01x01 - Prologue

[bunniefuu]

ORIGINAL WORK - SHIINA KARUHO

I heard it's really dangerous if your...

eyes meet for over three seconds.

I know!

Something terrible
happens to you in seven days.

It's true!

So scary!

Way too scary!

Did you hear? Yuka caught a cold
after getting stared at!

That's proof!

Excuse me.

You... dropped this.

I'm sorry!

Please keep it!

I don't know why, but people are
always apologizing to me for no reason.

I hear she can sense spirits so well
that bad ones actually seek her out.

Her name is even Sadako,
like from the movie The Ring.

Her parents named her so perfectly.

Here. It's free now.

I'm sorry to disappoint you,
but I can't sense spirits at all.

And my name is Sawako, not Sadako.

The kanji means "cheerful child."

"PROLOGUE"

For some reason,
everyone seems afraid of me.

I just want to fit in with everyone else.

I'll try hard today.

Celebrities will be there too, apparently.

Hirano-san... Endo-san...

Good morning.

I think that was a happy greeting.

Morning.

Walking today?

-Kazehaya-kun.
-My bike got a flat tire.

He's amazing.
Always the center of attention.

-Just buy a new one.
-He's very friendly and sociable.

Morning, Kuronuma.

He's so nice!

He treats me like everyone else.

M... Mor...

Morning, Ryu.

-Kazehaya-kun and I are opposites.
-Kazehaya, did you do the homework?

Everyone gathers around him,
and then a big circle forms.

At my high school orientation...

Excuse me.

If you're going to Kitahoro High,
it's that way.

Thanks.

People always apologize to me for nothing,
but he smiled and said "thanks."

Ever since that day, Kazehaya-kun
has become someone I admire.

Someday, I want to become
a person like him.

All right.

We're having a bravery competition
on the last day of this term.

You going?

I'm putting this paper on the wall.
Anyone who can join, write down your name.

Everyone should do it, okay?

Everyone? Does that mean...

Is Sadako going, too?

If she does, real ghosts will appear.

I can't live up to their expectations!

If I show up and nothing appears,
will they be disappointed?

Okay, once this term ends,
it's time for summer vacation, and...

what summer vacation entails is...

summer classes!

I'd like one volunteer who can come
to school before class begins and help me.

It's not permanent.

If nobody volunteers, I'll select someone.

Everyone is worrying about this...

Excuse me...

If you don't mind me...

Oh, are you sure? Okay, Kuronuma it is.

Teacher!

Kuronuma's always volunteering like that.

No way.

We always make her do
these kinds of miscellaneous tasks.

It's a bit unfair.

Then are you volunteering, Kazehaya?

Fine, I'll do it.

He knew.

He knew I always do those things.

Excuse me.

Please let me do it.

I really have nothing else
to do over summer vacation.

I have nothing to do. Nothing at all.

I live nearby, too.

-I have absolutely nothing...
-If you're so eager, then Kuronuma...

-You were just saved, man.
-He knew.

He knew someone
as forgettable as me did those things.

He's such a nice person.

I'm so happy.

Sadako!

Shino-chan!

Long time no see.

Yes, we're in different classes now.

How's your new class?

Nobody from our elementary
or middle schools?

Yeah, but there's this one boy,
Kazehaya-kun, and...

Oh, that cheerful guy?

Cheerful is an understatement.

He's % refreshing.

More like,
his very existence is refreshing.

Kazehaya-kun!

This is bad.

He totally heard you.

You should apologize.

Apol...

It was a compliment,
but I've been misunderstood!

Hey, what you just said...

How should I take it?

A... A compliment!

What?

Roger that.

I'll be right there. Don't move.

I haven't had
the chance to really talk to you before.

Wait... what?

Way to go, Sadako!

Kazehaya-kun can't leave
loners by themselves.

What a relief. See ya!

Kazehaya-kun, how...

how kind of you!

Once I explained
my feelings, he understood.

He didn't think I was lying.

He believed me.

I'm glad.

I thought you hated me.

Hated you?

That's a misunderstanding!

I've always wanted to become
someone friendly like you.

Always.

You know, I'm really not that friendly.

No, you really are!

Even your name...

How about you, Kuronuma?

Sawako.

Your full name is Kuronuma Sawako, right?

No one really calls me that.

I was able to resolve a misunderstanding
for the first time in my life.

When we talked,
you told me your true feelings.

So nice. He's so nice.

It's the first time someone called me by
my real name... and made me feel this way.

You should come
to the bravery competition.

The first time in my life.

I'll sign up for the bravery competition
in secret.

BRAVERY COMPETITION SIGN UP SHEET

Who, Sadako?

Yeah, for the bravery thing.

It'll be more fun
if a real "ghost" shows up.

Sadako just standing there...
That'd scare the crap out of everyone!

Excuse me...

How long were you there?

That role...

Can I play that role?

Don't push yourself.

Don't do it unwillingly.

When we talked,
you told me your true feelings.

I've never... done anything unwillingly.

I want to be everyone's friend,
but I won't do it half-heartedly for that.

If I can help you out,
that makes me happy.

However... I won't live
up to your expectations.

I feel bad, but...

What?

A real ghost won't appear.

I can't sense spirits at all.

No?

No.

At all?

No.

