In the Morning, I'll Say Hello - Chapter 58

 "In the Morning, I'll Say Hello" is a yuri comic I wrote. But I can't draw, so I'm posting the scripts here for you to enjoy.

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

Chapter 58

"School Festival - Part 2"

 

SCENE 1:

It's the school festival. Eriko and Yuka are sitting outside on a bench eating yakisoba. Eriko is still in her butler costume and Yuka has her apron on. Yuka is tearing into her food like she's a starving animal.

 

Eriko (to herself): “How can someone that tiny always be so hungry? But, it’s sort of cute how much she’s enjoying that.”

 

After finishing, Yuka sits back and sighs a happy contented sigh and pats her full stomach. Eriko accidentally lets out a little laugh and then stifles it in embarrassment. Yuka laughs (silently) with a big smile at her, Eriko blushes and looks off to the side, embarrassed but happy.

 

Eriko (to herself): "Remember what Ha-chan said, I have to take the lead!"

 

Eriko: “Um, we...we still have some time...before we have to get back...maybe...maybe we could do something else?”

 

Yuka nods 'yes' vigorously.

 

Eriko (to herself): “Is she really okay spending her whole break with me?"

 

 

SCENE 2:

They’re walking down one of the school hallways, passing various classroom activities. They are stopped by someone in an unintentionally funny costume that is actually supposed to be scary.

 

Person in costume: “Try class 3-B’s haunted house!”

 

Yuka looks up expectantly at Eriko.

 

Eriko: “Do you want to go in?”

 

Yuka nods 'yes.'

 

Eriko (to herself): "She likes haunted houses? Every time I learn something new about her, my heart..."

 

They’re walking in the dark now, there are random "scary" things hanging that they walk into, noises in the background, it's not actually well enough done to be scary.

 

Eriko (to herself): “This is pretty lame.”

 

They turn a corner and there’s a person dressed as a monster. Yuka gasps and grabs Eriko’s hand instinctively.

 

Eriko (to herself): “She’s holding my hand...”

 

Eriko: “Are you okay?”

 

Yuka nods 'yes' with a half happy/half wide-eyed face, like she likes being scared. She doesn’t let go of Eriko's hand as they continue walking. Eriko squeezes it a little tighter. Heart beat sound effects.

 

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

 

All of a sudden a person dressed in white with blood all over and a samurai sword jumps out at them and screams. Yuka gets an intense flashback. Everything goes black.

 

[Flashback]

We see white cloth fluttering, a feather falling, a swish of something, a spatter of blood.

[Flashback ends]

 

We faintly hear a voice: "...ka..."

 

Next we see Eriko carrying a limp Yuka in her arms busting through the black cloth covering the door opening at the exit of the haunted house and into the school hall. Eriko is looking strong and heroic carrying the fainted Yuka like a princess.

 

Eriko: “Yuka! Yuka!”

 

Eriko sets Yuka down on the ground in the hallway. Yuka begins to rouse. As she wakes, she sees Eriko’s face above hers and reaches up to touch Eriko's lips. Yuka silently mouths the syllables of her own name: “Yu...ka…” acknowledging that Eriko just called her by her given name.

 

Eriko (to herself): “Did she hear me say her first name?"

 

Eriko: “Are...Are you okay?”

 

Yuka slowly nods 'yes,' and Eriko starts to help her sit up. As she does, she instead clings tightly to Eriko in an embrace that is as much out of fear (and needing comfort) as it is anything else. Eriko is blushing.

 

There is a crowd around them watching. Hatsue and Ishihara arrive.

 

Hatsue: “Alright, nothing more to see here folks.”

 

Eriko, realizing that this is all happening in public view, immediately separates from Yuka.

 

Eriko: “I just...she just...”

 

Hatsue: “It’s okay, we wondered what was taking you so long to come back. We heard someone fainted. Are you okay now Yuka-chan?”

 

Yuka nods 'yes.'

 

Hatsue: “I’ll go back and take Yuka-chan’s cooking shift, why don’t you take her to the nurse to rest?”

 

Eriko: “But you had plans...with him.”

 

Ishihara (to himself): “Him? At least she's acknowledging me."

 

Ishihara: "Don’t worry, we’ll have another chance.”

 

Eriko (to herself): "Will you always be this nice to her? Is it just an act before you hurt Ha-chan?"

