6.1
(The scene continues from the last stopping point of the previous chapter.)
Asuka: Okazaki kun.
Obito: Ichinose san... Wait, Ichinose san? How...(Confused) Wh-when did you get here, (realizes) why is my door open too?
Asuka: (giggles) The door has been open for a while now. You didn't notice?
Obito: Uhh... Nah not really though, wait, where's Buster?
(He walks outside to the aisle and then the stairs looking for Buster, Asuka follows him in his search casually giggling as Obito looks for the dog)
Obito: Buster!
(No response)
Obito: Buster!!
Asuka: Buster...
(They keep checking around before Buster barks from the other end of the aisle downstairs, he runs to Obito and Asuka with the ball in his mouth.)
Obito: Hey boy, (relieved) why didn't you answer on time?
(Buster pants and notices Asuka, she smiles at him and he barks playfully at her, he gives her the rubber ball in his mouth, wagging his tail, signaling he still wants to play a bit.)
Asuka: You want the ball, Boy?(Playfully)
(Buster barks in excitement.)
Asuka: Okay, follow me!
(The trio walk back to Obito's room, Buster clings to Asuka more than usual signifying his comfort around her.)
Asuka: Okay, go get it!
(she throws it into the room, he follows it while the both of them enter behind. Obito locks the door this time.)
(Buster brings it back and they run some rounds of indoor fetch before she rests.)
Obito: Hey buddy, let's allow her rest for now, sounds good?
(Buster barks in agreement and retires but retires beside Asuka, Asuka is quite surprised that he understands so much at a little age, she pets him with care and he looks at her with some level of trust in his eyes before resting by her side.)
Obito: (smirks)He really seems to like you a lot.
Asuka: You think so?
Obito: Yeah, kinda makes me jealous a bit.
(Asuka giggles, sees Obito's guitar in the corner.)
Asuka: Okazaki kun, did you always like the guitar?
Obito: Uhh... I did like listening to some guitar solos my mom had when I was a kid.
Asuka: Ohh and when did you start playing? if I may ask.
Obito: I picked up the guitar to play when I was about turning fifteen...(Looks ahead) It was more of an impulse than a motive...
Asuka: (confused) Impulse?
Obito: Yeah... Some things happened a while back(flashes back to his middle school days of being bullied. Snaps back and smiles lightly) but when I got a guitar, I first didn't know what I was doing... I got a teacher to teach me the basics that time too. Somehow, he commented on how I was a fast learner and soon, after a year, he examined me to play a full song or a personal solo. (Smirks)I still remember the look of shock on his face that day I played.
Asuka: Really!(slightly gazing at him, unconsciously smiling) so do you have any fans yet?
Obito: I have three fans including my mum and my biggest fan is my older sister.
Asuka: (Iori San, I wonder how she's doing too.)Hey, what if I wanted to be your fan too?
Obito: Huh?(realises she was listening to him play earlier.) D-did you like the solo earlier?
Asuka: (smiles) Should I be honest?
Obito: (quietly) I- i'd appreciate it.
Asuka: Your solo pulled me out of my room... I hadn't heard pure guitar music in a while so i was a bit curious.
Obito: (shocked) O-oh... Um... (Scoffs into a laugh) I... I didn't realise someone was listening(maybe leaving the door open wasn't so bad.) But... Ichinose San.
Asuka: Yes?
Obito: How did you know my dormitory?
Asuka: Honestly, I didn't. I just moved here and you were already here(giggles) I told you we'd see each other again right?
Obito: Y-yeah..(so she's the person that moved here? She really meant it though.)
(Buster grumbles a bit while asleep, seemingly dreaming, they both giggle a bit at him.)
Asuka: Or maybe... (Looks down) You didn't want me here?
Obito: (looks at her) I would never say that to you.
(She beams up a bit in embarrassment and joy. Obito, flustered faces the other way slowly.)
Obito: (exhales) Welcome to the dormitory, it's a pleasure to have you here.(He smiles gently at her, slightly hiding his own blush.)
Asuka: Thank you, please take care of me during my stay(gazes at his eyes for a while longer.) So, now... Can I be among your fans?
Obito: (smirks) Yeah, y-you can, I'd be honoured.
(Asuka checks the time and sees it's some minutes after 11pm, she gets up to leave.)
Asuka: Thank you for having me tonight Okazaki kun, would've loved to continue, but I have an early morning lecture tomorrow.
Obito: T-thanks for coming around.
(He escorts her to the door.)
Asuka: (gently)Take care of yourself okay?
Obito: S-sure, I will(why do I feel sad a bit when she leaves?) good night Ichinose San.
(Asuka walks down to her room while waving. She enters and locks up, Obito also locks up after.)
(Asuka rests on her door inside, thinking...)
Asuka: (Obito kun, I really hope you remember me sooner... we promised back then, do you remember?)
(She thinks back to scenes of their childhood days and a tree with two letters inscribed it, snaps back.)
Asuka: (I never forgot you...)
(She looks down, sighs gently)
Asuka: I hope you see me soon... darling.
(Obito does the same gesture behind his own door, his head facing down in thought.)
