Kimagure Orange College
[Writer's foreword: This is the tenth episode of a fan-fict
series based on the characters in Kimagure Orange Road. They are
intended to take place after the movie, "I Want to Return to that
Day", and follow the characters Kasuga Kyosuke and Ayukawa Madoka
as they start the next phase of their lives in college.
If you missed the previous episodes, notes about the new
characters, and previous events are listed after the ending
credits. In addition, previous episodes are available at the
wpi.wpi.edu ftp site.
One thing I would like to say up front: Although I and my
co-writer have both graduated from college, our experience is in
the American college system and culture. The span of our
experience in the Japanese advanced education system is limited
with what we can pick up watching anime, reading manga, and
consulting with friends, pen pals and anime clubs. Any mistakes,
inconsistencies, etc. are neither intentional nor are they meant
to show disrespect for the Japanese education system. In fact, we
would appreciate any constructive criticisms, corrections, and
insight any readers might offer us. Mail all such letters,
praises or flames to acombs@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu.]
Episode 10 - Night of a Thousand Voices
[Cut to the inside of a fast moving train on the Chuo line. On
board are Hayashibara, Kasuga, Katsu, Saito and Kasamatsu. They
all have backpacks and are carrying camping gear. As the train
slows down, people start to lean forwards as the momentum shifts.]
Voice on the train loudspeaker: Disembarking for Otsuki! Next
stop...Hatsukari!
Hayashibara: [Gets up and grabs his pack.] Let's go! The next
Fujikyu train leaves in a few minutes!
Katsu, Saito, Kasamatsu, Kasuga: [Each grabs his pack.] Right!
[Gets up.]
Kasuga Narration: It was the early part of June. With the summer
about to start, we decided to beat the heat and go camping one
weekend near the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National park. As it was just a
month before the climbing season, we thought that our biggest
problem was going to be the vacationing crowds. As it turns out,
what ended up happening was exactly the opposite.
[Cut to National Road 139. Mount Fuji looms majestically,
dominating the skyline. Kasuga, Katsu, Saito and Kasamatsu are
riding in a rental truck as Hayashibara drives. They pass by a
sign marked "Katsuyama", only to see a large crowd of cars sitting
in the parking lot.]
Kasamatsu: [Forlorn expression.] Che!* By the time we set up
camp, the lake won't have any fish left!
*Mild Japanese expression of disappointment/irritation
Saito: [Shrugs.] Well, that's what we get for coming up here at
the beginning of summer.
Katsu: [To Kasuga.] How do you think the girls are doing?
Kasuga: [Smiles.] If I know Ayukawa, they're having a great
time. [Also starts to look forlorn.] No doubt they'll be having
more fun than us!
Hayashibara: [Tries to cheer the others up.] Come on guys! It's
a long road and it's not even mid-afternoon yet. It's a nice day
so enjoy the scenery!
[After another hour of driving through the beautiful, albeit
crowded park, they pass another sign marked Motosu-ko*. Behind
the sign, dense forest looms ahead. Surprisingly, the number of
cars suddenly dwindles to almost non-existence.]
*Lake Motosu
Hayashibara: [Getting excited.] Look at this you guys!
Kasuga: [Looks out the window.] This is beautiful! Hardly
anyone here, Motosu-ko just a few miles away...
Saito: [Nods in agreement.] It's perfect!
Katsu: [Looking a little concerned.] I wonder why it's deserted
though? There could be something wrong with this place...
Kasamatsu: [Pats Katsu on the back.] Don't be a spoilsport! The
only thing missing here is our tent spikes!
Katsu: [Quickly checks his back for any paper.]
Hayashibara: [Points.] Look there's a house! Let's just make
sure it's not private property or anything like that! [Pulls over
and stops the car. After closing the car door, he calls out.]
Hello! Is anyone here?
Kasuga: [Gets out and closes the door.] Looks like there's no
one home.
[Suddenly an old man opens the door. His face has a weathered
texture like a raisin with too much sun. The few wisps of hair on
his head are bleached white. His voice rasps like a broken
whistle.]
Old man: [Angrily, but with unconcealed concern.] What are you
doing here?
Hayashibara: [Bows.] Konnichiwa ojiisan*! We were wondering
about the availability of camping grounds in this area.
*In this context, old man.
Old man: [Snarls.] We do not welcome visitors *here*!
Kasuga, Katsu, Saito, Kasamatsu, Hayashibara: [Taken aback by his
abrupt response.] ...
Hayashibara: Err...we'd be willing to pay a fee naturally if you
requi...
Old man: That's not it! [Softens his tone.] It's for your own
good that we discourage visitors. This forest is haunted!
Kasuga: [Surprised.] Haunted?
Katsu: [Equally surprised.] Really?
Saito: [Almost to himself.] B***s***...
Old man: [Meaningfully to Saito.] You would be wise not to so
quickly discount the legends of the Aokigahara forest*!
