script-a1-tuesday

label en_A5:

scene bg school_dormhisao
with openeye

play music music_dreamy fadein 0.3

"I wake up in a strange room."

"Solid morning light shimmers against the light grey ceiling. I had forgotten to draw the curtains closed last night."

"I?"

"This is my room, isn't it?"

"My room…"

"This is the third room this year that I'm supposed to call “mine.”"

"Various things around here remind me that indeed, it's me who is supposed to be the one living here."

"My bags on the floor, my new school books on the desk."

"My numerous medications on the night table."

"I stare at the bottles for a moment, deliberating, until I open a bottle, shake out a pill and pop out a tablet from a foil sheet."

"I down them with a chaser of water without thinking about the chemistry."

"My uniforms are in the closet."

"I slink out from under the sheets and stretch my back before dressing up."

"Putting on a new school uniform feels like dressing in someone else's clothes."

"The artificial smell of generic detergent invades my nose, but the feeling of fresh cloth against my back is a good one, a natural one."

"It feels like a school uniform, as it should. It's not much different from what I used to wear before."

"That goes for other things too. So far, this place seems more or less like a normal school."

"Except for the people."

"I think back to my talk with Kenji yesterday, Misha's constant laughter, and Shizune's sweeping sign language gestures."

"Well, I've only met three students so far. Maybe they aren't that normal, but I'm sure others are."

"Or, perhaps, people like them are what passes for normal around here?"

"Yeah, what does pass for normal around here? What do people do?"

"I didn't see a lot of kids hanging around after classes yesterday, so maybe there are clubs. If so, I wonder if I should join one."

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg school_scienceroom at bgleft
with shorttimeskip

"All through class, the question remains on my mind, so I decide to ask Shizune about it when we split into groups."

"After all, she did say if I had anything I wanted to know, I should ask her."

show shizu behind_blank
with charaenter

shi "…"

show shizu basic_normal
with charachange

shi "…"

show shizu cross_wut
with charachange

"She crosses her arms and shifts her gaze slowly to Misha, who looks more preoccupied with trying to grind the eraser of her pencil down so that the top is perfect and evenly flat."

show shizu cross_angry
with charachange

shi "…"

show shizu cross_angry at tworight
show bg school_scienceroom
with charamove

play music music_happiness fadein 0.3

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charaenter

mi "Ahaha~! Sorry, sorry, Shicchan~! Is there something you wanted from me?"

show shizu basic_angry at tworight
with charachange

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Oh~… I see! Hm… That's a good question, Hicchan."

"My first thought is that means she doesn't know, which is worrying. Maybe I'm being too negative. Well, anyway, Misha, please don't prove me right."

show shizu basic_normal2 at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha sign_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Oh, that's right! Everyone is encouraged to join a club. A lot of people do so because there isn't really anything else to do."

mi "There are also school events, like the festival coming up in a few days. Almost every student in the school tends to help out with it, doing whatever."

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "So~! You actually transferred in at a busy time… maybe you can help out, too~!"

hi "Sure."

hi "What's the festival about?"

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

"Misha freezes."

show misha hips_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "…Wahahaha~! I don't know, Hicchan, the truth is it's a local event, and I'm not from this area, so…"

show misha sign_confused at twoleft
with charachange

show shizu behind_blank at tworight
with charachange

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

show shizu adjust_smug at tworight
with charachange

"She starts signing desperately to Shizune, asking her to bail her out. Shizune adjusts her glasses at the end of an oddly grandiose flourish and starts signing hard and heavy."

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha sign_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Huh? Oh."

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Who cares?"

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

"Misha puffs out her chest as she shouts Shizune's words out at me with a disproportionate amount of pride."

"Too loud. I can see heads turning to look in our direction."

hi "Not so loud…"

show shizu basic_normal at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_frown at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Human beings evolve with each new generation! The ideals and beliefs behind a festival will inevitably change with time!"

show shizu behind_frown at tworight
with charachange

shi "…!"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Now, it's about delicious fried food and amusing little games that you play to win prizes~! Hahahaha~!"

"The teacher clears his throat very loudly, batting his long wooden pointer against his other palm like a baton. He shoots a pointed gaze at us."

show misha sign_sad at twoleft
with charachange

"Finally noticing where we are, Misha stifles a yelp and quickly quiets down. Shizune doesn't seem embarassed at all, though, brushing it off without a care."

show shizu basic_angry at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "We are in the middle of class, and should start working."

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "That's right, Shicchan~!"

show shizu basic_sparkle at tworight
show misha sign_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "What? That's right~! Hicchan, are you asking because you're interested in joining a club?"

show shizu behind_blank at tworight
show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

"It could have been my eyes playing tricks on me, but I think I saw a suspicious glance exchanged between them. Misha's tone has also changed, although it does that every other word, anyway."

hi "Yeah, I was thinking about it."

"Misha and Shizune look at each other again."

"I'm about to ask what they have in mind when something dark flutters in my peripheral vision, catching my attention."

"Out of the corner of my eye, I see the girl with long, dark hair get up from her desk and slip silently towards the door."

"It doesn't seem like she was working in any group, and no one seems to notice her but me."

"I glance at the teacher, who's also looking at the dark-haired girl go."

"Why doesn't he say anything?"

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hicchan? Is something wrong?"

"Do I look as uneasy as I feel?"

"Or was Misha just looking at me looking after the girl who left?"

hi "No, nothing."

show shizu basic_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Okay~! Well, like we were asking, you don't have any plans for lunch today, do you?"

"“I thought I would go to the library and pick up some books.”"

hi "…Not really."

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Do you want to have lunch together then?"

hi "Sure."

show shizu behind_smile at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha cross_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Yay~! Wahahaha~! Okay, Hicchan~! Perfect!"

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg school_scienceroom
with shorttimeskip

"The rest of class passes uneventfully. The girl with the long hair never came back."

"Before I have the time to put any more thought into where she could have gone, the teacher informs us that it's time to stop working."

play music music_shizune fadein 0.3

show shizu basic_frown
with charaenter

"Shizune looks more than a little annoyed that we only just barely managed to finish all our work on time. I'm just glad we finished it at all; it's not a contest or anything."

show shizu behind_frown
with charachange

shi "…"

show shizu behind_frown at tworight
show bg school_scienceroom at bgright
with charamove

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charaenter

mi "Yes it is, Hicchan!"
#But he didn't say anything about it being a contest aloud. It's not implied that he did so, either. ----K.

hi "Impossible."

mi "Really?"

hi "Really."

"I've noticed this before, but it's kind of funny how Misha is always moving her hands and signing not only everything she says, but what anyone else is saying at any given time."

"Obviously, it must be so Shizune can understand it. Her eyes dart back and forth between Misha's hands and me."

"I don't know who I'm supposed to be looking at. I'm talking to Misha, but that might be wrong; maybe I should face Shizune. I'm used to looking in the direction of the person whose voice I'm hearing, but really…"

"Shizune can't hear me, but it would be disrespectful to talk to her only through Misha. Then again, isn't that what she's doing? No, she's at least looking at me. This is all very confusing and will take some time to get used to."
#The block above needs some fiddling-with when I'm not tired. ---Kagami

hi "It's not a contest, because contests are competitions over a prize. If there's no prize on the line, it's not really a contest."

show shizu basic_happy at tworight
with charachange

"Shizune's eyes flash dangerously with a competitive glare. She stares at me, as if surprised that I'm challenging her. I think maybe this is a contest to her."

"I never noticed before how dark and blue her eyes are; it's truly an alluring gaze."

shi "…"

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Are you sure, Hicchan?"

hi "Very sure."

show shizu behind_smile at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hahaha! You're wrong, Hicchan. Because~!, I don't want to be the slowest one in the class. Therefore, what's on the line is my confidence in my abilities, and the prize is the satisfaction of proving them."

show misha hips_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Wahahahaha~!"

