Black & White
Act 1-7
Frère et sœur
Brother & Sister
A sister idolizes her older brother.
The brother loves his sister.
But what happens when idolizing turns into obsession?
Scene 1
A day at the beach
"Big brother, come play with me?"
"Okay Kimiko."
The brother walks over and starts to plays with her in the sand.
"Let's make a castle as tall as the sky big brother?" Kimiko says as she gets another bucket of sand.
"Yeah. Let's do it. Let's make it as tall as dad."
"Yeah."
While Kimiko was playing in the sand she accidentally cut her hand on something sharp.
"Ow. Big brother, I cut my hand."
"Let me see it."
Kimiko hands him her hand.
"I'm going to have to put alcohol on the cut. It's going to hurt so hold on to me and close your eyes."
Kimiko hugs her brother tightly and braces herself. She doesn't scream, but she does cry.
"Kimiko. You did great." The brother says as he pats her head.
"It's okay. As long as big brother praises me."
After a few hours of playing in the sand it starts to get dark.
"Kids it's time to go home. Tomorrow is the harvest moon festival. So you have to get to sleep early tonight." their Mother yells to them from the side walk.
"It's time to go Kimiko." the brother says as he takes her hand.
"Okay. But can we come here again big brother? I had a lot of fun playing together with you."
"Sure. We'll come back as soon as I get a chance to bring you. As many times as you like. Okay?"
"Promise?" Kimiko says as she stops.
"I promise you Kimiko. No matter what you want, I will do it for you." the brother says as he hugs her.
Kimiko tears up as she looks up to her brother. "Then it's a promise."
Scene 2
The conversation
As the Mother starts to take the kids home she begins to ask her son questions.
"Tai, do you love your sister?"
"Huh?" Tai says as he walks with Kimiko asleep on his back.
"What will you do for her?"
"I don't get it. What do you mean mom?" Tai says with a puzzled look on his face.
"I love you big brother." Kimiko says in her sleep.
"Never mind Tai. Just forget that I said anything." He's not ready yet to learn what we do. He's only 8. Maybe he's too young.
When they got home she tells Tai to take Kimiko into their room and to tuck her and him in.
Meanwhile their Mother and father were in the living room talking about something rather serious.
"So do you think Tai is ready to take on the responsibility of the family Haruna?"
"No, not yet. He does love his sister, but I don't think he is emotionally ready to comprehend what must be done Tsume. Let's wait until after the 7th harvest moon festival. Then, we will teach him the ways of the Soldat clan."
"Okay. We'll wait until he is 15 and Kimiko is 14 to teach them their roles. But do you think nothing is going to come up in the next seven years?"
Haruna gets up and walks towards her bedroom door. "I hope not. Because if something was to come up, we would have to go and we might not come back."
Haruna walks into the room and closes the door behind her.
"I hope you're right Haruna. I would hate it if they were to grow up in this world alone." Tsume says to himself.
The next day Kimiko woke up early to wake up Tai.
"Big brother." Kimiko says as she walks over to his bed. "It's time to go to the harvest moon festival."
Tai turns over in the bed. "I know Kimiko."
"Then get up already." Kimiko says as she nudges him. "We have to get ready."
"Alright Kimiko." Tai says as he sits up. "Come on. Let's go and get in the shower."
"Okay." Kimiko says as she follows Tai into the bathroom.
"Hey, Kimiko. Can you do me a favor?"
"Yes. What is it brother?" Kimiko answers as she turns around in the tub.
"Could you wash my back? I can't reach it."
"Sure. I'll do it." Kimiko says as she starts to rub down his back with the sponge.
"Wow. That feels great Kimiko." Tai says as he closes his eyes.
"Really?" Kimiko says ecstatically. "Then I'll do it every time we bathe."
"I'd like that."
"Hey you two." Haruna yells from the other side of the door. "It's about time you two got out of there. The festival is going to start soon and I don't want you to be late."
"Yes mom." Tai says as he stands up. "Come on Kimiko. We have to go now."
