Episode 1: Seize, the Scholarships!

---

After school, St. Theresa Girl's Academy. Into a classroom with no signs of people, one schoolgirl enters.

Chloe
‘noon.

Chloe
Uhh, that scholarship? Was it? I'm here for that, is the information session here?

Chloe
...Huh?

Chloe
Wait up, it's empty. Zero people.

Chloe
Seriously? No way... did I get the classroom wrong for the information session?

Chloe
Or is it, that? This school is full of prim and proper ladies, so none of their families ever have problems with things like tuition, or something...?

Chloe
Puu... Nah, guess I'll just sit for now...

Chloe
Oh, someone's here.

Yuni
Hey, greetings.

Chloe
...Ah? A kid?

Yuni
I heard that this conservative institution that balks at reform is finally implementing a modern scholarship system.

Yuni
If I am not mistaken, the information session was to take place in this classroom? I, as a hikkikomori, have traveled here from the faraway old school building.

Chloe
Eh, who the heck is this cheeky kid. Why's someone from the elementary program wearing the same high schooler uniform as me?

Yuni
Hmm...

Chloe
Uwah, what a weird kid. What's up with that pretentious way of speaking. Is it some weird poet act she plays with herself?

Chloe
Ah, whatever. She's enjoying herself so I'll just leave her be. Puu...

Yuni
By the by, girl.

Chloe
......

Yuni
Aaaa– Hey! Girl over there.

Chloe
Huh? Ah, me?

Yuni
Who else besides you. I am Yuni of the Ivory Tower. Salutations.

Chloe
Right.

Yuni
Are you a scholarship candidate, as well?

Chloe
Right. Sure.

Yuni
I see, affirmative. You've got the avaricious eyes of someone who will filch anything given the opportunity.

Chloe
Eh, the heck is this mysterious brat from above. She's super rude, hilarious.

Yuni
The rude one here is you, second year. Who do you think I am? I'm a grade above, did this school year color not catch your eye?

Chloe
Eh! No way, you're a third year? Wait, you're seriously a high schooler?

Chloe
You're like that, and you're older than... me. Eh, seriously... really, seriously?

Yuni
Yes, seriously. With words full of respect and adoration, please refer to me as Yuni-senpai from now on, kouhai.

Chloe
Huh. Well... if there's a chance to.

Yuni
Oh my, that's quite a tepid response there, kouhai.

Chloe
Eh, that so? I default to this tone, though.

Yuni
l see, I shall pay it no mind. We both just came here to receive something we were offered. It was merely that course of events which placed us here at contiguous coordinates.

Yuni
It cannot be helped. We shan't keep each other company for long, in any case. One time, one meeting; life is nothing but goodbyes.^[1]

Chloe
Right. That's true.

Yuni
Good interjections. Just using the sound of your voice to neither agree or disagree. Not submissive or hostile, right in between.

Yuni
You seem to sorely lack the cuteness of an underclassman, but that posture reminiscent of a willow swaying in the wind seems to be your secret to success in this academy's social structure― is Yuni-senpai's assessment.

Chloe
Right. That's true.

Yuni
.....

Yuni
By the way, your name?

Chloe
Right. That's true.

Chloe
Ah, no, it's Chloe.

Yuni
Chloe-kun. Orders from an upperclassman: talk about something.

Chloe
"Something"? Like?

Yuni
Anything is fine. I'm not good with lulls. If you would prefer, speaking to yourself is also fine. Conversation is definitely not my weak point.

Chloe
Uh, same here. Suddenly throwing out a vague line to talk about something ain't gonna work.

Yuni
I see, the same as me, then. That is, an unsociable person prone to loneliness.

Chloe
... Every little thing she says is a diss, this paisen.

Yuni
But you know, Chloe-kun, a character with such a meager amount of cuteness shall only bring about the karmic retribution of making people afraid to approach you. I shall give you this one piece of advice: your eyes and voice and the atmosphere you exude are frightening.

Chloe
That "one" thing, wasn't that everything? You just rejected my entire identity.

Chloe
But, I definitely do have friends. Back in my hometown.

Yuni
Or in other words, you have none here at this academy. What a dreary school life. A grey youth.

Chloe
Uwah, isn't she way too rude for how she looks? This paisen.

