How to Find Happiness
Page 1
Title: How to Find Happiness
Page 2
Title: How to Find Happiness
Author’s note: -This is a rom-com(?) featuring all the characters of White Album 2, in 4-panel format.
-Intended for those who have played the game.
-Chronology is jumbled. In those where a given heroine appears as the main girl, please assume it takes place after that particular heroine’s ending. (There are some exceptions.)
Page 3
3.1
Narration: Setsuna Ogiso, the school idol…
3.2
Narration: is, in fact, rather ordinary, and somewhat vain.
Setsuna: Don’t tell anyone!
3.3
Narration: Kazusa Touma, the aloof delinquent with first-class piano talent…
3.4
Narration: is, in fact, quite childish.
Kazusa: L-Leave me alone!
Arrow note: Third packet of sugar
Kazusa: Don’t use me as a punch line!
3.5
Setsuna: Hey…
If Kazusa were an animal, don’t you think she’d be a cat?
Note: *During a break from rehearsal
Haruki: What makes you say that?
3.6
Setsuna: Well, she usually acts cold, doesn’t like big groups, has a fickle temper…
She’s like a cute, pretty cat with glossy black fur!
Large FX: Meow
Kazusa: Is that a compliment?
Haruki: Oh, uh, you don’t say!
3.7
Haruki: I think Touma’s like a dog.
Haruki: She’s got an unexpectedly kind and caring side…
Kazusa: !
3.8
Haruki: Also, she’s pretty simple to work out, like a dog that will “shake” for a treat…
Setsuna: Ah! I get it!
Kazusa: What the hell is wrong with you two?!
Kazusa: Don’t get Setsuna in on this!
Kazusa: I just told you, don’t use me as a punch line!
Page 4
4.1
Haruki: Seriously? You’re leaving your clothes lying around again?
FX: Fling
4.2
Kazusa: Why not? You’ll take care of all of it for me anyway.
Haruki: Because you won’t!
Haruki: Put some pants on!
4.3
Haruki: Honestly… What would you do if I died suddenly or something, and couldn’t be here any more…?
FX: Sigh
4.4
Kazusa: I-If that happened, I would follow you…
Haruki: Uh-huh. Try putting down the pudding before you say that.
Haruki: Kind of spoils the effect…
4.5
Kazusa: I happen to know, though…
that you like taking care of me more than anything.
FX: Hoho
Kazusa: Yeah, right.
4.6
Haruki: Well, I do like it, yes…
Haruki: But what I like most is you, Kazusa.
FX: Smooth
Kazusa: ?!
4.7
Kazusa: Y-You keep throwing out these cheesy lines without thinking twice…
Kazusa: Aren’t you embarrassed?!
FX: Hahaha
Haruki: Making fun of Kazusa is so much fun!
Haruki: I mean, I wasn’t lying, but…
4.8
Youko: I’m right here, you know!
FX: Raah raah
Youko: Is dinner ready yet?
Youko: How lovely. Still just like newly-weds…
Page 5
5.1
Haruki: Well, here it comes again…
Kazusa: Yep…
5.2
Narration: Setsuna’s (Valentine’s)
Narration: birthday! (Day)
5.4
Narration: So, uh, when are we going to be able to get rid of that alternate parenthetical reading…?
Narration: Good question…
*Note: “Setsuna’s birthday” in the second panel has “Valentine’s Day” written next to it in smaller characters, to suggest that it be read that way; I used parentheses instead.
Caption: Valentine’s Day, bitter version
5.5
Haruki: I want to eat your cooking, Kazusa.
5.6
Kazusa: You’re telling me, a pianist, to hold a kitchen knife?
Kazusa: What are you going to do if I can’t use the tools of my trade any more?
5.7
Haruki: I do admire your understanding of the likelihood that you’ll hurt yourself…
Kazusa: Now you’re just trying to start a fight.
Kazusa: Hm?
Haruki: But there are things you don’t have to use a knife to make.
You know, stuff that you just refrigerate to firm it up, or…
5.8
Haruki: I just wanted to eat your hand-made chocolate… Just once…
FX: Sniffle
Kazusa: You worry way too much…
Kazusa: How am I supposed to tell him that I already made some?
Caption: Valentine’s Day, sweet version
Page 6
6.1
Narration: Takeya and Io have finally started dating.
6.2
Setsuna: Hey, which one of you asked the other one out?
FX: Yeek
Io: Uh—
Io: That doesn’t really matter, does it?
6.3
Takeya: C’mon, Io. Let’s tell her.
The one who said it was [blocked out]
FX: Loom
Setsuna: Takeya-kun!
Io: Waaah!
Ahhh!
6.4
Io: Say one word and I’ll kill you!
Takeya: Haven’t lost that athletic power…
FX: Huff huff
Takeya: Oww…
Setsuna: Nice to see they haven’t changed…
Haruki: What the hell happened here…?
6.5
Io: W-Well, since you two have settled down now…
Io: I figured I’d better go ahead and say yes, since I felt sorry for him.
