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 51: The Best Laid Plans
Show opens with the regular opening theme.
Scene opens with Takumi sleeping (on his side) on a futon under covers. He is smiling and quietly saying "Ta… Tani-chan" in his sleep. Tani enters the scene wearing a robe that is loosely tied around her waste. She kneels down in front of Takumi and gently places her hand on Takumi's shoulder.
Tani: (Shaking Takumi gently) Takumi-kun… Takumi-kun… it's time to wake up. Nayoko-san is making breakfast. (Shaking him again) Takumi-kun… it's time to wake up.
Takumi: (Eyes flutter open) Tani… Tani-chan?
Tani: Wake up Takumi-kun. Breakfast will be ready in about a half hour. Nayoko-san sent me in to wake you up.
Takumi: (Rolls to his back) What… what time is it?
Tani: It's almost nine. Everyone slept in this morning.
Takumi: How late were we up last night?
Tani: You mean this morning. The movie we were watching didn't end until two.
Takumi: No wonder I'm so sleepy. (Takumi look over at the empty futon next to him) Where's your brother?
Tani: He's helping Nayoko-san make breakfast. I hope Nayoko-san is doing most of the cooking. I'm not sure I'd like to eat anything my brother cooked (Pause; softly) Takumi-kun, were you dreaming about me?
Takumi: What… what do you mean?
Tani: When I came in… I heard you call my name. I was wondering… were you dreaming about me? (Takumi blushes) You were dreaming about me, weren't you?
Takumi: (Blushing brighter) I… I…
Tani: Were you dreaming about us doing something really naughty together?
Takumi: I… ahhh…
Tani: I bet you were dreaming about playing with my boobs, weren't you? You like looking at my boobs. Would you like to touch them? (Tani unfastens the sash on her robe and lets her robe fall open) I'd really like you to touch them.
Takumi: Ta…Tani-chan…
Tani: (Reaching for Takumi's hand and placing it on her right breast) How does that feel? Does my boob feel nice? It really feels nice when to touch it like that. It makes me feel warm all over.
Takumi: (Takumi sits up and places his other hand on Tani's left breast) Tani-chan…
Tani: Please Takumi-kun… please rub them. Takumi-kun, it feels so nice when you rub my boobs like that. Please Takumi, I want you to rub me. (Tani takes Takumi's hand from her right breast and guides it down her body) Please, Takumi-kun, I want you to rub me down here. Oh! Takumi-kun… Takumi-kun… It's time to wake up…
Scene shifts to Takumi sitting upright with Tani sitting next to him on the floor. He is on the floor in Nayoko's living room with a couch behind him. He is fully dressed; wearing the same clothing he wore the previous night. Tani is wearing a tee shit and jeans.
Tani: Takumi-kun, are you all right?
Takumi: Wha… Where?
Tani: It's OK. You're in Nayoko-san's living room. You fell asleep during the movie we were watching and we couldn't wake you up. I don't blame you. It was a lousy movie. So we put some blankets on you so you wouldn't get cold. But it's almost nine and breakfast is almost ready. (Pause) Takumi-kun, are you all right?
Takumi: I… I'm fine. I guess I'm achy from sleeping on the floor.
Tani: Takumi-kun, were you dreaming about me?
Takumi: Wha… what do you mean?
Tani: When I was trying to wake you, you were saying my name. Were you dreaming about me?
Takumi: (Blushing brightly) I… sort of… was dreaming … and you were… were in… my dream.
Tani: (Blushing) So your dream was… was kind of… of naughty?
Takumi: (Bowing his head) I'm sorry.
Tani: (Softly) Don't be sorry. I had a dream about you… and it was kind of naughty too.
Tani gives Takumi a kiss on the cheek as the scene fades to Suguru and Kiyoshi sitting in the hot string.
Kiyoshi: Does Mahoro cook like that for you at home?
Suguru: Sometimes… when she gets flustered about something… or when she's trying out a new recipe and wants my opinion about what seasoning I like the best… or when she's expecting everyone to be home and it turns out that it's just Mahoro and me. But that doesn't happen very often any more, otherwise I'd be as big as a blimp.
Kiyoshi: I am stuffed. I couldn't eat any more if I tried.
Suguru: I'm sure Mahoro will make something lighter for lunch.
Kiyoshi: Lunch! I think I ate enough to last me till dinner… tomorrow. (Pause) Do you have any idea when they'll be back?
Suguru: Not really. Mahoro wasn't sure about what kind of tests were going to be done today. And Mahoro wasn't sure if they would start the tests before everyone was here.
Kiyoshi: (After a long pause) (Sullenly) So it looks like it's going to be just the two of us for a while.
