acombs@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Kimagure Productions)
Kimagure Orange College
[Writer's foreword: This is the fifteenth 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 15 - Hayashibara Declares! Premonition of a Rival
[Open with Kasuga in a spinning, disorienting background.]
Kasuga: Ayukawa...! [Watches with apprehension as she doesn't
seem to notice him. Instead, her attention is totally focused on
a man wearing a white tuxedo.] So...sonna!*
*Can't be
Man: [With his face totally obscured.] Ayukawa...I love you.
Ayukawa: [Brings her face closer to the man's lips.] I love you
too...
Kasuga: Ayukawa...! [Watches helplessly as Ayukawa kisses the
man.] USO!!*
*No way
Egami: [Pounding the room door.] URUSEN-DAYO!!!* THE NEIGHBORS
ARE COMPLAINING!!!
*Shut up!!!
Kasuga: [Wakes up in a cold sweat.] WAAAHH!! [Calming down with
heavy breathing.]
Kasuga Narration: That morning started in the worst possible way,
and it didn't get any better. As I got ready for work, I couldn't
get that dream out of my mind. Perhaps even more than just seeing
what I saw, there was always a fear deep inside because Ayukawa
attracted the attention of other guys. I had been lucky that she
had never seemed interested, but now...
[Cut to early in the morning. Katsu and Kasuga are brushing their
teeth by the upstairs public sink.]
Katsu: So you had a dream. Don't worry about it! [Dips his
toothbrush into a beaker with vile-looking, dark green fluid.]
Ayukawa-san isn't the kind of girl to play around with people's
feelings. You know that! Besides, dreams hardly ever come true!
Kasuga: [Nervously.] Ah yeah...right...[Tries to change the
subject and motions to the beaker.] What exactly is that stuff?
Katsu: [Proudly.] Sodium bicarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, and
sodium monoflourophosphate in a viscous liquid suspension. My own
creation; I call it Number 15.
Kasuga: [Suspiciously.] What happened to numbers one through
fourteen?
Katsu: [Sheepishly.] Well...there were some problems. [Offers
the beaker.] Try some!
Kasuga: [Watches a large bubble float to the surface.] No thanks!
Yuko: [Nudges her way to one side of the sink.] Sumimasen!*
*Excuse me!
Katsu: Eh? What are you doing here?
Yuko: [A little annoyed.] The sink downstairs is clogged! [To
Kasuga.] You need to sleep quieter! I hope you remember we're
right under you! Yoko was ready to cut out your tongue in your
sleep!
Kasuga: ...
Katsu: [With concern.] Don't be so hard on him! He was having a
bad dream!
Yuko: Eh? [As she brushes her teeth.] What about?
Katsu: He was worried about having to compete against
Hayashibara-san, so I was telling him that he didn't have to worry
about it.
Yuko: Him? Verses Hayashibara Akira? [Bursts out laughing.]
BWHAHAHAHAHA! [Suddenly stops when she realizes what she just
did.] Sorry...
Kasuga & Katsu: [With toothpaste foam on their faces.] ...
[Cut to Chez Kooun. Although it is late in the morning, the lunch
crowd hasn't arrived yet and the dining room is relatively empty.]
Aoki: [Cheerfully.] Irasshai mase*! Ah Kasuga-san! [Notices
Kasuga's less than eager reaction.] Are you alright?
*Welcome; normal greeting for customers at restaurants and stores.
Kasuga: Eh? [Forces a smile.] Yeah, everything's fine...[To
himself.] as long as that wasn't a precognition dream.
Aoki: Just a sec...[Pulls Kasuga close to her and whispers
something in his ear.]
Kasuga: [Looks surprised.] Eh? [Heads to the back room to get
changed.] You gotta be kidding! Are you sure?
Aoki: [Smiles.] Trust me, you'll see.
[As the door closes behind him, Hitomi and Naoko move two stacks
of dishes to one side and look through the familiar peepholes.]
Hitomi: [Disappointed.] Eh? I don't see him at all!
Naoko: [Whispering back.] Where could he b...
[Both of them suddenly freeze in shock as an eye looks back at
them through the hole.]
Hitomi, Naoko: [Pulling back suddenly.] KYAAAAA!!!
Kasuga: [Storming out of the changing room half dressed.] WHY
YOU TWO...!
Hitomi: [Embarrased and defensively.] But we were just having
fun! We really didn't mean any harm! We think you're cool,
really!
