Mahoromatic – New Beginnings
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: Return
Show opens with the regular theme
Mahoro and Suguru exit into the corridor. Leesha is waiting for them there.
Leesha: Welcome back. I hope your meeting with Matthew went well.
Mahoro: Somehow I feel that I have more questions now than before we met, but that seems to happen quite often.
Suguru: There is one thing for which you will have to make the arrangements. Matthew would like the twins to come to Earth with us. They will be staying at our house.
Leesha: I had hoped that you would agree. If it had not been for you and your friends, I am sure that I am the only one who would have talked with them. I am thankful to you.
Mahoro: Considering the others reaction to the twins, will Sera-san and Ryuga-san have a problem having them aboard their ship.
Leesha: I have already spoken with them. Neither of them are uncomfortable with the twins. It had been our original intent for the twins to live with them, but Ryuga-san thought that you and Suguru-kun might provide a better home environment.
Suguru: Let's go and tell the others. I'm sure that Chizu-chan will be happy to hear that they are coming with us. She seems to be quite taken with them.
Leesha: I will prepare the boys and meet you in the galley
All depart down the corridor.
Scene shifts to the command ship galley. Rin, Miyuki, Chizu, Kiyomi, Hamaji, Minawa and Shikijo are sitting around the table. Mahoro and Suguru enter.
Rin: There you are.
Chizu: I thought we might have to leave you two behind. You two get lost?
Miyuki: Or maybe they were off doing something naughty.
Suguru: We were not!
Mahoro: There wasn't time. (There is dead silence in the room)
Suguru: (To Mahoro) Mahoro! (To everyone) No we had a meeting with Matthew. He was able to answer a number of our questions and he made a request. He would like the twins to come to Earth with us.
Chizu: Kaito-kun and Riku-kun will be coming with us to Earth!
Suguru: Yes, they will be staying at our house with Mahoro, Minawa-chan and I.
Chizu: I couldn't see them staying here. Nobody would talk to them.
Kiyomi: How are you going to explain their sudden appearance at your house. I'm not sure that anyone would buy that they are some distant relative.
Suguru: Vesper is going to help take care of that. I will have to see if we can contact them before we get back to Earth.
Miyuki: Maybe you could just say that they are foreign exchange students. It would not be a lie.
Suguru: You may have an idea, Miyuki-chan.
Hamaji: If the twins are coming with us, that means there is no chance for me to have a room to myself.
Mahoro: What do you mean?
Miyuki: They were only able to clean out and refit two more sleeping quarters. There was just too much junk to sort through in such a short time.
Hamaji: I figured that Minawa-chan would get one of the rooms and I figured that I could get the other.
Kiyomi: Don't be such a crybaby. You snore as badly as I do. I was looking forward to having a room to myself too.
Suguru: I could let Minawa-chan stay with Mahoro and then you and I could share a room.
Hamaji: No… I don't think that would be fair to you, Suguru-kun.
Rin: It will only be for three nights. You'll be back in your own bed after that.
Ryuga: (From the entrance to the galley) Actually it won't even be quite that long. The trip back to Earth is quicker because of Earth's gravity. You might only be shipboard for two nights.
Suguru: Has Leesha-san spoken with you. We are going to have two more passengers on board.
Ryuga: I just came from speaking with her. I wanted to let you know that the ship will be ready to leave in about an hour. Leesha-san will meet you in the docking bay with the twins.
Suguru: Thank you Ryuga-sensei. Mahoro and I still need to pack, but I think everyone else is ready.
Ryuga: I will see you then in about one hour's time.
Ryuga exits the galley.
Rin: Suguru-kun, why don't you and Mahoro-san go and finish your packing?
Miyuki: But no playing around… or do we need to send a chaperone?
Suguru: No need for that. Mahoro and I will be on our best behavior.
Mahoro: (As Suguru and Mahoro exit the galley, just loud enough for people to hear) You're no fun.
Scene shifts to Mahoro's and Suguru's quarters. They are packing their clothing into their travel bags.
