Episode 1/Screenplay

SCENE 1
[Episode 1 Title Card]

[Setting: Bus at a station]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''If I may, I'd like to pose an interesting question: "Are all human beings truly equal?" These days everywhere you go there's talk about the fight for equality.''

[An elderly woman enters the utility vehicle. The bus is filled with Advanced Nurturing High School students]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''As a wise man once said, "Heaven does not create one person above or below another." People like to throw these words around. That's not the whole quote. It goes on to say that "... while we are all equal at birth, pretty soon, things begin to change. Academic effort is what sets some people apart to rise above the others.''

[The bus leaves]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''At any rate, humans change over time based on their actions. Truth be told, at the end of the day, equality is just a fantasy. And most of us go through life denying the fact that we live in a meritocracy.''

Kikyō Kushida: Uhm, excuse me, sir? ... Would you be willing to give up your seat?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): Hmm?

Kikyō Kushida: That is priority seating after all. So it'd only be right for you to let this older woman sit there.

Rokusuke Kōenji: My, my, you're a pretty girl. I understand that this is priority seating honey, but there's no law forcing me to give it up. You think I should have to stand up just because I'm still young? [Chuckles] What a bunch of ageist-y nonsense. Sure I'm younger than her, but standing uses way more energy than sitting. Tell me, why must I sacrifice my health for this lady's sake?

Kikyō Kushida: Because you'd be contributing to the greater good of humanity. And just take a look at her, she's having trouble staying upright.

Rokusuke Kōenji: I have zero interest in contributing to the greater good. And anyway, there are plenty of other jerks on this bus who could give up their seats. Furthermore, I don't see much difference between a priority seat and a regular one, so ask someone else to be a hero.

Elderly Woman: To tell the truth, dear, I don't mind standing, don't worry. But thank you all the same.

Kikyō Kushida (Shouting): Excuse me! Would anyone on this bus be willing to give up their seats to this sweet lady?

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji gazes upon Suzune Horikita, a female student who's reading a book and is sitting across him]

A young adult woman (Speaking while raising her right hand): Over here, I'll stand.

Kikyō Kushida: Thank you very much, ma'am!

[She stands up and passes along the aisle]

[Portrayal of school vicinity]

[The bus arrives at a station. Students are disembarking]

SCENE 2
[Setting: Near the High School Entrance]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: ''Well, this is it, my new school. Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, established by the government to raise students who've been deemed our country's future leaders, movers and shakers, if you will. And it works too, it boasts 100% college entry and employment rates. Using experimental state-directed teaching methods, they pulled out all the stops to build a bright future for Japan.''

Suzune Horikita: Hey, you! I noticed you staring at me on the bus earlier. Why was that?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Oh. I'm Sorry. I was just curious, cause, well, you didn't want to give up your seat either. I was wondering if like me you'd rather stay out of it.

Suzune Horikita: I'm nothing like you. In my case, I stayed silent as a matter of principle.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): Uh-huh, that makes her worse than me.

Suzune Horikita: If that's all, goodbye.

SCENE 3
[Setting: Inside the High School Covered Court]

Orientation Ceremony Host: And now, a few words from the student council president.

Manabu Horikita (Speaking on the stage): Thank you for the introduction. I am Manabu Horikita. Newcomers, as a representative of the upperclassmen and your student council president, I extend a warm welcome to you all. As I am sure you aware, our school is known for its prestige and distinction on all fronts and boasts impeccable employment and college entry rates across the board, we take pride in this. In fact, its our school's number one priority. We all work together to uphold the standard of excellence. Now, you are a part of that too. We expect greatness from all of you. And we know you are capable.

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji looks at Suzune Horikita while wondering]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): We're even in the same class?

Manabu Horikita (Speaking at the stage): Access here in just entirely on merit. So you alone control your path.

[Bell rings.]

SCENE 4
[Setting: 1st Year D-Class Room]

[Students are chatting and talking in Class 1-D, while some decided to stay in their seats.]

Kikyō Kushida: [Giggles] Laughs me too. So what's your favourite genre? Romance say bae.

Mei-Yu Wang: Huh? Romance is my favourite! How could you have know?

Kikyō Kushida: Oh, really?

Mei-Yu Wang: Seriously, shōjo novel is definitely mine.

Kikyō Kushida: Ah, my favourite genre is definitely mystery!

Kokoro Inogashira: Mystery?!

Kikyō Kushida: Surprising, huh?