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

"Shizune pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose in a very matter-of-fact way."

play sound sfx_normalbell

hide shizu
with charaexit
hide misha
with charaexit

"I'd argue more, but the bell rings, and she quickly gets up and picks up her bag, looking at me expectantly."

scene bg school_hallway3
with locationchange

"I had almost forgotten that I was supposed to have lunch with them."

show misha hips_smile at offscreenleft
show shizu behind_smile at offscreenright
with None

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
show shizu behind_smile at tworight
with ease

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Where do you want to eat?"

hi "The cafeteria?"

show misha hips_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hahaha~! That's so plain… Okay~! Let's go!"

"Plain? Well I guess…"

"At my old school, I liked to eat outside, near the back of the building. It was a good spot, but I didn't find it until near the end of my freshman year."

"I wonder if there is a similar place to eat here. Misha seems to imply as much."

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg school_cafeteria
with locationskip

play music music_normal fadein 0.3

"Shizune and Misha pull me towards the cafeteria, which is surprisingly not packed. Maybe some students favor eating in classroom or outdoors. I saw some of my classmates had boxed lunches."

"After we finish eating, Misha picks up where we left off earlier."

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
show shizu behind_smile at tworight
with charaenter

mi "So, Hicchan, you wanted to know about clubs and stuff, right?, right~?"

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "Right, Shicchan! Okay, I guess it makes sense to ask first."

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

"Exchanging little nods of confirmation, they turn to face me again and Misha straightens her posture as if she is about to deliver a speech."

mi "Hicchan, do you have anything you're really interested in?"

hi "I used to play soccer, but I'm not really into it. I don't follow the teams and players or anything like that."

hi "As of late, I usually just read a lot."

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hm… There is a book club, right, Shicchan? Right! But~! It seems like they have all the members they can possibly have right now. Sorry, Hicchan… It's a really popular club."

show shizu basic_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "Ah, okay! But, more to the point, Hicchan, does this mean that you don't have anything already in mind?"

hi "Not really."

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha cross_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Good! Great~! That's great, Hicchan! Really great! Hahaha~! Wahahahaha~!"

hi "Why's it so great?"

show misha cross_grin at twoleft
show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

mi "No reason."

mi "Well, Hicchan, other than clubs and the upcoming festival, there is one other thing…"

show misha hips_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Student council!"

"I see. I didn't know this school had a student council. That was a very melodramatic setup, though, just to tell me that."

show shizu adjust_blush at tworight
with charachange

"I'm pretty sure the two of them know this, because Shizune looks a little embarrassed about it, and Misha is laughing."

"Shizune quickly retakes control of the discussion, in a manner of speaking. After all, it's still Misha who has to voice whatever she says."

show shizu behind_smile at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha cross_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hahaha~! Hm? Right, right… Hicchan, maybe you should join the student council! They could use more people~. Yes! Definitely! You should definitely join!"

hi "Why?"

show misha cross_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Well, for one, we could hang out every day, Hicchan~! Shicchan and I are both in the student council."

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Actually, Shicchan is the president."

"Hm…"

"I'm starting to get the suspicion that Shizune and Misha might not exactly be the most unbiased people to talk about this with."

"As if reading my mind, Shizune quickly adjusts her glasses and signs something to Misha."

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hahaha~! Of course, we're not trying to get you to join just because we would obviously benefit from you joining the student council and therefore have an incentive to try and get you to—"

hi "So, you're admitting that—"

show shizu behind_blank at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Ahaha~! No! We admit nothing~! I mean, Hicchan, of course it would be nice if you joined, and we'd appreciate it."

mi "But even without all that, joining the student council shows a healthy interest in the workings of one's school."

mi "Yup~! It's true, Hicchan. Besides, don't you want to spend time with us after school, Hicchan?"
#DOUBLE HICCHAN
#Seriously, though. Is that too much, or is this chalked up to Misha being Misha?

"I can't tell if she is being genuine or if this is just really good acting. Both of them seem to be trying hard to look their cutest, although they are already pretty cute to begin with."

hi "Well…"

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "So it's settled, then. Welcome to the student council, Hicchan~!"

hi "What? No. No!"

show misha perky_sad at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Awww… See, Shicchan? Of course it wouldn't go so easily."

show shizu adjust_smug at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Yup! That's right, though, it would be boring if it went that smoothly. Oh well~! Shicchan owes me candy now!"

hi "You were betting on it? Hey, my life is not a game here!"

show shizu basic_happy at tworight
with charachange

"Shizune seems very intrigued by this when Misha signs it to her. The aggressive glint returns to her eyes."

shi "…"

show misha cross_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Wahaha~! That's interesting, Hicchan. Let's play a game!"

hi "That's not what I said."

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "How about Rich Man, Poor Man, Hicchan? If you lose, you have to join the student council~!"

hi "No, absolutely not."

show misha perky_sad at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Aw~, why not?"

hi "Well, because you two both have the same incentive, and therefore the same goal, which is to get me to join the student council, right?"

show shizu adjust_smug at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Yup!"

hi "Yeah, that isn't my goal. But what this means is that both of you can team up and I'll be at a clear disadvantage. So, I will have to decline."

show shizu basic_angry at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_frown at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hicchan! I'm very offended! Are you saying you don't trust us, and that we would pull something so d—dis—in—gen—u—ous…? That makes me sad…"

hi "Sorry?"

"It's hard to tell where Shizune's influence ends and Misha's thoughts begin."

show shizu behind_frown at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "In order to atone for hurting a young girl's feelings, you should definitely join the student council!"

hi "No!"

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "How about a game of paper football, instead of Rich Man, Poor Man?"

hi "Paper football?"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Yeah~! It's a game they play in America~! You make a paper triangle, and then you try to shoot it past goalposts that the other player makes with their fingers!"

mi "Isn't it cool~? It's the ultimate form of competition between two people, Hicchan~!"

show shizu basic_normal at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "…And it's also played by elementary and middle school children, Shicchan? Wahaha! That means it's a game that really separates the boys from the men!"

hi "More like the boys from the slightly older boys. Anyway, I'm not going to play that either. Just the fact that you know about it means you're probably surprisingly good at it."

show misha cross_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hahaha~! Yeah yeah~, that's true! How did you know, Hicchan?"

show shizu behind_frown at tworight
show misha cross_grin at twoleft
with charachange

"Shizune frowns at Misha, telling me that she probably wasn't supposed to admit that so readily."

"I wouldn't say that I'm happy with their attempts to get me into the student council, but I'm a little curious about what the student council does here."

"I've never been on one before, or even known anybody who was a member, so it interests me. I also kind of like Shizune and Misha, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad."

show shizu behind_blank at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha sign_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Okay, Hicchan, how about Risk? The game of world domination!"

hi "I don't know what that is."

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "It's really fun, Hicchan. You fight for control of the world, with armies and everything."

"Sounds like Shizune would be good at it."

mi "If you want to play, we can after school."

show shizu basic_normal at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "Ah, really, Shicchan? We can play just for fun, Hicchan. Shicchan hasn't played in a long time, so if you want to, there are no strings attached~!"

hi "Well, okay…"

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Okay! Okay, okay~! Perfect~! We'll see you after school in the student council room, then, Hicchan!"

hi "Wait, why there?"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Because~! That's where we keep the game."

show misha cross_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Wahahahaha~!"

"I grimace to tell them how much I do not like this, but it's more for show than anything."

"So in the end I agree, but only after getting Shizune to acknowledge that I don't mean anything concrete just by accepting to take a look around and play a game with her."

"Lunch ends, and we go back to class."

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg school_scienceroom
show hanako def_worry at right
with locationskip

show hanako def_worry at offscreenright
with charamove

hide hanako
with None

"During afternoon classes, the long haired girl comes back and sits down in her seat without a word."

"Again, no one seems to notice, or if they do, no one says anything. I want to ask Misha about it, but I don't want to be nosy."



#***************

label en_A6:

scene bg school_lobby
show shizu behind_smile at tworight
show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with shorttimeskip

play music music_normal fadein 0.3

"After school, Shizune and Misha quickly find me by the first floor lobby and latch onto me, covering each flank in case I might try to escape."