*Forest located at the foot of Mt Fuji infamous for suicides.
Kasuga: *This* is the Aokigahara forest? [Looks around.] It
looks normal enough.
Katsu: [Observes] Other than the fact that there's no one else
here...
Old man: Don't you young people know the legends of the
Aokigahara forest? In Jukai*, the spirits of the discontent still
roam free...and they don't take kindly to those who would disturb
their rest! At Shoji-ko**, the unhappy who died there continue to
feed off the life of the foolish!
*Sea of Trees
**Lake Shoji
Hayashibara: [Tries to be amiable.] Well of course we've heard
of the Aokigahara forest, but...
Saito: [Waves his hand and scoffs.] Come on! This is the
twentieth century! There's no such things as ghosts!
Old man: [Shouts as he watches them walk off.] Beware the dark
or you'll be sorry! [Mutters almost to himself but still audible
to the guys.] You'll all be sorry...!
Kasuga, Katsu, Saito, Kasamatsu, Hayashibara: ...
[Cut to the edge of the forest. Hayashibara stops the car as
close to the forest as he can and gets out. The others follow
suit and gather their stuff together.]
Hayashibara: Now according to the map, there should be an open
clearing a few miles away to the southwest. Once we set up camp,
Motosu-ko is southwest of that by another mile. Shoji-ko is also
here, [Puts his finger on the map.] but it's quite a bit smaller.
Kasuga: [Looking at the map.] Well, it's also closer. We might
try that too.
Saito: [Points at the map.] Road 139 also runs right by Motosu-
ko at the Road 300 junction. There'll likely be more people there
too.
Katsu: [Rubs his chin.] Didn't the old man say something about
Shoji-ko?
Kasamatsu: [Waves off.] He was probably drunk too. Stop
worrying; what could possibly go wrong?
[Cut to the forest clearing. Kasamatsu and Kasuga pull on one end
of a rope with the other end tied to a nearby tree. As they keep
the rope taunt, Katsu and Saito pull a large canvas sheet over the
rope and tie down the corners. While they set up, the radio plays
the daily news, but no one is really paying any attention as they
are occupied with other activities.]
Radio: ...hairman continues to deny any wrongdoing. In local
news, Kofu Pharmaceuticals announced their new anesthetic would
begin shipping to local hospitals despite protests of possible
safety vio...
Katsu: [Tying down the last corner.] OK guys, that should do it!
Saito-san, get the other end!
Saito: [Tying the other end of the main rope as Kasuga and
Kasamatsu keep it tight.] Got it!
Kasamatsu: [Pants as they releases the rope.] This is too much
like work!
Kasuga: [Rubbing his hands on his trousers to relieve rope burn.]
Let's switch for the next tent!
Kasamatsu: [Nods in agreement.] That's right...we're doing all
the tough work!
Hayashibara: [While carrying a large pack over his shoulder with
the last of their stuff from the car.] Work's good for you; it
builds character.
Kasamatsu: [Drops in exhaustion.] That's easy for you to say.
[Mutters to himself.] Some of us aren't perfect...
Kasuga: [To himself as he too is exhausted.] I know the
feeling...[Notices that Hayashibara's not even breathing hard.]
Radio: ...promises to make amends. In sports, Butsumetsu
University continues it's hot streak, sweeping Todai in 3 games to
take the series. Doi and Hayashibara combined for 11 hits out of
24 at-bats to lead...
Kasuga Narration: It's hard to compete with a guy like that; I
confess that I couldn't help but be a little envious. [Watches as
Hayashibara unpacks several heavy bundles with relative ease.] He
promised me that he wouldn't pursue Ayukawa, but I was still
nervous. Not that I didn't trust his intentions; he seemed to be
a nice guy. But I realized that it was that very trait that made
me nervous. Even though it seems impossible, for the first time,
[Quick flash showing Ayukawa smiling as she and Hayashibara are
talking between classes.] I was forced to consider the possibility
that it was Ayukawa who was attracted to him...
[Cut to a half-hour later. The tents are set up and their
equipment is laid out. In the center of their camp, Saito and
Katsu are starting a fire.]
Kasuga: Hey! [Digging through the gear.] Where's the food?
Hayashibara: [Stands up and looks around.] I don't know? Who
was holding the food?
Kasamatsu: Well...[Looks sheepishly at the ground.]
Saito: You left it in the car? Well you'll have to go back and
get it.
Kasamatsu: [Whines.] It's almost 2 kilometers away...
Radio: ...good news for all those who don't like the coming of
the summer heat; a cold front is moving in that should bring
relief but you people out there better hold tight. When all the
moisture from the front hits the heat, we're looking at a whopper
of a...[Click.]
Hayashibara: [Sternly as he turns off the radio.] Well you'd
better get started then.
[Cut to the wooded glade about an hour later. Kasamatsu stops and
leans against the nearest tree, setting his heavy load of food
down for a moment. He puts his hands on his stomach, trying to
assuage the stich in his abdomen.]
