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 21: Memorial
Show opens with the regular theme
Scene of Suguru talking on the phone. Mahoro is standing next to him.
Suguru: Thank you commander. I really appreciate it, especially on such short notice… Yes, I understand, so we will do this Thursday afternoon instead of Wednesday… I'll get all of the addresses where you will need to pick people up… Thank you again… I will see you Thursday… Good day.
Suguru hangs up the phone.
Suguru: I feel bad asking Vesper to do all of these things, but I really think we need to do it and this is the best opportunity.
Mahoro: I agree. Will the commander be able to get everything you asked for?
Suguru: He believes that everything I asked for exists. It will just be a matter of getting it together, but that's why he needs the extra day.
Mahoro: I will have to give Yaeko-chan and her mother a call to tell them about the change of day, but from what she said, Thursday might be a better day for her.
Suguru: Give her a call before she makes any other arrangements… Is Minawa-chan home?
Mahoro: She was, but Hamaji-kun stopped by. They are going to have that dresser drawer set aside for him, but he is going to buy some new clothing to put in it. Something about not wanting his old underwear in his fiancé's drawers… Wait, that really doesn't sound right.
Suguru: Don't worry, I understand what you are trying to say. Well, if she isn't here, I'm going to do some work in the basement.
Mahoro: Would you like me to help you?
Suguru: If you like… if it doesn't make you too uncomfortable. Of course, if you come dressed like the last time, we won't get any work done, other than make scenes for our own ecchi magazine.
Mahoro: You thought that outfit was too distracting? On the other hand, maybe I need to be there to see that you don't get distracted in other ways.
Suguru: Mahoro!
Suguru begins to turn a bright red and Mahoro begins to laugh. After a moment, Suguru also begins to laugh.
Scene shifts to Ryuga and Saori walking side by side.
Shikijo: Thank you for coming with me today.
Ryuga: Thank you for having me. Your parents are very nice.
Shikijo: I'm sorry that my mother called you a space cadet.
Ryuga: That's OK. After Shiori-chan's introduction, I can understand why.
Shikijo: But my mother gets very confused sometimes.
Ryuga: That is too bad. Is there something that the doctors can do about it?
Shikijo: Not really. It is a degenerative disease that there really no treatment for. My mother has more good days than bad days at this point and will more than likely remain that way for the foreseeable future, but we know there will come a day when she may no longer recognize us or be able to do anything for herself. We just make the best of the time we have.
Ryuga: I wonder if there is anything our doctors could do for her. She is so young, even by Earth standards.
Shikijo: I don't know. I'm not sure I would want to get their hopes up too much.
Ryuga: I can understand that.
Shikijo: Ryuga-san, is there anything you would like to do?
Ryuga: Walking with you is nice, and the meal your mother served was quite sufficient. Is there anything you would like to do?
Shikijo: It's still early. Would you like to see a movie?
Ryuga: Only If you pick it out. I don't have too much experience with movies. It was not available to me during training like it was to Mahoro-san.
Shikijo: But Mahoro-san only likes the most awful movies.
Ryuga: But at least she knows that she likes something. I'm not sure I could tell you what I like.
Shikijo: So then you will trust me to pick out a movie?
Ryuga: Please do.
Shikijo: (Pulling Ryuga by the arm) Come on. If we're lucky we can make the next showing.
Saori pulls Ryuga down the street.
Scene shifts to Mahoro as she hangs up the phone. Suguru is standing next to her.
Mahoro: I looks like we will be eating alone again tonight. That was Riku-kun. Miyuki-chan's mother is insisting that he stay for dinner for all of the work he did today.
Suguru: And Minawa-chan and Hamaji-kun are eating out and going to a movie.
Mahoro: And Kaito-kun is with Chizu-chan and her parents tonight. So I guess I have to cook just for us.
Suguru: When we found out that the twins would be staying with us, we thought that you would be doing far more cooking, but with everyone with significant others, they are hardly ever home.
Mahoro: I know.
Suguru: Would you like to go out to eat?
Mahoro: Actually, I would not mind. Do you have anywhere that you would prefer?
Suguru: Not really.
Mahoro: Then let me get changed. There is this place that serves the best noodle.
Suguru: Is this one of your acquaintances from Vesper?
Mahoro: No, but sometimes when I go shopping, I stop there for lunch rather than cook something at home when you are at school.
Suguru: Sounds good. Then when we get back, I can work a little more in the basement. What I want to do won't take more than an hour, then we can spend the rest of the evening together.