"I feel a little offended, but I'd been considering it. Nevertheless, I'm a bit disturbed that enough people have made a break for it in the past that they're on their guard."

hi "What's with the escort? This doesn't make me feel very comfortable."

"In fact, it makes me feel like a dangerous prisoner being transported to his cell."

show misha cross_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Wahahaha! What's wrong, Hicchan?"

show shizu adjust_smug at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha cross_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "That's right, we're just going to go play a game of Risk, remember?"

"I don't know, Misha, this all seems a little sinister to me. I start thinking that when we sit down to play the game, they'll tie me down and torture me until I agree to join the student council."

"Well, that's highly unlikely, but still… For some reason, it just seems like it would be so plausible…"

scene bg school_hallway3
with locationchange

"Getting to the student council room is as simple as turning two corners from where we started."

hi "What? That's it? This makes you guys being so on top of me seem a little silly."

show shizu basic_normal2 at tworight
show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charaenter

shi "…"

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "That's not true, Hicchan, Shicchan says that when their life is threatened, people have shown the capability to pull off superhuman bursts of speed."

hi "“Life is threatened”?"

show shizu behind_smile at tworight
with charaenter

"Her expression unchanging, Misha signs something amusedly to Shizune, who makes a baffling face and puts her hands behind her back, looking pleased with herself."

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Mm~ hm hm hm~…"

"Misha feigns deafness and hums cheerily. Stop that, I know you heard me; you have no excuse, unlike Shizune."

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg school_council
with locationchange

play music music_shizune fadein 0.3

"Shizune opens the door to the student council room. It's a very plain, sparsely decorated room, although it is quite large, maybe even a little larger than a classroom."

"There's a big table in the center surrounded by chairs, and a smaller desk prominently placed in the back that I assume is Shizune's. There are a few regular desks and chairs stacked to one side, as well. Extras, perhaps?"

"Aside from the tables and chairs, the room doesn't have much else to offer. Just a couple of filing cabinets and bookshelves stacked with old school records and documents. Not much else. In fact, nothing else."

"This is… a pretty bleak room. They could at least put a potted plant in here, or something. But the most noticeable thing that this room doesn't have is other people."

hi "Are we early?"

show shizu behind_blank at tworight
show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charaenter

shi "…"

mi "No~."

hi "What do you mean “no”? Does it mean nobody else is coming today?"

shi "…"

mi "Yeah, that's right~."

"Before I manage to ask why that's the case, Shizune claps her hands together very energetically."

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hicchan, let's play Risk! Come on, you promised, didn't you? You have to~!"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hahaha~! Okay okay okay~! Do you want to know the rules? We can explain to you while we set everything up!"

hide shizu
with charaexit

"While Misha is talking, Shizune takes out what looks like a board game from behind one of the filing cabinets and throws it on the table."

"Actually, this looks kind of interesting."

show shizu basic_frown at tworight
with charachange

"After Misha spends a little too long for her liking running through the basics with a somewhat vague and confusing tutorial, Shizune cuts in and declares the game has started with a decisive motion, slicing her arm through the air."

"Shizune's aggressiveness is rubbing off onto me. I start feeling more competitive than I intended to be when I agreed to this."

"Halfway into the game, while I try to ponder how to defend against Shizune's assault from two fronts, she breaks my concentration by drumming her fingers on the table to get my attention."

show shizu behind_frown at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha sign_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hicchan, Shicchan wants you to know that you are taking too long to make a move."

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Shicchan also says that she will let you keep Australia if you agree to join the student council~!"

hi "I thought this was a game with no strings attached."

"Just the fact that she would dangle that over my head as an offer means that she knows I care about the outcome of this game."

hi "And anyway: No!"

show shizu adjust_smug at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "Shicchan admires your fighting spirit and would be a benevolent dictator who will spare your people if you agree to join the student council~!"

show misha cross_laugh at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hahahaha~!"

show misha cross_grin at twoleft
with charachange

hi "You're so competitive, Shizune."

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

"She seems to take this as a compliment."

hi "I would expect the student council president to be a little more magnanimous."

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Mag—nan—i—mous…?"

"She doesn't seem to know what the word means or how it's signed, so she pulls out a piece of paper and writes it for Shizune, who in return signs it back to Misha."

"Misha presses her index fingers against her temples, as if trying to physically imprint the word into her memory."

show shizu basic_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

"Suddenly, Shizune bursts into a flurry of gestures. Misha looks daunted by the pace of her heated signing."

show misha sign_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Ah, wait, please slow down, Shicchan… Um, Hicchan~! Shicchan says you're going to lose!"

hi "Tell her I will crush her world empire with my rebellion."

mi "Ah… Okay…"

show shizu basic_sparkle at tworight
with charachange

"Those eyes of hers shine with childlike mischief."

show shizu basic_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha cross_smile at twoleft
with charachange

label en_choiceA6:
menu:
    with menueffect

    mi "She says you have no chance if you keep playing like this, no you won't~!"

    "She has a point. Attack aggressively!":
        return m1

    "It's a trap, it's smarter to play defensively here.":
        return m2

label en_A6a:

"She is either really mocking me, or trying to trick me."

"I have nothing else to lose, though, so I might as well try something different."

"Maybe if I spread out my forces and try to control more territories, I can recoup the advantage."

"Shizune seems to focus on conquering whole nations, so maybe I can sacrifice my hold on continents to gain more small countries."

"It's worth a shot."

"…"

"A few turns later, I end up losing the game anyway."

show shizu adjust_smug at tworight
with charachange

"Shizune adjusts her glasses victoriously and allows herself to tentatively pump a fist in the air in celebration."

shi "…"

show misha cross_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "I win, I win~! Yay~!"

hi "There's no need to translate that, it was pretty clear."

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Wahaha~! Don't look so sad, Hicchan~! You were really giving it your best, that's what I thought!"

mi "Sometimes, your best just isn't good enough, though~. If anyone knows that, it's me~! You did very well for someone who just learned how to play today!"

show shizu behind_smile at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hicchan, you attacked Iceland and North America at the same time, that's a very daring move. Shicchan is impressed~!"

shi "…"

show shizu adjust_smug at tworight
with charachange

mi "The mark of great people is that they are daring, and that they can follow through~! You're already halfway there; isn't that great, Hicchan?"

show shizu adjust_happy at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "That isn't enough though; just potential isn't enough! There is no point to potential if you don't take the first step, and there is no point to that if you don't keep going. I want to see more."

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "You're right, Shicchan~, but, that's so demanding…"

shi "…"

mi "…"

show shizu basic_normal2_close at tworight
with characlose

"Shizune leans forward, suddenly looking a lot less playful and more like the serious person I expected her to be from the start."

stop music fadeout 2.0

shi "…"

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hicchan, would you like to join the student council?"

"She really doesn't waste any time, does she? But…"

#the following appears if you are positive about the student council

"It's only my second day of school, so I'm hesitant about committing to something so early."

"I haven't even taken a look at any other clubs yet."

"But spending time with Shizune and Misha doesn't seem like something I would hate."

"I still need more time to think about it before I decide for sure."

hi "Maybe. I'll get back to you on it."

show shizu behind_blank at tworight
with charadistant

shi "…"

show misha hips_frown at twoleft
with charachange

play music music_shizune fadein 0.3

mi "Okay, Hicchan~! But, I hope you're not just saying that so we don't feel bad."

hi "No, really."

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Really~?"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Hicchan, if you're going to say that, you're saying that it is definitely the truth, and there can't be any~ mistaking it~!"

hi "I know, I know. I guess I should have my revenge for losing, at the very least."

show shizu basic_sparkle at tworight
with charadistant

"Shizune smiles at that in a mischievous way that feels like twisting the knife in the wound of my loss."


#***********************

label en_A6b:

"It's likely that she's just trying to psych me out."

"Looking at the board again, I have a pretty good defense set up, and I'm not going to wreck it doing something reckless."