Suguru: Sorry…
Kiyoshi: I didn't mean it like that, but I hoped that Kanoko-chan and I could spend some time together today before everyone else arrived.
Suguru: It really wouldn't be a problem if you and Kanoko-san shared a room. I don't think anyone would object.
Kiyoshi: I'm not so sure. Other than Mahoro-san, Kanoko-chan's sisters haven't completely accepted the fact that Kanoko-chan and I are really in love with each other… especially Nekoto-san.
Suguru: I don't think it's a matter of acceptance. I think it's more that they don't understand how you and Kanoko-san feel about each other. Mahoro didn't understand her feelings at first… but then again, neither did I. Give them some time. They'll understand, especially when they find someone special.
Kiyoshi: How old did you say you were?
Suguru: Uhhh… sixteen… Why do you ask?
Kiyoshi: (Shaking his head) You should have your own advice show on the radio.
Suguru: (Puzzled) What do you mean?
Kyoshi: You sound more grown up than most of the people my age.
Suguru: Mahoro will tell you in no uncertain terms that I'm still a sixteen year old.
Voice of Nekoto: (Off scene) E…. excuse me.
Suguru and Kiyoshi startle at the sound of Nekoto's voice.
Suguru: (Startled) Nekoto-san?
Scene shifts to show the doorway from the lodge to the porch area. Nekoto is peeking out the doorway.
Voice of Nekoto: I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you.
Scene shifts to Suguru and Kyoshi in the hot string.
Suguru: We weren't expecting anyone back so soon.
Voice of Nekoto: They did my pre-tests first so I asked if I could come back to the lodge. I was wondering if I could talk with you and Kiyoshi-san.
Suguru and Kiyoshi look at each other.
Suguru: Right now might not be the best time, but if you'd like to talk, give us a chance to put our robes on.
Voice of Nekoto: That… that really isn't necessary. In… in fact I was hoping… that… that you might let me join you.
Suguru and Kiyoshi look at each other again
Kiyoshi: (To Suguru) It's fine with me.
Suguru: (To Nekoto) It's all right with us. If you'd like, we can turn our backs until you get into the hot spring.
Voice of Nekoto: Do you do that when Mahoro-chan and Kanoko-chan get into the spring with you?
Suguru: Not usually.
Voice of Nekoto: Then… then I guess I'd like you to do the same as you do when they join you in the spring.
Suguru: If that's what you'd like what you'd like us to do
Scene shifts to show the doorway from the lodge to the porch area.
Voice of Nekoto: I… I'm coming out now.
Nekoto timidly steps out from the lodge to the porch. She is wearing a blue robe and is carrying a towel and a washcloth and is blushing brightly. She walks from the door to the shower area and turns her back to Suguru and Kiyoshi. She sets her towel and washcloth on a table by the shower and she removes her robe, hanging it on a peg next to Suguru's robe. Keeping her back to the hot spring, she turns on the shower and rinses herself. Scene shifts to Suguru and Kiyoshi watching from the hot spring. Scene shifts back to Nekoto as she turns off the shower. She retrieves the towel from the table, drapes the end of the towel over her left arm and holds it up against her body to cover her breasts. She takes the washcloth in her right hand and holds it to cover her private area. She takes a deep breath and after a moments pause turns and begins to walk to the hot spring.
The scene shifts to show Suguru and Kiyoshi in the spring. View zooms out to show Nekoto (her back) enter the scene. She stops by a rock (which is to her left) where Suguru and Kiyoshi have deposited their towels and hesitantly moves to place the towel on the rock with the other towels. Nekoto pauses).
Nekoto: P… please don't stare.
Suguru: Kiyoshi-san and I can turn and face away until you get into the spring.
Nekoto: No… no… Don't to do that.
Nekoto takes the towel and bending slightly places it on the rock with the other towels, being careful to leave the washcloth in place. Nekoto walks to the edge of the hot spring pool and steps into the water. She proceeds until the water is over her waste, then stops to look for a place to sit.
Suguru: (Indicating a spot about two meters away from where Suguru is sitting) There's a good spot to sit there.
Nekoto: Thank you, Suguru-san.
Nekoto moves to the indicated spot and with her left hand feels for a place to sit. After several seconds she finds a place and sits. The water comes up almost to the top of her breasts. She takes the washcloth that is in her right hand, folds it and places it on top of her head. She adjusts herself for a moment but still looks uncomfortable.
Kiyoshi: Are you all right?
Nekoto: I… I'm fine. (Pause; Head bowed looking slightly away from Suguru and Kiyoshi) I… I'm sorry to impose on you like this, but I really would like to thank you for what you did last night. I feel bad that you gave up your chance to spend time with Mahoro-chan and Kanoko-chan so I could have time with them.