Kasamatsu: Shoot!...<puff!>...Why does this stuff always happen
to me? The least they could do was help! [After a few seconds,
he manages to get his breathing down to a reasonable level.]
Well, I'll pay them back for this...making mee...[Hears something
and turns around to take a look.] eee...eee...eeeyyyooowww!!!!
[Runs out of the glade at top speed.]
[Cut back to the open camping area. By now the rest of the camp
has been well established. Hayashibara watches with astonishment
as Kasamatsu collapses in front of him.]
Hayashibara: Well that was quick...[Looks for the pack.] Where's
the food?
Kasamatsu: There's...<wheez!>...something in the forest!
Hayashibara: [A little concerned.] Eh? What?
Kasamatsu: A GHOST!
Saito: [After a few seconds to digest this bit of news.] He must
have been sniffing out of Katsu's bag!
Katsu: [Indignantly.] Hey don't blame me!
Kasuga: [Helps Kasamatsu sit down.] Come on, you're just tired.
Hayashibara: [Offers Kasamatsu some water.] That's right,
exhaustion and dehydration can make you believe...
Kasamatsu: [Waving off the help with frustration.] I'M TELLING
YOU I SAW SOMETHING!
Saito: [To Kasamatsu.] Who do you think you're talking to here?
*I* helped you pull this gag on those girls in sixth...
Kasamatsu: I'M NOT JOKING...[Remembers *that* time in his sixth
grade.] THIS TIME!
Hayashibara: [Stands up.] All right, let's go see your ghost.
We may as well pick up the food while we're there.
Katsu: [Gets his fishing rods.] Well, I guess we're going to go
fishing then. [Pats Kasuga on the shoulder.] How about we catch
dinner?
Kasuga: [A little concerned about Kasamatsu.] Ahh...hai. [To
Saito.] Want to come?
Saito: [Pulls out his notebook computer.] Maybe later. [Starts
typing a few keys.]
Hayashibara: [Surprised.] You brought that thing? This trip was
supposed to be for fun!
Saito: [Indignantly.] This *is* fun!
Hayashibara: I thought you said you wanted to know how to get a
girl; that's not the way to impress one.
Saito: [Defensively.] Well, Kimura-san thinks it's cute!
Hayashibara: Hrumph! Kimura-san would think Gojira* was cute if
he wore a ribbon. [Leaves with Kasamatsu.]
*Godzilla
[Cut to the shore of Shoji-ko. Kasuga and Katsu are holding
fishing rods. Occasionally, one of them reels in their line and
recasts it back into the water.]
Katsu: So how long have you and Ayukawa-san known each other?
Kasuga: Since third year junior high. We met when my family
moved and I attended Kouriyougakuen Junior High.
Katsu: So was it love at first sight?
Kasuga: Yes...well, no...[Reels in his line and recasts it as he
thinks for a moment.] In a way it was, but it took me a long time
to realize it. [Looks down as the fishing float bobs up and down
in the water.] There was another girl. For a long time, we were
friends. We thought it could go on forever, but in the end, it
reached a point where we realized it couldn't go on. It...still
hurts when I think about...what happened to us.
Katsu: Fishing...
Kasuga: What?
Katsu: [Reels in his line, and holds up the artificial fly lure.]
You were fishing. When a guy doesn't know who he's after, he
fishes and hopes for a bite. [Recasts his line out.] In your
case, you got two, but had to throw one back.
Kasuga: [While reeling in his line.] I don't know...sometimes I
felt more like the fish than the fisherman. What about you; what
was it like for you?
Katsu: Well I...[Thinks for a moment.] never really found anyone
special. Guess I was always too busy with my work. But...[Reels
in his line and recasts.] Kasuga-san, what did you do when you
think you've found someone you really care for, but don't know how
to ...
Kasuga: [Notices that his rod starts jerking.] Hey! [Starts
reeling in his line.]
Katsu: [Excitedly.] You got a bite!
[Kasuga anxiously pulls his rod up, then suddenly both he and
Katsu freeze in terror. The fish that comes out is a two footer.
The only problem is that the fish has no flesh.]
Kasuga: [Fearfully.] Ah...ah...
Katsu: [Fearfully.] Th-that's no trout!
Fish: [Lifts up its head.] Beware...the...dark!
Kasuga and Katsu: YYYYEEEEOOOOWWWW!!!! [Dropping their rods and
fearfully scramble away from the lakeside. As soon as they
recover their wits, they both slowly and apprehensively turn
around. Lying on the side are their rods, but the skeletal fish
is nowhere to be seen.]
Kasuga: [With a quivering voice.] You...don't suppose?
Katsu: [Also with a quivering voice.] D-don't be
ridiculous...there's gotta be a logical explaination!
Kasuga: B-but...
