Searching for a Spark
S1 Episode 1
The bell rings, and students bustle into their seats. Y/n, sitting near the window, stares blankly at the cherry blossoms swaying outside. The boys in the class whisper to each other, stealing glances at her. Hina, Y/n’s energetic best friend, bursts through the door
Hina
(grinning) Morning, Y/n! Guess what? Three more guys confessed to me this morning asking about you! You’re like a magnet!
Y/n
(expressionless) I don’t get it. Why are they all so obsessed with me?
Hina
(sighs dramatically) Because you’re stunning, obviously! But you’re also... well, you know. A little robotic. You never even look at them twice
Y/n
(tilts head) I don’t see the point. Love sounds... complicated. I don’t think I have it in me
Hina
(leaning closer, smirking) Maybe you just haven’t met the right person yet. Or maybe you’re just scared to feel something
Y/n
(calmly) Scared? No. I just don’t understand it
Hina
(grinning) Okay then, I have an idea! How about this? You go out with a few guys and see if you fall in love. It’ll be like an experiment!
Y/n
(raises an eyebrow) An experiment? Sounds tedious
Hina
(pouts) Come on, Y/n! Don’t you want to at least try to understand what everyone else feels? Besides, you’ve got nothing to lose. And I’ll help you pick the guys!
Y/n
(after a pause) ...Fine. But only because I want to understand
Hina
(excitedly) Yes! Alright, let’s start with someone simple—how about Ren? He’s in the basketball team. Cute, sweet, and I heard he’s had a crush on you forever
Hina drags Y/n to the basketball court. Ren is practicing his free throws with his team. Noticing Y/n, he freezes and almost trips over himself. Hina waves him over
Hina
(grinning) Ren! Y/n wants to talk to you
Y/n
(calmly) Do you want to go out with me?
The court goes silent. Ren's teammates gasp audibly
Ren
(blushing furiously) W-What?! Are you serious?
Y/n
(blinks) Yes. I’m serious
Ren
(grinning) Of course! I-I’d love to!
Hina
(whispering to Y/n) See? Easy. Now, have fun on your first date tomorrow!
Y/n and Ren sit across from each other in a cozy café. Ren fidgets nervously, while Y/n sips her coffee calmly
Ren
(awkwardly) S-So, um, what do you like to do in your free time?
Y/n
(monotone) Nothing in particular
Ren
(trying to keep the conversation going) Uh, o-okay. Do you like basketball?
Ren scratches the back of his neck, clearly struggling. Y/n observes him quietly, her face unreadable
Y/n
(suddenly) Why do you like me?
Ren
(startled) W-What? Oh, uh... I think you’re really pretty. And cool. You’re just... different from everyone else
Y/n
(nodding slightly) I see
Ren
(blushing) D-Do you... like me?
Y/n
(pauses) I don’t know. That’s why I’m here.
Ren looks confused but doesn’t press further. The date ends with Y/n walking home alone, deep in thought
Y/n lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Hina calls her, and she answers on speaker
Hina
(excitedly) How was it? Did you feel anything?
Y/n
No. He was nice, but I didn’t feel any different
Hina
(chuckling) Okay, don’t worry! It’s only the first date. We’ve got plenty of guys to test!
Y/n
(monotone) This experiment is going to take a while
Hina
(grinning through the phone) And it’s going to be fun! Trust me
S1 Episode 2
Y/n and Hina sit together during a break between classes. Hina flips through her notebook, which now has a list of names and descriptions of potential boys for Y/n to date
Hina
(grinning) "Alright, Ren didn’t work out. No big deal. We’ve got options, Y/n. Tons of them!
Y/n
(resting her chin on her hand) You seem more excited about this than I am.
Hina
(playfully) Of course I am! It’s like matchmaking, but for science! Okay, next up, I’m thinking Kota. He’s in the drama club. Super expressive, super romantic
Y/n
(blinking) Will he cry if I break up with him?
Hina
(snickers) Maybe. But hey, that’s part of the fun!
Y/n
I don’t see how that’s fun
Hina
You’ll see. Come on, I’ll set it up
Kota is rehearsing a monologue when Hina and Y/n walk in. He notices them and immediately freezes, a wide smile spreading across his face
Kota
Y/n! What a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?
Hina
(nudging Y/n) Go on, tell him
Y/n
(calmly) Do you want to go out with me?
Kota drops the script he’s holding, his jaw dropping in disbelief
Kota
You... want to go out with me?
Y/n
(nods) Yes. Is that a problem?
Kota
(dramatically) No! Absolutely not! It’s just—I can’t believe this is happening. Of course, I’d love to!
Hina
(smiling) Great! You two can have your date after school tomorrow!
Kota bows slightly, looking at Y/n with stars in his eyes
Kota
I promise I’ll make it the most memorable day of your life!
Y/n tilts her head slightly, expression unreadable
Kota arrives at the park dressed in a formal shirt and blazer, holding a single rose. Y/n, in her usual casual attire, looks at the rose and then at Kota with mild curiosity
Kota
(smiling nervously) This is for you, Y/n. A symbol of my admiration
Y/n
(takes the rose) Thank you. What are we doing today?
