The Teddy Bear - Episode 1

(Alarm clock rings)

"It's time for school." Says Ayako

She got dressed and left for school. In class, Mr. Masato has an announcement.

"Students, there is a new transfer student today. He just came from Osaka. Here, introduce yourself." Requested Mr. Masato

"Hello, everyone, my name is Toshihiro. Nice to meet everyone." Introduced Toshihiro

"Take a seat." Requested Mr. Masato as he points to a seat

After class, Ayako took out her bento box and wrapped onigiri for lunch. She goes to the roof to eat because she wants to be in quiet place to enjoy her meal.

"This is my relaxation place with sunshine and fresh air. Looking at the views can get me ideas on what the next event on my comic should be." Said Ayako

Later, Toshihiro appears. He bows at Ayako. She bows back. He sits diagonal across her facing the other side. Ayako could see him knitting and seeing something.

"It's amazing to see man knit and sew. I like to know what's he making. Is he making clothes or fixing a cloth?" Questioned Ayako

Half an hour later, Toshihiro got up and leaves. He puts his supplies into a straw basket. Ayako is curious to find what's he making. After gym class, Ayako has swimming next so she goes back to her locker to change. After changing, she sees Toshihiro is also at the pool. They have the same swimming class.

"Wow, he has muscles and 6-pack abs. He is a manly man." Thought Ayako

During class, Toshihiro was swimming fast and made unique positions that looks like a dolphin.

"A masculine man who knows how to knit, swim, and body build is fabulous." Attracted Ayako

"What happen, Ayako? You like Toshihiro?" Asked Komani, Ayako's friend

"Hey, stop joking. I just like a man who's like him that has muscle and swims well." Said Ayako

"This represents you like him." Grins Komani

"Stop it." Blushed Ayako as they play fight

"Hey, you blushed. Aha!" Pointed Komani

"I'm going to throw you in the pool." Blushed Ayako as she chases Komani fooling around

After the class, everyone got dress and prepare to leave for the day.

On the way home, Ayako saw Toshihiro buying a drink at a vending machine. He clicks on a spring green tea. Then, he sees Ayako.

"I notice you were focusing on me the whole day, Ayako." Said Toshihiro

"You notice me? Why you didn't chat with me at the first place?" Asked Ayako

"I don't have the courage talking to girls." Giggled Toshihiro

"Now you are talking to one. You also recognize my name since there were many students in our history class." Said Ayako

"Actually, I made a new friends in history class. His name is Ryo. He is your friend and he told me about you." Explained Toshihiro

"Seem like he gossip about me again. I'm going to tuck my bread roll in his mouth." Fooled Ayako

"This fooling around is fun. Add me next time." Joked Toshihiro

"We could since we're friends now." Laughed Ayako as they chat along while going home

After Toshihiro leave for the other direction, they wave to each other and go to their own direction towards home. Ayako is excited to become a new student's first female friend.

(Next day)

During break time, there is a group discussion.

"There is going to be a festival today at the shrine. I will be wearing my own kimono." Excited Komani

"I shall get my hair done before the event." Requested Nagamika

"This shall be fun." Excited Myana

"We shall get ready soon." Stated Ayako

"By the way, we shall invite Masaku and Ryo. Leaving them out isn't good. Even they are men but they are like us who gossip and want to hang out." Said Nagamika

"They have different topic and ideas from us. It might not be a good idea to communicate. We are used to be with individuals with similar ethnicity or gender with us." Said Myana

"They're also humans. They also want people to be with them. Excluding them out will make them and us uncomfortable and regret for not inviting them until they're gone." Stated Nagamika

"That's alright. We can invite them. We know you want everyone to unify and collaborate together. Even we are not use to it, we have to give it a try and let different species be in our group. Accept change is the step toward success." Said Komani

"Also, we can invite Toshihiro. He just transfer here and need a better social environment." Said Ayako

"Are you trying to hit your love hammer in him?" Laughed Komani

"Hey, stop that. I shall hit my hammer on you!" Joked and laughed Ayako

After school, they went to Masaku, Ryo, and Toshihiro for invitation.

"That sounds fun. We should go." Excited Masaku

"We better get ready soon." Claimed Ryo

They went home together to get prepare and went straight to the shrine. Ayako took some time getting ready and went to the shrine. When she arrives, Masaku, Ryo, and Toshihiro are already there.