Kiyoshi: It isn't a problem. Kanoko-chan and I will have other chances this week.
Nekoto fidgets trying to lower herself in the water.
Suguru: Nekoto-san, are you sure you wouldn't be more comfortable if we all got dressed and talked inside?
Nekoto: I… No… I really… I… ahhh… (Closes her eyes and takes a breath. She opens her eyes and sits upright) I really need to be able to do this, Suguru-san. This afternoon Tau-san and Ogitsu-san will be arriving. It would be terribly unfair to ask all of you to forgo using the hot spring just because of… my issues. (Pause) And don't say that wouldn't happen. You've already shown me far more patience than I deserve. (Pause) Mahoro-chan said that I might be able to talk with you about… about what's bothering me.
Kiyoshi: I guess I feel honored that Mahoro-san would think that highly of me… but I don't understand how I could be of any help. I'm not sure I understand what the problem is that Mahoro-san thinks I can help you with.
Nekoto: (Blushing) I… ahhh… I had something happen… and well…
Suguru: Nekoto-san had a bad experience when she first starting working at the Sakura Baths. It seems that she mistakenly walked into the men's dressing room and there was a gentleman who was… doing something very ungentlemanly.
Kiyoshi: (Shudders) Oh…
Nekoto: Mahoro-chan thought that it would help if I could talk to someone like you or Kiyoshi-san.
Suguru: Nekoto-san… If you're willing to talk, I'm willing to listen.
Zoom in on Nekoto to show a tense smile on her face. Scene fades to Natsune and Yukio walking side by side. Yukio is carrying an overnight bag.
Yukio: Are you sure parents won't mind?
Natsune: I don't think so. It's not like we'll be sleeping in the same bedroom. I think that once Nekoto-san moves out of the guest room, Riku-kun may be moving in. (Pause) I wonder what happened last night that Leesha-san and your dad think it would be a good idea for you to stay at my house for the rest of the week.
Yukio: Leesha-san and my dad weren't very clear about that, were they?
Natsune: Not really, but it sounds like your mother wants my parents to sign a marriage contract again.
Yukio: That's what it sounds like, but I don't understand how staying at your house for the rest of the week will help.
Natsune: I don't understand either.
Yukio: So what are your plans for today?
Natsune: My sisters and I have work to do. With Nekoto-san away for the week, we have to do the jobs that she's been doing.
Yukio: Is there anything I can do to help?
Natsune: Don't make an offer like that unless you really mean it. There's always plenty to do. I've got the laundry detail. There are a couple of baskets of towels to wash, dry and fold… And once that's done, I have to work the front desk until dinnertime.
Yukio: If you show me what to do, I'll help with the laundry.
Natsune: (Smiling) Are you looking for some husband training?
Yukio: No… but I'd rather be helping you than sitting around doing nothing. (Pause) Do you have to work tonight?
Natsune: My dad will work the desk tonight and Miyuki and Riku-kun will help. I don't really have anything to do tonight.
Yukio: Would you like to go and see a movie tonight?
Natsune: (Pause) You mean like a date?
Yukio: Yeah… I guess it would be like a date.
Natsune: S… sure… I'd like to see a movie with you tonight. Did you have any movie in particular in mind?
Yukio: Not really. I don't know much about movies… I figured you would know a good movie to watch.
Natsune: There's no guarantee that you'll like a movie that I like… Are you asking me out on a date to convince your mother that she doesn't need to bother my parents about a marriage contract?
Yukio: That's not it at all. I'm asking you to go out with me… because I like being with you… because I really do like you. (Yukio takes hold of Natsune's hand) Natsune-chan, I really do love you.
Scene fades to Takara sitting at one of the tables in the student block galley. There is an empty teacup on the table in front of her. Roka enters after several seconds.
Roka: I'm sorry I took so long. Are you ready to go see Hana-chan?
Takara: (Standing; Takara picks up the teacup) I'm ready. I'm sorry about spilling the tea on you.
Roka: It was an accident… and if Midori-chan hadn't been acting so stupid, it would have never happened… Speaking of which, where is Midori-chan and everyone else?
Takara: They decided it would be a good time to take Umeko-chan up to the observation deck.
Roka: I thought we were all going to go tonight.
Takara: Midori-chan decided…
Roka: I understand. Are you ready to go?
Takara: (As Takara walks to the entrance to the kitchen area) Let me take care of my teacup.
Roka: Is there anything for us to take for Hana-chan?
Takara: (Takara leaves her teacup on counter inside the door and retrieves a bento at the same time) I put together a bento for Hana-chan, Doctor Kasumi and us.
