Chapter 3 – Small Signs

LEWIS ACADEMY – SCHOOL GROUNDS – SCHOOL SPORTS FESTIVAL

STUDENT (O.S.) Hurry! The relay’s starting!

RENESME stands stiffly near the stalls, clutching her clipboard.

MAE (V.O.) So many people… I can’t even hear myself think.

JILLIAN (smiling, waving, charming everyone)

Renesme, come on! You have to enjoy it — this is supposed to be fun!

JILLIAN

(She waves toward a food stall)

Hi! Oh, that takoyaki looks amazing! We’ll come back later!

MAE (V.O.)

She’s so effortless blending in the crowd.

Mean while I can barely breathe in this crowd.

LEWIS ACADEMY - MAIN FIELD

JAMES

(stands near the announcer’s tent, clipboard in hand)

Double-check the relay schedule. Volunteers rotate every hour — no exceptions.

JILLIAN

(whispering to Renesme)

There he is. Look at him — serious, sharp, completely my type.

MAE

(awkwardly)

He… looks very responsible.

JAMES

(cutting in without looking up)

Jillian, less talking. More helping. You too Saunder. Come with us.

JILLIAN

Yes, James! Coming!

MAE (V.O.)

Why does he only brings me along?.

I'm just the third wheel in their relationship.. the worst part is I can't turn him down. since his paying in every request he ask me.

LEWIS ACADEMY - BASKETBALL COURT – LATER

As they pass the high-fenced basketball court, a DEAFENING CHEER erupts. Mae lingers, searching the blur of jerseys for Number 14—Jenniel.

​VOICE (O.S.)

WATCH OUT!

​A basketball flies toward Mae at terminal velocity.

THWACK!

It hits the fence with violent force. The vibration sends Mae backward. She hits the asphalt hard.

MAE

Aha!

TUD!!!

JILLIAN

Renesme! Are you okay? You reckless idiot!

(look to FELIX who is already scaling the fence like a frantic monkey.)

FELIX

I’m sorry! My hand slipped!

JILLIAN

You idiot! You’re a walking hazard!

You scared her half to death! She’s not a dodgeball target!

JENNIEL (No. 14) jogs over. He looks through the wire mesh at Mae.

JENNIEL

Jill, stop. It was an accident. Felix, get down before you break your neck too.

JAMES

(passing by, calm, writing in a small notebook)

Property damage and student injury, Crizaldo. Expect a summons to the office tomorrow.

FELIX

(grimacing)

Yes, President Nikko…

Remay blushes hard as students glance over. Felix scratches his neck, mortified.

LEWIS ACADEMY - SPORTS TRIAGE

Jillian is aggressively dabbing antiseptic onto Mae’s scraped knee.

MAE

Ow! Jillian, I think you’re supposed to wipe, not poke!

JILLIAN

I’m practicing! What if James gets hurt one day? I need to be ready.

(wraps the gauze so tightly Mae’s toes turn pink)

MAE

I just noticed that bad things happened to me when Felix around.

JILLIAN

Because he’s a magnet for disaster.

Want the tea?

Felix was expelled from his last school for a massive brawl. He’s actually twenty.

Mae’s eyes widen. She flashes back to the rough crowd at the convenience store. Danger Zone.

JILLIAN

Don’t be mad at Felix — he’s a good guy, just reckless.

He’s one of Jenniel’s closest friends.

Did you know he used to get into fights?

Jenniel helped him out once — that’s how they got close.

MAE

(looks surprised but stays quiet)

He… did?

JILLIAN

Mm-hm! His dad’s a famous surgeon, too. You’d never guess.

Oh, and he stayed over at our house once for a study night — though they mostly raided the fridge.

MAE (V.O.)

She’s giving me FELIX whole life story…

and I didn’t even ask.

It really is a tea

FELIX

(smiling sheepishly, jogs up, still catching his breath, a bottle of cold water in hand.)

Hey... sorry about earlier. Here — peace offering?

He hands the bottle to Renesme with genuine warmth. She blinks, startled by his sincerity.

Followed behind is JENNIEL, equally disheveled from the game. He hands another bottle to Jillian, calm and composed.