"Alright. Coming." Kimiko replies as she follows him into the bedroom.
"So what are you going to wear Kimiko?" Tai asks as he puts on his black pants and black dress shirt.
"I'm going to wear the white kimono mother gave me. It's new." Kimiko says as she turns around. "So how do I look? Do you like it?"
"I love it Kimiko. You look great." Tai says with a smile.
"Really?" Kimiko says as she blushes. "Do you really love it?"
"Yeah. I do." walks over and grabs her hand. "Now come on. It's time to go."
"Yes." Kimiko says as she follows her brother out the house.
They both walk down the festival grounds, where Kimiko saw a game booth with a stuffed animal that she thought was cute. So, she stops and tugs on Tai's arm.
"Big brother. Look at the pretty bears."
Tai walks up to the booth.
"What? Are you talking about these?"
"Yes."
Looks down at Kimiko. "And do you want one of them?"
"Yes." Kimiko replies as she pouts.
"Come on Kimiko. You don't need to pout. I'll try and get it for you alright?" Tai says as he pats her head.
"Really? Thank you." Kimiko says as she jumps up and down.
"Okay, okay. Calm down." turns towards the person behind the booth. "What do I have to do to win one of those bears?"
"Well, you have to be able to throw one baseball at theses three bottles and try to knock them all down."
"Okay. Can you give me two balls?" Tai asks as he holds out his hand.
"Sure. Here you go."
"Thanks." Tai says as he takes the balls, one in each hand, and cocks back his right arm. "Here we go."
Come on big brother. I know you can do it.
"Aww. So close." the guy says as he sets it up again. "You have another try."
"I know." Tai says as he cocks back his hand for the final time.
"Wait. Aren't you going to take your time on this one?"
"Why should I? If I don't get it this time, I would have broken a promise to my sister."
Brother.
"And I don't intend to do that."
Tai throws the ball as hard as he could.
"Brother!" Kimiko exclaims.
"We have a winner."
"Brother," Kimiko says as she walks up and grabs his arm. "you did it."
"Yeah." Tai responds as he catches his breath.
"Are you okay?" Kimiko asks as she rubs his back.
"Yeah, don't worry about me." Tai says as he tries to smile. "Why don't you pick out your bear?"
"Okay." turns towards the booth. "I'll take the white one."
"Here you go young lady."
"Thank you." Kimiko says as she takes the bear and turns back to Tai. "So where do you want to go next?"
Tai stands up.
"Well, I think the fireworks show is going to start." grabs her hand. "Come on. We can watch it on top of that hill."
"Okay."
They both go up to the top of a nearby hill and wait for the fireworks show to start.
"Brother," Kimiko starts. "thank you for the bear."
"No problem Kimiko. I told you I was going to get you the bear. So, I got you the bear. I didn't want to break a promise I made to you."
"You didn't want to break a promise to me?"
"Yeah."
"Well," Kimiko says as she leans on his shoulder. "but still, thank you."
"Well, you're welcome." Tai says as he pats her head.
"You know, I was wondering…"
"What is it Kimiko?"
"Well… brother, why were you out of breath after throwing the ball the second time? You had to catch your breath like you were running for a long time."
"I'm not sure why I was out of breath. All I know is that I wanted to get you that bear, and I was willing to do anything to get it for you. The next thing I know, I threw the ball harder than I have ever thrown a ball before."
"I was worried." Kimiko says as she hugs him.
"You don't need to worry Kimiko. Nothing is going to happen to me."
"Really?" Kimiko asks as she looks up to him.
"Yes." Tai says as he turns towards the sky. "Hey, look. The fireworks show is starting."
"Brother." Kimiko says while looking at the display in the sky.
"Yeah?"
"I want to come here again with you."
Tai lies down on his back. "Okay. But you know that we will be coming here every year together, right?"
"I know. But I just want you to know that I like coming here with you."
"Fine. We will come here together every year. For as long as you like."
