Mahoromatic – Seasons of Change
By Dr. Memory
(AKA Carl A. Potaczala)
Disclaimer
Mahoromatic and all associated characters are the property of Gainax, TBS, Pioneer LDC and the character creators, Ditama and Nakayama. This story is not written for personal profit, but as a tribute to a wonderful story that I think ended poorly and knowing that as long as I write, Mahoro lives. Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.
Episode 11: Communication
Show opens with the regular theme
Scene opens with Mahoro (in her maid's uniform), Suguru, Miyuki, Riku, Chizu, Kaito, Rin, Kiyomi, Karen, Saori, Ryuga, Shiori, Leesha, Nayoko, Principal Matsuhira, and Nurse Hanaki seated around the dining room table. They are just finishing with dinner and Mahoro and Suguru are getting up to clear the table.
Principal Matsuhira: Well, it's true what people said. This has to have been one of the best meals I've ever eaten. Thank you Mahoro-san for the invitation.
Nurse Hanaki: I have to agree also. Ya-chan was absolutely correct. And to think… if I had stayed at the hospital today as I had originally intended, I could have been eating food from the hospital cafeteria.
Suguru: That was one thing Hamaji-kun did complain about… the hospital food. He thought that food on the Saint ships might be better.
Kaito: I wouldn't go that far. Nothing could be that bad.
Nurse Hanaki: No… Hamaji-kun is probably right. Remember, I was on the Command Ship for a while and the food there was definitely better than the food that comes from the hospital kitchen… I'm assuming Hamaji-kun requested that something edible be smuggled in to him?
Mahoro: He did make that request, but I wasn't sure it would be allowed.
Nurse Hanaki: If you put something together, I'll get it to him. There is no reason he should have to suffer at the hands of the hospital cooks.
Suguru: You should probably pack enough for two. I don't think we will be seeing Minawa-chan outside of the hospital until Hamaji-kun is released.
Nurse Hanaki: You're probably right. I've never seen two young people so totally devoted to each other.
Miyuki: They are something else… almost as devoted to each other as Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun.
Principal Matsuhira: This whole group seems to be very devoted to each other… something you don't see very often… even among adults. So, how large is this "family group" of yours?
Rin: You've met most of them.
Mahoro: Of course Hamaji-kun's parents know about Minawa-chan being a cyborg and about myself and my sisters and Ryuga-san and Sera-san being androids. I understand that Hamaji-kun's father had something to do with the design of the sensor system for my sisters and me.
Suguru: And of course there are many people at Vesper who know also.
Leesha: And Ambassador Hoshi and the embassy staff know also… although I'm not sure that their children know.
Riku: At some point it might be necessary to tell them also.
Nurse Hanaki: And of course, Harune-chan knows about Slash.
Nayoko: I heard that name mentioned. Have we met Slash yet?
Suguru: No, Slash has been away, but he arrived during lunch. He has just been trying to keep a low profile… Slash, would you like to come out and introduce yourself?
Slash enters the dining room from the kitchen.
Slash: You enjoy doing this, don't you?
Nayoko jumps at hearing the catlike figure talk. Principal Matsuhira is visibly startled.
Slash: My name is V1046-R9-Slash Zero, but as you might have heard, I am called Slash for short.
Mahoro: Slash was my support mecha when I was an active combat android, but now he is more of a personal friend.
Slash: I, on the other hand, am still on active duty. My current assignment is to watch over Suguru and Mahoro and their friends and to keep them out of trouble… although trouble seems to have a habit of finding them in spite of that.
Suguru: It seems to me that someone decided to go in for a tune up the last time trouble found us.
Mahoro: That's enough from the two of you. Actually, Nayoko-chan, Slash is not as mean and nasty as he looks or sounds, but if I say that he is cute and cuddly, he'll be angry with me.
Slash: That's all right, Mahoro. At this point, my reputation is already ruined.
Nayoko: (Standing and bowing to Slash) My name is Nayoko Owa. I'm pleased to meet you. I'm one of Suguru-kun's classmates.
Slash: I'm pleased to meet you also, Nayoko-chan.
Nayoko sits back down.
Principal Matsuhira: I'm Hiroki Matsuhira. I am the acting principal at Misato-kun's school.
Slash: I'm pleased to make you acquaintance also.
Miyuki: Principal Matsuhira, you have the same given name as my father.
Rin: Your father's name is Hiroki. I never knew that.
