Chapter 4

RENESME'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

The room is small, making the standoff feel massive.

JIRO

Great...

My gift is perfect for you. I brought you this.

(hands her a paper bag. Inside: professional pencils and blending stumps.)

MAE

You said you lost the ones you borrowed weeks ago, Jiro.

JIRO (Lying effortlessly)

I’m just replacing them now.

MAE

But mine was cheap and clearly this one is pricey.

I’m just practicing, you know. It’s just a face. I'm not joining a competition

(Why am I even explaining this to you?)

MRS. SAUNDER (O.S.)

Dinner’s ready!

The silence between them is heavy enough to sink a ship.

RENESME'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM- AFTER DINNER

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.

Later, as Jiro prepares to leave, her mother pulls Renesme aside, voice softer now.

MOTHER (quietly)

Take care of yourself, okay?

JIRO (amused)

Night, Mae. Get some rest.

MOTHER (calling back)

Don’t forget to lock the door!

RENESME'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM

Her phone buzzes — a group chat notification. A photo from the sports festival: Jenniel and Felix smiling at the center… and her, in the background, holding her clipboard.

MAE (smile)

Maybe...this distance is enough for now.

LEWIS ACADEMY – CLASSROOM – MORNING

A TEACHER stands before the board, pen tapping with authority.

TEACHER

Listen carefully, everyone. This upcoming exam is one of the most crucial of the year. Your results will affect your final standing — so no slacking off!

Groans ripple through the class. Papers rustle, pencils clatter. FELIX CRIZALDO slouches in his seat, wide-eyed in mock despair.

LEWIS ACADEMY - HALLWAY – AFTER CLASS

Felix walks beside JENNIEL JADE, dramatically clutching his notes.

FELIX

On the brink of failure… that’s my middle name.

JENNIEL

Maybe actually studying could help?

FELIX (grinning)

Which is why I’m invading your house tonight. Us, snacks, textbooks — the holy trinity of learning.

From behind, JILLIAN JADE turns sharply, hands on hips.

JILLIAN

Oh no, you’re not. Last time you ‘studied’ at our house, you ate half the fridge and passed out before page two!

FELIX (defensive)

That was… mental recovery time!

JILLIAN (sighing)

You were snoring.

JENNIEL (chuckles)

Fine. He can come — but if he snores again, I’m recording it.

JILLIAN (groaning)

You’re too soft, Niel.

Felix pumps a triumphant fist.

FELIX

You won’t regret this! I’m a new man!

The bell rings before he can finish.

JILLIAN (deadpan)

You’re turning over a pillow, not a leaf.

TO LEWIS ACADEMY - STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM

Renesme holding reports meet Jillian looking for JAMES.

JILLIAN

Don't bother. James is not in the Council. I looked.

RENESME (V.O)

Good! I don't want to see him anyway.

LEWIS ACADEMY - STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM

Renesme open the door slowly and peek in, checking if no one is there. After securing she she went in and close the door only to be startled by James standing behind the door.

MAE

President. Why are you hiding like a criminal?

JAMES

Report. Hand it over.

(she handed over the report then point to the stack of paper)

Organized that file.

LEWIS ACADEMY - STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM- LATER

RENESME SAUNDER reviews documents neatly at her desk.

Across the room, JAMES NIKKO, the composed council president, reviews reports by the window.

JAMES

Saunder.

MAE (straightens instantly, almost dropping her pen)

Y-yes, President?

JAMES (without looking up)

How were your last exam results?

MAE (hesitates)

They were… okay. Mostly.

JAMES (turning to her)

And mathematics?

MAE (fidgets quietly)

Could be better…

JAMES (sets down his papers, arms crossed)

You’re in the Student Council. You’re supposed to set an example, not scrape by.

MAE (softly)

I was… busy with council tasks.

MAE (V.O.)

Busy doing your tasks, actually…

JAMES (noticing her expression)

Busy walking you're goldfish? (mocking)

You’re making that face again. What are you thinking?

MAE (snapping upright)

N-nothing! Nothing at all!

JAMES (studies her for a moment, unreadable)

Make sure you study. You don’t want to burden the council.

