In the Morning, I'll Say Hello - Chapter 76

 "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 76

"Broken"

 

SCENE 1:

Suzu's apartment. Eriko and Suzu are the only ones there. Eriko is sitting awkwardly on the couch holding a cup of tea.

 

Suzu: "I know you're not one for chit-chat, so let's get to it. What's going on with you two?"

 

Eriko: "Wha....what do you mean?"

 

Suzu: "Neither of you are acting like yourselves. Did something happen?"

 

Eriko (to herself): "How can I tell her that I let her down?"

 

Eriko: "I...I, um..."

Suzu is watching as Eriko is extremely uncomfortable.

 

               Suzu (to herself): "Maybe I shouldn't push."

 

Suzu: "It's okay if you don't want to tell me, but, maybe you'll feel better if you do."

 

Eriko blurts out:

 

Eriko: "I pushed her down!"

 

Suzu brightens up in glee at this (misunderstanding it, as if Eriko meant that she and Yuka were making out.)

 

Suzu (to herself): "I didn't think she'd be so forward. You little vixen!"

 

Suzu: "You don't have to be embarrassed by that. I mean, I figured you'd kissed by now, but..."

 

Eriko starts blushing and waving her hands in front of her, nearly spilling her tea.

 

Eriko: "NO NO, not like that at all! We really haven't..."

 

Suzu looks worried.

 

Suzu: "Then what?"

 

Eriko: "You...you saw me outside earlier...sometimes...sometimes I can't control myself...I...I hurt her in class."

 

Suzu looks heartbroken at this.

 

Suzu: "Oh, I see..."

 

Eriko: "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"

 

Suzu: "Was it on purpose?"

 

Eriko: "No, never, it was an accident! I would never hurt her on purpose! I...I want to...protect her...to cherish her."

 

Suzu: "I'm glad to hear that, but, you know what she's been through."

 

Eriko: "I know....I know...That's why...why I need to go away."

 

Suzu: "Is that's what's going on, you're running away from her?"

 

Eriko: "I don't know what else to do."

 

Suzu: "Do you think that's what she wants?"

 

Eriko: "She should...even if I don't mean to...I might hurt her again..."

 

Suzu: "So it's better to give up everything good to avoid hurting her again?"

 

Eriko: "I...I guess..."

 

Suzu (softly, and looking away): "I wonder if that's how mom felt?"

 

Eriko: "What?"

 

Suzu: "Sorry. So that's why you're here?"

 

Eriko is silent, she's wringing her hands.

 

Eriko: "I...I met her."

 

Suzu: "Who?"

 

Eriko: "Your mom."

 

 

SCENE 2:

Aiko, Yuka and Kiko are in the entryway to Aiko's house. Kiko is getting her shoes on to leave.

 

Kiko: "Thank's for having me over."

 

Aiko: "Thank you for your help. Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner?"

 

Kiko: "Yeah, I have plans with my family, sorry. Bye Kiyoura-chan!"

 

Yuka waves bye. Kiko leaves. Aiko turns to Yuka.

 

Aiko: "Are you staying for dinner?"

 

Yuka is hemming and hawing shyly.

 

Aiko (to herself): "How do I make things normal again?"

 

Aiko: "I would like you to stay for dinner."

 

Yuka looks up with brightness in her eyes.

 

Aiko: "Maybe...maybe you could sleep over, too."

 

Yuka smiles broadly at Aiko. Aiko blushes and turns away. Yuka grabs her hand and runs up the stairs dragging Aiko behind her.

 

 

SCENE 3:

Eriko is leaving Suzu's apartment.

 

Suzu: "Thank you, I guess, for telling me about mom."

 

Eriko: "I...I wasn't sure I should."

 

Suzu: "I don't know either."

 

Eriko: "Will you tell Kiyoura-chan?"

 

Suzu: "Maybe...probably. But what about you? It sounded like this was goodbye. Will you say it to her? Make it clear?"

 

Eriko: "I...I don't know..."

 

Suzu: "Sounds like we both have a lot to think about."

 

Eriko looks off to the side, vacant eyes, staring out into the distance.

 

Suzu: "Okay then, bye bye Eriko-chan."

Suzu closes the door, turns and leans on it, then slinks down to the ground, with her back against the door.

 

Suzu: "I know you're thinking the same thing. Why does Yuka always have to be the one that gets hurt?"

 

SCENE 4:

Aiko is spreading out a futon on her floor.

 

Aiko: "Here, you can borrow these clothes to sleep in, they might be a little loose though."

 

Yuka smiles and takes them from her. She leaves to go and change in the bathroom.

 

Aiko (to herself): "Is this what I want? To go back like nothing happened? Like I didn't confess to her, like she doesn't know about all those horrible things I've done."

