Chapter 2
University café. A modern bustling place filled with chatter. Nene sits across from Kazama, dramatically sipping a matcha latte.
Nene Sakurada
Kazama. We need to talk strategy.
Toru Kazama
Are we at war?
Nene Sakurada
Yes... And with him.
Nene Sakurada
(Leans forward) we can't let Shinnosuke slither back into your life. You've finally stabilized.
Toru Kazama
(Sighs) He's just in the same school. I'm not planning on marrying him.
Nene Sakurada
(Glares) Don't joke about that. The last time he smiled at you, you flunked calculus.
Toru Kazama
That was 3 years ago.
Nene Sakurada
Exactly. He's like a plague of butterflies. Pretty, disarming and emotionally destructive.
Toru Kazama
You are being dramatic.
Toru Kazama
I'm dramatic. I run the drama club. This is literally my jurisdiction.
Shinnosuke, talking with Bo and Masao at a nearby table.
Masao Sato
(Anxious) Are you really okay seeing Kazama again? You guys.... Didn't end well.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(Shrugs) I'm good. I just wanna talk to him. Maybe fix things.
Bo Suzuki
(Quietly) Paper hearts tear easy.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Deep...
(Smirks) And true. But I'm not here to rip anything. Not anymore.
Masao Sato
You sure you're not still in love with him?
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(Hesitates, then)......What if I am?
Bo Suzuki
Then you'll need glue. Not charm.
Masao Sato
(Fretful) This sounds like a terrible idea. You two used to argue in Morse code. Through glares.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(Laughs) Yeah. But he never looked at anyone else that way.
Nene Sakurada
We need to keep him at a distance. Distract him. Confuse him. Maybe.... Set him up with someone else.
Toru Kazama
(Tired) You can't manipulate people's emotions like that.
Nene Sakurada
(Already texting) Too late. I just invited him on a double date. With me and Bo.
Toru Kazama
You what? I never agreed to that!
Nene Sakurada
You'll be there too. As Bo's fake date.
Toru Kazama
You're throwing me into this like it's a soap Opera.
(Pulls out paper heart shaped fan from her tote bag)
Toru Kazama
(in disbelief) You are unhinged.
Nene Sakurada
You're welcome.
Later that evening, A trendy ramen bar. Warm lighting. Bo , Kazama and Nene are seated when Shinnosuke arrives.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Wow... You're my rival date? This night just got spicy.
Toru Kazama
(Awkwardly) Don't get any ideas.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Too late. I already had three. Maybe four now.
Nene Sakurada
Keep it up and I'll monologue mid-soup.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(Grins) can't wait. Hope it comes with subtitles.
Bo Suzuki
(Watching them) This feels like emotional dodgeball.
Toru Kazama
Bo, say something neutral.
Bo Suzuki
Noodles are hollow. Like trust.
Bo Suzuki
Wow... That's..... poetic. Are you guys writing a joint blog?
Toru Kazama
(Dry) only if it ends in psychological breakdown.
Nene Sakurada
You two bicker like a married couple.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Hey, don't tease him. He's still pretending not to miss me.
Toru Kazama
(Tense) I don't miss you.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Then why are you blushing?
Toru Kazama
It's chili oil.
Masao, at another table hiding behind a menu.
Masao Sato
(to himself) This is going to end in tears. Possibly mine. I didn't even order anything spicy.
Lights din slightly as music starts playing in the ramen shop. Shinnosuke taps his foot to the beat, still watching Kazama.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(Softly) He always hated this song.
Bo Suzuki
Maybe it's time he listened to the lyrics.
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