Renesme freezes. The word stings.

MAE (V.O.)

Burden? Did he just—?! Fine. I’ll show him. I’ll pass.

RENESME APARTMENT - ROOM – EVENING

Renesme sits at her desk, surrounded by open textbooks.

Her phone lights up — she starts typing furiously.

TO: JIRO 🌸

“Can you believe what Mr. Terror said?! He called me a burden! That’s not motivation — that’s bullying!”

A few seconds later — her phone rings.She answers instantly.

MAE

Don’t laugh. I’m serious.

JIRO (over phone, voice warm, teasing)

I’m not laughing.

(beat)

I’m smiling.

MAE (grumbling)

That’s worse.

JIRO

He probably meant to push you to do better. Reverse psychology works on people like you.

MAE

People like me?

JIRO (light laugh)

People who fight harder when they’re underestimated.

Renesme's lips twitch — she exhales softly.

MAE

…Maybe. Still, he’s too blunt for his own good.

JIRO

Then let me help. Meet me at the city library after school tomorrow. We’ll tackle your weak subjects together.

MAE (frustration fades, replaced by a smile)

Really? You’ll tutor me?

JIRO (smile)

Sure. Just don't complain about the stickers.

MAE (laughing)

Of course not.

UNION UNIVERSITY – JIRO’S BOARDING HOUSE – SAME TIME

Ichiro's friends — AJ, Axel, and Daichi — peek over curiously.

AJ

Whoa, Jiro’s smiling. Must be a girl!

DAICHI

Who is she? Cute? Same uni?

AXEL (grinning)

That’s the smile of a man in love.

Jiro ends the call quietly, slipping on his headphones.

JIRO (calmly)

She’s… a friend.

DAICHI (teasing)

Sure she is.

AJ

Name?

JIRO (standing, evasive)

She’s from Lewis Academy. That’s all you get.

He opens a thick textbook. His friends groan dramatically.

AXEL

You’re killing us, man. Give more details.

DAICHI

Hmmmm. A cross school romance. Interesting

Jiro smirks faintly — soft, unreadable — and turns up his music.

LEWIS ACADEMY – CLASSROOM 4-B – MORNING

The air buzzes with pre-exam tension.

JILLIAN (dramatically whispering)

Renesme… I’m dying. My brain is melting.

MAE (without looking up)

You said that five minutes ago.

JILLIAN

Because it’s true! How do people survive this stress?

Renesme gives a patient hum, flipping another page.

JILLIAN (leaning closer)

You’re smart and calm. So tell me — what should I do about James?

MAE (freezes mid-note)

President James…? I thought your... Talking about... the exam.

JILLIAN (nodding eagerly)

He’s so serious lately! I gave him drink s, snacks, handmade cookies — nothing! I need a new plan.

MAE (awkwardly)

Uh… maybe… a love letter?

JILLIAN (gasps dramatically)

I tried that! Dozens of times!

MAE (V.O.)

So she’s been writing letters he never read… poor Jillian. What does James have that makes you so devoted? Sure he is handsome, rich, capable but his so mean.

Renesme sighs softly, then tries to redirect.

MAE

Maybe focus on exams first?

JILLIAN

Don’t worry — I have a good memory. Studying’s easy.

MAE (blinking)

Like? Photographic… memory?

JILLIAN (beaming)

Mm-hmm! Jenniel has that. He can memorize whole books instantly! While I, not even a half of his ability.

MAE (V.O.)

That… actually nice ability.

LEWIS ACADEMY - CLASSROOM 4-A – SAME TIME

At one desk, FELIX CRIZALDO hunches over a mountain of notes, hair messy, eyes half-dead.

FELIX

Why does math hate me? I’m a good person.

Beside him, JENNIEL JADE calmly flips through another workbook — composed, if slightly exasperated.

JENNIEL

Because you keep skipping the practice problems.

FELIX (groaning)

Practice is for people with hope.

Jenniel slides a mock test onto his desk.

JENNIEL

Here. Try this one. No excuses this time.

Felix scribbling frantically. Jenniel timing him with a stopwatch.

