In the Morning, I'll Say Hello - Chapter 50

 "In the Morning, I'll Say Hello" is a yuri comic I wrote. I can't draw, so I'm posting the scripts here for your enjoyment!

"In the Morning, I'll Say Hello" - by Jaime Lustig

Chapter 50

"Moving On, Moving Forward?"

 

SCENE 1:

Aiko is getting out of her towncar, saying to the driver:

 

Aiko: “Wait for me here. Come in and eat if you need, just tell them to put it on my account. I’ll get you when I’m ready to leave.”

 

Driver: “Yes, Okumura-sama.”

 

Driver (to himself): “You get me? It's usually me hauling you out...but whatever, it’s a job, and a free meal.”

 

Aiko walks into a fancy club/bar. It’s mostly empty other than a few employees due to the early time of day. Offhandedly one employee says, without looking up to see who it is:

 

Employee: “Sorry, we don’t open for another two hours, you’ll have to come back.”

 

Aiko: “I’ll be in the back, tell them to bring me my usual.”

 

Employee: “Oh, Okumura-sama, I didn’t realize it was you. I’ll send the manager back at once.”

 

Aiko: “That won’t be necessary, just bring my drink.”

 

Employee: “But, I was specifically asked...”

 

Aiko: “Just do what you’re told, I’ll be in the back.”

 

 

SCENE 2:

In Hatsue’s living room. It’s Hatsue, Tetsu and (Toshi) Ishihara sitting nervously around. Tetsu has a dark aura hanging over him.

 

Tetsu: “Ishihara-kun, is it?”

 

Ishihara: “Um, yes sir, Toshikazu Ishihara. But my friends call me Toshi for short.”

 

Tetsu: “And exactly what sort of friends might these be?”

 

Hatsue: “Tetsu!”

 

Ishihara: “Mostly from the baseball team.”

 

Tetsu: “So you’re an athlete?”

 

Hatsue: “He’s the star of their team, I’ve seen him...”

 

She clamps her hand over her mouth, realizing she’s said too much.

 

Tetsu: “You’ve seen him play. So how exactly do you two know each other, I know you don’t go to her school.”

 

Hatsue: “Well, you see...one day I...”

 

Ishihara: “I was being careless and ran into her one day on the street, but I didn’t think I’d ever see her again and...”

 

Hatsue: “His school is near here, so I just happened to be passing by when he hit a home run and...”

 

Ishihara: “Then we met up for the festival the other week...”

 

Hatsue: “And that’s it, really.”

 

Tetsu: “My, my, you two really have your story down, huh?"

 

They sit nervously in silence for a moment.

 

Tetsu: "I’m going to get some tea for us, I’ll be right back. Stay awhile, won't you Ishihara-kun?”

 

Tetsu gets up and walks in to the kitchen.

 

Hatsue: “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into him, he’s normally so kind and nice and funny. I’ve never seen him like this before...except...”

 

Ishibara: “Except?”

 

Hatsue: “No, it's nothing. Anyway, I’m sorry, I’m sure he’ll get to like you.”

 

Ishihara: “He’s just being a good older brother. I can tell. I’ve got one too and he can be a real hard-ass sometimes, but I know it’s because he’s trying to protect me.”

 

Hatsue: “You can tell all that, even though he was so awful to you?”

 

Ishihara: “Hahahaha, he wasn’t so scary!”

 

Tetsu in the kitchen making tea.

 

Tetsu (to himself): “She’s come so far this year. But, it feels a little lonely too, like the baby chick is leaving the nest. Anyway, Ishihara-kun doesn’t seem like a bad guy...then again, neither did the other one...I’ll just have to keep an eye on things.”

 

Tetsu comes back into the room sees them in conversation with each other.

 

Tetsu (to himself): “She looks so relaxed around him, I haven’t seen her like this in years.”

 

Tetsu: “Here you go...and for you...”

 

Ishihara: “Thank you.”

 

Hatsue: “So, is the grilling over?”

 

Tetsu: “What, you want to go up to your room now?”

 

Hatsue: “G...go up...to my room?!”

 

Ishihara: “That’s okay, I was just stopping by to make sure you were okay. I’ll get going now. I’ll text you later.”

 

Hatsue: “Oh, um, okay.”

 

Tetsu: “It was nice meeting you Ishihara-kun, stop by again sometime, won’t you?”

 

Ishihara: “Yes sir.”

 

Hatsue and Ishihara are at the door, he’s putting on his shoes.

 

Hatsue: “I’m so sorry, you came all the way here just to get grilled.”

 

Ishihara: “Don’t worry about it. I’m glad I got to see you. Bye now.”

 

Hatsue: “Bye bye.”

 

After the door closes, Hatsue turns around with an angry expression on her face and stomps into the living room where Tetsu is sitting.