Naoko: [Equally embarrased.] We wouldn't peek if we didn't think
you were good-looking! Girls always stare at handsome guys!
Kasuga: [Freezes up.] H...handsome?
Hitomi: Sure! [Dreamy eyed.] If I saw a man with a dazzling
smile and great build, I couldn't help but fall in love...*sigh*
Nakamura: [Nods.] They're right, you know. Even she doesn't
seem interested, a girl always notices and admires a guy like
that. [Smiles slyly.] But you know that already, don't you,
Kasuga-san?
Kasuga: ...
Aoki: [Cheerfully as more customers come in.] Irasshai mase!
[Cut to the University baseball stadium. The stands are sparsely
scattered with people watching as the Butsumetsu baseball team
clear the field at the completion of their morning practices. A
few of the players remain, continuing their own conditioning; some
students also filter onto the field to take the opportunity to
exercise. Hayashibara comes out of the locker room wearing
jogging shorts and a headband. In each hand, he holds a two-
kilogram hand weight. He jogs up and down the steps adjacent to
the forty-five rows of seats, then heads towards the track. As he
does so, he notices a familiar face running on the jogging track.]
Hayashibara: Ayukawa-san!
Ayukawa: Eh? [Turns around and recognizes him.] Hayashibara-
san. What are you doing here? I thought the baseball team
practice was over by now.
Hayashibara: I usually stay a while and work out on my own.
[Smiles.] In any event, it's good to see you again! [Teeth
gleam.]
Ayukawa: [Continues running.] You're pretty dedicated aren't
you?
Hayashibara: Sure, but I've had help. Coaches, teammates, and my
fath... [Starts slowing down.]
Ayukawa: [Notices his change in mood.] Eh?
Hayashibara: [Picking back up his pace.] ...my father was always
there to make sure I did my best.
Ayukawa: I see...[Starts running faster.] Let see how fast you
are!
Hayashibara: [Smiles and also runs faster.] Right!
[Both of them run until they reach the starting white line on the
track, with Ayukawa pulling away with a last second burst of
speed. They both then sit down on the stands and Hayashibara
offers Ayukawa a bottle of "Aquarius" pulled from his athletic
bag.]
Ayukawa: [Takes the offered bottle.] Thanks. [Squirts a small
quantity of liquid into her mouth and returns the bottle.] What
is this?
Hayashibara: It's a sports drink; it's supposed to replace
minerals. [Takes a drink himself.] Where did you learn to run
like that? I know sprinters who don't run as fast.
Ayukawa: [Wiping the sweat away from her face.] I've always
loved to run since I was a kid. You're pretty fast yourself,
considering those hand weights.
Hayashibara: [Teeth gleam.] Well, I always try my best. [Hands
the bottle back to Ayukawa for another drink.] Anyway, you should
try for the track team.
Ayukawa: It's...not really for me. Anyway, is that a pick-up
line?
Hayashibara: Eh?
Ayukawa: If the baseball team wasn't just here, I would have
suspected that you set this meeting up.
Hayashibara: [Laughs.] No way! Kasuga-san would probably kill
me! [More seriously.] Actually, it's fortuitous I ran into you
here. I've been meaning to ask you a favor.
Ayukawa: Eh?
[Cut to later that day. Kasuga leaves Chez Kooun and heads for
the University Music building.]
Kasuga: [Looking at his watch.] I'm probably worrying over
nothing...I mean...after all, it's not like I've never done it
before. [Laughs weakly.] Hahah...[Laughter dies.] ...ah...[With
a worried expression.] Ayukawa's suppose to be at band practice
right about now. [More determined.] Youshi*...I'll ask her to go
out with me tonight! That'll ensure my dream doesn't come true!
*All right
[He walks across campus to the Fine Arts building. As he walks in
the hallway, the sound of band music is heard in the next room,
mostly but not entirely muffled by the heavy doors. Empty lockers
that normally hold musical instruments line the walls. To one
side, a bored student seated in the equipment check-out room reads
the school newspaper.]
Kasuga: [Peeks into the band in rehearsal. After getting a few
cold stares from the directors, he closes the door.] Not in
there...[Heads for the second floor, passing several practice
areas.] Maybe she's in one of these little rooms. [After passing
a few hallways, looking through the glass on the doors...]
Ayukawa...! [Knocks on the door.]
Ayukawa: [Stops playing, smiles and motions for him to enter.]
Kasuga-kun! What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be at
work?
