Hey there everyone! Sorry for the delay but here's the new installment.The class was bustling. A topic was hot on everyone's lips: the upcoming school play scheduled for the coming week. How would the cast be picked? Who would star the roles?

"2B, 9S, have you seen a play before?" asked Shauna.

An image of Romeos and Juliets fighting each other to their demise surfaced abruptly. The acrid smell of machine machine oil returned to the androids' noses. All that for some stamp.

"I suppose so?" answered 9S. "But then again, why's the school so willing to send students to perform gladiatorial combat onstage? Isn't this prohibited or something?"

Shauna was dumbfounded. "What gladiatorial combat?"

2B stepped in. "9S is confused, is all,"

"But 2B-" the boy protested.

2B turned to Shauna. "What's the title of our play?"

"It's Romeo and Juliet, 2B,"

"2B, they're not gonna fight to death, are they?" protested 9S.

"Shauna, can you tell us about the play?" Ignoring the boy, 2B continued her questions.

"Oh? You've never heard of the story?" Shauna cocked her head.

"Sorry, we haven't,"

"From what I know, this play was written by a man named Shakespeare, like, a few hundred thousand years ago, I guess. It's about a forbidden couple who kinda ends up dying together," explained Shauna, "it's quite the popular play, but the book is pretty boring," confessed the girl.

"That's tragic," commented 2B.

"Well, yeah. Our class is picked to perform this year. Naturally, everyone would want to play Romeo or Juliet, right?"

"I don't see why, though, seeing that we have to do lots of rehearsals and such," complained 9S.

"Maybe so," Shauna began to say.

Just then, the English teacher entered. Everyone scuttled back to their respective seats.

"Good morning, class. As you have heard, you'll all take part in this year's school play. So, all of you have to play your own part to ensure the school witnesses the best play. Without further ado, let's proceed with the formalities," said Miss Echidna.

Everyone waited with bated breath.

"I'm sure everybody wants to be the protagonists, no? We'll be drawing lots to determine your roles,"

Miss Echidna held out a box. Strips of paper dictating the roles were its contents. She walked around the class, allowing the students to select a piece.

"I'm sure everyone has a piece now, so go on, open them," encouraged the teacher.

The students' reactions were mostly disappointed because they didn't hit the jackpot. 'Perhaps they were assigned other roles,' noted 2B. In her hand, her strip had a single word. Costume.

She leaned over to 9S. "What'd you get, Nines?"

9S was silent. He held out his strip. Romeo, it said.

2B stifled a giggle. "Good for you, Nines."

The boy's face flushed. "Well what about you?"

"I'm 'costume'. Not sure what it means, though,"

"Maybe you're one of the people who has to prepare the costumes," speculated 9S.

Miss Echidna had just written down the roles onto the whiteboard.

"Alright, class, are we ready for the big reveal?" she asked.

The students answered with an enthusiastic cheer.

"Let's start with Romeo."

9S raised his hand. The class clapped.

"Ah, congratulations, Nonus. Now then, who's Juliet?" said the teacher as she wrote down 9S's name onto the board, next to Romeo's name.

Popola's hand was in the air. The class clapped again. The process continued until all the roles were filled.

"Class, I hope all of you are satisfied with your roles. Now, let us work together to give the best performance we have. I will now explain each of your roles, so listen closely,

"Everyone who has speaking roles, please see me after class. The class will begin now," said the teacher as she concluded the play's necessities and opened the textbook.

"Good luck, Nines," 2B chuckled.

"It's not like I really wanted it though," 9S looked away.

"If you say so," 2B said as she opened her textbook.

I will break this chapter into a few parts, so stay tuned for the next part!