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 22: Festival
Show opens with the regular theme
Scene shifts to Suguru, Hamaji and Kiyomi walking down the stairs into the basement.
Hamaji: I can't believe you showed this to Mahoro-san.
Suguru: I don't know. I felt I owed it to her.
Kiyomi: So she is making you throw it all away?
Suguru: No, actually, I decided to throw most of it away. I'm going to keep some of it, like the Asaoka Riho. Most of the stuff I inherited from my father and, from what my grandmother said, also from my grandfather… But it's not stuff I really like. I mean, if you want any of it, you can take it.
Kiyomi: I'm not sure Rin-chan would approve.
Hamaji: (Looking at several of the magazines) I'm not sure I would want any of this anyway. Some of it looks really weird.
Kiyomi: Well, let's get what we came after and get back, or they will think we are engaged in some other activities.
Suguru: It is hard to believe that Mahoro said that it was all right to bring this out. Usually I would have expected another lecture about underage drinking.
Kiyomi: Well, Rin-chan's mother didn't seem to have any objections.
Hamaji: And neither did Ya-chan's mother.
Kiyomi: How many cases did you find?
Suguru: There are at least the five Mahoro and I pulled out, but I think there are more.
Kiyomi: Wow! Anything else under there?
Suguru: We found my mother's wedding dress.
Hamaji: Do you think Mahoro-san might wear it for your wedding?
Suguru: She's planning on it. Let's get a couple of these and get going.
Scene shift back to the living room.
Mahoro: (To Leesha) So Suguru's grandfather was quite a pervert?
Leesha: Yuichiro-san was not only a pervert, but he was quite a practical joker.
Mahoro: Didn't that bother you?
Leesha: At first it did, but then I realized that in spite of all of his faults, he was still a loving gentle person. I was never able to break him of sneaking peeks of the women's shower, but I did learn how to play practical jokes on him.
Mahoro: It sounds like your time together was fun.
Leesha: That it was, and always interesting. I actually regretted when the Command Ship came to rescue us.
Suguru, Kiyomi and Hamaji appear, each carrying a box. They stack them near the doorway
Rin: What took you so long?
Miyuki: I'm not sure I want to know.
Chizu: Eeeuu! I don't even want to think about it.
Kiyomi: Enough of that. I hope that this is enough, unless you girls want to come down and help us get more.
Miyuki: I think this should be plenty.
Karen: How long has that been down there? I don't recognize the brand.
Suguru: I have no idea, but at least since my parents were married. We found my mother's wedding dress along with it
Leesha: I wonder if this is left over from their wedding. Yuichiro bought enough sake for three times as many guests as there were. Yes, that is probably where it came from. How much was there of it?
Suguru: There are the five cases we pulled out, but there are probably five more still buried, if not more.
Shikijo: (Walking over to the cases) I don't really care where it came from, or how long it has been there… (ripping open the top box) Let's get started.
Mahoro: I'll go get some glasses for those who are not going to drink straight out of the bottle. (Looking at Saori) I will also get some iced tea for those who do not want sake.
Mahoro exits to the kitchen. Leesha joins Saori at the case.
Leesha: I don't know about everyone else, but I don't need a glass. (Taking a bottle from the case, opening it and tipping it up to take a drink) Hmmm… not bad.
Shikijo: (To Leesha) I like you. You're my kind of person (likewise taking a bottle and opening it and lifting the bottle as for a toast) Here's to universal peace. (Tips up the bottle and drinks) This is good stuff. Hey Ryuga-san… here… have a bottle.
Ryuga: Don't mind if I do.
Saori gets two bottles. She takes one and gives it to Ryuga. She gives the other to Sera.
Shikijo: Come on Sera-san, you deserve this. You have to put up with your brother.
Sera: I haven't had all that much sleep since Monday and…
Shikijo: This will relax you so you'll get a good night's sleep.
Karen: (To Rin) Rin-chan, I'm not sure how to ask this but…
Rin: Yes, mother, I have been drunk before. Once at your Christmas party two years ago and once when Suguru-kun's grandfather came to visit. And, no, I don't mind if you get plastered tonight.