COMMERCIAL BREAK
[Camera pan to a Neo-Tokyo office building. A Genom middle
manager looks annoyed as he has to run across the room to pick up
his ringing phone...]
Middle manager: [Half-rhetorically with annoyance] Can't someone
answer my phone? [Picks up the phone.] Sato here!
Quincy's voice on the phone: [Angrily] YOU'RE DEAD SATO!!! THAT
PACKAGE YOU PROMISED NEVER GOT HERE!!!
Sato: [Absolute look of terror on his face with cold sweat.] ...
[Then with a falsetto voice] This isn't Sato, this is Sato's
secretary, please hold!
[Immediately pressed the "Hold" button on his phone and starts
dialing another number on the next line.]
Sato: [With normal voice.] Hello Federal Express? I need a
package check fast! [Presses the phone line button and switches
back to Quincy's line and his falsetto voice.] He's coming; I can
hear him down the hall!
Voiceover: At Federal Express we have the best package tracking
system in the business. We can check the status of your package
in seconds.
[Show a row of clerks sitting in front of a row of computer
terminals. As the clerk speaks on her headset telephone, a
package tracking number appears on the screen, along with Brian J.
Mason's name and a timestamp of 9:32. The address below shows
"Genom Industries."]
Voiceover: Other companies can take days...and you may not have
that long!
Sato: [With renewed confidence and his own voice.] That package
was delivered and signed for by Brian J. Mason at 9:32am!
Quincy's voice on the phone: [Quietly] Oh...sorry!
Sato: [With falsetto voice.] That's OK!
Voiceover: Federal Express. Our most important package is yours!
[Writer's note: Standard Disclaimer.]
END COMMERCIAL BREAK
[Cut back to the camp. Saito is sitting alone in the middle of
the camp, apparently oblivious to the world around him.]
LCD: LOGIN:
Saito: [Typing.] saito <Return>
LCD: PASSWORD:
Saito: [Typing.] BakaTare <Return>
LCD:
Last login: Thu Jun 22 17:39:10 from ccnet3.cs.yokohama.ac.jp
NEC OS Release 4.1.3: Fri Jun 23 15:19:23
Use of Butsumetsu computer and networking facilities requires prior
authorization. Unauthorized access is prohibited. Usage may be subject
to security testing and monitoring. Abuse is subject to criminal prosecution.
Welcome to the Computation Center Workstation Facility
You have mail
Saito: [Typing.] mail
LCD:
Mail version SMI 4.0 Type ? for help.
"/usr/spool/mail/saito": 1 message 1 new
>N 1 chun-li@ugrad.edu.butsumetsu.ac.jp Tue Jun 13 13:16 21/770 Re: Thanks
&
Message 1:
>From chun-li@ugrad.edu.butsumetsu.ac.jp Tue Jun 13
13:16:46 1988
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 1988 10:54:22 +0900 (GMT)
Subject: Re: Thanks
To: baka@ugrad.cs.butsumetsu.ac.jp
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Thanks for sending me that info on how to get on-line help.
It was a lifesaver! I didn't learn to use a computer until I
start college and I'm still first year.
It's really nice for guys like you to help people like me.
I think you're great! I always did have problems relating
directly to people when I was younger, but it's nice guys
like you who make this transition of my life easier.
Hopefully this will be the start of something more than just
a learning relationship and I look forward to your next letter.
Until next time!
Chun-Li
&
[Saito smiles as he starts to type his reply, but before he can
start, he is interrupted by a voice from behind him.]
Woman: [Hesistantly.] Um...excuse me?
Saito: [Looks surprised.] Eh? [He turns around and sees a woman
standing behind him. She has a solemn expression, tempered with a
look of sadness. Her expression tells Saito that she's looking
for someone.] Hello...can I help you?
Woman: Yes, I'm looking for my son Akira.
Saito: Aki- Are you related to Hayashibara-san?
Woman: I'm Hayashibara Minako; I'm Akira's mother.
Saito: Well nice to meet you. [Bows.] I'm Saito!
Woman: I'm his mother. [Smiles.] You're one of Akira's friends
aren't you?
Saito: Well, I guess so...I didn't know his family was coming
here too. If you wait a bit, Hayashibara-san will be back in a
little while.
Woman: No...[Sadly.] I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of time.
[Smiles.] I'm glad that he's making friends. I just wanted to
pass a message to him. [Pauses as her smile slips; showing a face
of sadness.] Tell him, how proud I am of him...how much I love
him. [Turns around and walks away.]
Saito: [Stunned for a moment by the suddenness, then gets up.]
Wait a minute!
Hayashibara: [Comes back behind Saito with his arms full of
wood.] ...told you there wasn't any ghosts!
Kasamatsu: [Behind Hayashibara, holding the food.] I'm telling
you I saw something! [Sees Saito standing up and looking around.]
What's going on Saito-san?
Saito: [To Hayashibara.] Your mother was just here; she left me
a strange message about being proud of...[Turns around only to see
that the woman is nowhere to be seen.]
