There's a boy named Hanako. He's a high school student and his parents live overseas so he lives alone in his house. He also works a part-time job even though his parents are rich.
One evening, he was returning from his part-time job when on the way, he saw a girl crying on the park. At that time, it was raining and the girl was crying, getting drenched in the rain. Seeing this Hanako gives her his umbrella and starts to walk straight away. Then the girl asks him to stay with her for just only 5 minutes.
To escape the rain, both of them stand under a shelter. Then the girl says thank you to him and asks him his name. So he tells her his name is Hanako. The girl tells him her name is hinata
The Hanako tells her, "It's none of my business to know this, but why were you crying?" The girl replies that she was fired from her part time job and was also accused of theft. She doesn't have money to pay her house rent.
So Hanako asks her, "Where are your parents?" She replies that her father has passed away and her mother is currently facing a lot of financial loss. So right now, she doesn't have enough money to pay her house rent.
Hearing this, Hanako replies that "if you want I can talk to a friend of mine about you who might be able to get you a part-time job." The girl is very happy about this. and tells him, thank you , youDon't even know me but you helped me so much."
In the night time Hinata lay in bed, her thoughts swirling. "Oh, Hanako so it was you. You can't imagine how happy I was to see you after all these years. But it hurts that you didn't recognize me... you never really knew me well back then so it's no surprise you wouldn't recognize me now."
The next scene shows Hanako at his home deep in thought. "I need to help that girl; she needs a part-time job."
Hanako then calls his friend, Kojo, whose father owns a cafe and convenience store.
"Kojo," Hanako says, "there's a girl who need a part-time job. Can you get her a position at your father's cafe? It would really help her out. "
Kojo replies, "Sure, I can get her a waiter's job at my dad's cafe. But I have a question: who is she, and why are you helping her?"
"Her name is Hinata," Hanako answers. "I met her for the first time today, and I don't know why, but I just want to help her."
Kojo pauses. "Is she the girl from our school in second grade? Are you talking about her?"
"I don't know," Hanako says, "and it doesn't matter who she [is]."
Okay," Kojo says, "have her come to our cafe tomorrow evening for an interview."
The next day, Hinata arrives at Kojo's cafe. Upon seeing her, Kojo says, "I was right! We go to the same school, and you are in the second grade."
Hinata: "Is it true? I'm happy to know we go to the same school. But please forgive me, I didn't recognize you."
Kojo: "No worries. Let's start the interview. Why do you want this part-time job?"
Hinata: "Because I am capable of doing this part-time job."
Kojo: "Any other reason?"
Hinata: "I know how to do all the cafe work very well."
Kojo: "Anything else?"
Hinata: "You tell me—what is it that you want to hear?"
Kojo (laughing): "Just that you need this work."
Hinata: "And don't you need me?"
Kojo (confused): "Umm... excuse me?"
Hinata: "What I mean is, you must surely need a staff member because your cafe is quite large. A lot of customers must come here, and you probably have trouble managing it all alone."
Kojo: "Well, you're right about that. Let's start working from today." (He thinks to himself: She knows very well how to manipulate a situation to her advantage.) "Let me introduce myself properly. I am Sasaki Kojo, but you can just call me Kojo."
Hinata: "Hito Hinata."
Hinata and Kojo clean the cafe together and open for business. After a while, customers begin to arrive. One of Kojo's classmates, Yumi, enters the cafe with three of her friends to see him.
Yumi: "I came to return the notes you lent me. Here they are—and thanks for the help."
Kojo: "You're welcome, but you could have just given them to me at school. You didn't need to come all the way here."
Yumi: "I was already planning to come to your cafe for coffee with my friends anyway, so I thought I'd bring your notes along."
Kojo: "I see. Have a seat over there, and I'll bring coffee for you and your friends."
As Yumi and her friends sit down, Yumi notices a girl working alongside Kojo. When Kojo returns with their coffee, she speaks up.
Yumi: "So, you finally hired a staff member?"
Kojo: "Yes, I did. She's actually a junior at our school."
Yumi: "I couldn't get a good look at her. Won't you introduce us?"
Kojo: "Hold on, I'll call her over. Hinata! Can you come here for a minute?"