Mahoro: Then I'll go change out of my uniform. I'll be right back.
Suguru: Should I get changed?
Mahoro: No need. You look just fine. I'll be right back.
Mahoro quickly exits, leaving Suguru in the living room.
Scene shifts to Mahoro and Suguru's bedroom as Mahoro enters. Somewhere from the folds of her uniform dress, Mahoro withdraws a video tape. The writing on the tape means nothing to Mahoro, who carefully places the tape at the back of her dresser drawer. She slips out of her uniform and removes her stockings. From her dresser she takes out a simple tee-shirt, a short skirt and short socks and puts them on. She looks at the tape again and then closes the dresser drawer, and then exits the bedroom.
Mahoro reappears in the living room with Suguru.
Suguru: That was certainly quick. (Suguru looks at Mahoro for a moment) I don't recognize that skirt.
Mahoro: Ahhh… I ahhh… bought it when we went shopping for the twins. I saw this and I thought it looked cute. Do you ahhh… like it?
Suguru: Yes I do. But it is far shorter than anything else I've seen you wear. It shows off you legs very nicely. Almost as nicely as the bra and panties did earlier today.
Mahoro: Would you like me to do that again?
Suguru: (Smiling) Maybe later. But let's go get something to eat, and maybe we can have some ice cream afterwards.
Mahoro and Suguru exit the house.
Scene shifts to Ryuga and Shikijo exiting a movie theater. Ryuga is brushing some white pellets out of his hair and from his shoulder.
Ryuga: Well, that was certainly different.
Shikijo: It's one of my favorite movies although the shows at midnight are far better than the matinee shows.
Ryuga: It's almost as if the audience had their own script, and I'm not quite sure I understand the reference to 'transvestite'.
Shikijo: You'll understand better the next time we go see it.
Ryuga: See it again? I don't understand.
Shikijo: Many of the people in the theater are there to see it at least once a week, if not more. I'll explain later. So what do you want to do now?
Ryuga: We should go home and check in with my sister at least.
Shikijo: After you do that, would you like to come to my apartment? I'll cook you a nice dinner.
Ryuga: That would be OK.
Shikijo: Come on then, let's check in with Sera-san and then I will make you dinner.
Saori and Ryuga begin walking, at first, side by side as Ryuga continues to brush white pellets from his hair. But after a moment of that, Ryuga's hand returns to his side and after a step or two, Saori gently takes hold of it and they begin walking hand in hand, down the street.
Scene shifts to Sera in her apartment. A gentle beeping sound wakes her from her sleep. Sera locates the source of the beeping (a small device that looks similar to a cell phone). She opens the device.
Sera: Answer communication link.
Sera holds the device to her ear.
Sera: Yes, Commander. Yes, I understand. Could you patch me through? Thank you. … … … Yes Leesha-san. I am doing fine. Yes so is my brother. In fact he is out on a date right now… Yes, with the other teacher from his school. I think he is doing well, but he is a bit nervous. Yes… Of course I can… It will be a little tight, but if you can fuel me up at the command ship… No… I think I will be making the trip by myself… I'll start out as soon as I write a note for Ryuga and I get departure clearance from the Commander… Yes, if you could patch me back to the Commander… Thank you… I will see you… Thank you again… … … Commander, were you listening… Thank you… I will be leaving in about ten minutes. I need to write a note and pack some food… Thank you… If you could do that, I would be able to transport it up from the beacon location at your headquarters… Thank you… Close communication link. (To herself) I could call him on the link, but that would mess up his date and he would probably want to come with me. Although Saori could come with… no, he would be better off with no supervision. I'll just leave a note and be out of here. Now where is some note paper.
Sera gets up and goes to find something to write a note for Ryuga.
Scene shifts to Mahoro and Suguru re-entering their house.
Suguru: You were right. That noodle is something else. I'm glad we took the walk afterwards.
Mahoro: Thank you for the ice cream cone. It is still quite warm outside, so that really felt good.
Suguru: I will go down to the basement for an hour or so more. I may need your help later, though. I would like to move some things. I can't believe that those are all magazines and books and tapes.
Mahoro: Let me know when you need help. I have a few things to take care of also.
Suguru: I'll be back up a little later.
Suguru exits the living room. Mahoro stands and waits for a few moments and then exits the living room to go to her room.
Mahoro returns a moment later with the video tape, turns on the television and puts the tape in the player. Mahoro sits on the couch near the television and begins to watch. There is some muffled dialog from the television. The scene is zoomed in on Mahoro's face as she watches the video. The dialog changes to the sound of heavy breathing and the sound of a female moaning. Mahoro's expression turns to one of shock as she watches. The moaning gets louder, almost turning to screams.