Karen: (Laughing) Thank you for being honest. Are you going to get plastered?
Rin: I'm considering it.
Mahoro enters the living room carrying a tray with a pitcher of iced tea and glasses. She looks around and takes note that a number of people area already drinking straight from the bottle.
Mahoro: For those of you who would prefer something else, I do have iced tea. And I have glasses for those who don't want to drink straight from the bottle.
Shikijo: Hey Mahoro-san, come and join us. I bet you could chug one of these bottles with no problem. (To Leesha) You should see her in action. She can chug a whole pitcher of beer in one draw and not spill a drop.
Leesha: Really! I'm impressed! You're going to have to show me that some day, Mahoro-san. Not even Yuichiro could do that.
Mahoro: Ummm… I don't know.
Leesha: Come join us, Mahoro-san.
Ryuga: Yeah, come on. You're the only one who can keep up with me.
Sera: (Clearing her throat) I seem to remember drinking you under the table on several occasions.
Shikijo: That sounds like a challenge.
Kiyomi: I'm not sure there is enough sake in all of Japan to see who would win that challenge.
Mahoro: Ummm…
Suguru: Go ahead and enjoy. I may have some too.
Mahoro sets the tray down on the table then goes and gets a bottle of her own.
Mahoro: Ok. And anybody else who wants one, come and get it. There is no way I'm going to be able to convince anyone otherwise.
Yaeko: Ah… mother…
Chitose: Go ahead and get a bottle and a couple of glasses. It's not like you haven't had your share of drink lately.
Yaeko: Mother, I really haven't…
Chitose: Don't play innocent with me. Shiori-chan's mother let me know about you drinking at Shiori-chan's house, and I found the remains of two six packs in your closet before you went on your little vacation.
Yaeko: I'm sorry mother.
Chitose: Now go get a bottle. After everything that has happened over the past few days, this is just what I need.
Mahoro: (To Eimi, noting that she was the only one without a bottle) Eimi-san, are you going to join us?
Eimi: I would love to, but technically I am still on duty. And the car and driver for me and Chitose-san and Yaeko-chan is still waiting outside. I'm on duty until I return to headquarters and check in with the Officer of the Watch.
Mahoro: Hmmm… One moment please.
Mahoro goes to Sera and talks with her for a moment. Sera takes her communication device from a pocket and begins talking. Then she hands the device to Mahoro who talks for a moment. Mahoro then hands the device to Leesha and walks back to Eimi.
Mahoro: Commander Hayato said that technically you need to report to a superior officer who could then place you off duty. Now since I am your superior officer… The Commander said to dismiss the driver. Sera-san can take care of getting you back to Vesper headquarters in the morning, but he did say to send at least one or two bottles back. He also said to enjoy yourself and have a drink or two or three for him.
Eimi: Thank you, Mahoro-san.
Mahoro: Now hurry up and take care of that and come back in and drink with the rest of us.
Eimi: (Saluting) Yes, sir.
Eimi exits the house after grabbing two bottles of sake.
Mahoro joins Suguru, who has a glass of sake. Minawa and Hamaji come over to them.
Minawa: Suguru-san, I wanted to thank you again for everything you did today.
Suguru: Minawa-chan, nobody should be left with the burden of being the only one to remember someone. It was the least I could do for you.
Minawa: 369 was very special to me… (giving Hamaji a hug) in a different way than Hamaji-kun is special to me. She gave me my reason to escape. She gave me my freedom.
Hamaji: You will have to tell us stories about her so that we can all remember her.
Suguru: (To Hamaji) Will your father or mother freak out if you come home after drinking?
Hamaji: Actually, my Mom and Dad aren't expecting me home tonight.
Minawa: Hamaji is going to stay over night again so that we can be kissee-kissee.
Suguru: How are your parents taking all of this?
Hamaji: Actually, pretty well. The only thing I'm worried about is that my mother mentioned something about a ring bearer for our wedding. At first I thought that they were talking about one of my young cousins, but then I realized what they were talking about.
Suguru: You think your mother and father are going to try to have another baby?
Hamaji: Like duh! What do you think?