Kasuga: [Casually waves it off.] Don't worry about it; they let
me out early. [Put his hand behind his head.] I just wanted to
see how you were doing! Why aren't you in band practice?
Ayukawa: That's the concert band rehearsal. The symphonic band
rehearsal doesn't start for another twenty minutes. I'm just here
to get a little extra practice and warm-up.
Kasuga: [Nods.] Ah sou ka...*
*I see
Ayukawa: Also, Handa-sensei said he would be giving me the solo
saxophone parts at the club band so I wanted to get those prepared
too.
Kasuga: [Genuinely impressed.] Sugoi*...you're pretty dedicated
aren't you?
*Wow
Ayukawa: Eh? Well...
Kasuga: [Nervously.] Say, how about we...go out to a...movie
tonight?
Ayukawa: [With regret.] Sorry, but I have a commitment.
Kasuga: [A little worried.] What...?
Ayukawa: Hayashibara-san invited me to a social gathering at his
father's office tonight. He said he needs me for something
important.
Kasuga: So-sonna...!
Ayukawa: [Chidingly.] It's not what you're thinking! [Calms
down.] His father's having a big social at their company office
building with several of his business associates. Since he's
suppose to attend, Hayashibara-san asked me for help in dealing
with his father during the reception. He's hoping his father
doesn't put him in an untenable situation during their talk, but
he's not sure how to avoid it.
***Note the change in location.
Kasuga: [Nervously.] Well...I guess that's pretty important. I
mean...his father is a pretty tough guy...
Ayukawa: [Reassuredly.] He just thinks that a fresh perspective
would be helpful. I'll let you know what happens after I get back
tonight. Ja ne!* [Packs up her saxophone and gets ready for the
band rehearsal.]
*See you later
Kasuga: [Watches her go downstairs to the band rehearsal.]
A...Ayukawa...
Ayukawa's voice from memory: I love you too...
Kasuga: [In frozen shock.] Ma...masaka...!*
*Can't be
COMMERCIAL BREAK
[Cut to a futuristic, ground-based spaceship terminal. The normal
milling about is abruptly interrupted as Kei and Yuri go running
through the loading terminal with a platoon of military soldiers
chasing after them.]
Soldiers 1-9: [Fire bursts from AK-74s.] SHI-NE!!!* [Mow down
several civilians too slow to get out of the way, but Kei and Yuri
just manage to turn the corner and out of the line-of-fire.]
*DIE!!!
Soldiers 10-12: [Powering up a six-barrel 7.62mm mini-gun and two
Stinger SAMs.] YOU CANNOT ESCAPE!!! [Incendiary ammunition
explodes the outer wall of glass and concrete, killing the rest of
the civilians. Kei and Yuri manage to dive out of the new exit
just as the Stingers collapse what's left of the terminal room
onto the attackers.] AAAAIIII--<crunch!>
Kei: [Relieved.] We're in the clear!
Yuri: [Pointing at the helicopter gunship climbing into position
behind Kei.] Ahh...!
Helicopter pilot: [Through the loudspeaker as he fires the 20mm
chain gun.] SHI-NE!!!! [Watches in frustration as Kei and Yuri
manage to escape again despite the terminal trucks and docked
ships exploding everywhere.] YOUSHI! [Presses a button,
releasing a large barrel marked "Liquid Petroleum Explosive".]
[The speakers relay the manaical laughter as the petroleum fumes
ignite, releasing a shock and heat wave that destroy the station,
the chopper, and all surrounding aircraft. Tens of thousands of
people are killed instantly, billions of dollars of damage is
caused, and the land is rendered unlivable for the next twenty
years. Amid the catastrophe, two lone figures stir from under a
collapsed terminal.]
Kei: [Clawing her way out of the rubble.] Ugh...[Weakly.] Yuri,
what time is it?
Yuri: [Removes her glove and looks at an analog watch.
Amazingly, the watch is still ticking.] It's...
Voiceover: Timex! It takes a licking and keeps on ticking!
[Writer's note: Standard Disclaimer.]
END COMMERCIAL BREAK
[Cut to the Okonomiyaki Maru. Kasuga sits glumly at one of the
outside tables as Saito and Kasamatsu are having an afternoon
snack.]
Kasamatsu: [As he eats a shrimp okonomiyaki.] ...and then she
winked at me! [Proudly pulls out an engineering sketch of a
generic hardware component. The technical content of the drawing
however is marred by the doodling of a female shape in the upper
right corner.] I love drafting class!