Kota
I thought we’d take a stroll through the park and then visit the café nearby. I’ve reserved the best table for us!
As they walk, Kota talks animatedly about his passion for acting, his favorite plays, and how he sees the world as a stage
Kota
(excitedly) You know, Y/n, you’d make an incredible lead actress. You have this... aura about you
Y/n
I’ve never thought about acting
Kota
You should! I could coach you. We’d make a great team—onstage and off
Y/n listens quietly, her expression unchanged. At the café, Kota continues to talk about his dreams. Y/n occasionally nods, sipping her tea
The date ends, and Kota walks Y/n to the bus stop. He looks at her nervously, clearly wanting to say something
Kota
Y/n... I had an amazing time today. I hope you did too
Kota
(smiling) That’s great to hear! Um, so... do you think we could do this again sometime?
Kota freezes, his smile faltering
Kota
Oh... I see. Did I do something wrong?
Kota
(shaking her head) No. You were fine. I just didn’t feel anything
Kota looks heartbroken but tries to smile anyway
Kota
I understand. Thanks for giving me a chance, Y/n
He bows slightly and walks away. Y/n watches him leave, then turns and boards the bus without a second thought
Y/n lies on her bed, the rose Kota gave her resting on her desk. Hina is on a video call with her, looking eager
Hina
So? How did it go? Did you feel anything this time?
Y/n
No. He talked a lot. I don’t think I’m interested in actors
Hina
(laughing) Noted. Okay, don’t worry, we’ll try again. I’ve already got the next guy in mind—his name’s Taro. He’s the quiet type, always reading in the library. Maybe someone calm will suit you better
Y/n
(closing her eyes) Alright
Hina
(grinning) Great! Get some rest. Tomorrow’s another experiment!
S1 Episode 3
Hina drags Y/n into the school library. The quiet atmosphere contrasts sharply with Hina’s bubbling excitement. Sitting by the window, surrounded by books, is Taro—a tall, reserved boy with glasses, immersed in a thick novel. Hina whispers to Y/n
Hina
There he is! Quiet, smart, and mysterious. I bet he’s your type
Y/n
(calmly) I don’t have a type
Hina
(playfully nudging her) Well, maybe you will after this. Go on, talk to him!
Y/n walks over to Taro, who doesn’t notice her approach. She stands by his table until he finally looks up, startled by her presence
Taro
(adjusting his glasses) Oh, hi. Can I help you?
Y/n
(calmly) Do you want to go out with me?
Taro blinks in confusion, closing his book slowly
Y/n
Do you want to go out with me? It’s a simple question
Taro looks around, unsure if he’s being pranked. Hina waves from a distance, giving him an encouraging thumbs-up. Taro’s face flushes red
Taro
(nervously) Uh, sure. I mean, yes. I-I’d like that
Y/n
Okay. Tomorrow after school?
Taro
(still flustered) Tomorrow is fine
She walks back to Hina, who practically squeals with excitement
Hina
(whispering) You’re a natural! I knew he’d say yes!
Y/n meets Taro in front of a small bookstore after school. He looks slightly nervous but smiles politely when he sees her. Y/n remains calm, as always
Taro
Hi, Y/n. I thought we could browse some books together. Is that okay?
They enter the store, and Taro leads her to the fiction section. He picks up a book and shows it to her
Taro
This is one of my favorites. It’s about a boy who goes on a journey to find himself. Do you read much?
Taro
(nodding) That’s okay. Maybe you’ll find something you like here
As they browse, Taro becomes more comfortable, sharing anecdotes about his favorite books and authors. Y/n listens quietly, occasionally nodding but showing little reaction. Taro seems happy to talk without expecting much in return
After the bookstore, Taro and Y/n sit at a quiet café. Taro stirs his tea nervously, glancing at Y/n
Taro
So, um... why did you ask me out?
Y/n
I wanted to see if I’d feel anything
Taro
(confused) Feel anything?
Y/n
I don’t know what love is. I’m trying to understand it
Taro
(pausing) That’s... an interesting reason. Do you feel anything so far?
Taro chuckles awkwardly, unsure how to respond. The rest of the conversation is light, with Taro doing most of the talking. When they finish, Taro walks Y/n home
Taro stands at the gate, hesitating before speaking
Taro
Thank you for today, Y/n. I had a great time. I hope you did too
Taro
(smiling softly) "That’s good to hear. Um... I guess I’ll see you at school
He waves and walks away. Y/n watches him leave, her expression neutral
Y/n lies on her bed, scrolling through her phone when Hina calls her
Hina
"So? How did the date with Taro go?
Y/n
It was fine. He talked about books
Hina
And? Did you feel anything? Butterflies? A spark
Y/n
No. He’s nice, but I don’t think I’m interested
Hina
(groaning) Ugh, you’re tough, Y/n. But don’t worry, we’ve still got options. How about someone more outgoing next? I’m thinking Daichi—the soccer team captain. He’s funny and super confident. Maybe that’ll shake you up!
Hina
Great! I’ll set it up for this weekend. Get ready for some excitement!
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