After a week of not so significant events
18/7/2018 9:41am
[INT. CLASSROOM – HOMEROOM – MORNING]
The homeroom buzzed with typical morning chatter, only to be
silenced when the teacher clapped for attention.
Teacher:
"Class, the midterm exams are two weeks away. As a special
incentive…
the class with the highest average gets to choose the school trip
location."
A wave of excitement spread. But the next line dropped like a brick.
Teacher: "…and the class with the lowest average won't be going at
all."
Mizune (to herself):"Mid-term… is that like a checkpoint in a game?"
Akari (whispers, wide-eyed):
"Okay, that's war."
Akari Shinohara's hand slammed the desk dramatically.
Akari (annoyed):
"No way we're losing. I already have a Pinterest board for
Okinawa!"
Cut to: Akari's eyes scanning the class like a general surveying the
battlefield.
Akari slides next to Mizune, arms folded, lips tight.
Akari:
"Yukinoshita-san… how good are you at studying?"
Mizune (deadpan):
"I sit still and listen. Sometimes I read… when the letters aren't
fuzzy."
Akari:
"…Wait. What were your scores last year?"
Mizune:
"I've been told they were perfect. I think it's because Father said he
paid for a premium school plan."
Akari(mouth agape): "…You WHAT?! Oh we're doomed."|
Akari:
"We need a group study. You're in. Non-negotiable."
Mizune:
"I don't know what that means."
Akari (groans):
"It means you, me, notebooks ,flip flip, pass -got it?
Mizune (confused):
"Is it like an ancient ritual where knowledge is exchanged around a
fire?"
Akari (mutters):
"…sometimes I just can't tell if she's dumb or a philosopher."
Yukinoshita
(turns to hinata):
"You- join the ritual"
Hinata:
"no thanks , I'm kinda busy—"
Akari (suspicious):
"What's your last year's grades?"
Hinata(silent):
" 98"
Akari:
"Oh 98% is really good so no need--"
Hinata:
"its not percentage ....."
Akari (gasps heavily):
"You're coming. No excuses. you dont want to know the things
that will happen if you don't be there."
Hinata (gulping):
"…I'll come."
Suddenly, Ai Hayasaka appeared from nowhere, sipping bubble tea.
Hayasaka:
"If we're collecting people… I'd like to join too."
Akari: "You any good?"
Hayasaka (smiles politely): "I'm not failing."
Akari: "Welcome aboard."
Now while they have almost gathered all the possible
failure candidates….. or so they thought till now,
everybody's mind was struck by a single person,
Hinata:
"...Souta."
Hayasaka:
"Souta."
Mizune:
"Who is Souta?"
Akari (rubs her temples):
"Souta it is."
"I got a plan Don't worry "
Akari moves towards souta and asks him,
Akari:
"Hey souta, you wanna go on a date with me today after school"
Poor souta without realizing the trap gets too excited that his
monthly shrine visit gifted him a girlfriend
Souta (excitedly):
"God actually exists I always believed it ,SURE"
Hinata (gasps):
"i already regret this acquaintance damn"
Akari:
"Its done guys souta will be there"
Hinata:
"Can I bring someone too?"Akari:
"Who?"
Hinata:
"Haruki."
Akari (firmly):
"Oh the smarty pants… sure . Guys We're meeting after school.
Where?"
Hinata:
"Library?"
Hayasaka:
"Someone's house?"
Yukinoshita:
"The football stadium."
Akari:
" I will pretend I never heard that"
"wait what about a cafe? Okay, it's the café."
Hinata and Hayasaka (deadpan):
"Why even ask us…"
Akari:
'I will share the location later meet up there after school asap
everyone we are doing thisss'
hinata(grunts):
"where does she even get this much energy man"
Mizune:
"is it something you can buy?"
hinata:
"I can only wish for that to be true"
18/7/2018 5:37pm
The school bell rings and everyone soon enough gather at the cafe
like planned for the group study,
Cozy, slightly trendy café near the school. Big windows. The team
gathers around a large table near the corner. Notebooks, drinks,
and tension are all on the table.
Akari (clapping her hands):
"Alright. Let's begin. Operation: Crush Other Classes Like Bugs is
now in session."
Souta (already sipping a milkshake):
"Wait… this isn't a date?"
Akari:
"Shut it and open your textbook, parasite."
Souta (grunts):
"im considering to switch to atheism?"
Everyone is gathered, drinks on the table, notes out. Mizune is
holding a textbook upside down.
Mizune (seriously):
"I see. These diagrams are designed to test my perspective skills."
Hinata:
"…It's upside down."
Mizune:
"...So it is. Fascinating."
Akari:
"Oh Lord This is going to be a loooong evening "
6:17pm
Hayasaka leans over to Yukinoshita, showing her how to highlight.