 

Eriko: “Oh...okay."

 

Yuka looks at Eriko and motions her head twice towards Ishihara indicating that Eriko needs to say more to him.

 

Eriko (to Ishihara): "Umm...thank you."

 

Ishihara: "Don't mention it."

 

Ishihara (to himself): “Wow, she’s like a totally different person when it comes to Kiyoura-san.”

 

 

SCENE 3:

Hatsue and Ishihara are back in the classroom, Hatsue is putting on an apron by the cooking station.

 

Hatsue: "I'm sorry Ishihara-kun, do you mind waiting a little longer?"

 

Ishihara: "Didn't I say I'd wait as long as it took?"

 

Hatsue (blushing): "I...I guess you did."

 

He walks over to an empty table, turning around and giving a little wave to her as he walks away, she does a shy little wave back and is blushing. Two girls next to her come over.

 

Girl: "Is he your boyfriend?"

 

Girl2: "Well, don't forget, she was really popular before."

 

Girl: "I know, it's just that she looks even prettier now."

 

Hatsue: "You...you think?"

 

Girl2: "Something about a girl in love."

 

Hatsue (mostly to herself): "Love huh?"

 

We see more of her cooking, Ishihara waiting at the table, they sneak cute looks at each other periodically, she blushes and such. Suddenly there's a bit of a fuss at the door, a few girls are crowded around someone.

 

Girl (said flirtatiously): "Are you here with someone?"

 

Girl2: "We've got great food, I'll bring you something."

 

We see clearly now that it's Tayama, in a full suit, looking very professional and clearly older than the highschool girls.

 

Tayama: "Thank you ladies, that's very kind. Actually, I'm looking for Okumura-san? Is she here?"

 

Girl3: "Oh, Okumura-san, that makes sense."

 

Girl4: "Are you her relative?"

 

Girl3: "I sure hope so!"

 

Hatsue watching this from the side:

 

Hatsue (to herself): "He looks suspicious. He's too old to be a high-school student and I know she doesn't have any brothers. So why is he here and what could he want with Okumura-san?"

 

Aiko comes over to the crowd, she doesn't notice him at first.

 

Aiko: "Ladies, we've got customers waiting."

 

Tayama: "Okumura-san."

 

Aiko: "What are you doing here?"

 

Tayama: "You haven't called."

 

Aiko: "I don't remember saying I would."

 

Tayama: "No, but I'd hoped."

 

The girls swoon.

 

Girls: "Ahhhhhhh!"

 

Aiko: "I'm working right now."

 

Tayama: "That's okay, I'll wait."

 

Aiko: "Not here you won't, they won't get anything done if you're around."

 

Tayama: "Then where?"

 

She puts her lips close to his ear and whispers something.

 

 

SCENE 4:

In the nurses office. The sun is coming in through the curtains on the window. Yuka is sleeping in the bed, Eriko is sitting in a chair next to her, looking at her.

 

Eriko (to herself): "I wonder what happened to her back there? I've never seen her collapse like that, the way she was clinging to me."

 

Eriko is still just looking at her, tracing Yuka's outline as she sleeps under the sheet.

 

Eriko: "She looks just like an angel when she sleeps. She's so still. I can barely see her chest rising."

 

By this point, as she's looking at Yuka, Eriko finds herself unconsciously leaning closer and closer, her lips are just about on Yuka's lips, as if to give a kiss. Eriko's eyes close, but Yuka's eyes are barely opening, as if she's peeking, as if she wants the kiss. Just then some rowdy girls come in to the office. Eriko jerks back, we see Yuka turn her head to the side (away from Eriko) and close her eyes with a soft smile.

 

Girl: "Man, my ankle is killing me."

 

Girl 2: "There's got to be ice in here somewhere."

 

Girl: "Do you think I'll still be able to dance later?"

 

Girl 2: "I hope so, it won't look right without you."

 

They get the ice and leave.

 

Eriko (to herself): "What would I have done if they hadn't come in?"

 

Eriko catches herself yawning and rests her head on her arms on the side of the bed, she's turned so she can still look at Yuka. Yuka's head is turned away, so we see her delicate neck, with the right side showing, where the scar is visible. Eriko is scanning up the length of her neck, when she reaches the scar she experiences a wincing headache and a flashback:

 

[Flashback:]

The panels are all black, we don't see anything, but we hear:

 

"...their innocence, but I shall be the one to restore it."