Suguru: Mahoro, why are you saying things like that? They are going to think we really are doing it every chance we get.
Mahoro: Miyuki-chan seems determined to think that way.
Suguru: Maybe I should talk to her.
Mahoro: You know, Suguru, she really does love you too.
Suguru: I know.
Mahoro: How do you feel about her?
Suguru: I guess I've always seen her as a special friend, someone I could always talk to, sort of like a sister. I've never seen her as a lover though. I would be to afraid of hurting Rin-chan and Chizu-chan to do that.
Mahoro: But what would you do if she offered herself to you?
Suguru: (After a moment of reflection) I would tell her the truth. Tell her how I feel about you. About the fact that I'm not quite ready for that level of commitment. I just hope that that situation never arises.
Mahoro: (A Mahoro finishes packing the last of her things) Well we better get going, or they are going to assume we are involved in something naughty.
Suguru: We wouldn't want then to think that, even if they are going to anyway.
Suguru finishes packing the last of his things and begins walking to the door with Mahoro. Just before opening the door, Mahoro gives Suguru a little kiss on the cheek. They both giggle a bit, then open the door and exit to the corridor.
Scene shifts to the docking bay where Ryuga's and Sera's ship is docked. Everyone except Leesha and the twin are there. Sera is directing several of the command ship crew with the loading of the last of the provisions. Mahoro and Suguru are talking with Ryuga off to the side.
Mahoro: This is really the first I've seen of Sera-san all the time we were on the command ship. Was there some kind of problem?
Ryuga: Not really. Sera does not sleep very much during these flights. Although I can pilot the ship, she prefers to stay at the controls. She slept for nearly the entire first 24 hours we were here. She has also been supervising the refitting of the ship.
Suguru: You mean the work that was done on the sleeping quarters?
Ryuga: (Laughing) No that was my job, since it was mostly my… ahhh… I can't thing of the right word… ahhh…
Sera: (Who happened to be close enough to hear what was being said) I believe the word is junk.
Ryuga: (Glaring at Sera) Collection… that was the word I was looking for.
Mahoro: (To Sera, nodding her head) Junk
Ryuga: (Now glaring at Mahoro and clearing his throat) No, Sera was supervising some changes which will allow us to land the ship on Earth eventually, once we have a landing area large enough set up.
Suguru: Too bad we can't do that for this trip. I think that would make Saori-san feel far more comfortable.
Ryuga: I know. Vesper thinks they might have a place ready within a year, but for this trip, Shikijo will have to use the elevator.
Suguru: Considering the reaction I saw to the twins on the command ship, how do you and Sera-san feel about the twins being on board?
Ryuga: I guess even with the limited time Sera and I have been on Earth, it does not bother either of us. Did you know that there are six sets of twins that attend our school?
Mahoro: Do you have any idea how such a superstition started?
Sera: (Who has finished supervising the loading and has joined Ryuga) Twins are extremely rare among the Saint. Three or four generations might pass without the birth of a single set. As with any rare occurrence, special mystical significance is placed on that event. At some point, some mishap occurred and it became associated with that event. It does not help that their parents died. It just re-enforces the superstition. Ah, Leesha-san is here with the twins.
Everyone gathers around Leesha and the twins.
Chizu: I'm so happy that you are coming with us.
Kaito: You are?
Miyuki: We are like one big family, and it will be nice to have you as a member of that family.
Rin: (Noting that the twins are not carrying very much in the way of luggage) Is that all you have?
Riku: Some of our personal items are in the hold, but this is the extent of what we have.
Leesha: On ship board, most things are held in common since there is usually little space for personal items. In this case though, the main fleet did not send a great deal with them.
Chizu: We'll have to talk to Commander Hayato and take them shopping when we get to Earth.
Kaito and Riku: Shopping?
Leesha: Another foreign concept to them. On ship board you just go to the ships stores and get what you need. Not much in the way of variety though.
Sera: Anytime you are ready. You all know the drill. Up to the bridge to strap in after you stow your gear. Leesha-san, Earth exploration ship ready for departure.