Kokoro Inogashira: Yeah!

Kikyō Kushida: I get that a lot!

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji sitting with his arms on the desk. He looks at Suzune Horikita while thinking about the coincidences.]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): She has the seat next to me?

Suzune Horikita: An annoying coincidence.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Our feeling's mutual.

Yōsuke Hirata (Shouting): Hey guys! Listen up for a sec. We should go around the room and introduce ourselves. Start to get familiar with each other. I'd like to get to know you guys. Plus the teacher isn't here yet, so we might as well. Does that sound okay?

Kikyō Kushida: Fine then!

Kei Karuizawa: Yeah, that sounds like fun.

Maya Satō: I agree. I mean how awesome we all going to get acquainted.

Yōsuke Hirata: I'm glad to hear it. Well, I guess I'll go first then. I'm Yōsuke Hirata. But you can just call me Yōsuke if you want. I play every sport imaginable, and I'm going to try out for the school soccer team for sure. Thanks, nice to meet you all!

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''That was great! I bet that guy is going to be the leader in class.''

Some students: Sounds good.

Kikyō Kushida: OK, I guess I'll go next! Hi, my name is Kikyō Kushida. My goal is to become friends with every person in the entire school! That obviously includes everyone here. So if you're going out, please consider inviting me!

Some boys: Looking forward to it!

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''She'll have no trouble reaching that goal. She's got that "everyone's friend" vibe going on. But I shouldn't be focus on her at a time like this.''

Kanji Ike: Me next! I'm Kanji Ike! I love girls, and I hate hot guys! I'm always accepting new girlfriend applications!

[Some student laugh.]

Haruki Yamauchi: I'm Haruki Yamauchi. In elementary school, I went to nationals in ping-pong. In middle school, I was the baseball club's ace and cleanup hitter. I'm still recovering from an injury I got during the inter-high.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''These introductions are going to determine everyone's standing in class. Should I try to crack a joke? I bet I can get a laugh if I acted really hyper. Or I'd just end up creeping people out.''

Kanji Ike: Oh, wow! The inter-high, in middle school?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''Anyway, it's not like I have any real interests or hobbies to speak of. Kinda like a free agent, a blank slate.''

Yōsuke Hirata: Next up... How about you?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Uh...Who Me?

[Yōsuke Hirata smiles in response]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''No getting out of this one. I'd better muster up the energy to stand up and say something. For the sake of my reputation.''

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Uh... So Um... I'm Kiyotaka Ayanokōji. Uh... I can't wait to study with you. Ah, um... I'm not really good at anything in particular. Uh... I'll do my best to get along with you all.

[The students clap for his introduction.]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): I blew it.

Yōsuke Hirata: Ayanokōji. Well, it's nice to meet you. I can't wait to be friends.

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji sits down and looks at a grinning Suzune Horikita]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): She just laughed at me.

Yōsuke Hirata: OK, who's next?

[A loud thud interrupts the room. The noise was Ken Sudō kicking the desk in front of him, frightening Kanji Ike]

Ken Sudō: Introductions are for grade-schoolers. What are we, a bunch of babies? Get to know each other on your own time!

Sae Chabashira: Let's get started.

[The teacher of the class arrives.]

Sae Chabashira: Find your seats, everyone. I'm Sae Chabashira, the homeroom teacher for Class 1-D. At this school, you will not change classes ever. For the next three years, I'll be responsible for you until graduation. For our first order of business, the school rule book. Take one and pass them back. We have some rather unique rules at this institution. First, you must all live in the dorms, your contact with the outside world will be restricted, as well your time away from the campus. For anyone concerned, the school offers a wide variety of facilities. Anything you could need or want can be found here, including leisure and entertainment. To make purchases, you will spend your points, which are tracked using the school's main computer system. At this school, you can buy absolutely anything on campus with these. Points are distributed to you on the first of each month. Each point is worth one yen. If you all check your devices, you'll notice that you've already been allotted 100,000.

Kanji Ike: Wait, what?

Haruki Yamauchi: Are you kidding me?

[Kei Karuizawa looks surprised]

Sae Chabashira: I see you all surprised by the size of your allotment. This school judges its students based on their merit alone. You've all shown immense value just getting into the school. We've alloted you what we think you are worth.

SCENE 5
[Setting: Convenience Store]

Cashier: Thank you very much, come again!

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: It really does work exactly like money.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''Twenty-five students per class, and four classes per grade... that makes 300 of us in all. If each kid gets 100,000 a month, that's 360 million per year. How can the government afford to pay for all these?''