Hayasaka:
"You mark important stuff like this."
Yukinoshita (writes instead):
"Marked by Hayasaka. Unknown purpose. Possibly territorial."
6:32pm
Mizune:
"What does 'acronym' mean again?"
Haruki:
"Shortened word."
Mizune:
"So 'FBI' isn't a name?"
Akari (half-laughing, half-concerned):
"Oh my god."
They all chuckle, the group atmosphere warm — despite the chaos.7:42pm
Mizune questions Haruki being the smartest of them all , flipping
through a math textbook like it was an ancient manuscript.
Mizune (pointing to a diagram):
"Is this a trap? Why does x chase y?"
Haruki (chuckling):
"They're variables. Just ignore the drama."
Mizune (nodding):
"Understood. I shall eliminate x emotionally."
Akari (watching, prays):
" She's trying, god bless her ice-cold heart and make her pass this
test ."
8:21pm
Yukinoshita suddenly turns to Hinata, holding up her phone:
Yukinoshita:
"You forgot to add me to the app where people watch each other."
Hinata:
"…You mean Instagram?"
Yukinoshita:
"Yes. I wish to complete the ritual of digital companionship."
After adding , the other just offerd them as sacrifice for the ice age
princess's follower count from 1 to 69:01pm
Hayasaka:
"It's getting late. We should head out."
Everyone starts packing up. Souta grabs the leftover fries like
treasure.
As they all leave, Akari walks next to Hinata.
Akari (playful):
"Hey, Hinata. It's dark out. You should walk Yuki home."
Hinata (blinks):
"Wait, why me?"
Akari (grinning):
"Because if anything happens to her… you'll be next."
Hinata (gulps):
"I… see."
Akari:
"Byeeeee guys don't u dare fail tomorrow"
Ai hayasaka( cheerfully):
"Good luck everybody"
Only hinata and mizune are standing outside the cafe after haruki
left with a single wave of his hand
Hinata:
"Umm yukinoshita-san which side should we go?"
Mizune:
"Thats a great question"
Hinata (realises with one hand in his face):
"Let me guess you don't know where your own house is?"
Mizune:
" I would say I have not yet unlocked the route way"
"No worries let me make a call"
She stepped aside and dialed her phone. A sleek black car rolled up
moments later.
Hinata (blinks):
"...Huh?"
"Less tiring than walking. Now you can fulfill your escort duty
efficiently."
She opens the door, then pauses.
Yukinoshita:
"Get in. You are accompanying me, correct?"
Hinata hesitates but climbs in.
They sit together in the backseat.
Hinata:
"This feels illegal somehow."
Yukinoshita:
"It's legal if the car is mine."
Hinata:
"You're full of surprises, huh…"
Mizune:
"Only partially. Most of me is confusion."
Hinata (smiles faintly):
"Yeah. I can tell."
Yukinoshita (suddenly):
"Do you always hesitate before answering a simple question?"
Hinata (avoiding eye contact):
"Only when I'm suspicious of something."
Yukinoshita:
"Hmm. Suspicious. Like… reading someone's private journal?"
Hinata (chokes):
"...Wha—What?"
Yukinoshita (blinking slowly):
"You looked nervous earlier. My bag had been rearranged.
Suspicious signs.You data thief did it again didn't you?"
Hinata (defensive):
"I—I just found it on the floor last time, and it was open and I
didn't mean to—okay, I read a little bit. But not because I wanted
to-- I swear"
"Also Im not so destroyed in character to go through a girl's bag"
Yukinoshita:
"Good counter , The court is adjourned. Hinata declared innocent.
"Hinata: (laughing):
"Thank you for understanding my honour"
They arrive at her home. She steps out, then turns back.
Yukinoshita:
"You completed your mission of walking me home. Reward: survival
from akari."
Hinata:
"Sure"
Hinata (mumbling):
" I don't get paid enough for this."
she walks away, the driver steps out again.
Driver:
"You forgot something, sir."
Hinata:
"Eh?"
The driver grabs him and politely tosses him into the back seat.
Driver:
"Miss Yukinoshita requested we drop you home. Also—thank you
for being her friend."
Hinata (muffled):
"…This is kidnapping with extra steps."
Yuki walks into her massive modern home. She takes off her shoes.
Ai Hayasaka, now in a maid uniform, appears with a gentle smile.Hayasaka:
"Welcome home, Mizune-sama. Would you like tea, or an
explanation for this ridiculous day?"
Yukinoshita:
"…Both."
Mizune sighed, dropping her bag.
Mizune:
"Another day of strange rituals complete."
She looked at her journal. Scribbled one last line for the day:
18/7/2018
"Friendship requires research. So far, it involves snacks,
sarcasm, and strange emotional side effects.