Leesha: You may depart when you are ready. Safe trip. I would like to thank you all for coming to meet us. I enjoyed your company. It was nice to be with the people of Earth again.
Suguru: Thank you, Obaasan. I hope to see you on Earth soon.
Leesha: As soon as it is possible. Mahoro-san, please take care of my grandson.
Mahoro: I will do that with all my heart.
Leesha: Grandson, care for Mahoro-san.
Suguru: I will.
Minawa and Hamaji step forward to Leesha.
Minawa: I wish to thank you for all of the help you and the doctors have given me. I owe my life to all of you.
Hamaji: Thank you very much for everything.
Leesha: You are very welcome. Please take good care of Minawa-chan. She will need a great deal of love and attention. She still has a great deal of recuperating to do. Kaito and Riku… remember everything I told you. Listen to Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun. It is my hope that you enjoy Earth as much as I did.
Kaito: Thank you Leesha-san. I will miss you.
Riku: Please come to visit us.
Leesha: That I will do. Ryuga-san, Sera-san, enjoy your life on Earth. I feel you still have a great deal of adjusting to do, but I think with the help of your friends here, you will make a go of it. Please come back and visit any time you feel the need.
Ryuga: We will do that. Thank you.
Leesha: Sera-san, see if you can get him to throw some of that stuff away, or your ship won't be able to stay in orbit.
This brings a round of laughter from everyone (even Ryuga, though it take s moment for him to join in)
Leesha: Safe journey all.
Sera: OK let's get going. If we can time this right, we can be back home by the day after tomorrow.
Everyone gathers their gear and they begin to board the ship. Mahoro is the last and Leesha is walking with her.
Leesha: You understand, what you asked about is strictly conjecture, but in theory it should be possible. You will just have to try and find out, just like Suguru's Grandfather and I did
Mahoro: (Blushing a bit) I will keep that in mind, but I think it will be some time before that theory gets tried out.
Leesha: Good luck, I believe is the Earth term.
Mahoro: Thank you.
Mahoro enters the ship and the boarding doors close behind her.
The scene shifts to the bridge a short time later. Everyone is in their place and strapped in.
Shikijo: Please tell me that the return flight will be smoother that the trip here.
Sera: Actually, the only bumpy part of the return trip will when we brake into orbit around Earth. The moons gravity does not require a great deal of power from the engines… OK here we go. (Seemingly to no one in particular) Command ship, ready to break docking lock.
Voice: Docking locks detached. You are cleared for departure.
Sera: Maneuvering thrusters reverse one quarter.
Voice: Ten meters… twenty meters… thirty meters… forty meters… fifty meters… inner bay clear.
Sera: Maneuvering thrusters reverse full.
Voice: Outer docking bay is clear… 500 meters… 1000 meters… you are clear of the command ship… Safe journey
Sera: Reverse maneuvering thrusters off. OK folks, let's head for home. Main engines one quarter.
The command ship disappears from the front view.
Rin: It's hard to believe that we were aboard that ship.
Miyuki: I know. This whole adventure seems more like a dream than anything else. I just regret that no one will believe the story even if I could tell them.
Kiyomi: I'll just be glad to get back to sleeping in my own bed. But that is a good question, when we get back to Earth, where will be arriving?
Sera: The plan is for you to disembark at Vesper headquarters and to stay there at least overnight.
Chizu: We get to use the baths again. Oh! I miss my bath so much.
Rin: I think we all do. Minawa-chan, did they have baths aboard the ship where they were taking care of you?
Minawa: No we just had showers, like on the command ship. Hamaji-kun, would you like me to wash your back when we back to Earth?
Hamaji turns a bright enough red to light up the entire bridge and everyone begins to snicker (except for the twins, who don't understand at all what is so funny)
Minawa: Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry.
Miyuki: No Minawa-chan, you didn't say anything wrong. I think you just took Hamaji-kun by surprise. Right, Hamaji-kun. You really would like Minawa-chan to wash your back?