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Tai says as he stands up. "Come on. It's time to go home. We have school tomorrow."
"Alright." Kimiko replies as she follows Tai off the hill.
Tai stops and stares at the sky.
"The moon is beautiful."
"It is."
Scene 3
Harvest Moon Festival
Kimiko and Tai have been going to the harvest moon festival for the past 6 years, but this year was special. It was the year that Tai graduated and moved upstairs to the tenth grade.
"Brother. I'm so happy for you." Kimiko says as she walks holding his hand.
"Yeah. I finally am going into the tenth grade." Tai says with a smile on his face.
They continue walking around the festival. Suddenly they pass a ride called the haunted house.
"Hey, Kimiko. Let's get on that ride? It looks like fun."
The ride conductor walks over to them.
"Hey you guys look like a cute couple. How about you guys try this ride. It will scare you to death. Guaranteed." he says as he guides them over to the cart.
"Come on. Let's get in Kimiko?" Tai says as he guides her over to the carts.
"Fine. If you want to. But I'm scared."
"Well look. If you get scared, just hold onto me. Alright?" Tai says with a smile.
"Well, if y… you say so." Kimiko says as she blushes.
As they walk over to the carts, Kimiko starts to think to herself. What's going on with me? I don't usually get nervous when I'm with brother. So why?
The ride starts. And right away Kimiko is frightened by a ghost. She squeezes Tai's arm.
"Ahhh…."
"Kimiko, it's alright. It's fake."
"I…. I know that. I was just startled. That's all." Kimiko says as she quickly lets go of his arm. What's gotten into me? Why am I getting so excited when I touch my brother?
Kimiko gets startled again and she closes her eyes while holding Tais' arm.
"Kimiko. It's over. You can open your eyes now."
"Huh?" Kimiko says as she opens her eyes. "I wasn't scared."
"Okay. Sure you weren't." Tai says as he smiles towards her.
"Well, I wasn't." Kimiko says as she turns her back. "If you're going to make fun of me, I'm going home." I bet that'll make him think twice about teasing me.
"If you want to go home then I won't stop you." Tai says as he starts to walk away.
"Wait big brother. I was playing. Please don't go." Kimiko says as she starts to tear up. "I won't do it again. I promise."
"Kimiko, calm down. I was only joking. I would never neglect you like that."
"Really?" Kimiko's face turns red.
"Now stop all the crying. Okay?"
"I'm sorry." Kimiko runs over and hugs Tai.
"It's okay. Now let's go and enjoy the rest of the festival. The fireworks show is going to start soon." Tai says as he takes her face from his chest.
"Alright."
Kimiko and Tai walk around the festival until the firework show started. They decided to go on top of a hill to watch the show.
"Hey. Big brother?"
"Huh?"
"I had a lot of fun today with you."
"What are you talking about? We come here every year together."
"I know, but I just like being with you."
"Well, I like to be with you too Kimiko. When ever I'm with you I don't worry about what happened in the past. I only care about making you happy."
"Really? Do you mean that?"
"Of course I do."
"That makes me so happy." Kimiko says as she hugs Tai.
They fall backwards.
"Kimiko. Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm alright. Are you hurt? I'm lying on top of you. I must be heavy." Kimiko says as she blushes.
"I'm okay. You're not heavy at all." Tai looks at her. "If you want you can stay that way until the fireworks show is over."
"N….no, I can get up. It must be uncomfortable." Kimiko gets up and sits next to Tai.
"You know. No matter how many years we come here, I still love to see the Harvest moon."
"Yes. It is as beautiful as it was 6 years ago."
The fireworks show ends and they go home to prepare for school the next day.
Scene 4
High School
It's been two weeks since school has started. Kimiko goes into their to wake up Tai for school, like always, before he is late.
"Big brother." Kimiko whispers into his ears. "You have to wake up."
Tai is reluctant to get up and turns over in the bed.
"Big brother, if you don't get up I'll tell everyone at school that you sleep with a big teddy bear."
Tai jumps up.