6.6
Takeya: Yep. I was pretty pathetic, huh. Poor me.
Io: Shut up! You brought it on yourself!
6.7
Takeya: I told you, you’re my only one now!
Io: Not sure I believe that!
Takeya: The only women in my address book these days are you and my mom!
Io: So what?!
Takeya: Well, I guess I’ll just have to show it, then!
Io: Huh?
6.8
FX: Mmmmm
Arrow note: Drunk
Io: Wh—
They’re looking! They’re looking at us!
You can’t do that here!
Setsuna: Eeee!
Narration: The two of them have become a pair of lovebirds that make Haruki and Setsuna look pale by comparison.
Haruki: Keep on doing that forever.
Page 7
7.1
Setsuna: Why don’t we go to the beach for our summer trip?!
Setsuna: We could go to Atami! They have hot springs there!
Note: Simple tastes
7.2
Haruki: The beach… That sounds nice!
Setsuna: Right?!
I’ll wear my cutest swimsuit!
7.3
Narration: Wait… If Setsuna shows up on the beach…
FX: Gasp
Haruki: I’m back—Hey!
Text on guys: Random guy
Bottom text: Making their move
Narration: things might go in this direction!
7.4
Haruki: M-Maybe an uninhabited island…
Setsuna: That’s a pretty big jump in scale!
7.5
Narration: We got married!
All: Congratulations!
7.6
Setsuna: Heehee… I guess I’m “Setsuna Kitahara” now.
Haruki: Yeah.
You’ll have to be careful when people ask your name.
Haruki: So cute…
7.7
Setsuna: I’d better make sure I don’t say “Ogiso” when I pick up the phone…
Setsuna: …
Am I not going to get to say “Ogiso” ever again…?
7.8
Setsuna: Now I feel sad!
But calling myself “Kitahara” makes me so happy… What am I supposed to do?!
Haruki: Still dealing with those mixed feelings, I see…
Haruki: I know how much you love the Ogiso family!
Page 8
Title: How to Find Happiness
-coda-
Page 9
9.1
Koharu: You’re a working man now, senpai!
Koharu: Congratulations on getting a job!
Haruki: And you’re a college student, Koharu…
Haruki: Congratulations on getting in.
9.2
Koharu: Hm? Then, maybe I shouldn’t call you “senpai” any more?
Koharu: Though, you’re still my senior from our alma mater…
FX: Gasp
9.3
Haruki: Well, I enjoy it when you call me “senpai”…
so I’m really fine either way.
Koharu: ?!
9.4
Koharu: D-Do you always have to embarrass me like this…
Arrow note: Happy
FX: Ha ha ha ha ha
Haruki: You’re so cute.
Koharu: senpai?!
9.5
Koharu: You’re still treating me like a child…
Koharu: That does it!
9.6
Koharu: Ha—
Haruki-san!
FX: Jolt
Haruki: Yes?!
9.7
Haruki: Th-That’s what I’m calling you from now on…!
Haruki: Oh… Okay…
9.8
FX: Blush
Background text: Somehow even more embarrassing
Page 10
Kazumi: Ah, so close…
Koharu: ?!
Page 11
11.1
Kazumi: Kitahara-san, this is all your fault!
Nametag: Nakagawa
FX: Flare
11.2
Haruki: Huh? What is?
Note: *On break
11.3
Kazumi: You’re so ridiculously competent, ridiculously nice, ridiculously well-educated…
Haruki: Ridiculously…?
Haruki: Are you complimenting me or disparaging me?
11.4
Kazumi: The next thing I knew, my standards for a man were ridiculously high…
Kazumi: And now I can’t find a boyfriend!
Haruki: Yes, this is ridiculous…
Haruki: Ridiculously unreasonable!
11.5
Kazumi: I want you… to take responsibility.
FX: Swoop
Haruki: Er…
FX: B-tmp
11.6
Kazumi: I won’t say a word to Koharu-chi…
Haruki: Whaaaaa!
Is this an adult game?!
11.7
Koharu: Senpai…?
FX: Smirk
FX: Gasp
11.8
Narration: Juuust kidding!
Koharu: I should hope so!
Kazumi: All a joke!
Page 12
12.1
Koharu: What? Why did I decide to work here?
Nametag: Sugiura
Koharu: It’s close to the school…
and the hourly pay is decent.
12.2
Koharu: I did have some objections to this uniform…
Koharu: But, well…
the skirt I wore on the team was about this length…
12.3
Koharu: Does it not suit me?
Koharu: I know my figure isn’t as good as Nakagawa-san’s…
12.4
Takeya: That’s also great!
Takeya: Being small is a fine status!
Haruki: Why are you answering, Takeya?
Haruki: What are you doing here, anyway?!
12.5
Kazumi: Hey, Kitahara-san, guess what?
Koharu: Na—
Nakagawa-san!
12.6
Kazumi: A customer gave Koharu-chi a note with his number on it!
Koharu: I-I did turn him down, you know!