JILLIAN

(teasing, eyes sparkling)

Aww, thanks, Jenniel~ See, Renesme? Felix does care.

FELIX

Who did this? You’re wasting half the school’s medical budget on one scratch. Let me fix it, I actually know how—

JILLIAN

I did got the problem with that.

(ready to punch Felix)

Felix smile to Jillian then reaches for the gauze, but Jenniel sits on the bench directly across from Mae. Their knees are inches apart.

MAE(V.O)

My gosh, Jenniel sit across me.

oh no. My heart can't stop pounding.

it's too loud.

MAE

(sit up)

I-I’m fine! I have to go!

I—uh—excuse me!

Before anyone reacts, she stands abruptly and hurries off, clutching the bottle Felix gave her.

FELIX

(bewildered)

Did… I scare her again?

JILLIAN

(dramatic sigh)

Oh, Felix. I just told her you weren’t a brute. Timing — work on it!

FELIX

(defensive)

What? I was being nice!

JILLIAN

(mocking)

And you still managed to terrify her. Impressive.

JENNIEL (quietly amused)

That’s Felix for you.

Felix groans, face in his hands, while Jillian continues her playful scolding.

LEWIS ACADEMY – MAIN STAGE – SUNSET

Onstage, JAMES NIKKO stands before the microphone, composed and steady — the embodiment of leadership.

JAMES

To everyone who made today possible — players, committees, teachers, volunteers — thank you.

This wasn’t the work of one, but of many.

Unity — that’s what defines Lewis Academy.

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause.

IN THE CROWD

JILLIAN

(clap hand and dreamily)

He’s perfect. So composed… so inspiring…

FELIX

(smirk and teasing)

You might want to close your mouth — you’re practically drooling, Jill.

JILLIAN

(flicks his forehead)

Ha-ha. Maybe try apologizing to Renesme again, Mr. Muscle Head.

And study for once — I’d love to see your rank not drop this term.

FELIX

(groaning and guilty)

You really know how to rub salt in the wound, Jill.

Where Renesme anyway?

(searching at the crowd)

JENNIEL (low)

There she is. Hiding behind the stage.

BEHIND THE STAGE – MOMENTS LATER

MAE (V.O.)

It’s quieter here... I’ll just stay until it’s over.

FELIX

(nervously smiling)

Found you. Hiding again, huh?

She stiffens as Felix and Jenniel appear. Renesme's eyes dart toward Jenniel — her heartbeat skips.

JENNIEL

(warmly)

Hey.

MAE (V.O.)

He said hi... to me.

FELIX

(scratches the back of his neck)

About earlier… I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.

Renesme opens her mouth to reply — but before she can, a familiar firm voice cuts through the quiet.

JAMES (O.S.)

Saunder!

MAE (flustered)

(jumps, nearly dropping her clipboard)

Ah—Y-Yes, President!

FELIX

(guilty)

Great timing, as always.

RENESME nods awkwardly, still too flustered to process anything.

JENNIEL

(lightly)

Congratulations, President. The event was flawless.

Though… you might’ve scheduled it just to outshine my game.

JAMES

(coolly)

Congratulations on your win.

Next time, try keeping your fans off the court.

Tension hums between them — friendly rivalry, sharp but controlled.

FELIX

(sighs, glancing at Renesme then half-joking)

Uh-oh. Do you have any last wish?

(to Renesme who look confused with his questions)

If they start a war now, we are the first to die.

Renesme hides a small, nervous laugh. Then—

JILLIAN (O.S.)

JAMES~!

(bursts in like a ray of chaos and sunshine)

JILLIAN

(beaming)

You were amazing up there! So confident, so cool—ugh, you make leadership look handsome!

FELIX

(snorts, grabbing Jenniel’s shoulder)

Come on, superstar. Before we get dragged into her fanfiction.

Arcade? Loser buys snacks.

JENNIEL

(chuckling)

Fine. But I’m not losing.

The two leave the scene.

Jillian chatters beside James, still glowing from the festival. Renesme trails behind — quiet, composed, a few paces slower.

JAMES (noticing)

Saunder. Walk with us.

She nods and steps forward.

JILLIAN

You should give speeches more often, James! Everyone was totally captivated—

JAMES

(dryly)

Including you, apparently.