Suguru: I don't want to think about it
Hamaji: Neither do I, which is why I'm going to have something to drink.
Suguru laughs.
Miyuki: (After taking a drink from a bottle and then passing it to Chizu) Hey, Mahoro-san, have you heard anything about dancing at the festival this weekend?
Mahoro: No… no one has said anything to me.
Chizu: (After taking a big gulp from the bottle and passing it back to Miyuki) It's just that they never announced any tryouts for it.
Rin: And after last year, we decided we wanted to try out for this year.
Miyuki: But with no tryouts, we were wondering if they were just going to have you come back and dance this year.
Mahoro: I don't know why they should. I thought it was supposed to be a once in a life time honor.
Shikijo: It's supposed to be.
Rin: But last year no one tried out, and to be honest, you did such a wonderful job, it looks like they are just going to have you lead the dance again.
Mahoro: But that isn't fair. You should all have the opportunity to try.
Chizu: Maybe next year. It's probably too late to do anything about it this year.
Rin: Actually, it isn't all that important. It was supposed to be a competition between us.
Mahoro: A competition?
Miyuki: Yeah, the winner got to spend the night with Suguru-kun.
Mahoro: Maybe we could still arrange something like that.
Suguru: (Blushing) Mahoro!
Chizu: Actually, it wouldn't be all that bad if all four of us spent the night with him together.
Mahoro: Maybe we could arrange that too.
Suguru: (Blushing even more) Mahoro!
Mahoro: He's so cute when he's embarrassed. I'll go to see the town chairman tomorrow to see what is going on.
Mahoro tips up her bottle and begins to drink, emptying it after several seconds.
Mahoro: Aaaw! All gone.
Shikijo: We can fix that. (Saori pulls the last bottle out of the first case) Here have another.
Fade to black.
Scene opens in the living room. Most of the guests from the previous night are suffering in various stages of hangover agony.
Miyuki: Who gave the sun permission to come out this morning? That was downright rude.
Chizu: I haven't felt this bad since… since… the time Suguru-kun's grandfather came to visit.
Kaito: Are you going to be all right Chizu-chan?
Chizu: Eventually. You don't feel anything from drinking last night?
Kaito: Not really, except maybe a little bit hungry.
Miyuki: How can you even think about food?
Riku: I don't really feel anything either. Maybe we didn't have as much as you did.
Rin: Could you please stop talking so loud? My head feels like it is going to split open.
Kiyomi: Don't worry. My head feels like it already did.
Karen: Lesson number one. If you are going to drink, you can't complain about the pain… especially if you are going to drink as much as we did last night. Want to do it again?
Rin: Ask me later when whatever is trying to claw its way out of my head escapes.
Shikijo: Never fear. I sense that Mahoro-san will be to the rescue soon.
Chitose: What do you mean?
Shikijo: Mahoro-san has a hangover cure that is a complete miracle and I hear the water boiling now.
Chitose: Are you sure that isn't the contents of our brains boiling away?
Shikijo: I'm sure. She has been my savior on several occasions now.
Karen: Where are Leesha-san, Ryuga-san, Sera-san and Eimi-san? I think I remember seeing them passed out last night. Why aren't they suffering with us?
Shikijo: I know why Ryuga-san and Sera-san aren't. Maybe Leesha-san can just tolerate more alcohol because she isn't Terran.
Suguru enters the lining room from the stairway from the upstairs.
Suguru: (In a subdued voice) Good morning everyone.
Shiori: What is so good about it? My head feels like … no I don't want to think what it feels like. It hurts to think.
Mahoro enters from the kitchen with a tray of cups of tea, her special blend.
Shikijo: I see Mahoro-san took care of her love first before she thought of us.
Suguru: What do you mean? I just got out of bed.
Mahoro: I haven't fixed anything for him until now. How do you feel, Suguru?
Suguru: I feel fine, but it looks like there are some people who really need that special blend of yours. Would you like some help?
Minawa comes down the stairs (still wearing the same clothing she was wearing the previous day although somewhat disheveled) as Suguru moves to help Mahoro distribute the tea.
