Chapter 47
"Distance"
SCENE
1:
We
see a series of wordless depictions of various occurrences during the final
week or two of summer break before 2nd term starts. More than
anything, we sense that Aiko is alone, not with Yuka.
A
scene of Yuka, Eriko and Hatsue doing homework together in Hatsue's room.
Megumi brings in tea and snacks. Tetsu tries to come in, but Megumi shoos him
away so they can have more girl time. Aiko is shown doing homework in her
bedroom alone.
A
scene of Yuka watching TV at home. The phone rings, Suzu answers. Yuka turns
around expectantly, but Suzu just hangs up the phone and shakes her head 'no.'
Yuka makes a downcast expression.
The
front of Aiko’s mansion. Yuka rings the bell at the gate, get’s buzzed in, is
happy and runs up to the door, past the gardens alive with butterflies and bees
(which she is tempted by, but then shakes her head as if to focus herself and
keeps running to the door of the house). When she gets there she’s greeted by
the maid who shakes her head 'no' as in 'Sorry, Okumura-sama is not here at the
moment.' Yuka, dejectedly walks back out through the main gate. The whole time,
Aiko is solemnly looking out her bedroom window (sitting on her window seat)
and watching Yuka.
SCENE
2:
Raining.
People are coming into the school’s front gate with umbrellas. Eriko is walking
in. She sees what looks like an open umbrella propped up on the ground.
Eriko (to herself): “Couldn’t be?”
She
goes over and peeks her head under and see’s that it is Yuka, squatting down,
completely covered under the umbrella (she's so tiny!), playing by floating
leaves in a puddle. Eriko speaks shyly and not quite making eye contact.
Eriko: “Just where I...found
you...last term.”
Yuka
looks up at her with a sad expression, gives a faint hint of a smile in
recognition of Eriko, and then looks over towards the gate.
Eriko (to herself): “I can’t tell what
she’s thinking. I thought maybe she'd be happy to see me.
Eriko: "I...I'm sorry, I'll
go."
She
starts to leave, but sees that Yuka is staring at the gate.
Eriko (to herself): "Oh, I get
it."
Eriko: “You're waiting...for someone
else.”
Yuka
nods 'yes' slowly.
Eriko (to herself): “I don’t know what
to do, what to say. What happened between them?"
Eriko
kneels down next to Yuka, keeping her own umbrella up as well and just stays
next to her silently. There's a gust of wind.
Eriko (to herself): "She looks
like she might blow away..."
Eriko
starts to reach out a hand, tentatively towards Yuka, but pulls it back. Heart
beat sound effects.
Sound Effects: "Ba-dump,
Ba-dump."
A
big black car eventually pulls up by the entrance. The driver gets out with an
umbrella and opens the door. Aiko gets out takes the umbrella and her bag and
proceeds to walk in to school. Yuka has turned and is watching her the whole
way. As Aiko is going to pass Eriko and Yuka, she stops and says:
Aiko: “You're getting wet. You two had
better come in, or you’ll be late.”
Aiko
then proceeds to walk in, not waiting for them to respond. Yuka has a blank/sad
expression.
Eriko (to herself): “Doesn’t she know
how she’s making Kiyoura-san feel? Arghhhh, I just....just...”
Hatsue
is coming up from behind and sees this terse conversation between Aiko and
Yuka.
Hatsue (to herself): “Hmmm...it really
looks like Okumura-san is ignoring Kiyoura-chan. I wonder...?”
Hatsue
comes up to where Eriko and Yuka are watching Aiko depart interrupting Eriko’s
thoughts.
Hatsue: “Morning!”
Eriko: “Oh...G...Good morning.”
Hatsue: “Kiyoura-chan, good morning!”
Yuka
gives the best smile she can manage.
Hatsue: “Alright, let’s get this day
started!”
She
grabs Yuka’s hand and pulls her up and starts running in with her. Eriko gets
up slowly and follows behind.
Eriko (to herself): “Ha-chan is
amazing.”
SCENE
3:
Images
of the opening ceremony for the semester in the gym with the principal and
student council president making speeches. Eriko is watching Yuka. Yuka is
watching Aiko. Aiko is staring straight ahead.
SCENE
4:
In
class. Hatsue leans back and says to Eriko:
Hatsue: “Oh, man, that opening
ceremony was so boring.”
Eriko
has her head down on her arms on her desk like normal.
Eriko: “mmmm” (non-committal
agreement)
Aiko
is reading and Yuka is doodling. She turns around to show her drawing to Aiko. Aiko
lowers her book, looks at the drawing and nods once. Then raises her book and
keeps reading. Yuka scrunches up her face a bit then turns back around.