Hayashibara: [Stiffens.] Nonsense...[Sets the wood down, pauses
and looks away.] My mother died fifteen years ago.
Saito: ...
[Just then, Kasuga and Katsu return from their fishing trip.]
Kasuga: [Panic in his voice.] You won't believe what we saw!
Katsu: [Voice quivering slightly.] N-now Kasuga-san, let's not
jump to conclusions!
Kasamatsu: [Jumps up triumphantly.] A ghost right?
Hayashibara: [Crosses his arms.] Oh come on now! Next thing you
know you'll all be telling me Shiro's* spirit made all these trees
grow. [Turns to Saito.] This is the twentieth century right?
*Name of the dog from Japanese fairy tale "The Old Man Who Made
the Trees Bloom".
Saito: [Nervously.] Well...[Shakes his head and tries to put
what he saw out of his mind.] that's right. [More confidently.]
We're just letting that old man's story get to us!
Katsu: That has to be it. [Nods and turns to Kasuga.] Right?
Kasuga: Uhh...[Thinks for a moment.] hai. We're just jumping to
conclusions.
Kasamatsu: [Thinks for a while, then shakes his head.] I think
you guys aren't seeing the truth in front of your eyes. [Returns
to his tent.]
Kasuga: [Watches Kasamatsu return to his tent.] What I think we
need to do is relax a bit; how about we go swimming before it gets
too dark?
Katsu: Sounds like a good idea. [Gets his trunks from his bag.]
Go on ahead; I'll join you in a bit.
Saito: [Sets his laptop down.] Yeah...I think I could use a swim
right now.
Hayashibara: I think I'll stick around and make sure that
Kasamatsu-san is going to be OK. Right now I don't think he wants
to be alone.
[As they leave, no one watches as the portable computer's LCD
screen ghosts for a moment and some letters flicker.]
LCD: [Letters appearing one by one as the cursor blinks across
the screen.] B e w a r e t h e d ...
[Cut to Motosu-ko. Kasuga is floating on an inflated tube wearing
his swimming trunks. The surface of the lake is as flat as glass,
except where his tube floats. The eerie quiet slowly eats away at
Kasuga's peace of mind.]
Kasuga: [With a little concern to himself.] Kasamatsu-san sure
looked spooked...[Leans back.] Sometimes he is a goofball, but he
seemed pretty sincere that time. [Starts paddling to shore.]
I'll have to admit that this place is a bit weird being so empty.
[He gets out of the water and towels himself off. He reaches into
his bag and pulls out an onigiri*. However, as he brings it up to
his mouth he freezes in fear. Walking up in front of him is a
human form. Although he looks like he was once a young man, there
is now blood and bodily fluids dripping off his frame.]
Ah...ah...
*riceball with a filling like salted salmon, pickled plum, fish
eggs, tuna, or chicken in the middle
Dead man1: [A piece of his jaw flaps as he points at Kasuga's
snack.] You wouldn't happen to have another one of those would
you?
Kasuga: [Panics, drops the onigiri, and scampers back into the
water, sending his inner tube rolling down the shore.]
Who...what...ahh...?
Dead man1: [Puts what's left of his hand behind his head.]
Ahh...sorry. I'm Hitouchi Yoshi. [Picks up a piece of mochi from
Kasuga's bag and takes a bite.]
*rice cake
Kasuga: [Stuttering.] You're...you're...d-d-
Hitouchi: [Swallows; the food visibly going down his throat.]
Well yeah...Let me tell you something; you never *know* how many
people care about you until you die. The funeral...[Shakes his
head.] something else I'll tell you. [Takes another bite.] There
were a *lot* of people there.
Kasuga: [Unable to believe the casualness of Hitouchi's speech.]
Y-you must have been well-liked...
Hitouchi: [Finishing the mochi.] ...and Mi-chan; she's was my
girlfriend, she was crying her eyes out.
Kasuga: W-why are you here?
Hitouchi: [Leans forwards for emphasis.] I'm here to warn you
guys! Get out of this area before nightfall!
Kasuga: W-what?
Hitouchi: [Holds up a skeletal finger.] There's one guy out here
who's not so friendly! When he finds out there's fresh meat out
here, he'll...
Kasuga: B-but...why are you telling us?
Hitouchi: [Incredulously.] You think I'm doing this for fun? If
he gets his hands on you guys, you'll end up like me! I'm not
having a good time here!
Kasuga: W-who is he? W-why tonight?
Dead man2: [Comes out from the woods, with a snarling, hollow
voice.] BEWARE...THE...DARK!!
Hitouchi: [Waves him off.] Yeah, yeah, I was just getting to
that Nakamura-san.
Nakamura: [Points at Kasuga, who's completely paralyzed with fear
by now.] You young people need to learn some respect for the old
ways!