Hinata: "Yes, what is it?"
Kojo: "This is my classmate, Yumi. She wanted to meet you. And Yumi, this is—"
Yumi (shocked): "Hinata?!"
Kojo: "Wait, do you know her?"
Yumi: "Kojo, can I speak with you alone for a moment?"
Hinata: "You two go ahead and talk; I'll go tend to the customers."
Kojo: "Alright, what's on your mind?"
Yumi: "Why on earth did you hire Hinata?"
Kojo: "What's wrong? Why are you speaking like that?"
Yumi: "Have you forgotten? A year ago, she hit my older brother for no reason and then went on to put false accusations on him!"
Kojo: "No, that's not true. As far as I remember, your brother was the one who started everything by harrassing Hinata's classmate. And as for hitting your brother, Hinata was simply using self-defense."
Yumi: "Are you really supporting a girl who is just your staff member?"
Kojo: "I'm not supporting her; I'm just supporting the truth. If Hinata is causing you this much of a problem, then you should either talk to her clearly or just leave. I need to get back to the customers—it's Hinata's first day, and she'll have trouble managing everything alone. Bye."
Yumi leaves in a fit of rage, and Kojo resumes his work.
They both continue working until it is 7:30 PM, and it is time to close the cafe since all the customers have left.
Hinata: "Kojo, it seems like you're quite famous among the girls."
Kojo: "What?! Why would you think that?"
Hinata: "Most of our customers were girls, and they were all just staring at you the entire time."
Kojo: "I never really noticed. Do you really think I'm so handsome that girls come to the cafe just to look at me?"
Hinata: "I think I should head home now. You should close up and go home, too."
Kojo: "At least answer my question! Wait a minute, I'm leaving too once I lock up."
Hinata: "Okay, I'll wait for you outside."
(Two minutes later)
Kojo: "Why are you standing so far away from the cafe?"
Hinata: "I'm allergic to the smell of the lily flowers you have outside the cafe for decoration."
Kojo: "Why didn't you tell me that earlier? I would have removed them right then. Don't worry, I'll have those lilies removed tomorrow."
Hinata: "Thank you. Bye!"
Kojo: "Should I drop you home?"
Hinata: "No, that's not necessary. I need to go to the supermarket before heading home. Alright then, I'll see you tomorrow."
Kojo: "Okay, bye!"
A while later, Kojo reaches home. As he takes out his phone, he sees a message from Hanako.
Hanako's message: "Did Hinata come to your cafe for the interview? And is she the same girl you were talking about earlier?"
Kojo's reply: "Yes, Hinata is the one."
Hanako: "Then why have I never seen her at school?"
Kojo: "Do you know Tanaka Itsuki?"
Hanako: "No, who is that?"
Kojo: "He's our class president. If you don't even know him, how would you know Hinata?"
Hanako: "What is Hinata's section?"
Kojo: "Section A. But why do you ask?"
Hanako: "Just wondering. Okay, bye. See you at school tomorrow."
The next scene shows Hinata arriving at her home.
Hinata: "Mom, I'm home! I brought the things you asked for from the supermarket."
Hinata's Mom: "Okay, Hina. Go freshen up; I'm setting the table for dinner."
Hinata: "Okay."
A little later, Hinata comes out for dinner. (The house is shown clearly, and it does not look like they are facing any financial problems at all.)
Hinata's Mom: "How was your day today?"
Hinata: "It was quite good. The owner of the place where I started my new part-time job also studies at my school."
Hinata's Mom: "That's good. But why do you want to work a part-time job?"
Hinata: "I get bored at home alone, and Fuji isn't living at home anymore either."
Hinata's Mom: "Have you spoken to Fuji?"
Hinata: "No, I spoke to one of his friends. He said Fuji has gone out of town for some work."
Hinata's Mom: "I see."
Hinata: "I've finished my dinner; I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight."
Hinata's Mom: "Love you, goodnight."
The morning scene:
Hinata: "I've had my breakfast, I'm heading to school now. Bye!"
Hinata's Mom: "Bye!"
The scene shifts to Grade 3, Section A. Hanako enters the classroom and sits next to Kojo.
