01x03 - And Then They Met

[bunniefuu]

I'm home.

Welcome home, Alya.

I'm home, Masha.

Goodness.

I told you to call me "big sis"
when we're in Japan.

It's awkward to change it now.

Alya, you're so cold.

You seem to be in a bad mood.

Did something happen?

No, nothing happened.

That's a lie.

You can't fool your sister.

Tell me. What's wrong?

Nothing really happened.

I just met Kuze and his childhood friend.

Oh, that boy.

What is it?

Because...

you always get a bit pouty
when you talk about him.

I see.

It seems that a boy who can move
Alya's heart has finally appeared.

What are you saying?

You like him, don't you?

That Kuze guy.

I don't know how you got that idea.

But we're not like that.

We are...

That's right!

We're friends.

But why did you two become friends?

You hate unserious people
who do things half-heartedly, don't you?

Well, about that...

SIX YEARS AGO

VLADIVOSTOK

Please form groups and divide tasks

to investigate nearby shops.

The group that does the best

will get the Excellence Award.

So I'll take the clothing store
and the bakery.

Alya, you take the florist
and the butcher shop.

Okay, I got it.

If we're going to do this,

let's do our best!

Excuse me.

Are you here on an errand?

No, it's a school assignment.

I'm doing research

on different fields of work.

This is it.

Excuse me.

The assignment?

Sorry, I haven't done it yet.

What?

Why?

It takes time to compile all the data.

If you don't do it soon...

There's still a week left.

It's fine.

No, it's not!

I mean, a bakery sells bread.

A clothing store sells clothes, right?

That's right.

It's so detailed!

You're taking it too seriously.

Alya, is it necessary to read all this?

Why aren't you taking this seriously?

If you don't like it, do it yourself!

If you write casually like this,

how are we going to get first place?

Kids, stop it!

Wait! Stop fighting!

The Excellence Award
for the group presentation goes to...

Group B.

-Yay!
-That's great!

If everyone takes things
seriously like I do...

No, that's not right.

I shouldn't have expected
anything from other people.

Nobody in this world

is willing to do things

as serious and passionate as I am.

If that's the case...

If that's the case,

I'll just do it all by myself.

Hey. Did you really pass
that really difficult transfer exam?

Well, yes.

Kujou, your Japanese is really good.

Have you lived in Japan before?

I did five years ago.

Kujou, let's talk later.

How can he sleep after all that noise?

Excuse me. Class is starting now.

Are you the transfer student
who spoke at the entrance ceremony?

Yes.

I'm Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Masachika Kuze.

Nice to meet you.

Hey, Hikaru. You're in this class too.

I've always been here.

By the way, Takeshi's in this class too.

You're right.

SCIENCE

I forgot my textbook.

Sorry, Hikaru. Can I borrow yours?

Sure.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

I'm so tired from running.

Me too.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

MATH

This is a prestigious school,

so does every school
have a student like this?


HAUNTED HOUSE

Let's see.

We need some door panels
to partition a path.

What should we do
about the ghost costumes?

Wait! Let me think about it one by one.

Goodness, I didn't expect it
to be so much work!

Indeed.

Kujou, you're not going home yet?

No, I still want to work on it.

I see.

See you tomorrow.

Can we make it in time?

But it's just a school festival.

There's no point in taking it seriously.

It's the same as back then.

Ouch!

I just want to give it my all.

I just don't want to give up.

In order to achieve that,

even if I'm alone,
it's not a big deal.

Sure enough, you're still here.

Kuze, why are you still at school?

Good work. Well, something came up.

Kujou, you should also go home.

We can do
these tasks together tomorrow.

Don't worry about it.

I'll finish it up and go home.

Don't mind me.

Well... Okay.

Regarding costume-making,

I've asked for help
from the handicrafts club.

What?

Also, here.
A usage permit for the boarding house.

If we can hold an overnight event,

I'm sure the slackers
will get motivated too.

The boarding house? How did you get it?

I asked the former president for help

and used her connections.