Miyuki: That's because everyone just calls my father Uncle Sakura… and my mother never uses my father's given name.
Chizu: I've heard some of the names your mother calls your father.
Miyuki: You've only heard some of the nicer ones.
Suguru: And I understand you have already met Slash, Hanaki-san.
Nurse Hanaki: Please, call me Kaede… We met when we went to the Command Ship with Miyuki-chan's little sister. I walked in when someone was getting a tummy rub from Harune-chan. It was the first time I ever heard a cat giggle.
Saori: I never realized Slash was ticklish
Slash: (As Slash turns to exit the dining room to the kitchen) There are a number of things that people don't know about me and I intend to keep it that way.
Mahoro: (Gathering dishes from the table) Nurse Hanaki, it had been my intention to clean up from lunch and then go visit Hamaji-kun. Would it be permissible for all of us to go?
Nurse Hanaki: There isn't a problem with everyone going to the hospital, but Hamaji-kun should only have three or four visitors at a time.
Mahoro: I can understand that. We can go in and visit in shifts.
Rin: I'll help you get a bento together for him.
Miyuki: And I'll help with the dishes.
Chizu: So will I.
Kiyomi: If you girls get started in the kitchen, Suguru and I can get the table cleared
Kaito: Riku and I will help also. The quicker we get cleaned up, the quicker we can get to the hospital and see Hamaji-kun.
Mahoro: Thank you. If you do that, I can get another change of clothes together for Minawa-chan. (To Principal Matsuhira, Nurse Hanaki, Nayoko, Saori, Ryuga, Shiori, Karen and Leesha) Why don't the rest of you have a seat in the living room? We will be ready to go in no time.
Nayoko: Is there anything I can do to help?
Suguru: I think we have everything covered. You are the honored guest today so sit and relax.
Mahoro, Suguru, Rin, Kiyomi, Chizu, Kaito, Miyuki and Riku all begin to attend to their tasks, while Saori and Ryuga lead Shiori, Karen, Leesha, Principal Matsuhira, Nurse Hanaki and Nayoko to the living room and have a seat
Nayoko: I feel bad not helping out.
Saori: Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll have opportunities in the future.
Nurse Hanaki: It sounds like gatherings like this are regular occurrence.
Saori: Mahoro-san loves to cook and they will never turn anyone away. Miyuki-chan and Chizu-chan are here quite often to visit with Riku-kun and Kaito-kun and I understand that Hamaji-kun sleeps here almost as often as he sleeps at his own house. You almost can't help have gatherings like this.
Principal Matsuhira: If it was anyone else, the thought of boys and girls this age sleeping together would appall me, but somehow I feel that these children are more adult than most adults.
Saori: I know that they taught me some very important lessons.
Scene fades to the hot springs as the guest lodge at Vesper headquarters. Yaeko and Chitose are in the hot springs.
Chitose: So this is where you stayed for your little vacation.
Yaeko: Yeah. I'm staying in the same room as I did when I was here before and you're in the same room Saori-sensei stayed in.
Chitose: And there was nothing going on between the girls and the boys while you were here?
Yaeko: If you mean sex… not as far as I know. Mahoro-san and Suguru-san were the only ones who shared a room while we were here. And even then I don't think they had sex.
Chitose: But you were in the hot springs when the boys were in here?
Yaeko: (Rolling her eyes) Yes mother. (Sarcastically) The boys were really good looking… especially the twins. I wouldn't mind going to bed with either of them.
Chitose: Yaeko!
Yaeko: Relax mother. Nothing happened. The boys were perfect gentlemen and well behaved… and very cute. I think they blushed as much as the girls did.
Voice of Hokato: (From inside the doorway) Nishimura-san… Ya-chan… Are you out there? May I come out and talk to you?
Chitose: Ahhh! Yes we're out here but… ahhh…
Yaeko: (To her mother) Don't worry about it. It's not as if he could see anything while we're in here, and (cupping her hands under her almost non-existent breasts) not that I have anything to show. (Calling out) Professor Hokato, my mother and I are in the hot spring.
Voice of Hokato: I'm sorry. I can come back later, but I have the preliminary results back from your DNA tests.
Yaeko: No… wait… Why don't you wait inside and we'll come in once we get our robes on?
Voice of Hokato: Of course… I'll wait for you inside.
Yaeko: Come on mom. Let's get our robes on and find out what is going on.