 

Hatsue: “Tetsu, how could you?!”

 

Tetsu: “The fact that you’re so mad at me means you must really like him, huh?”

 

Hatsue: “L...like him?!”

 

Tetsu: “Hahahaha, yup, sure looks like it.”

 

Hatsue: “Arghhh, I can’t believe you!”

 

She stomps out and up the stairs to her room.

 

Tetsu: “She really just might like him.”

 

Hatsue, in her room, leans against her door and echoes Tetsu's statement.

 

Hatsue (to herself): "I really just might like him."

 

 

SCENE 3:

Aiko goes to sit in the back in the private, lavish, and expensive room at the rear of the club. She’s waiting when the manager comes in.

 

Manager: “Okumura-sama, I wasn't thinking we'd see you again so soon. How is your father?”

 

Aiko: “I wouldn’t know.”

 

Manager: “I hope you’ll excuse me for being blunt, but I don’t think you should be here today.”

 

Aiko: “That’s never stopped me before.”

 

Manager: “Well, it seems word of our special...understanding...has gotten back to your father. I’ve been told not to let you in anymore.”

 

Aiko: “You can't be serious?"

 

Aiko (to herself): "Why would my father start caring now?"

 

Manager: “I’m so sorry, but if you’ll kindly leave.”

 

Aiko: “Don’t think this is the end of this.”

 

Aiko gets up and starts to walk through the door out of the back room and into the main room when she sees her father coming into the club walking next to a sharp-dressed young man.

 

Jutaro Okumura(her dad): “...the numbers have been up this quarter at the southern factory, but we’ve had...”

 

Her dad notices her. They stare at each other intensely for a moment. Jutaro doesn't speak to Aiko but turns to question the manager.

 

Jutaro: “What is she doing here?”

 

Aiko: “I was just on my way out.”

 

Jutaro: “Now that you’re here, you will join us. We were coming in to discuss some important matters.”

 

Aiko: “There’s no need for me to interrupt you then.”

 

Jutaro: “I have something to discuss with you as well.”

 

Then said to the manager:

 

Jutaro: “I believed we had an understanding, please leave your keys with XXXX-san on your way out.”

 

Jutaro, the well-dressed young man, and Aiko head to the back, leaving the poor, now unemployed manager, in shock, rubbing the back of his neck and sighing.

 

 

SCENE 4:

Heizo in the hospital room. Eriko comes into the room.

 

Eriko: “I’m going to take Kiyoura-chan home.”

 

Heizo: “Is everything okay with Okumura-san?”

 

Eriko: “Um...I don't know..."

 

Heizo nods towards the door.

 

Heizo: “I'm not the only one worried about her, huh?"

 

Eriko turns to see Yuka still standing out in the hall, blankly staring down where Aiko had left.

 

Eriko: “It’s just...she just...”

 

Heizo: “I know dear, I know. It hurts to see someone you love hurting. But be there, for both of them.”

 

Eriko: “I’ll come back later.”

 

Heizo: “Don’t worry about me, be with the one who needs you.”

 

 

SCENE 5:

Eriko and Yuka are on the train, heading home. They’re silently sitting next to each other. It’s             quiet, slightly awkward, there is more space between them than normal. Eriko starts to turn her head as if to speak, but then stops herself and looks back across the aisle. Yuka is staring off to the side, sort of looking back through the window behind them at where they came from. The train is mostly empty.

 

When they get off, they walk in silence to Yuka’s apartment.

 

Eriko (to herself): “Should I ask if she wants me to come up? Is that too forward? I don’t know how to help her.”

 

They’re standing silently, not ready to part, but not sure what to do.

 

Eriko: “Maybe...maybe next weekend...I could make it up to you...for today, I mean?”

 

Yuka looks up at her for the first time since Aiko left. She offers a wan smile and nods her head affirmatively.

 

Eriko: “Only if you want, that is. I mean, maybe you would rather do something, with someone else, or something...”

 

Yuka reaches out and takes Eriko’s hand and smiles gently again. Heart beat sound effects. Eriko blushes.

 

                Sound effects: "Ba-dump, ba-dump."

 

Eriko (to herself): "Her hand is so delicate and warm. I don't want to ever let it go."

 

Eriko: “Oh, okay, then. Um, I guess...I’ll see you in school.”

 

Yuka turns her head toward the apartment, as she does, a tear wicks away from her face, Eriko does not notice it then. As she's turning, Yuka releases her hand from Eriok's and goes up the stairs to her apartment. Eriko watches her go and turns to leave. As she’s turning she notices a few water drops (tears) on the sidewalk. She looks back up at where Yuka was walking, but Yuka is out of sight already.

 

Eriko (to herself): "Was she crying?"