[Coincidentally, Kiyotaka Ayanokōji meets Suzune Horikita again.]

Suzune Horikita: Another annoying coincidence, it seems.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: You don't have to be so prickly. Well, since we have to sit by each other, we should attempt to get along. What's your name?

[Silence]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Really, you won't even share with me that much?

Suzune Horikita: So, you got a problem with that?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: No, but it would make things weird for the next three years to sit next to you and never know your name.

Suzune Horikita: It's Suzune Horikita.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Horikita? Like the guy who spoke earlier?

[Suzune Horikita picks up a natural oil and shampoo from the counter]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Why are you buying more cheap stuff? You got lots of money. You can stand to buy more expensive—

Suzune Horikita: I don't need all that.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: But—

Suzune Horikita: I told you, I don't need that stuff.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Right.

Suzune Horikita: You're weird. You aren't very good at interacting with people. No conversation skills.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Yeah, I know. But you don't seem to be much better than I am.

Suzune Horikita: That's true. But I'm not the one who said they were going to work hard to get along with everyone else.

[Suzune Horikita notices the table adjacent to the counter]

Suzune Horikita: These are free?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Maybe that's for people who use up all their points before the first of the month, I guess.

Suzune Horikita: How could one use up a hundred thousand points? The school is too indulgent.

Ken Sudō: Think you're better than me? Huh?!

[Both Kiyotaka Ayanokōji and Suzune Horikita notice a loud voice outside the store.]

Unnamed Upperclassman 1: Maybe. You are in Class 1-D, aren't you?

Ken Sudō: [Grunts] Yeah. What the hell is it matter to you guys?!

Unnamed Upperclassman 1: Hey, now that's no way to talk to your elders. You better learn some respect and fast.

Ken Sudō: Shut up!

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Huh? Wait, isn't that guy in our class?

Suzune Horikita: Maybe, but I won't get involved. It's beneath my dignity.

Ken Sudō: I don't care if you're my elders! You want to fight or not?! I'll take all three of you once!

Unnamed Upperclassman 1: Huh, we'll let it slide this time!

Unnamed Upperclassman 2: Plus he's already got it bad. If we knocked you down a peg, you'd fall right off.

Ken Sudō: Don't you run away from me!

Unnamed Upperclassman 3: Scream your head off if you want. You people are already in for a world of pain.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): A world of pain?

Ken Sudō: Scram, wimps! Argh!

[The garbage case stumbles. Few pieces of trash scattered. Ken Sudō walks out of the scene.]

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji looks at his direction and notices the CCTV. After which, he acts accordingly to his goodwill.]

SCENE 6
[Setting: 1st Year D-Class Room]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): Not long after that, the class began to split up in the clicks.

Mei-Yu Wang: Hey, Kikyo. You wanna eat lunch together today?

Kikyō Kushida: I'm sorry, I can't. I've got too much to do.

Hideo Sotomura: 'This beauty was a mere 80,000 points! We've got a hundred thousand more suits, so it was a steal.

Kanji Ike: Yeah, bought tons of games!

Haruki Yamauchi: This is awesome! I'll buy some too, and we can battle!

Chiaki Matsushita: I saw an adorable pair of earrings.

Kei Karuizawa: Wanna stop by after class?

Chiaki Matsushita: I'll shop for clothes too.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): Unlike everyone else, I failed to make any friends.

Suzune Horikita: You're pathetic.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Yeah. Well, you're alone too.

Suzune Horikita: That's true, but I for one prefer to be alone.

[Suzune Horikita eats her meal. Kiyotaka Ayanokōji stands up.]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): I'm gonna hit up the cafeteria...

SCENE 7
[Setting: Along the corridor]

Kikyō Kushida: Um... Your name is Ayanokōji, isn't it?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Yeah. And you are... Kushida?

Kikyō Kushida: I'm so impressed! You remembered my name too, thanks!

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Yeah... guess I did.

Kikyō Kushida: So, um... Could we talk for a sec?

Eyecatcher
[Eyecatcher] Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School

At this school, each student will have their own points to be used in place of money when buying goods and services. There is nothing, within the realm of reason, that cannot be bought on campus using points.

SCENE 8
[Setting: Area of corridor near the stairways]

Kikyō Kushida: The reason I stopped you is that you and Horikita seem really close.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Well, I wouldn't go that far.

