CHATBOT: INT. SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY Crisp white tiles are smeared with shadows, a row of stalls under the hum of flickering fluorescent lights. The room is eerily void of the typical rambunctious echoes--instead, a single, punctuated sob whispers from behind a stall door, betraying a hidden anguish. HARUTO (17), athletic and popular among peers, pauses outside the bathroom entrance, his hand momentarily frozen on the door handle. His furrowed brow and the concern etched across his face suggest an urgent purpose. As he steps inside, his eyes quickly scan the bathroom, finally resting on the second stall from the end where soft crying is emanating. HARUTO (whispers, to himself) Takeshi? He approaches cautiously, his footsteps echoing on the tile floor. HARUTO (louder, with concern) Takeshi, buddy? Is that you in there? From within the stall, takes a moment before responding, his voice shaky. TAKESHI (voice cracking) Go away, Haruto. Leave me alone. Takeshi's voice trembles, marred by heartache and nasality--evidence of his runny nose. HARUTO Are you hurt? Did someone beat you up? Man, I told you to wait up after class! Takeshi sniffles, and after a brief pause, the stall door unlatches with a clink, swinging slowly open. Takeshi (16), a young man with glasses and a gentle demeanor, squints at the sudden intrusion of light. His eyes are red-rimmed, a mix of tears and irritation from the constant rubbing. He tries to smile at his friend, but it's a weak effort. TAKESHI It's not... not what you think, Haruto. Haruto, frowning, looks Takeshi over. No bruises, no blood. Just tears and a crumpled spirit. HARUTO (grabbing a handful of paper towels) Here, clean up your face. Tell me what's wrong. As Takeshi accepts the towels and wipes his eyes, Haruto leans against the tiled wall, arms crossed, waiting. Takeshi takes a shaky breath, trying to compose himself. TAKESHI They... they said I was sick... that I was spreading germs with my coughing and sneezing. They kept their distance like I was... toxic. Started calling me names. His words are interrupted as he breaks into a half-suppressed, self-conscious cough, his earlier sniffles vindicated. HARUTO (circling around to stand beside Takeshi, voice softening) That's messed up, Takeshi. Just 'cause of a little cold? Takeshi nods, wiping the last of his tears away. TAKESHI Yeah... they pretended to spray disinfectant at me... and then... 'Disease Boy'... that's what they called me. Haruto's eyes narrow, his own sense of justice ...

CHATBOT: INT. SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY The bathroom is quiet except for the muffled sobs coming from a locked stall. Underneath the door, we see familiar school shoes tapping in distress. The door suddenly swings open, and KAITO, a rough-looking young man with styled hair and an unbuttoned school uniform strewn over a casual sweater vest, strides in. He has a silver digital watch glinting on his wrist--a watch that doesn't exactly match his rebellious aesthetic. KAITO (annoyed) Who's being a crybaby in here? No response, just a stifled sniffle from the stall. Kaito frowns and approaches, leaning against the adjacent sink, arms crossed. KAITO (CONT'D) (shouting) Oi, come out! If someone messed with you, I'll fix 'em up real good. A moment of silence follows, then the sound of the lock disengaging. The stall door slowly opens, revealing TAKUMI, a young man with puffy eyes and a defeated slouch. Takumi wipes his nose with a tissue. TAKUMI (voice shaky) It's nothing, Kaito... I'm fine. KAITO (skeptical) Fine? Your eyes are telling a different story. Takumi shakes his head, averting his gaze. TAKUMI (embarrassed) Just leave it. It's... it's because of my coughing and runny nose. Rumors started, and now I'm "that gross guy" in class. Kaito's expression softens, but his fists clench. He steps forward, putting a reassuring hand on Takumi's shoulder. KAITO (passionately) Those divas think they can mess with my friend? Like hell, I'll let that slide. Takumi looks up, surprised by the concern in Kaito's voice. TAKUMI (breathless) But you hate school, Kaito. You don't need to... Kaito holds up his "borrowed" watch, a mischievous glint in his eye. KAITO (grinning) Hating school and caring for my friends are two different things. Besides, time I'm spending on this is... indefinable. Laughter breaks through Takumi's sobbing as he gets the joke. There's some camaraderie in that small moment, a silver lining that only these two could find in the grimy tiles of a school bathroom. KAITO (CONT'D) (earnest) Let's wash that face of yours and grab something sweet. My treat. We'll figure this out together. As they leave the bathroom, there's a new strength in Takumi's step, borrowed from his friend's unwavering support. FADE OUT.