 

Yuka comes back in the loose fitting t-shirt and shorts she borrowed. They're rolled up, she's looking cute, her hair down.

 

Aiko: "Your hair's gotten longer."

 

The lights are out, Aiko is sleeping in her bed, Yuka on the futon. Yuka is tossing and turning in her sleep. Aiko wakes, hearing her moving around, silent gasps coming out from Yuka, slight tears coming from her eyes, her face in pain.

 

Aiko (to herself): "What are you dreaming about?"

 

At one point while tossing, Yuka grabs at her neck, where her scar is. Aiko silently gets out of her bed, and gets under the futon cover with Yuka, she starts stroking Yuka's hair and going "shhhh" in her ear. Yuka turns into her and snuggles in, still asleep, but calm now. Aiko closes her eyes and smiles.

 

 

SCENE 5:

Time passes, the night is getting late, the moon is high, both girls are asleep in the futon together. Suddenly the door bell rings. They both stir. Yuka stares up into Aiko's eyes realizing she's by her side in bed for the first time.

 

Aiko: "Don't worry, it's only the doorbell. I'm sure it's just a prank, someone out late."

 

Yuka nods 'yes' in acknowledgement.

 

Aiko: "I should get back to my bed."

 

Aiko starts to sit up, but Yuka stops her.

 

Aiko: "You were having nightmares."

 

Yuka nods 'yes.'

 

Aiko: "Do you want me to stay?"

 

Before Yuka can answer the doorbell rings again and again. They hear the door open and some voices down below, someone yelling.

 

Aiko: "That voice? It couldn't be..."

 

Aiko comes down the stairs with Yuka hiding behind her as they descend.

 

Aiko: "What's going on here?"

 

The housekeeper and other help (butler, driver, etc...) back away revealing Kishi (from the treatment center) sprawled out on the floor.

 

Kishi: "Aiko-chan!!!!!"

 

She gets up to rush towards Aiko, but is stopped by the driver.

 

Aiko: "Kishi?! It's okay, let her go."

 

Butler: "Ojou-sama, you know her?"

 

Aiko: "Yes, and she is a welcome guest in this house."

 

 

SCENE 6:

Aiko and Yuka (still in their pajamas) and Kishi are at the dining room table. Kishi is scarfing down food.

 

Aiko: "I...I'm happy to see you, but what are you doing here?"

 

Kishi: "I just got out and knew I had to see you. By the way, you haven't introduced us yet."

 

Aiko: "Excuse me, this is Yuka Kiyoura. Yuka, this is Kishi Mizukawa. We..."

 

Kishi: "You're Yuka! Oh my god, you're so cute. It all makes sense now!"

 

Yuka turns to look at Aiko with a questioning face. Aiko blushes.

 

Aiko: "Nevermind, anyway, are you okay? You seem...different."

 

Kishi: "Just excited to be out in the world again. Ready for a new adventure. Can't keep doing the same old thing and expecting something new to happen, right? So I figured I'd see another part of the country for once."

 

Aiko: "Well, I'm glad you're here. Do you have someplace to stay tonight?"

 

Kishi: "Actually, I was hoping I might..."

 

Aiko: "Of course. Please stay. You're always welcome."

 

Turning to the housekeeper.

 

Aiko: "Get a room ready for our guest."

 

 

SCENE 7:

Yuka is asleep on the futon on the ground, Aiko is in her bed. Noises are coming from elsewhere in the house. We change our vantage point to the living room, where Kishi is rummaging through cabinets and furniture.

 

Kishi: "There's got to be something in this huge house."

 

Voice from behind: "What are you doing?"

 

Kishi, turns around sharply, all guilty looking.

 

Kishi: "Aiko-chan! Sheesh, you scared me. Isn't there anything to drink in this house?"

 

Aiko: "No."

 

Kishi: "Oh, I get it."

 

Aiko: "Why don't you go back to bed."

 

Kishi: "It's okay, I've still got some left in my bag."

 

Aiko: "You're drinking again?"

 

Kishi: "Whatever, it's just a little, keeps us going, right?"

 

Aiko: "I don't drink, anymore."

 

Kishi: "Oh, come on. I know you were only there to keep your dad off your case."

 

She walks past Aiko, brushing against her, an intentional (power-play) bump.

 

Kishi: "Come on, join me. It's some pretty good stuff."

 

Aiko looks up to see Yuka at the top of the stairs, hanging onto the railing, looking down at them.

 

Aiko (to Kishi): "I think you should go."

 

Kishi turns where Aiko was looking and notices Yuka.

 

Kishi: "I see. That's how it is. Can't bear to let your little girlfriend know what you're really like."

 

Aiko: "How dare you?"

 

Kishi: "Come on, you cried it all out to me. She doesn't care about you, she's got someone else."

 

Aiko: "You need to leave. Now."