Roka: So we're going back to the green space on level twenty-seven?
Takara: Hana-chan seems to like it there and this time of day there won't be very many people there. (Pause) Roka-kun, do you think we're actually dating?
Roka: Well… it's not like there is actually someplace to go, like a movie or a restaurant, that you could call a date, but…
Takara: But we do spend a lot of time together.
Roka: Does it bother you when people say that we're dating?
Takara: It's not the dating part. But when they say that we're dating they think that there's more going on than us spending time together talking.
Roka: You mean when Midori-chan says that we're dating. If Midori-chan wants to get her jollies fantasizing that there's more going on than us being together and talking, that's her problem. I'm perfectly happy with the way our relationship is at the moment.
Takara: But someday you'd like things to… to… change?
Roka: Takara-chan, I like spending time with you. I like that you and I can talk about things that we could never talk to anyone else about. Yes, I think you are beautiful, but that isn't as important as the fact that you are my friend. Would I like things to change? Yes I would, but only when both of us are ready for that kind of change.
Takara sets the bento on the table next to her and takes hold of Roka's hands.
Takara: Roka-kun, in some ways I think I'm ready to see some of those changes happen. I've never held hands with a man without feeling dirty. I've never been touched by a man without feeling violated… I don't feel that way with you. When you hold my hands, I feel safe… and when you touch me… I feel special. (Long pause) Ro… Roka-kun, do you remember when Hana-chan said that we needed to be more honest about the way we felt about each other… Roka-kun… I love you.
Takara puts her arms around a very surprised Roka and kisses him as the scene fades to the interior of Yaeko and Shiori's dorm room. Mai and Usagi are lying on one bed. Shiori is lying on the other under the covers. Shiori turns her head to look at the other bed.
Shiori: Are you two awake?
Mai: I think so.
Usagi: Do we have to be?
Shiori: I guess not… unless you want something to eat… (Shiori looks over at the clock on the desk; View shifts to show the digital clock, slightly out of focus, displaying a time of 11:33; View shifts back to show Shiori, Mai and Usagi) … for lunch.
Usagi: How can you think about eating? My head feels like it's going to split wide open.
Shiori: So does mine. (View shifts to show Shiori's back with Mai and Usagi beyond her as she sits up in bed. Shiori is naked) But it usually feels better after I've had something to eat and drink.
Usagi: Just the mention of food makes my stomach feel… feel…
Shiori: If you're going to do that, use the bathroom.
Mai: Shiori-chan, where is Ya-chan?
Shiori: She's probably getting her shower. Ya-chan was up about an hour ago.
Mai: I wonder how Ya-chan feels this morning?
Shiori: She doesn't get hangovers because she's part Saint, so she's probably feeling all right.
Usagi: Do you and Ya-chan always sleep that way?
Shiori: Do you mean naked or in the same bed together?
Usagi: I guess both…
Shiori: I've slept without nightclothes for as long as I can remember. Ya-chan and I usually sleep naked except when we have to wear something. As for sleeping together… we've been doing that for a while.
Mai: (Slightly disappointed) So you and Ya-chan really are lovers…
Shiori: Ya-chan and I are in love with each other. She's always been there when I needed her support… and I try to help her when she needs support. But it's not like every night is a sex orgy. We like being close to each other.
Mai: (Weak smile) It must be nice being that close to someone you really like.
Usagi: (After a tense silence) So, what are we going to do today, other than suffer with our hangovers?
Shiori: Apparently one of the university dining halls is open all week for lunch until one, so we can go there to get something to eat and we can make plans from there.
The door to the room opens and Yaeko enters (wearing a robe), closing the door behind her.
Yaeko: I'm glad to see you all survived.
Shiori: Very funny. Just because you don't feel like crap is no reason for you to be so cruel to the rest of us who do.
Mai: You really don't have a hangover after all we drank last night?
Yaeko: No… Being part Saint spares me from that… but it makes up for it in other ways. (Pause) If you want to get something to eat, you better get cleaned up and dressed.
Shiori: Anyone else around?
Yaeko: Kimiko-chan already left for work. She said that Bridget-chan and Maria-chan wandered in about eight this morning. Otherwise it's quiet. Any ideas on what to do today?
Shiori: I figured we could talk about that at lunch.
Yaeko: Then get your butts in gear. There's plenty of hot water since there's hardly anyone in the building… but if you don't hurry up, the only option will be for us to eat at my mother's restaurant… and I don't want to set foot in there until I have to on Monday.
Cut to the mid show break.
Scene opens to the interior of Mahoro and Suguru's room at the lodge. Suguru (wearing a robe) is standing next to Mahoro, helping her put on her robe.