Mahoro: Oh! My! (Mahoro's eyes widen) Oh! My!
Scene shifts to Saori and Ryuga entering his and Sera's apartment.
Ryuga: (As they enter through the front door) That's strange. Sera didn't say she was going to go anywhere.
Shikijo: Maybe she had an errand to run. I'm sure everything is all right.
Ryuga spots the note on the dining table. He takes a moment to read it.
Ryuga: Oh! Sera is making a fast run to the command ship to do something for Leesha-san, She says that she should be back by Thursday morning.
Shikijo: A fast run?
Ryuga: Yes, the ship is under power the entire trip, Sera can make the trip to the command ship in sixteen to twenty four hours, but it requires Sera's full time attention and quite a bit of fuel. Something very important must be up.
Shikijo: I guess that means you are on your own for the next few days.
Ryuga: (Ryuga turns a few shades pale) Yeah, on my own for a few days.
Shikijo: If you would like, we can put off dinner until Sera-san comes back.
Ryuga: No, I don't really want to do that. I would really like to have dinner with you.
Shikijo: If you have anything you need to take care of, I can go to my apartment to make dinner and then you can come over when you are ready.
Ryuga: That sounds like a good idea. I'll see if I can make contact with Sera or the Command ship to see what is going on.
Shikijo: Would you like to eat here or at my apartment? I could easily bring things here if you like.
Ryuga: No, I think I would like to eat at your place, but thank you anyway.
Shikijo: Then I'll see you in a few minutes.
Scene changes to Saori, finishing up cooking dinner. There is a knock at the door.
Shikijo: Come in, the door is unlocked.
The door opens and Ryuga enters. He is carrying a parcel.
Ryuga: I'm sorry I took so long, but I decided to get something to drink for dinner. (Pulling two six packs of beer from the package) By the way, Rin-chan and Kiyomi-kun say hello.
Shikijo: Well dinner is almost ready. Why don't you put that beer into the refrigerator? I have a few real cold ones already in there that we can have for dinner. Were you able to find out anything?
Ryuga: The Command Ship and our ship are out of position for direct communication. I was able to get in contact with Commander Hayato though. He said that he and Leesha-san had been discussing her upcoming trip for the treaty signing and for her address to the United Nation when suddenly Leesha-san said that she needed to talk to Sera. The next thing that the Commander knew Sera was asking for departure clearance and said that she would be back Thursday morning.
Shikijo: Well dinner is ready. Go take care of the beer and get some cold ones out. Actually this should taste pretty good with the beer.
Ryuga: What is it?
Shikijo: It's something that my American roommate in college taught me to cook. It's streak and eggs cooked with potato that has been cut into small pieces. She used to call them hash browns. The only thing that I do differently is that I cut up the steak for eating with chop sticks.
Ryuga: (As Saori serves the food onto the plates and sets them on the table) It smells very good.
Shikijo: My roommate would cover it in ketchup.
Ryuga: Uuuu… No, I think I will like it like this.
Ryuga and Saori sit down at the table, across from each other. Saori smiles at Ryuga who returns the smile. Then as if on some silent signal…
Ryuga and Shikijo: Idatakimasu!
They both smile at each other again. Saori opens her beer and they both begin to eat.
Scene shifts to Mahoro returning the video tape to her dresser. Her face still looks like she is in a state of shock. She is just closing up the dresser when she hears Suguru calling.
Voice of Suguru: Mahoro! Mahoro!
Mahoro: (Forcing a smile to her face) I'm in our room.
Suguru: (Standing at the entrance to their room) There you are. Could you help me for a moment? I think I found something that is not magazines or books, but I need some help getting to it.
Mahoro: Sure… One moment.
Suguru exits. Mahoro takes several long breaths and again forces a smile onto her face. Mahoro exits the room.
Scene shifts to Suguru in the basement. Mahoro is walking down the stairs.
Suguru: Thank you. I think I am going to throw away most of this, but I think I found a few boxes that aren't magazines, but I can't move things alone.
Mahoro: OK, just show me what to move.
Mahoro looks around and sees that only a few things have been added to Suguru's collection. Mahoro also notes that Suguru has separated the video tapes from general collection and nearly fifty of them are in a stack by themselves. Mahoro thinks about asking about the tapes, but decides not to.
Suguru: It looks like there are some sealed boxes under here. If you could help me move these magazines.