Mahoro: Minawa-chan, are you feeling all right?
Minawa: I'm fine, but I don't think Hamaji-kun can make it down the stairs. May I take some of your tea to him?
Mahoro: Of course.
Minawa comes and gets a cup of tea from Mahoro's tray.
Minawa: Thank you Onee-chan.
Minawa exits with the tea in hand.
Chitose: (Taking a cup from Mahoro's tray) What is this and why should I drink it?
Shikijo: This is the best hangover cure on the face of the Earth and probably beyond. The only thing better to prevent a hangover is to stay drunk. (Shikijo takes a sip from the cup Mahoro has just given her) Ahhh… as good as ever, Mahoro-san.
Mahoro: Thank you Saori-san.
Chitose: (After taking a little sip) This is good. (To Yaeko, who is lying next to her, up against the couch) Ya-chan, are you awake?
Yaeko: Yes, mother. I have been awake for a while. Mother, Am I supposed to feel sick like everyone else?
Chitose: What do you mean?
Yaeko: I expected to have a headache at least after last night, but I don't feel anything.
Chitose: You probably didn't have as much to drink as everyone else.
Yaeko: You're probably right.
Fade to Mahoro and Suguru standing outside a door labeled "Town Chairman". Mahoro is wearing one of her Vesper student uniforms while Suguru is dressed somewhat formally.
Mahoro: Thank you for coming with me. I've never done anything like this before.
Suguru: Neither have I.
Mahoro knocks on the door.
Voice of Town Chairman: Please come in.
Suguru opens the door and they enter the office. The office is rather cluttered with posters and blue prints on the walls. There are several tables piled with drawings and blue prints. One table has a model of the festival grounds with the dance tower as a prominent feature of it. Near the back wall is the desk the town chairman is sitting behind. It is piled with papers and drawings, to the point of almost obscuring the computer monitor on it. The gentleman stands to greet Mahoro and Suguru.
Town Chairman: Welcome, Welcome… Please excuse the mess. With the Summer Festival starting tonight, things are quite hectic. You didn't have to come to the office, I would have come to your house.
Mahoro: It's no problem. What I wanted to talk about was Summer Festival.
Town Chairman: You will be able to dance for us this year? I'm sorry for not talking to you sooner, but with everything that has happened this summer with you and Suguru-kun and all of your friends, it just slipped through the cracks.
Mahoro: So you do intend for me to dance?
Town Chairman: If you would, please. I would be in a very tight spot if you said no.
Mahoro: It's just that I know of several people who would have liked to try out to dance this year.
Town Chairman: Last year, no one tried out and when you agreed to do it and did such a fine job, the Town Council decided to just ask you again, but as I said with all of the excitement, we forgot to ask.
Mahoro: It's just that I feel bad because the honor to lead the dance has always been a once in a lifetime honor. Having me lead the dance this year would break that tradition.
Town Chairman: Unfortunately, I don't think we have a choice. As for those who wanted to try out, we will definitely have tryouts for next year.
Mahoro: Hmmm… I will dance, but there will be once condition.
Town Chairman: Mahoro-san, you have me at a definite disadvantage. Whatever the condition is, I'll go along with it.
Mahoro: Fine, since we've already broken one tradition, I think we will break another.
Cut to mid-show break.
Scene shifts to festival grounds next to the dance platform. Mahoro and Suguru, Minawa and Hamaji, Rin and Kiyomi, Miyuki and Riku, Chizu and Kaito, Saori and Ryuga, Karen, Sera, Eimi and Leesha, each dressed in a yukata.
Suguru: Are you ready to do this Mahoro?
Mahoro: As ready as I'll ever be. Leesha-san, I'm so glad you came tonight.
Leesha: I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world. You look lovely. The yukata looks lovely on you.
Mahoro: It was Yuuka-san's. I wore it last year when I danced. Your yukata is lovely as well.
Leesha: I wore this the last time I came to this festival with Yuichiro. I was amazed at the things that he saved from when I was with him on Earth.
Chizu: It looks like they are just about ready to start.
Mahoro: Then let's do this.