Hamaji: Ahhh… Ahhh…
Rin: I've never seen him that color of red before.
Minawa: Hamaji-kun…
Hamaji: (Gaining his composure, at least a bit) Ahhh… Minawa-chan… I would like if some time you were to wash my back.
Another round of giggling breaks out, but Hamaji only smiles and takes the hand of Minawa who is in the seat next to him.
Sera: Ready to fire main engines at full in five… four… three… two… one… Main engines at full.
The characteristic whine of the engines can be heard and everyone is pushed gently back in their char.
Sera: Main engines shut down in five… four… three… two… one… Main engines shut down. Well that's it. We're on out way back to Earth. You should have a view of it in a few minute here on the bridge, but you can unbuckle and move around. Just be careful. The gravity on the ship if different than on the command ship. It will take a few minutes for you to get used to it.
Suguru: Sera-san, is it possible for us to get in contact with Commander Hayato?
Sera: In about an hour or so. I will have to align the antenna on one of their communication satellites.
Suguru: Good, because I'm not sure the commander knows that we have some additional guests.
Sera: I'm sure that Leesha-san has had some communication with Earth, but you will have to talk to the commander for the details. When I make contact with him, would you like me to patch it into your quarters?
Suguru: You can do that?
Sera: Yes I can. In fact, since you still have your wristband on from the command ship, I can patch it to you wherever you are.
Suguru: Oh the wristband. I had forgotten that I was even wearing it.
Kiyomi: So had I.
Miyuki: Were we supposed to leave these on the command ship.
Ryuga: No, we carry ours and just put them on when we are on the command ship. They become personalized to you once you put them on. If you ever go back to the command ship, or any Saint ship. it will work.
Suguru: You will have to show me how it works.
Mahoro: I will go then and prepare lunch for everyone.
Rin: Mahoro-san, do you mind if I join you. I guess I would like to watch you to see if I can learn to cook.
Mahoro: Rin-chan, of course you may.
Chizu: Miyuki-chan, how would you like to come with me and give Kaito-kun and Riku-kun a tour of the ship.
Miyuki: Sure. How about you Kiyomi-kun?
Kiyomi: I missed the simulator training while I was on the command ship. I think I'll do a light workout before lunch.
Chizu: How about you Saori-san?
Shikijo: No, I think not. I have some things to attend to before we get back to Earth.
Mahoro: I will let everyone know when lunch is ready.
Everyone disperses from the bridge, leaving Sera and Ryuga.
Sera: I hope that the twins do not have to many problems adjusting to living on Earth.
Ryuga: It will be very difficult for them at first, but I think having Suguru-kun and Mahoro-san will buffer them until they get used to all of the noise.
Sera: I still have a problem sometimes, but it is good to have you to help.
Ryuga: I know, but the twins don't seem to be having a problem right now. Maybe it hasn't developed yet.
Sera: That would be quite unusual, but possible.
Cut to mid-show break
Scene shows Mahoro and Suguru cleaning up after lunch.
Mahoro: You know Suguru, you don't have to help.
Suguru: That's OK. I like helping, plus I get to spend more time with you.
Mahoro: Thank you. I appreciate it. So what did Commander Hayato have to say?
Suguru: He's glad that we are heading home. He will make the necessary arrangements to get Kaito-kun and Riku-kun registered at school. High school will be no problem, they will just attend with us. As for them staying at our house, he doesn't have a problem with it, but he hopes that our explanation of them being foreign exchange students will work. Of course the parents of everyone in our group will know their origin, but the Commander hopes that there will be no problem with the community.
Mahoro: We will just have to work to make them as welcome as possible.
Suguru: I did ask the Commander if he could do me one little favor. I hope you don't mind, but I asked if there was some way that Saori-san could get re-instated as a teacher at our school at least until we move to high school and then have her move there with us and Ryuga-sensei.
Mahoro: I have no problem with that. In fact if you had not done it, I would have. She has turned out to be a good person. I hope she gets a second chance. Maybe I'll even go out drinking with her again.