CHATBOT: INT. SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY The scene opens with a narrow view under the bathroom stalls, showing various sets of feet. We focus on one particular stall where a pair of sneakers is seen facing the toilet, unmoving. The sound of sniffles and muted sobs echoes off the tiles. Enter RYUU, a young man with a tough exterior, marked by his disheveled hair and the infamous sweater vest that clings to him like a second skin. On his wrist, a silver digital watch catches the fluorescent light, its origin questionable. He exudes a rebellious aura, the very image of a delinquent who's at odds with the academic world. Ryuu pauses at the entrance, his sharp gaze scanning the room before it lands on the occupied stall. A look of concern washes over his face, softening his usual harsh demeanor. He approaches the stall. RYUU (firmly) Oi, you okay in there? There's a pause, a hiccup, then a response. YOUNG MAN (O.S.) (sniffling) Yeah, I'm fine. Just leave me alone. Ryuu isn't convinced. He leans against the stall door, crossing his arms. RYUU (skeptical) That doesn't sound like 'fine' to me. Did someone lay their hands on you? From inside the stall, the YOUNG MAN lets out a humorless laugh, tinged with pain and embarrassment. YOUNG MAN (O.S.) (sarcastic) Yeah, someone beat me up with words. You wouldn't understand. Inside the stall, the frame tightens on the young man's eyes, red and puffy from crying, staring down at the floor--betrayed by his own classmates over something as small as a cough and a runny nose. RYUU (softly) Try me. I've got a week's worth of understanding. There's a moment of silence as the young man considers Ryuu's words. YOUNG MAN (O.S.) (choked up) They... they kept mocking me, saying I had the plague or something. Just 'cause of this stupid cough and a runny nose. I just... couldn't take it anymore. Ryuu's expression softens. His usual defiance is replaced by a sense of protectiveness. RYUU (intently) Sounds rough. Those divas think they can say anything they want? Not on my watch. He rattles the stall door lightly. RYUU (encouraging) You don't have to deal with this crap alone, y'know. Let's give 'em a taste of their own medicine--or at least get your side of the story out. The young man inside draws a shaky breath, his resolve building. YOUNG MAN (O.S.) (tearful) Could you... could you really do that for me? Ryuu smirks, though his friend can't see it. RYUU (defiantly) What are friends for? C'mon, get outta there. A lock clicks, and the stall door swi...