Angle shifts to a back view of Yaeko and Chitose as they stand up in the pool and walk to the patio where their robes are hanging and the put them on and enter the lodge. Scene shifts to Professor Hokato sitting on a couch in the main room. He stands when Yaeko and Chitose enter.
Hokato: I'm sorry to make you get out of the springs.
Chitose: That's OK. We had been in the spring for quite some time and it was really time for us to get out. (Chitose and Yaeko walk toward Professor Hokato and take a seat on the couch opposite where the Professor is standing. The Professor sits where he had been previously sitting.) You said that you had the results from the tests that you did?
Hokato: The preliminary tests from DNA tests. The detailed results probably won't be available for at least two or three more days, but these preliminary results do answer a number of questions as well as raise others. And it might be necessary to run several different samplings in order to…
Yaeko: Professor Hokato, you do have the preliminary results?
Hokato: Oh… Right… I'm not sure if you will want to call this good news or bad news, but Ya-chan, you are carrying the same two Saint genetic traits that I found in the twins and Suguru-kun and Minawa-chan. It seems that at least one of your father's parents were Saint.
Chitose: My husband?
Hokato: It had to be. Your tests came back negative for the Saint genetic traits. It is unfortunate that we cannot confirm that. Do you know anything about your husband's parents?
Chitose: Nothing. My husband never knew his parents. He was raised in a Christian orphanage. Even the priest at the orphanage knew nothing of his background. He was literally found as a newborn on the steps of the church.
Yaeko: I never knew that.
Chitose: It was not something that your father liked to talk about. His life there was very difficult.
Hokato: I'm sorry. There is one other thing though. Ya-chan seems to have a third genetic difference and this may relate to her abilities. Doctor Mihoshi is going to run one more set of tests on you tomorrow and then have you rest for a day or two more before you go home. She will be here later today to explain the tests to you.
Yaeko: Ummm… Professor Hokato… How is Hana?
Hokato: Hana?
Yaeko: Ummm… Cyborg 117… … It just seems so cruel to keep calling her that… and when I first uncovered her face… that was the name that came to mind.
Hokato: I'm not really sure how to describe cy… ahhh… Hana-chan's condition. She is still under heavy sedation. Doctor Mihoshi is running as many tests as she can with the limited resources she has here on Earth, but she might have to go at least to the Command Ship to determine if there is anything we can do for her.
Yaeko: I would like to spend some time with her before mom and I go home.
Hokato: You realize that we will need to keep her sedated to limit the pain that she is experiencing.
Chitose: Is it the implants that are causing her to be in pain?
Hokato: Not directly… since the brain does not have pain receptors. Hmmm… How to explain this? Ahhh… Think of it this way… there are two kinds of pain. Physical pain… like what happens when you fall and bump your knee. It is caused by messages from the nerves in the injured area to the brain. The pain that Hana-chan is feeling could be called "emotional" pain… like the feeling you get when you hear really bad news… except Hana-chan is receiving a constant stream of that stimulus. Doctor Mihoshi theorizes that Hana-chan uses other peoples' emotions to block that stimulus and therefore gets some relief from what the implants are doing to her.
Yaeko: Sedated or not… I would still like to spend some time with Hana.
Scene fades to Hamaji's hospital room. In the room with Hamaji are Minawa (standing on the right side of Hamaji at the head of the bed), Mahoro and Suguru (standing to the left of Hamaji at the head of the bed), Miyuki and Riku (hand in hand standing next to Minawa), Rin and Kiyomi (standing next to Mahoro and Suguru), Chizu and Kaito (at the foot of the bed to Hamaji's right) and Nayoko (at the foot of the bed to Hamaji's left).
Kiyomi: OK… I'll ask the question that you've probably heard more time that you can count, but… How are you feeling?
Hamaji: Actually much better now that I've had something to eat other than hospital food. I don't understand how they expect people to get healthy eating food that isn't even recognizable by sight or taste.
Riku: Nurse Hanaki said that she thought the food she ate on the Command Ship was better than the food they serve at the hospital although I really can't believe that.
Hamaji: Believe it. The soup that they brought for lunch today reminded me of rice and vegetables that had been cooked until it was a mush, and it had absolutely no flavor.
Chizu: Euuu… It makes me ill just thinking about it.
Mahoro: I hope that we don't cause a problem by having this many people in here.
