The Scoop! (新米記者トロッ子 私がやらねば誰がやる！)

"Sakuraba Academy High School"

I discovered literature in elementary school.

While my classmates played during lunch, I was in the library

buried in books.

In middle school, hungry for more discoveries,

I subscribed to a literary journal featuring works

of up-and-coming authors.

"Entrance Exam: Literary Club"

There, I discovered the Literary Club of the prestigious Sakuraba Academy.

The student literature contest was like the Olympics of the literary world.

Mari Saionji won it two years in a row.

All of the submitted works moved me deeply.

But I was most captivated by

"A Snow-Colored Farewell" by Konoha Midorimachi.

It was a story of two lonely boys fleeing from a cruel and unjust world.

Her style was light, yet full of realism.

It shook me to the core.

I installed a 4K camera on this drone.

It'll capture everything in the classroom.

Not too high. Just the second floor.

This is too much.

But it's great for spying. Katsumi Maejima...

Get closer!

Hey!

I aspired

to join the Literary Club at Sakuraba Academy

and write works alongside Konoha and the other...

What? Give up...?

But why?

Sorry. I can't let you retake the test and not the others.

But it wasn't my fault.

Yes, but...

Trouble?

Ms. Saionji!

I'm Mari Saionji, the club president.

Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

It wasn't complete,

but I read your reason for wanting to join.

You liked "A Snow-Colored Farewell."

Yes...

Sorry to disappoint you, but Konoha Midorimachi isn't a member of this club.

What?

We haven't seen her at school, let alone our club.

She's a mystery figure writing under a nom de plume.

I'm sorry this happened to you.

But the make-up test will have to wait.

Seriously?

"The Scoop"

Beautiful buildings...

Red bows...

Privileges of the advanced class.

"Sakuraba Academy News Unidentified Drone Sighting"

How ironic. It was the Newspaper Club.

How are you, Ms. Tokoro?

Uh... hello.

The Newspaper Club?

It's an unofficial club that started last year.

They feature idle gossip about students and teachers.

It has a terrible reputation.

I don't blame you for being upset.

But the Newspaper Club is somehow connected to Konoha Midorimachi.

What's that?

Konoha Midorimachi gave one interview to the school paper.

So...

They know who she is?

I asked many times,

but they won't say, to protect her identity.

Oh...

So I have a proposal for you.

Let's work together to find her.

You and me?

Listen, Ms. Tokoro. We can't just rest on our laurels.

I want to revolutionize the Literary Club.

But I need Konoha Midorimachi to do it!

I see...

Konoha, you and I

will bring about a Literary Club renaissance!

Well...

You'll do it? Great.

Start by making overtures to the Newspaper Club.

Huh?

And remember, this is top secret!

Good luck!

OK.

Any advice...?

"Wanted: New members"

"Aqua Park"

Here?

"Wrong!"

What's this?

Not this one.

This one?

No...

Did this one already.

That one.

Maybe this one?

No.

This?

So bright.

No.

In the water?

Nope.

Nope.

There!

I'm out.

Oh...

"Yamanaka Printing"

Yes! Yes!

Yes!

Why are you mad?

You discredited a student that helped us!

The accident happened!

But it was your fault, Kasane! Don't you feel responsible?

It was for a story!

You're no better than paparazzi!

What's your problem? It'll attract new students!

Or backfire!

They're not all eccentrics like you!

Excuse me!

Is this the Newspaper Club?

The drone girl...

She's here to complain!

You found us. You pass!

What?

I'm the VP, Haruna Onda.

And she's the president, Kasane Sugihara.

Welcome.

Tea! Go make tea.

And this is?

It's kind of our club room.

And the owner, Mr. Yama, is our advisor.

Right, Mr. Yama?

Mr. Yama...

We won't find any scoops at school.

We have to go out into the world to expose corruption.

Did you bring your registration form?

I just wanted to meet Ms. Midorimachi.

You're a Konoha fan?

A certain someone showed me the interview article.

Like who?

It's...

Is that why you're here?

Out of curiosity?

I enrolled in this high school just to meet her.

Will you please help me?

Sorry but protecting a source's identity is an ironclad rule of journalism.

Give it up.

But...

But...

Ms. Midorimachi changed my view of life.

In a world where everyone hides their true feelings

and deceives each other with pretense and vanity,

she's taking modern society head on.

She gave me courage! I won't give up until I meet her!

I like you.

You remind me of my first love.

That's so random.

But you're passionate.

OK. In that case,

if you really want to meet her,

there is one way.

Join the club?

Yes.

They said I could meet Ms. Midorimachi if I join the Newspaper Club.

Great! Join! By all means!

But my dream...

- Ms. Tokoro. - Yes?

Think about it.

You can develop your writing skills in the Newspaper Club as well.

And meet Konoha Midorimachi too. Kill two birds with one stone.

Excuse me.

Then I have a favor to ask.

What is it?

If I find Konoha, will you let me into the Literary Club?

You're a good negotiator.

I like you.

It's a deal.

I'll do my best, boss!

Not so fast.

You're very important to me.

You can call me "big sister."

"Big sister..."

This fountain pen is a symbol of our bond.

Your body belongs to them, but your heart belongs to us.

I'll have some tea now.

"Sakuraba Academy High School Literary Club"

Investigative report.

Life is full of the unexpected.

I intended to bask in literature in the Literary Club,

but ended up a rookie journalist in the Newspaper Club instead.

Alongside Kasane, the club president,

I began to learn about journalism.

In this job, stamina and memory are critical.

And a good nose.

We'll talk to everyone in this shopping town to get a story.

Ready, Trolley?

Um...

My name is Tokoro, not Trolley.

In the world of journalism, rookies are called "trolleys."