Yuni
Hmm, the old folk around the neighborhood would also often point that out. Good grief. To think that this mascot-esque adorable appearance of mine would become the equivalent of a curse that I bear.

Yuni
It is said that the outer appearance is only but dressing for the soul, and yet, the general populace always holds the expectation that my cute, pretty, tiny countenance means that I am an unassuming, devoted, oft "hawawa" shouting clumsy character.

Yuni
Honestly, isn't it too simplistic?

Chloe
Uh, I don't really follow, but basically what you said just now, was something about not judging people based on their appearances, right?

Yuni
Words and such are but hollow polyhedrons. If that is what you managed to grasp, then so be it. It was a regrettable result for me, personally, though.

Chloe
Why regrettable?

Yuni
Because I spent my developmental period in a scholarly setting, my sociability is a bit lacking despite not intentionally setting out to cause people to dislike me. At times I wish I had someone that could understand this troublesome spirit of mine.

Chloe
Uhh, my bad. Could you, like, generally, in an easy to understand way, talk normally like this?

Yuni
Well then, I'll be frank and put it this way. I thought that we could be friends, you and I.

Chloe
O, okay... The heck, she suddenly said something pretty cute, this girl...

Yuni
Words are polyhedrons. The fact that I am cute, that is but a one-sided truth.

Yuni
Kyapirun♪

Chloe
Nah, none of that please.

Chloe
Eh, by the way? Why'd you think that?

Yuni
Think, what?

Chloe
...Don't make me say it. You know, that thing, about you and I being friends?

Yuni
Ah, that was just a hunch. A similar atmosphere, you could say. From the moment I saw you, I had that feeling about it.

Chloe
Uh, wait, that's totally judging by appearances. You were just complaining about it, that's totally a double standard.

Yuni
Well of course. I am also but one of the simple general populace. Evaluating you based on what I can see rather than what I cannot is only natural.

Chloe
Yes yes, I see— ...uh, wait. Then just now, what the heck was that long talk about?

Yuni
Small talk. Simply the act of painting over that interim with an enumeration of words. Unsatisfactory?

Chloe
No, that's all fine but...

Chloe
It was... fine, I'm free anyway.

Yuni
O, okay...

Chelle
Chelluuun~♪

Chloe
Huh?

Chelle
Uhm? I'm a young lady that's really looking to claim that scholarship, buut is the classroom for the information session here~?

Yuni
.....

Yuni
Hey Chloe-kun, bad news. A new character that scatters her cuteness without any hesitation has appeared. The modicum of cuteness we were able to muster is going to all be taken by her.

Chloe
No, you got the genre wrong. That's not the cute type, that's the slow in the head type.

Chelle
Huuh? Didn't you heear? Uhm, about the scholarship's information session...

Chloe
Annoying... Paisen, they're here too, huh? Even in a ladies' school like this, one of those really outgoing types.

Yuni
Well there's exceptions like you and I here as well. It stands to reason. A fixed amount of category errors are bound to occur everywhere.

Yuni
Things have gotten interesting, haven't they? It seems as though our school's mavericks have converged upon this location.

Chloe
Wait, wait. Can you not casually include me in that category, please.

Chelle
Huuh? Chelle asked a question, and yet received zero responses, a.k.a. ignored. What's going on here?

Chelle
Well, anyway, there seem to be a few poor-looking upperclassmen here, so it seems that this was the right classroom. Excuse meee.

Yuni
Quite impolite, or rather just rude, that first year.

Chloe
Really, what's up with this place? Is this the rude brat grand festival?

Yuni
No, actually, Chloe-kun. In order to idly spread a bit of noise pollution a person so capable of being boisterous is ideal. This is good.

Yuni
Welcome, first year. Your name?

Chelle
It's Chelle—♪ Chelly, or even Chellopon is fine too, you know~?

Yuni
Hmm, Chelle-kun. It may be sudden, but talk about something.

Chloe
Like I said... Yuni-senpai, aren't your orders too vague?

Yuni
Please voice admiration about her free-spiritedness. Devaluing the extent of a youngster's capabilities is a bad habit of the elderly. Let us place our trust in our young Chelle-kun's speaking abilities.

Chelle
Ah, okay, that's totally fine, but before that, who are you guys?