Kikyō Kushida: Really? But you're the only person in school that she talks to ever. It's my goal to become friends with everyone at school, even outside our class. So I asked Horikita for her phone number to maybe call her sometime, but she turned me down... She said she doesn't want to be friends with anyone.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Yeah, I think that's just how she is.

[She leans to him forward and hold his hands close to her chest.]

Kikyō Kushida: But I still want to be friends with Horikita, in spite of all of that! Do you think that you can help me with her?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Help you? I don't know...

Kikyō Kushida: You mean... you won't?

[She looks at him with puppy eyes, which earns her a sigh from Ayanokōji.]

SCENE 9
[Setting: 1st Year D-Class Room]

Sae Chabashira: The head of the was known as the. He controlled the powerful families of each region using uji-kabane system. referred to groups of families who shared the same bloodline, while referred to an individual's post and status.

[While Sae Chabashira lectures, Ken Sudō is taking a nap, Kei Karuizawa is checking her phone, Haruki Yamauchi is reading a manga, possibly the Himawari-san (manga), through his tablet. Some of them ostentatiously show their disinterest in Japanese History lectures.]

Sae Chabashira: It was a system in which pedigree determine one's place.

[Bell rings.]

Sae Chabashira: That's all for today. Look over the material for tomorrow.

SCENE 10
[Some time passed by.]

[Setting: 1st Year D-Class Room]

[Suzune Horikita unzips her bag after packing her equipment and necessities.]

Suzune Horikita: The school is incredibly indulgent. These kids play around and sleep in class, but the teachers never even bothered to do anything. I can't believe the government has the goal to dub this an elite school.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Maybe they are just trying to encourage individual autonomy.

Suzune Horikita: Perhaps...

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Hey. If you're just gonna head home, would you mind coming somewhere with me first?

Suzune Horikita: What are you trying to pull?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: It's an invitation. Why would that suggest ulterior motive?

Suzune Horikita: If you'll be honest and tell me what you really want, maybe I'll be willing to hear you out.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: You know that big café in the mall, the coffee place? Where all the girls like to hang out. Would you be willing to go there with me right now?

Suzune Horikita: Why me of all people?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: I'm just not brave enough to go in there alone. Place kinda has a "no boys allowed" thought.

Suzune Horikita: And there's no one else you can ask? Well no, I suppose there isn't...

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Looks to admit it, but you're right about that.

SCENE 11
[Setting: Café]

Suzune Horikita: Is it always so packed?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: So this is your first time coming here too? Oh, right. You're a loner.

Suzune Horikita: Trying to insult me? How childish.

[Both Kayano Onodera and Nene Mori get up from the table]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Ah. That table just opened up.

[Both of them bought something for themselves]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Hey, I wonder, you think the other people in here see us, well, you know as a couple-

[Suzune Horikita gives off an annoyed glance.]

[Silence]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Never mind, probably not.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): The impending confrontaton is tying my stomach in many knots, I feel sick.

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji looks at the table beside them where Mei-Yu Wang and Kokoro Inogashira are sitting.]

Mei-Yu Wang: Ready to go?

Kokoro Inogashira: Yeah!

[Mei-Yu Wang and Kokoro Inogashira walk away.]

Kikyō Kushida: Huh, Horikita? What a coincidence! And Ayanokōji too?

[Kikyō Kushida sits beside Suzune Horikita]

Kikyō Kushida: So, do you two come here together often?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: No, this is our first time.

Kikyō Kushida: Oh, that's cool. Well, I'm here by myself—

Suzune Horikita: I'm leaving

[Suzune Horikita stands up]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: You are? You literally just sat down.

Suzune Horikita: But Kushida's here now. So you don't need me to stay, do you?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: I guess not... But Kushida and I are just classmates, we don't know each other.

Suzune Horikita: And how is that any different than what you and I are. On top of that... Something seems fishy here. And I don't like it.

Kikyō Kushida: What? Oh, come on. It's a coincidence...

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): Nice try, but the correct response would have been, "What's that suppose to mean?"

Suzune Horikita: The girls who were at this table, and the two at the next one over, is it coincidence there in our class, honestly?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Well, I didn't even notice. I'm impressed that you recognized them.

Suzune Horikita: You and I came straight here immediately after class ended. We came in, and then they left, that they could have been here for longer than a couple of minutes. It doesn't make any sense.

Kikyō Kushida: Well, um...

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Sorry. Yeah you're right. We set you up.

Suzune Horikita: I thought so.