"…"

"A few turns later, I lose the game anyway."

show shizu adjust_smug at tworight
with charachange

"Shizune adjusts her glasses victoriously and allows herself to tentatively pump a fist in the air in celebration."

shi "…"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Wahahaha~! Hicchan, you lost when you allowed me to take North America."

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "I mean, Shicchan, not me."

show shizu behind_frown at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Getting control of North America is ambitious, because it provides a five army bonus, but you can attack it from three fronts, so you must defend them all~!"

show shizu behind_frustrated at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "I thought you'd have more guts. How disappointing."

mi "Ambition, Hicchan, your play needs to be more daring! Ambition, ambition~!"

show shizu basic_frown at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

mi "I was really excited when you took South America, but then you switched to playing defensively just because you gained a small advantage. That's no good, Hicchan."

mi "You didn't take enough risks, and when you did, you didn't follow through. That's terrible, Hicchan."

"Damn, what's it to her if I played too carefully? There's no need to rub it in my face."

show shizu basic_normal2_close at tworight
with characlose

shi "…"

mi "I wonder if you'd even be any good for the student council…"

"What's this, reverse psychology?"

hi "I guess I don't have to worry about joining or not in that case."

shi "…"

mi "Giving up just like that? I expected more of you."

"Seriously, is Shizune trying to taunt me into joining the council?"

"Besides, I don't even want to join. It's only my second day, I can't make that kind of commitment."

"I haven't even taken a look at any other clubs yet. And these two, they're a little weird."

hi "Fine, I'll consider joining the council, but I want to take a look at the clubs before I decide."

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Really, Hicchan? You're not just saying that to make us feel better?"

hi "Yeah yeah, I'm just not sure that I want to."

show misha perky_sad at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Aw…"

show shizu behind_frown at tworight
with charadistant

shi "…"

show misha perky_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Okay, Hicchan, but we're not going to give up so easily. You said “maybe”; there's still a chance you'll come around~!"

show shizu basic_angry at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha sign_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Come on, we could really have fun! We could play more Risk and maybe one day you could beat me, unless we graduate before that."

hi "That doesn't make me feel any less reluctant about joining, you know."

show shizu behind_blank at tworight
with charachange

shi "…"

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Wahaha~! Surely you are not that horrible at board games? Maybe we can play a game you know then, to give you a handicap."

hi "I might have said that just to make you feel better, after all."

show misha perky_sad at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Awww, that's cold, Hicchan…"



label en_A6c:

"I take a glance at the clock on the wall and realize I've spent far longer playing Risk than I expected."

hi "Sorry, I think I have to go. I wanted to go to the library. It's not closed yet, is it?"

show shizu behind_blank at tworight
with charadistant

"Shizune scratches her head and gestures at Misha."

"How hard can it be to determine whether the library is open? There's a clock right there on the wall."

shi "…"

show misha perky_confused at twoleft
with charachange

mi "It should be, unless the librarian is absent."

mi "I think you're right, Shicchan."

show misha hips_smile at twoleft
with charachange

mi "We… think the library is open. It's on the second floor; can't miss it. Do you want us to show you where it is?"

hi "No thanks, it's okay. See you tomorrow."

show misha hips_grin at twoleft
with charachange

mi "Bye bye!"

stop music fadeout 2.0

# *******************

label en_A7:

scene bg school_staircase2
with locationchange

scene bg school_hallway2
with locationchange

"One flight of stairs up and I run into problems."

"The second floor hallway is a carbon copy of the third floor one."

"Wide, of course; and plain, like only hallways can be."

"The problem is that the library's whereabouts are not as easily determined as one would think."

"The classrooms are marked with signs stating which class they belong to, but then there is a plethora of other, unmarked rooms."

"Is the library one of them? Or is it just somewhere down the hallway?"

"I bet on the latter and choose my direction at random."

"After I turn around the corner, an unmarked door draws my attention because it's not closed."

"It's not open either though, just barely ajar so that I can see it's open and nothing else."

"It would make sense for the library door to be invitingly open, and while this one is not quite that, it's good enough."

"At the very least it means that someone is inside and I can ask for directions no matter how embarrassing that is."

"I gingerly push on the center of the door with my fingertips, every muscle in my arm ready to pull back at a moment's notice."

"The feeling of being an outsider to this school can't be shaken from my mind, so much so that I instinctively fear doing something wrong by entering."

"The door slowly creaks as if groaning from a deep sleep, though is much easier to open than I'd anticipated."

"Leaning over and poking my head ever further inside to gain sight of the room as fast as possible, the meek “Hello…?” on my lips is quickly snatched away."

scene white
with fade

play music music_lilly fadein 3.0

scene ev lilly_tearoom
with Dissolve(3.0)

"…"

"This is… not as I was expecting."

"I mindlessly let the door open to its full extent, taking in the sight of the solitary figure taking center stage in the otherwise abandoned room."

"The situation steals my voice, leaving me standing at the doorway staring at the beautiful girl."

"Evidently having taken her time to assess the situation, the girl gently puts down her teacup and opens her eyes, but doesn't look at me."

scene ev lilly_tearoom_open
with charachange

li_ "Hello there. May I help you?"

"Staring directly in front of herself, the movements of her lips seem to break the silence rather than the words."

"However it's the soft, measured voice that reminds me she's a being separate from the room itself."

"Not only is she likely the tallest girl I've ever laid eyes on, but even among the foreigners I've met she's strikingly distinct."

hi "Uh, hi. Sorry for intruding, I was just… kind of lost."

"She takes a moment to formulate a response before speaking. Every action she takes feels as if it's carefully choreographed beforehand."

li_ "Care to take a seat?"

"…unexpected, considering that I'm intruding upon her."

hi "Ummm… thanks."

"I slowly step towards another seat opposite her, the girl resting the teacup and saucer on the wooden table inbetween."

"The way she doesn't track my movements with her head is telling… that, and the slight cloudiness to her eyes means she must be at least partially blind, like Kenji."

"Come to think of it, her voice doesn't have any detectable accent either. I guess she must be half-Japanese."

"As I take my seat, her composure takes me slightly off-guard. Her air of relaxed confidence makes the silence entirely comfortable."

scene ev lilly_tearoom
with charachange

"The calming atmosphere is so very different from the student council office."

li_ "I take it you're a new student to Yamaku?"

hi "Ah, yeah. I just transferred in yesterday."

"I get the distinct feeling my speech patterns don't match the formality of hers, accentuated by her restrained bow of greeting."

"One which I hasten to match, before realising the futility of the action."

scene ev lilly_tearoom_open
with charachange

li_ "I'm Lilly Satou. Pleased to meet you…"

hi "Hisao. Hisao Nakai."

"She gives a nod before gesturing roughly in the direction of her teacup."

li "Would you care for a drink?"

hi "Sure."

"As much as it pains me, I can't keep step with her formality in the proceedings."

"She gives a kind nod, taking the request in stride."

scene bg school_miyagi
hide tearoom_hisao
hide tearoom_lilly
with fade

"Without another word, she steps off the chair and prepares a second cup of tea from a collection of supplies laid out along a shelf."

"A brush here, a brush there, her left hand often lightly touching the side of whichever container she's pouring into… it seems to be a process she's followed dozens of times before."

"As I lean sideways to see around her back, she seems to use her long, dainty finger to measure the right amount of water in the cup."

"It's one thing to see the different disabilities the students in my class have, but it's quite another to see how everyone seems to adapt."

"Shizune and Misha have no problem working together to communicate to me, and Lilly herself seems to have workarounds for problems I'd never thought of."

"While I feel slightly guilty about her doing the work, she seems pleased to be following the 'correct' process of the offerer preparing the drink."

li "So,"

"Her soft voice brings me out of my silent observance."

show lilly basic_smile
with charaenter

li "Which room were you looking for? It's not often this classroom is visited after school."

hi "The school library. Shizune and Mi— I mean, some classmates, told me it was on this floor."