Yuni
I am the third year Yuni. This here is second year... what was it, Hanako-kun.^[2]

Chloe
It's Chloe. You weren't even close to hitting a single letter.

Chelle
Hmhm, the cute and stuck up senpai is Yuni-senpai aaand, the cool and stuck up senpai is Chloe-senpai, riiight? Roger that~!

Yuni
Even amidst the rudeness, she was able to nonchalantly embed a bid for companionship. Did you hear that Chloe-kun, this girl is quite the expert. What wit.

Chloe
Guess so. She's unrestrained, but there's some positivity that makes it hard to dislike her.

Yuni
Hmm, despite how she looks, she has shown herself to be the type that is exceptional at dealing with rough situations. Now then, Chelle-kun. You seem the type to play around, but does your attendance rate for classes tend to be good?

Chelle
Ah, yep, I'm a perfect attendee— I mean, school is just so full of friends, everyday is super fun, isn't it?

Chloe
There it is, the thought process of the school's upper caste.

Chelle
Yes, exactly! An easy to get along with girl known far and wide, it's everyone's Chelly! Chelluun~♪☆

Chloe
Annoying. Every movement is annoying.

Chelle
Huuuh, theeen, senpai? What should Chelle talk about? Something like a story about that time everyone went camping and had a barbecue?

Chloe
A barbecue with everyone...

Yuni
A so called "normie". This is the first time I've seen one in the flesh. Bright, isn't it.

Chloe
Plus that bragging about her communication abilities is too much... it's tiring me out.

Chelle
Eeeh? The barbecue story's no good? Then, how about the story of when we had a 3-on-3 tea party with boys from another school?

Chloe
Isn't that a mixer. What's up with all of your stories being so tenacious.^[3] My ears can't digest it all. Don't you have any more, like, trivial stories?

Yuni
W-wait. Boys? Chelle-kun are you... o-one of those girls with a fondness for illicit relationships with the other sex?^[4]

Chelle
No, no, I'm the kind of girl that says no thank you to that kind of tenacity.

Chelle
It's just that my friend asked me for a favor that day so I had to, me being invited there was just to balance out the numbers.

Chelle
After all, doesn't Chelle enjoy it more when it's just liveliness between girls?

Chloe
Like I'd know.

Chelle
And anyway, Chelle is honestly kind of bad at dealing with boys—.

Chloe
Ah, well... That I kinda get. Yeah, boys, they're typically pretty bothersome.

Yuni
Hmm, while I believe this is quite the broad subject, based purely on my personal sentiments, I would have to voice my agreement.

Yuni
Even though I've presented several theses to the academic society, I still get the feeling that I am being made light of because of my status as a woman.

Chelle
Eeh~? Isn't that just simply because there were issues with your theses, Yuni-senpai?

Yuni
No. Right now I do not wish to hear that kind of sound logic.

Chloe
Speaking of, back at home, I've got three little brothers. They never listen to what I say and all they have going for them is their high pride. Boys are such a lost cause.

Chelle
I know, riiight? Plus they're indecent, short-tempered, and have poor taste.

Yuni
I get it.

Chloe
We can't help but get it.

Chelle
And when they get even a liiittle worked up, they go straiiight for the confession.

Yuni
I ge...

Chloe
I ge...?

Chloe
You absolutely never had that intention in the first place, and then you go and reject them, and then they're all like "Then why'd you go and set that mood?" Well how the heck should I know. Right? Don't you think so?

Chloe
I-I guess, so...

Yuni
I-I've read a book about it before...

Chelle
I know right! And that's why I chose to come to this academy! All-girl schools are just so comfortable, aren't they!

Yuni
H-hey, Chloe-kun. What was this girl speaking of just now? Wasn't it something of a different genre from the likes of us?

Yuni
Save me, Chloe-kun. To tell you the truth, my life up until now has been markedly devoid of those so-called boys because of my living circumstances.

Chloe
Uh, to be perfectly honest, I've never really gotten involved with boys much outside of family either...

Yuni
So it is. Well then, this is unavoidable. Let us simply put on a faint smile and nod noncommittally in agreement.

Yuni
I get it—

Chloe
I get it—

Chelle
Aha, I'm glad you guys understand! Then, as fellow girls, let's all get along! Seenpais♪

Chloe
Ah, geez... I get it so don't just grab on after every little thing, it's stuffy...