Suguru positioned himself to help Mahoro move the magazines, but realized that Mahoro had already lifted the pile (with little effort).
Mahoro: Why don't you slide those boxes out and I can put these down in the same place.
Suguru quickly moves to pull the boxes in question out from under the massive pile of magazines Mahoro is holding.
Suguru: That's it Mahoro.
Mahoro slowly lowers the magazines to the floor.
Mahoro: So what is in the boxes?
Suguru: Well, it looks like five of them are unopened cases of Sake. And this one is labeled… Oh! My!…
Suguru quickly tears the tape that is sealing the box.
Suguru: Oh! My!
Mahoro: What is it?
Suguru: (After opening the box and removing several layers of plastic) It's… ahhh… my mother's wedding dress.
Suguru holds up the top of the white wedding dress which is wrapped in plastic.
Scene shifts to Ryuga and Saori who are just finishing dinner. There are several empty beer cans scattered around.
Ryuga: Thank you for dinner. It was very good.
Shikijo: Thank you for spending the day with me.
Ryuga: I had a lot of fun.
Shikijo: (Taking a drink of beer and laughing) You know, your sister and my sister were right. We do sound like a couple of high school freshmen. But I've never been on a date like we had today. Most guys were more interested in ripping my blouse open. After a while I just gave up. You are the first guy I've ever been out with who was more interested in me than my boobs.
Ryuga: I am interested in you, but that isn't to say that I don't like your breasts.
Shikijo: Are those some of those bad thought you said that you had?
Ryuga: (Quietly) Ye… yes they are.
Shikijo: (Smiling) Oh my darling Ryuga. You are so sweet. Come on. We need to talk a bit.
Shikijo gets up from the table, gathers the dishes, takes them to the kitchen and returns with two more beers and sits down next to Ryuga. Ryuga is somewhat startled, especially when Shikijo gives him a hug.
Shikijo: First of all, I think that you think far too many thing are bad thoughts.
Scene shifts to Suguru, who is in bed and Mahoro, who had just entered the bedroom.
Suguru: Is everyone home?
Mahoro: Riku-kun was the last to arrive. He and Miyuki-chan spent some time in the baths together.
Suguru: I'm glad the twins and Chizu-chan and Miyuki-chan are getting along so well. I think it's just what all of them needed.
Mahoro: The twins especially. Hamaji-kun is staying over again tonight.
Suguru: I have a feeling we are going to see quite a bit of him, at least until school starts again. Mahoro, are you coming to bed?
Mahoro: In a minute. I just need too take care of something.
Mahoro just stands for a moment, not really looking like she knows what to do.
Suguru: Is there something wrong, Mahoro?
Mahoro: No… No… nothing is wrong.
Suguru: Why don't you get ready for bed? Whatever you need to take care of can wait for morning.
Mahoro: Right, get ready for bed.
Mahoro begin to fidget with her tee-shirt, finally pulling it off none to gracefully. She obviously does not look comfortable undressing in front of Suguru.
Suguru: Mahoro, please tell me what's wrong. You are not yourself tonight. You haven't really been yourself all evening. Please, tell me. If it something that I did… if it has something to do with the stuff in the basement… I'm sorry, but please tell me what's wrong.
Mahoro: It's just that… I mean it's not … Oh! I just don't know… Oh!
Mahoro walks over to the dresser and pulls the tape from it, holding it out to Suguru with her head bowed.
Suguru: Oh! My! Did you watch this? (Mahoro nods her head) Mahoro, Why?
Mahoro: I don't know. I guess all of the talk about it, I just wanted to see what it was all about. But while I was watching it, it made me all knotted up inside. It made me feel funny and now I can't get the images out of my head.
Suguru: Oh! Mahoro… Please don't ever think that what you saw on this is what I want from you. That's not love, that's sex, done by actors paid to do it, not by two people who feel something for each other. Don't ever think that I would expect anything like that from you… Ever.
Mahoro: Suguru…
Suguru: Come to bed and let's just be close to each other. That's what being in love is about.
Mahoro drops the tape and goes to Suguru in bed and gives him a hug and a kiss and begins to cry.
Cut to mid-show break.
Scene in the living room of the Misato residence, Thursday after lunch. Seated around the room are Kaito and Chizu, Riku and Miyuki, Hamaji and Minawa, and Saori and Ryuga. Mahoro is serving tea to Saori and Ryuga. Suguru is just hanging up the phone.
Suguru: That was Karen-san. Kiyomi-kun and Rin-chan just got to the apartment from work, so they will be here as soon as they get dressed.