Mahoro: I'm glad that you and Kiyoshi-san and Nekoto-chan had a chance to talk. I hadn't realized there was more to the story than she told me.
Suguru: She was too embarrassed to tell you everything that happened.
Mahoro: So it wasn't an accident when she walked into the locker room.
Suguru: Well, in a way it was still an accident. Nekoto-chan had been covering the desk for Uncle Sakura when the man came in. He and Nekoto-chan talked for a while before he went into the locker room and he was very friendly to Nekoto-chan. Uncle Sakura came back and Nekoto-chan went back to work cleaning up in the family bath when she heard the man calling her name. She said that he didn't sound well and she thought that he might be is some kind of distress, so she went into the men's locker room from the family bath and found him… doing what he was doing.
Mahoro: But she didn't leave?
Suguru: No. He didn't stop even though Nekoto-chan was standing in clear sight of him, but Nekoto-chan said that she couldn't leave. She just stood there watching him until… until… (Blush; Pause) Well, that was what embarrassed her more than anything else. She said that watching him made her feel strange inside of her, so she thought there was something wrong with her. She thought that the same thing might happen again.
Mahoro: So what did you tell her?
Suguru: (Blushing brightly) She asked if it was normal for men to… do things like that? Kiyoshi-san and I told her that it was normal, although Kiyoshi-san did point out that it was completely inappropriate for him to be doing that in the locker room. We talked about some other things, like my relationship with you and Kiyoshi's with Kanoko-san. Did you know that Kiyoshi-san has never seen Kanoko-san without her clothing off?
Mahoro: I can believe that. Kiyoshi-san did say that he does come from a very traditional family.
Suguru: He's never been to a mixed bath before, so seeing Nekoto-chan without her clothes was a shock to him.
Mahoro: For someone who tried to feel up my sister on their very first date, he seems rather inexperienced.
Suguru: Kiyoshi-san explained to me how that happened.
Mahoro: Don't tell me that was an accident.
Suguru: No, it was quite deliberate. He did it on a dare from one of his co-workers at the hospital. Five or six other guys asked Kanoko-san to go out on a date with them, but Kiyoshi-san was the only one who she said yes to. His co-workers said that it was a sign that Kanoko-san would let him get away with him being more… aggressive.
Mahoro: And he ended up having his fingers broken for it.
Suguru: And he ended up getting engaged to the person who broke his fingers. I'm glad I didn't have to get my fingers broken to get engaged to you.
Mahoro: That's because you didn't try to feel me up on our first date.
Suguru: No I don't think that happened until we were sharing a bed. (Pause) I don't believe we're having a conversation like this. Are you sure you haven't been into Saori-sensei's stash of beer and sake?
Mahoro: I haven't had anything… yet.
Suguru: Yet…
Mahoro: It isn't a problem if I join Saori and Ryuga in having something to drink?
Suguru: No, it's not a problem. I may join you. How much beer and sake did Saori-sensei and Ryuga-sensei bring?
Mahoro: Sera-san says that it's what's left over from their wedding. They were storing it on the ship, but Sera-san says that it's taking up too much space, so she sent it down and told them that they couldn't bring it back to the ship. There are at least three cases of sake and about ten cases of beer… and some other beverages from the wedding.
Suguru: All with high alcohol content, I'll assume.
Mahoro: That's probably a good assumption. Ah! Did you get to see Commander Hayato?
Suguru: I went to see him last night when you were in the hot spring with Kanoko-san and Nekoto-chan. I didn't expect him to be in, but he was still working on some things for the trade treaty with Saint.
Mahoro: What exactly did you have to ask him about?
Suguru: Miyuki-chan wanted me to ask if it was still really necessary for Nekoto-chan to stay at her house.
Mahoro: So that Riku-kun can move into the guest room?
Suguru: That's the basic idea. Miyuki-chan thought that if Riku-kun moved into the guest room at her house, Nekoto-chan could move into the guest room at our house.
Mahoro: I could have found that out for you.
Suguru: Miyuki-chan didn't want to make a big thing about it if the Commander still wanted Nekoto-chan to stay at her house… and she didn't want to make Nekoto-chan feel like she wasn't welcome.
Mahoro: So what did Commander Hayato say?
Suguru: He said that at the moment he couldn't think of any real reason why Nekoto-chan needed to stay at the Sakura's. Now it becomes a matter of talking to Nekoto-chan about it.
Mahoro: And you'd like me to do that?
Suguru: If you could?
Mahoro: I'll talk to Nekoto-chan about it tomorrow. I'm sure she won't have a problem with it. (Pause) So are we going to stand here all night and talk, or are we going to go and soak in the hot spring?