Kojo: "What have you decided about the school camping program?"
Hanako: "I'm not going. What about you?"
Kojo: "Me neither."
Itsuki: "Hi, Kojo. Yumi's friends mentioned that you insulted her."
Kojo: "Insulted her? I don't recall doing anything like that."
Itsuki: "Her friends said she went to your cafe yesterday, and you told her to get out."
Kojo: "Oh, you're talking about what happened yesterday."
Itsuki: "So, you admit that you insulted her?"
Kojo: "No. I simply stated the facts. Whether she took it as an insult or something else is up to her."
Hanako: "What are you guys talking about?"
Kojo: "Yumi came to my cafe yesterday evening and was surprised to see Hinata there because Hinata had hit her brother a year ago. She was upset that I hired Hinata".
Itsuki: "Are you talking about Hito Hinata from the junior grade?"
Kojo: "Yes."
Itsuki: "What was she doing at your cafe?"
Kojo: "She is my staff member. We work together".
Hanako: "Hinata hit Yumi's brother? Why don't I know anything about this if everyone else does?"
Itsuki: "You were on a one-week leave at that time, if I'm not wrong. Yumi's brother was suspended for 20 days because of Hinata. It wasn't talked about much back then, so that's probably why you didn't find out."
Hanako: "Why did Hinata hit him, and why was he suspended? I don't understand any of this."
Kojo: "It's a long story. I'll tell you over the phone tonight."
The teacher enters the classroom.
Itsuki (in a low voice): "I'm going back to my seat. Bye."
Hanako (to Kojo): "By the way, who was that?"
Kojo: "Tanaka Itsuki, the class president."
Hanako: "Oh."
The scene shifts to Grade 2, Section A. A boy named Kaito is sitting in a seat next to the wall. The seat next to him is empty. Four boys arrive to harass him. The leader of the group is Rico, who sits in the empty seat.
Rico: "What are you reading, you bookworm?"
Kaito: "That seat is reserved."
Rico: "What did you say?"
Kaito: "Someone is going to sit there. The seat is already reserved, so get up."
Rico: "You don't know how to respect your seniors?"
Kaito: "You've been in the same grade for two years, and now I'm in this grade too. How exactly are you my senior?"
Rico glares at him with rage. One of Rico's friends tries to persuade him to leave. "Let's go back to our seats. That crazy, eccentric girl could show up any second." Rico then says to Kaito, "Hey bookworm, since you love reading so much..." and throws Kaito's book out of the window.
Kaito: "Move out of my way. I need to go down and get my book."
Rico (laughing): "What are you so arrogant about?"
Kaito: "Are you in your right mind? Do you even realize what you're doing right now?"
Rico: "You think I'm crazy?"
Suddenly, someone taps Rico on the shoulder to ask him to move. Rico turns around and snarls, "Who doesn't value their life enough to disturb me?" He turns to see Hinata standing right behind him.
At that moment, Hinata looked absolutely horrible and exhausted.
Hinata: "I don't think this is your seat."
Rico: "I'm sorry! I was just... just talking to my friend Kaito. I'm leaving now."
Rico starts to walk away, but Hinata raises her voice.
Hinata: "Stop. Did you throw that book down there?"
Rico: "I was only joking around with Kaito."
Hinata: "Do you know whose book that is?"
Rico: "Yeah, Kaito's."
Hinata: "No. It's my book. Kaito borrowed it from me a few days ago to read."
Rico: "I'm so sorry! I didn't know!"
Kaito: "Let it go, Hina. You look really tired. Come and sit in your seat."
Hinata: "Fine. And as for you lot—don't let me catch you anywhere near my seat again."
Rico and his friends scurry back to their places. Rico whispers to his friends, "Why is that girl always so frustrated? It's like she's back from a war. And today, she looked even more terrifying than usual."
Kaito turns to Hinata. "What happened? Why do you look so exhausted? And why does your bag look so heavy?"
Hinata: "I missed my bus, so I had to walk all the way from my house to school. As soon as I arrived, someone threw a book at me from above. It hit me right in the head... and in the end, it turned out to be my own book anyway."
