Prologue: Earlier than Expected
It has been almost a week since Takashi Kinomoto moved to America and began attending Chicago High School as a transfer student. The days he spent so far have all been the same, with him trying to fit in at school while everyone else looks down upon him for being a transfer student. On Friday of his first week at CHS, it was the same for Takashi as he walked to English class with his classmate, Catherine Baker.
“...*Sigh* Another day, another English class that we’re forced to go to. Jesus, I don’t want to do any more research for our debate next week. It’s too tedious.”
“Speaking of our debate, aren’t we going to pick what date we’ll be presenting on during class today?” Takashi asked.
“...Yeah, I think so. Let’s just hope that we’re not the last group to choose. Because I do not want us to be the first ones to present.”
“Heh, me neither.” Takashi agreed.
The two of them then arrived at their English class and sat down in their seats. The bell then rang, and Mrs. Vere walked into the classroom.
“Good afternoon, my little chickadees! Please, take your seats!” she happily said.
The class sat down and looked at Mrs. Vere.
“Now, as all of you know, we’ll be starting our debates on Monday of next week. With that being said, today, we will be choosing what days your groups will debate on. Is there any group that wants to go first on Monday? I’ll grade you less harshly if you do.” Mrs. Vere asked.
At first, no one in the class volunteered to present first. Then suddenly, someone raised their hand. Takashi and Catherine looked and saw that it was their fellow group member: Katelyn Miller, who raised her hand.
“O-Our group would like to go first, Mrs. Vere,” Katelyn announced.
Takashi’s and Catherine’s eyes widened with shock.
“Splendid! Katelyn’s group will be debating first on Monday then!” Mrs. Vere said.
Takashi then raised his hand.
“Hmm? What is it, Takashi?”
“Umm, our group didn’t compromise going first on Monday. In fact, Katelyn never asked Catherine or me when we should present next week.” Takashi informed.
Mrs. Vere then looked at Katelyn.
“Is that true, Katelyn?” Mrs. Vere asked.
Katelyn shook her head.
“N-No! We did agree that we’ll be the first ones to go! I swear!” she denied.
“No, we did not! She’s lying!”
Mrs. Vere then shook her head.
“*Sigh* Well, it’s clear to me that one of you two is lying. So, to settle this dispute, I’ll flip a coin.”
Mrs. Vere then took a coin out and looked at Takashi.
“Takashi, Heads or Tails?”
“Heads.”
Mrs. Vere then flipped the coin.
“...And it’s Tails! Looks like your group will be debating on Monday then.”
Takashi’s eyes widened in shock while Catherine looked at him, disappointed, and Katelyn smiled in relief.
“What?! You have to be kidding me!” Takashi said in shock.
“Sorry, Takashi, but it’s been decided. Don’t worry, I’m sure you and Catherine will do great, regardless of what day you’ll be debating on.”
Mrs. Vere then looked at the rest of the class.
“Anyway, back to assigning days. Who wants to...”
As Mrs. Vere addressed the class, Takashi looked at Katelyn.
“What’s your game here, Katelyn? Why the hell do you want us to debate on Monday? Do you just want to get it out of the way, or is there another reason behind that decision? If it’s the latter, then what are you planning?”
The rest of English class was then spent assigning days to groups and doing research. Soon enough, the bell rang, and Takashi and Catherine left the class and began walking to their next one.
“*Sigh* Damn it. I can’t believe we’ll be debating on Monday. This sucks.”
“...Yeah, and it’s all because of you, Takashi. Good job.” Catherine said.
“Hey! It’s not my fault that the coin landed on Tails!”
“...I know, I know. I was just messing with you. What I meant to say was; I can’t believe Katelyn wants us to go on Monday. She didn’t even talk to us about it.”
“Do you have any clue as to why she wants to go on Monday?”
“...Nope, and to be honest, I don’t really care. It’s probably some stupid reason anyway.” Catherine said as she shook her head.
“T-Takashi! C-Catherine!” a girl’s voice yelled.
The two of them looked behind and saw Katelyn running up to them.
“...Oh, great, speak of the devil,” Catherine muttered as she looked away.
“Oh, hey, Katelyn,” Takashi said.
“*Huff!* *Huff!* H-Hey. D-Do you two have time right now? There’s something I want to discuss with you two.”
Takashi then looked at Catherine, who responded by shrugging her shoulders.
“Sure. In fact, there’s something that WE need to talk about with you as well. Do you mind explaining why you told Mrs. Vere that we would go on Monday? You never even asked us for our input, yet you still chose for us. Why is that?”
“Th-That’s actually what I wanted to discuss with you two. The thing is, I’m going to be busy all week with preparations for Homecoming with the Student Council. I didn’t want to worry about a debate on top of that. So, I wanted to get it out of the way as soon as possible. I-I’m sorry if my decision poses as an inconvenience for the two of you.” Katelyn explained.
Katelyn’s explanation caused Catherine to shake her head.
“I see. I guess that’s understandable if you’re that busy with Homecoming. But please, next time, talk to your group members before you make a decision for them. It isn’t fair for everyone otherwise.” Takashi advised.
“I-I understand. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. Besides, Mrs. Vere did say she’ll grade us less harshly if we go first, right? At least that’s some sort of plus side.”
“Y-Yeah, that is true. ...Hehe, thanks for being so understanding, Takashi.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you in Math class later then?”
“Y-Yes, definitely. See you.”
Katelyn then looked at Catherine.
“A-And... I’ll see you later too, Catherine.”
Catherine didn’t return her farewell, which caused Katelyn to feel sad as she walked away to her next class. Once Katelyn was gone, Catherine looked at Takashi.
“...You seem to be getting close with Katelyn lately, Takashi. I wonder why that is?”
“Does it matter? I thought you said you wouldn’t stop me from trying to be friendly towards her?”
“...I did. I’m just taking note of it, not reprimanding you for it. Anyway, let’s get going. We already wasted time talking as it is.”
“Got it.”
Takashi and Catherine continued walking together to their next class.
“So, what are we going to do now that we’ll be debating on Monday? We haven’t gathered enough evidence to support our side, have we?”
“...No, we haven’t. And since that’s the case, I guess we’ll just have to meet up sometime during the weekend so that we can research and sort whatever we find together. Is that okay with you?”
“Sure, that’s fine. After all, two heads are better than one. When and where do you want to meet up though?”
“...Hmm, how about that apartment complex that you live in on Sunday? I know where it is, and I guess it would be nice to see how my Uncle’s doing for once. Does that work for you?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
“...Great. I’ll let you know when I arrive there on Sunday then.”
“Okay.”
The two of them then arrived at the gym.
“...Well, see you later, Takashi. I’ll be sure to bring some snacks when I arrive on Sunday.”
“Heh, sure, Catherine. See you then.”
Takashi then watched as Catherine walked to her next class.
“Well, looks like my Sunday will be spent on doing research with Catherine then. I still have that phone call with Ms. Izumi on that day as well though, but that shouldn’t be a problem, as long as Catherine doesn’t hear a single word of it. Anyway, time to start gym class.”
With his plans set on Sunday, Takashi entered the gym, ready to endure another rough day of physical activities.