Saito: [Taken aback.] You're not going to actually show her that
thing are you?
Kasamatsu: [Slyly.] Oh look who's talking... the man with the e-
mail girlfriend!
Saito: [Defensively.] I don't even know if I can call her a
girlfriend yet! I haven't even met her for real. [To Kasuga.]
What did you do after you first met Ayukawa-san? Asked her out on
a date right?
Kasuga: [Murmering to himself.] Ayukawa...on a date...
Saito: Oi* Kasuga-san! [To Kasamatsu after he waves his hand in
front of Kasuga's face and gets no response.] He's really out of
it!
*Hey
Kasuga: [To himself.] I know I'm probably acting foolish for
even worrying...but...
[Fade into memory.]
Yuko's voice from memory: Him? Verses Hayashibara Akira?
BWHAHAHAHAHA!
Naoko's voice from memory: Girls always stare at handsome guys!
Hitomi's voice from memory: If I saw a man with a dazzling smile
and great build, I couldn't help but fall in love...
Nakamura's voice from memory: Even she doesn't seem interested, a
girl always notices and admires a guy like that.
Man's voice from memory: I love you...
Ayukawa's voice from memory: I love you too...
[Visions of Ayukawa kissing the man in white are abruptly
shattered as Kasuga snaps back to reality.]
Kasuga: [Holds up both fists in frustration.]
AAAAIIIIEEEEHHHH!!!! [Tips over a bottle of okonomiyaki sauce on
the unrolled sheet of paper.]
Kasamatsu: [Pulling his hair with both fists.]
AAAAIIIIEEEEHHHH!!!! THAT'S FOUR HOURS WORK!!!
Kasuga: [Recovers his senses and puts his hand behind his head.]
Ahh...yeah...sorry...!
[Cut to the Matsumoto Corporation building early that evening.
One of the larger corporate offices in Tokyo, there are several
cars parking adjacent lots, with well-dressed people disembarking.
In the front hallway, people entering gather near the elevators to
head up to the building's top floor. Outside in the rear of the
building, a staff of cooks and caterers are busy unloading the
food for the night and carrying it up the freight elevators. As
the guests enter the front reception area, they witness a minor
incident occurring in the lobby.]
Receptionist: [Stubbornly.] No I cannot allow it! The company
is having an important meeting tonight and no one is to enter
without an invitation!
Kasuga: B-but...
Receptionist: I must ask you to leave at once! If you want to
speak to personnel about internships, then you must return in the
morning!
Kasuga: [Resigningly.] H...hai...[Leaves, then runs into the
alley next to the building.] No way I'm going to let Ayukawa kiss
that guy! Youshi! [After checking to see that the alley is
empty, Kasuga teleports. He reappears inside the building a
second later. He looks around to make sure no one noticed his
entrance.] Coast is cl--
Majordomo: [Sternly as he comes around the corner.] YOU!
Kasuga: [Surprised and falls down on his rear.] WAAH!
Majordomo: Where have you been? The party starts in less than an
hour and you're out of uniform!
Kasuga: [Slowly recovering from surprise.] Ahh...me?
Majordomo: [Throws up his hands in frustration.] The catering
company just had to send me a rookie! [Walks over to the rolling
clothes rack and pulls off a white coat and slacks.] Fortunately
I brought a few extras. Suit up and start helping to unload these
drinks.
Kasuga: Ahh...hai. [Thinks to himself as the freight elevator
doors close.] Maybe this isn't so bad...I'll be able to keep an
eye on things!
[Cut to the fortieth floor on the main guest area. In an
adjoining room, Hayashibara Akira is wearing a white tuxedo with a
red cummerbund. Standing beside him is Ayukawa wearing in a
formal evening dress. They and several other guests introduce
each other and enter the main dining room.]
Hayashibara Takao: [Introducing people to each other.] Bruce
Johnson our liason to our American office and his wife, Samuel
Majors from our European office, Yamaguchi Keiichi and Kashiwakura
Takeichi from our Banking office and their wives, Matsushita
Shouji who's head of shipping. [Both groups of guests bow to each
other.] Ogata Kenichi, managing director for the Nakatome
Corporation and his wife, Shiozawa Kappei, vice-president of the
Yomiuri Corporation, Inouye Michihiro, general manager of the
Yomiuri Giants baseball team, and Sadaharu Ohta, manager of the
Giants.