 

 

SCENE 6:

Aiko comes into her home, whipping the door open and slamming it closed behind her.

 

Aiko (to herself): “How dare he?! That’s who father would pick for me?! Unbelievable, no wonder Shiori left!”

 

She goes over to the bar in the dining room. She’s looking through the selection.

 

Aiko (to herself): “What is all this cheap shit?! I bet he’s having them water it down too! He must know everything, the way he talked to the bar owner. Whatever! Not like he really cares, as long as he can marry me off.”

 

She grabs a bottle and storms up to her room. She’s drinking straight out of the bottle while sitting on her window seat.

 

[Flashback]

Aiko, Jutaro, and the young man are in the back room of the bar.

 

Aiko: “I should get home. I need to finish my homework for Monday.”

 

Jutaro: "Suddenly so diligent."

 

Aiko gets up and starts to leave.

 

Young man (Kijuro Tayama): “I’ll walk you out.”

 

Aiko: “That’s quite alright, I know my way out.”

 

Jutaro: “Yes, it’s clear you do. Tayama-san, please see her to her car to ensure she gets there. Instruct the driver to take her straight home.”

 

Aiko: “Father!”

 

Tayama: “Yes sir, I’ll be right back. Thank you.”

 

Tayama puts out a hand in the direction of the door, motioning for them to leave. Aiko slaps the hand down and huffs out with him following.

 

At the car now, Aiko is getting in. Tayama leans in.

 

Tayama: “It was truly a pleasure to meet you Aiko-chan.”

 

Aiko: “So familiar already?”

 

Tayama: “Well, you heard your father, it seems he’d like us to get to know each other better.”

 

Aiko: “Don’t worry about what my father said.”

 

Tayama: “Assertive, I like that about you.”

 

Aiko: “Are you done here?”

 

Tayama: “I hope not, I’d like to see you again. It think you’re someone who knows how to have fun, if the rumors are true that is.”

 

Aiko: “I’m sure I have no idea what you are talking about.”

 

Tayama: “Hahahaha. Be safe getting home. I bet we’ll be seeing each other again soon.”

 

Aiko: “I hope not.”

 

Aiko pulls the car door shut on him at that point. He runs his hand through his beautiful hair, laughs and goes up to the passenger front window to speak to the driver.

 

Tayama: “The old man said to make sure she gets straight home. I’m counting on you.”

 

Driver: “Yes sir!”

[Flashback ends]

 

Aiko is still looking out her bedroom window. She takes another long swig of the drink straight from the bottle.

 

Aiko (to herself): “He’s just so ready to sell his children off. What for? Does he want that asshole running his company some day? Doesn’t he think I can do it?”

 

She looks shocked for a moment at her own statement.

 

Aiko (to herself): “Wait, do I actually want to run the company some day? Is that really what I want in my life...?"

 

She thinks back to the fight with Yuka at the hospital.

 

[Flashback]:

Aiko: "I'm not sure there's room for us both in there."

 

Yuka looks up at her pleadingly and is shaking her head 'no'.

 

Aiko: "I...we...need some time...some space. Make sure she's really worth it."

                [Flashback ends]

 

Back to present:

 

Aiko (to herself): “All this time, I’ve been clinging to her, believing she needed me, that she wouldn’t make it if I didn't take care of her. I’m such an idiot. She doesn’t need me, she doesn’t want me. What have I been doing? Just something to make myself feel useful. I'm the useless one that needed her.”

 

She takes another long swig from the bottle.

 

Aiko (to herself): “Fine then, if she doesn’t need me, then it’s time I started to lead my own life. You want to do this father? You want someone to take over for you? Then it’s on!”

 

She takes another drink, sees the bottle is empty, throws it against the wall where it shatters.

 

 

SCENE 7:

That night in Hatsue’s room. She’s in her bed reading a manga. Her phone vibrates. It’s a message from Ishihara.

 

Text message from Ishihara: “How are you?”

 

Hatsue message back: “I’m good, sorry about today.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “That’s okay, I was glad to meet your brother, he seems like a good guy.”

 

Hatsue message: “Yeah, he really is, even if he comes on a bit strong.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “Maybe we could do something next weekend?”

 

Hatsue is overjoyed at this.

 

                Hatsue (to herself): "You can do this!"

 

Hatsue message: “I’d like that.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “What do you want to do?"

 

Hatsue (to herself): "Oh my god, it's a date!"

 

Hatsue message: “I don't know."

 

Message from Ishihara: “Anything is fine. I just want you to have fun.”

 

Hatsue Message: “But what if you don't like it?"

 

Message from Ishihara: “Anything would be fun with you.”

 

Hatsue (to herself): "SQUEEE!"

 

Hatsue message: “You’re being so nice.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “Well, I am a good guy after all.”