Kaito: "Your day really has been heavy so far. But you still haven't told me why your bag is so weighed down."
Hinata (smiling): "Last night, I finally got them. All 10 years' worth of sample papers. They're all inside my bag. It's so heavy I can't even feel my shoulders anymore."
Kaito: "Are you serious? You actually found all the sample papers, and that quickly?"
Hinata: "Take them out and see for yourself."
Kaito looks through the books in awe. "It'll take at least a month just to finish all of these."
Hinata: "Don't get any ideas. I'm not giving you a single one of these papers, so stop dreaming."
Kaito: "What? How can you be so selfish?"
Hinata: "Oh, I'm the selfish one? Have you forgotten the 3rd grade of middle school? Right before the final exams, when you got sick and your dad had to leave for important work? I helped you revise every chapter, I fed you while you studied... your mom even started thinking we were in a relationship because I took such good care of you! And what did you do? On the day of the exam, you suddenly got better, you came in first, and I came second in the exam . And you call me selfish?"
Kaito: "And have you forgotten—"
Hinata: "Quiet. Mr. Takahashi is here. Tell me later."
The students all stand to wish the teacher good morning.
Mr. Takahashi: "Good morning, class. Today's topic is the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. Who can tell me what that is?"
Among all the students, one boy raises his hand and says, "Sir, this topic isn't even in our textbook!"
Mr. Takahashi: "Yes, you're right. Even though this topic isn't in your textbook, it is deeply connected to our lives. I think you all will enjoy learning about it."
Kaito raises his hand.
Kaito: "The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also known as the Frequency Illusion, is when you learn a new word and suddenly start seeing it everywhere. Or, if you think about buying a specific car, you start noticing that exact car all over the road."
Mr. Takahashi: "Good! Very well said. Is there anyone else who can give another example?"
Hinata: "Yes, sir."
Mr. Takahashi: "Go ahead, Hinata."
Hinata: "Has it ever happened to you that you hurt one of your fingers, and then it feels like you keep accidentally hitting that same finger over and over? In reality, it's not happening more often—it's just that our brain becomes hyper-aware. After the first injury, even a slight touch feels like a major impact because we are focused on it."
The teacher continues the lesson for a while and then starts taking attendance. After finishing, he looks concerned.
Mr. Takahashi: "Everyone is present today except for the Class President. Does anyone know why she isn't in class? I tried calling her house, but no one picked up. I think someone needs to visit her home to check on her. Who will go?"
While the teacher was speaking, Hinata and Kaito were whispering to each other.
Kaito: "You won't be able to finish all those sample papers in one night. Let's study them one by one. We can clear each other's doubts."
Hinata: "No."
Kaito: "Hina, come on..."
Mr. Takahashi notices them talking.
Mr. Takahashi: "Ah, Kaito and Hinata! It seems you two are very eager to visit the Class President. Since you're insisting so much, I'll let the two of you go and I'll send you the address"
Kaito and Hinata stare at the teacher in shock.
Mr. Takahashi: "And can you do one more favor? Go to the staff room; there are some books near my desk. Please deliver them to Grade 3, Section A."
Hinata: "Sir, I don't know the way to the staff room. How am I supposed to go?"
Kaito: "Don't worry, I'll take you."
Kaito and Hinata glare at each other before heading toward the staff room.
Kaito: "See? Here's the staff room."
Hinata: "Why are you looking at my face? Go in and get the books from the teacher's desk!"
Just then, someone speaks up: "Hinata? What are you doing here?"
She turns around to see Hanako and Kojo.
Hinata: "My class teacher asked me to deliver some books to a classroom."
Hanako: "And who is this boy with you? Is he your classmate?"
Hinata: "Yes."
Kaito: "Suzuki Hanako and Sasaki Kojo..."
Hinata: "Wait, how do you know them?"
Kaito: "First, you tell me—do you know Watanabe Yui?"
Hinata: "No. Who is that? Should I know her?"
Kaito: "She is our Class President! If you don't even know our own Class President, how on earth do you know these seniors?"
Hanako and Kojo speak at the same time:
Hanako: "She needed a part-time job, so I helped her find one."