Hamaji: Nurse Hanaki said that it would be fine as long as Doctor Kagemori doesn't come by and that isn't likely to happen since he has already made his rounds for the day. I think that after Commander Hayato talked to him, Doctor Kagemori would rather that I wasn't his patient. Well if it means that I get out of here sooner… all the better.
Minawa: I think you are going to be here at least until Doctor Mihoshi returns… and only then if she thinks you are healthy enough.
Hamaji: Well, if Mahoro-san continues to bring food like she brought today, I'll be healthy in no time at all.
Mahoro: I think we can arrange a daily bento for you… and bring a change of clothing for Minawa-chan, since I think she will be here as long as you are. The hospital is on the way to the university, so I can drop it off on the way there.
Suguru: I thought that all of your sisters went to Vesper headquarters.
Mahoro: No, only Kanoko-chan and Nekoto-chan. Chiako-chan and Sanako-chan are staying at the university and Professor Hokato asked me to stop in and spend time with them while he is gone. And of course Akiko-chan is staying with Hamaji-kun's mother.
Nayoko: Could someone explain to me exactly what happened?
Everyone in the room turns to look at Nayoko.
Nayoko: I've had many things explained to me today, but no one has said a word about what exactly happened to Hamaji-kun.
There is a tight silence in the room.
Suguru: (Finally breaking the silence) We were attacked by the two cyborgs that you saw. Hamaji-kun was injured when he blocked the cyborgs from escaping with Ya-chan.
Hamaji: The walking corpse caught me with his claws when I didn't duck out of the way in time, but Minawa-chan… ahhh… killed him before he could do any more damage. The doctor says that I will be fine with some rest.
Nayoko: It's just that so many things are happening so quickly… so many things that I really don't understand… So many things that I… ahhh…
Miyuki: That you don't have any control over?
Nayoko: I guess that's it.
Rin: I think I felt the same way when I first found out about Mahoro-san and Cyborgs and Saint and everything else that was happening in the world. I lived in a nice, neat, orderly world where I thought I was in control of everything. (Quiet laugh to herself; shaking her head) How that has all changed… but I realized that very little of what goes on in the world is under my control… and I feel so much better now knowing that.
Nayoko: I am afraid that something like this might happen again because of something that I did or didn't do and…
Chizu: You can't think that way. You never know when something might happen. I might get hit by a runaway car while I'm crossing the street… (realizing that everyone is looking at her) or not. You just never know, but it isn't under your control… or anybodies.
Hamaji: OK… Enough. This is getting depressing. Has anyone heard how Ya-chan is doing?
Mahoro: I haven't received any news yet, but I will contact headquarters later and get a report.
Hamaji: Then I will assume that there isn't any information about the other cyborg.
Mahoro: Nothing, but I will find out what I can.
Hamaji: OK then… Other than all of the cleanup work, what did I miss at the festival?
Nayoko: Oh, don't think you can get out of it that easy. I have some special duties waiting for you when you get back to school.
There is general laughter from the group as the scene fades to an office. There is a lone figure sitting at a desk (seen from the back; the face cannot be seen). The person is looking over some papers when the phone rings and the figure presses a button to pick up the call on speaker phone.
Voice from phone: (Male voice) It's me.
Man at desk: I was expecting your call.
Voice from phone: You are aware of the situation?
Man at desk: Of course I am.
Voice from phone: Why was this activity authorized?
Man at desk: It was not authorized. They were specifically instructed not to engage the Vesper agents.
Voice from phone: And therefore all of our ongoing operations are in jeopardy.
Man at desk: No. At this time we have no reason to believe that their actions have jeopardized any of our current operations. As a precaution all operations are in a lockdown state until the expected Vesper investigation is complete.
Voice from phone: And the result of that investigation?
Man at desk: That they were operating independently and have no association with our organization.
Voice from phone: You are so certain that will be the case?
Man at desk: Yes I am. Vesper will not be able to draw any other conclusion.
Voice from phone: For your sake… I hope you're right. I am still concerned about losing those resources.
Man at desk: Those resources were becoming a liability.
Voice from phone: But the one is in the hands of Vesper.
Man at desk: And Vesper is about to find out how big a liability that one is.
Voice from phone: We may lose our window of opportunity.
Man at desk: We have already made plans for a second or third, if needed.
Voice from phone: Keep me informed.
Man at desk: I will.
The man at the desk presses a button on the phone to end the call. Fade to black.
Cut to mid-show break.