[Writer's note: Sadaharu Oh hit 868 home runs in his career with
the Yomiuri Giants, and until recently managed the Giants. The
Giants have won the Central League Championship 24 times.]
Hayashibara Akira: [Bows.] Honored to meet you.
Takao: [Harsh whisper to Akira's ear as he gestures to Ayukawa.]
Who is this?
Akira: Ayukawa-san is a friend from the University.
Takao: [Outwardly calm.] Ayukawa-san is one of Akira's college
classmates. Please excuse us...[Takes Akira to a quiet section of
the room, out of hearing from the rest of the guests.] Bakayaro!
Why did you bring her? This is not just an ordinary social!
Akira: Actually, I wanted to talk to you about your wanting me
out of the University. I thought maybe you'd listen to someone
else's viewpoint.
Takao: [Irritated.] Does this have to be tonight?!?
Akira: [Annoyed.] You're the one who invited the Giants'
personnel here!
Takao: [Looks around and realizes that people are beginning to
notice.] Look, let's talk about this later! [Heads back to the
rest of the guests. Ayukawa walks over as Takao leaves.]
Ayukawa: That didn't look very good. Are you going to be
alright?
Akira: [Frustrated.] I should have known he'd never listen. Not
to me, not to you, or to anyone else for that matter. But I guess
having...someone here to talk to helps. [To himself while looking
a little guilty.] Che...what was I thinking of inviting Ayukawa-
san? I should have known it wouldn't do any good...
Kasuga: [Trying to easedrop as he watches from behind a partition
as the guests arrive.] What are they talking about?!?
[Cut back to the main room of the meeting hall. By now, the
guests are seated for dinner and both meals and drinks are brought
out. Kasuga walks around the table, keeping his face hidden with
a tray of drinks and by ducking behind guests.]
Kasuga: [To himself as he hands out a drink to one of the
guests.] Kuso*...why is *he* sitting next to Ayukawa?
*<Netiquette violator>
Ogata: [Whispers as he takes a drink off Kasuga's tray.] Why are
you stooped over?
Kasuga: [Trying to stay inconspicuous.] Ahh...slipped a
disc...[Creeps over to Ogata's wife and delivers another drink,
while trying to keep an eye on Ayukawa and Akira.]
Takao: [From across the table to Sadaharu and Inouye.] So, what
do you think of what you see so far?
Sadaharu: [Looking at Akira.] I am impressed; you show good
judgement on the field and even better you can hit for power.
Inouye: I am curious why you chose to pass up the draft. I'll
admit your high school batting average could have been better, but
you were always an excellent fielder and your performace at
Koushien* would have probably gotten you drafted by someone.
*Site for the Japan Senior High School Baseball Tournament
Akira: [Hesistantly, with a knowing glance to Takao.] Well...I
thought I'd do better with a little more...practice at the amateur
level.
Sadaharu: [Nods.] Yes, I guess a little seasoning never hurts.
Takao: The coaches say he sometimes shows poor judgement in
choosing his pitches.
Akira: [Annoyed.] So that's why I decided to pass up the draft!
Takao: [Disappointed.] If you didn't do that you could have been
in the farm club by now, instead of wasting time in college!
Akira: Oyaji!*
*Old man
Sadaharu: [A little embarrassed.] Well...I really wasn't going
to bring that up...[More reassuredly.] I'm sure we'll one day see
you playing for Japan's team right?
Akira: [Looking at little distracted.] Hai...I'll do my best.
Sadaharu: Anyway...who is your friend? I don't believe we've
met. Ayuakawa-san wasn't it?
Akira: Hai...Ayukawa-san is a friend from the University.
Yamaguchi: [To Takao and nods.] Your son chooses well!
Kashiwakura: [Nods.] Un...they make a handsome couple!
Kasuga: [While serving drinks.] Wh...what...?!?
Matsushita: [From across the table.] Oi, you're spilling the
drinks!
Majordomo: [Quickly.] Sumimasen! [To Kasuga.] Pay attention to
what you're doing!
Kasuga: [Trying desperately to stay inconspicuous.] H-hai!
Majordomo: Well, go get a towel!
Kasuga: Hai! [Leaves.]
Ayukawa: [Stares at the leaving waiter from across the table.]
Hmm...
Akira: No, it's not like that at all! Ayukawa-san is a fr-
Yamaguchi: [Kiddingly.] Yes of course!
Kashiwakura: Of course; the girls that are always following you
around in school are "friends" too, right?