 

"Wait! What are you going to do?"

 

"What you have taken from them, I shall take from you a thousand-fold. Meet your judgment!"

 

"NOOOOOOO!"

[Flashback ends]

 

At this Eriko startles awake. She is looking confused and wide eyed. She is still by the side of Yuka in the nurse's office, but Yuka is sitting up and has put her hand on Eriko's arm. Eriko is breathing hard, they are staring at each other. Yuka calm and innocent, Eriko sweaty, out of breath, startled, wide-eyed.

 

Eriko: "I...I didn't mean to wake you."

 

Yuka shakes her head 'no.'

 

Eriko: "Are you feeling better?"

 

Yuka shakes her head 'yes.'

 

Eriko: "Oh, ummm, then, we should probably, head back?"

 

But Yuka puts her head down on Eriko's arm and looks up at her. Eriko stays staring into Yuka's eyes and puts her head back down on her arms too, their foreheads are close, they are eye to eye.

 

 

SCENE 5:

Classroom, Kiko pops in to look for Aiko. She goes up to Hatsue who is in the cooking section of the classroom.

 

Kiko: "Fujimaki-san, have you seen Okumura-san?"

 

Hatsue (to herself): "I still don't really know this girl's relationship with Okumura-san, how much should I say?"

 

Hatsue: "I think she's on break now."

 

Kiko: "Oh."

 

Hatsue: "Is everything okay?"

 

Kiko: "We were going to meet. She must just be looking for me. Thanks!"

 

Hatsue (to herself): "Okumura-san, what are you doing?"

 

 

SCENE 6:

We see Tayama out in the back behind the school building. He's waiting, somewhat awkwardly.

 

Tayama (to himself): "I'm not sure what people will think if they find me lurking back here, at an all-girls school no less. Ughhh, what am I doing?"

 

Then he turns, as if to go, and sees Aiko standing there. She's wearing her butler outfit, backlit by the afternoon sun, rays of which are almost radiating from her.

 

Tayama: "Okumura-sa..."

 

She takes the ponytail holder out of her hair and shakes her long hair out, it flows brilliantly in the sun. She walks over to him, grabs him by the shirt and forces him up against the wall. She starts kissing him passionately. He is half-heartedly struggling to push her away. We then see Kiko turning the corner. She sees the two of them and turns behind the wall quickly.

 

Kiko (to herself): "What was that? Who is that guy?"

 

Tayama finally pushes Aiko away, catching his breath.

 

Tayama: "Hold on, Okumura-san."

 

Back to Kiko, she's peaking around the corner and see's them separate.

 

Kiko (to herself): "I knew there was something under that cold exterior of hers."

 

Aiko wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

 

Aiko: "I thought that's what you came here for."

 

Tayama: "No, that's not it at all."

 

Aiko: "Then are you just wasting my time?"

 

Tayama: "I did want to see you. I was trying to give you space, after the funeral, but..."

 

Aiko: "Then is it about my father?"

 

Tayama: "What about him?"

 

Aiko: "Don't play coy. I know what I am to you."

 

Tayama: "What do you think that is?"

 

Aiko: "An opportunity for wealth, power, control of a company. I'm just a business transaction for you, so I figured I should get something out of the deal too."

 

Tayama: "Is that how little you think of yourself?"

 

Aiko: "Don't pretend you know anything about me."

 

Tayama: "Does that mean you'll let me learn?"

 

Kiko (to herself): "He seems sincere, that he might actually like her. Maybe worth keeping an eye on him."

 

Aiko: "Why should I? I have no intention of actually helping you achieve Tayama: "Oh, the famous daughter of the mighty Okumura Group won't help me, how shall I ever get a job without her?"  ting her. your career goals."

 

Tayama (sarcastically): "So the famous daughter of the mighty Okumura Group won't help me, how shall I ever get a job without her? Is that what you thought I'd say?"

 

Aiko (to herself): "He's pretty sure of himself..."

 

Tayama gives her a smile, showing his sarcasm, she turns her head away, a small smile passes her lips. She regains her composure, and responds coldly.

 

Aiko: "If we're finished here, I have to return to the classroom."

 

Kiko hurries away before Aiko turns around.

 

Kiko (to herself): "Ah, I can't let her catch me here."

 

Tayama: "Will you call me?"