Hamaji: So we get to ride in that big limousine again?
Suguru: No, the Commander said that he was going to send a number of smaller cars. The limousine is too big for some of the narrow streets.
Miyuki: So the primary reason for this is to support Ya-chan and her mother?
Suguru: That is the primary reason, but I intend to visit the graves of my mother and father and of my grandfather.
Hamaji: My mother asked that I visit the grave of her parents.
Chizu: So this will be an observance of Obon?
Suguru: I guess you could put it that way.
Kaito: Obon?
Chizu: It is a festival to honor your ancestors. People usually visit the graves of their deceased relatives.
Riku: You certainly do have a lot of festivals here on Earth.
Shikijo: Yep, and proud of it. Always a reason to celebrate. We celebrate the new year. We celebrate love. We celebrate the cherry blossoms. We celebrate children. We celebrate our ancestors. We even celebrate religious holidays of other religions. I think there is at least one celebration or festival each month.
Miyuki: You would like Germany. They take the entire month of October off to celebrate beer.
Mahoro: Saori-san doesn't need a festival to do that. She can do it any time she pleases.
Shikijo: Only if you join me Mahoro-san. Maybe we should hit the Pachinko parlor again?
Miyuki: I don't think they've recovered from the last time. What did you two do with all of the money you won the last time?
Chizu: Saori-san probably spent it on beer.
Shikijo: Actually, I set most of it aside to put a down payment on a house. How about you Mahoro-san? What did you do with your share of what we won?
Mahoro: I spent a little bit of it here and there, but when Suguru proposed, I decided to save it to pay for the wedding and now I have two weddings to spend the money on.
Miyuki: That's Mahoro-san. Always practical.
Shikijo: What about me? Saving my money to help buy a house. Isn't that practical?
Miyuki: You saving your money instead of buying beer with it isn't practical, it's a miracle!
Everyone laughs, including Ryuga. At first Saori looks honestly hurt, but she can only keep a straight face for a moment before she starts laughing also.
The doorbell rings.
Hamaji: If that is Rin-chan, Kiyomi-kun and Karen-san, that was pretty quick.
Mahoro: (Walking to the door) More than likely, that is Shiori-chan, Ya-chan and her mother and the cars from Vesper.
Mahoro opens the door and confirms that she was correct. At the door is Shiori, Yaeko and Chitose along with Eimi Shina.
Mahoro: Good day everyone. Please come in. Shiori-chan and Ya-chan, welcome.
Yaeko: Mahoro-san, I'd like to introduce you to my mother.
Chitose: I am Chitose Nishimura. I wish to thank you for all you've done.
Mahoro: There is no need for that. Please come in… Eimi-san welcome.
Eimi: I wish to apologize on the part of Commander Hayato and Sub-commander Yoshihiko. Because of all of the plans that are in the process of being made for the visit by the Saint delegation, they are both quite tied up those preparations. They asked me to come as their representative.
Mahoro: You are always welcome.
Mahoro accompanies the new arrivals into the living room. Yaeko takes her mother by the hand and leads her to Suguru.
Yaeko: Mother, I'd like to introduce you to Suguru Misato. Both of his parents died.
Chitose: Ya-chan! (To Suguru) I'm sorry about that. Ya-chan has a tendency to be quite blunt and tactless at times. (Bowing) I am her mother Chitose.
Suguru: (Bowing in return) Please don't apologize. What she said is true. My mother died when I was quite young and my father died five years ago. With the help of my friends, I have become quite adjusted to that fact, especially with the help of my fiancé Mahoro.
Chitose: Fiancé? But you are no older than Ya-chan.
Suguru: It will take some explaining, but yes, I am fifteen and will be sixteen in December.
Yaeko: Mother, let me introduce you to everyone else.
Yaeko takes her mother by the hand, leading her to the twins to introduce them first. Mahoro approaches Suguru with Eimi.
Suguru: Eimi-san, it is very good to see you.
Eimi: The Commander could not attend. With the Saint Commander and her delegation arriving next week, he is going crazy with all of the preparations, especially security.
Suguru: I guess I've been somewhat preoccupied since I returned home. What is the public opinion about all of this?
Eimi: As you might expect, there is quite a bit of suspicion. I think people take the old science fiction movies far too seriously. The Commander thinks that much of the negative opinion there is has been stirred up by remnants of Kaemisa. We are using the last of the battle androids for security. We may have to borrow Slash for a few days… (Looking around) Speaking of Slash, where is he?
