Insecurity Virus

"Insecurity Virus" aired on July 12th, 2013 as the second segment of the 4th episode of Super Mario. It is the 8th episode of the overall series.

## **Plot**

It's Squirt's first day of high school and he makes it clear to the group that he is more than nervous. He explains to Mario and Luigi that high school is quite literally a place for survival, albeit in a very dramatic fashion. Peach reassures Squirt that things will be fine if he just doesn't care what others think of him, she tells him that he wasn't put on the world to please others, he is there to live out his life. He takes this with confidence and goes to take the school bus with others trying to socialize with him but he ultimately fails in connecting with trying to make new friends. During a science project in his biology class, he is paired up with a group of 4 other toads who all know each other. Anytime he pitches in an idea or tries to converse with them, they either give him small answers or cold shoulder responses which only causes him to become more secluded. Squirt sits alone during lunch but immediately becomes excited after learning that Toadette goes to the same high school as him. He becomes instantly more extroverted when around her and begins to converse with others while she is with him. Toadette realizes this after many days of school and has a talk with him about it. He insists that isn't the case but it's quite clear he is only more sociable whenever she is around. She tells Squirt that he needs to learn how to be like that on his own and he can't rely on her to keep conversations afloat or have her as a means of making new friends. Squirt reels in her advice and tries to socialize alone with a toad in his math class. The toad drops his pencil and Squirt picks it up for him to which he thanks him and they begin to converse. The toad's name is Mason and they immediately click when the topic of their favorite video game is brought up.

After school one day, Squirt goes to talk to Toadette but is shocked to find her with another boy holding hands. The other boy, whose name is Mark, states that he is her boyfriend and that he should try looking for another girl somewhere else. Squirt questions Toadette why she never told him she had a boyfriend to which she replies that they just got together that same day.

That night, Squirt sits on his bed quite depressed. Luigi comes in and Squirt tells him about Toadette having a boyfriend but that he has always had a crush on Toadette since they were both in kindergarten. Luigi tells him that he shouldn't stick to just one person in his life, because if that one person goes away, then who else would he be with. Squirt has a hard time taking in this information and instead hatches a different plan. Luigi overhears him talking aloud and warns Mario that they should be on alert in case anything happens.

The next day, Squirt brings in a CD that has Toadette's favorite boy band album, "The Wailin Cosmos". Squirt plays it over the loudspeaker during lunch and the school goes ballistic and has a huge dance party. It's revealed that Squirt's friend Mason hacked the PA system and added strobe and light effects along with balloons and confetti. During the prank party, Squirt and Toadette dance it off in front of Mark who threatens Squirt and goes as far as to push him. Toadette immediately confronts him about it but before he could answer, Squirt pushes him back, having him fall flat on his face, causing a scar across his nose. He comes charging at Squirt with a huge fist but instead hits Mario's chest instead, who barely flinches. Mario tells him off and Toadette officially breaks up with him, saying that even though it was her shortest date yet, she is more than glad it was over. Everyone cheers for Squirt while Mark menacingly quietly vows to take revenge on him in the future.

Squirt comes home to his stepbrother and stepfather and tells them the news. His stepfather Gregory along with his mom seem ecstatic about the crazy day unlike Richard, who couldn't care less about the day. Squirt tries continuing to explain to Richard about the day but he makes it clear that he isn't interested and bluntly answers he does not care. Squirt shrugs it off and heads off to his room, happy that he had a pretty hectic first week of high school.