The handicrafts club said they'd help out

if I lent them some boys.

If I tell the boys

that it's a good chance to show
how reliable they are to the girls,

I'm sure they will gladly do it.

Anyway,

let's go home for today.

There's no point in working so hard

on your own, right?

What do you mean by that?

If I...

If I'm going to participate,

I want to show everyone
an excellent show!

I don't want to present

a half-baked exhibit on the day itself.

I don't want to compromise at all!

But I also know that it's just

my wishful thinking.

I know that everyone doesn't care
about this as much as I do.

That's why I'll work diligently
on behalf of them too!

What's wrong with that?

You're working in the wrong direction.

What?

The school festival
isn't something you do alone.

It's something you complete together.

If you want to make something excellent,

you should think more about
how to motivate everyone.

That's...

That being said,
anyone would get mad if they heard that.

I'm sorry.

I know you're doing your best.

I'm going home.

Okay, thank you for your hard work.

What was that?

What was that?

What's his deal?

BOARDING HOUSE!

So that's why!

While we prepare for the school festival,

let's test our courage with hide-and-seek
on the school premises at night!

This will be our pre-pre-pre-party
for the school festival!

DO YOUR BEST!
SIX DAYS UNTIL THE SCHOOL FESTIVAL!

SEIREN SCHOOL FESTIVAL

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Good work, Kujou.

This school is really old-fashioned
when it comes to this.

Can't believe they still do
after-party folk dance.

Can I sit next to you?

Sure thing.

But aren't you dancing?

You'll be a hot pick, won't you?

Do you not know how to folk dance?

How rude.

I may not look like it,
but I did ballet when I was a kid.

I can learn that simple dance in no time.

But since it's a bother,
I said I don't know as an excuse

and turned down everyone's invitations.

That must have been hard for you.

Not really.

I'm used to it.

So it's not a hassle at all.

I see.

You're indeed the solitary princess.

What's that?

What? Don't you know?

That's what the other students

have been calling you lately.

You don't seem too happy about it.

Yes, maybe I'm not.

Why? Is it because
they mock your lack of friends?

That's not it.

Can you not say it
in such a mocking way?

Sorry.

What I don't like is the word "princess".

Isn't that a compliment?

It makes me sound like
I'm a fairytale princess

who knows no hardships.

Well, is that how you interpret it?

In terms of appearance and talent,

I'm indeed more gifted than others.

But I've never thought
of resting on my laurels.

That's like saying all my efforts so far

are credited solely
to being born well-off.

I don't like it.

I get it now.

I won't call you that from now on.

I see.

Thank you, Kuze.

For what?

-I was wrong this time.
-Can you really dance?

If I insisted on doing it alone,

I wouldn't have been able to enjoy
the school festival as much as I did.

And I'm sorry.

Back then, I took it out on you.

Don't worry about it.

All I did was help with the paperwork.

I'm not like Takeshi and Kujou,

who always work harder than the rest.

It's been bothering me.

As an apology for my outburst

and as a token of gratitude,

I'd like to do something for you.

Is there anything you want?

A token of gratitude?

Don't say you don't need it.

Right.

In Russia,

you have a habit of calling each other
by special nicknames, right?

Why did you mention that suddenly?

Is it Alisha?

No, is it Alishka?

It's Alya.

My family calls me Alya.

I see.

Well then, what I want

is for you to let me call you Alya too.

What's that?

How's that a token of gratitude?

You're the class idol
that everyone looks up to.

As the only guy
who can call you by your nickname,

I'll be very happy.

Are you stupid?

Thank you very much.

Gross.

Excuse me, Kujou.

If you don't mind, will you dance with me?

Hey, don't get ahead of me!

Alisa, I've been interested
in you for a long time!

Will you dance with me?

You're confessing your love now?
That's unfair!

I'm sorry.

-I can't dance.
-It's okay.

Just let your body move to the music.

That's right. Don't worry.

I can't dance either.

Go with the vibe
and you'll dance just fine.

