EPISODE 1
A guy you barely know at all, Nao, asks you to meet him behind the gym.
Maybe he's going to ask you out ?
...Maki and the others are all pretty excited as they see you off.
When you arrive at the meeting spot...?
Principal : All riht, everyoun, today is the start of another new year of learning.
The Opening Ceremony begins.
The students from both school buildings, boys and girls alike, are assembled in gym.
Maki : The principal sure knows how to talk...
Leah : Even though no one's really listening...
Natsumi : Well, he doesn't have many chances at the spotlight, so...
I'm having a murmured conversation with Maki and Nat, on either side of me in line.
The ceremony is so boring...
...If it weren't for our conversation, I'd be in adnger of falling asleep where I stand.
Maki : This is one of those rare, special events we actually get to do with the boys...
Maki : ...I really feel like we should get to do something more fun with it.
The girls are lined up on the right side of the gym. and the boys on the left.
Maki is craning her neck to peer over at the lines of boy's eyes brimming with interest.
Saori : But isn't it just cramped and stuffy having the boys in here with us, too?
Saori turns around cooly, to look at Maki while she speaks.
Maki : Yes, but it's a chance to experience cramped and stuffy in ways we normally can't.
Maki : So really, even that's a plus.
Leah : I...guess... I see what you're saying... probably...
I was casually glancing over towards the boy's rows myself, when...
...Um
My eyes lock with one of the boys.
(By the time I register what's happened, he's looking away again.)
(Nao...?)
The one who'd met my eyes was Nao from the basketball team.
Nao : "..."
Nao stares fixedly ahead. He hasn't moved since he looked away from me.
It's hard to teel in profile, but he seems kind of... nervous?
Maki : Hey, wasn't that Nao just a second ago?
Leah : Huh?
Maki : Wasn't he looking at you?
Leah : N-no...
In the face of Maki's sharp observation, I find myself trying to brush it off as if it's nothing.
It may have only been for an instant, but our eyes definitely met.
(It was probably just a coincidence...)
But even as I'm thinking it, my heart seems to flutter in my chest.
Saori : He was definitely looking...
Leah : Wha?
Saori's cool voice leaves no room for argument.
Saori : And I think there was definitely something there.
Saori's lips curve into a knowing smile.
For some reason her expression makes my heart take another little ieap.
Principal :...And remember to make the best of the next year at school!
While we're speaking, the principal finishes his speech.
Maki : That took forever, though...
After an endless parade of long, boring speeches, the opening ceremony is finally over.
Natsumi : I wish we could just go home after this.
Saori : Seriously. I can't believe we've got lessons right from the first day...
The four of us walk back to the classroom, venting about school already.
Kazuki : Greeeetings, All !!
Suddenly I'm face-to-face with Kazuki from the basketball team.
I take a step back, a little caught off-guard by his random enthusiasm.
Maki : What is it? Do you want something with us?
Maki has stepped in front of our group like a bodyguard.
Kazuki : ...Eep!
Kazuki : Ahem Actually, leah is the only one I want to talk to...
Leah : Huh? Me?
I'm surprised when Kazuki asks for me, since I don't really know him that well.
Kazuki : Well, um, I was wondering if you could come behing the gym for a bit, at lunchtime?
Leah : What...?
Kazuki leans in just a little closer and whispers,
Kazuki : Nao will be waiting for you
Leah : Nao... will...?
Maki : And just what does Nao want with leah?
Kazuki : Augh, y-you were listening!
Saori : Well, you weren't exactly quiet.
Kazuki : Look, anyway, it'd just be really nice if you could make it. See you!
Leah : Ah! Wait a minute!
Natsumi : There he goes...
Kazuki runs off immediately after saying what he had to say.
Leah : I wonder what's up...?
Maki : ...Maybe...
Maki's all Cheshire-grin when she turns to me.
Leah : Wha-what?
Maki : Maybe, he's going to confess his feelings for you?
Leah : His-his feelings...?
Maki's words make me stop in my tracks.
My heart starts to race, and I can feel heat rising under my skin.
(I...I know we had fun with that game this morning, but... but it can't really be...)
Natsumi : Oh, so that's what it is?
Leah : H-hey, wait! I think you're getting ahead of things!
Maki : That's got to be it. I mean, what else would it be?
Leah : Well, but.. I mean... I've never even really talked to him before...
Maki : You guys totally said hello this morning.
Leah : That was just' good morning, I mean, we've never actually talked...
We did greet each other at the school entrance this morning, but I have a feeling that friends put him up to it.
Leah : And besides, that was practically the first time we'd met!
Leah : I can't believe he'd have feelings for me.
Maki : But what else could it possibly be?
Leah : That's just your overactive imagination talking again!
Saori : But, you know... It's not so impossible.
Leah : Hah... You, too, Saori?
Still... Saori is usually right about this kind of thing.
Leah : .......Wh-what if he really tells me he likes me, what do I do?
I'd meant it to come out as a joke, but saying the words sets my heard pounding.
Maki : Well, that part's easy. Just go out with him!
Leah : G-go out..?
The words come out without thinking.
Natsumi : A-are you OK, leah?
Leah I-I'm not sure...
Natsumi lays her hand on my back, and I take a deep breath...
Leah : Does anyone really just... go out with someone they barely know?
Natsumi : Yeah... I guess you've never really talked to Nao Before...
Natsumi : ...So you wouldn't have feelings for him yet...
(R-right, this time isn't just playing make-believe.)
Saori : Are there really very many couples who both felt the same way at first, though?
Leah : Huh?
Saori : I think usually in the beginning one person feels more strongly than the other.
Leah : ....
Maki : That's our Saori, always with the deep insights when it comes to love!
Among our group, Saori is the only one with a boyfriend.
She might be right about this...
But....
Maki : You might have a boyfriend for the first time in your life!
Leah : M-my first... boyfriend...?
Just the sound of it makes my heart take another leap.
Maki : Well, that's what it means when you go out with someone, right?
Leah : Y-yeah, but... I mean, "boyfriend" is just... I don't feel like I'm ready for...
Maki : Don't you want a boyfriend, leah?
A : I do…
B : Not really
Leah : I...I do, but...
That's how I really feel.
Having a boyfriend would really make my high school experience complele.
It's something I've always aspired to....
Maki : Well, then you should follow your heart! Go and meet him behind the gym today!
Leah : Go and meet him! ... It's easy to say it, but...
Leah : Well, not... not like, ringt away...
Maki : As if! You're always going on about how much you want a boyfriend!
Natsumi : Actually, I think that's just you, Maki...
Leah : I do really want a boyfriend someday, but...
Maki : Well, someday has arrived!
Leah : Maybe... Maybe it has....
Maki : Anyway, there's nothing to do but go meet him! Alright?
Leah : Alright...I'll just go and see...
Natsumi : You don't have go if you don't want to, leah.
Leah : I know, but... I'll just go anyway and see what happens.
Natsumi : All right...
Natsumi : Yeeh, I think that's a good idea.
Natsumi's smile makes me feel reassured, but... I still can't sort out my feelings.
Part of me wishes it was lunchtime already, and the other part hopes the time never comes.