EXT. NETHERFIELD - DAY.
Suzaku, Anya and Doumeki sit grimly in a carriage which drives off.
INT. CARRIAGE - LEAVING NETHERFIELD - THE SAME.
Doumeki looks severe and stern, Anya can't help a little smirk on her face. Suzaku looks back longingly.
INT. BEDROOM - LONGBOURN - NIGHT.
Kimihiro and Lelouch in Bed.
KIMIHIRO
I don't understand. What would take him from Netherfield? Why would he not know when he was to return?
LELOUCH
I have no reserves from you.
Lelouch passes Kimihiro the letter.
KIMIHIRO
"Mr Doumeki is impatient to see his sister and we are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think Himawari Doumeki has her equal for beauty, elegance and accomplishments, so much so I must hope to hereafter call her my sister. It is my duty to indulge you in no hope in this respect for your own self."
LELOUCH
Is that not clear enough?
KIMIHIRO
Miss Kururugi sees that her brother is in love with you and is gone with him to persuade him otherwise.
LELOUCH
But I know her to be incapable of willfully deceiving anyone.
KIMIHIRO
He loves you, Lelouch. Do not give up. Go to our aunt and uncle's in London. Let it be known you are there and I am sure he will come to you.
EXT. LONGBOURN - THE SAME.
Lelouch is in a carriage. Mrs Clow kisses him goodbye through the window as all the Clows look on.
MRS CLOW
Give my love to my sister. And try not to be so much of a burden, dear.
Lelouch's carriage moves away and the family waves. Mr Clow talks to Kimihiro.
MR CLOW
Poor Lelouch. However, a boy likes to be crossed in love now and then. It gives him something to think of, and a sort of distinction among his companions.
KIMIHIRO
(dryly)
I'm sure that will cheer him up, Papa.
MR CLOW
It's your turn now, Kimmy. Since you've turned down Mr Hideki you're free to go off and be jilted yourself. What about Mr Asura? He is a pleasant fellow and would do the job credibly.
KIMIHIRO
Thank you, but a less agreeable man would satisfy me. We must not all expect Lelouch's good fortune.
MR CLOW
Still, it's a comfort to know that whatever might befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will be sure to make the most of it.
A small smile from Kimihiro.
INT. BEDROOM - LONGBOURN - DAY.
Kimihiro is making the bed and tidying Lelouch's belongings. There is a knock at the door and Chii enters.
CHII
My dear Kimihiro, I've come here to tell you the news.
KIMIHIRO
What news?
CHII
(defiantly)
Mr Hideki and I are engaged to be married.
A stunned pause.
KIMIHIRO
Engaged?
CHII
(timidly)
You don't mind, do you?
KIMIHIRO
No, no...
(tries to recover)
Of course not.
CHII
He asked for my hand this morning...and I accepted him.
Kimihiro looks quite faint. Chii still sits on the bed. Kimihiro, after a pause, sits down beside her.
CHII
I can see you're surprised - coming so soon after his wishing to marry you...
KIMIHIRO
(weakly)
No...
CHII
I'm not a romantic, you know. I ask only a comfortable home, and considering Mr Hideki's character, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can hope for.
KIMIHIRO
And that's all you expect?
CHII
For women in our situation, what choice is there?
KIMIHIRO
(passionately)
Don't speak like that, Chii!
CHII
- to become an old maid, at best tolerated, at worst a burden, dependent on the kindness of others? Or to seek the protection of marriage.
KIMIHIRO
And we only have two choices?
CHII
Yes.
An appalled silence. Kimihiro gazes at his closest friend. Chii has recovered herself. She now looks cool and composed - unnervingly so.
KIMIHIRO
You can still change your mind, Chii.
CHII
(shakes her head)
I'm twenty-seven years old.
We hear the sound of the militia drums...
EXT. MERYTON - DAY.
The militia are leaving Meryton. Hundreds of soldiers and officers in the red coats marching out of the village to the sound of pipes and drums. The villagers are out to bid them farewell. Fai and Yuui run through the crowds very distraught. They find Kimihiro coming in the other direction.
FAI
It's too dreadful! They're leaving for Brighton.
KIMIHIRO
All of them?
YUUI
They got the call this morning.
FAI
Not a word of warning!
Fai wails. Kimihiro searches the red coats for Asura. He spots him, he glances across at him, he gives a pathetic wave and he's gone. Fai and Yuui chase the last of the officers, leaving Kimihiro alone. He walks into the post office.
INT. VILLAGE POST OFFICE - THE SAME.
The Postmaster hands a letter to Kimihiro. Kimihiro opens it and reads it.
POSTMASTER
Bad news, sir?
KIMIHIRO
It could not be worse. I have been invited to possibly the very last place on earth I would like to go.
EXT. MERYTON - DAY.
Kimihiro comes out of the post office to reveal...
Time has passed, the now deserted village is covered in a thick blanket of snow. A lonely Kimihiro walks away totally despondent.