Suguru: If those are my choices, I vote for the hot spring. If we're going to stay here all night, I don't want to do it standing.
Mahoro: I didn't think so.
The scene fades as Mahoro and Suguru open the sliding glass door to the porch and exit to Hamaji entering the front door of his house.
Hamaji: (Calling out) Mom, I'm home!
Voice of Megumi Hamaguchi: (Calling out) I'm in the kitchen!
Hamaji slips off his shoes and places their designated place and puts on his slippers. He walks through the house toward the kitchen looking around as he walks. Scene shifts to show Mrs. (Megumi) Hamaguchi in the kitchen at the stove stirring the contents of a pot on the stove as Hamaji enters. Hamaji walk up to his mother and leans in to kiss her on the cheek.
Megumi looks very much nine months pregnant with her apron showing a definitive bulge.
Hamaji: How are you feeling? Should you really be cooking?
Megumi: I feel fine… and who else would be doing the cooking? You? I don't think so.
Hamaji: I'm not that bad of a cook… Mahoro-san showed me how to make some things and Mi-chan and I have been doing some cooking together.
Megumi: I'm feeling well enough to cook. Where have you been all day?
Hamaji: Mi-chan got a call from Suguru-kun this morning. He's planning to throw a surprise birthday party for Mahoro-san on Sunday when they get back from the Vesper lodge. He asked Mi-chan and me to start organizing things for the party. We stopped by to see Rin-chan and Kiyomi-kun and at the baths to talk with Miyuki-chan and Riku-kun. Chizu-chan and Kaito-kun were there too. Everyone is going to work on some part of the party preparation. Somehow I have to get in contact with the rest of our class to invite them to the party.
Megumi: It sounds like a bigger project than you can handle on your own.
Hamaji: The people from Vesper are going to help us too.
Megumi: So where is Minawa-chan?
Hamaji: She'll be here in about an hour. She stopped by the house to take inventory of what we'll need to purchase. Where's dad?
Megumi: (Nonchalantly) On his way to the Saint Command Ship.
Hamaji (Takes a moment to absorb what his mother has just said) WHAT!
Megumi: He and a few members of the survey team are on a shuttle to the Command Ship.
Hamaji: Why? I thought dad didn't have to do any traveling until after you had the baby.
Megumi: Apparently they're bringing some new samples to the Command Ship for the survey team to study rather than having your father have to go back to Silvaplanna.
Hamaji: Couldn't they bring the samples here to Earth?
Megumi: They don't want to risk the chance of any cross contamination. They aren't even going to take the samples off of the transport they're being delivered on. It will only be a few days. Your dad will be back by Sunday afternoon. Don't worry. Everything will be fine.
Scene fades to the common room of Shiori and Yaeko's dorm suite. Sitting on the floor in a circle are Shiori, Yaeko, Mai, Usagi, Kimiko, Bridget and Maria. Kimiko is shuffling a deck of cards. There are bags of snacks all around and three full bottles of liquor in the middle of the circle.
Usagi: Are you really sure you want to do this again? My head still hurts from last night's hangover.
Bridget: There's a saying in Ireland that the best way to prevent a hangover is to not stop drinking.
Shiori: I like that saying.
Yaeko: You would.
Bridget: So what do you have to drink?
Kimiko: I got another bottle of the same thing we drink last night… Whatever it's called.
Maria: (In English) That's So Co.
Shiori: Huh?
Maria: (In Japanese; Slowly) Southern Comfort. "So Co" for short.
Shiori: "So Co"… That's a lot easier to pronounce, isn't it Mai-chan.
Mai scowls at Shiori.
Kimiko: (To Shiori) Apparently your sister is the only person who buys it and Kiyomi-kun's dad had to order twelve cases of it to get it for the wedding and they're stuck with eight cases of it, so Kiyomi-kun's father doesn't mind if a bottle occasionally breaks. (To everyone) Rin-chan says that the bottle that was left over from last night tastes like mint. She and her mother got drunk on it at Rin-chan's birthday party.
Shiori: I recognize that other bottle. Cho-chan and Tachibana-chan had that when we were at the lodge after graduation. It kind of tastes like black licorice candy.
Bridget: I'm not crazy about black licorice, but I don't think I'll care after we finish off the other two bottles.
Kimiko: It sounds like you've had some drinking experience.
Bridget: I can't remember ever eating a meal without beer, until I came to Japan.
Mai: How long have you lived in Japan?
Bridget: Seven years now, although I've been back to Ireland a few times now. I may get to go back for all of summer break. I'll get to have some real beer and some real Irish whiskey.