"She finishes pouring water into the teacup as she nods, a small metallic tapping coming from the teacup indicating it being stirred."

li "I'm aware of Miss Hakamichi, as are most students. To be with them means you're in class 3-3, no?"

hi "That's right. In the science room with Mutou."

show lilly basic_giggle
with charachange

"She gives a small giggle before setting down the teaspoon and slowly walking towards the table, teacup and saucer in hand."

li "He's quite a character. I imagine you'll come to like him; most do."

scene bg tearoom_lillyhisao_noon
show tearoom_hisao smile
show tearoom_lilly smileclosed
with fade

"As she sets down the tea, I gently take it and have a sip. I'm really more of a coffee person, but this seems like a rather bad moment to bring it up."

"Nonetheless, the smell's quite nice. I hardly think it'd be hard to choke down."

show tearoom_hisao relief
with charachange

hi "Thanks, Satou. It tastes really nice."

show tearoom_lilly ara
with charachange

"She smiles and quickly waves her hand in front of her face."

li "Lilly, please. There's no need to be too formal."

"She says this in spite of her exceedingly well-bred speech. Oh well."

"I guess I should try and ask her about herself, as it really does seem as if she's catering to me."

show tearoom_hisao smile
with charachange

hi "So which class are you from? I imagine it's one of the third-year classes."

show tearoom_lilly smileclosed
with charachange

li "Correct, I'm in class 3-2; which is in a room a little further down this wing. It's taught by Miyagi, and is specifically for both blind and partially blind students."

hi "I see.{w} Ah, I mean, uh, s—sorry…"

show tearoom_hisao oops
with charachange

"I feel like slapping myself for the faux-pas. Looking at her face, though, she doesn't seem in the least bit put off by it."

show tearoom_lilly ara
with charachange

li "My my, there's no need to change your speech on my account."

show tearoom_hisao unsure
with charachange

hi "Ah, sure. Sorry, I guess I'm really showing my newness here."

show tearoom_lilly weaksmile
with charachange

li "An environment like this would be a big change, so I can't fault you for it. While the same can't be said for everyone, many have come to terms with their conditions."

"A category which would include her, it seems. All too ready to jump ship from this particular topic, I segue into another."

show tearoom_hisao smile
with charachange

hi "Do you come here to drink tea often? It's a really nice place."

"Thinking on it, this might be her version of the place behind my school that I liked to have lunch at."

show tearoom_lilly smileclosed
show tearoom_hisao think
with charachange

li "I come here fairly often during lunch times. My duties as class representative don't leave enough time for an 'official' club, so a friend and I use this room for having tea."

"Class representative, huh?"

"Compared to Shizune, her mannerisms seem to be almost completely opposite. While Shizune's blunt and fiercely driven, Lilly seems relaxed and calm, almost aloof."

"Come to think of it, she might be useful for a less biased view of the school's clubs."

hi "What kinds of clubs are there to join?"

show tearoom_lilly thinking
with charachange

li "Hmm… the more popular ones are the track and field club, which uses the field near the school during lunchtimes, the baseball club, and the book club in a room near the library."

li "There are also numerous small ones too, though, such as the art and music clubs."

"At a time when I'm just wanting to get on my feet, rushing into a club right away seems slightly unappealing."

"I wonder if this school shares the same rule as my old one…"

hi "Is it compulsory to join a club?"

show tearoom_lilly smileclosed
with charachange

li "It isn't, though it is encouraged."

show tearoom_hisao sigh
with charachange

hi "Ah, good. That's a relief."

show tearoom_lilly giggle
with charachange

"I've really let down my guard around this girl to let such a thing slip out. The fact seems to slightly amuse her."

"Not wanting my tea to get cold, I finally start drinking it as Lilly does the same."

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg tearoom_lillyhisao_sunset
show tearoom_hisao outside
show tearoom_lilly smileclosed
with shorttimeskip

"As I look over to the window over her shoulder, I notice the light coming into the room has a distinctly orange tint."

"Even here, time doesn't stand still."

hi "Huh, the time's gone quickly."

show tearoom_lilly thinking
with charachange

play music music_tranquil fadein 0.3

li "Sorry?"

"Right. She's blind. Of course she can't see the sun setting."

show tearoom_hisao smile
with charachange

hi "It just looks like the sun's starting to set."

"It seems to come as a surprise for her. I guess she must have lost track of the time."

show tearoom_lilly weaksmile
with charachange

li "Sorry, Hisao. I didn't mean to keep you from the library for so long."

"I quickly move to allay her concern."

show tearoom_hisao calm
with charachange

hi "Ah, no, it's okay. The library's still open, isn't it?"

"She pauses, and takes a moment to think on it."

"It's probably something I should've asked Shizune when I had the chance, but Lilly seems likely to know in any case."

show tearoom_lilly thinking
with Dissolve(0.25)
show tearoom_lilly smileclosed
with Dissolve(0.25)

li "True. It's open until six-thirty during weekdays."

"A quick glance at my watch confirms I have well enough time to get there."

show tearoom_hisao smile
with charachange

hi "Hmm, I might get going in that case. It's been nice talking with you, Lilly."

show tearoom_lilly smileclosed
with charachange

"She smiles and gives a deep nod, her hands still neatly folded on the table in front of her."

li "It was my pleasure."

show tearoom_lilly thinking
with charachange

li "Oh, come to think of it… shall I show you to where the library is?"

hi "I couldn't possibly ask for more help. I should be able to find it all right."

"Well, unless my navigational skills fail me.{w} Which they seem to have a habit of doing."

show tearoom_lilly smileclosed
with charachange

li "It's all right, I was going to be talking to the librarian there in any case. I could introduce you."

"This gets better and better. It's pretty hard to deny her offer."

hi "If you're sure, then that'd be great. Thanks."

scene bg school_miyagi_ss
show lilly cane_smile_ss
with fade

"As she stands up to follow me, she takes hold of a straight, retractable cane that had been slipped in the handle of her bag on the floor."

"Compared to the cane the boy in my class had, Lilly's looks much thinner and longer. His must be for support, whereas Lilly's is for navigation."

"Together we leave the peaceful room and enter the empty hallway on the way to the library."

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg school_hallway2
with locationchange

"Side by side, my pace carefully slowed to match hers, we slowly walk through the hallway."

"It doesn't take long for us to arrive at the door to the warm-looking room, apparently situated in the center of the floor rather than either wing."

hi "Ladies first."

show lilly cane_smileclosed
with charaenter

"She gives an appreciative smile at the gesture, taking the lead as we file in."

scene bg school_library_ss at bgright
with locationchange

play music music_happiness fadein 0.3

"To the left is the wooden library counter, with the library proper being on the right."

"It easily dwarfs my old school's library, with the distinct smell of old books giving the place an almost old-world air."

"There don't seem to be a lot of students here. Considering the time, it isn't a big surprise; everyone's probably either in the school grounds or the dorms."

show lilly cane_smileclosed_ss
with charaenter

li "Yuuko, are you here?"

"She says it to thin air since the librarian doesn't seem to be present and of course Lilly can't see this."

"What's unexpected is that it draws a reaction."

show lilly cane_surprised_ss
with charachange

play sound sfx_impact
with vpunch

"Something from under the counter thuds against it, followed by a quiet wail."

mystery "Awwww."

"The origin, apparently the librarian, quickly crawls out and bounces up to extremely rigid attention."

show lilly cane_weaksmile_ss
with charachange

show lilly cane_weaksmile_ss at twoleft
show bg school_library_ss
with charamove

show yuuko neutral_ss at tworight
with charaenter

yu_ "Hi, Lilly. How can I help you?"

"Her voice is strained in a failing attempt to sound casual and she's rubbing the back of her head."

li "Good afternoon. What happened just now? I heard a strange sound."

show yuuko worried_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu_ "It's nothing, I just hit my head."

yu_ "See, I dropped an eraser under my desk and while I was looking for it a pencil dropped and when I was looking for both of them you came and surprised me…"

show lilly cane_sad_ss at twoleft
with charachange

li "Are you all right? I'm sorry, I couldn't know—"

show yuuko neurotic_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu_ "It's okay! It's okay, sorry for making you worry."

show yuuko smile_ss at tworight
show lilly cane_weaksmile_ss at twoleft
with charachange

yu_ "This is nothing, I've had worse happen to me."