Akira: Ayukawa-san isn't like that! [Turning to Ayukawa.] She's
like no one else I know.
Ayukawa: Eh? [Eyes widen with mild surprise, but she quickly
recovers and smiles at his kind face. As he is drawn into further
conversation with Kashiwakura, she turns away and stares at the
floor with a look of concern.]
Kasuga: [Looking even more concerned as he returns with a towel.]
Wh...what did he mean by that...?
[Cut to later that evening. Ayukawa and Akira are standing to one
side of the room, as most of the other guests mingle in groups.
In the center, Takao, Ogata and Shiozawa are talking about
business and finance as their associates and spouses talk about
less serious matters. Although Kasuga tries to keep an eye on
Ayukawa without giving away his identity, his assigned duties
continuously interfere.]
Yamaguchi: [While taking a glass off of Kasuga's tray.] So how
are things in the States?
Johnson: [Also taking a glass.] Negotiations for those real-
estate deals are proceeding well; they're asking 500,000,000 yen
but I think they'll go as low as 3.5.
Yamaguchi: [Nods.] Hmm...do you think that property is worth
3.5?
Kashiwakura: [Helping himself to a cocktail.] I'm sure Bruce-san
will exercise good judgement for so our banking division isn't too
terribly depleted.
Majors: [Shakes his head.] I wish I was as at ease as you are
Mr. Johnson. I was only assigned to the Tokyo office a year ago.
My wife is still getting use to paying 60,000,000 yen for our
house, not to mention the cost of cars!
Johnson: [Smiles to Majors.] It's a sham; it just looks easier
after having been here for four years. A lot of stuff costs more
here; my wife's coat costs almost as much as that car your talking
about.
Kashiwakura: Now gentlemen, you're exaggerating!
Matsushita: [To Sadaharu.] So how are the Giants going to do
this year?
Inouye: We have confidence that we will do well this year!
Kasuga: [To himself.] Look at all of them...[Depressed.] How
can I compete with all of this?
[Finally, the last drink is lifted off Kasuga's tray and on his
way back to the bar, he manages to sneak over towards the
adjoining room where Ayukawa and Akira are talking alone and hides
behind a trophy case. The room is relatively isolated from the
main conversations, with only muffled sounds coming through the
walls. The large window offers a spectacular view of downtown
Tokyo by night. On the other side are various works of art and
antique collectibles.]
Ayukawa: [Examining one of the larger trophies.] Akigawa High
player of the year. Are these yours?
Akira: [Not looking at the trophy rack.] No, those are my
father's; mine are all packed away at home. He believes it not
productive for me to display mine until I win something of real
significance. When he was a kid, he had this dream of playing in
the major leagues. He didn't do so well once he went to college,
so he entered business instead. Even though he's been very good
at helping to build the company, there's always been a part of him
that still wanted to be a player. Sometimes...[Looking down.] I
think he wants me to make the professional league more than I do.
Ayukawa: Do you really want to play?
Akira: Of course I do! I love the game! It's just that...lately
I wonder who I'm doing it for.
Ayukawa: [Tries to change the subject.] What kind of antiques
are those?
Akira: [Pulls out a sword from a glass case.] This is a Muramasa
blade, forged during the 14th century at the height of the
Ashikaga Period. Legend has it that these blades have a
reputation that "hungered for blood and compelled their owners to
commit murder or suicide."
Ayukawa: [Softly.] How terrible...[Looks away and gestures at a
painting.] Is this a real Van-Gogh?
Akira: [Puts the sword back.] Hai...my grandfather was given
that when he retired from the bank as its longest serving manager.
Ayukawa: [Looking at a European suit of armor.] There's a lot of
facinating stuff here. 18th century England?
Akira: [Nods.] Toosan* likes to consider himself a citizen of
the world.
*Father
Ayukawa: [Looking at a pearl-handled Colt .45 at the bottom of
the case.] Is that a gun?
Akira: Supposedly it was used by a famous American gener...[Loses
his train of thought as Ayukawa closes the display case.]
Ayukawa: You know...all this money and surroundings...sometimes
it doesn't seen quite like you.
Akira: Some of it... is very much me. Some of it isn't.
Ayukawa: Your father...was he serious about wanting you to skip
college?
Akira: Quite. He thought I should have gone straight into the
draft out of high school, even though some of my own coaches said
I'd do better with a little more experience. I never really told
him the real reason I wanted to go to college.