Suguru: Mahoro and I put him on a temporary assignment. It seems that one of my friends, Rin-chan, and her mother had a bit of a problem with Rin-chan's father. Slash has been staying there until we are certain that there won't be any further problems.
Eimi: (Snickering) You let Slash guard two women?
Mahoro: What is so funny?
Eimi: I'll explain later at a more appropriate time. Whenever you are ready to go. All of the preparations you requested are in place.
Mahoro: We are waiting for Kiyomi-kun, Rin-chan and her mother Karen-san. Oh! That reminds me. I have some more news for you to take back to the Commander.
Eimi: What, are you pregnant?
Suguru's jaw nearly hits the ground
Mahoro: No, not yet, but Hamaji-kun proposed to Minawa-chan and Kiyomi-kun and Rin-chan are also engaged.
Eimi: Oh! That is wonderful. The Commander will be very happy.
There is the sound of Guri-chan barking from the back yard.
Mahoro: I wonder what that could be.
Suguru: Maybe Rin-chan, Kiyomi-kun and Karen-san decided to come through the back yard.
Mahoro: I can't imagine that.
Mahoro, Suguru and Eimi begin to walk through the dinning room to the kitchen. Just as they arrive in the kitchen, there is a gentle knocking on the back door. Mahoro opens the door and finds Sera there.
Mahoro: Welcome Sera-san. Ryuga-san said that you were running some kind of errand.
Sera: Yes, I just returned. Do you mind if I come in and bring a friend with me?
Mahoro: No, please, come in.
Sera enters the kitchen, followed closely by her guest.
Mahoro: Oh! My! Leesha-san, what are you doing here?
Suguru: Grandmother! (Giving Leesha a big hug) It's good to see you.
Eimi: Commander Leesha, we were not expecting you for another week.
Leesha: I know, but when Commander Hayato mentioned the memorial service, I decided to visit unofficially.
Eimi: Does Commander Hayato know that you are here?
Sera: We stopped there first before we came here. I'm afraid that it was a bit of a surprise for him. I hope he recovers soon.
Minawa enters the kitchen.
Minawa: Onee-chan, Kiyomi-kun, Rin-chan and her mother just arrived… Oh! I'm sorry to have interrupted… (Minawa finally sees Leesha) Leesha-san! Oh, Leesha-san it is so good to see you!
Leesha: You are looking very well Minawa-chan.
Minawa: I'm so happy. I'm getting married.
Leesha: Married?
Suguru: Oh! You probably don't know. First, Minawa-chan and Hamaji-kun are engaged as are Rin-chan and Kiyomi-kun. They were with us on the Command Ship. But Grandmother, I would like to introduce you to my fiancé, Mahoro.
Leesha: Oh, that is wonderful. Have you tried yet?
Suguru: (Blushing) Grandmother!
Eimi: That certainly does seem to be the question of the day.
Leesha: How are the twins doing?
Mahoro: They are doing very well. They both have girlfriends and everyone in the community seems to be quite open to them.
Leesha: I so glad for that. It would have been terrible for them if they had stayed on the Command Ship.
Mahoro: Well, since everyone is here, we should get going. Let's tell everyone else what is going on.
Suguru: Do you mind if I do the introduction? There are a few people out there who don't know about my relationship with Leesha-san. I'd like to be the one to let them know.
Mahoro: Whatever you feel you have to do.
Suguru exits the kitchen with Mahoro and Minawa and goes to the Living room. Eimi remains behind with Leesha and Sera.
Suguru: May I have your attention… Since everyone is here, it is time for us to leave for the cemetery. There has been one minor change to our plans. We have an additional guest. Some of you have already met her, but I would like to make a formal introduction. I would like you all to meet the Commander of the Saint Exploration Command Ship and my grandmother, Leesha.
Leesha enters the living room with Sera and Eimi. The twins upon realizing who it is, run to give her a hug.
Kaito: Leesha-san, it's so good to see you!
Riku: You were right. The people here are so nice. I've never been so happy in my life.
Kaito: People don't care that we're twins. They don't even care that we're not from Earth.
Riku: And Kaito-kun and I have girlfriends.
Leesha: Suguru-kun told me, but you will have time to tell me later. We need to go to the cemetery.
Everyone gets up and begins to move toward the front door, exchanging greetings with Leesha as they go.
Karen: (Finally realizing what Suguru has said; To Rin) Did Suguru-kun say that was his grandmother? But she is…
Rin: Don't worry. I'll explain in the car.
