Episode 21: FLCLosure

Naota: (narrating) Its been two months since Medical Mechanica was destroyed. Now that there aren't any robots around, its been kind of... Quiet...

Naota picks up his bookbag and walks out into the yard. In front of the garage, a grease-smeared Haruko is wrestling with a bolt on her vespa. When she sees Naota, she grins and waves. Naota cringes and gives her a halfhearted wave, back.

Haruko: (unnervingly) Have a nice day at school, Takkun!

Naota: (narrating) Yeah, Haruko is still here...

(Flashback)

Haruko: Well, it looks like I'll be stuck here for a while...

Naota: (confused) Huh...?

Haruko: I don't really have much of choice, do I? (winking) I go where Atomsk goes...

(End Flashback)

Naota turns and heads down the street.

Naota: (narrating) But, its not so bad having her around... At least its not QUITE as boring as it was before... And she's been giving me guitar lessons... Yeah... Whatever... Anyway, Grandpa's making me work at the bakery, with Ninamori, weekends and after school... I guess I don't mind too much... I get paid and when business is slow, we just sit around and goof off... Nothing special...

Along the way to school, Naota stops at Ninamori's house. She keeps him waiting nearly ten minutes before she finally comes downstairs.

Naota: (flatly) All that waiting and you come down looking like you always do...

Ninamori: Oh, shut up...

Naota: (wrinkling his nose) What's that smell...?

Ninamori: Its French perfume... Why...?

Naota: (in mild disgust) You smell like mold...!

Ninamori: What would a delinquent like you know about good taste?!

Naota: (sneering) Whatever... Come on or we're gonna be late...

Ninamori: (putting her hands on her hips) Since when did you start caring about being punctual...? (grinning slyly) Is that a sign of Naota FINALLY growing up...? Maybe some... MATURITY...? RESPONSIBILITY, even...?

Naota: (leaving) Quit being such a brat...

Ninamori follows him out of her house, still grinning.

Naota: (narrating) Yeah, Ninamori and I are sorta close... But not like that. She can be okay when she's not being such a spoiled brat...

Gaku: (calling) Hey, Naota!

Masashi: Wait up!

Naota and Ninamori stop and look back at their two friends struggling to catch up. Naota sighs and tries to look disappointed.

Ninamori: Can't you two leave the house at a decent time just once in your lives...?

Naota: (sneering) Look who's talking...

Ninamori frowns but says nothing. The four kids then make their way to school, Naota at the center. As they walk they joke around and laugh.

Naota: (narrating) Yeah, I guess its not so bad... I have my old friends, and even made a few new ones... S'not a huge turnaround or anything, but... You know...

Later in the afternoon, Naota is sitting on his bed, holding an unfolded piece of paper in his hand...

Naota: (narrating) I got a letter from Mamimi...

Mamimi's voice:

Dear Takkun,

How are you? Its been so long since I've seen you... Almost sixths months, right? After I sold my first few pictures, things really took off. Its been hard just trying to a get a free moment. I'm always so busy... I work for this magazine called YM... Its okay I guess, but I don't think I'll stay too long... Other than that...

America's not so bad, once you get used to it... The people aren't any friendlier and air isn't any cleaner, and the cities are always crowded and there are so many buildings you can't even see the sky... But, I guess I shouldn't complain huh?

I'm sorry I left you behind, Takkun... I wouldn't blame you if you're mad at me... I just had to get away... Get away from Mabase... Get away from Japan... Get away from you... I know that sounds selfish... Anyway...

What's going on? How's school? You should be in the seventh grade, right? Do you have a girlfriend? I bet you do. Guys like you don't stay single for long... Have you heard from Tasuke-san? I know that probably sounds silly now... Maybe you were right... Maybe I'm not quite over him... Oh, well... You probably don't want to hear that anyway, right?

Well, write me back, 'kay Takkun? Bye.

Love,
Mamimi

Naota's voice:

Dear Mamimi,

I'm okay... Things were crazy around here for a while, but now, Its back to the same old Mabase; boring as ever... I guess it has been a long time since we talked... I'm glad that you got a good job. It must be hard, being alone in America... Everyone's always talking about it... I hope one day I'll get to see it... I used to think that anywhere was better than here, but lately, I don't mind so much...