Kikyō Kushida: Horikita! Please be my friend!

Suzune Horikita: I want you to leave me alone. I won't trouble class.

Kikyō Kushida: But you'll be lonely all by yourself...

Suzune Horikita: I have never once felt lonely by myself.

Kikyō Kushida: Ah

Suzune Horikita: You're wasting your time. Every word that comes out of your mouth disgusts me.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Hey, are you sure about this? If you won't be friends with anyone, you'll be alone for the next three years.

[Suzune Horikita takes a few steps before stopping to leave final words to Ayanokōji]

Suzune Horikita: I've been alone for the last nine years, so I don't mind. Longer, if you include kindergarten.

Kikyō Kushida: Sorry. I might have made Horikita-san hate you...

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Nah, don't worry about it.

Kikyō Kushida: Maybe I can never be her friend...

SCENE 12
[Setting: Outside]

Kikyō Kushida: If I can't even make friends with my own classmates, I guess my goal is still far away.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): I think Horikita's an exception, personally...

Chihiro Shiranami: Your hair is always so silky!

Honami Ichinose: You think so!

Kikyō Kushida: Oh, it's Ichinose-san! Ichinose Honami-san from Class B. We became friends yesterday.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: You're even friends with students in other classes?

Kikyō Kushida: Yeah! There are a lot of nice people in Class B. But this school is pretty amazing, huh? There are so many stores, and we get 100,000 yen each month...

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: That amount seems a bit excessive to me, though.

Kikyō Kushida: Yeah... you think so, too? And calling them points makes me spend them without thinking. It really messes with my sense of money.

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji remembered the section in the convenience store where all "free items" are included.]

Kikyō Kushida: I want to be really careful not to over-spend. I'll buy the things I have to, of course. Daily necessities like soap and detergent... underwear, and stuff...

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: Yeah, Horikita was doing the same thing.

[Kikyō Kushida stands in front of Kiyotaka Ayanokōji and leans to him]

Kikyō Kushida: Oh? So you know how Horikita-san spends her money?

Kikyō Kushida: You really are close, aren't you?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: I just happened to see it.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): Um, she's really close...

Kikyō Kushida: Hmmm. Well, we'll just leave it at that.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): It really is true, though...

SCENE 13
[Setting: Dorm]

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji puts his bag down the deck and sits down on the bed. He looks at his phone]

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji: 100,000 per month, huh?

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji (Monologue): ''Most students decided to make the most of their school lives, without thinking too deeply about anything. Day after day, they blew through their monthly allowance of 100,000 like it was nothing. The teacher was very lenient, so in-class conversations, napping, tardiness, and absences became a daily occurrence. Extravagance, debauchery, and indolence were rampant. And then, May 1st arrived.''

SCENE 14
[Setting: 1st Year D-Class Room]

Kei Karuizawa: Huh? What's going on?

Kanji Ike: Really? You, too?

Kei Karuizawa: How come?

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji looks at his phone to notice his point count is out of date for some reason.]

Sae Chabashira: Take your seats. Morning homeroom will now begin.

Haruki Yamauchi: Hey, teacher, we didn't get our points! We're supposed to get them on the first day of the month, right?

Sae Chabashira: No, this month's points have already been allotted.

Haruki Yamauchi: But...

Sae Chabashira: The points have been allotted. I can say that for certain. There is no chance that this class has been overlooked, either.

Kanji Ike: But we didn't get any points!

[Most of the students agreed to what Kanji Ike said.]

Sae Chabashira: What a bunch of idiots you are.

[The students bewildered to her statement]

Sae Chabashira: A combined total of 98 tardies and absences. 391 instances of talking and cell phone usages in class. Quite a month's work. At this school, your grades and performance evaluations are reflected in the monthly points you're given. My assessment of you has resulted in the loss of all 100,000 points you were to be given. The points you're receiving for this month... are zero.

Kanji Ike: You mean I have to live on no money this month?

Haruki Yamauchi: Wh-What the heck? No one told us that...

Sae Chabashira: Did you really think that mere high school students were going to be given 100,000 yen a month to spend without a single catch?

[Kiyotaka Ayanokōji gazed at Suzune Horikita]

Sae Chabashira: That's absurd. Use your common sense. If you had doubts, why did you do nothing about them? I told you on the first day, didn't I? This school judges students based on merit. Which means you're all worth nothing. You're garbage.

[Pan out to class]

(Opening Song)

[Episode 2 Title Card]