Hitouchi: [Points his skeletal finger towards his mouth.] Listen
old man, if I gotta hear about how great Hirohito* was again, I'm
gonna lose my lunch!
*Emperor of Japan during WWII
Nakamura: [Sarcastically points at Hitouchi's incomplete
abdomen.] Better watch it young man...you don't have much to
lose!
Kasuga: [Manages to get Hitouchi's attention.] Ahh...what did he
mean by the dark?
Hitouchi: [Voice turns mysterious and ominous.] On every full
moon, the newly deceased gather and wait to be judged; those who
lived their lives well; the kind, the brave, those who made
something of themselves go through a portal to the next level.
They pass the test. They go to the light.
Kasuga: [Dreading the answer that he already suspects.] A-and
those who don't pass?
Hitouchi: [Even more ominously.] Well...you know what they say;
where there's an up, there's a down. Those who don't go to the
light, go to the dark. Trust me, you don't want to be here when
*that* portal opens up.
Kasuga: [Still confused and scared.] T-then why are you guys
still here? [Points at Nakamura.] P-particularly him.
Nakamura: [Still rambling.] ...hatever happened to nationalism?
Whatever happened to our devotion to the Emp...
Hitouchi: [Back to a casual tone of voice.] Oh...shut...up...!
[To Kasuga.] Some of us are still waiting. Those whose lives
were cut off before they could fulfill their destiny; those whose
lives were ended incomplete. We wait on this world for a chance
to complete what we were meant to do; a chance to set the scales
right.
Nakamura: [*Still* rambling.] ...back in my day where death was
an honorable way to die; where service to the country was more
important th...
Hitouchi: [Looking at Nakamura with some disdain.] Well...*some*
of us are interested in moving on...
Kasuga: Then...you're here to...
Hitouchi: Try and make a difference? I don't know. I like to
think I lived my life OK, but I hurt a lot of people doing what I
did. I guess I thought if I could...[Stops when his finger drops
into Kasuga's carry bag of food.] Ah jeez, I'm sorry about that!
[Holds up his hands and checks to see that he still has eight
left.]
Kasuga: [Unable to take anymore, he panics and runs back to the
camp.] YYYYAAAAHHHH!!!!
Nakamura: [Chortles at Hitouchi as Kasuga runs away.] Well, now
you've gone and done it! Scared the guy away with your so-called
modern philo-
Hitouchi: [Shakes his head] ...
[Cut to the path on the way to Motosu-ko. Katsu and Saito are
walking towards the lake with swim gear and carry bags.]
Katsu: ...kidding me! You're going out with Miyasato Yoko?
Saito: [Shakes his head.] No that's Miyasato Yuko; there's a
difference.
Katsu: Yeah, Yuko-san's started wearing that ribbon in her hair.
Saito: [Shakes his head again.] No, there's more to it than
that. Yuko-san's nicer than Yoko-san, [Pauses to consider his
words.] but don't tell her I said that.
Katsu: Right...[Smiles.] I wouldn't want you to have to wear a
cast for a month. [More seriously.] So you and Yuko-san are
going steady?
Saito: Well...[Getting nervous.] I wouldn't quite call it that.
Let's just say that we're friends. [Gets a little more excited.]
But there's this other girl I'm writing to via e-mail; I really
think she's going to be a special person.
Katsu: [Interested.] So what does she look like?
Saito: Well...[Sheepishly.] I don't really know.
Katsu: [Stops walking.] You gotta be kidding! You don't even
know what she looks like?
Saito: Hey it's personality that counts right?
Katsu: [Almost to himself.] This coming from someone who never
went out with anyone in high-school?
Saito: What was that?
Katsu: [Smiles.] Nothing.
Saito: You know you shouldn't talk. I mean you had a girl
sleeping in your room a month and a half ago. Did anything come
out of that?
Katsu: [Getting defensive.] That's a cheap shot...besides,
I...[Unable to continue.]
Saito: [Suddenly recognizes that he may have hit a nerve.] Hey,
you...really like her?
Katsu: I...don't know right now. It's just a feeling I had when
I met her. I mean, how many people do you know that are like her?
Saito: Not too many I'll tell you that-
[Just then, Kasuga comes bursting through the bushes and trees.
He is near incoherency and keeps pointing back towards the lake.]
Katsu: [Grabs Kasuga with concern.] Kasuga-san what's wrong?
Kasuga: [Pointing back towards the lake and his food bag.] F-
finger...! D-dark is c-coming...!
Saito: [Trying to get Kasuga to calm down, then looks into his
bag.] Oh my god...
[Cut back to the camp grounds. Hayashibara is looking at
Kasamatsu as he curls up inside the tent. The sun is almost down,
painting the sky a dark crimson and orange hues with the other
side of the sky is already beginning to turn dark blue. Almost
unnoticed, clouds begin to gather, obscuring the stars.]
Hayashibara: [To Kasamatsu.] You know you'll feel better if you
have something to eat.
Kasamatsu: [Depressed.] No thanks.