Scene opens showing the room 3-4 sign and then cuts to the interior of the classroom, where there are students gathered in small (and not so small groups).
Cut to a group made up of Suguru, Kiyomi, Rin, Roka, Kenta, Kioko, Kyoshi, and Sachio.
Kenta: So exactly what happened to Hamaji-kun?
Suguru: He was helping Mahoro and myself and several other people move something. We had a problem and he got in the way of something he shouldn't have and he got hurt. He had several deep cuts on his right side and arm.
Kioko: Had?
Rin: The Doctor from the Saint embassy has a device that heals wounds like that quickly. You can hardly see where they were.
Kyoshi: So why is he still in the hospital?
Rin: Because he lost a great deal of blood before the wounds were closed. He'll have to stay in the hospital until he recovers from that.
Sachio: He's lucky. He missed out on the cleanup effort after the festival.
Kiyomi: Don't count on it. Nayoko-chan has already said that she has something planned for him when he gets back to school… and she made it sound very evil.
Roka: Well it serves him right… On the other hand, where were you for the cleanup, Suguru-kun? Hmmm?
Suguru: At the hospital with Hamaji-kun.
Roka: And I'm assuming that the dragon lady has something for you to do to make up for your absence?
Suguru: Mahoro and I got to wash the pots and pans that were used for cooking for the festival. I've paid my debt to society.
Kioko: I'm glad you think so.
There is general laughter from the group.
Scene shifts to a group made up of Nayoko, Midori, Aoi and Takara.
Aoi: So you went to the hospital yesterday to see Hamaji-kun?
Nayoko: Yes. I went with Suguru-kun and Mahoro-san and the rest of the group.
Midori: You went to the hospital with them? They are a strange bunch.
Nayoko: What do you mean by that?
Midori: I mean that they're always hanging around with those people from Saint. And Suguru-kun… he's one of them. I always knew there was something odd about him.
Nayoko: (Slightly irritated) What do you mean by odd?
Midori: He's so different from the other guys. I mean he's always so polite and he doesn't hit on the girls like the other guys.
Nayoko: If that's what it means to be one of the aliens… I'll take the aliens.
Aoi: I see that Minawa-chan is among the missing again.
Nayoko: She's staying at the hospital with Hamaji-kun. I guess she's staying over night and sleeping in the other bed in the room.
Takara: (In a sarcastic tone) I bet they're sleeping in separate beds. I heard that Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun let them share a bed at their house.
Nayoko: Well, they are engaged to get married.
Aoi: Even so. If the principal ever found out about it, he'd have a fit.
Nayoko: Actually, Principal Matsuhira already knows. He didn't seem to have a fit.
Midori: Minawa-chan is still a very strange girl. She has always been strange.
Nayoko: (Voice slightly raised) Maybe it has something to do with almost dying. I wonder if the same thing happened to you, you might not be a little strange?
Nayoko turns and walks away from the group and goes to stand with Chizu, Kaito, Miyuki, Riku, Yasou, Tori, and Umeko.
Takara: What's up with her?
Aoi: Maybe the pressure is getting to her.
Midori: Or maybe she has been hanging around with them too much.
Saori quietly enters the room and takes her position at her desk.
Saori: (Voice slightly raised) If everyone would please take his or her seats.
Nayoko: (As she walks by Saori) I'm sorry Sensei. I was otherwise occupied and I did not see you enter.
Saori: (To Nayoko) That's OK. I'm in a mood to keep things informal today. (To the class) Will everyone please be seated? I have several announcements to make before we begin class. (Saori waits for the class to move to their seats) First, as most of you already know, Hamaji-kun was involved in an accident here at school on Saturday. I just spoke to the nurse who is attending to him at the hospital and she says that he is doing fine. If anyone wishes to visit, they may do so during the evening visiting hours. Nurse Hanaki does ask that you do come to the hospital, please do so in small groups but if you have any problems, have them call Nurse Hanaki and she will make sure that you can get in to see Hamaji-kun. Ryuga-sensei and I will be there after school to make sure that he and Minawa-chan do not get too far behind on their schoolwork.
The second item is that Principal Matsuhira would like to thank the class for their work during the festival and would like to reward the class with a special field trip. This would be in addition to the class trip. The class will be able to pick the destination as long as it is within reason. It will be scheduled for a long weekend, so please consider where the class would like to go.
Now, that being said, we will begin where we left off before the break for the festival. Open your books to page 163. There will be a review test this Friday and I expect no one to do poorly!