Suguru: You'll have to tell me about that some day.
Mahoro and Suguru finish cleaning up.
Suguru: I wonder where everyone is?
Mahoro: Miyuki-chan and Chizu-chan were going to take the twins to the bridge to see their first view of the Earth. Hamaji-kun and Minawa-chan were going to go and sit for a while on the observation deck. Rin-chan, Kiyomi-kun and Saori-san went to the simulator for some martial arts practice.
Suguru: Rin-chan doing martial arts?
Mahoro: I think she is just watching.
Suguru: Speaking of watching, how did Rin-chan do in the kitchen with you.
Mahoro: She's never had to cook before. She didn't even recognize some of the basic utensils. But I showed her how to steam the rice and how to cut the vegetables. She just needs to practice.
Suguru: What do you want to do now?
Mahoro: I was going to set up our quarters. Would you like to help?
Suguru: Of course. It's funny, before I met you, I never would have been interested in doing any of this, as is quite evident by the condition of the house when you came. (They begin walking toward their room). Now I can't imagine our house any other way than it is.
Mahoro: Suguru, I noticed something. You don't refer to the house as "my" house. It is always "our" house.
Suguru: (After a moments thought) I guess you're right, but it is our house. It is as much yours as it is mine now. It's our home, with Minawa-chan and now with Kaito-kun and Riku-kun. It's our family.
The reach the room and enter. The travel bags have been thrown haphazardly on the beds, but otherwise the room is just as they left it.
Suguru: I don't know how to say this without sounding silly. I really want it to be our home, for real. Ahhh… Mahoro, not right now, maybe not in the very near future, but someday… Would you consider being my wife?
Mahoro: (Stunned silent for a moment) Do you realize what you are asking, Suguru?
Suguru: Yes! I'm saying that I love you Mahoro. I love you more than anyone in the world, or out of the world. I'm asking you to marry me?
Mahoro: I don't know what to say.
Suguru: You don't have to say anything. I'm just asking you to consider the question.
Mahoro: Oh Suguru.
Mahoro and Suguru kiss a long passionate kiss. Fade to black.
Scene shifts to the bridge. Chizu, Miyuki Kaito and Riku are standing on the bridge looking at the Earth through the front viewer. It is still a relatively small blue ball in the middle of the blackness of space, but the twins eyes are fixed on it.
Kaito: It's beautiful. Like a blue gem in the middle of space.
Riku: It's just like the prophesy.
Miyuki: Prophesy?
Riku: A beautiful blue gem in the blackness of space
A beacon to the weary traveler
In its shadow will the spirit find peace
In its glow the journey will end
Kaito: It's from a story that is told by our elders about our journey through space to find others like us. It's from the end of the story about the journey's end.
Chizu: It's beautiful. Someday I'd like to hear the whole story.
Riku: Actually that's not quite how it is told. The elders don't say gem. They say "pearl", but no one understands what that word means.
Chizu and Miyuki look at each other in wonder.
Miyuki: A pearl is a kind of a gem that comes from oysters. It's usually round and sort of white.
Chizu: But I've seen red and yellow and blue ones.
Now it's time for the twins to look at each other in wonder.
Kaito: Among our people, that is a word without a meaning. It only occurs in the prophesy.
Miyuki: The prophesy? I still don't understand.
Kaito: That is what the end of the story is called. The part that tell about how the journey will end. That is the only place the word "pearl" is used. Most of our people think it is an old word that means gem.
The four turn their attention back to the image of Earth in the view window. Zoom till the Earth fills the screen.
The image of the Earth changes to a grayish-brown image and as the image zooms out, it becomes the image of the moon seen from the observation deck. Scene shifts to Hamaji and Minawa sitting next to each other looking at the image of the moon.
Hamaji: It's still hard to believe that we are out in space, so close to the moon. I'm not sure that I will be able to look at it the same way again.
Minawa: It is much prettier when you see it from the Earth. Ahhh… Hamaji-kun… I'm sorry for embarrassing you before.