Kojo: "And she works at my cafe."
Kaito: "Hinata needing a part-time job? What are you talking about? And Hinata... you told me you were working at the Rambo Cafe and got fired. Why are you working at Kojo's cafe instead?"
Hinata: "Kaito, you should head back to class. You wanted those sample papers, right? Take them. You can study them until you finish them."
Kaito: "Really? Are you sure? But the teacher told us to deliver the books."
Hinata: "I'll handle that."
Kaito: "And what about the Class President's house?"
Hinata: "I'll go there by myself."
Kaito looks at Hinata with a smile and ruffles her hair. "This is exactly why you're my best friend. Do everything carefully; I'm heading out now." Hanako and Kojo were staring at Kaito, glaring at him as he walked away.
Hinata thought to herself: I can't keep lying to Kojo and Hanako forever. They study at my school, too; they're bound to find out the truth sooner or later. Not right now, but I'll tell them everything very soon.
Kojo: "What happened, Hinata? Where are you lost?"
Hinata: "Nowhere."
Hanako: "Seeing you two together... you seem like very close friends."
Hinata: "What? Oh, Kaito and me? Yeah, we are. Anyway, what are you two doing here?"
Kojo: "We came to submit an application."
Hinata: "I see, but what kind of application?"
Kojo: "Our class is being taken on a camping trip. We both have some other work, so we aren't going. I came to submit our opt-out applications."
Hinata: "I see. I should probably get going too; I have things to do."
As Hinata starts to leave with the heavy stack of books, Hanako stops her. "Should I help you deliver those books?"
Hinata: "No, no, I can manage. You guys finish whatever you came here for."
Hinata leaves. Kojo watches her go and turns to Hanako. "Didn't it seem like she was hiding something?"
Hanako: "Yeah. But I don't want to pry into what she's hiding until she decides to tell me herself."
The scene follows Hinata, who is talking to herself while struggling with the books. "Today is just a bad day. Why can't I find Grade 3A? I checked the first floor, the second floor, and the third floor... where is it? I should have just taken Hanako's help." While muttering, she accidentally bumps into Mr. Takahashi.
Mr. Takahashi: "Where is your head, Hinata? Watch where you're going; you could have been hurt!"
Hinata: "Sorry, sir. It's just that I've been looking for Grade 3A for ages and I can't find it."
Mr. Takahashi: "It's right behind the staff room! Didn't you see it when you were going in or coming out?"
Hinata: "I wasn't paying attention."
Mr. Takahashi: "And where is Kaito? He went with you."
Hinata: "He remembered some urgent work he had to do."
Mr. Takahashi: "Can you handle all these books alone?"
Hinata: "Yes, don't worry. I've got it."
Mr. Takahashi: "Thank you, Hinata. You really are a good kid."
Hinata: "Sure. I'm going now."
Hinata finally enters the Grade 3A classroom. At the exact same moment, Hanako and Kojo also walk in. All three of them speak at once: "What are you doing here?"
The entire class stares at Hinata.
Hanako: "I study in this class."
Kojo: "I study here too. But what are you doing here?"
Hinata (in a tired, faint voice): "I'm here to deliver the books the teacher asked me to. Why didn't you tell me earlier that you were in this class?"
Hanako: "You never asked."
Hinata: "But I told you I was going to deliver books to a class!"
Hanako: "But you didn't say which class."
Hinata: "Fine, it was my fault. Let's drop it. Who is the Class President here?"
Itsuki: "That would be me."
Hinata: "Can you please take these books and distribute them? Mr. Takahashi sent them."
Itsuki: "Wait, I'll come to you."
Itsuki walks over to take the books and notices Hinata's face.
Itsuki: "Why do you look like you're about to burst into tears?"
Hanako: "What?"
Hinata: "No, no, it's nothing. My face always looks like this when I'm exhausted. I've just been searching for this class for a long time while carrying these books. Anyway, Class President, please give the books to everyone. I'm leaving."
Itsuki: "Wait a minute, hold on."
A minute later, Itsuki returns.
Itsuki: "Here, take this. It's strawberry juice. It might help with the fatigue."
Hinata: "Hmm... Thank you."