Scene fades as people open their books to the kitchen in the Vesper Lodge. Chitose and Yaeko are working on cooking lunch.
Chitose: This is quite some kitchen. Mahoro-san must have really been in her glory here.
Yaeko: Mahoro-san and Rin-chan and Minawa-chan. It was fun watching them cook. They make quite a team. When Mahoro-san gets going with her knives, you can't even see the blades, but there isn't one slice out of place. I'm actually looking forward to taking cooking class from Mahoro-san at school.
Chitose: Does that mean you don't like my cooking and you'll be taking over those duties?
Yaeko: I like your cooking. It is always very good. But learning to cook from Mahoro-san will mean that I can try different things and then I wouldn't mind helping you with the cooking.
Chitose: You'll make a good wife for some young man some day.
Yaeko: Don't get ahead of yourself, mother. First we have to get a boy to even look at me and notice that I'm a girl.
Chitose: They'll notice. Don't worry, they'll notice.
Voice of Mihoshi: Hello… Is there anyone here?
Chitose: We're in the kitchen.
After a moment, Doctor Mihoshi enters the kitchen.
Mihoshi: Ah, there you are. I'm sorry that I couldn't come and see you yesterday. Professor Hokato and I have been very busy evaluating… ahhh… what name did you give her?
Yaeko: Hana.
Mihoshi: We've been very busy evaluating Hana-chan's condition.
Yaeko: How is she? (Quietly) Will she live?
Mihoshi: Unfortunately there is very little that we can do for her here on Earth. The technology to retract the implants is just not available, but I don't think she will survive the trip to the main fleet. The hyperspace jumps will be too taxing on her system in her current condition.
Chitose: So what can be done?
Mihoshi: I am hoping to assemble the same team that did the retraction procedure on Minawa-chan and bring them to the Command ship and do the procedure there. But it will be a matter of their willingness to come and if they will be able to even do anything to help Hana-chan. The implants have done far more damage to Hana-chan than they did to Minawa-chan… but we will do what we can. The reason I came though was to talk to you and your mother about the test that I would like to do and some of its implications.
Yaeko: Eeeuu! You make this sound like it's going to involve needles… again.
Mihoshi: Unfortunately you are correct. The first test we performed let us look at your basic genetic signature. It revealed that you do indeed carry the Saint genetic signature and that one or more of your grandparents were indeed from Saint. The test that I would like to do is very similar to the test that we do to newborns to determine if they will develop their sixth sense like you have. It requires a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain.
Chitose: You're going to stick a needle into Ya-chan's head?
Mihoshi: We will put Ya-chan to sleep before we do it, but while you are asleep, you will probably have some very strange dreams or even nightmares, because your ability to block external stimuli will be completely taken away, but there is no physical pain associated with the procedure. You will just need to wear a bandage where the puncture is made for a few days.
Yaeko: If that's all it is, I guess I can bear that.
Mihoshi: There is one other implication. As part of the process, we will run the sample against the Saint database. It is more than likely we will be able to determine who your grandparents are, since it could only be one of eighteen people.
Yaeko: Eighteen… I don't understand.
Mihoshi: It had to be from the crew of Commander Leesha's ship… and actually, since Commander Leesha confirmed that it could not have been any of the female crew members, it would have to be one of the twelve male crew members that is your grandfather.
Yaeko: (Looking at Chitose, who seems in a state of shock) Mother, this would affect you as much as it would affect me.
Chitose: When I first met your father, he didn't even have a surname. The people at the orphanage had named your father Luke, but they did not give him a surname. He was just called Luke. When we married, he took my surname. I think there were times when he envied me, because I had a family. He often felt bad that he could not introduce me to his father and mother.
Yaeko: If there is any chance of it, I would like to meet my father's parents.
Mihoshi: I would like to schedule the test for tomorrow morning, so you can only have a light dinner tonight and nothing else after that except for water. Someone will come to get you early tomorrow morning and you should be back here by lunchtime.
Yaeko: (After a moment of reflection) I guess that will be fine. I was just thinking… Doctor Mihoshi, it's true that among the Saint people you don't use surnames?
Mihoshi: The population is small enough on each ship that it really isn't necessary. At worst, a person might use the title "son of" or "daughter of".
Yaeko: It just seems like a very odd coincidence that the people at the orphanage did not assign my father a surname.
Mihoshi: Very strange indeed.
