Bittersweet Candy Bowl

*Sandy and Mike stand together outside. Mike, with a loving smile, focuses on Sandy. Sandy notices Lucy standing by herself and looking upset.*
Mike (narrating): Obviously, she tried not to let it show, but by the end of summer Lucy must have been truly miserable..

*Sandy, smiling, calls back to Lucy.*
Sandy: Hey! Wanna play with us?
*Lucy glares.*
Lucy: No.
*Mike glances back at Lucy, annoyed.*

*Sandy looks concerned.*
Sandy: You sure?
*Lucy doesn’t turn to face them. She looks irritated.*
Lucy: Yeah, I got my own things to do. I’m fine.

*Sandy continues looking on with concern as Lucy walks away.*
Mike (narrating): Sandy was always willing to invite that weird girl who kept following me around.. but Lucy kept saying no, and I didn’t offer a lot of encouragement myself.
*Mike shrugs.*
Mike: Oh well!

Mike (narrating): Luckily, that’s when she stumbled across Yashy..
*Lucy picks up an egg near a bush, looking curious.*
Lucy: An egg?

*Lucy smiles gently at the egg.*
Mike (narrating): That’s where all her trust and affection went. She was devoted to her pets. She knew they wouldn’t let her down like I did.

Mike (narrating): After Sandy left, Lucy took me back without hesitation.
*Mike stands in darkness, crying.*
Mike: S-she’s gone..
*Lucy looks unbothered.*
Lucy: Oh well.

*Mike smiles at Lucy as they walk together. Lucy looks annoyed. She’s holding a sleeping Yashy in her arms.*
Mike (narrating): And that’s how it was for a good few years. Until she got a little older..

[Caption: First day of middle school]
*Someone grins.*
Creep: Hey, sexy.

*Lucy, now older, walks through the school hallway humming.*

Creep: Hey.. I’m talking to you, blue eyes. C’mere..
*Lucy notices the stranger hitting on her. She looks confused.*
Lucy: Huh?

Creep: Lookin’ for a friend, babe? I can show you around~ ♥
*Lucy turns to the stranger, nervous.*
Lucy: Uhh.. n-no..
Creep: Don’t be like that..

Mike (narrating): The sudden burst of attention was completely foreign to her..
Various creeps: ♥ She’s gorgeous ♥ So cute ♥ Nice curves~ ♥
*Lucy glances around uncomfortably and clutches her hand to her chest.*

*Mike appears, smiling and pointing.*
Mike: Lucy! I found our classroom! Let’s go!
*Lucy glances at Mike, still unsettled.*

*Lucy rushes to Mike’s side, bumping into him slightly. He raises his hand towards Lucy’s shoulder, with a worried expression.*
Mike: Hey, what’s wrong?
*Lucy keeps her arms tucked in front of her, looking discomforted.*
Lucy: Nothing.

*Mike steps in front of her, concerned.*
Mike: No, something’s up. What’s wrong?
*Lucy lowers her arms and scowls at Mike in frustration.*
Lucy: I’m fine. I can take care of it!

*Lucy stands up straight and cracks her knuckles.*
Mike (narrating): I guess that was truly the beginning of the Lucy you see today..

*Lucy clenches her hand into a fist and narrows her eyes intensely.*
Lucy: Next time I’ll be ready for those creeps.
*Mike looks on, lost and worried.*
Mike: ..?