Chapter 1: The First Day of School

Scene 1: The Future in a Church

The scent of flowers filled the church. A cool breeze blew at sunset, sending rays of sunlight down the center aisle. At the front, two beautiful girls dressed as brides began to walk down the path. They were two of the Shimizu sisters. Their faces were completely identical, and their fresh happiness, combined with their unique beauty, left the congregation in awe.

—Who are those two?— whispered a young man sitting in the back.
—Is that one Shimizu or the other?— whispered a relative, full of joy.
—They are identical!— a couple said.
—Who are those lovely women?— some young people in the middle of the church asked.
—Who are the lucky guys?— a young girl in the back said with a look of amazement.

Scene 2: Asuka Shimizu’s Room

In a clean room decorated with pink walls and a five-tier brown bookshelf, Asuka was fast asleep. Suddenly, her cat-sound alarm went off. Struggling to get up, she stretched out her arm, turned off the alarm, and muttered: —Five more minutes!

Half an hour later, the alarm rang again. Opening her eyes, she looked at the time and screamed, terrified by the hour: —Half an hour?! No way!

She rushed out of her room to wake up her sisters. Desperate because of the time, she told them in a loud voice: —Get up, it’s late! We’re going to be late for school!

Natsuki was wrapped in her sheets. With a yawn and a bored expression as she spoke, she told Asuka: —Let's just not go to school, problem solved, and we could sleep longer.

Suki and Himari approached and pulled her out of bed. Himari, yawning with messy hair and a face that could barely keep its eyes open, replied: —Even if we don't want to go, we have to, Natsuki. Don't you want to be a vet?

Natsuki got annoyed and snapped back: —Ugh! I do want to be a vet, but nothing happens if I skip just one day. Fine, since you’re all insisting, I’ll get ready.

It usually takes them about an hour to get ready, but surprisingly, they finished in twenty minutes, leaving the room a total mess. Asuka, annoyed by the clutter since she had already tidied her own space, asked them: —Aren't you going to clean up?

Himari was rushing around, searching for her backpack with a look of desperation: —When we get back! There’s no time!

Scene 3: On the Way to School and Encounter with a Yoshida

On one of the streets leading to school, the quadruplets were running, hurrying to arrive on time. As they reached a crossing, the traffic light turned red just as they tried to beat it.

Asuka was annoyed and they were all in a rush: —It had to be you, traffic light, slowing us down! It’s like you hate us; every time we’re in a hurry, you won't let us cross.

Natsuki hugged her calmly. Then she replied, looking her in the face with a sweet expression: —Take it easy, sister. There’s no need to get upset; it’s not even alive to hear you.

Asuka, now calmer but still carrying a load of anger: —I know, but it always happens. —Himari, cheerful despite the situation, commented: —It's just programmed that way. We were the ones who left late, and besides...

She didn't finish her sentence. Kouta Yoshida crashed into Himari from behind while running at full speed, causing both of them to fall onto the sidewalk. Natsuki and Asuka helped Himari get up.

Suki, furious, grabbed Kouta by his shirt with one hand. —What is wrong with you, idiot? —she shouted, clenching her fist to throw a punch. —You just knocked my sister down!

Asuka firmly caught her arm and replied loudly: —Calm down, Suki! It was an accident. —Kouta, terrified, shouted desperately: —Wait! Listen to your sister!

He bowed slightly toward Himari. —I’m so sorry for pushing you. I’m late for school, so I was in a rush and didn't watch where I was going. —At that exact moment, the light turned green, and Kouta dashed across the street.

Scene 4: Arriving Late to School

They arrived at Shinjuku School exhausted, after a mix of fast walking and running. They were students in Class 2-B; they walked to the classroom and encountered Professor Shinonome, the strictest and most feared teacher in the school. All four were struggling to catch their breath and trying to straighten their uniforms after the run.

Suki asked politely: —Good morning, Professor. May we come in?

Shinonome stopped explaining and looked at them with a mocking smile. —Well, well, what do we have here? Four girls arriving at the exact same time. —His voice rose in tone until it became a scolding—. What time do you call this?! I do not accept irresponsibility!

The entire classroom went silent. Asuka replied serenely: —Our apologies, Professor, we are late; no matter how much we hurried, we couldn't make it on time. —Shinonome replied, pointing to the hallway: —No excuses! You may not enter. Out of my sight!

Himari became sad and whispered to her sisters: —It was my fault for getting hurt... I'm sorry for involving you, it was because of that boy who pushed me.

Suki was trying to comfort her: —It’s not your fault. —She turned and spoke to the professor serenely, containing her anger: —Fine, Professor, you demand discipline from us, but you should know we had a mishap. My sister was pushed by a boy on the way here; she was hurt and we had to help her, yet we are still here to listen to your class. Is one not allowed to get hurt?

—I don't care if you get hurt or what happened! —Shinonome shouted, annoyed—. You have...

—Excuse me, Professor. Let them in. —A voice was heard, challenging the professor's authority. The Shimizus and the whole class looked and saw it was the same boy.

—It was all my fault —Kouta exclaimed with a firm gaze. He continued explaining: —On the way to school, because I was running, I pushed Himari. I feel ashamed that they are receiving this treatment when it was my fault. Besides, we all know you like discipline, but discipline is also taught by listening to others.