Chitose: Doctor Mihoshi, would you like to stay and have lunch with us?
Mihoshi: I would be delighted.
Scene shifts to show the sign for room 3-4 and then shifts inside the room as the bell rings indicating the end of the school day. Remaining in the room are Suguru, Miyuki, Riku, Chizu, Kaito, Rin, Kiyomi and still sitting in her chair, Nayoko.
Rin: Kiyomi and I need to get going. With the festival over, Mr. Kawahara is expecting a full effort from us.
Miyuki: Did your father enjoy coming to the festival, Kiyomi-kun?
Kiyomi: Yes he did. I guess it was quite different when he went to school. He said that he never would have expected something so elaborate from junior high school students. I think he was honestly impressed.
Rin: If we don't get going, he is likely to make an impression on us… (tugging on Kiyomi's arm) and we still have homework to do.
Suguru: I will see you tomorrow then.
Rin: (As Rin and Kiyomi exit the room) We will see everyone tomorrow.
Miyuki: Riku and I have to be going also. My dad has to repair some of the plumbing again and he would like Riku to help. And I'm sure Natsune-chan will be loaded down with homework.
Suguru: How is the truce holding up?
Riku: With the festival, things were a little tense, because Akine-chan and Harune-chan had to pick up the slack when Miyuki and Natsune-chan were at school, but now that it's over, things can get back to normal.
Chizu: I can't imagine your house being quiet during dinnertime. It's unnatural.
Miyuki: I know. Some of the neighbors actually came over to make sure that we hadn't moved. Well, I will see you all tomorrow.
Riku: I will have dinner with Miyuki and then we'll work on our homework. I'll be home after that.
Suguru: No problem. I'll let Mahoro know.
Miyuki and Riku exit the room.
Chizu: Suguru-kun, were you planning to go see Hamaji-kun tonight?
Suguru: Mahoro and I had not actually talked about it, but I though that we might go after dinner.
Kaito: Chizu and I were planning on visiting also.
Suguru: Well, then, we'll probably see you at the hospital.
Chizu: I need to go check in with my aunt. My parents are away again, so she is staying at the house. She'll probably order take out for tonight. She really hates to cook.
Suguru: Why don't you come and have dinner with us Chizu-chan?
Kaito: I'm sure Chizu was just waiting for you to ask, Suguru-kun.
Chizu: (Hitting Kaito on the arm) That wasn't very nice. (Enthusiastically) Would it be all right?
Suguru: (Broadly smiling) Of course. Mahoro always enjoys having you over for dinner. Plus, even when it's just Mahoro and me, she still cooks for six. Then after dinner, we can all go to the hospital together.
Chizu: I'll go check in with my aunt and let her know what's happening and then I'll see you after that. Come on Kaito. Maybe we can get all of our homework done before dinner.
Kaito: I guess I'm going with Chizu. I'll see you at dinnertime.
Chizu and Kaito exit the room, leaving Suguru to pack up his books into his backpack and Nayoko still sitting at her desk. Suguru finishes packing, turns to leave, and sees Nayoko.
Suguru: Oh! I didn't realize that you were still here. Are you all right?
Nayoko: Ummm… I was wondering… ahhh… if I could talk to you about some things.
Suguru: Sure. Would you like to talk here?
Nayoko: No… actually… I was wondering if I could walk with you.
Suguru: Of course. How would you like to come over for dinner?
Nayoko: I don't want to intrude…
Suguru: It wouldn't be an intrusion. You're always welcome to stop by.
Nayoko: Thank… Thank you.
Suguru: Do you need to check in first and let your aunt know that you'll be eating dinner out?
Nayoko: No. My aunt is working tonight, so there won't be anybody at home.
Suguru: All the more reason for you to have dinner with us. We can walk and talk at the some time.
Nayoko gathers up her books and she and Suguru exit the room, walking side by side.
Nayoko: You're little family is very nice. Everyone is so close to each other.
Suguru: I've known Rin-chan and Miyuki-chan and Chizu-chan and Hamaji-kun and Kiyomi-kun since I started school… and Miyuki-chan even before that. They supported me when my parents died.
Nayoko: You said that you lived alone for quite some time.
Suguru: My mother died in a car accident when I was very young and my father died a bit more than five years ago. I lived alone for nearly four years until Mahoro came to live with me. And even before my father died, he was away much of the time. Miyuki-chan and Rin-chan and Chizu-chan and Hamaji-kun and Kiyomi-kun really became all of the family I had.