Scene shifts to the cemetery. Opens with stills of Hamaji and Minawa praying and offering incense at the grave of Hamaji's grandparents, followed by stills of Leesha washing the grave of her husband with the help of the twins and Suguru. The scene finally shifts to the grave of Suguru's parents. Leesha is just finishing washing the grave and kneels next to Mahoro and Suguru as he lights the incense in the burner.
Suguru: (Aloud) Mother… Father… I have brought some very special people with me today. Mother, your mother has come to visit with you. She is a very nice person and I am so glad to have had the chance to meet her. I also have another special person with me today. I have asked Mahoro to be my wife and she has accepted. Please bless our marriage and help us to be as happy as you and father were.
Mahoro: (To herself) I pray that you consider me worthy to be the wife of your son. I love him very much. I will take good care of him for you.
Leesha: (To herself) Yuuka-chan, your son has turned out to be a very fine gentleman. I am just sorry that you could not be here in person to see him. I will watch over him and guide him as much as I can, but he is truly blessed to have Mahoro-san for his future wife.
All three bow their heads and then rise from the kneeling position. Suguru approaches Yaeko.
Suguru: Ya-chan, are you ready for this?
Yaeko: As ready as I will ever be, Suguru-kun. Mother, let's go spend some time with father.
Yaeko and her mother begin to walk toward her father's grave. They are flanked by Mahoro and Suguru to the left and Ryuga and Saori to the right. Leesha, Sera and Eimi follow directly behind with the rest of the group following in pairs (except Karen who is walking directly behind Rin and Kiyomi). Ryuga is carrying a bucket of water to wash the grave marker.
When they arrived at the grave, Yaeko and her mother stop in front of the grave while Mahoro and Suguru (to the left) and Ryuga and Saori (to the right) advance to flank the grave marker. Ryuga moves to hand the bucket and ladle to Chitose when there is a sudden gasp for Yaeko.
Yaeko: You are angels!
Ryuga: What?
Yaeko: You are angels. I saw both of you in my dream. Just like this.
Chitose: Ya-chan, please!
Yaeko: I had a dream just like this after father died. Ryuga-san and Mahoro-san, you were standing just like you are now, helping me.
Chitose: I knew this would be too much for her.
Ryuga: No wait.
Yaeko: Father told be before he died that he would send angels to watch over you and me, mother. These are the angels he promised to send.
Ryuga: Ya-chan, Mahoro-san gave you incense to offer and I gave you a bucket for water.
Yaeko: Yes, Ryuga-san. In my dream, you handed me the bucket so that I could wash the grave.
Ryuga: But that isn't what happened.
Yaeko: No, in my dream, the bucket was empty, but I couldn't find any water to fill the bucket with. I had nothing to wash the grave with. I couldn't find it within myself to find the water so that I could do something as simple as wash the grave of my father… after he had done so much for me. I would never be able to pay him back for everything he had done for me. I felt so worthless. (starting to sniffle) I just wanted to run away and hide. I was so afraid. I was so ashamed. (eyes begin to tear) I couldn't even do the simple act of washing my fathers grave marker.
Ryuga: But you knew where you could find something to wash the grave?
Yaeko: If only I could cry. I could use my tears to wash his grave. I wanted to cry… but I couldn't. I had to be strong. Everybody said I had to be strong. I couldn't find the tears in me to cry… no matter how hard I tried. It hurt so much. (crying) I… just… wanted… to… cry.
Yaeko begins to cry uncontrollably. She falls into her mother's arm as her mother attempts to comfort her.
Chitose: (To Ryuga) How did you know? After my husband died, Ya-chan was in a state of shock. During the funeral, she walked around like she was in some other world, not really showing any emotion. After the funeral, she cried a bit, but it was as if it was for me and not for herself. She tried to be so strong. When she had the dream about a week after the funeral, she told me about it, but I really didn't think all that much about it at the time. I thought that it was some fantasy she had created for herself to help comfort her. I never told anyone about the dream. How did you know?
Ryuga: I guess angels are just supposed to know such things.
A short time passes. The scene shows Yaeko after regaining her composure. She washes the grave with her mother and both kneel as Chitose lights the incense.
Yaeko: (Aloud) Even though they won't admit that they are angels, thank you father for sending them to mother and me so that we could be here today. I will do my best, father, to use everything that you taught me so to honor your memory. I feel much better now after talking to you this first time. I hope you are not angry with me for taking this long. Mother and I will come by more often to talk to you. Thank you for everything.
Yaeko and her mother stand and turn to face everyone.
Chitose: No matter what, I consider you all angels. You were all such a big help today. I will be forever in your debt. Thank you very much.