"She's quick to reverse Lilly's apologies, almost frantically trying to push aside the possibility that she could be in any way inconvenienced by bashing her head on the counter."

yu_ "Yes… worse things have happened, hehehe…"

"The girl fidgets with her fingers as Lilly doesn't seem to drop her concerned expression, and then she shuffles some papers around the counter for no reason."

"A little shorter than Lilly, replete with glasses, freckles and a very troubled look, she seems to fit a library perfectly."

show yuuko happy_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu_ "Ah, Lilly! Did you get my message?"

show lilly cane_reminisce_ss at twoleft
with charachange

li "Message… hmm…"

show lilly cane_smile_ss at twoleft
with charachange

li "Oh, the two imported books that arrived?"

yu_ "Right! Right! They finally came! I can't believe it took so long, but—"

"Amidst her celebrations, partially for managing to change the topic I'm sure, she notices me from the corner of her eye and freezes on the spot when she does."

show yuuko panic_ss at tworight
show lilly cane_weaksmile_ss at twoleft
with charachange

yu_ "Oh no, I'm sorry for not noticing you before!"

yu_ "Did you need to check out a book? Or return one? I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"The way she can so quickly shift between moods is a little unsettling."

show yuuko worried_ss at tworight
show lilly cane_smileclosed_ss at twoleft
with charachange

li "He's with me. Yuuko, this is Hisao, a new student. Hisao, this is Yuuko, the school librarian."

hi "Pleased to meet you."

show yuuko neutral_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu "Hisao. Right. Hisao. Pleased to meet you, too. Hisao."

"For a second she visibly attempts to engrave the name on her mind so she won't forget."

li "Yuuko often arranges to import foreign books in Braille for me."

li "Would you like to tell Hisao a little something about the library?"

"Lilly's innocent suggestion is met with an expression of abject terror."

show yuuko panic_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu "I… Please Lilly, I can't. I don't know what he could be interested in. This is too much responsibility."

"How it's any responsibility at all I don't get, but her objection is so sincere I don't doubt for a second that she would rather disembowel herself on the spot than tell me where the light novels are."

show lilly cane_sleepy_ss at twoleft
with charachange

li "But…"

hi "So, there are a lot of books in Braille here?"

"I attempt to save the day by asking the first thing that pops into my head. It seems to work at least partially, as Yuuko seems to… not exactly relax, but at least look slightly less tense."

show yuuko smile_ss at tworight
show lilly cane_weaksmile_ss at twoleft
with charachange

yu "Well… I think about a third or a fourth of Yamaku's library is either in Braille or audio."

"Makes sense, given all the blind students that'd be here."

hi "If it's only that, how come this library is so big in the first place?"

yu "Ummm, well, we get a lot of new books regularly because the funding of Yamaku is so good. That's probably why."

show yuuko neurotic_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu "They spend more on new books than on my salary, and then I have to organize and shelve all of them."

show yuuko worried_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu "It's so troublesome and they weigh so much, I wish I could quit this job."

"…"

"A very awkward silence follows this revelation of too much information."

hi "Umm, I'll go check the aisles then, if you don't mind."

"It's probably best for all of us if she doesn't keep talking to me."

show lilly cane_smileclosed_ss at twoleft
with charachange

li "Very well. Meanwhile, Yuuko, I would have those books if it's all right with you."



#**************************

label en_A8:

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg school_library_ss
with shorttimeskip

"My first impression was right; the library is surprisingly big."

"Ambling down the narrow aisles, I study the spines of the books in random order, occasionally sliding one out to read the blurb, taking it with me if it looks good."

"In a few moments I have a respectable stack of books in my arms."

"I guess I'll never be stuck for choice in here."

"The normality of the library sinks in. Sure, there are large-print and Braille books scattered throughout, but it is what it is; a library."

"It's like the calm mood from the room I had tea with Lilly in snuck with us in here, unless it was here to begin with."

"Something about that puts me at ease, just like before."

"I reach the end of the aisle and find a collection of desks, set up for study or personal reading. Going a little further, though, I discover a nice quiet corner at the back."

"While the rest of the library has the odd student sitting at a desk either reading or stealthily sleeping, the back is pretty much deserted."

"As I glance around, I see someone who I recognize sitting on one of several beanbags."

play music music_another fadein 0.3

show ev hana_library_read
with locationchange

"It's the dark-haired girl from my class. The one who snuck out of the classroom earlier."

"She's reading a book, keeping it close to her face which makes her look like she's really into it."

"From the way she was acting today, I had her pegged as more of a delinquent than a bookworm. In fact, her mysterious disappearance from the class raises all sorts of whys in my head."

"Intrigue floats slowly but surely towards the surface, and before I know it I'm walking towards the mysterious long-haired girl."

"I guess there's no harm in introducing myself as I would with anyone else. She's a classmate after all."

"Walking over to another beanbag, I take a seat and lay my books beside it."

show ev hana_library_gasp
with vpunch

"The girl starts, looking scaredly up at me from underneath her fringe."

"This is the first time I've seen her this close. Underneath her long, dense bangs, I can see that part of her face, at least a third if not a half, is pretty badly scarred."

"My eyes are immediately drawn to the scars, subconsciously peeking past her hair until they meet her own eyes."

"For a second, I am shocked, and divert my eyes to the book in her hands, before I realize that looking away probably only makes it worse."

label en_choiceA8:
menu:
    with menueffect
    "It takes too many seconds to collect myself and remember what I walked up to her for."

    "Hi! I'm new here. Hisao Nakai. We're in the same class.":
        return m1

    "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.":
        return m2

label en_A8a:

hi "Hi! I'm new here. Hisao Nakai. We're in the same class."

"…"

hi "Umm… I just transferred here the other day. Maybe you don't remember?"

"…"



label en_A8aa:

hi "I did a self-introduction too."

"…"



label en_A8ab:

scene ev hana_library
with locationchange

"The girl still doesn't say a word, but simply stares at me, wide-eyed."

hi "I'm still getting used to the place so I'm trying to meet as many people as I can."

hi "So, er… what's your name?"

ha_ "H… Hanako…"

"Her speech is stuttering and so quiet that it is barely audible even in the still library."

"Somehow I think that my “delinquent” impression of her was wrong."

hi "Hanako, eh? So what are you reading?"

scene bg school_library_ss
show hanako emb_downtimid_ss
with locationskip

"She gently tips the book backwards so that I can read the title, at the same time hiding her face behind it."

"She must have noticed me staring before."

hi "“Life of Pi”? I've never heard of it before. What's it about?"

ha "A boy… and a tiger…"

ha "…on a boat…"

"I can see this taking some time."

hi "Sounds interesting. Is it any good?"

"She nods from behind the book, but stays silent."

"She looks kinda tense. A bit like Yuuko earlier, but in a different way. More like… petrified with terror, I'd say."

show hanako emb_downtimid_tremble_ss
with charachange

"So the mystery delinquent girl turned out to be anything but, and she is quivering in a way that makes it look like she is mortally afraid of me."

"The only way out of this, as far as I can tell, is to try to get a normal conversation going."

hi "Is it a library book? I'm looking for new ones to read, but there's just so many…"

show hanako emb_sad_ss
with charachange

ha "N—no. It's mine."

hi "Oh. So… do you come here often?"

"…"

show hanako emb_blushtimid_ss
with charachange

"A huge, huge blush spreads on Hanako's face and her eyes widen far larger than I thought it was possible for eyes to do."

"Uh-oh. Did she interpret my lame attempt at small talk as a feeble attempt to pick her up?"

hi "I mean… ehh… I didn't mean it like that…"


label en_A8b:

hi "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

ha_ "It… it's okay."

"The girl certainly doesn't look like it's okay, but I let it slide."

hi "So, umm… do you mind if I sit here?"