Hamaji: No, you don't have to be sorry.
Minawa: But I don't understand why everybody laughed.
Hamaji: I guess because washing someone's back like that is sort of intimate. Reserved for two people who have a very special relationship.
Minawa: But Onee-chan has washed my back, and I've washed hers. And Onee-chan has washed Suguru-kun.
Hamaji: But you and Mahoro-san are like sisters and that is a very special relationship. And as for Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun… well I guess that someday they might even get married.
Minawa: Is washing someone's back Ecchi?
Hamaji: No it's not bad. It is just something that I think is reserved to be done between people who have a special relationship.
Minawa: Am I special to you, Hamaji-kun?
Hamaji: Yes, Minawa-chan, you are special to me.
Minawa: I think you are special to me too, Hamaji-kun… and someday I'd like to have you wash my back and I will wash yours.
Minawa rests her head on Hamaji's shoulder and they remain quiet, looking at the moon.
The scene shifts back to the bridge. Sera is alone, sitting at the control panel for the ship. Mahoro enters the bridge.
Sera: Ah! Mahoro-san is there something I can do for you?
Mahoro: Ahhh… If you have some time… I was wondering if we could talk.
Sera: Sure, (After adjusting several controls, she turns her attention to Mahoro) There is actually very little to do during this part of the flight, but I need to monitor our speed.
Mahoro: I need to talk to someone, but everyone else is too close to the problem for me to talk to them about it.
Sera: OK
Mahoro: Ahhh… Suguru asked me to marry him.
Sera: I see. I know he understands that you are not human.
Mahoro: Yes he does.
Sera: And that even though physically you could have a relationship with him, you could not provide him with a family.
Mahoro: That may not necessarily be true.
Sera: What?
Mahoro: When I was on the command ship, I talked with Leesha-san about this new android body that I had been provided. She could not answer that question one way or the other. She said that biologically all of the elements were present in my android body to conceive and carry a child, but she could not give me a definite answer if it would actually happen.
Sera: Does Suguru know this?
Mahoro: No.
Sera: But you have been sleeping together.
Mahoro: Yes, but sleeping is all we have done outside of some hugging and kissing. Suguru said that he didn't feel ready to go any further.
Sera: He is an honorable young man. How do you feel about it?
Mahoro: I don't know. I know that I love him very much and that he feels the same way about me, but… He is only fifteen years old and he has not had the chance to experience other relationships. I don't want him to feel obligated to a promise made in haste.
Sera: And technically you are only ten years old, but you are both mature beyond those years. I don't think he would make a promise like that in haste, even though he is only fifteen. So what did you tell him.
Mahoro: He didn't want me to tell him anything. Only to consider the question.
Sera: What does your heart say to tell him?
Mahoro: My heart… my heart says to say yes.
Sera: In the end, that is what is important.
Mahoro: It is funny though. When we first met, it was nothing for me take off my cloths to wash his back. Now I blush at the thought of it.
Sera: That's because you love him and that activity has additional meaning to it now.
Mahoro: Thank you, Sera-san. I needed to talk to someone.
Sera: No problem. Anytime.
Mahoro: You will keep this private, please.
Sera: Of course. Good luck Mahoro-san.
Mahoro: (Laughing) That is the same thing Leesha-san said to me.
Scene shifts to later that evening in the sleeping quarters of Mahoro and Suguru. They have just entered to go to bed.
Suguru: It has been a very long day. I feel like I could sleep for a week.
Mahoro: You had quite a workout in the simulator.
Suguru: Actually sitting at the controls of a jet fighter and feeling it move when you control it is something else. It's too bad that we couldn't have something like this in an arcade on Earth.
Mahoro: I'm not sure Earth is ready for something like this.
Suguru: What did you try?
Mahoro: One of the battle android trainers that Ryuga-san developed.
Suguru: You fought against yourself.
Mahoro: The image looked like me, but it should have been able to anticipate my move. It was good, but it wasn't me.