 

Aiko: "No"

 

She starts walking away but then adds...

 

Aiko: "But you could call me."

 

Tayama's left there running his hand through his hair, exasperated, but happy/relieved.

 

Tayama (to himself): "Damn it, Okumura-san, you have me completely smitten."

 

 

SCENE 7:

It's towards dusk now, students are cleaning up the rooms and halls. Eriko and Yuka are walking down the hall back toward the classroom.

 

                Eriko: "Are you sure...um...you're feeling okay?"

 

Yuka nods 'yes' and Eriko blushes. As they walk, Eriko starts to get the sense that people are looking at the two of them, even some whispers. As they pass one particular group of girls, Eriko overhears:

 

                Girl: "Did you hear?"

 

                Girl 2: "Yeah, those rumors from before must be true."

 

Eriko (to herself): "Are they talking about Kiyoura-san and me? Does everyone know?"

 

                Girl 3: "Can you believe, in our school?"

 

                Girl: "It is an all girl's school."

 

Eriko (to herself): "I don't care what they say about me, but Kiyoura-san, if she gets hurt because of my feelings..."

 

                Girl 2: "I know, but to be so bold. The way they walked around."

 

                Girl 3: "Yeah, it's disgusting."

 

Eriko (to herself): "I know I'm a freak, but..it doesn't feel disgusting. Maybe..."

 

Girl: "Seriously, they shouldn't let them in here."

 

Eriko turns angry in a flash, with evil eyes and lashes out, grabbing one of the girls by the collar and foisting her up and against the wall.

 

                Eriko: "Leave her alone!"

 

                Girl: "Ughhh...mmmmm...uhhhh...."

 

Yuka runs up and squeezes in between Eriko and the girl. Eriko drops the girl.

 

Girl: "Cough...cough...her?...We...we weren't talking...cough...about a girl..."

 

Eriko is suddenly deflated and confused.

 

Eriko: "Then...then who...who were you talking about?"

 

Girl 2: "We just meant all those boys that were visiting today."

 

Girl 3: "Seriously, boys are gross, they smell, and all they think about is...well, you know..."

 

Girl: "Yuck!"

 

Girl 2: "We just think that this school should keep its maidens pure!"

 

The three girls grab each other's hands and swoon at this and sigh all together in joyous rapture at thinking of innocent young ladies.

 

                Girls (all together): "Sigh."

 

                Eriko (to herself): "They...they like...girls?"

 

Yuka is doubled over laughing (silently) at this. Eriko is shocked by both the girls and Yuka and is embarrassed.

 

                Eriko: "I...I'm sorry...I...are you okay?"

 

The girl blushes.

 

                Girl: "Um...Actually..."

 

Girl 2: "Actually, she sort of likes the princely type, she might not get any sleep tonight after that!"

 

                Girl 2 and 3: "Hahahahahaha"

 

                Girl: "Jeez, so embarrassing, don't say it out loud."

 

The girls are leaving as they are talking amongst themselves, laughing.

 

Eriko is standing there, in shock at the whole encounter. Yuka is looking at her more solemnly now. She starts to reach a hand out to take Eriko's hand, then stops herself.

 

 

SCENE 8:

It's dark now.  There is a bonfire outside the school. Girls are dancing around it. Hatsue is walking around. She's looking around.

 

Hatsue (to herself): "Hmmm, I hope Yuka-chan is okay, they never came back to the classroom."

 

As she's looking around, she bumps into Aiko.

 

Hatsue: "Oh, Okumura-san, good job today."

 

Aiko: "Yes, you too."

 

Hatsue: "You were awfully popular, we actually have a chance of beating out the other classes in the vote."

 

Aiko: "Wonderful. Good-evening."

 

Hatsue: "Oh, okay, bye."

 

Aiko walks away.

 

Hatsue (to herself): "She was always uptight, but she's so much more distant now."

 

Hatsue is walking around again. Kiko flags her down.

 

Kiko: "Fujimaki-san, have you seen Okumura-san?"

 

Hatsue: "Actually I just left her, she was headed that way."

 

Kiko: "I just keep missing her all day. Thanks."

 

She starts to leave, but then comes back.

 

Kiko: "Hey, a bunch of us are going out for karaoke tonight. You and your friends are welcome to join us."

 

Hatsue: "Oh! Umm, thanks, I'll think about it."

