Int. Halls - S.T. Academy - day
Masanori is roaming the halls. „She has got to be here somewhere!“
He spots an elite looking student. „I bet he knows where I can find her.“
Masanori hits him up. „Hey, do you know where I can find this girl?“
The halls suddenly fall silent. Every student is looking at them now.
The student reacts hesitantly. “Are you talking about Haruki? What do you want from her?”
Masanori laughs sheepishly “I think? I don’t know her name, but I have something private to clarify with her”
The student´s eye twitches and he quickly assumes a serious fighting stance.
Student
Unfortunately I haven’t seen her, is there a specific reason why you are looking for her?
Masanori smiles. „That wasn’t the plan, but I’ll take the practice.“
Masanori
I was just asking. Why so curious?
Student
I just like helping people. You into her?
The crowd murmurs. „This is intense.“ „They’re so careful!“
Masanori
No, I don’t chase after women. What about you?
Student
Weird. How come you’re not into Haruki?
Masanori seizes his chance.
Masanori
Why are you so shocked? Do you have a crush on her yourself?
The student gets nervous.
Student
What, no! I just admire her. She’s powerful.
There’s a victorious smile on Masanori’s face.
Masanori
And that admiration turned into a crush?
Student
No, that’s not true!
Masanori
In that case I’m sure you don’t care about the latest news about her.
Jason joins in and laughs “Masanori pushes him into the corner, he has to get out of there quickly or it’s over”.
Student
Huh, no! What news?
Masanori
So you do care?
Student
Obviously I don’t!
Masanori
Welp, if you don’t care, then I won’t tell you who she has a crush on.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
The student hesitates. Everyone is quiet.
Student
Who- who does she have a crush on?
Masanori
No clue. But I just won this fight.
The student drops to his knees defeatedly.
The crowd cheers, „WHAT A WIN!“ „HE DESTROYED HIS DEFENSE WITH A BLUFF!“ „NOW WE ALL KNOW HE LIKES HARUKI!“
The student looks at Masanori. „Please don’t tell anyone about my secret. I’ve got no chance with her anyway, and I don’t want her to ignore me even more.“
Masanori smiles and holds out his hand to help the student back to his feet. „No worries, your secret’s safe with me. But now I need info on Haruki.“
Jason joins them. „Well done Mori!“ and give´s Masanori a pat on the back.
Tears of happiness drip down the student’s face. „Really? Thank you, thank you so much. My name is Ginto Masamune. I’m part of the Haruki-Fan-Club. But I only have a Medium-Level-Lover rank, which is super low, so I’m not allowed to talk to Haruki.“
Masanori and Jason stare at him in disbelief. „Excuse me?“
Ginto continues „The Haruki-Fan-Club meets up every day. Sometimes Madame Haruki passes us, and then we are allowed to look at her.“
Masanori can’t believe the things he’s being told. „R-right. So, you meet up in the schoolyard?“
Ginto beams, „Yes! AND SOMETIMES SHE EVEN GLANCES INTO OUR DIRECTION!“
Masanori laughs nervously, „Alright, uhm. Thanks; I guess?“ He turns around and walks away. „The hell is wrong with that guy?“
Jason runs after Masanori “This fan club sounds inte-”.
Masanori interrupts him. “No Jason, you’re not joining.”
Ext. Campus - S.T. Academy - day
Masanori and Jason are on campus, scanning their surroundings. Once Masanori spots a cluster of people, he realizes Haruki is in the middle of them.
Confidently, he walks towards her. „Hey, you! The only reason you won that fight today was because I wasn’t paying attention!“
However, he is immediately pulled aside. A student wearing a jukata and a headband with the words “Haruki Fan Club” on it says to him in a whisper. “How dare you talk to our revered Haruki like that! She would always beat you… And besides, it’s unfair! Only our 2 strongest members have the right to talk to her!”
Another fan club member intervenes „Exactly! Who do you think you are? I put in so much work so Haruki even LOOKS at me. YOU HEATHEN ARE RUINING OUR RITUALS!“
This catches Haruki’s attention. She looks at Masanori and laughs, her voice a playful tone. „Do you want to drive your loss home?“
Masanori’s eyes light up with energy. „The only one losing will be you!“
The two fan club members fall to the floor, broken. “O-o-o-our Haruki addresses this disbeliever and we just get ignored.”
The crowd around them grows bigger. Whispers can be heard. „He wants to challenge HER?“ „What? Doesn´t he know who she is?“
Fan Club member 1 jumps in again. “YOU go away and leave Haruki-senpai alone! I Aru Aruru will protect Haruki-Senpai with my life!”.
Fan Club member 2 also jumps in “I Buru Bururu support him!”.
In unison they say “We are at the bottom of the food chain and therefore low-level lovers, but that doesn’t stop us from pursuing our dream!”
Jason takes them both to one side. “Guys, I know what you’re going through.”
Both immediately start crying on Jason´s shoulder.
Masanori turns to Haruki again: “Tell me the time and place and I’ll fight you!”
The excitement in the crowd intensifies “Omg, Haruki is really going to have a fight!” “What, I’m finally going to experience this live!”.
Suddenly hundreds of students have gathered around them to watch.
Masanori strikes a fighting pose with as confident smile- „This will be my second win today.“
Haruki’s fighting stance is elegant, resembling an ice skater. „I don’t know if you’re brave or stupid, but I can’t wait to find out.“
Before the fight can start, the principal interrupts them. „I cannot allow happenings like this outside of official venues, let alone without permission!“
Masanori is disappointed. „Huh? But I was just about to show her that I’m stronger than her!“
He is ignored.
Haruki immediately follows the principal’s orders. „Yes, Mr. Principal.“ She turns to Masanori with a giggle, „How sad! It just started to get interesting.“
Masanori points his fist at her. „I will beat you! I swear on my mother!“
Haruki laughs. „I’m Haruki, by he way.“
Masanori’s eyes are bright with fighting spirit. „I’m Masanori. You better remember my name.“
Haruki laughs again, „You’ve got to earn me remembering your name.“ and then walks away.
Aru and Buru abruptly stop crying on Jason’s shoulder. They turn to the fan club and say, “Boys off you go!”
The fan club in unison “YESSIR!”