Suguru: What did Ryuga-san have to say to that?
Mahoro: He laughed. Of course he only programmed it from observing me in battle. That is quite different than programming it with my actual battle program.
Suguru: I've never quite understood how that works. You're made up of skin and muscle…
Mahoro: Bio-synthesized skin and muscle. My skeleton is made of a steel titanium alloy. My weapon systems are distributed through circuitry within the skeleton. My sensory nerve paths are synthesized to operate 100 times more efficiently than humans. The same is true of my heart. And although my brain is basically made of the same material as a human brain, there is additional circuitry added to it to allow me to use my entire brain when I need to instead of the normal small percentage that humans usually use. This is why my reflexes are so much better.
Suguru: Wow, I had no idea it was that complicated.
Mahoro: The two keys to it all working are the battle processor and the ability for may brain to contain life spirit. (Suguru sits down on his bed looking somewhat stunned) (In a somewhat subdued voice) After hearing all of that, do you still love me?
Suguru gets up from his bed and moves next to Mahoro and they both sit down on Mahoro's bed. Suguru puts his arm around Mahoro.
Suguru: Knowing that does not change who you are. All of that is what makes up Mahoro, the one I love… the one I wish to spend the rest of my life with… to be with always and forever.
Mahoro: I love you Suguru… Earlier today you asked me a question to think about. Before I answer that question, there are some things you need to know and think about.
Suguru: OK
Mahoro: Please don't get embarrassed to much or I'll get embarrassed and I will forget what I need to say. (Mahoro takes a deep breath) Suguru, have you considered some of the other thing involved when a man and a woman get married?
Suguru: You mean ahhh… (beginning to blush) doing it
Mahoro: Beyond sex, having a family, bringing children into the world.
Suguru really begins to blush now, at least being somewhat familiar with the mechanics of the process (from his reading material). He begins for formulate some very Ecchi thoughts.
Mahoro: Suguru! (the image pops away) I talked to Leesha-san about it when we were on the command ship. She told me that it was technically possible for me to have a baby, but she could not guarantee it. Suguru, I might not be able to provide you with a family if we get married.
Suguru: Mahoro, my love, there are many normal human couples in the world, who for some reason or another cannot have children. And in the world, and in the universe now, there are children who have either lost their natural parents, or are not wanted by their parents. These two groups of people often times get together and become families. It may be that some day you will bear me a son or a daughter. It may be that you cannot. It does not change how I feel about you. I still want you for my wife.
Mahoro: (Eyes tearing) I love you.
Suguru: I love you… I think we are both tired. Let's go to bed.
Mahoro: Would you like to continue to share a bed?
Suguru: These beds are much smaller than the ones on the command ship.
Mahoro: That means I would have to cuddle all that much closer.
Suguru: That's true
Mahoro: How close would you like to cuddle?
Suguru: You are starting to sound a little bit ecchi.
Mahoro: Maybe I am, but maybe not all ecchi is bad.
Mahoro and Suguru embrace and kiss. Fade to black.
Scene shifts to the galley. Hamaji is sitting at the table with is head down on his arms. The lights are dimmed, but not out. Minawa enters wearing her pajamas.
Minawa: Hamaji-kun are you all right?
Hamaji: (Sitting up at the sound of her voice) Oh! Minawa-chan. I couldn't sleep. Kiyomi-kun got to bed before I did and he seems to be snoring louder than before.
Minawa: If you like, there is a spare bed in my room you can use.
Hamaji: No, I'll try to get some sleep here. I don't want people to think something inappropriate was going on.
Minawa: Then I'll stay out here with you.
Hamaji: Why? There is no need for you to stay out here with me. You have a room you can sleep in.
Minawa: So do you.
Hamaji: But people will think…
Minawa: What do people think about Onee-chan and Suguru-kun sleeping in the same room?
Hamaji: Some people, like Miyuki-chan, think that they are doing it.
Minawa: It?
Hamaji: (Blushing) Ahhh…. Oh! Having sex.