Mahoro begins to walk up the stairway to the top of the platform, followed by Rin, Miyuki and Chizu.
Mahoro: Minawa-chan, you are more than welcome to join us.
Minawa: I may not be tripping and falling as much as I was before, but I'm still not sure I'm ready to lead a dance. Please enjoy yourself and I will join the dance with everyone else.
Mahoro: Saori-san, the same offer is open to you also.
Shikijo: Thank you for the offer, but I had my time in the limelight. I would rather spend the time with Ryuga-san (giving him a little hug).
Suguru: Remember everyone, smile while you are dancing.
Mahoro: We will.
Suguru: Do your best.
Mahoro, Rin, Miyuki and Chizu proceed to the top of the stairs. At the top of the stairs they are greeted by the Town Chairman.
Town Chairman: Thank you all for leading the dance tonight. Let me introduce you and you can get started. (The Town Chairman goes to the microphone) Good evening. This year we have a very special treat. To lead our dance tonight, returning by popular demand, we have Mahoro Andou and joining her this evening are three of our local celebrities… Rin Todoroki, Miyuki Sakura and Chizuko Oe… who with Mahoro-san are goodwill ambassadors to the Saint people.
All four of them bow to the crowd and then move to their positions, one on each side of the platform. They bow again to the crowd and Mahoro signals the drummer to start and the dance to begin.
Kiyomi: They are lovely up there. I don't know how to thank Mahoro-san. I didn't know, but they have been practicing since last year's festival.
Suguru: Mahoro was more than happy to share the stage.
Hamaji: All four of them are very good. They are keeping absolutely perfect time to the drum.
Kaito: I don't understand the significance of the dance to a festival honoring ancestors.
Suguru: I'm not sure of the significance either, but it is a dance long associated with this festival. I saw posters in the Town Chairman's office dating back into the 1930's.
Riku: How long are they supposed to dance like that?
Suguru: Last year Mahoro danced for over three hours without taking a break.
Shikijo: Now I understand how she did it.
Suguru: This year the girls agreed that they would take breaks, even Mahoro, one at a time when they feel they need it.
Shikijo: Ryuga-san, this is your first summer festival. Why don't we join the dance for a while and then I can show you around the festival grounds?
Ryuga: But I have no idea…
Shikijo: Just watch what everyone else is doing.
Saori does not give Ryuga a chance to answer, but takes him by the arm and they find a spot in the line
Suguru: Why don't we all join the dance? Grandmother, would you care to join me?
Leesha: I would be delighted.
Suguru takes Leesha by the hand and they join the circle of dancers.
Hamaji: Minawa-chan, I promise to try to not step on your feet.
Minawa: And I promise to try not to trip and fall.
Likewise Hamaji and Minawa join the circle next to Suguru and Leesha.
Kiyomi: Todoroki-san would you join me?
Karen: Kiyomi-kun, you do not have to be so formal. Please call me Karen.
Kiyomi: Ahhh… Karen-… chan, would you please join me?
Karen: I would be delighted.
Kiyomi takes Karen by the hand and joins the dance. Eimi and Sera remain with the twins.
Sera: (To the twins) I guess it's just the four of us. Would you care to try?
Riku: I have no idea what to do.
Sera: Neither do I, but I think if you watch Miyuki-chan you might be able to figure it out.
Eimi: I've never done anything like this dance either. The town that I am from has a completely different tradition. We celebrated Obon in July and the celebration was very different.
Kaito: Sera-san, will you join me?
Sera: Of course.
Riku: (Offering his hand to Eimi) Will you join me, Eimi-san?
Eimi: Yes, I would be honored.
The four walk to join the dance.
Scene shifts to some time later. Suguru, Kiyomi, Kaito and Riku are standing near the platform stairs each with two ice cream cones. Hamaji and Minawa are also there, each enjoying an ice cream cone.
The music has stopped and the participants in the dance are dispersing to the festival.
Suguru: They should be coming down in a minute.
Kaito: Are you sure this is what Chizu-chan will want to eat?
Kiyomi: Take our word for it. After dancing for almost three and a half hours, this is exactly what they are going to want.