Hatsue
leans in to Eriko and whispers.
Hatsue: “What’s with them?”
Eriko: “mm-mm?” (sort of a shrug
noise)
Hatsue: “I got a strange call from
Okumura-san the day we were out investigating and ran into Kiyoura-chan. Do you
think...?”
Teacher: “Okay, okay, settle down,
you’re back in school now, break is over. Please open your books to...”
SCENE
5:
Scenes
of class time passing. Now it’s lunchtime.
Hatsue: “Uhhh, it’s still raining.
Should we just eat in here?”
Eriko: “mm-mm” (again, non-commital)
Hatsue (to herself): "She's worse
than normal today too."
Aiko
pushes her chair back, making a noise, somewhat intentionally we gather.
However, when she stands, she efficiently gets up and goes to leave the room,
however this regal nonchalance is also played for attention.
Hatsue: “Okumura-san, aren’t you
going...”
Aiko
cuts off Hatsue.
Aiko: “I’m just going to the bathroom,
do I need your permission for that?”
Hatsue: “Jeez, don’t announce it!”
Aiko (cold but politely): “Excuse me
then.”
Hatsue
turns to see Yuka sitting at her desk, quietly opening up her lunchbox. Hatsue
then looks at Eriko who is peeking out at Yuka from under her long, unkempt
hair (as her head is on her arms). Hatsue is about to whisper to Eriko.
Hatsue: “Er...”
But
Eriko is already saying to Yuka:
Eriko: “Do...do you want...to
trade...something?”
Yuka
looks up and over at Eriko in surprise at hearing her initiate a conversation
and gives a big, but sort of sad/relieved smile.
Hatsue (to herself): “Good job, Eriko!
I didn’t know you could be so forward. 'Bout damn time!”
Hatsue: “Yuka-chan, pull your desk
over.”
Yuka
turns to look at Hatsue given the more personal greeting and offers a little
smile/blush/relieved face in response to the intimacy of the use of the first
name. Eriko is in mild shock at this too.
Hatsue: "Do you mind, that I
called you that?"
Yuka
shakes her head 'no' then switches to a smile and shakes her head 'yes'
confused about how to answer given that she is happy. Hatsue laughs gently and
sweetly.
Eriko (to herself):
“Yuka...chan...could I ever call her that? Ha-chan’s so bold.”
Yuka
pulls up her desk, she opens her lunchbox and picks something out with her
chopsticks and puts it on the upturned lid of Eriko’s bento box.
Eriko: “Um...Thank you...take
whatever, um...you want.”
Just
then, Aiko walks back into the room. Yuka is watching her enter and isn't
listening to Eriko’s question.
Eriko (to herself): “The way she
watches her. I wish she’d look at me that way. Arghhh, stupid Eriko! You keep
getting ahead of yourself. It’ll always be Okumura-san she can’t take her eyes
off of.”
Aiko
makes her way to her desk and sits down. She slowly starts to take out her
lunch and unwrap the handkerchief on it. Before anyone can say anything, two
girls excitedly run over to her.
Girl 1: “Okumura-san! Congratulations
on your tournament.”
Girl 2: “Second place, no team at our
school has ever done that! That’s awesome!”
Aiko: “Thank you. It was a team effort
but we still haven’t achieved our ultimate goal.”
Girl 1: “That’s just like you
Okumura-san!”
Girl 2: “Good luck at the next one, if
anyone can do it, you can.”
Hatsue
looks at Eriko who doesn’t acknowledge, then at Yuka who is looking down sadly.
Hatsue: “Okumura-san, why didn’t you
tell us? That’s amazing!”
Aiko: “We didn’t win. There was
nothing to tell.”
Hatsue: “We should have celebrated! Yuka-chan,
how was she in action? Was she amazing?”
Aiko: “Yu....?”
From
the doorway:
Kiko Hasekura (to Aiko): “Ready?”
Aiko
packs up her stuff and stands.
Aiko: “If you’ll excuse me.”
Hatsue: “Wait, you’re leaving?”
Aiko: “Yuka, if you want a ride home
today, let me know.”
Aiko
leaves.
Hatsue: “Who’s that girl she went
with?”
Hatsue
looks at Yuka, Yuka has her head down.
Hatsue: “Well, she should be happier
about placing second. There’s no shame in not winning the whole thing. Besides,
she’s only a second year and she’s already that good.”
Hatsue (to herself): “I wonder though,
is that really what’s bothering her?”
SCENE
6:
Eriko
is doing dishes in the kitchen at night. The phone rings. Heizo comes in.
