Int. Halls- S.T. Academy - Day - 10:47 am
Jason and Masanori walk through the halls of the academy, looking for their classrooms.
Masanori checks his confirmation letter. „I need to find room 1-A. Where do y-“
Euphoria takes over Jason. „OH MY GOD, WE’RE IN THE SAME COURSE!“
Masanori flinches at Jason’s outburst. He looks at him for a few seconds, shakes his head and continues walking.
Jason ponders „I hope we’ll have some pretty girls in our course.“
Masanori can’t help but laugh.
He spots the red haired boy in the halls, recognizing his face.
Masanori
Hey, what’s up? Can you maybe help m-
Jason is shocked. „What did you do?! You just challenged him to a duel!“
Everyone else in the halls is quiet. A few whispers can be heard. „Oh, a Small Talk Fight is about to take place.“ „That’s not even allowed!“
The boy turns around, slowly.
Katsu
I´m Katsu. Did you watch the baseball match last night?
The crowd cheers. „WHAT AN OPENER!“ „HOW IS HE GOING TO RESPOND?!“
Masanori smirks.
Masanori
No, I missed it. But what do you think about basketball in general?
Crowd goes crazy. „WHAT AN EASY COMEBACK!“
Katsu gets into a serious fighting stance.
Katsu
So how did you spend your free time yesterday then?
The crowd cheers again. Jason is surprised, „How’d he dodge that question without taking any damage?“
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Masanori is surprised, causing him to let his guard down.
Masanori
I was watching funny animal videos on the Internet.
Masanori is shocked at his own responsone, telling himself „Shit, that’s not what I wanted to say. I have to save my response somehow.“
Masanori
What’s your favorite animal?
The crowd cheers again. „HE’S GOT IT!“ „SAVED AT THE LAST SECOND!“
Katsu is hit by Masanori’s question and tumbles backwards, but gets back up on his feet quickly.
Katsu
I like Hippos. What about you?
Masanori drops down to his knees, „Shit, he caught me off guard.“
Masanori
I really like cats.
They are interrupted before Masanori can ask another question.
A 1.63m tall girl with long blonde hair and brown eyes, very reminiscent of an idol, storms in from the side and interrupts the exchange of words. “Have you read the school rules yet? I can’t believe that unauthorized fights are punished with a reprimand. What a disgrace.”
Girl
Did your parents raise you so badly that you can’t hold back?
Masanori and Katsu are both knocked off their feet, looking at Haruki with a fearful gaze. „How did she manage to knock both of out so quickly?“
Katsu gets up first, walking away without saying another word.
Masanori gets back up as well now.
The girl giggles, „And that’s how you win a fight!“ She exits with a huge smile on her face.
Masanori turns to Jason, „Who was that?“
Jason seems lost in his thoughts. „I dunno, but I think I’m in love.“
Masanori checks the time, 10:58am. „Damn it Jason, we’re going to be late to class!“
Jason is ripped out of his daydream. He looks at the clock on the wall.
Two seconds of silence.
Masanori and Jason start running. In sync, they yell „TWO MINUTES!“
Int. Classroom 1-A - S.T. Academy - later that day
Masanori and Jason sit in the last row of the room. Masanori is sitiing next to the window, Jason is to his right.
Masanori looks out of the window.
Jason is daydreaming again. „Huh, I wonder what that beauty’s name is. You think I should ask her on a date?“
Masanori ignores him.
Jason’s face hardens, although he seems surprised regardless. „You still in a bad mood cause you lost earlier?“
Masanori shrugs and looks away. He grumbles „That was pure luck. She’s not going to beat me ever again.“
A nasty grin spreads over Jason’s face.“Eh, I get why that bothers you so much.“
Masanori perks up.
Jason continues, „I’d be pissed too if I lost like that.“
Masanori tries to ignore Jason, staring out of the window angrily.
Jason realizes he’s pushing his buttons. „Especially how quickly you lost.“
Masanori’s eye twitches. He tries to ignore it with all his power.
Silence.
Jason waits another few seconds.
In a teasing voice, he slowly spells out „E-m-b-a-r-r-a-s-s-i-n-g.“
Masanori doesn’t react. Not yet.
Jasn starts to laugh. Right in this second, Masanori hits him over the head.
A single tear makes its way down Jason’s face, a bump growing on his head.
Jason tries to calm Masanori down, „Oh c’mon, Mori. You’re doing too much, it wasn’t even a real fight. What do you wanna do about it?“
Masanori goes back to looking out of the window and doesn’t respond.
The bell rings.
Jason gets up and looks at Masanori. „Wanna have lunch together?“ he asks in a soft voice.
Masanori stays still for a few seconds, until he suddenly seems struck by an idea. „You can go, I’ve got something else I need to do first.“