 

Kiko: "Okay, great!"

 

Kiko runs off in the direction Aiko headed.

 

Hatsue (to herself): "Hmmm, she's not at all what I would have expected from one of Okumura-san's friends."

 

We see Kiko heading toward the school entrance. In the distance, by the street is Aiko, standing quietly. Kiko is just about to yell and flag her down when a very expensive sports car (one we haven't seen before) pulls up. She opens the door, gets in, and it speeds off.

 

Kiko (to herself): "Was that Aiko-chan? I wonder if that was the guy from earlier?"

 

 

SCENE 9:

Eriko and Yuka are sitting together on the periphery of the bonfire, on a bench, the glow of the fire lightly illuminating their faces from a distance. They're sitting close to each other.

 

Eriko (to herself): "It's like a dream...somehow this day, even with the way it started...to be here now...but...those girls...even if they weren't talking about us..."

 

She looks down at Yuka, Yuka looks up and smiles. Eriko blushes and turns back to the fire.

 

Eriko: "Umm, if there's anything...you ever...no, nevermind."

 

Yuka looks up quizzically at Eriko, she's about to place her hand on Eriko's but then thinks back to Eriko confronting the girl earlier in the hall and takes her hand back. Eriko is looking off to the side to avoid eye contact and so doesn't notice Yuka's doubt.

 

Eriko: "It's just that...with Okumura-san..."

 

Yuka puts her hands in her lap and looks down. Eriko turns and notices this sad look.

 

Eriko (to herself): "Shit, I spoiled the mood. Maybe I shouldn't have said that."

 

Eriko: "I...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make you sad."

 

Yuka picks up her head and solemnly shakes it 'no' (as in, it's not your fault).

 

Eriko: "I...I don't hate her...just so you know."

 

At this Yuka's eyes widen, and then a little smile crosses her face. She turns her body away from Eriko's, pulls her legs up on the bench, and leans back against Eriko, resting her head on Eriko's upper arm and closing her eyes. Eriko gets rigid at first, but soon relaxes.

 

Eriko (to herself): "Is...is this okay...in public...what if people see...don't you know what will happen? Maybe...maybe you aren't bothered..."

 

But Eriko can't take her eyes off Yuka. and she leans her own head down against Yuka's head (which is leaning on Eriko's upper arm).

 

                Eriko (to herself): "When you're near me, all I want..."

 

Hatsue is looking around, she sees Yuka and Eriko like this on the bench.

 

Hatsue (to herself): "Well, I'll be, look at them."

 

Eriko picks her head up at noticing Hatsue. When she makes eye contact, Hatsue raises a hand to say hello. Eriko does the same back and gives a shy little smile, then puts her head back down against Yuka's.

 

Hatsue (to hserlf): "I guess I'm on my own. Too bad guests couldn't stay. I'd like to sit like that with Ishihara-kun."

 

Hatsue blushes at the thought and touches her cheek. A classmate runs up to Hatsue.

 

Classmate: "Fujimaki-san, come on, let's dance!"

 

Hatsue: "Oh, okay!"

                               

 

SCENE 10:

In a club, like a rave, bubbles, flashing lights, glow sticks, DJ on stage, everyone in slutty clothing grinding, drugs being passed around (pills mostly).

 

Into this walks Aiko and Hidaka (Tayama's friend who manages his art gallery). She goes up to the bar and orders a drink from the bartender. Hidaka signals he'll take the same. Aiko turns around at the bar while waiting for her drink, pulls her tie loose, unbuttons a few buttons of her shirt and turns to Hidaka. Hidaka leans in close and says into her ear (due to the noise in the club).

 

Hidaka: "I'm glad you called."

 

Aiko: "Are we going to dance?"

 

Hidaka: "What about the drinks?"

 

She turns around, picks hers up and downs it in one swig, he looks on amusedly, she slams the glass down, picks up his, downs it and runs out into the crowd.

 

Hidaka (to himself): "Well alright!"

 

He walks out onto the floor where Aiko is already letting loose. They start dancing very close together, it's becoming quite intimate. At one point, he puts something into her hand. She opens it up and sees a pill. She looks at him. Hidaka leans in again.

 

Hidaka: "It's okay, you'll like it."

 

She puts it in her mouth and starts dancing with him again, we pan out with them slowly being swallowed into the anonymous crowd.

(to be continued...)