Shiori: (Indignant) We have real beer here.
Bridget: Ah, but nothing like Guinness. Now that's real beer. Dark, thick and just the right amount of bitter. A pint of Guinness is a meal in itself.
Shiori: It sounds interesting. I wouldn't mind giving it a try.
Bridget: I know Guinness is exported all over the world, but my father hasn't been able to find a reliable source here in Japan.
Kimiko: I'll talk to Mr. Kawahara when he and his wife get back from vacation. He might be able to get it for you since he doesn't seem to have a problem getting some of the things Shiori-chan's sister drinks.
Bridget: If he could do that, he would be my father's hero… forever… and there wouldn't be a reason for me to go back to Ireland for the summer.
Usagi: Maria-chan, how long have you lived in Japan?
Maria is spaced out trying her best to understand the conversation going on around her.
Maria: (Startled) I… ahhh… I… (Pauses to gain her composers and then begins to speak in "mechanical" textbook Japanese) I lived in Japan for less than a year.
Usagi looks at Maria, not quite understanding what she has said. Bridget begins to say something, but Maria cuts her off.
Maria: (In English) I need to be able to do this myself. (Pause; In Japanese) I am living in Japan for less than a year. (Pause; then slowly in Japanese) If I can think about what I am going to say… I can usually say it correctly.
Usagi: That wasn't bad.
Maria: (Slowly) Thank you… I speak Spanish better than I can speak English, and I speak English far better than I can speak Japanese.
Shiori: So let's get to the reason we're here tonight. What is this card game and why do we need it to drink?
Kimiko: We don't need it to drink, but it adds a little more fun to the drinking rather than just passing the bottle around until everyone is unconscious.
Shiori: So what's wrong with that?
Bridget: Nothing. That's what happens back home in Ireland all the time. But I like playing drinking games, and since we don't have a dartboard… How do we play?
Kimiko: (Kimiko begins to deal the cards as she speaks) I deal five cards to everyone and then I turn up four cards in the middle.
Yaeko: That's a pretty big deck.
Kimiko: Its actually two decks… with the jokers. (Pauses speaking while she finishes dealing and then places four cards face up in the middle) Now here's the way it works. In turn, you can play a card that is one more or one less than one of the cards I've turned up in the middle… It doesn't matter what suit. (Cut to show the four cards in the middle; a nine of clubs, a six of diamonds, an ace of diamonds and a jack of spades) Like on the six of diamonds I can play a five or a seven and that becomes the new card that the next play has to play on. (Cut back to show the group from Kimiko's point of view)
Mai: How about the ace?
Kimiko: The only card you can play on that is a two. The same of a king… The only card you can play on a king is a queen. If you can't play, you have to draw a card.
Shiori: So when do you drink?
Kimiko: I'm getting to that. If no one can play, the last person that played a card has to take a drink and then they deal four more cards from the deck and play starts with the next player. A joker can be used as any number card, but when one gets played, everyone has to drink except the person who played it. When a player plays their last card, everyone else has to take a drink and play continues until only one person has cards to play. The first person that went out becomes the next dealer.
Shiori: That seems like a lot of work just to get drunk.
Kimiko: At first, but as the game goes on it gets more fun, especially with the special rules.
Usagi: Special rules?
Kimiko: The dealer gets to make a special rule … like anytime an eight is played, the next player has to take a drink and their turn gets skipped. All special rules stay in effect for the rest of the night.
Mai: What kind of rules can you make?
Kimiko: Any kind of rule, just as long as it doesn't make someone do something that will hurt themselves or someone else.
Shiori: So then, if I want to make a rule that says that if a queen is played, the next player has to take off a piece of clothing, it's all right?
Kimiko: I don't know if it will be all right with the rest of the players, but yeah, if you want to make a rule like that when you're the dealer, you can.
Yaeko: I have a feeling that we're all going to be drunk and naked before the end of the night.
Shiori: So what's wrong with that?
Scene fades to shoe the front of the "Kawahara Liquor" store. A hand flips the sign in the door from "Open" to "Closed" and the outside lights and the lights in the window displays turn off. Scene fades through the door to show the interior of the store as Kiyomi walks toward the counter where Rin is counting money from the cash register.
Kiyomi: I didn't think we were even going to be able to close.
Rin continues to count and does not reply until she finishes counting the stack of bills and writes the total on a piece of paper.
Rin: What did you expect? Your dad warned us it would be busy tonight with the holiday.
Kiyomi: How much more do you have to do?
Rin: I still have to count the coins and tally the credit sales. Do you want to get the order ready for the embassy?
Kiyomi: I hope we have enough. Toshiro-san said that Ambassador Hoshi and Commander Leesha will be entertaining all week.