 

Kishi: "Fine, I'm out of here."

 

She goes up the stairs. She stares Yuka down as she passes. Yuka backs away as Kishi passes.

 

Kishi: "What a waste."

 

A few minutes has has passed. Aiko and Yuka are now sitting on the bottom step of the grand staircase. Kishi comes down past them. Aiko gets up.

 

Aiko: "Let me get you help."

 

Kishi: "A minute ago you were kicking me out."

 

Aiko: "You picked me up when I was down. Let me do the same for you."

 

Kishi: "Too late, I don't need any fair weather friends. See you around."

 

Kishi leaves, slamming the door behind her. Yuka gets up and takes Aiko's hand from behind to comfort her as Aiko stands, staring at the door. Aiko's hand closes tighter on Yuka's in a gesture of closeness and sadness.

 

 

SCENE 8:

Yuka and Aiko are in the black town car. Driving down the streets of the main city area, it's late, it's cold, no one is out.

 

Aiko (to herself): "I feel like I've done this before."

 

Aiko: "I'm sorry for making you come out with me. You should have stayed and gotten some sleep."

 

Yuka shakes her head 'no.'

 

Aiko: "This isn't the real her, it's the alcohol talking. I...I want to help her."

 

Yuka gives her a warm smile and takes her hand while vigorously shaking her head 'yes.'

 

Aiko (to herself): "Is this how you thought about me?"

 

Aiko: "Do you see her anywhere?"

 

They're both looking out the windows, there is no one out. They pass an alley and see some signs of commotion as they pass.

 

Aiko "Driver, stop!"

 

The two girls get out and walk into the opening of the alley to see Kishi surrounded by a bunch of guys. One of the guys punches Kishi hard in the gut, she doubles over. There's a used syringe on the ground.

 

Man: "That's just a taste of what you're going to get for stiffing us."

 

Man 2: "Yeah, that was the good stuff too!"

 

Aiko: "HEY! Get away from her!"

 

Man: "Oh ho, who's this? Friends of yours? They look pretty nice."

 

Two of the three men start moving towards them.

 

Kishi: "No, leave them out of this."

 

Man 3: "Come here girlies, we got some nice stuff for you."

 

Aiko grabs Yuka and they turn.

 

Aiko: "Quick, back to the car, we need to get help."

 

Man 3: "Hey, stop them!"

 

Man: "Let them go, we're almost done here."

 

As Aiko is pulling Yuka away, Yuka trips.

 

Aiko: Yuka!"

 

As Yuka is getting up, she can still see into the alley. There's a bright flash of light. Then she sees the crouched figure of Eriko as an angel with her back to Yuka, covered in her as yet still folded wings. Eriko slowly and majestically rises, her wings spreading.

 

Man: "What that f..."

 

Aiko grabs Yuka and pulls her to her feet, not seeing what Yuka is looking at as Aiko's view of the alley is blocked by the corner of the building.

 

Aiko: "Get up!"

 

 

SCENE 9:

Aiko and Yuka are sitting in the waiting room of a hospital. It's dark and empty, late at night. Yuka is sleeping with her head in Aiko's lap. Aiko is staring at Yuka's long eye lashes.

 

Aiko (to herself): "I don't understand what happened to those men, how Kishi escaped. When the police came they said...they said the men were..."

 

Tears are coming to Aiko's eyes. A nurse comes up to them.

 

Nurse: "Are you Mizukawa-san's friends?"

 

Aiko delicately wipes her eye with a finger.

 

Aiko: "Yes."

 

Nurse: "She's asking to see you."

 

 

SCENE 10:

Aiko and Yuka are at Kishi's hospital bedside. She's got an IV in, some bandages on her face, a black eye, etc...

 

Aiko: "You look terrible."

 

Yuka's eyes get wide in shock, but Kishi gives a big smile and Aiko and Kishi share a good laugh.

 

Kishi: "I called my parents. They've agreed to send me back again."

 

Aiko: "I thought you were the one who said not to keep doing the same thing expecting a different result."

 

Kishi: "Yeah, I know, but...it's really the only place that feels like home anymore."

 

Aiko puts her hand overtop Kishi's.

 

Kishi: "Besides, when I'm there, at least I can help other people."

 

Aiko: "You helped me."

 

 

SCENE 11:

It's morning. Tight shot on Eriko's pained, sleeping face. She's grimacing, and groaning in pain. Her eyes are closed.

 

Eriko (to herself): "It hurts...but...it feels like something is..."

 

She opens her eyes and turns to see Yuka, with a washcloth and a pan of water, lifting up the back of Eriko's blood stained t-shirt and washing the scars on her back. Eriko's eyes go wide.

 

Eriko: "Stop! Don't do that!"

