The Prince of Brothers - Part 2 - The Stranger Who Was Our Father

Scene 1

Genki waits by a fork in the road, where the next lower level of the island has a ramp up. He leans on the railing admiring the view of the bay.

Suddenly the ground starts to shake. Genki turns around to see Touriki and his 12 brothers racing to school. Byouki keeps up by using skates and holding on to Undouharu's book bag.

Genki smiles as they fade in the distance. So many girls, so little time.

Scene 2

Genki takes the seat right behind Touriki. So, my brother, I will allow your academic brilliance to flow from you back to me.

Touriki frowns. Genki, copying my homework isn't going to do you any good. This is a cram school. We're not here to get good grades, we're here to prepare for the college exam.

Details, details. I'm sure some of you will rub off on me by osmosis.

Karou sits in front of Touriki. Oni-chan, I hope I will not trouble you if I sit here? Karou blushes.

Touriki smiles. It's no trouble at all, maybe you'll be able to explain the harder problems to me?

Karou winks and makes the sign with his fingers.

After Karou starts facing forward to introduce himself to his classmates, Genki nudges Touriki. You sly dog!

Touriki raises an eyebrow at Genki.

I saw you last night with my binoculars. You have such cute dorm mates.

Touriki looks at Genki in shock.

Maybe it is fate that we have a role reversal in cram school, where you date constantly and I study? Genki laughs. I don't think so. I am not easily defeated.

Touriki, still in shock, nervously laughs.

So, Tou-ri-ki... Aren't you going to introduce me to that cutey in front of you?

Touriki taps Karou on the shoulder. Karou, I would like you to meet my best friend from high school, Genki Kari.

Karou bows slightly. A pleasure to meet you Kari-san.

You can call me Genki.

And, Genki this is my younger brother, Karou Niomote.

Genki's jaw drops in shock.

Karou laughs. And, you may call me Karou. I look forward to hearing much gossip from you about how Oni-chan was in high school. Karou starts getting embarrassed. It's not that I'm a snoop or anything, but, ... Karou turns around embarrassed.

Genki nudges Touriki again. I see your game. There was another girl in high school that you tried to protect against my charms by claiming that she was your sister. I see that you must really like Karou to start claiming that she is your brother.

Touriki face contorts in horror.

I hope that you have attached your saliva to her, or else I will consider her fair game.

Touriki is stunned into silence.

A man appears at the door of the class room. Karou and Touriki, will you please come with me?

Karou turns around in terror. Oni-chan, this isn't ...

Touriki shakes his head. It probably is.

Karou starts crying. Touriki helps him to stand and puts his arm around his waist and leads him out the door.

Scene 3

The brothers assemble around a large table in the main hall of the Onion Dorm. The man sits at the front of the table. I have been instructed to read this letter to you as per your late father's wishes.

My sons, I know you must hate me for what I have done. I do not expect forgiveness, in this life or the next. That is why there will be no funeral. My body will be cremated and an urn with the ashes will be delivered to your dorm. I have made provisions for all of you to be financially supported until age 25. Your father.

Nazokazu grinds his teeth in anger.

That's all the letter says. Your school doesn't expect you all to return until you're ready.

Touriki stands up. Thank you sir, for delivering that letter.

The man bows. You're welcome. The man walks away.

Ningyouji stands up. May I go to my room?

Touriki tries to smile. Of course. I'm sure there are many who might want to be alone now.

The room clears leaving Touriki and Nazokazu.

Nazokazu adjusts his school uniform. Ani-kun, I will go back to school now.

Touriki frowns. Nazokazu, you don't seem to be upset.

Our father was an terrible man.

I know. I still don't know what to think about him only wanting to give me one season of the year. But, he wasn't that bad to me.

Nazokazu starts crying.

Touriki walks around the table and gives Nazokazu a hug.

Ani-kun, there's something I've never told anyone.

Touriki nods.

Nazokazu composes himself. One day I was coming back from the store and I saw father beating Ningyouji. It was a couple days before he left for the last time and I didn't know what to do. I haven't even talked to Ningyouji about it.

Touriki stares at the table.

Nazokazu, you're good with people, right?



Let's make a deal. Our younger brothers need someone to talk to. If I talk to the other members of Team Spring will you talk to the other two teams?

Nazokazu smiles. I would love to.

Touriki smiles. After all, we're not needed at school today, but we are needed here.

Ani-kun, will you be okay?

Yes, I got to mourn his passing while he was still alive.

Scene 4

Touriki knocks on Ningyouji's door.

Come in.

Touriki walks in to see Ningyouji in bed with a teddy bear. There are flowers on the desk by a computer and informational posters about flowers on the walls.