Ayukawa: [Deciding not to press the issue, looks out the window.]
It's a pretty view from here.
Akira: [Nods.] I remember the first time I came up here. Toosan
gave me the usual speech that all this would one day be mine.
Back then, I actually believed it.
Ayukawa: Maybe we should go back now, before we're missed.
Akira: Un...by the way, please remind me to tell you something
before we leave.
Ayukawa: What?
Akira: That regardless what else happens tonight...[Smiles.] I'm
glad I invited you.
Kasuga: [Hiding behind the case.] <Gulp!> It was a precognition
dream after all...!
[As Ayukawa and Akira return to the rest of the guests, Kasuga
follows behind them. He refills with glasses of drinks at the bar
and moves back among the guests.]
Yamaguchi's wife: So, what do you think of Hayashibara-san's
girlfriend?
Kasuga: [Almost drops his tray.] Wh...wh...?
Johnson's wife: [To Kasuga.] Please be careful!
Kasuga: [Bows with embarrassment, but still trying to watch where
Akira and Ayukawa go.] H...hai!
Kashiwakura's wife: [Nods to Yamaguchi's wife.] They do look
finely matched!
Matsushita's wife: [To Kasuga.] A...hem!
Kasuga: [Notices that his pouring from the bottle is overflowing
the glass.] Ah...sorry!
Kashiwakura's wife: [As she watches Kasuga leave to get a new
bottle.] What's with that guy? Is he the same person who was
sneaking behind our chairs and hiding behind plants and desks all
night long?
Ogata's wife: No, that's the guy with the slipped disc...poor
fellow, so young too.
[Cut to a different section of the room.]
Inouye: [To Akira.] Well...misgivings about your current
situation in college aside, I'm sure we'll be happy to try you out
in our spring camp when you graduate.
Akira: [Pulls a drink off Kasuga's tray as he pass by, which
causes him to almost give himself away. Fortunately, Akira is
paying more attention to Inouye than who he got the drink from.]
Hai...I won't disappoint you.
Kasuga: [Sighs with relief.] <Whew...!> [His relief is short-
lived as he watches Ayukawa coming back in his direction.]
<Gulp!> [Makes an abrupt turnaround.]
Sadaharu: [Nods as he too pulls off a drink from Kasuga's tray.]
...particularly with our team! As you know, we have a tradition
of power hitters.
[Deciding that he is having too many close calls, Kasuga heads
over to a rolling wet bar and hides behind it to get a more
protected position in his easedropping. Just as he gets out of
sight, Ayukawa is making her way back to Akira.]
Ayukawa: So how are you doing?
Akira: [Smiles.] Better...thanks to you.
[Sadaharu and Inouye both look at Ayukawa and Akira, nod and smile
with approval.]
Kasuga: [Leaning against a rolling wet bar and ready to come
apart with anxiety.] So...sonna... [Leans forward to hear
better, but then he accidentally moves the lever that unlock the
bar's wheels.] Wah...[Watches helplessly as the cabinet opens,
tips over, and falls with a loud crash, spilling liquors all over
the floor.] Shi...shimatta...!*
*Oh shoot!
[The party comes to a sudden halt as the guests gather around to
see what the commotion is about.]
Majordomo: [Comes running out.] BAKA! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?
Ayukawa: [Surprised.] K-Kasuga-kun, what are you doing here?!?
Kasuga: A...Ayukawa...ahh...yeah...[Looking very embarrassed.]
well...I mean...
Ayukawa: [Sternly.] Didn't I tell you this was just a social?
You should have trusted me!
Takao: [Angrily.] What's going on? Who is this?
Akira: Well he's...[Looks at Kasuga and smiles.] he's a friend
too.
Kasuga: [Surprised.] Eh?
Akira: I guess I owe you some explainations. [Helps Kasuga up.]
The reason I asked Ayukawa here was to get some help
with...[Mindful of the present company.] some personal problems.
I didn't want to involve any more people than I had to...but I
guess I can understand why you thought I had ulterior motives.
Kasuga: Well...I guess I...[Looks at the crowd, Ayukawa's
disappointed face, and grits his teeth.]...jumped to
conclusions...sorry...
Ayukawa: [After thinking it over.] You know...[Laughs.] you
look really silly wearing that white suit!
[Everyone bursts into laughter as Kasuga turns red.]
[After cleaning himself off and making formal apologies, Kasuga
and Ayukawa head outside to the outdoor courtyard to be alone.