 

Hatsue message: “I can tell.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “Can I tell you something?”

 

Hatsue message: “Sure.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “It was fun seeing you with your brother. I thought you were always shy, but I got to see another side of you today.”

 

Hatsue (to herself): “Oh no, he probably likes shy girls. Now he saw my ugly side...”

 

Hatsue message: “I’m sorry.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “Why are you apologizing? I liked seeing you so energetic.”

 

Hatsue: “Are you sure?”

 

Message from Ishihara: “Of course! I’ve got a lot of energy after all.”

 

Hatsue message: “I’ve noticed.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “Will you let me see more of that?”

 

Hatsue message: “I don’t know.”

 

Message from Ishihara: “Don’t worry, there’s no rush, I’ll be by your side waiting.”

 

Hatsue message: “What do you mean?”

 

Message from Ishihara: “I mean, I really like you."

 

Hatsue is stunned by this. Heart beating sound effects.

 

Sound effects: "Ba-dump, ba-dump"

 

Hatsue is nervous and doesn't know what to do.

 

                Hatsue (to herself): "Did...did he just...?"

 

Message from Ishihara: "Will you go out with me?”

 

Hatsue (to herself): "Is this real? What do I do? I...I think I like him but...but what if...?"

 

Hatsue message: “Can I think about it?”

 

Hatsue (to herself): "Don't be mad at me, okay?"

 

Message from Ishihara: “Sure, take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere. I want to learn all about you, whatever it is that’s holding you back. I want to know it all.”

 

Hatsue (to herself): "Are you really this amazing?"

 

Hatsue message: “Would it still be okay to see you next weekend, even if I haven't given you an answer?”

 

Message from Ishihara: “You couldn’t stop me from seeing you. Goodnight.”

 

Hatsue message: “Good night!”

 

Hatsue puts the phone down, buries her head in her pillow, screams, and kicks her feet in pure joy.

 

 

SCENE 8:

Eriko is in bed, asleep. She’s tossing and turning, mumbling in her sleep.

 

Eriko (asleep): “Yuka...don’t...don’t leave...It’s my fault...I’ll protect you...”

 

We go to all black panels into her recurrent "cave" dream.

 

Narration: “Where am I? It’s so hard to breathe, the air...it feels so old...like no one’s breathed it for ages. I can’t stay here but I can barely move. Crawl, that's it, just crawl...forward...wherever this is, whoever you are, just move, MOVE!”

 

We see a ripple from a drop of water.

 

Narration: “Water...is it a stream? Is it flowing towards an exit? I just have to follow it, just keep moving.”

 

We see a white light in the distance in the pitch black.

 

Narration: “A light. That has to be the exit! Just keep moving, one hand in front of the other.”

 

We see a hand settle on something under the water.

 

Narration: “What is this?"

 

We see the hand reach up out of the water in the dark, faintly illuminated by the light in the distance, and turn over, in it are feathers, dripping something thick.

 

Narration: “Why are there feathers in the water? What’s going on here? This isn't water at all, it's...it's bl...Oh my god, what happened?"

The feathers get tossed spraying blood as they fly.

 

Narration: "I have to get out of here! Come on! Just pick your feet up, stand up, just move, Move damn it! RUN!”

 

The light is getting bigger with each step, finally it’s overtaking the darkness, blinding.

 

Narration: “I’m almost out, I’m almost out of this hell, move, move!”

 

But we hear voices in the distance.

 

Voices: “Stop! Where are you going? Come back here! Yu...”

 

The light gets blinding, taking over the whole panel.

 

Right then, Eriko wakes up from this dream in a cold sweat. She’s breathing hard, panting.

 

                Eriko: "Ahhhhh!"

 

Eriko (to herself): “What was that? I feel like, like she was...no, it couldn’t be, it was just a dream, just a dream.”

 

 

SCENE 9:

The darkness with the two bright star lights representing Kami-sama and Eriko’s mother.

 

Kami-sama: “She’s stronger than even I could have dared hope.”

 

Eriko’s mom: “Yes, despite your power, to remember so much, she is truly amazing.”

 

Kami-sama: “That is why she must return in the end.”

 

Eriko’s mom: “You underestimate her.”

 

Kami-sama: “Perhaps, perhaps. Let us see all that power once more, shall we?”

 

 

SCENE 10:

Eriko’s room. She’s back asleep in her bed, mostly on her stomach/side, so her back is facing up to the ceiling. The blue light starts to form above her, we see, through her shirt back, the faint traces of the scars on her back shining through the cloth. As the energy from this orb starts to envelop her, we see (formed from the energy) the outlines of giant wings radiating from where the scars are on her back. She arches her back and screams in silence as the energy envelops her and she disappears in a flash of light.

(to be continued...)