herself. Tadano explains that Komi has difficulty communicating. Yamai finds this adorable, and hopes that she'll become friends with Komi. Komi agrees, as Yamai promises to help fix her disorder (a word that Tadano was deliberately avoiding.
(Chapters 23, 24, 25, 26)

Year 1 - June 1st - First Day of Summer:

(Chapters 27)

Year 1 - Early/Mid July - Studying and Tests:

(Chapter 36)

Year 1 - Late July- Going to the Pool:

(Chapters 37,)

Year 1 - Mid August - Obon at Grandma's:

(Chapter 45)