I miss you... I don't really understand the reason you left, but I guess it was for the best, right...? Dad said that I'd understand when I got older, but I don't think so... I know plenty of dense adults who don't know anything... Oh, well. I hope you're happy in America...

I'm doing okay in school. Ninamori's been helping me. She suckered my dad into hiring her as a tutor... But, at least I'm not failing anymore...

I joined the school baseball team too. They said I've got real talent and that if I worker hard, I might be able to go to college on an athletic scholarship... Eh, who knows, right...?

As for girls... Well, we'll see...

Love,
Naota (Takkun)

Naota: (narrating) Other than that, I guess not much has changed at all. I still don't like sour stuff, but at least I can tolerate it... Haruko's made it her life's mission to get me into spicy foods... And who knows...? She might pull it off...

Naota stands in the middle of his backyard, looking off into the distance where the MM plant is barely visible.

Naota: (narrating) During the whole Medical Mechanica thing, Tasuke disappeared for a while. I got a phone call from him; from America... He didn't seem any different from the way he'd been before ... and Haruko told me not to push the issue anymore.

(Flashback)

Haruko: (drinking from the milk carton) Some things are better left as mysteries, Takkun...

(End Flashback)

Naota: (narrating) Whatever...

Kitsurubami and Naota are hanging out by the river, throwing rocks into the swift current below.

Naota: (narrating) Kitsurubami and I stayed close, even after it was all over. We just sort of got over the fight we had... Pretty much forgot the whole thing... I guess it wasn't really her fault... But it doesn't really matter, anyway...

(At Kitsurubami's apartment)

Naota: (slowly) So, you're leaving...

Kitsurubami: 'Have to...

Naota: When...?

Kitsurubami: Shipping out next week... It was really short notice.

Naota: Where...?

Kitsurubami: Back home to Germany.

Naota: Oh... Well, I guess that's good... Since you've got family and stuff there...

Kitsurubami: I'm sorry...

Naota: It's okay... I mean, what can you do, right...?

Kitsurubami: (raising an eyebrow) Maybe... But, are you going to be okay with it...? You know, not having me around and all...?

Naota: S'not big deal... (mumbling) I'm over it already...

Kitsurubami: (grinning) Liar...

Naota: Huh...?

Kitsurubami: Poor Naota...! Mean ol' Kitsurubami went and bwoke his widdle heart...!

She reaches over and gently pinches his cheek. Naota responds with a restraining scowl accompanied by a faint blush.

Naota: (annoyed) Don't do that...

Kitsurubami: What are you going to do about it?

Naota: ...

Kitsurubami smiles contentedly and returns to her ramen. Naota gazes at the wall for a few moments. The table has gone completely silent. Finally, Naota speaks up.

Naota: (glumly) So... I guess this means we won't be seeing each other...

Kitsurubami: Aww... Don't be that way...! I'll write and call and when I get time off, I'll even visit!

Naota: (sarcastically) Yeah right...

Kitsurubami leans forward and places her hand on his. Naota flinches with surprise and starts to pull away. Slowly, her face moves towards his and stops just short of his nose. In her eyes, Naota sees a genuine sincerity; not like Haruko when she's trying to sucker him out of the last soda. This is real.

Kitsurubami: (gently) Really...

Naota: (blushing) ...

Kitsurubami: (pulling away) Besides... I know how "madly in love" you are with me...

Naota: WHAT?!

Kitsurubami: (nonchalantly) Yeah... Its not that hard to see...

Naota: Get real!

Kitsurubami: (soothingly) Nothing to be ashamed of... Who could resist my charms?

Naota: (suspiciously) What "charms...?"

Kitsurubami grins seductively at him. It takes a moment for it to click, but he realizes what she's referring to. Naota's eyes half close in a cynical glare.

Kitsurubami: Hey, what guy wouldn't want me...?

Naota: You're full of... (pausing) Yourself...

