Morning. Teitan High School.
Kurosawa Hoshino ignored all the peeking glances and chatted and laughed with Ran and the others as they entered Class 2-B.
Inside the classroom, Ran said apologetically to Kurosawa, "Hoshino, I'm sorry. I didn't bring a lunchbox today. I got home too late last night and got up too late this morning."
Kurosawa reassured her, "It's okay. The food in the cafeteria is pretty good anyway. We can try it once in a while."
"But don't you dislike being stared at? If we go to the cafeteria, you'll be stared at again."
"So what if I'm stared at? I'll get used to it after a while."
"Wait—" Sonoko said, listening to their conversation with a helpless look. "Neither of you brought lunchboxes, but I did! Am I supposed to eat alone in the classroom at noon?"
Hearing this, Ran and Kurosawa couldn't help but chuckle. The three of them were always inseparable at school. It would be strange—or rather, a little uncomfortable—if one of them was missing.
Kurosawa smiled and said, "Then you can bring your lunchbox to the cafeteria and eat with us."
"That's the only way." Sonoko sighed, rubbing her forehead.
Ten minutes later, the school bell rang. The homeroom teacher entered the classroom on time.
"Let me tell you all something. The school festival is next month. Have you all decided what our class will do? Let's discuss it now, then we'll vote on a few good ideas."
The class immediately buzzed with excitement, chattering incessantly.
Kurosawa asked the two girls, "Is tomorrow the school festival?"
As soon as she asked, Ran and Sonoko realized that Kurosawa was being absent-minded again. He wasn't faking it—he genuinely didn't know what day the next day was.
Sonoko suppressed a laugh. "Hoshino, why don't you go to the hospital for a checkup? I think you have a serious illness."
"Yeah," Ran chimed in. "You often can't even tell the time. It's better to get checked out."
Kurosawa glared at them, too lazy to argue. "Just tell me—is it tomorrow, or a few days from now?"
"Didn't the teacher say it's next month?"
"Yeah, next month? That's still a long way off." Kurosawa silently looked out the window, no longer paying attention to the classroom, waiting for them to continue their discussion.
About ten minutes later, after a unanimous vote by the students, Sonoko's suggestion of a stage play received the most votes. Their class decided to perform it.
"Oh no, I forgot to mention." The homeroom teacher slapped her forehead, annoyed. "Sonoko, the school isn't planning to open the gymnasium for this year's school festival. So it seems a stage play isn't an option."
"No problem." Sonoko patted her chest confidently. "Teacher, I'll talk to the principal and ask him to let our class use it. Then we'll have the only stage play in the whole school. It'll definitely be a huge hit."
The homeroom teacher understood Sonoko's status very well. If she took the initiative, the principal would definitely agree. "Alright, then our class will perform the stage play. Sonoko, the role of the stage play director is in your hands."
Kurosawa looked at Sonoko, about to speak, when Sonoko reached out and stopped him. She said earnestly, "I'll speak for you. I am the young lady. So what? What are you going to do about it?"
Kurosawa slapped her hand away and said irritably, "I'm not going to say that. I just want to know, what kind of play do you want our class to perform?"
"An original play, of course. And I'll write the script. This time, I'm going to write a tragedy even more tragic than Romeo and Juliet."
Kurosawa pondered. He wondered if this would be a scene from the original story. After thinking for a while, he did recall a scene related to the school festival, very similar to what Sonoko had just described. It was indeed a tragedy, and there was even a kissing scene at the end. He just didn't know if there would be a kissing scene this time too.
"Ran, you're my chosen heroine." Sonoko changed the subject.
"Huh? Me?" Ran blushed, a little embarrassed. "That's not a good idea. The female lead should be chosen by everyone through voting."
"Alright, let's vote." Sonoko suddenly stood up, clapped her hands, and said loudly, "Listen up, everyone. I want to decide on the male and female leads for the stage play first. Just so you know, the male and female leads have to be good-looking, so please don't vote randomly. Okay, let's begin."
This idea was met with approval from most people.
The voting began. Not long after—ten minutes later—the male and female leads chosen by the vote were announced.
Male lead—Kurosawa Hoshino. Female lead—Mouri Ran.
"Why am I still going to be like this?" Ran was a little helpless. If she had known this would happen, she would have accepted Sonoko's request from the beginning.
Kurosawa said softly, glancing at Ran's red lips, then at Sonoko. Will it be the same script as the original?
Noon. School cafeteria.
At a table, Ran sat next to Sonoko, shaking her arm. "Hey, Sonoko, just give me a little hint! What kind of plot are you writing? I've read so many novels—maybe I can even give you some inspiration."
Sonoko immediately pulled her hand out of her best friend's embrace, crossed her arms in front of her chest, and said firmly, "No way! I won't reveal a single word until I've completely finished writing it. Let me tell you, I've already thought of the ending. Anyone who attends our school festival will definitely remember your and Hoshino's performance."
Ran knew she couldn't do it alone, so she decisively started looking for allies. She looked at Kurosawa, who was eating quietly beside her, and asked, "Hoshino, aren't you curious about what kind of plot Sonoko is planning to write?"
"Curious." Kurosawa put down his chopsticks and answered calmly.
"Then why don't you ask Sonoko?" Ran was very surprised. She couldn't help wanting to know beforehand herself, so how could Kurosawa remain so indifferent?
Actually, after hearing Sonoko say she had already thought of the ending in advance—and even promised it would be unforgettable for those who watched it—Kurosawa felt it was still the stage script from the original work.
"Ran, you shouldn't bother Sonoko. She takes a long time to write scripts. Don't disrupt her train of thought."
"Exactly, exactly," Sonoko said with a knowing look, then added, "Ran, don't worry. I promise I'll finish the script within fifteen days, and then use the remaining fifteen days for rehearsals. Time is very tight, so please don't bother me anymore."
"Sigh, okay. I won't ask anymore."