Hayashibara: [Sympathetically.] Listen, I know what it's like
not being accepted for who you really are.
Kasamatsu: [Sits up on his cot.] Oh yeah? What do you know
about not being accepted? Everyone looks up to you.
Hayashibara: [Almost to himself.] Sometimes it looks that
way...[More directly to Kasamatsu.] Tell me, have you ever heard
of someone who wears a mask?
Kasamatsu: [Annoyed.] What kind of stupid question is that? Of
course I've worn a mask before! There was the time in junior high
I scared the dickens out of two gi-
Hayashibara: [Cuts him off.] That's *not* the kind of mask I'm
talking about. I'm talking about the kind you wear when you play
those pranks. The kind that makes you think I'm just someone who
everyone looks up to.
Kasamatsu: [More subdued.] What are you saying? That I'm not
being myself?
Hayashibara: [Pats him on his shoulder.] Just have some faith in
yourself. Don't let people make you into something that you're
not.
Kasamatsu: Well...
[Just then, they are interrupted by Kasuga, Katsu and Saito
running back into the camp. Their pace is frantic and their
expressions are etched with fear.]
Katsu: G-guys, we've got a problem!
Saito: [Holds up the finger out of Kasuga's bag.] L-look at what
the ghost left behind!
Hayashibara: [Looks at Saito's item.] That's a stick!
Kasuga: [Insistently.] It's a finger! It was left behind by a
ghost! He said that we have to leave this area before the dark
portal opens up!
Kasamatsu: [Stands up confidently.] I told you guys!
Hayashibara: Oh come o...[Suddenly stops as a light appears out
of nowhere above them.]
Katsu: [Points up into the sky.] Look!
[In the air above them, a doorway of lights opens up. All around
the guys, several small balls of light spiral up into the doorway,
giving off sounds of voices as they go. As each ball enters the
doorway, there is a burst of light. After several minutes and the
last one enters, the doorway snaps shut, sending a blast of light,
sound, and wind through the camp. After the light fades, one of
the guys finally finds his voice.]
Kasamatsu: [Fearfully.] Explain that Mr. Know-it-all!
Hayashibara: [Voice shaking.] N-now there's a p-perfectly
logical reason for all this!
Kasuga: [Voice also shaking.] G-great, let's hear it!
Hayashibara: The place is haunted!
Kasamatsu: [Sarcastically.] Oh thank you so much...!
[Kasamatsu's outburst is interrupted by a slow groaning sound of
snapping branches. The wind slowly picks up and grows colder.
Above them, clouds begin to gather and darken the night sky.]
Saito: [Fearfully and quickly.] I say we get out here and ask
questions later!
Hayashibara: [Haltingly.] I think you're right...
Lightning from above: CRACK!
Kasuga, Katsu, Hayashibara, Kasamatsu, Saito: [Grab the nearest
bag or item next to them and run back towards the car.]
YYYYAAAAHHHH!!!!
[All around them, the groaning of long-dead voices begins as the
sounds of footsteps converge on the guys. The ground beneath them
begins to split open in a variety of places and skeletal hands
reach into the air.]
Kasamatsu: [Pointing at one of them.] C-corpses...!
Hayashibara: Head for the car!
[The others follow Hayashibara's lead and run through the woods,
with the sounds of voices and footsteps right behind them. Above
them, the rain is starting to pour as lightning streaks across the
sky.]
Kasuga: [To himself.] If I were alone, I could use my power to
escape. But I can't abandon everyone.
[Just before they get to the clearing with the car, a lightning
strike knocks down one of the trees, blocking off the car from
behind.]
Katsu: [Fearfully to Hayashibara.] Now what?
Hayashibara: [Haltingly.] W-well, I'm open to suggestions!
Kasamatsu: [To Saito.] Th-this is all your fault! Y-you and the
twentieth century!
Saito: [Fearfully and incredulously.] M-my fault?!? Y-you
picked the place!
Kasuga: [To himself.] N-no choice now! Have to use my power to
keep them away! [Concentrates.]
[All around the guys, the wind picks up even more, whipping the
trees around them. Branches, twigs, and leaves start blowing into
the ghosts. However, they continue to close relentlessly.]
Kasuga: [Frustratedly.] Shoot! No effect!
Katsu: [Points forwards.] W-WE'RE TRAPPED!!
[Suddenly behind them, two more forms approach their car, then
start climbing up the hill into the forest towards the guys'
position. Their movements are slow and stiff. Their breathing is
heavy and coarse.]
Hayashibara: [Turning around and pointing with fear.] Z-
ZOMBIES!!!
Kasuga: [Cowering.] TH-THIS IS IT!!!
Kasamatsu: [Quivering] I WANNA GO HOME!!!
Saito: [Fearfully.] I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!
Katsu: [Cringing.] W-WE'RE GONERS!!
Man1: [Points at them with his finger.] YOU!