Heizo: “Eriko-chan, here, it’s Fujimaki-san.
Take it, I’ll finish these.”
Eriko: “Oh, um...thank you.”
In
Eriko’s bedroom. She’s on the bed on the phone.
Hatsue: “So, are you going to forgive
Ishihara-san yet?”
Eriko: “Do I have to?”
Hatsue: “He really didn’t do anything
wrong.”
Eriko: “It didn’t look that way to
me.”
Hatsue: “Um...Eriko-chan?”
Eriko: “What's wrong?!”
Hatsue: “I think there’s something you
need to know.”
Eriko: “What did he do to you!? I’ll
kill him, I will KILL him!”
Hatsue: “Down boy. No, it’s nothing
about me. But, it’s nice to know you’re on my side!”
Eriko: “Oh, um...what is it then?”
Hatsue: “Have you noticed that
Okumura-san and Yuka-chan seem weird lately?”
Eriko (to herself): "She noticed
it too?"
Eriko: “Not really.”
Hatsue: “Seriously?”
Eriko: “Well, anyway, it’s not like I
care.”
Hatsue: “I know you don’t mean that.
Okumura-san is important to Yuka-chan, and she’s important to you.”
Eriko
is sort of annoyed with herself that this is true.
Eriko (grumble): “mmmmm”
Hatsue: “I looked up the results of
the volleyball tournament. It turns out the finals were the day we met up with
Yuka-chan while searching for clues about your past.”
Eriko: “So?”
Hatsue: “I think Yuka-chan might have
skipped out on Okumura-san’s finals match to find you. And I think Okumura-san
knows that.”
Eriko (to herself): “To find me? She
chose me?"
Eriko: “And you think that’s why it's
been...weird between them?"
Hatsue: “I know you and Okumura-san
haven't ever been friendly, but aren’t you worried about coming between those
two?”
Eriko (to herself): “Come between
them? How can I come between them?"
Eriko: “Even...even if...there’s
nothing I can do.”
Hatsue: “Well, I just wanted you to
know, is all, in case you were worried.”
Eriko (to herself): “Worried? I...I
don’t want Kiyoura-san to be sad, but...did she really chose me? What does that
mean?"
SCENE
7:
It's
still raining. At school. People walking in. Aiko’s black car pulls up. The
driver let’s Aiko out, Yuka gets out after her, giving a small bow to the
driver in thanks. Aiko and Yuka aren’t speaking, they’re solemnly walking into
school close to each other, but not "near." The awkwardness, coldness
(Aiko) and sadness (Yuka) is palpable.
They
are at the shoe lockers now. Aiko is putting her outdoor shoes away and putting
on her indoor shoes.
Kiko: “Ai-chan!”
Aiko
looks up to see Kiko coming over to greet her. Yuka is listening, but not
really looking.
Aiko: “I told you not to call me
that.”
Kiko: “A bunch of us are going to the
new movie this weekend. Did you want to come?”
Aiko
looks over at Yuka, who is still there, but not looking at Aiko. Aiko turns
back to Kiko.
Aiko: “I’ll think about it.”
Kiko (to herself): “What’s up with
those two?”
Kiko: “Umm...Kiyoura-san is it? You
could come too?”
Yuka
looks up in puzzlement at Kiko, then questioningly over to Aiko.
Aiko: “Do whatever you want.”
Kiko (to herself): "That was
cold."
Kiko: “Anyway, we’re thinking of doing
karaoke after. The first-years are desperate to see you let loose.”
Aiko: “I don’t let loose.”
Kiko (to herself): “Well, we both know
that’s not true.”
Kiko: “Gotta run, let me know. Bye.”
Aiko,
without looking at Yuka, starts to leave for class.
Aiko: “You’ll be late.”
SCENE
8:
They
walk into the classroom. Most of the students are there and settled. Eriko’s
desk is empty. Aiko and Yuka sit in their seats. Hatsue watches the distance
between them.
Hatsue (to herself): “I wonder where
Eriko-chan is?”
Scenes
of class go by, Eriko never shows. During a break (Aiko is currently out of the
room), Yuka comes over to Hatsue. She points at Eriko’s seat and makes a
questioning face.
Hatsue: “I don’t know where she is. We
talked on the phone last night. She seemed okay.”
Hatsue
suddenly has a thought pass over her face. Yuka looks inquisitively.
Hatsue: “Um, this is not really my
business, but did you miss Okumura-san’s final match? Did you meet us that day
instead?”
Yuka
has a slight look of shock on her face, then looks down solemnly, then nods her
head 'yes' sadly in agreement and embarrassment, guilt.
