Coming soon
Fei Man races toward the audition center at full speed and runs straight into someone with a loud "Thud!"
"Are you blind? Don’t you know how to walk?" the boy he bumped into yells furiously.
Fei Man doesn’t stop. He runs on, apologizing as he goes. "Sorry, classmate, I’m in a hurry."
"All right, you can begin," the dance instructor says, gesturing to him. Fei Man freezes. He watches the instructor’s mouth move, but all he hears is a crackling buzz.
This is bad. His cochlear implant just broke when he crashed into that guy.
Fei Man returns to class in low spirits. He has barely sat down when someone taps his desk.
"Hey! I sit here. Move." Fujino jabs impatiently at the edge of the desk.
Fei Man looks up, confused, and watches Fujino’s lips. Fujino’s temper flares. He suddenly grabs Fei Man by the collar. "You? So you’re the guy who ran off faster than a rabbit after bumping into someone this morning. Now I’ve finally caught you."
"Oh... I’m sorry." Fei Man stammers an apology. Why is he having such bad luck today? He’s run into this menace twice.
During break, Fujino goes to the homeroom teacher and asks to change seats. The teacher asks why.
"I can’t stand looking at him." Those are Fujino’s exact words.
A month later, Fei Man is moved to one of the first two rows. Fujino angrily carries Fei Man’s schoolbag back.
"From now on, you’re sitting here. No one’s going to move you, got it?"
Fei Man slowly nods. "Oh... but the teacher said..."
Fujino pushes Fei Man back into his seat. "Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to them."
Much later, Fei Man asks Fujino, "Why do you like me?"
Fujino’s gaze wanders. "Maybe because you can’t hear."
"Huh?" Fei Man tries to think of every possible answer, but never would have guessed that.
Theme: Courage can overcome any obstacle.