The summer night air is cool, the street sounds just barely
audible in the background.]
Ayukawa: You did all this because you had a dream? Kasuga-kun
that's so funny! [Laughs.] Jumping to conclusions again...
Kasuga: [Still embarrassed.] Che...how was I supposed to know?
Sometimes my dreams come true!
Ayukawa: I know...[Stops laughing.] But sometimes, even for you,
dreams are just...dreams.
Kasuga: Yeah. [Long pause...he then smiles, and leans against the
wall.] Hayashibara's father sure seems to be a powerful guy,
though. He's always concerned about his son's welfare, overseeing
every step in his life. It must be awful getting all that
attention and pressure!
Ayukawa: [Softly.] I'm not sure, Kasuga-kun...sometimes I think
that may be better than receiving no attention at all.
Kasuga: [Subdued.] Ayukawa...I'm sorry...
Ayukawa: No, it's not your fault. My parents were away for so
long I often wondered what it must be like to have a father like
that. [Smiles sadly.] Sometimes...sometimes I wished he'd be
there even if it was only to criticize or argue, I missed him
so...
Kasuga: A...Ayukawa...
Ayukawa: My sister was the only real family I had, her
and...Hikaru. Now, my sister has her own family, and...
Kasuga: [Gently grasps her bare shoulder.] And now, we have each
other...and we'll never be lonely again.
Ayukawa: [Turns towards him and smiles.] Kasuga-kun...
Kasuga: I love you...
Ayukawa: [Brings her head closer.] I love you too...
[As they kiss, the camera focuses through the glass doors on Akira
standing in the background. His father and Sadaharu are engaged
in an animated discussion, while Akira himself stares glumly down
at his drink. He looks up, just in time to see the kiss. For an
instant, before his father grabs his shoulder and berates him for
not paying attention, an expression of pain and sorrow flits
across his normally handsome features.]
Kasuga Narration: It was then that I realized my dream really did
come true. The man Ayukawa said she loved, the man in the white
tuxedo whom she kissed, wasn't Hayashibara at all...it was me!
Ayukawa: [As they separate.] Kasuga-kun...perhaps we should go
back?
Kasuga: [Takes off his coat and drapes it around her shoulders.]
No, let's stay out here a little while longer. [Puts his arm
around her.] I'm so glad, though...
Ayukawa: Eh? [Smiles.] That the dream didn't come true?
Kasuga: No, that I was finally able to take that silly coat off.
[They both laugh...the camera pans above them into the night sky.]
[Cut to later that night. Hayashibara turns the RX-7 into the
apartment parking lot and shuts off the engine.]
Ayukawa: [Opening the door and getting out.] Well thank you for
an...interesting night, and I'm sorry about the confusion.
Hayashibara: [Smiles.] Think nothing of it. It's nice to know
that he cares for you enough to go through all the trouble.
Ayukawa: Sometimes he's so bumbling...but his heart is in the
right place.
Hayashibara: He must be...very special.
Ayukawa: Un.
Hayashibara: [After a long pause.] I know I shouldn't be saying
this...but...[Unsure how to proceed.] well...I was quite serious
when I said I never met anyone like you. I keep
thinking...because I promised Kasuga-san that I didn't want to
create trouble...that we could still be friends. I was sure that
I could keep our friendship platonic...but...
Ayukawa: Hayashibara-san...are you sure you want to keep going?
Hayashibara: No, please let me finish before my courage fails me.
It wouldn't be right for me not to be honest with you, but being
honest...isn't any easier. Madoka...I love you...
Ayukawa: ...
END CREDITS
New Characters Designer/Writer Stephen Tsai
Doujinshi Artwork Tony Jung
Pre-readers Andy Combs
Robert Carragher
Lisa Richardson
Michael Welsh Duggan
Quincy S. Huoh
Jeffrey Hollen
Eric Shen
Harold Ancell
Benjamin D. Taylor
Peter Van Overen
Chung-Mau Cheng
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!
Andy (The Android) Combs | Ikemoto: Your idiot- | To be is to do (Sartre)
Stephen (The Chunk) Tsai | savant friend *ruined*| To do is to be (Descartes)
acombs@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu| my presentation!! | Do be do be do (Sinatra)
| Kimura: Hidoi! Who | Yabba dabba do (Flintstone)
| is she talking about? | Scooby dooby do (Doo)
Read the doujinshi! | KOCollege Episode #16 |