The girls begin to walk down the stairway. Except for Mahoro they all look tired and stiff.
Rin: Tell me again why we thought this might be a good idea.
Miyuki: I understand why it was a once in a lifetime honor. I can't imagine anyone other than Mahoro-san thinking they could do this twice.
The girls reach the bottom of the stairs. The boys advance with the cones.
Riku: We thought you might like something cold after your dance.
Miyuki: Thank you Riku-kun. You're so sweet.
Rin: Something cold and a place to sit down.
Kiyomi: There are some benches over here. Come on and sit down.
Kaito: I hope you like the flavor, Chizu-chan. When I asked what flavor you would like, Suguru-kun said to just pick one and that you would like it. This is chocolate and cherry sort of mixed together.
Chizu: Thank you Kaito-kun. You picked very well.
Suguru: How was it this year?
Mahoro: Everything went very well. I just wish the girls hadn't tried to keep up with me. I'm afraid that they might be hurt.
Suguru: I don't think there is anything wrong with them that a little love can't make feel better.
Miyuki: Where is everyone else?
Hamaji: Saori-san took Ryuga-san on a tour of the night fair and who know where after that.
Miyuki: If we need to find them all we have to do is follow the trail of beer cans.
Minawa: Leesha-san, Sera-san, Karen-san and Eimi-san went to find something to eat.
Suguru: You rest here. I think we can get you anything you need.
Rin: Actually a big glass of iced tea would be good.
Miyuki: Yeah, iced tea would be real good.
Chizu: I'd rather have more of the sake from last night.
Rin and Miyuki: Chizu-chan!
Chizu: Well why not. After a bottle of that, do you think you would feel any pain?
Rin: She has a point there.
Miyuki: For now, let's stick with the tea.
Suguru: You have it.
Mahoro: Suguru, I'll come with you to help you.
Kiyomi: I can help Suguru-kun. You sit and rest.
Mahoro: Don't worry about me Kiyomi-kun. You sit with Rin-chan. Remember, I would have no problem doing another three and a half hours of this.
Kiyomi: Right.
Mahoro: Suguru, shall we?
Suguru: Lets.
Mahoro: We'll be right back.
Suguru and Mahoro walk off hand in hand toward the night stand area.
Miyuki: I never dreamed that it would be so much work.
Rin: My arms don't even feel like they are attached anymore.
Chizu: My feet hurt.
Riku: (Sitting down next to Miyuki) You were very pretty when you were dancing.
Miyuki: (Putting her arm around Riku and putting her head on his shoulder) Thank you Riku-kun. Hearing that made it all worth while.
Rin: Did anyone see my father around?
Kiyomi: No, but I don't think he would try to do something here.
Rin: No, it's not that. I figured he might show up to see his daughter dance, but I guess he really is breaking all ties with mother and me.
Kiyomi: Just because we didn't see him, doesn't mean that he wasn't here.
Rin: I know. It just hurts a bit.
Chizu: My mom and dad were going to try and make it, but they were flying in from somewhere today.
Miyuki: You mean your parents have been away and you were at home alone.
Chizu: No, my aunt stays with me when my parents are away. She's pretty neat.
Hamaji: By the way Miyuki-chan, I saw your parents and your sisters wandering around the festival grounds.
Miyuki: The last thing I need right now are my sisters.
Mahoro and Suguru return. Mahoro is carrying a stack of plastic cups and Suguru is carrying two large containers of iced tea.
Mahoro: Your tea is served.
Suguru: The Town Chairman met us and made arrangements for the tea. Drink up. We have a little over an hour before the fireworks begin. Mahoro and I are going to visit the night fair.
Hamaji: Minawa-chan and I are going to do the same.
Suguru: Why don't we meet where we watched the fireworks from last year?
Rin: Sounds like a good idea. I think I'm almost ready to start moving or I may never move from here again.
Kiyomi: We'll catch up with you later.
Suguru, Mahoro, Hamaji and Minawa begin walking toward the night fair.
Mahoro: Minawa-chan, this is really your first summer festival and night fair?
Minawa: I was here for the night fair they had when we came home.
Mahoro: That's true.