Suguru: There is no need for that. When my father died, I had my own angels (looking at Miyuki, Chizu and Rin) to help me through everything. We could do no less than that for Ya-chan and her mother.
Chitose: No matter. Thank you very much.
There is a moment of silence.
Hamaji: Is that it for the day?
Suguru: Actually there is one more place to visit, if everyone could follow me.
Suguru motions for everyone to follow. Suguru and Mahoro walk along but position themselves so that they are walking along side Minawa and Hamaji. As if on some unspoken signal, everyone else moves to follow them. As they walk, they approach what looks to be a new grave, since there is a tent and the grave is decorated with white and yellow chrysanthemums. There is a large photograph at the grave, but the detail of it still cannot be determined. Standing by the marker is a solitary figure of priestly stature.
As they get closer, the details of the picture become more distinct and Minawa now recognizes the subject of the picture, '369'. As they arrive at the marker, the inscription can be read. "In Lasting Memory of the Young Victims of Kaemisa". Inscribed directly below are the serial number of the Kaemisa Cyborgs, with 369 at the top of the list as well as the dates of their death. Included in the list is also 227 (Feldrans).
Minawa and Hamaji stand before the memorial with Suguru to the left of Hamaji and Mahoro to the right of Minawa. Minawa stands silently for a moment, then for the first time to anybody's memory, she begins to cry.
Scene shifts to Suguru and Mahoro's house after they have returned from the cemetery and have eaten dinner. Everyone is in the living room.
Chitose: So let me get this straight, Leesha-san. You lived on Earth for nearly twenty years.
Leesha: From October of 1962 to February of 1982.
Chitose: And in that time, you got married and had a child?
Leesha: Suguru-kun's mother.
Chitose: So Suguru-kun is…
Leesha: Part alien. That's right.
Eimi: Actually, the term alien may not be the best word to apply here, especially with the connotation the entertainment industry has placed on it. The DNA of Terrans and the people of Saint is almost identical. Professor Hokato explained to me that means that the two races came from the same genetic pool and that the differences between Saint and Terran DNA would be no different than the difference in the DNA of a person with blue eyes and a person with green eyes.
Leesha: She is correct, although those two differences seem to be unique to the Saint people.
Chitose: I think it will take some time before I am completely used to the idea of people not from Earth living on Earth.
Eimi: SoLeesha-san, what are you going to do between now and your arrival next week?
Leesha: I think I am going to put my anonymity to best advantage. I know enough about Earth customs so I can move around fairly freely at least until I become a media item next week. I am going to go shopping and eat in restaurants and just have a good time like I did before. Although this should be better. I won't have a Kaemisa repairer after me. The Commander offered the use of the lodge at the Vesper headquarters, which is where Yuichiro-san and I used to live. I can use the Sera-san's ship to get here quickly. I am just going to relax. On the other hand, Mahoro-san mentioned something about several cases of Sake that you have been hiding with your porn collection, Grandson.
Suguru: It's not my collection. It was my father's collection.
Leesha: And more than likely, most of it was your grandfather's before that. He really was one big pervert. He used to boast that he was the first Earthling to have sex with an alien. But enough of that now. Break out the Sake, it's time for a party.
Cut to ending theme
Preview:
Scene opens Suguru, Kiyomi and Hamaji in the basement looking at Suguru's collection. Scene cuts to Leesha and Saori each with a bottle of sake. Scene cuts to a pan of the room with everyone there not looking very well. Scene cuts to Mahoro and Suguru talking with the Town Chairman. Scene cuts to Mahoro, Suguru, Minawa, Hamaji, Rin, Kiyomi, Karen, Miyuki, Riku, Chizu, Kaito, Saori, Ryuga, Leesha, Sera and Eimi all dressed in yukata at the Summer Festival. Scene cuts to Mahoro and Suguru watching fireworks.
Voice Over
Voice of Rin: Can you believe that Suguru-kun actually showed Mahoro-san where he hid is ecchi collection?
Voice of Miyuki: Mahoro-san said the collection is huge. I wonder if she will make him get rid of it?
Voice of Chizu: I wonder if there is anything else down there?
Voice of Miyuki: Suguru-kun said something about some sake.
Voice of Rin: Looks like Leesha-san and Saori-sensei already have some.
Voice of Chizu: I have a feeling no one is going to feel very well in the morning.
Voice of Rin: I wonder is Mahoro is going to lead the dance at the summer festival again?
Voice of Miyuki: I think so, but I think she has some plans of her own.
Episode 22: Festival