Kasuga, Katsu, Saito, Kasamatsu, Hayashibara: YYYYAAAAHHHH!!!!
Man1: [Shining a flashlight in their faces.] Are you gentlemen
alright? This area suppose to be evacuated.
Kasuga: [With a still-terrified look on his face.] E-evacuated?
Man2: [Coming up from behind the first place.] Sorry to disturb
you guys, but you'll all have to come with us! There's been an
accident down the road. One of the Kofu trucks carrying a
quantity of CN-20 tipped over and there's been a leak. I'm
surprise you guys were missed in the sweep!
Katsu: [Barely able to spit out his words.] W-wait a minute!
CN-20? That's a hallucinogen!
Man1: Sure it is! [Reassuringly.] Don't worry! In small doses,
it's not really dangerous; just a little disorienting. [Laughs.]
I'll bet you guys have been seeing ghosts and ghouls all night,
eh?
Kasamatsu: [Almost in tears.] T-that's not funny!
Man1: What? [Pauses and sees the fearful expressions on their
faces.] You guys weren't really scared were you? Don't you know
there's no such things as ghosts?
Kasuga, Katsu, Saito, Kasamatsu, Hayashibara: ...
[Slowly pull back from the frozen scene. In the black background,
the viewer sees a photo of the boys arguing among themselves with
expressions of exhaustion and disbelief.]
Kasuga Narration: Eventually we found out that the whole thing
was just our own imaginations combined with some group hysteria.
It was quite a bit later that we were all able to look back on
that night and laugh at our own foolishness.
[Cut to a week later at Omiya City Cemetary. Kasuga is standing
alone in front of a particular stone with a recent inscription.
He puts a bouquet of flowers on the flat surface in front of the
stone. The name on the stone is Hitouchi Yoshi.]
Kasuga Narration: It was nearly a week later after some searching
that I discovered an entry of Hitouchi Yoshi in the local area
newspapers. His parents tell me that he killed himself after
failing the Juken for the third time; and that they had only
recently put that memory behind him. Logic and common sense tells
me to forget the whole thing; to accept that what I saw, or
thought I saw was a chemically-induced hallucination. It would be
the easier thing to do, but I can't. I don't know what I'm doing
here...but if there's the slightest chance. If what I saw was
something more, and if he really did have something to do with
warning us, then I hope that somewhere...he's at peace.
END CREDITS
New Characters Designer/Writer Stephen Tsai
Co-writer/plotter Andy Combs
Doujinshi Artwork Tony Jung
Pre-readers Ravi Konchigeri
Jim Ramberg
Robert Carragher
Charles Winata
Lisa Richardson
Robert DeLoura
Pascal Janin
Very special thanks to Hitoshi Doi
A tip of the hat and a deep bow to Matsumoto Izumi for starting
the whole thing
If I left anyone off, my apologies. Any mistakes/embarrassing
faux pas are entirely my own. If there is anything here you must
flame, aim them at me and me alone.
Thank you for taking the time to read this episode of my series.
If you are interested, previous episodes should be available at
the wpi.wpi.edu ftp site. Assuming that I don't get flamed off
the net, I've got the next episode in the works. If you have any
story ideas, or general ideas, please send them. Any tidbits
about the Japanese advanced education system will be especially
looked at (see first writer's note).
Hope you enjoyed it and thanks again!
For the new readers: I'll be doing character profiles, major
location descriptions, and situation updates on a rotating basis
for each episode. If there is a particular character, place or
event that you would like to know more about, and it is not being
covered, don't hesitate to email me and I will send you either a
note or a copy of the episode it is introduced.
Focus on Hayashibara Akira [Introduced in Episode 2]: One of
Kyosuke's mathematics classmates. In addition to being a freshman
business major, he is also the current starting shortstop for the
University baseball team. Exceptionally handsome, he is often
surrounded by girls and fans seeking his attention. Although he
does his best not to slight their entreaties, he is not a
womanizer and tries to stay as clean-cut as he can.
Hayashibara's father, Hayashibara Takao, is the president of
one of Tokyo's largest shipping companies, making him one of the
richest individuals in Japan. Widowed when his son was very
young, he has taken it upon himself to raise Akira to the best of
his ability. More than any other single influence, he has pushed
his son to the levels of excellence that he himself has achieved
in the business world.
Visual Description: An exceptionally tall guy with well groomed
brown hair and an athletic build. He possesses exceptional good
looks and his teeth gleam when he smiles. Close anime comparisons
include (but are not limited to) Mitaka Shun from Maison Ikkoku,
and Sanzenin Mikado from Ranma 1/2.
Andy (The Android) Combs | Kasuga: Kimura just isn't the sort who gets into
Stephen (The Chunk) Tsai | that kind of mess...And if she *did*...if she
acombs@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu| *is*...I mean, who'd she...do it *with*?
|
Watch for the doujinshi! | Kimagure Orange College Episode #11