Minawa: Onee-chan, would you mind if Hamaji-kun and I wandered around the fair by ourselves?
Mahoro: No, of course not. I was actually going to suggest that. I'd like to spend some time with Suguru. With everything that has been going on this last week, I really haven't had much time to just be with him.
Minawa: Thank you Onee-chan. I will see you later.
Mahoro: Maybe we'll see you for the fireworks.
Minawa: Maybe you will. (To Hamaji) Come on, Hamaji-kun. Give me a tour of the night fair.
Hamaji: Sure thing. (To Suguru and Mahoro) We'll see you later.
Minawa: Don't count on it.
Suguru and Mahoro laugh as Minawa and Hamaji head off into the crowd by themselves. Suguru and Mahoro also enter the fair, walking hand in hand.
Suguru: Remember last year at the festival… It was the first time you had ever been to one.
Mahoro: I know. I felt just like a child. I had to try everything. The games, the food… it was all one big wonder.
Suguru: The one thing I remember was you and Sensei battling it out. You two almost closed down the fair.
Mahoro: I know, but she was being so… so… so…
Voice of Shikijo: I think the word you are looking for is vulgar.
Mahoro: (Shocked at the sound of Saori's voice, Mahoro turns to see Saori and Ryuga) Saori-san, I didn't know you were there.
Shikijo: Don't worry about it. You are right though. I was being vulgar and stupid. (To Suguru) Did you ever thank Mahoro-san for rescuing you? If you didn't, you should. I had some really evil things on my mind that night.
Mahoro: (Clearing her throat) What do you think of the night fair, Ryuga-san?
Ryuga: I'm having a wonderful time. Saori-san is giving me quite a tour.
Shikijo: You should see the tour he's going to get after the fireworks.
Suguru: I think I'd rather not see it.
Shikijo: Your chance was last year.
Mahoro: Enough of that.
Shikijo: Mahoro-san, how would you like to go to the shooting game for a friendly competition?
Suguru: You know that if they see you two coming, they are going to shut down.
Shikijo: We'll promise to be good.
Mahoro: Anyway, I don't have any weaponry with me today.
Shikijo: I can even show you the trick to knocking the targets down so you can win every time.
Mahoro: Sounds like fun. Maybe I can win something for Suguru.
Scene fades as Mahoro, Suguru, Saori and Ryuga walk into the crowd to Mahoro and Suguru walking hand in hand by themselves down a treed path.
Suguru: We don't have much time before the fireworks start.
Mahoro: I know. Do you remember us walking here last year?
Suguru: If I remember correctly, we were caught is a summer rain shower and we were dripping wet.
Mahoro: And I was wondering what all of those people in the woods were doing. … Suguru, last year, when you said that it would be nice to do this again next year, I knew that it would be impossible. I almost cried. I wanted to tell you the truth, but I was afraid the truth would hurt you… I realize now… the person I was trying not to hurt was me. I am so sorry, Suguru.
Suguru: You know, when you didn't answer right away, I knew something was wrong. And the answer you gave me confirmed it, but I also knew that you had your own reasons. But you know what?
Mahoro: What?
Suguru: It is nice that we could spend this summer festival together. And I'll say it again. We will have to do this again next year.
Mahoro: Yes we will, and the year after, and the year after, and the year after that… and we will come here with our children.
Suguru: Yes, we will come here with our children.
There is the sound of fireworks going off.
Suguru: The fireworks have started. Let's get going.
Suguru and Mahoro begin to run down the path. At a clearing in the woods on a little hill overlooking the festival grounds is the assembled group. Mahoro and Suguru step up in a break in the line between Minawa and Hamaji and Saori and Ryuga. All stand watching the fireworks. After a moment or two, Suguru places his arm around Mahoro with it resting on her hip. Mahoro does the same and they draw each other closer. Pan to fireworks display and fade to Mahoro and Suguru entering their bedroom.
Mahoro: Hamaji-kun decided to spend the night at his house and have Minawa-chan spend the night with him there. Something about not wanting to give his parents too many opportunities.
Suguru: Do you actually think Hamaji-kun and Minawa-chan will use the separate rooms?