Nayoko: My mom and dad are divorced and are away on business most of the time, so I live with my aunt. My father works in Europe and hasn't been home in more than a year and a half. My mother works in the United States. She hasn't been home since Christmas and somehow I don't think she will make it home this year.
Suguru: That's sad.
Nayoko: In many ways it's kind of a blessing. My parents fought constantly before the divorce. Even afterwards, they were quite bitter and not very pleasant to live with.
Suguru: So you live with your aunt?
Nayoko: This is a little difficult to explain, but actually my aunt lives with me. When my parents could not decide who should get the house, the magistrate assigned the house to me and my parents have visiting rights, which they hardly ever use.
Suguru: So it's just you and your aunt?
Nayoko: Not even that really. My aunt usually works nights and when she isn't working; she's out with her boy friend. I think if my aunt had the chance to do it, she would move out and in with her boy friend. He's kind of a strange one and I told my aunt that I didn't want him staying overnight in the house.
Nayoko and Suguru reach the entrance to the school and begin waking across the schoolyard toward the front gate.
Nayoko: And the last two weeks have been very difficult with the Cultural Festival and everything else that has been happening. (Taking a deep breath) I'm not sure how many friends I made. I was really being obnoxious.
Suguru: There were a couple of times you really went a bit overboard.
Nayoko: You're being far too polite. But it's difficult. I've never really been able to depend on anybody else. I've certainly never been able to depend on my parents. At least when I'm in control of a situation, I feel that it will get done.
Suguru: Learning to allow yourself to depend on other people is very difficult… especially when you've had only yourself to depend on for such a long time. But that is where Kiyomi-kun and Rin-chan and Miyuki-chan and Hamaji-kun and Chizu-chan… and especially Mahoro come in. They've been there when I've needed them… (quiet laugh) even when I don't realize it. If you need something… anything… even if it's just a shoulder to cry on, we're here. No one will turn you away.
Nayoko: Thank you… I'm not going to cause a problem between you and Mahoro-san by talking with you, am I?
Suguru: Not at all. Let's go. We can get our homework done before dinner, then you can come to the hospital with us to see Hamaji-kun, if you like.
Nayoko: Yes, I think I would like that.
Nayoko and Suguru reach the gate and turn down the street to walk to Suguru's house. Scene pans back toward the school and zooms in on a solitary figure standing next to the school building, but away from the door.
Midori: What is that girl thinking?
Cut to closing theme
Preview:
Preview opens with Mahoro and Suguru standing behind a microphone, holding scripts. Scene shifts to Deputy Commander Gunji Yoshihiko and Takanori Kanzaki exiting a car and walking toward the entrance of a somewhat plain brick building. Scene shifts to show a sign that reads "Saint Anthony Home for Children". Scene shifts to show a sketch of a person who looks very much like Suguru. Scene shifts to show Yaeko, Chitose and Professor Hokato talking and then shifts to Yaeko sitting in a chair next to Cyborg 117 (Hana). Scene shifts to the Hamaji's hospital room, where Hamaji is sitting up in his bed and Minawa (with a big beaming smile) is standing next to him.
Voice Over
Voice of Mahoro: Suguru, why are we doing the preview for the next episode? We hardly ever get the chance to do the preview.
Voice of Suguru: I think it's because we have the next episode off.
Voice of Mahoro: We have the next episode off. Why is that?
Voice of Suguru: I think Deputy Commander Yoshihiko and Kanzaki-san are trying to find information about Ya-chan's father.
Voice of Mahoro: Look Suguru, someone drew a very nice picture of you.
Voice of Suguru: It looks like Ya-chan is feeling better.
Voice of Mahoro: Yes she does. I wonder why she is talking with Cyborg 117. It looks as if they have her sedated.
Voice of Suguru: And Hamaji-kun is definitely looking better. They've taken out the IV.
Voice of Mahoro: That means he'll be able to chase after Minawa-chan now.
Voice of Suguru: I'm not sure who will be chasing whom.
Voice of Mahoro: (Seductively) Suguru, if we aren't in the next episode, would you like to spend some quality time together?
Voice of Suguru: And what exactly did you have in mind?
Voice of Mahoro: I don't know, but I'm sure we could come up with something.
Voice of Suguru: Mahoro! Stop that! It tickles.
Episode 12: Investigation
