A silver-colored clock tower stands silently on one side of the road, as if mourning something. Occasionally, a car passes by, breaking the silence for a brief moment.
The clock ticks steadily.
The hour hand is about to reach three.
The minute hand has passed eleven by three marks.
The second hand crosses twelve.
The time is 02:59.
A little distance away from the clock tower, a forest can be seen.
Scene Shift
Darkness has swallowed the surroundings of the forest. Under the faint glow of a crimson moon, everything appears mysterious. A cold northern wind blows. From time to time, the distant sound of bats echoes through the air. Together, it creates a strange melody-
a melody capable of mesmerizing anyone instantly.
If one falls under its spell, they would want to stay in this world forever.
Like a maze where people lose their way and never return.
Yet, there is a difference-
in a maze, people want to escape but cannot,
here, people stay by choice.
A figure dressed in black is seen walking alone through the heart of this enchanting melody.
He is completely alone.
No people. No animals.
He walks with focus.
Suddenly, his eyes lock onto something unfamiliar yet deeply desired in the distance.
A pair of deep red eyes, glowing fiercely.
An unnaturally pale body.
It slowly moves closer.
Its ferocity is unmistakable.
Scene Shift
Back at the clock tower, the time is now 03:00 AM.
The bell begins to ring.
With the same echoing sound of the bell-
Scene Shift to America, inside a bedroom
A seventeen-year-old girl is sleeping on the bed.
The table clock keeps ringing, but she doesn't wake up.
A middle-aged woman enters the room and turns off the clock.
Olivia: Jay! It's already 7:30! Wake up or you'll miss the bus again today.
Olivia leaves the room.
Jay gets out of bed and stands in front of the mirror.
Her hair is messy, sleep still lingering in her eyes.
She looks at her reflection and starts talking to herself-
Jay:
Today you have to do it, Jay!
You must answer Susana to her face. Got it?
Yeah. You're Jay!
You can do anything.
A smile appears on Jay's face.
---
Scene Shift - Road
Jay is running down the road.
Her uniform collar is messy, tie in one hand, school bag clutched to her shoulder with the other.
A piece of bread in her mouth.
Hair loose and untidy.
Worry written all over her face.
Jay (thinking):
I'm late again.
Jay, you're useless. Stupid.
The teacher is going to be angry again today.
Jay rushes into the classroom with her eyes closed.
Jay:
Sorry sir sorry sir sorry sir sorry sir-
(she keeps repeating nonstop)
Getting no response, she slowly opens her eyes.
The teacher isn't there.
All the students burst out laughing.
Susana is sitting at the first desk.
Susana:
Our Miss Late has arrived.
I've never seen such a foolish girl in my life.
Fumi:
She still hasn't learned how to wear her uniform properly.
Ruby:
I think we should call her Miss Joker.
Susana:
Yeah-Joker Jay.
Everyone laughs again.
Suddenly, a boy snaps loudly-
Sun:
Enough, Susana! Behave yourself.
Silence falls.
Sun grabs Jay's hand and pulls her toward the back, to her desk.
He sits at the desk beside her, fixes her collar, and says-
Sun:
Learn to organize yourself a little.
Jay:
I'm fine as I am.
Jay puts on her tie and ties her hair into a ponytail.
Sun is staring at her.
When Jay looks back at him, Sun panics slightly and looks away.
The teacher enters the class.
Everyone greets him with "Good morning, sir."
Teacher:
Sun! There's an important announcement.
Starting tomorrow, The Diamond of the Era competition will begin at Woods International School.
You are the lucky batch who can participate.
From you, five students will be selected.
Sun:
Sir, who will go?
Jay is half-asleep at her desk.
She isn't interested-because she knows she'll never be selected.
She's average in studies.
Zero in sports.
Always late to school.
Not popular in class.
Why would anyone choose her when Susana, Ruby, and Fumi are there?
Susana, Fumi, and Ruby sit confidently, smiling.
The teacher starts announcing names-
Teacher:
Sun!
Xavier!
Susana!
Fumi! ...
The tension in the room thickens.
The ticking sound of the wall clock makes the moment even more intense.
Teacher:
Jay!
Everyone shouts together-
Everyone:
What?!
Jay wakes up with a start-she had already fallen asleep at her desk.
Everyone is staring at her.
She panics, looking around, trying to understand what's happening.
Jay (thinking):
Oh no, Jay. You're definitely getting scolded.
Why do you sleep so much?
Everyone's staring like the teacher is about to expel you.
Teacher:
Jay, prepare yourself.
And come to school this afternoon.
Susana stands up.
Susana:
Sir, how can you do this?
How will she handle such pressure?
Teacher:
Do I have to explain myself to you now?
Susana:
Sir, just look at her.
She's still a child.
She can't even wear her uniform properly.
This is impossible for her.
Jay (thinking):
I thought Susana was bad...
but she's actually really nice.
I misunderstood her.
Teacher:
My decision is final.
---
After school...
Jay walks toward the bus, yawning.
She clutches her school bag tightly with both hands.
Sun runs up from behind and flicks her on the head.
Jay:
Hey! What's wrong?
(irritated)
Sun:
Aren't you excited at all?
Jay:
About what?
Sun:
This afternoon.
Jay pushes him away slightly.
Sun steps back, looking annoyed.
Jay:
You're so bad!
The teacher's going to punish me and you're having fun.
And look at Susana-
she's so kind.
She was begging the teacher not to punish me.
Sun taps her forehead again.
Sun:
Idiot.
Laughing, he walks away.
Jay watches him go, completely confused.