Mahoro: At least to sleep, but I don't think they will be doing too much sleeping. The twins are in also, but I think Miyuki-chan and Chizu-chan would have liked to stayed over.
Suguru: It sounds like Chizu-chan might have been able to get away with it. Although she did say her parents were coming home today. I don't think Miyuki-chan's mom or dad are ready for her to be sleeping with her boyfriend.
Mahoro: I think you are right. Riku-kun did say though that he and Miyuki-chan had something planned for tomorrow.
Suguru: It sounds like it might be a quiet day. Maybe I can finish my project in the basement. I think there are some other things under those piles other than sake.
Mahoro and Suguru start getting ready for bed, changing into their night clothes.
Mahoro: What are you planning to do with all of it?
Suguru: Most of it I will box up and recycle. There isn't very much at all that I want to save. As Hamaji-kun said, some of it is just too weird.
Mahoro: What about the videos?
Suguru: Most of those I will throw away. There are two or three Asaoka Riho videos that I would like to keep… That is, if you don't mind.
Mahoro: No, actually I don't mind. In fact, one day I'd like to be able to sit and watch them with you.
Suguru: Mahoro, I never expected to hear you say that.
Mahoro: Well, I was sort of looking through the magazines you were saving. They are pretty much all of Asaoka Riho. She is very pretty.
Suguru: Not as pretty as you.
Mahoro: Thank you Suguru. … Suguru, about what we were talking about the other night.
Suguru: You mean about the video?
Mahoro: Well… that… but more about you saying that I should trust you. I really have done some very silly things since I came back. Things I never would have considered doing before, but… I really mean what I said tonight… I really do want to go to the festival again… with you… (quietly) and with our children… someday.
Suguru: (Taking hold of both of Mahoro's hands) Someday I want to do that also… but… I'm not sure I'm ready… I'm not sure we are ready for that responsibility… yet.
Mahoro: I realize that… but it hasn't stopped me from… from… doing silly things. You know that if you had wanted to have sex with me… I would not have stopped you.
Suguru: I know, but if you did get pregnant it would mess up your plans to teach.
Mahoro: I was thinking about that. But I was also thinking that it would do the same to your time in high school. I can imagine it would be difficult to concentrate in class is you were kept awake all night by a crying baby.
Suguru: So…
Mahoro: I will trust you… but if passions and circumstances take us to that point, though, I will not ask you to stop.
Mahoro and Suguru climb into bed and Mahoro turns off the light.
Mahoro: On the other hand, I would really like to cuddle up with you.
Suguru: (Pan to ceiling) You mean like this?
Mahoro: Hmmm… yes… It feels so good when you hold me like this.
Fate to black.
Cut to ending theme
Preview:
Scene opens with Mahoro, Suguru, Minawa, Hamaji, Kaito and Riku sitting around the dining room table eating breakfast. Hamaji look displeased about something. Scene shifts to Riku opening the door to let Miyuki in. Miyuki does not look particularly happy. Scene shifts to Harune giving Suguru a big hug. Scene shifts to Harune walking with Slash. Harune is not smiling. Scene shifts to Mahoro, Ryuga and Minawa in their battle armor. They are standing with Sera and Suguru.
Voice Over
Voice of Rin: Hamaji-kun does not look at all happy. I wonder what's wrong?
Voice of Karen: I hope nothing happened between Minawa-chan and Hamaji-kun.
Voice of Shikijo: I don't think so. Miyuki-chan doesn't look very happy either.
Voice of Karen: Who is that?
Voice of Rin: Oh! That's Miyuki-chan's youngest sister, Harune-chan. That might explain why Miyuki-chan isn't happy.
Voice of Shikijo: It looks like Harune-chan has a crush on Suguru-kun.
Voice of Rin: Don't we all? But even Harune-chan doesn't look so happy now. And why are Mahoro-san, Minawa-chan and Ryuga-sensei in their battle armor?
Voice of Karen: I have to admit, Ryuga-sensei looks real good wearing his battle armor.
Voice of Shikijo: You should see him when he isn't wearing it.
Episode 23: Harune