It has been some time since the accident. Neoko was discharged from the hospital but still is wheelchair bound and has to be by Ian's bedside at every opportunity. Some feeling has returned to her legs but she still lacks the strength and unfortunately, the will to walk.
A knock is heard on the door to Ian's hospital room.
Neoko wheels her wheelchair around, "Come in."
A man wearing a business suit enters with a gentle smile, "Hello Neoko, they said you might be here."
"Mr. Oda!" exclaims Neoko as she rolls the wheelchair toward him.
"Came as soon as I arrived back inside the country, sorry for what happened," he explains.
"Did you get my proposal I sent you?" Neoko inquired.
"I did, are you sure this is will work?" he asks.
"It has to, it's the only way to ensure the survival of the academy while I'm away" explains Neoko.
"Ok, I'll ask," Oda responds.
A knock comes from the door again. Yuzu and Mei smile as they enter. Yuzu eyes brighten as she recognizes Mr. Oda. The pair share a warm handshake. Mei and Yuzu take a seat against the wall.
"So what brings the great Mr. Oda out to see us?" asks Yuzu.
Oda scratches the back of his head, "Yuzu, how is retirement treating you?"
"Pretty good I guess," answers Yuzu, "Why?"
"How do you feel about working again?" Oda inquires.
"Doing what?"
"Neoko's job, until she comes back." Oda answers.
Mei's eyes look hard at Oda. "Why?"
"The Aihara Project, as we call it, is in the middle of a crisis. The academy had a run of bad test scores, causing the directors to question the wisdom of taking over operations. Neoko came up with a series of plans that seem to work on turning it around. I need someone who is familiar with the school and its inner workings and to keep Neoko's programs working."
Mei looks quickly at Yuzu then back to Oda, "Surely you can't be serious. I mean you can't expect Yuzu to come out of retirement just because you say so."
"I know it's asking a lot Mei, but we think its the best option." Oda begins.
"We? Who else was involved with this process?" demands Mei.
"That would be me, mother," Neoko answers.
"You?" Mei scowls, "You would put your mother through all the stress again? Are you insane?!"
"Mother, please listen to me, it is the only way for the school to survive." Neoko tries to explain.
"The school can rot! It almost killed your great-grandfather where I had to take over when he couldn't-"
"And who ran it when you couldn't because of a car wreck? Who did you want to run it when you couldn't because of health problems? Me that's who!" Neoko retorts.
Mei looks wide-eyed at Neoko, stunned in silence. Yuzu looks down to the floor in silence.
"I have been busting my ass trying to live up to the Aihara name! Trying to make you proud of me! Keeping the legacy alive! Now you tell me to let it rot?" Neoko fumes.
"Neoko," Mei quietly says, "I have always been proud of you. You have done more than any that have come before you. But this is... is..."
"Ok, I'll do it."
Mei turns suddenly toward Yuzu, "What?!"
"They are right Mei, I'm the best option," reasons Yuzu.
"You don't mean that do you Yuzu?" Mei asks.
"Yes, I created this project, and in a way, it's my fault, I was the one before Neoko," Yuzu reasons.
Mei shakes her head as she gets up suddenly and heads toward the door, "You're a fool Yuzu, and so am I."
The door slams behind Mei as she leaves the room. Yuzu gets up and leaves to go after her.
Mr. Oda looks at Neoko, "Should I go after them?"
"Not if you value your life," warns Neoko.
"Mei!" Yuzu calls as she moves quickly down the hall. She looks from side to side, down hallways, and through windows.
Yuzu goes around a corner and she finds Mei in a large waiting room that was lit by the waning sun. She roughly pushes the door open and stands facing Mei. Mei turns slowly toward Yuzu. looking at her with her smoldering, lavender eyes.
"What do you want Yuzu?" scowled Mei.
"We need to talk Mei, we need to talk now."