 

Yuka shakes her head 'no' slowly and keeps on tending to Eriko's back. Eriko sits up and grabs both of Yuka's wrists.

 

Eriko: "Why are you here?"

 

Yuka gives her a small smile and looks her deep in the eyes. Eriko looks at herself gripping Yuka's wrists and lets go in shame.

 

Eriko: "You shouldn't be here."

 

Eriko gets up and moves towards the bedroom door. Yuka reaches out and grabs Eriko's hand.

 

Eriko: "Don't you understand? I'm no good for you? I've only ever hurt you. I've hit you and pushed you, I cost you your best friend, I...I..."

 

Eriko turns away.

 

Eriko: "I...I've seen things...I don't know if they're real..."

 

Yuka squeezes Eriko's hand, Eriko turns to face her and Yuka shakes her head 'yes' with wide, almost happy eyes, like they understand each other.

 

Eriko: "What do you mean? You've seen it too?"

 

Yuka shakes her head 'yes.'

 

Eriko: "Does that mean it's real? That I...that I...?"

 

Yuka tries to open her mouth, but nothing will come out.

 

Eriko (to herself): "Is she trying to talk?"

 

Yuka opens her mouth again, but still nothing comes out.

 

Eriko: "What is it? I don't understand. I don't know what you're trying to say."

 

Yuka takes Eriko's hand that she's holding and gently brings Eriko's fingertips to her (Yuka's) neck, moving them down until it touches the scar. At this, they get a searing and painful flashback:

 

[Flashback]

The night Eriko intervened between Rieko and teenage Suzu.

 

Angel Eriko: "NO, what have I done! Please, oh please no."

 

Child Yuka (age 5ish) is on the ground, blood on her neck, her mom is yelling.

 

Rieko: "What the hell are you? Get out of my house! Get out, get out!"

 

Teenage Suzu is kneeling down holding Yuka's head in her lap. Yuka looks up and gives Suzu a weak smile.

 

Angel Eriko: "Why did you get in the way? I was trying to save you!"

 

Yuka goes to speak but nothing comes out. She clutches at her neck and grimaces in pain. Eriko turns to face Rieko.

 

Angel Eriko: "You have brought misery to your children and now, look what you have caused. You will receive no mercy!"

 

Eriko raises her flaming sword once more, Rieko is terrified, but Yuka reaches out a hand and touches Eriko's long dress.

 

Angel Eriko: "Yuka."

 

Yuka shakes her head 'no' slowly and puts her hands together as if in prayer. She leaves a small bloody smear on Eriko's white dress where she had been touching it.

 

Angel Eriko: "Twice now you have asked me to spare your mother's life. If the child cannot judge the parent, how can I?"

 

Eriko turns to Rieko.

 

Angel Eriko: "I, Raguel, angel of vengeance, protector of the innocent, balancer of the world, seeker of retribution, hereby judge you, Rieko Kiyoura, to a life without your children. You will leave them and never return. You will be grateful for every moment you are alive and although you will not remember this moment, know that it is they who spared your life."

 

Rieko: "I know I'm no good for them, but I...I can't leave them."

 

Angel Eriko: "You must and you will."

 

Eriko turns to the children.

 

Angel Eriko: "Before I go, I shall remove all your memories of this evening and when you wake in the morning, your mother will be gone. Say your final goodbyes to her."

 

Yuka reaches out to comfort Rieko who is sobbing. Yuka then turns to Suzu, but Suzu looks away.

 

Angel Eriko: "Will you not say goodbye to her?"

 

Suzu: "I never want to see her again."

 

Angel Eriko: "Very well."

 

There is a flash of light.

[Flashback over]

 

In Eriko's bedroom, Eriko's fingers still touching Yuka's scar.

 

Eriko: "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

 

She pushes Yuka away, as she does so, her hand catches on Yuka's necklace (the one that was a gift from Eriko early in the series) and as Yuka falls away from the push, the necklace breaks and drops to the ground.

 

Eriko: "YOU SEE!?!?! I did this to you. I don't understand it all, but it was me, I took your voice, I took your mom, I ruined everything!"

 

Yuka is trying to crawl towards Eriko. Eriko is hysterical now.

 

Eriko: "Get away from me! You can't be here, you can't be around me, I can't be around you!"

 

Yuka tries to reach out and touch Eriko, Yuka is sobbing, desperate to touch her. Eriko knocks her outstretched arm away.

 

Eriko: "GO! Please, go, and don't ever come back here. I don't ever want to see you again."

 

Eriko crumbles on the ground. Yuka one more time tries to go to her.

 

Eriko (sobbing): "Go...please, just go..."

 

Yuka looks down, tears streaming down her face. As she wipes them away, her eye catches on the broken necklace on the ground. She picks it up and leaves the room. Eriko is a sobbing mess on the ground.

 

(to be continued....)