Yuni
No, I do not mind. Proceed.

Chelle
Okaaay!

Chloe
But why.

Yuni
About that, for some time now, in this moment where a group of pubescent females come into close contact, an indescribable pink aura is formed that I have had much academic interest in.

Chloe
You're just some sketchy person.

Yuni
Now, keep it going, you two. This flirting and entanglement that you would hesitate to display in public view. Display the brilliance of youth to this dreary me.

Yuni
No, since it has come to this, I shall also begin mixing us together. At that time I wonder if I shall experience any kind of emotional response; this is of great interest to me from a neuroscience perspective.

Chloe
Isn't that just yuri?

Chelle
Yaay~! Huuugs for everyone~!

Yuni
Huuug~!

Chloe
Uwah, annoying. What is this, so annoying I can't take it.

Chelle
Aha~

Yuni
Ah, how pleasant. Simply put this is youth. Kinship. School life. Right? Don't you think so too, Chloe-kun?

Chloe
.....

Chloe
I mean, it's fine...

Chloe
But, like... it's fine.

Female Teacher
Good afternoon, everyone. Sorry to have kept you waiting, let's begin the...

Female Teacher
Oh my, what do we have here. The three of you clinging so delightfully to one another, you must all get along marvelously.

Chelle
Ah, you get it? That's right, right now we're in the middle of enjoying our fill of youth~!

Female Teacher
That was sarcasm. Now quiet down and take your seats.

Female Teacher
Now, let us see. Yuni-san, Chloe-san, Chelle-san. The aforementioned three are the scholarship candidates, correct?

Female Teacher
Now of course, the awarding of the scholarships is not without conditions. You must all abide by the following conditions.

Yuni
Hmm. If "Exemplary Grades" is one such condition, then I, as the head of the class, should have no problems regarding that.

Chloe
Eh... no way. This kid's a prodigy?

Chelle
Ah, Chelle is probably fine too. I somehow just listen to lessons and somehow get good marks on my tests.

Chloe
Really. This one's a genius?

Chelle
Does Chloe-senpai happen to be of middling intelligence?

Chloe
Manner of speaking. And formal language, rough.

Chloe
Uh, well... I put in a pretty normal amount of effort, and I don't think they're the worst of the worst in terms of ranks...

Female Teacher
Well of course. Maintaining a constant level of academic prowess is of utmost importance.

Female Teacher
But above that, there is one more condition you must all abide by.

Yuni
I see. Let us hear it.

Female Teacher
This matter has yet to become set in stone, but this school– St. Theresa Girl's Academy– shall, forthcoming, implement certain policies in order to take steps toward co-ed...

Chloe
Huh? Co-ed!?

Female Teacher
Precisely. Now, as part of the aforementioned transition to co-ed, for the first preliminary step one male student has received a provisional enrollment.

Chelle
Wha... I haven't heard anything about that, though!

Female Teacher
Ahh, yes, you would have that response... just as expected.

Female Teacher
This school has historically been a place where distinguished families could safely entrust their children and has thus built up an insular culture and history.

Female Teacher
However, times have changed, and the state of things is also changing day by day. And thus the time has come for us to open the door that must not be opened.

Yuni
Ah, I have overheard that the number of students has been steadily decreasing by the year... If I may put it bluntly, this is the operational expansion of a declining business.

Female Teacher
With that being the case, when this institution loosens its long-standing exclusion policy, we wonder if the reconciliation with a foreign culture shall occur smoothly. You three shall be the student representatives that will demonstrate such a possibility.

Chloe
Paisen translate, in simple terms.

Yuni
Hmm... in other words, we need to show that we can become close friends with the provisionally enrolled male student, if I am correct.

Chloe
Ha? What the, meaning...

Female Teacher
As expected of Dr. Yuni, that is precisely correct. Now then, allow me to introduce the aforementioned exchange student.

Female Teacher
You may enter.

Yuni
Ah...

Chloe
Ah...?

Chelle
Aah...!

Female Teacher
Oh my, what has gotten into everyone? You all raised your voices as if you were already acquainted with the transfer student.

Yuuki
1. I'm Yuuki, I'll be in your care.

Those 3
AAAAA-!?

At that moment, raising their voices as if they were acquainted with the transfer student, were the young girls of St. Theresa Girl's Academy.