Bad End Restart
Cast:
Wolfrun, Ookami Runtarou - age 16
Aka-Oni, Akai Daikichi - age 15
January, 2014
The one-time (self-appointed) leader of the (self-styled) Bad End Trio is in a sorry state.
For one thing, despite his nickname, he is not in actuality any kind of wolf. His last name means "wolf", certainly, but this is as far from actually being one as the girl whom he has confessed his love to is from being a literal starry sky.
Not that being an actual wolfman would be any help, really. Maybe. Runtarou thinks it would, but he is a fool.
Being a fool is also a problem. Miyuki had been kind not to reject him outright when he confessed. Despite their rocky history, Runtarou has at least that reason to think she might return his feelings. Miyuki promised then that she'd go out with him if he passed his entrance exams.
Exams that Runtarou has now failed.
He has not bothered to go and tell her. Instead, he has chosen to sit and sulk on a snow-covered bench, wondering what he is to do with himself now.
"Yo."
'Aka-Oni', Akai Daikichi, as hulking as his nickname, plops down on the bench next to Runtarou and shoves a hot can of coffee into Runtarou's hands. In spite of himself, Runtarou cracks the can open and takes a drink.
"Bitter!"
"Ain't a hot drink just the thing for a cold day? It ain't like you to sulk like this."
"I had one chance, Aka-Oni. She was the only girl who ever met me on my own level, but... What's the use?"
"You say that, and... I know, I am not that bright. No high school for Aka-Oni! Ha! But Wolfrun, my friend... This 'level' you are on, it is a strange place. I used to see it too, her magical girl Princess Happy and your Big Bad Wolf. I used to see it too, but I am not so bright. Of late, I only see a girl who sprays my good friend with a bottle that makes him claw at his eyes. You could do better."
"It's not like that, buddy. She stopped using the real stuff on me a long time ago."
"You still go down and claw at your eyes. Why?"
"It's our thing. It's not something I can explain. But now that I've failed my exams... Any chance I might have had with her depended on passing."
"That is it, then? Will you give up, find work, and try to forget her?"
"As if! I don't plan to be some part timer loser, and there's no way I can forget about Miyuki!"
"So you didn't get into high school, and you won't start working. What does that leave?"
"They'll hold the exams again next year, won't they? If I pass then, I'll be back on track!"
"That sounds like the Wolfrun I know. Do you figure that'll work on your girl?"
Runtarou has nearly recovered his usual spirit, but he deflates again.
"She ain't my girl. It's not like I'm giving up, but she told me I had to pass. I can't pretend we're together just because I wish she were."
"But you're going to pass next year, ain't ya? Did she ever say anything about that?"