Ningyouji moves over to make room for Touriki to sit down on the bed.

Touriki looks at Ningyouji sternly. Ningyouji, I heard something very shocking. Is it true that father beat you? I can't imagine anyone even being mad at someone as cute as you.

Ningyouji blushes himself beet red. Oni-tama, it's true. But, it only happened once. I still love father, and he was always wonderful to me.

So, what's the scoop? I also can't imagine him hitting anyone.

Ningyouji giggles at little. Well, what happened was I got curious as to where he went nine months out of the year. So I got on the internet and traced down his movements. I was able to figure out what was going on. I confronted him and he snapped and beat me. But, I know why he was so upset. He had wanted it to remain a secret.

So you weren't hurt?

Ningyouji giggles some more. I have been hit harder by some of the girls at school. I played up the beating because I didn't want to hurt father's feelings.

Touriki smiles. I came in to cheer you up, Ningyouji, but you cheered me up.

Ningyouji gives Touriki a hug. Oni-tama always cheers me up.

Scene 5

Touriki knocks on Undouharu's door.

Come on in.

Touriki walks in to see Undouharu in bed on his back doing bicycle like motions with his legs. Undouharu's room has posters of famous soccer players on the walls. Well, you look like you are doing okay.

Ani ...



Undouharu stops the bicycle motion and sits up. You will watch me play soccer right?

Absolutely. I look forward to it.

Soccer season at school was in the fall, and ... and. Undouharu starts balling his eyes out on Touriki chest.

Touriki comforts Undouharu. I see, father always promised you that he would watch you play soccer, but never kept that promise.

Undouharu squeezes Touriki hard.

Touriki coughs. Can't breathe!

Undouharu sits back up embarrassed.

Touriki laughs. You don't know your own strength.

Undouharu involuntarily cracks a smile.

Hey, it's winter. I'm here. There's no way I will miss your games in the fall. And, I'm sure father will catch your games as well. So you already have a following of two fans.

Ani, there's no way I will let my fans down.

Scene 6

Touriki knocks on Karou's door.

Please, come on.

Touriki walks in to see Karou in bed reading a book. Karou's room is lined with overflowing bookshelves.

Karou sits up on the side of the bed and motions for Touriki to sit next to him. When Touriki does, Karou gives him a hug.

Karou starts to giggle.

What's so funny?

Oni-chan, I see that you visited some of our other brothers before me?



You shirt is soaked with their tears.

Touriki feels his shirt and nods. Yeah, Undouharu squeezed me so hard that I'm numb in that area.

Karou laughs. I hope we are not too much for you oni-chan.

Did you like our father?

Karou becomes sad. Father and I didn't interact that much. But, he did bring me many books.

Touriki nods. Did you like father?

Yes, he seemed like a kind man. I wish I had a chance to know him better. That's why I was snooping around your past affairs with Genki.

Touriki frowns. I'm not sure you should hang out with Genki. He has a bad reputation.

Karou giggles. He seems like the flirtatious type.

Worse that that, he thinks you're a cute girl!

Karou blushes. Then he gets a sly smile on his face. Oni-chan, may I ask a huge favor of you?

Sure, anything.

Since nothing you say is going to convince him otherwise, could you please not tell him that I am a guy? I guess the thing is that all through my life people have thought that I was a girl, and I guess I have gotten into the habit of leading people on. I know you must think that I am sadistic, but I do enjoy that type of pranking.

Touriki's jaw drops. Well, I guess you're right that he'll never believe me. But, will you be okay?

I've done it dozens of times before. I've never had any problems that I couldn't handle. Karou winks.

Karou-chan, you're scary.

Scene 7

Touriki sits on the diving board over the empty swimming pool. It is dark.

Ani-kun. I thought I heard you slip out.



Nazokazu sits on the diving board next to Touriki. Ani-kun, thank you again for finding out the story with Ningyouji.

Hey, will this support both of our weight?

Nazokazu smiles. It doesn't seem to be complaining. It's a lot like you in a way.



Ani-kun, it is my gift to read body language. You put up a polished composed front today, but ...

Touriki frowns and looks at the bottom of the pool. I know, I wanted to run away. I wanted to be anywhere but here.

Ani-kun, I know. If it is any consolation, being a big brother isn't that bad once you get used to it.

Touriki tries to crack a smile. I know. You have three younger brothers.

Nazokazu nods. But, they all look up to you, as do I.

Nazokazu, please continue helping me and our brothers in spiritual matters.

I will absolutely never let you down.

Touriki gives Nazokazu a hug.

Scene 8

Genki looks through his binoculars. Wow, Touriki is moving through that dorm in record speed. He might beat me in this game, yet!