Kitsurubami: I'm in my prime, right now. You couldn't pick a better time...

Naota: Don't you have a BOYFRIEND or something...?

Kitsurubami: Nope. Why, are you jealous...?

Naota: (stuffily) No...

Kitsurubami: Don't worry... (leans forward again) I'm ALL YOURS...

When Naota's eyes widen, Kitsurubami's thrown into a fit of hysterical laughter, tears welling up in her eyes. Naota frowns with realization and blushed violently.

Naota: STOP THAT! Why do you do this anyway...? You aren't like this when you with OTHER people...!

Kitsurubami: (smiling) I don't know, I just feel comfortable cutting loose around you... (leering over her noodles) You're stuffy enough for the two of us...

Naota: WHAT'D YOU SAY?!

Kitsurubami: (calmly patting him on the head) Nothing, Hon... Nothing...

Naota: I TOLD YOU TO STOP THAT!

Naota: (narrating) Two weeks after she left, I got a letter from Kitsurubami...

Kitsurubami's voice:

Dear Naota,

Hey there! How are you doing these days? I imagine its pretty boring, huh? Mabase has never really been the most exciting place to be... That is... Discounting that whole... Thing. Anyway, how is school?

Nothing much is happening here. Work is stressful, as usual, but I'm dealing with it... I guess I'm happier when I'm busy... I told my family about you. My Mom says you sound like trouble... I can see why...

I've got good news! Despite my relentless workload, I've got some free time coming up next month. That's I'll get to come and see you... We could get together and... I don't know... Hang out at the mall or something...

Is Haruko still hanging around? She's a weird kind of person... Always having a secret agenda and an alternate plan... You'd never guess from her spontaneity... She'd better keep her hands off of you while I'm gone!

Well, I'm exhausted and I've got a long day at work ahead of me, so... Write me back as soon as you can, okay. Bye.

Yours always,
Kitsurubami

Naota falls blissful back on his bed, holding the letter in his hand. On the floor next to him, Haruko is quietly reading some magazine she'd picked up at the grocery store earlier during the day. She was lucky. She didn't have to worry about school and girls and homework... HOMEWORK! He hadn't done his homework, yet!

Naota: (thinking) Crap! I forgot to bring my bookbag inside! I hope it hasn't started raining, yet...!

As Naota dashes down the hall, he doesn't see Haruko's skateboard in his way. (Haruko had insisted on making him learn how to ride one.) By the time Naota realized it, it was already too late. His foot hit the surface and was immediately pulled out from under him. Naota spun in the air, fell on his back and was sent skidding the rest of the way down the hall; down the stairs. He hit the bottom with a loud CRASH.

Naota: (through clenched teeth) HARUKO!!!

The door flew open and Naota came storming into his room, bowl- legged and fuming. His pants' seat, shirt back and back of his head were burned black with skidmarks.

Naota: (flailing around in frustration) HARUKO! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT LEAVING YOUR CRAP ALL OVER THE FLOOR?! CAN'T YOU CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF AT LEAST ONCE?! YOU'RE THE MADE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

Haruko: (waving him away) Pipe down, Takkun... Can't you see I'm reading? Its rude to interrupt people, ya know...

Naota: WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GROW UP...?!

Naota babbles on, hands jerking around in the air.

Naota: (narrating) And that's the way it is... Its not much, but its life... So I guess I don't mind...

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RIDE ON SHOOTING STAR

ORANGE no SLIDE utsusu sora

SPONGE no PRIDE burasakete

SPIDER

kike totta sono yokan wa

kakusanakuta tte ii n da

iro no tsuita yume mitai na

Ride on Shooting Star

kokoro no koe de sandanjû no yô ni

utai tsutzuketa

GRUNGE no HAMSTER otona bite

REVENGE no LOBSTER hiki tsurete

SNIPER

fuchi totta sono sekai ni

nani ga mieru tte iu n da

nerau mae ni sawaritai na

Ride on Shooting Star

kimi o sagashite kindanshôjô ch

uso o tsuita

Ride on Shooting Star

kokoro no koe de sandanjû no yô ni

utai tsutzuketa

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