"You guys are early." Said Ayako

"You girls took forever to get ready. Picking which dress, makeup, shower, styling hair, and walking very slow." Gossiped Ryo

"Hey, this is how we stay fresh and elegant. You also bought many clothes and put on makeup before leaving. You got here 5 minutes after me." Stated Ayako

"I won't take 2 hours to get ready." Grin Ryo

"They're here now. Guys, over here." Shouted Ayako to Komani, Myana, and Nagamika

"Great, everyone is here. Let's get going." Glad Komani

They went into the shrine and there are many stations. Some are selling fruit candies, catching fish, masks, cotton candies, bento, onigiri, fried noodles, and more.

"Let's play kingyo sukui." Excited Komani pointing at the holding scooping station

"I caught 8 fish before. It won't be a problem for me." Energized Masaku

"Let's play a game. Ayako, Komani, Myana, and I will be in one team and Masaku, Ryo, and Toshihiro will be another team. We will verse each other. The team that wins shall buy us toffee apples, cotton candies, dango, and takoyaki." Requested Nagamika

"No fair, that means if we lose, we have to pay extra money for the fourth person. You have 4 people and we have 3." Jealousies Masaku

"Men have to spend money for women. This is manner. Men have to try harder than women. This is life." Stated Myana

"Well, we're not your boyfriends." Said Masaku

"Alright, let's get started." Said Nagamika

While scooping, Komani caught 2 fish. Ryo caught 3.

"Way to go; you are doing well. We surpass you." Exited Masaku

"You will regret later." Energized Myana

Suddenly, Komani broke her scoop. She's out. Next is Nagamika. When Ryo is going to catch the 5th fish, his scoop broke.

"Yeah! We are going fast now. We caught 5 fish." Excited Myana

"The real challenge is coming." Energized Masaku as he steps in

Nagamika broke the scoop. Next is Myana. Myana and Masaku make eye contacts to tell each other they will win. During scooping, Myana catch the 8th fish. Masaku catch the 10th fish. Next, Masaku push the scoop too hard in the water and it broke. Myana got too overwhelm that he broke his scoop. Seconds later, she broke her scoop.

"Ha, you broke it. Toshihiro will defeat you guys." Energized Masaku

"We'll see." Excited Myana

Toshihiro rolls up his sleeves and start catching the goldfish. He catches 5 fish while Nagamika catch 2 fish. Then her scoop broke.

"We have 10 fish and they have 15 fish. We have to keep it up. You're up, Ayako." Requested Komani

"I'm not good at this." Said Ayako in nervousness

"Look, Toshihiro is so fast. He caught 5 fish within a minute." Proud Nagamika

"Seem like he is an expert at kingyo sukui." Stated Ryo

Ayako caught 2 fish. While Toshihiro is at the 20th fish.

"He is so good at this." Excited Masaku

Then, Ayako's scoop broke.

"Yay! We won. See; us boys are strong. Now you guys have to invite us to eat those pastries." Cheered Masaku

"That was amazing. Are you an expert?" Asked Komani

"I help my parents prepare the stations often at our shrine. We sell chicks, fish, and shooting the toys." Replied Toshihiro

"No wonder, you're so good at this for catching 5 fish in a minute." Cheered Masaku

An hour later, the firework is about to start. They go near the bridge to see the firework at the sky. Then, there were shiny fireworks. Everyone is staring at it.

"It's so beautiful." Cried Ayako

"We had so much fun today." Credited Ryo

"Everyone, we bought a pearl drink and grilled corn." Called Nagamika

"Okay, we're coming." Replied Ryo

Suddenly, Ayako saw Toshihiro down the shrine hill drinking his pearl drink. She goes down to see what happen. He looks miserable.