"That's a lie. Don't go and tell everyone at school that."
Kimiko laughs. "I'm not brother. I just wanted to get you out of bed. We have to get ready for school. Now go and wash up while I get your clothes ready. Okay?"
"Alright. If you say so Kimiko."
After Tai gets ready he walks towards the door.
"Hey, Tai. Aren't you going to walk with your sister to school today?" Haruna asks as she is clearing the table.
"Of course I am. I'm just going to wait outside for her and then scare her. So don't tell her okay mom."
"Alright son."
Kimiko was up the stair case when Tai was walking out.
"Mother. I'm going off."
"Alright dear. Be careful."
"Okay." Kimiko says as she walks out the door.
Tai jumps out from behind a bush. "Boo!"
Kimiko screams and starts to cry.
"Kimiko. Are you alright? I didn't mean to scare you that bad. I'm sorry." Tai says with a concerned look on his face.
"Ha. I got you brother. You didn't scare me."
"Well it seems you're not scared of things jumping out at you."
"Yeah. Thanks to that haunted house at the festival." The truth is that I heard what you were going to do.
"Alright." Tai says as he nudges her along. "It's time to go to school. I don't want you to be late on account of me trying to scare you."
"Okay. But under one condition." Kimiko says as she grabs his arm.
"What are you doing? We don't have time to play."
"I want you to hold my hand on our walk to school."
"Why?"
Kimiko looks down with a sad face.
"I just wanted to hold your hand as we walked to school."
"I'm sorry Kimiko. If you want to hold my hand, then you can do it when ever you want. Okay?"
Kimiko smiles.
"Okay." Kimiko says as she pulls his arm towards the school.
Tai walks Kimiko to her classroom.
"Alright Kimiko. Here you are. If you need anything, I'm just above you. You can come and get me any time. Alright?"
"Okay brother." she says as she hugs him.
"Okay. I got to go to class so I'll see you later Kimiko."
"Okay. See you later."
Tai walks off up the stairs.
"Hey you! Come here." a girl yells.
Kimiko turns around.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you. I want to ask you something."
Kimiko walks over.
"Hi. My name is Tokate, Kimiko. And who are you?"
"Oh yeah, my name is Mayu. I wanted to know who that guy was you were talking with over at the door. He always comes and drops you off."
"You mean just a moment ago?"
"Yeah. Who was that? He was cute."
"Well, he's my b-"
"Your b-boyfriend?"
"What?" Kimiko's face turns red. "What are you talking about?"
"It's written all over your face that you two are lovers. People who are just friends don't look at each other like you two do."
LOVERS? Me and brother? "You got it all wrong Mayu."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He is my bro….brother."
"Sure he is. And my name is Kitsuragi."
"But he is." Kimiko says as she sits at her desk.
"What ever."
Pretty soon it was their lunch time.
I wonder if brother will eat lunch with me on the roof.
"Hey, Kimiko. Do you want to eat lunch together?" Mayu asks.
"Naw."
"I know what you're going to do."
"What?"
"You're going to see your boyfriend right?"
"Well I am going to see him, but he's not my boyfriend."
"I knew it."
"What ever. I'm going. I'll be back at the end of lunch."
"Okay. But if you're late, I'm going to tell the teacher that you were with your boyfriend."
"Okay."
Kimiko walks out the class and goes up the stairs to Tai's class.
"Umm. Excuse me Yuki. Is Tai in here?"
"Yeah," Yuki answers. "He was, but he's on the roof talking with some girl."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. He should still be up there. So you can still catch him."
"Oh. Okay, thanks Yuki." Kimiko says as she closes the class door.
As she starts walking up the stairs she starts to think. What if he is talking to a girl? I can't just interrupt their conversation. Why would he be talking to another girl anyway? What if he gets a girlfriend and he stops spending time with me. What will I do? Maybe I'm jumping the gun on this. Maybe they are just talking about school work, or a report that is due.