"She seems to be very uncertain whether it's okay or not for me to sit, but finally she nods, just a little."

scene ev hana_library
with locationchange

ha_ "O… okay."

show ev hana_library_read
with locationchange

"I take the seat next to her, and she hides herself behind her book."

"“Life of Pi”… Never heard of it."

hi "So, errr… sorry again for startling you. I'm Hisao."

scene ev hana_library
with locationchange

"She looks up from her book, stalling a little before replying."

ha_ "I… know."

ha_ "We… are in the same… same class."

"Her speech is stilted and so quiet that it is barely audible even in the still library."

"Somehow I think that my “delinquent” impression of her was wrong."

ha_ "H—h—hanako. I'm… Hanako."

"…"

"I resist the urge to say “that's a nice name” just to have something to say, but really, it's the only thing that I can think of."

"I feel like an idiot. Everyone here must be used to being different to each other, and here I am being all bothered and fussed about that kind of thing."

hi "Don't let me interrupt your reading. I'll… just check these books if you don't mind."

"She nods a little, and sighs a little sigh of relief."

"…"

show ev hana_library_read
with locationchange

"So I try to read the covers and the introductions of the books I picked up and she buries her face in her book."

"Uncomfortable silence consumes us."

"My eyes still wander to her direction, and I sneak peeks at her flowing hair and the scars it's hiding."

scene ev hana_library
with locationchange

show ev hana_library_read
with locationchange

"After a while I realize that she's doing the same, and only pretending to immerse in “Life of Pi.”"

scene ev hana_library
with locationchange

show ev hana_library_read
with locationchange

"Her gaze is not inquisitive at all though, it darts around like a scared rabbit."

scene ev hana_library
with locationchange

"When our gazes finally meet, the chain reaction is unstoppable."

play sound sfx_impact
scene bg school_library_ss
show hanako def_worry_ss
with vpunch

"She stands up forcefully from the beanbag and takes a deep breath."



label en_A8c:

stop music fadeout 2.0

ha "I…"

ha "I… I…"

hi "I…?"

show hanako defarms_strain_ss
with charachange

ha "Ivegottogodosomething!"

show hanako defarms_strain_ss at offscreenleft
with ease
hide hanako
with None

"Without warning, Hanako takes off and runs towards the counter."

"Her hare-like takeoff catches me so off guard that I don't manage to go after her until she has a good head start."

scene bg school_library_ss
show lilly cane_smileclosed_ss at twoleft
show yuuko neutral_ss at tworight
with locationskip

play music music_happiness fadein 0.3

"By the time I reach the counter she is nowhere to be seen."

"Lilly and Yuuko are happily chatting away."

"Knowing that I won't be able to catch Hanako myself, I approach the girls."

hi "Hey, did you see… er… notice a girl run past here?"

show yuuko smile_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu "Um, maybe… what did she look like?"

hi "Long, dark hair. Kinda shy. She had… well… some scars… on her… face."

show lilly cane_surprised_ss at twoleft
with charachange

li "You wouldn't be talking about Hanako, would you?"

hi "Yeah, that's her. I saw her reading and tried to talk to her, but I think I scared her off or something."

show lilly cane_sad_ss at twoleft
with charachange

li "Oh dear. Yuuko, would you excuse me, I had better try and find her."

show yuuko neurotic_ss at tworight
with charachange

yu "S—sure. I'll just hold onto these until you come back."

hi "Um, what's going on?"

li "I'm sorry, but I'll have to explain it to you some other time."

hi "Right. I'll see you later then…"

hide lilly
with charaexit

show yuuko neurotic_ss
show bg school_library_ss at bgleft
with charamove

"Lilly hastily grabs her cane and hurries out of the library, leaving me alone with Yuuko."

hi "I don't think I'll ever get the hang of this place."

hi "Did I do something wrong?"

show yuuko smile_ss
with charachange

yu "What did you do?"



label en_A8d:

hi "Nothing! I just… talked to her. Tried to get to know her. Didn't even manage to get started."

show yuuko worried_ss
with charachange

"Yuuko sighs and looks awfully bothered, even more so than she did before."

yu "I guess you weren't “wrong” so much as “tactless.”"

hi "“Tactless”?"

show yuuko smile_ss
with charachange

yu "That girl is a bit of a special case. It's like she never really talks to anyone."

hi "Isn't that a bit… strange?"

yu "I wonder… It's just how she is, I think."

"Yuuko doesn't sound all that convincing. Then again, maybe this is just the norm around here."

"Everyone has their own problems, or else they wouldn't be here."

"Perhaps I was being a little tactless after all."



label en_A8e:

hi "Nothing! I was just looking for some books and then she got this fit and ran off."

hi "The most offending thing I can think of was that I might've looked at her general direction a few times."

show yuuko worried_ss
with charachange

yu "Well, she is a very timid girl."

yu "You have to be very careful around her. She can be very jumpy, I think, and she's not accustomed to talking with other people."

hi "Isn't that a bit… strange?"

yu "I wonder… It's just how she is, I think."

"Yuuko doesn't sound all that convincing. Then again, maybe this is just the norm around here."

"Everyone has their own problems, or else they wouldn't be here."



label en_A8f:

hi "But how should I deal with these people? Forcing myself to act overly casually only makes me feel phony."

hi "Like I was supposed to be ignoring the elephant in the living room."

show yuuko neurotic_ss
with charachange

"Yuuko fidgets, looking like she wants to say something to that, but resists it."

yu "I think it's an elephant only if you feel that way."

"I guess she doesn't have a good sense of self-restraint. It makes me smile, and she blushes heavily."

show yuuko panic_ss
with charachange

yu "W… what? Did that sound stupid?"

hi "No no, it sounded really wise. I guess you're right. It's more about me than anyone else."

show yuuko smile_ss
with charachange

"Neither of us has anything to add so Yuuko fills the silence by shuffling some papers around."

"People who have papers on their desks really like doing that."

yu "Did you find any books? I should be closing soon. I mean this library should be closing. But I have to do it. I hope that's not too inconvenient for you."

hi "Oh. Yeah, I want some books, but I left them over there because…"

hi "…I'll just go get them."

"I fetch my stack of books from beside the beanbags where Hanako and I were sitting and return to the counter."

show yuuko neutral_ss
with charachange

yu "Wow. You read a lot, don't you?"

hi "I surprise myself with that too, honestly. At least, when I really think about it."

hi "I had a lot of free time earlier this year, so I just kind of… started reading books to fill that time. I couldn't do much else."

yu "I see."

"But she doesn't say anything else, and just checks out my books for me."

"I guess this is what they call “tact.”"

stop music fadeout 2.0

#********************************************************************

label en_A9:

scene bg school_dormhallway
with locationskip

"Holding the library books with one arm, I trawl my pocket for the key to the door."

"A sudden sound from behind startles me, making me nearly drop the books I'm carrying or the key that I almost managed to get into the lock."

mystery "Who is it?"

play music music_kenji fadein 0.5

show kenji neutral
with charaenter

"I turn around to see who is talking to me. It's Kenji. He seems to be in a friendly mood, although the light glinting off his glasses in the dark gives him a sinister look."

hi "It's just me."

"This makes him pause and lick his lips nervously."

show kenji tsun
with charaenter

ke "Who is me? I don't know anyone called me. Are you some new guy again?"

"His voice is suddenly strained and quick."

hi "Yes… but we've met before. Yesterday."

ke "I don't think so, I would remember someone who I met only yesterday. …When was that? What day is it today?"

"I try to ignore him. Is he joking or what?"

ke "Prove that we've met before!"

hi "You live across the hall. You're Kenji."

show kenji rage
with charachange

"Kenji jumps back, his eyes filled with an uncomprehending fear."

ke "How do you know my name? Damn, this can only mean one of two things: Either we have met, and you are telling the truth, and I just can't remember it, or you are a spy."

"He pauses."

show kenji tsun
with charachange

ke "A psychic spy."