You're coming out with that now?

Did you say, "expectations"?

You're so far out there.

I mean really far, right Chizu?

Why are you crying?

I have a soft spot for pure-hearted girls.

You're out there, too.

Be a good ghost for us, Sadako!

We'll keep it a secret,
so scare the color outta their hair!

Thank you!

They understood my feelings.

Even though it's just a little,
I feel like I've changed.

Kazehaya-kun.

It's all...

KURONUMA SAWAKO

thanks to you.

Groups will head out every ten minutes.

Almost everyone's here.

Sadako's the only one skipping out?

Oh, Sadako's...

We promised to keep it a secret, right?

I want everyone to be happy.

I'll do my best.

It's so dark.

It's kind of spooky.

There she is!

They seemed entertained.

Such bloodcurdling screams.

What the heck is going on?

I'm so happy.

I'm glad that
I'm able to do this for them.

Next time I'll try sticking
some of my hair in my mouth.

Kuronuma?

Kazehaya-kun!

What are you doing?

I was pretending to be a ghost.

That's what it was?

You should've told me.

I'm actually hosting this event tonight.

I thought you wouldn't come.

If I told you, you wouldn't have had
the experience of being scared...

"My experience"? What's up with that?

Aren't you scared to be out here alone?

I kind of like nighttime,

especially in the summer.

I like the air... and the smell,

and the sounds of leaves rustling...
and insects too.

True.

It does feel nice.
Can I stay here with you?

But the bravery competition...

Since one person didn't come,

there's an odd number of people.
I don't have a partner. It's scary alone.

What's going on?

Sadako!

Yano-san, Yoshida-san!

Why's Kazehaya hanging out here?

You two. If you knew
about this, you should've told me.

I see.

Yeah, what a friendly boy!

You two! You're the worst.

Sadako.

You did a good job tonight.

I got this for ya. Drink up.

Thank you.

OBLIGATION HUMANITY VIRTUE

Such nice people...

Cool. You became fast friends.

Good for you.

Friends?

With me?

Kazehaya-kun, it's all thanks to you.

I didn't do anything.

You really did. I was able
to properly say how I felt.

That's all thanks to you.

I'm happy I was able to be the ghost.

Kuronuma, you're actually
bright and cheery.

You're super positive!

Bright and cheery, me?

No one has ever said that to me before.

Don't stare at me like that.

Sorry!

I forgot I was doing it.

I'll try not to look you in the eye
for longer than three seconds.

Oh, but about
bringing misfortune... I don't...

That's not it!

It makes me blush.

Don't make me say it.

Because he grew quiet all of a sudden,

I don't know what to do now.

I feel like my mind is swirling...

as if I were in someone else's body.

Everything is new to me.

Kazehaya-kun seems to...

give me many "firsts."

I'm...

glad I got to meet Kazehaya-kun.

It's over! Summer vacation!

All right, before we go, I'll announce
the bravery competition results.

First off, Kazehaya, it's decided
you'll be in the punishment game.

After all, you didn't reach the goal.

I know.

First place, Tanaka!

Your reward is scrub-brushes.

What? I'll brush 'em aside!

As for your punishment,

it's...

that you have to date
Sadako-chan for a whole week!

What did he say?

Kazehaya, I heard you were
with Sadako last night. Is that true?

Was she making her move?

Why not just be a couple?

You guys, this is going too far.

I'll do anything but that.

Hey, now...

This is a "punishment"?

How disrespectful.

Kuronuma's a girl, you know?

It's not funny.

Just ignore them, Kuronuma.

Don't...

Don't defend me.

You'll ruin...

your reputation.

You've got it wrong.

I actually was
with Kazehaya-kun last night.

But it was...

nothing special.

It's just that Kazehaya-kun
tries to treat everyone equally.

It's fine.

I know how to fix misunderstandings now.

On the other hand, the notion
that I was attracted to Kazehaya-kun

for his refreshing personality, kindness,

cheerfulness, and honesty is true.

There's...

no way to misunderstand that.

Excuse me.

I'm sure of it.

The misunderstanding was corrected.

Nothing I said was a lie.

I told them how I really felt.

I think I protected
Kazehaya-kun's reputation.

What? Even though
you're on summer vacation?

Yes, I have to help my teacher.

I must have...

done the right thing.

But...

I do feel lonely.

Once summer vacation is over,
I may not get to look at him anymore.

He may never say good morning to me again.

He may avoid me.

I thought I was used to those things.

I was so happy...

that I forgot how to deal with it.

How I was before I met Kazehaya-kun...

I can't remember anymore.

Why? It's summer vacation now.

This is the reward
for the behind-the-scenes "MVP."

Everyone apologized.

They know they misunderstood, right?

Thank you for protecting me,

for bringing this all the way to me,

and for talking to me...

Thank you.

Hey.

You know, I don't think you really get me.

Don't worry about me!

-I understand your feelings...
-No, you don't!

I can expect it, right?

That I can see you during summer vacation.

I wonder...

Excuse me.

If you're going to Kitahoro High,

it's that way.

Thanks!

That feeling I felt back then...

has grown into something a lot bigger now.
But I wonder...

if it will someday...

reach from me to you.

PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE

The new term.

Everything around me gradually...

changes.

Next episode: "Seat Change."