CHATBOT: INT. HIGH SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY A spacious, poorly lit bathroom with a line of stalls and sinks. The sound of muffled crying echoes off the tiled walls. Each stall is closed, with one shuddering softly with the sobs of its lone occupant. A flash of silver sparks at the doorway announcing the entrance of HARU, a rugged yet charismatic youth, his nonchalant posture a stark contrast to the crisp uniform he begrudgingly adorns, topped with a sweater vest. Eyes immediately drawn to the silver digital watch that clings to his wrist, a borrowed trophy from some forgotten conquest. Haru pauses, listening, his ears tuned to the sound of distress. He strides forward, following the source until he stands before the third stall from the end. HARU (knocking on the stall door) Oi, what's going on in there? You better not be puking your guts out. The crying hesitates, then sniffles resume. The stall door cracks open, revealing KAITO, a slender youth with reddened eyes and damp cheeks. His breath uneven as he wrestles with his emotions. KAITO (voice shaking) Haru? I... I'm not sick. I just... Haru's expression softens, but he masks concern with a smirk as he leans against the partition. HARU (gruffly) Looked like someone made you eat the floor, Kaito. Tough day at the arena? Kaito shakes his head, eyes downcast. He clenches his fists, trying to steady his voice. KAITO Not... not exactly. It's just the divas from class. They misunderstood my coughing and runny nose. Started saying stuff, calling me 'germ boy,' and everyone... everyone laughed. A flicker of anger crosses Haru's eyes, but he pushes it down. Instead, he reaches over, thumping Kaito lightly on the shoulder with a fist that contradicts the gentleness of his act. HARU Ignore those airheads. You're and always will be ten times the person they pretend to be. Let me guess, they think you're contagious or something? KAITO (nods, a weak smile) Yeah, something like that. Haru gives a dismissive snort, then riffles through his pockets, pulling out a pack of tissues and offering one to Kaito. HARU (scoffing) The ignorance is real with those ones. Here, clean yourself up. You don't need to lock yourself in a crummy stall over that crap. Kaito takes the tissue, dabbing at his eyes. He chuckles amidst his sniffles, grateful. KAITO You always know what to say, Haru. HARU (cocky grin) That's why I'm the boss. And, hey, don't you forget about this little rescue. One day, I'll call in the favor. The two share a moment of camar...

CHATBOT: INT. SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY The scene unfolds in a dimly lit high school bathroom. The sound of gentle sobs echoes off the cold ceramic tiles. Through the gaps beneath the stalls, we see the sneakers of YUUTO, a 16-year-old boy, shaking as he attempts to suppress his cries. His backpack lays neglected beside him. Just then, a loud BANG resonates as the restroom door swings open. KAITO, Yuuto's friend, strides in with an air of defiance. He's a tall, rough-looking youth with his sweater vest loosely fitted and a silver digital watch - obviously too expensive to fit his usual attire - shining on his wrist. Kaito's concerned voice breaks through the quiet. KAITO (Shouting) Yuuto! You in here? Yuuto sniffles, trying to quiet down, but the concern in Kaito's voice is too distinct to ignore. YUUTO (Muffled) I'm fine, Kaito. Just leave me alone, okay? Kaito frowns and approaches the stall. He leans against the door with a small thud. KAITO (Softly) C'mon man, did someone mess with you? If they did, I swear I'll-- Yuuto interrupts him, his voice wavering with frustration. YUUTO No, it's not like that... The sound of another sniffle. Kaito's posture softens, and he lowers himself to the floor, resting his back against the stall. He chuckles dryly, trying to bring some levity to the situation. KAITO (Heartfelt) Okay, then what's up? You gotta tell me, or I'm just gonna worry. Yuuto takes a moment, his breaths evening out as he decides to confide in his friend. YUUTO It's stupid... They made fun of me because I kept coughing and sniffing in class. Called me a walking virus... Kaito's eyes narrow - not in disbelief, but with a burning anger for his friend's tormentors. KAITO (The anger rising) Seriously? Those divas need to back off before I teach 'em about real problems. Yuuto chuckles amidst his tears, comforted by Kaito's protective nature. YUUTO (Smiling weakly) Thanks, Kaito. But please, don't get into trouble because of me. I know you hate school already. Kaito glances at his borrowed watch, the digits seeming dull compared to the concern in his eyes. KAITO (Defiantly) Screw it. School can wait. You're more important, Yuuto. Yuuto opens the stall, revealing his red eyes and a face still damp with tears. He sees Kaito's sincere gaze, and a rush of gratitude replaces the pain of mockery. KAITO (Smiling) Let's ditch the rest of the day. We'll grab some ramen, yeah? My treat. Yuuto nods, and as they walk out together, there's a sense of camaraderie stronger than any ...