Chapter 3
Campus library. Quiet study zone. Kazama and Shinnosuke sit at opposite ends of a table. A notice board reads: "Group Pairing: Psychology of Human Communication."
Toru Kazama
(Staring at the list): You've got to be kidding me.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(Grinning) Partnered again, huh? Almost like fate's playing favorites.
Toru Kazama
Fate must hate me.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Nah. I think it just likes good television.
Toru Kazama
(Mutters) This is not television. This is torture.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Come on. You and me ? We'll ace it. You bring the brains, I bring the charm.
Toru Kazama
If this ends in disaster, I'm blaming you. And your charm
They sit. Shinnosuke spins a pen between his fingers.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
So.... "The Psychology of Miscommunication." (grins) Appropriate, huh?
Toru Kazama
Only if we write it as an autobiography.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Great. You start with how you avoided my texts for a year.
Toru Kazama
(Glares) You ghosted first.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(Suddenly serious) Yeah. And I regret it. Every damn single day.
Pauses. Silence thickens between them.
Toru Kazama
(Softly) You hurt me, Shinnosuke.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
I know.
Masao and Bo outside, watching from a window like gossiping owl's.
Masao Sato
Should we intervene?
Bo Suzuki
They're boiling in their own soup.
Masao Sato
But what if it spills?
Bo Suzuki
Then let it. Some flavors only surface under heat.
Back to library. Shinnosuke slides a notebook to Kazama.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Let's make this project count.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(Lowers voice) even if we don't.
Toru Kazama
(Looking down) Don't say things like that.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
Why? You scared it's true?
Toru Kazama
(Angry whisper) I'm scared it still matters.
Long pause. Shinnosuke's smile fades.
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
It does. To me.
Suddenly,Nene burst through the door.
Nene Sakurada
(Out of breath) Kazama! I brought snacks and — oh.
Nene Sakurada
(Notice tension) Is this..... Emotional progress or pre-breakup energy?
Shinnosuke Nohara (MC)
(without looking up) Both.
Toru Kazama
(quietly) Shut up and hand me the highlighter.
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