Minawa: (Also blushing now) Oh!… Ahhh… does it matter to those people even if Onee-chan and Suguru-kun are not having sex together?
Hamaji: No, I guess they are going to think that way no matter what.
Minawa: Do you think that people might think that way about us when they don't know where we are, even when we are just sitting on the observation deck.
Hamaji: I guess they might.
Minawa: It doesn't really matter what other people think. They will think what they want. It's what you think, and what you are that make a difference. Onee-chan taught me that.
Hamaji: I guess I'm afraid that…
Minawa: Remember Hamaji-kun, if I didn't want you near me, I have ways of protecting myself. But I trust you. Come on, you look so tired.
Minawa takes Hamaji by the hand. He stands up and follows her. Fade to black.
Scene shifts to the galley in the morning. Rin, Miyuki, Chizu, Kaito, Riku , Hamaji, Minawa, Suguru and Mahoro are there eating breakfast.
Miyuki: Did Saori-san decide to sleep late today?
Rin: Yeah. She says she has trouble sleeping on the ship. I don't know. She's not having a problem sleeping now. Hamaji-kun, where is Kiyomi-kun?
Hamaji: Ahhh…
It is at that moment that Kiyomi enters the galley.
Kiyomi: Hamaji-kun, where did you sleep last night? I woke up in the middle of the night and you weren't there.
Hamaji: Well… Ummm… I… We…
Everyone begins to look at Hamaji and Minawa. Minawa begins to feel quite uncomfortable and somewhat angry.
Minawa: Hamaji-kun and I spent the whole night together having sex.
There is a stunned silence in the room.
Mahoro: Minawa-chan!
Minawa: (Rather loudly) Well Onee-chan, isn't that what everyone was going to think anyway when they found out that Hamaji-kun spent the night in my room so that he could sleep. Isn't that what they think about you and Suguru-kun, even if you're not.
Miyuki, Rin, Chizu, and Kiyomi all bow their heads. Minawa, feeling somewhat relieved, realized what she has said.
Minawa: I'm sorry. I did not mean to yell.
Miyuki: No. Your right. We deserved the scolding.
Rin: We have been rather nasty with Mahoro-san and Suguru-kun.
Miyuki: Maybe because we're jealous of the relationship the two of them have. I'm sorry Mahoro-san… Suguru-kun.
Rin and Chizu: (Almost in chorus) I'm sorry.
Kiyomi: I'm sorry, Hamaji-kun… Minawa-chan. You are right. That is exactly what I thought when I didn't see you in the room. I fumed about it the rest of the night.
Sera's Voice: Everyone could please report to the bridge. I have an emergency communication from Vesper. Everyone please report to the bridge.
Everyone exchanges looks.
Rin: I'll go get Saori-san and meet you there.
Cut to ending theme
Preview:
Scene opens with everyone on the bridge talking. Scene shifts to everyone sitting around the table in the galley and Suguru entering with a cake. Image of the cake shows "Welcome Back, Shikijo-Sensei" written on it. Scene shifts to Mahoro, Saori, Ryuga, Sera and Suguru with beer cans scattered and a large pitcher sitting in front of Mahoro (empty). Shifts to a scene of the travelers meeting with family.
Voice Over
Voice of Kaito: Any idea what the problem is.
Voice of Riku: I'm not sure. They were saying something about a leak that they would have to take care of, because in might cause problems when we get to Earth.
Voice of Kaito: I wonder what Earth is like. It is hard top imagine it even with what Leesha-san told us.
Voice of Riku: It seems though that people on Earth like to have parties.
Voice of Kaito: I think the parties are just an excuse for Mahoro-san to cook and for Saori-san to drink that stuff she calls beer.
Voice of Riku: Miyuki-chan was telling me that all of their families will be there.
Voice of Kaito: I wonder if there will be any problems?
Voice of Riku: At least from what Miyuki-chan said, I don't think so
Voice of Kaito: It will be nice to be somewhere where we are welcome.
Episode 12: Arrival