Rin: We'll have to make due. We can't put an order in until Wednesday. I wish Leesha-san had given us a little more notice.
Kiyomi: It didn't sound like Leesha-san had much notice about this herself. (Pause) I'll put the order together in the morning. What do you think about Suguru-kun's idea for a birthday party for Mahoro-san?
Rin: I think it's a great idea… (softer) especially after the party Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun put together for my birthday. I feel like I really owe it to her.
Kiyomi: At least from the way Hamaji-kun described it, it sounds like Suguru-kun has plans for a really big party.
Rin: I appreciate Suguru-kun's confidence in me, but I'm not sure that I'm really the right person to be in charge of the food.
Kiyomi: I think you're a great cook and you'll do a fine job… and I think you'll have plenty of help in the kitchen. (Pause) But speaking of food… Would you like something to eat?
Rin: Yeah, considering we haven't eaten since lunchtime.
Kiyomi: What would you like?
Rin: What time is it and what can we get this time of night?
Kiyomi: It's almost eleven. I know the ramen place is open until midnight… and I think the pizza place is open until two in the morning.
Rin: Pizza sound good. What would you like on it?
Kiyomi: Why don't we stick with the basics… tuna and mushrooms sounds good.
Rin: That does sound good. Call it in… Will they deliver or are we going to have to pick it up?
Kiyomi: They'll deliver… My dad usually gives the delivery person a bottle of something for a tip. (Pause) It is pretty late. Do you want to stay here for the night?
Rin: I wouldn't mind.
Kiyomi: Then you should give your mom a call and let her know.
Rin: She isn't home. She's working the overnight shift at the hospital. Then she's going to find someplace to get some sleep and work another shift. After that, she's off for the rest of the week.
Kiyomi: It sounds like you were planning to stay here tonight even if I didn't ask you.
Rin: I considered it. (Pause) Order the pizza and while I finish counting, you can get the embassy order together, so we don't have to be up as early in the morning. And maybe while your getting the order together, you can break another bottle of the mint liqueur that my mom and I got drunk on at my birthday party.
Kiyomi: Are you sure that's a good idea?
Rin: I think it's a great idea, especially if you're drinking with me.
Kiyomi: (Sigh) I remember that. You and your mom spent the rest of the evening blowing up the balloons that Saori-sensei and Ryuga sensei gave you… and trying to get me to take off my clothes.
Rin: I still have balloons left… and I bet if you had been drinking with us we could have convinced you to take your clothes off.
Kiyomi: That's why I wasn't drinking.
Rin: (Walks around the counter and hugs Kiyomi; Smiling; Seductively) Well, since my mom isn't here, do you think I'd have a chance to convince you to take off your clothes?
Rin kisses Kiyomi as the scene fades to black.
Cut to closing theme
Preview:
Preview opens with Natsune and Yukio walking hand. Cut to Tani and Takumi walking side by side. Cut to Takumi stopped and Tani taking Takumi by the hand. Cut to Mahoro and Suguru walking hand in had on a wooded pathway. Cut to Mahoro removing her tee shirt. Cut to Takara and Umeko are sitting at a table drinking tea.
[Voice Over]
Voice of Nayoko: It looks like things are getting serious between Miyuki-chan's sister and the Ambassador's son.
Voice of Yasou: Well, if they're not serious, Yukio-kun's mother certainly is.
Voice of Nayoko: Your parents aren't like that, are they?
Voice of Yasou: No. My parents don't want to have anything to do with finding a mate for my sister and me.
Voice of Nayoko: Your sister seems to be doing pretty well on her own.
Voice of Yasou: Takumi-kun seems nice, but he blushes about everything. He's not the kind of guy I ever would have imagined my sister being interested in.
Voice of Nayoko: Your sister seems to have said something that stopped him right in his tracks.
Voice of Yasou: I don't doubt it, considering some of the things she's done in the past. (Pause) Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun seem to be enjoying their vacation.
Voice of Nayoko: They look like an absolutely perfect couple… so sweet and innocent.
Voice of Yasou: I don't know. That doesn't seem so innocent to me.
Voice of Nayoko: I'm certain there's a perfectly valid reason Mahoro-san is taking off her shirt. (Clears throat) In my wildest dreams I could never imagine Umeko-chan and Takara-chan sitting down together and talking over tea. They used to fight about everything.
Voice of Yasou: (Pause) Nayoko-chan, do you have any plans for tonight?
Voice of Nayoko: Not really. What did you have in mind?
Voice of Yasou: Nothing in particular… I was just wondering if you'd like to spend some time together tonight.
Episode 52: Of Mice and Men
