Beginning of a new year

Blah, blah, blah. Tentative script for the very beginning of the game if you choose Matthew.

Beginning of a new year
This routine feels comfortable, even if it's been 2 months since I've had to wake up so early. Somehow I thought it'd be harder to get back into school mindset. Maybe it's the novely of a new school year. Or maybe...that's right, Erica starts highschool today. I've known Erica since I was 4 or 5 (can't remember which). As I walk up the hill that leads to the school, I stop for a moment and look around instinctively for her distinctive pink hair. Not a single pink hair among the swarm of black-uniformed students marching their way up to the school entrance. For a highschooler to be, Erica is extraordinarily clumsy, innocent and apparently releases some sort of chemical that attracts trouble to her. You can't help but get worried on her behalf.

I consider texting her to see if she's here yet, but before I can, I hear a voice behind me.

Chiyo "Good Morning, Matthew. Did you have a good summer?"

Matthew "Huh? Yeah. And you?"

This guy is Chiaki Yosano. He's something of a school celebrity: high grades, squealy fangirls and all. I can admit I feel a bit of envy, but he's an alright guy. We exchange smalltalk and make our way to the gymnasium for the entrance ceremony. While we sit down and pretend to listen to the headmaster, I scan the heads of the First-year students. Were freshmen always this short? Ah, there's Erica. She's surprisingly cute in the school uniform.

After what seems like an eternity, Chiyo and I shuffle off to our homerooms and after a getting a stack of forms and choosing lockers, we head to our first actual class. Math first thing in the morning. We get another lecture about the beginning of a new year, and the class collectively sighs in relief when the teacher finally stops to go photocopy some worksheets. Looks like the novelty of a new year has worn off already.

A head with short, messy purple hair ducks around the corner and looks intensely around the classroom before leaving just as suddenly. I don't recognize his face, so it must be a first year. That's a bit depressing really, first years getting lost already.

A couple of hours later, and I'm relieved we get to leave early. The first day of school sure is annoying. Paperwork and bookkeeping and listening to lectures. I don't need anything from my locker today, so I just leave the building. I don't really have anything better to do, so I decide to wait for Erica at the gates. The second and third year students are the first to leave. Most seem to be in a hurry, either to go somewhere or to get away from the school. After a few minutes, the first years start trickling down the hill, chatting about all the wonders and worries of their future highschool life.

"What's your homeroom? My homeroom is evil..."

"...ah, my electives are Art and Spanish."

"...I heard..."

"I can't believe you were late for the first day of school!"

"It's not like we were doing anything important anyways."

"And I can't believe you actually went around looking into classrooms! Why didn't you just ask the office?"

"They looked busy. There's lots of paperwork to be done at the beginning of the school year. Besides, it was fun! Like an adventure!"

"And why are you wearing a guy's uniform? ...I wanted to see you wear the skirt."

"The teachers don't seem to mind, so why not? Lighten up! You were all nervous and shy today."

"No I wasn't! Shut up!"

I see Erica approaching and wave at her. She waves back.

Matthew "How was your first day?"

Stupid question, but conversations have to start somewhere.

Erica "Uh-uhm, okay I guess."

Matthew "So what do you think of TAPC?"

Erica "TAPC?"

Matthew "Short form for 'The Academy of Profitable Children'. Mostly because it sounds less stupid."

Erica "It's bigger than I thought it'd be!"

Matthew "Did you get lost?"

Erica "No."

Erica "...a little bit."

Matthew "How can you be a little bit lost? You're either lost or you aren't."

Erica "No, you can have like, a general idea where something is, so you're not completely lost."

Matthew "But you're still lost."

Erica "Well you know what, Matthew."

Matthew "Hmmm?"

Erica "You suck!"

Our conversations are usually like this. We argue about silly things, and then start insulting each other and calling each other names. We reach the bottom of the hill.

Erica "Oh, uhm. Well, I guess this is where we split up!"

Something about her tone of voice seems dissappointed.

Matthew "Yeah. I'll see you on Tuesday, okay?"

Erica "Yeah! See you!"

Smiling, Erica runs off towards her bus stop. She stops for a moment to turn around and wave goodbye, then continues on.

I head home.