"Toshihiro, you are so talented for catching so many fish, knitting, and swimming." Cheered Ayako

"Thanks, I used my spare time to improve my skills." Said Toshihiro

"Why you look miserable often. You transfer from Osaka and Osaka people are usually joyful." Said Ayako

"Not every Osaka individual is funny or humorous. I transfer here was because my parents want me to get better education so they sent me here. Since childhood, they want me to learn many new things. I barely had time to play. I am skilled in many activities but I don't like to be in those fields. Even when I am skilled on many talents, I still don't feel happy." Explained Toshihiro

"Then, what do you want to become in the future." Asked Ayako

"I want to become a fashion designer. Since childhood, I played many fashion studio games. More in cutting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and ironing clothes. Even played making stuff animals and unique items." Replied Toshihiro

"But sending you here can have more opportunities to learn about designing." Claimed Ayako

"I am happy being in Osaka attending design class and hanging out with friends to learn about society. Being in unfamiliar place is strange. Also, working in Tokyo is more stress." Replied Toshihiro

"You can get use to it. Just how we got use to it. If Tokyo is not as fun as Osaka, then why people still live here. This means they are use to the environment and could live being here. It take time to change our thoughts." Explained Ayako

"Ayako, Toshihiro, the biggest firework is starting!" Called Nagamika

They walk up the hill and saw a beautiful shiny fireworks. Fill with multiple colours with lights spreading out. Myana and Komani were filming the view with their phone. Everyone cheers.

"So beautiful." Thought Toshihiro without blinking

"He really wants to be around with group of friends and enjoy the fun." Giggled Ayako

(Next day)

Masaku and Ryo were cleaning the classroom together. Then, Masaku has a question.

"Do you think yesterday Toshihiro is still miserable? That time, I went to bring him a pearl drink and then I saw him talking to Ayako on the bench. He didn't said he ran away from home because his parents won't let him do anything he likes. He had child abuse, child neglect, harassment, and assault from his parents." Explained Masaku

"Being with that family is difficult and he got scammed by group of trusted friends. Now, he doesn't really trust anyone." Said Ryo

"He's lucky that he has some friends in Tokyo that can help him move here so he can avoid his family problem." Said Masaku

"Even Ayako said those to him, he might be more miserable. We can find ways to cheer him up" said Ryo

Suddenly, at the doorway, Ayako is standing behind listening. Now, she knows Toshihiro's background. She felt bad for him facing a harsh life since childhood. Ayako thinks she has an idea to keep him motivated.

(During lunchtime)

"Toshihiro, you are buying lunch?" Asked Masaku at the convenient store with him

"Yes, I often do grocery at FamilyMart." Replied Toshihiro

"Me too. I'm going to buy fried noodle bread, fried chicken bread, karaage with rice, chicken wings, and sweet juice." Said Masaku

"I know you like eating but limit your fried and spicy food intake." Claimed Toshihiro

"My body won't collapse that quick." Laughed Masaku

At the checkout, they paid and said to find a park for lunch. Suddenly, they went to the Cherry Blossom park and sit on an empty bench. Toshihiro begin eating his fried noodle with karaage and green tea juice.

"Toshihiro, I know what you felt yesterday. Seeing all of us having fun and that luxurious firework made you think back about your life." Said Masaku

"I don't want to think back anymore. Now, I'm living in Tokyo. I'm able to do anything I want." Replied Toshihiro

"I know you're still frustrated for having a few friends that still ignored you and focus on others with mutual interest. This is life. It's very hard to teach people to change." Claimed Masaku

"Finding a best friend is hard and finding the matched community is even harder. For us common people, we rather stay alone and don't bother to be with these people." Said Toshihiro as he drinks his juice

"I'm also like this. I forget stuff often that caused clumsiness. Everyone has their own affliction. You are right that if a person ignores you like discrimination; leave that person and he loses you is his loss. Keep moving forward and be happy to everyone. Hate their affliction instead the person." Explained Masaku

Toshihiro and Masaku finished their meal and leave for their class. At the school yard, Ryo was taking out his fishing equipments.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Asked Masaku

"Going fishing after class so I'm preparing tools." Replied Ryo

"What are you catching?" Asked Masaku

"Going to catch some fish, crawfish, and any. More like camping." Replied Ryo

"You are doing cooking?" Asked Masaku

"Yes." Replied Ryo

"How can you cook without wok, knife, pot, or electric stove?" Asked Masaku

"You will find out if you come with me." Smiled Ryo

"Cool, Toshihiro, let's go camping after class. Since tomorrow has no class. This shall be fun. You have not seen Ryo's creativity yet. He is talented on food." Cheered Masaku

"Alright." Replied Toshihiro

(To be continue...)