Act 1 - Life Expectancy

Act 1 is the first "gameplay scenario" of Katawa Shoujo. While Hisao must adjust to his new school (and new health condition) he meets the various students at Yamaku, including the five girls Hisao can have a relationship with: Shizune, Lilly, Hanako, Emi, and Rin. The entire takes place over the course of a week -- Monday to Sunday -- ending on the school festival, where Hisao realizes he has feelings for whichever girl the player as favored.

Unlike Acts Two through Four, which stay fairly linear on the character's path, Act 1 can vary widely depending on which choices the character makes. In some cases, the entire Saturday is spent with one girl at a tea shop. In others, Hisao can meet each girl in a single day. The choices presented and paths are entirely dependent on Hisao's choices, which influence variables within the code. Specifically, how much interest Hisao has toward any given girl at anytime. However, there are certain constants, and certain scenes which always show up, no matter which choice is taken.

Synopsis

Monday

On arrival at Yamaku, Hisao meets his new homeroom teacher, Mutou, in the lobby. Mutou takes him to class where he meets Shizune, a deaf girl with glasses who is the class representative, and Misha, her interpreter. They enthusiastically welcome him and take him to lunch. However, they have important things to do, so they drop him off at the Nurse for an introduction. At the end of the day, Hisao returns to his dorm, and encounters his hallmate, Kenji, a nearly blind boy who is obsessed with feminist conspiracy theories. Seeing that his parents have unpacked his things, Hisao takes his medication and falls asleep in the unfamiliar room.

Tuesday

In class, Shizune and Misha explain that everyone is focused on the school festival at the end of the week. A shy girl with half of her face scarred leaves class suddenly, piquing Hisao's curiosity. At lunch, Hisao asks about clubs he can join. Shizune and Misha list off some, heavily encouraging Student Council, which they are a part of (in fact, they are the only members). Shizune challenges him to a game of Risk in the Student Council room after school. Shizune wins. She uses the victory to again prompt Hisao to join Student Council. Hisao tells them he'll consider it, then leaves for the library before it closes.

After getting lost, he accidentally enters a tea room where a blind woman named Lilly is enjoying some peace and quiet. They have a little tea, then Lilly guides him to the library. While she talks to the librarian, Yuuko, about some new braille books, Hisao goes looking for a new novel. While wandering the shelves, he finds the scarred girl, sitting quietly and reading. Hisao introduces herself to the jumpy girl, whose name he learns his Hanako. After a short conversation, she suddenly excuses herself. Befuddled, Hisao takes his leave back to his dorm, where Kenji encounters him again. Kenji holds Hisao up, ranting how the school is a "site of feminist infiltration", before he can escape to his room.

Wednesday

Shizune and Misha pester Hisao about Student Council. He dodges the question and asks about Hanako. All they say is that he wouldn't get along with her. While Hisao ponders this, Shizune and Misha argue about where to eat for lunch. At this point, Hisao can either wait for them to finish, ignore them and read his book, or go talk to Hanako.

No matter which option, on the way to the chosen destination, a girl with twin pigtails running in the halls crashes into Hisao. At first, Hisao is scared for his heart. The girl, who has no legs and was using running blades, is named Emi Ibarazaki. (If Shizune is with him, she scolds her for running in the halls.) She apologizes profusely and then runs off again.

If Hisao talks to Hanako, they head to the tea room where they have a very proper lunch. Lilly talks about how she and Hanako met. After lunch, Hisao tells Mutou about having trouble talking to people with disabilities. Mutou assures him that things are only an issue if he makes them one. Misha interrupts, looking for plywood for the festival stall they are building.

If Hisao follows Shizune, they decide to go into town, and invite Hisao along. They enter a fancy teashop called the Shanghai where Yuuko, the librarian, works part time. The girls tease and manipulate Hisao about joining them. They have so much fun they don't realize they are late for class. But instead of being worried, Shizune and Misha use this as an opportunity to see if they can manipulate him into joining them.

Either way, Misha asks him to get some art supplies. Hisao enters the art room and sees a girl with short hair eating a late lunch. The girl has no arms and is eating her lunch with a fork between her toes. He learns her name is Rin and has been working on a large mural for the festival. But she has a philosophical and abstract way of talking, which makes conversation difficult. When Hisao takes his leave, she lays out on a table to take a nap. But outside the door, Hisao runs into Shizune and Misha. They scold Rin for misuing school property (though Rin doesn't seem to care).

Rin asks Hisao to help her carry some green paint down to the mural. They run into the nurse, who confronts Hisao about his lack of exercise. Hisao asks him how he knows and he confesses to using "a spy" to keep tabs on him.

At the mural, Hisao helps Rin by mixing paint colors, though he can never quite get them right. Rin focuses on her painting, occasionally making confusing comments, but most of their time is spent in silence. Eventually, it gets too late to continue.

Thursday

Early in the morning, Hisao goes to the track to jog and finds Emi. Afterwards, Hisao goes back to his dorm to shower. Kenji interrupts to ask for money, which Hisao does just to get rid of him, then goes to class.

Before the bell, Lilly stops by, looking for Hanakao. Shizune and Misha arrive at the same time and huge fight breaks out. Shizune is angry at Lilly for not turning in her budget before the deadline. Lilly explains calmly how there was too much work to do in that amount of time, and several students got sick. It is clear they don't like each other, and this kind of argument has happened before. Shizune then tries to involve Hisao into the argument, accusing him of slacking off, as a joke.

Hisao spends the rest of the day in class like usual. Shizune stays late to iron out some festival details with other students. She complains how none of the students have enough appreciation for their leadership. Hanako stops by and asks for Lilly.

If Hisao likes Shizune enough, Hisao helps them with their festival projects (after a great deal of verbal sparring). They eat delivered food and work late building stalls. Hisao finally agrees to join Student Council before leaving for the night.

If Hisao likes Lilly enough, he takes Hanako to Lilly's classroom (3-2). They volunteer to help with their festival preparations. Being able to see, Hisao being there is a tremendous advantage, since 3-2 is for the visually impaired. Kenji is there too, but barely acknowledges Hisao's presence. They spend the day painting stalls and learns that Lilly and Shizune have a past history.

If Hisao doesn't like either girl enough, he sees Rin as he is heading to the dorms. He stops to help her with the mural, as the painting is tiring on her legs. They talk about the meaning of art and a boy in her class that is blind, but still paints. He asks her to dinner, but she declines. He leaves her still painting.

Characters

• Hisao Nakai
• Mutou
• Misha
• Shizune
• Nurse
• Kenji
• Lilly
• Yuuko
• Hanako
• Emi
• Rin
• Nomiya (only if Hisao shows interest in Rin on Saturday)
• Akira (only if Hisao goes for a walk into town on Saturday)

Scenes

See Scenes in Act 1