Koharu: I told you not to tell senpai…
12.7
Haruki: Yes, that’s the correct response. It could have caused trouble…
and it’s not good practice to accept customers’ personal information lightly. So…
Kazumi: Oh? He’s being unexpectedly calm about this.
Kazumi: Boooring…
Koharu: Y-Yes?
12.8
Haruki: Make sure you keep turning them down!
Haruki: Dammit, what kind of nobody…
Koharu: Ah…
Right!
FX: Beam
Kazumi: Still refuses to act jealous like a normal guy…
FX: Hm hm
Page 13
13.1
Mari: I feel like Kitahara’s been making light of me lately…
Mari: It’s time for me to demonstrate my dignity as an adult!
13.2
Mari: Kitahara, do you have some time after work today?
Haruki: Yes, I do…
Why?
13.3
Mari: I have a lecture to give you.
FX: Loom
Haruki: Huh?! Did I do something?!
13.4
Narration: As it turned out, what Mari-san meant by “lecture” was “sitting in a bar and complaining to her junior about his refusal to rely on her more.”
Mari: Kitahara, you take too much on yourself. You need to ask people for help more! You’re a valued employee to me! Okay?!
Haruki: As usual…
she’s simultaneously strict and caring, somehow…
13.5
Haruki: Mari-san! The 2020 Olympics are going to be held in Tokyo!
13.6
Mari: Nice! We’ll be able to put out so many special features for that! It’s gonna be busy…
Haruki: Of course, Mari-san…
As for me, I’d just like to enjoy watching the games.
13.7
Haruki: Though, X years from now… I’ll be getting up there in years.
I can hardly imagine…
FX: Gasp
13.8
Narration: These days, discussions of age seem to be taboo with Mari-san…
Haruki: I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Mari-san! You know I’ll love you no matter how old you get!
FX: Sniffle sniffle
Page 14
14.1
Chiaki: Lookie-look, Haruki!
FX: Flip
Large FX: Ta-dah
Chiaki: It’s our high school uniform!
14.2
Haruki: …
And you’re wearing it… why?
Chiaki: Huh?
Well, you like it, right?
Chiaki: Here!
C’mon!
14.3
Haruki: You—
I don’t… it’s not like I have a fetish, or anything…
Chiaki: Yeah, right. From the guy who got all hot over my Mrs. Claus outfit?
FX: Smirk smirk
Haruki: …
14.4
Haruki: I really do think that outfit is pushing it…
Haruki: You look like someone working at a themed sex club…
Haruki: You’re well over twenty by now…
Chiaki: Well, yeah!
Chiaki: Let’s do it!
Chiaki: That’s exactly why I put it on!
Narration: After this, things got crazy…
14.5
Matsuoka: Wait, Kitahara, are you leaving already?!
Matsuoka: You traitor!
Haruki: Yeah. I just sent the article in.
14.6
Haruki: I’ve got a hungry beast waiting in my apartment…
With all this overtime I’ve been doing, I haven’t been taking proper care of her…
Matsuoka: You have a pet?!
14.7
Matsuoka: Pets are dangerous, you know!
You’ll have a harder time finding a girlfriend… You might even end up single for life, like Mari-san…
Matsuoka: They take up too much of your attention!
FX: Rumble
Suzuki: Macchan! Behind you!
14.8
Haruki: Well, I guess it’s a little bit like centering my life around a pet…
Chiaki: Haruki!
Give me a taste! Ahhhh!
Thought bubble: Cheep cheep
Haruki: All right, all right…
Page 15
Title: How to Find Happiness
-closing chapter-
Page 16
Afterword:
Hello, and nice to meet you. I am Tohgo Mutsuki. Thank you for picking up this comic. I was right up against the deadline as usual, and I feel like there are a lot of imperfections, but I’m glad I was finally able to put out a White Album book. Everything is thanks to my friend, S-chan, who helped me out. Thank you!!!
So much painful stuff happens in the game that it was difficult to make a straightforward comedy, but I tried to come up with stories that would at least inspire a smile or two. I hope you enjoyed them a little.
Mari-san seemed like she would be easy to make fan work of, but I had a surprisingly hard time coming up with material, and instead I wound up with a lot from Koharu-chan’s route, which has plenty of heavy developments of its own in CC.
I did end up using an entire page for Nakagawa-san… Perhaps that was a show of my desire for a Nakagawa-san route.
I was glad to be able to draw stories about secondary characters like Io and Takeya, but I regret not managing to draw anything with Takahiro-kun. He’s such a good guy that I want to see him happy, whatever happens.
When I start talking about WA2 I tend to go on and on forever, so I’ll excuse myself here. I hope I get another chance to draw something like this.
And thank you so much for reading this far!
Tohgo Mutsuki June 2015
Page 17
Title: How to Find Happiness
Publishing info: Date published: June 21st, 2015
Publisher: Tohgo Mutsuki/White On Black
Contact: tohgo_mutsuki@yahoo.co.jp
Printing: POPLS
Page 18
Circle: White On Black
Title: White Album 2 Fan Book