"His eyes dart around me, trying to peek into my room, although it's hard to believe he can see anything through those thick glasses."

"His mood swung from friendly to manic in less than a minute."

hi "I'm not psychic."

ke "How do I know that? I'm not a mind reader."

"Kenji points a finger in my face damningly."

show kenji rage
with charachange

ke "…Unlike you!"

hi "Stop that, man. We met yesterday. What's wrong with you? I live in this room."

ke "Lies. If you think you can pass as Hisao because I'm legally blind you are sorely mistaken."

ke "You don't even look like him. I mean, the resemblance is real, real slim. Maybe at a distance, but who do you think you're kidding?"

"I want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. Exasperated, I rub my eyes and let out a heavy sigh."

show kenji tsun
with charachange

ke "Stay there."

show kenji tsun_close
with characlose

"Kenji comes closer, one careful step at a time. I stay still, lest he assault me physically, although I doubt he could do much damage even if he did."

show kenji happy_close
with charachange

ke "Oh, wait, I see it now. Damn, it really is you."

"Sighing again, and then once again for good measure, I step backwards, just in case."

show kenji happy
with charadistant

ke "What's up, man? You don't look too good. I think. Something wrong?"

hi "I don't know. Just had something stupid happen to me. A few stupid things, actually. Even if you discount this one."

hi "I can't get a proper touch on other people here, and I have no idea if it's because of me or because of them."

"I don't know why I'm telling this to Kenji. It's not like we've had any contact either."

ke "That's rough, dude. Yeah, I'm sorry about calling you a psychic spy and all, but you can never be too careful."

show kenji tsun
with charachange

ke "It's the hard reality we live in."

"I'm slowly starting to think that Kenji isn't necessarily living in the same reality as the rest of us."

ke "You see? This is how it is, this world. There is no justice. You see? Even when I lose, I win, because I don't lose the lesson."

hi "…What does that even mean?"

ke "It doesn't matter."

"He dismisses it flatly with a wave of his hand."

show kenji happy
with charachange

ke "So what happened? Why the long face? Do you have a long face?"

hi "Eh, it's nothing. I just scared some girl off accidentally. Literally too, she actually ran away from me."

hi "Was my fault, really, I think. I'm not really… used to all this yet."

show kenji tsun
with charachange

ke "A girl? A cute one?"

"Cute? That's a hard question. She had a nice body and really beautiful hair… but the face…"

label en_choiceA9:
menu:
    with menueffect

#choice:
    "I guess it could go either way."

    "She was cute.":
        return m1

    "She wasn't cute.":
        return m2

label en_A9a:

hi "Yeah, cute I guess."

ke "I knew it!"



label en_A9b:

hi "Not exactly cute, no."

ke "Hmm…"



label en_A9c:

ke "There are a lot of cute girls here. A strangely disproportionate amount… I believe this is one of the dark secrets of this school."

ke "I tried to warn you man, but did you listen…"

"I don't remember any such warning."

hi "Dark secrets?"

ke "Yes, dark secrets. Extremely dark. Like a black hole."

ke "Have you noticed that the number of girls in this school is slightly but significantly higher than the number of boys? It's like 60—40."

"He turns his head to the left and stares off into the distance at nothing."

ke "Why is it like this? I mean, to the untrained eye, it doesn't appear to be that bad, but that is a full 20\%."

ke "One would think that a school with such a huge pool of women would be a man's dream. But no!"

stop music fadeout 1.0

show kenji neutral
with charachange

ke "What I am about to tell you could blow your mind. Are you ready?"

"I don't know where this is going, but I think I won't be missing much by cutting out now."

hi "No, I am not ready."

"I only get as far as turning the doorknob before Kenji starts talking again, showing that he doesn't really care if my mind is blown or not."

play music music_tension

show kenji tsun
with charachange

ke "I believe that this school is a battleground. The site of a feminist infiltration."

ke "This disparity in the number of men to women is a clear sign of how far they have come. In case this cold war turns hot, they will have superiority in numbers."

ke "Just another skirmish in the eternal war against the forces of the feminists… They're everywhere. In Japan, women outnumber men. It's not a 60—40 split, but it's only a matter of time, man…"

ke "Even in America, women are the majority by a hair. They're building up their numbers. In the past, the buildup of a military has always been the clearest sign of imminent war."

ke "Japan is just the first step. Our economy is badass, and the country itself is small and isolated, yet a huge part of the Pacific in terms of political value."

ke "The perfect target. They are so cunning… As expected of women."

ke "Soon, the day will come, when…"

"Kenji's voice trails off ominously."

show kenji neutral
with charachange

ke "That is why you can't trust them. They will string you along, and then kill you, just as they killed me. You will end up just like me."

stop music fadeout 0.5

hi "Oh, hell no…"

"I can't stop myself from blurting it out."

show kenji tsun
with charachange

play music music_kenji fadein 0.5

ke "Hey! What the hell does that mean?!"

hi "You said it, not me."

"It's the best I can think of."

ke "So? You're not supposed to say something like that! Damn, so rude."

show kenji neutral
with charachange

ke "Where was I? Oh, yeah, vast feminist conspiracy."

hi "Stop it. Stop! I lost you way, way back there somewhere. Somewhere around “feminist infiltration.”"

show kenji happy
with charachange

ke "Too hard to follow? It's cool, I have some graphs and stuff in my room. And puppets. You like puppets?"

hi "No puppets."

ke "You don't like puppets, okay. Graphs are still cool, though, right?"

"He speaks energetically, responding almost before I'm done talking, moving his hands in an animated way as he continues to rant on."

"This is too strange. I had him pegged as relatively normal, but it's clear that I was wrong."

ke "Something on your mind, dude?"

hi "Just thinking about what it's like to be the last sane man in an insane world."

show kenji tsun
with charachange

"Kenji frowns, looking deeply upset."

ke "You mean that's you? That can't be, because I'm the last sane man in an insane world. That is my dream, you can't just steal a man's dream."

ke "What the hell, there can't be two last sane men. It would invalidate that whole “last” part… and that part is kind of important."

ke "There can only be one, like in that foreign movie where there could only be one, and in the end there is only one dude left, because that was the point."

"I have never seen anyone talk so heatedly and so defensively about absolutely nothing before."

show kenji neutral
with charachange

ke "Anyway, if you wait here, I can get my graphs. I also have a list of the other dark and complex conspiracies that this school holds, as tangled as…"

ke "Quick, finish my analogy for me. Be a pal."

hi "I'm going to go to bed now. It's extremely late."

show kenji tsun
with charachange

ke "That doesn't sound like an analogy. But whatever."

show kenji happy
with charachange

ke "I like you, you seem like a cool dude."

show kenji tsun
with charachange

ke "Most people don't understand what I'm talking about when I try to explain the vast feminist conspiracy to them. Denial is a terrible thing."

ke "Later."

hide kenji
with charaexit

stop music fadeout 2.0

"He claps me on the back and then vanishes into his room so quickly and quietly it's like he didn't even open the door but instead walked right through it like a ghost."

scene bg school_dormhisao_ss
with locationchange

"I don't know if I can fully digest what just happened, so I give up and just go to my room, kicking off my shoes before falling facefirst into bed."

"It takes me some time to relax and get up so I can get started on homework."

"It's because the sheets are cool and comforting against my cheeks, and it feels good just lying there with my eyes closed."

"This school is like some kind of bizarre and surreal island. It's isolated on top of a mountain, and each person is stranger than the last."

"I just can't seem to fit in. What irony, one would think that fitting in a place that's made for people who are unfit for anywhere else would be easy."

hi "Maybe I'm trying too hard."

"Although I say that, it doesn't help take the edge off, and the words are left echoing off my empty walls."

"I guess it's not as bad as I expected, though. This place really is more a school and less a hospital pretending it's a school than I thought it would be."

"If nothing else, the scenery is beautiful."

"I open one eye, seeing the schoolbooks and bottles of pills arranged side-by-side on my desktop."

"Maybe this place is too much like a normal school, after all."

scene black
with dissolve


return