EXT MILLINER'S SHOP - DAY.
The boys emerge from the shop with Asura.
KIMIHIRO
You're too generous.
ASURA
I know. Fivepence halfpenny!
KIMIHIRO
It all adds up.
FAI
I'll pay him back.
ASURA
Oh yes. I'll make sure of that.
They laugh. Kimihiro is really rather taken with him. They walk down the street.
KIMIHIRO
Will you be stationed here all winter, Mr Asura?
ASURA
That depends on what the French have in mind. Of course I look forward to action...
(smiles at him.)
But on the other hand -
LELOUCH
Kimmy - look!
They stop. Lelouch's face lights up.
LELOUCH
Mr Kururugi!
It is indeed Suzaku, ridding towards them. He is accompanied by Doumeki.
Suzaku jumps off his horse and hurries over to Lelouch. His open, friendly face is filled with delight.
SUZAKU
I was on my way to your house.
FAI
Please Mr Kururugi, when are you going to give a ball?
LELOUCH
Fai!
SUZAKU
I was just waiting until your brother was quite well.
FAI
He is!
Kimihiro pays no attention to the following conversation, instead he is looking at Doumeki who, in turn, is staring at Asura. they both obviously recognize each other and look very uncomfortable.
YUUI
- when then?
MR KURURUGI
As soon as they have made the white soup.
FAI
Be sure to invite Mr Asura.
Doumeki turns and rides off without a word.
LELOUCH
Fai, you can't just say that -
MR KURURUGI
Will you excuse me? Mr Asura. Enjoy the day.
Kimihiro looks at Asura, puzzled.
INT. DRAWING ROOM - THE MIHARA HOUSE - DAY.
A small cards party is underway. Three tables have been set up. Kimihiro, Asura, Lelouch, Fai, Yuui, Chii and Sir Ichiro Mihara and Lady Mihara are present. A small number of officers and other ladies are also present. We move around the table. Yuui is sat with Sir Ichiro Mihara and Chii and Mokona. Lelouch sits at a table with Mr Hideki and Lady Mihara. Kimmy sits with Fai and two other officers. Fai flirts outrageously.
FAI
We have asked mama if we might have new dresses for the Netherfield ball.
YUUI
Yes, white, they must be white.
FAI
White is the only colour to be worn this season.
SIR ICHIRO MIHARA
So I believe.
Mr Hideki is at a table with Lady Mihara, he glances over at Kimihiro, as he talks.
HIDEKI
- of course, when you understand that Lady Marianne de Britannia is its proprietor you will realize what an immense compliment that is. Lady Marianne spent eight hundred pounds on a chimney-piece alone.
Asura who has been talking to some of the other officers comes and sits beside Kimihiro, passing by Mr Hideki on the way.
ASURA
(aside to Kimihiro)
Your cousin is blessed with an uncommon capacity for charm.
Kimihiro laughs and plays a hand.
FAI
Will you be attending the Netherfield ball, Mr Asura?
ASURA
I hope to
(to Kimihiro)
How long has Mr Doumeki been a guest at Netherfield?
Kimihiro pounces on this reference to Mr Doumeki and takes his chance.
KIMIHIRO
About a month. Are you acquainted with, Mr Doumeki?
ASURA
Indeed, my fate has been very intimate with that gentleman. I have been connected to his family since infancy.
Kimihiro is genuinely surprised, there is a pause while he is forced to play his hand.
ASURA (CONT'D)
You may well be surprised, Mr Kimihiro, especially given that cold manner of our intimacy this afternoon. Are you well acquainted with that gentleman?
KIMIHIRO
As much as I could ever wish to be. I have spent four days in the same house as him, and I think him very disagreeable.
ASURA
I cannot pretend to be sorry.
Kimihiro blushes.
ASURA
But really I speak out of turn.
Hideki's voice breaks the moment.
HIDEKI
Mr. Kimihiro, I was just saying to Sir Mihara what appalling weather we've been having.
Kimihiro cannot believe her misfortune in Mr Hideki, but he smiles politely.
KIMIHIRO
I think I shall take a little air.
He rises and walks through the room towards a balcony. As he passes the other tables we follow and witness snippets of their conversation.
CHII
(to Mokona)
It seems Mr Asura has met with universal approval. Though Kimmy looks singularly pleased with him.
MOKONA
At the moment he has more suitors than sense.
Chii looks over at Mr Hideki. Kimihiro passes Sir Ichiro Mihara's side of the table.
SIR ICHIRO MIHARA
Now any one for a round of bridge? Kimihiro?
KIMIHIRO
Really I need to take some air.
Mr Hideki makes his way to join Kimihiro.
SIR ICHIRO MIHARA
Mr Hideki?
HIDEKI
Oh, I am not so familiar with the game, Sir Mihara.
SIR ICHIRO MIHARA
Absolute nonsense. I insist that you join us.
CHII
Please, Mr Hideki, I'd be happy if you'd partner me.
Hideki resigns himself to his fate. Kimihiro smiles and slips out into the night air.
EXT. BALCONY - THE MIHARA HOUSE - MERYTON - NIGHT.
Kimihiro breathes in the cold night air. He senses someone joins him. He looks round to see Asura has followed him as he had hoped.
KIMIHIRO
I hope your plans in favor of Meryton will not be affected by your difficult relations with the gentleman we were just speaking of.
ASURA
Oh no - it is not for me to be driven away. If he wishes to avoid seeing me, he must go not I.
Pause.
KIMIHIRO
I must ask you Mr Asura, what is the manner of your disapproval of Mr Doumeki?
ASURA
Do you really want to hear?
Kimmy nods.
ASURA
He ruined me.
He stares at him.
KIMIHIRO
How so?
ASURA
My father managed his estate. We grew up together, Doumeki and I. His father treated me like a second son. Oh he was the kindest of men and bequeathed me the best living in his gift, for I had my heart set on joining the church. But when he died Doumeki ignored his wishes and gave the living to another man.
KIMMY
Why did he do that?
ASURA
Out of jealousy, for his father loved me more than he loved him.
KIMMY
How cruel! Are you sure?
ASURA
(nods)
And out of pride, for he considered me too lowly to be worth his consideration.
Pause. Kimmy gazes at him with horror and sympathy.
INT. BEDROOMS - LONGBOURNE - THE SAME.
We pan through the bedrooms as the Clow boys prepare for the Netherfield ball. Yuui is helping Fai into his dress, they are both wearing white.
FAI
Aggghh!
YUUI
Breathe in!
We move to the quieter preparations of Lelouch and Kimihiro. This conversation has been going on for some time.
LELOUCH
(horrified)
- I still think there must have been a misunderstanding.
KIMMY
(exasperated laugh)
Oh Lelouch, do you never think ill of anybody?
LELOUCH
How could Mr Doumeki do such a thing? I will discover the truth from Mr Kururugi at the ball this evening.
KIMIHIRO
If it is not true let Mr Doumeki contradict it himself. But until he does, I hope never to encounter him.
LELOUCH
Poor, unfortunate Mr Asura.
KIMIHIRO
On the contrary, he is twice the man Doumeki is.
LELOUCH
And lets hope for you a rather more willing dancer.
Lelouch leaves Kimihiro, at the mirror, taking very particular care of his makeup. He smiles to himself.