Jillian laughs; Renesme smiles faintly, content to just listen.

MAE (V.O.)

Even walking with them feels like running uphill...

(sighed)

CITY STREET – EVENING

MAE (V.O.)

It’s finally over...

The noise, the crowd, the cheering...

But...

(She stops at a crosswalk, fingertips brushing her chest.)

MAE (V.O.)

My heart won’t calm down... Am I really that tired?

(small laugh escapes her lips as a voice echoes in her mind)

JENNIEL (ECHO)

Hey.

MAE (V.O.)

It was just a “hi,” Renesme.Get a grip.

RENESME'S APARTMENT – NIGHT

The door unlocks.

MRS. SAUNDER

(brightly)

Welcome home, sweetheart! You must be starving. Sit — dinner’s ready!

MAE

(surprised)

Mom? You’re home?

MRS. SAUNDER

(cheerful)

Closed the shop early! I heard your school event ended today. My hardworking girl deserves something special.

MRS. SAUNDER

(chatting as she works)

So, how was it? Did everything go smoothly?

MAE

(quietly, smiling)

It was... busy. Everyone did great.

MRS. SAUNDER

(teasing)

Did you have fun with a special person—?

MAE

(choking)

M-Mom!

MRS. SAUNDER

(grinning)

What? I’m just asking.

MAE

(groaning)

I didn’t even mention anyone...

MRS. SAUNDER

(soft laugh)

You didn’t have to. You’ve got that sparkle in your eyes — just like your father when he fell in love.

Renesme hides her face, cheeks pink, as her mother laughs gently. The sound of home — warm and safe.

LIVING ROOM – LATER

Dinner’s done. The small room glows softly from a table lamp.

MRS. SAUNDER

(fondly)

You’ve grown so much. I still remember you crying when you took the wrong bus your first day at Lewis Academy.

MAE

(softly)

I still cry... just quieter now.

Her mother chuckles.

MRS. SAUNDER

That’s my brave girl.

A sudden knock at the door. They glance at each other.

MRS. SAUNDER

Now who could that be this late?

Renesme opens the door — ICHIRO ARIMURA stands there, still in his Union University uniform, holding a small paper bag.

JIRO (smiling)

Hey. Brought some snacks. Figured you’d be wiped out after the festival.

MAE

(surprised, smiling)

Jiro... you didn’t have to.

JIRO

(shrugging)

Your mom texted me. Said you might skip dinner again.

MRS. SAUNDER

(calling from the kitchen)

Because she would! Good thing you showed up, Jiro!

Renesme sighs, embarrassed, while Jiro steps inside and hands her the bag.

JIRO

I saw your school’s post — looked like a big success. You did great, huh?

MAE

Mm... it was tiring, but nice.

JIRO

(gently)

Just promise you’ll rest. You still forget how to slow down.

She smiles faintly. Her mother watches, trying — and failing — not to grin.

MRS. SAUNDER

(teasing)

I can relax knowing she’s got you looking after her, Jiro.

JIRO

(bowing slightly)

Always, ma’am.

Jiro sits on the small sofa while Alicia and Mae cook. He looks like a prince in a dollhouse.

JIRO

Can I use your charger? My phone died.

MAE

It’s in my room.

INT. MAE’S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Jiro plugs in his phone. His eyes wander to the desk. A sketchbook sits open.

He picks it up. His expression shifts from curiosity to a cold, hollow realization.

On the page: A detailed charcoal drawing of guy. The jawline, the eyes, the smile. Second picture, same guy sleeping on the table.

As an artist himself he knows how much effort and emotiona Renesme give to draw that sketch. Upon realizing it his heart skips a beat and jealousy creeps in.

Mae in the living room, remember her open sketch and lets out a strangled yelp. She lunges across the room, and try to grab it but with Ichiro height, she struggles.

JIRO

Mae... who is this?

She jump with all her might and grab the sketchbook and SLAMMING the book shut. Her face is burning. Jiro stares at her, the "Ice King" mask cracking for the first time

MAE

(guilty)

I'm just practicing portrait.

It's nobody.

JIRO

(disappointed but still smile)

great!

The room was in complete silent...

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