Jenniel checks the paper. His eye twitches.

JENNIEL (deadpan)

Zero. Out. Of. Ten.

FELIX (grimly)

Well. That’s… progress?

From the hallway, JILLIAN JADE’s laughter echoes through the doorway.

JILLIAN (O.S.)

Hahaha! I can hear your failure from here!

Jenniel sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. Felix groans and slams his head on the desk.

FELIX (muffled)

I studied so hard! Why am I still dumb?!

JENNIEL (flatly)

Because you studied yourself out of focus. Let's continue this at the library.

Jenniel closes the workbook with a quiet thud. Felix just groans louder — the sound of academic despair.

LEWIS ACADEMY - LIBRARY

Renesme rounds a corner and finds James standing in the corner studying the book in his hands, looking like a model. Their eyes meet in silence.

JILLIAN (O.S.)

James? Are you in here?

James’s hand shoots out. He grabs Renesme. He clamps his hand over her mouth, pinning her against the wood.

FELIX (O.S.)

OI! JILLIAN!

JILLIAN (O.S.)

Shhh! We’re in a library, you moron!

The footsteps retreat. James releases Mae.

THWACK!

(hits his arm)

MAE (gasping for air)

Are you trying to kill me?! I can't breathe.

THWACK!

( hits him again)

JAMES (Cold, commanding)

Stop hitting me, Saunder. That’s enough?

Renesme glares at him and storms off.

LIBRARY - STUDY TABLES - LATER

JILLIAN (wave hand)

Renesme.... Here....(soft voice)

Come. Sit with us.

Renesme sits with Jillian, Jenniel, and Felix. It’s chaos. Jillian and Felix are screaming over a historical events.

JILLIAN

It’s logic, Felix! The MINNER is the first person to discover it.

FELIX

Listen. The MINNER can't win without the HAN's reinforcement.

JILLIAN

The question is the first founder. (tosses her pen in frustration. It bounces off Mae’s forehead)

MAE

Ow!

JENNIEL (Voice dropping an octave)

That’s enough!

The table goes silent. Jenniel looks at them like a disappointed father.

JENNIEL

Stop acting like children. You hit Renesme. If you want to fight, go to the court. Stop involving other people.

JILLIAN

Talking about involvement. Someone transfer school because of being involved with you.

Jenniel look at them with a death threat. Jillian and Felix shrink back. Jenniel breath a deep one, calming himself and stand. As soon as Jenniel looks away, Jillian stomps on Felix’s foot.

FELIX

OOOCHhh!

JENNIEL

Behave, Jill!

JILLIAN

I’m trying! But it’s not like it’s the first time someone got hurt. Remember when Anika got injured because of you and James?

The temperature in the room drops to zero. Jenniel’s face goes deathly pale, then hardens into an icy stare.

JENNIEL (Voice trembling)

Do not... ever bring up Anika again.

Jillian’s confidence evaporates. Jenniel starts to leave.

FELIX

Man, I'm still hanging out at your place tonight, right?

(Jenniel nod and leave the library)

FELIX (looking at Jillian)

You and your big mouth Jill.

Renesme show me your forehead.

He laid his for me to come closer. But Renesme put her chin on his hand out of habit. Making Felix confused.

MAE (closing her eyes)

Is something wrong in my forehead?

FELIX

Nothing's..... Wrong...

JILLIAN (unconvinced)

Really?

MAE (V.O.)

Why are they talking like that? And who's Anika?

Her phone vibrates — a text.

FROM: JIRO

“Almost there. Wait for me at the library.”

MAE (panic and stand up)

I almost forgot!

Making the two startled.

MAE

I need to go now.. Bye..

PUBLIC LIBRARY – STUDY TABLE

JIRO ARIMURA noticed Renesme thinking of something else besides the piled notes on the table.

JIRO

Earth to Mae. You’re blocking out again.

MAE

Oh... sorry, (long pause) Jiro, a 'friend' asked me something today. Why do lovers break up so badly that they never want to hear the other person’s name again?"

JIRO(V.O)

Really? You have friends already?

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