Before Kimiko knew it she was at the roofs door. She cracked it and saw that Tai was on the roof with a girl.
"Tai I love you."
Huh? Why is she saying that she loves my brother? Is she his GIRLFRIEND?! No this can't be.
"I love you so much Tai, but you're always are off with your sister. And you don't spend any time with me anymore."
"So, what? Do you want me to stop being with Kimiko and be with you instead?" Tai says as he walks towards the gate on the roof.
"Well if you don't, then I am leaving you."
"Well I guess this is goodbye then Karen."
"You pick your sister over me?"
"I will always pick my sister over anything else. That's just the way it is."
"I hate you Tai."
Karen storms off to the door. Kimiko hurries and runs down the stairs as to not be seen listening in on their conversation. As Karen is walking down the stairs she bumps into Kimiko.
"Hello." Kimiko says.
"Humph." Karen replies as she keeps going right past her.
She must have really loved big brother. And yet he decided that being with me was more important.
Kimiko runs up the stairs and goes onto the roof.
"Hi big brother?" Kimiko says with a big smile on her face.
"Hey Kimiko. Are you here to eat lunch with me?"
"Well….is it alright for me to be here with you?"
"Huh… What are you talking about Kimiko?"
"I over heard what you and that girl were talking about." Kimiko says as she walks over towards Tai. "I know what you did."
"So, you heard all of that?"
"Yes, and I'm so sorry that you lost your girlfriend over me."
Kimiko starts crying.
"It's entirely my fault."
"Kimiko."
Tai walks over and holds Kimiko.
"It's not your fault. I love you, so it's only natural that I'll pick you over anyone else. Every single time."
Kimiko is still crying.
"But aren't you sad about losing your girlfriend?"
"No. She'll get over me in no time."
The lunch period ends.
"Kimiko, you have to get back to class."
Kimiko is still crying.
"I don't want to go to class. Cant I just stay here with you for a little while?"
"Sure. I'll explain to your teacher why you were late."
Kimiko and Tai spend the rest of the day on the roof. Until Tai got a call on his cell phone.
"Brother. What's wrong?" Kimiko asks as she gets up from his lap.
"I have to go."
"Why? Where?"
"I…. I just have to go. So when I drop you off at the house, tell mom I'll be home a little late. Okay?"
"Alright."
"Thanks Kimiko. I'll give you a treat when we I get home."
"Will you be there in time for bed?"
"Yeah I promise."
Tai takes Kimiko home and immediately leaves. He doesn't come back until midnight to find Kimiko laid out on his bed asleep.
"Kimiko. You didn't have to stay up and wait for me."
"Brother…. I want my treat."
"Little Kimiko. Still talking in your sleep." Tai says to himself as he tucks her in. "I'm sorry, but I won't be able to be with you as much as you want. Something has come up and it is important."
The next morning Kimiko wakes up in Tai's bed. And finds Tai asleep on the floor.
"Poor brother. You didn't come in until late last night. I'll let you get some sleep."
Kimiko walks out the room and starts to cook breakfast. The smell of the cooking wakes up Tai.
Tai walks into the kitchen.
"Hey, what are you cooking Kimiko?"
"Well, hi there sleepy head brother. I'm cooking bacon and pancakes. Do you want some?"
"No thanks. I have to go."
"Go? Go where?"
"I just have to go alright. And I won't be coming back until late tonight."
"O….okay. Well I hope you have a good time."
"Thanks. And also. I'm going to be late coming home for the next few months. So don't stay up and worry about me okay."
"Alright. If you say so brother."
"Okay. Well I'm leaving."
"Have a nice-" Tai walks out the door. "Day." Idiot.
Tai started to come home late every night for a month. So Kimiko started to worry.
The sister assesses her feelings.
After being apart for so long, the girl longs for her brothers' embrace.
How will he react?
How does he feel?
Does he feel the same way?
Or is this an unrequited love that will devastate the young girl?
Black & White
Act 2-7
Désir
Longing
I can't hold it in any longer. I have to tell him.