Do you guys...

Sorry, but she has plans with me.

Let's go, Alya.

Hold on...

My heartbeat is so loud.

By the way, didn't you just say

that you learned ballet

and you could dance folk just by watching?

Yes.

Well then,

may I see how you dance,

Your Highness?

Bring it on.

Good morning, Alya.

What's wrong?

You're looking at me like I'm trash.

Scumbag.

That's going too far!

He was so cool yesterday.

EXCELLENCE AWARD

I see.

So you fell in love with him?

That's so romantic.

I told you it's not.

Were you listening to me?

But it sounds like
you two are falling for each other.

Don't describe it in such a strange way.

Didn't I just say we're friends?

Going from friends
to lovers is the way to go.

It's the same for me and Saa.

Right?

But you're right.

I admit that he's capable.

And he's trustworthy.

A guy who gives his all
when he needs to is really cool.

Saa is like that too.

When I was attacked by a dog before,

the way he came to save me was...

If you want to be lovey-dovey,
please get out.

Goodness, you're so cold!

Excuse me.

Kuze. Sorry.

Thanks for coming all the way here.

No problem. I'm just filling in for Yuki.

Oh, are you Kuze?

I'm Maria Mikhailovna Kujou.

I'm Alya's older sister
and the student council secretary.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Alya has been a great help to me.

Kujou, I heard I'm supposed
to go shopping with you today.

Just Masha will do.

If you're Alya's friend,

you're my friend too.

I see.

Then I'll call you Masha.

Nice to meet you.

What's wrong?

Kuze, what's your name?

What?

I'm Masachika.

M-a-s-a-c-h-i-k-a.

Masachika?

What's wrong?

Is there something on Kuze's back?

President.

If you must,

it should be
"Is there something on his face?"

You're amazing.

I'm sorry.

I was just thinking,
"So this is Alya's friend."

and got distracted.

Well then, let's go.

Excuse me. What did you just say?

I'm sorry.

I just said, "Let's go."

All right.

All right, President. We'll be going now.

I'm counting on you.

Should we buy a diffuser?

No, we shouldn't put that
in the student council office.

It's better to keep it in your own room.

My goodness!

This stuffed kitty

looks just like Alya!

Right.

Why don't we choose a few dolls based on
the image of the student council members

and display them?

Is our office some kind of dreamland?

Aside from the other female members,

I'm sure the president can't stand it.

The president?

It's this lion gentleman with glasses.

No, I mean...

The resemblance is uncanny!

Let's go with this one.

No, even if it's similar,

we don't normally display
stuffed animals, right?

What?

No, I'm the one who's confused.

I understand.

But this kitty is cute.

I want to buy it for myself.

If you combine the receipts,

the bookkeeper Alya will scold you.

This won't do. She does as she pleases.

Has she always been like this?

Then Alya

must be having a hard time too.

Kuze, this is the shop.

Okay.

Masha, let me carry that for you.

Thank you.

In that case,
please take good care of Alya Kitty.

Alya Kitty?

Goodness, it looks good on you.

Your taste is a little bit weird, right?

Here, say cheese.

No, I won't let you take it.

Why not?

Come on. Aren't you going to buy tea?

All right.

Here you go.

Thank you.

This is the first flush tea,
so it's a bit astringent.

Hey, Kuze.

Which one do you think is better?

I don't know much about black tea.

Is that so?

If it was Yuki who grew up
under our mother's guidance,

I'm sure she could give
some advice at a time like this.

But I...

I'm sorry, Masachika.

Your mother and I

have decided to live separately

from now on.

I see.

In that case,

I...

I'll go with you, Dad.

I'm sorry, Masachika.

I've decided to stay in this house.

Kuze?

What's the matter?

No, it's nothing.

You look like you're in pain.

What?

It's okay.

There, there.

What is this feeling?

It feels familiar.

It kind of puts me at ease.

Wait, it's hot!

It's hot!

What?

Masha!

Your tea touched my back!

It's freaking hot!

Oh, my!