Hatsue: “Is that why things have been
awkward between you and Okumura-san?”
Yuka
nods 'yes' subtly without making eye contact. Hatsue admits, somewhat guiltily:
Hatsue: “I...sort of told Eriko-chan
that I thought that might be what’s going on.”
Yuka
looks up at Hatsue with wide, questioning, imploring eyes. Aiko comes back into
the room, sits at her desk and opens her book. Yuka grabs Hatsue’s hands in
hers (as if in thanks), then goes to sit down.
Hatsue (to herself): “Eriko-chan talked
tough, but I know how sensitive she is. I don’t think she’d really want to come
between those two. But what’s she thinking? Why isn’t she here?”
SCENE
9:
Late
afternoon at the Arishima house. Eriko is pouring tea into a cup, and placing
it and a pot on a tray. She heads into Heizo’s room. She knocks.
Eriko: “Sorry for intruding.”
Heizo
is in bed, with his eyes closed. He slowly opens them.
Heizo: “Ah, Eriko-chan.”
She
goes over to him.
Eriko: “Here, have some of this. You
need to drink more or you won’t get better.”
He
starts wheezing and coughing. When he settles, he takes it from her.
Heizo: “Thank you, my dear. I don’t
know what I’d do if you weren’t here.”
Eriko: “I’ll stay by your side
tonight.”
Heizo: “I always wished some young
lady would say that to me, just not like this.”
Eriko
makes a face at him.
Eriko: “At least you feel well enough
to make jokes.”
He
closes his eyes, exhausted. She gets up to leave.
Eriko: “I’ll be back to check on you
soon.”
SCENE
10:
Eriko
is in the kitchen doing the dishes. She's staring out the window above the
sink.
Eriko (to herself): “I wonder if
Kiyoura-san made up with Okumura-san today?”
The
phone rings, startling Eriko out of her reverie.
Eriko: “Hello.”
Hatsue: “Oh, Eriko-chan! I’m so glad
you’re home.”
Eriko: “What do you mean?”
Hatsue: “When you aren’t in school, I
get worried.”
Eriko: “Oh...um...sorry.”
Hatsue: “Is everything okay?”
Eriko: “Arishima-san is sick, so I
stayed to care for him.”
Hatsue (to herself): “So it wasn’t
about Yuka-chan then?”
Hatsue: “Oh no, is he okay?”
Eriko: “It’s just a bad cough right
now, he’s resting.”
Hatsue: “Can I do anything, bring
anything over?”
Eriko: “No, we’re okay, I’ll see you
tomorrow.”
Hatsue: “Oh, okay, tomorrow. Did you
let Yuka-chan know you’re okay?”
Eriko: “Wh...why...?”
Hatsue: “She worries about you too,
you know.”
SCENE
11:
Eriko
is cleaning up the main room of the house. She hears Heizo coughing and
coughing. She moves fast to his door. She opens it to find him slumped over the
edge of the bed having coughed up a lot of blood. Panic shows on her face as
she looks at the blood.
Suddenly
a pain runs through her and lots of violent images of people dead and maimed
cross her mind (blood spatters, and cuts, and horrified faces). She falls to
her knees. Tears dripping.
Eriko (to herself): “NO! Not now, not
now!”
She
crawls over to him, she takes his hand.
Eriko: “Arishima-san! Arishima-san!”
SCENE
12:
Evening,
in front of Arishima’s house. Yuka walks up. The house is dark. She hesitates
to ring the bell, but then does. No one answers. She knocks and waits, but no
one answers. She tries to open the door but it’s locked. She frowns and leaves.
SCENE
13:
School
the next morning. Hatsue is walking in. She sees Aiko and Yuka at their desks,
Aiko is reading. Yuka is staring out the window at the rain. As she walks in,
Hatsue notices that Eriko’s desk is still empty.
Hatsue: “She’s not here again. I hope
Arishima-san is okay?”
Hatsue
takes a seat and Yuka comes over.
Hatsue: “Good morning Yuka-chan!”
Yuka
gives a questioning face.
Hatsue: “Didn’t Eriko-chan call you?
Arishima-san is sick, she's taking care of him.”
Yuka’s
eyes go wide, she shakes her head 'no.'
Hatsue (to herself): “That’s strange,
I thought she’d call. I hope everything is okay.”
Aiko
doesn't make any eye contact during this conversation.
Aiko (to herself): “He’s sick? I hope
it’s not serious.”
Hatsue: “She said she’d be here today,
but it looks like maybe he still needs her. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”
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