Obito: (Ichinose San... Have we met before? There always seems to be some level of... joy? within me when you're here, then I'm sad when you leave... What is going on? Why... do I feel a kind of connection?)
(End.)
6.2
{The scene shifts to Friday morning. There are lesser students on school grounds. There seems too be less activities due to the approaching weekend, but in some departments, some lectures still hold.}
(Naori is seen walking down to the languages department for classes. She seems to be in thought as she walks slowly.)
Naori: (I wonder what would've happened if Senpai wasn't there yesterday...)
(She flashes back to scenes of her, Glen, Obito and the plug. Snaps back.)
Naori: (If Senpai or that other guy wasn't there... What would've happened (grips her wrist/shudders) that Glen is so gross trying to be possessive. Who does that?...)
(Meanwhile, Tokyo appears from a corner walking behind Naori, she quickly catches up to her but is curious why she's talking to herself.)
Tokyo: (quietly)Naori...
(Naori mumbles)
Tokyo: Oii, Nao chan!!
(Naori mumbles still oblivious.)
Tokyo: Hmm... (smiles) Free ice cream there!!
Naori: Ice cream!! Where?! (realises) Wait... I'm at school.
Tokyo: Oh good, you're back.
Naori: Tokyo Chan, (grumbles) why would you be so mean this morning?
Tokyo: (laughs)sorry, sorry. But you seemed really distracted and somehow, ice-cream to your ears still always works.
Naori: Well it's true that I'm a bit distracted... Somehow it's like I have two questions on my mind.
Tokyo: Oh?(concerned) is something wrong Nao Chan? Or...(Smiles) Is the Gloomlord Senpai on your mind lately?
Naori: Well...(looks down) Senpai, he helped me out over at the party yesterday...
Tokyo: Helped you... Did something happen at the party?
Naori: Well kinda, you know that Glen dude in our department?
Tokyo: Ugh(rolls her eyes) that guy? What did he do again?
(As they walk slowly while talking, Muichiro happens to stroll by the department, sees them both. He listens to music through earphones and decides to pause and keep pace while listening to them from a distance.)
Naori: He was really just... Very childish and disgusting. Who tries to possess someone else who doesn't have feelings for you?(Scoffs) He kept telling me "Nao Chan, you and I are meant to be together, Naori I won't let anyone have you." All that bullshit that is really weird.
Tokyo: (laughs) so top tier losers still exist? So what did Gloomlord do?
Naori: Oh, Senpai punched him flat out.
(Muichiro laughs up a bit.)
Naori: There was also another guy who looked quite intriguing and it seemed like Senpai knew him well...
Tokyo: Oh really?
Naori: Y-yeah, he had such an aura around him, when he spoke, he seemed to take control of the entire dormitory. Nobody rose to try stopping him and somehow, Glen looked scared when the dude only talked to him.
Tokyo: (Teases) look at you girl! You had two bodyguards on a single night.
Muichiro: (well that's the plug and Obito for you. They prioritize defense over offense but will throw hands whenever they feel it escalating out of hand.)
Naori: (flustered) D-don't say it like that! I feel happy that I was protected, but... I don't know,
Somehow with how everything went last night, I just feel like he doesn't have the same kind of interest I have in him.
(The girls stop for a while, Muichiro slows down cautiously. While it's silent a bit. Tokyo asks.)
Tokyo: Do you really like Obito Senpai.
Naori: I...(Sighs) I really can't say.. but most times, I want to be around him when he's there.
Tokyo: Oh... Well um-
(Just then, a guys' shadow is quickly leaving the area where they seem to stand in. He seems to be spying on them. Naori doesn't see him but Tokyo does, Muichiro sees him too from the distance and then decides to gradually walk away from the girls.)
Tokyo: (alert)Nao chan, let's keep moving.
Naori: Huh? Why, what's wrong?
Tokyo: I feel we're being watched by someone... I'm not very sure but I feel it. Let's quickly get to class.
(Tokyo holds Naori's hand and they hurriedly head to their class.)
Tokyo: I don't know why, but it seems the hunter isn't done with you just yet. Naori, from now on you're gonna have to really keep your eyes peeled.
Naori: O-okay.
(They walk off the scene, then Muichiro appears.)
Muichiro: (Smirks; it seems Glen isn't done with his childish antics... Futaba Naori, I promise, I won't let anyone hurt you as long as I stand.)
(He walks of casually the other way listening to his music.)
(End.)
6.3
{3:00pm after classes, the school is seen to be mostly empty. The remaining students are going back to their dorms for the weekend activities.}
(Somewhere outside school grounds, Tokyo and Naori are seen walking towards somewhere.)
Naori: (Tired) today's German class for me was so rough... Why did I even pick this course again?
Tokyo: You're the one that said it'll be easy, why the long face now?
Naori: (looks grimly)That lady was no lady at all... She gives too many pop quizzes.
Tokyo: (smiles, teases) I heard she actually records the quizzes.
Naori: (wails) why would she do something so mean? Draining all our energy is enough right?
Tokyo: Hahaha, well at least we get to recharge over there.
(She points to the ice cream shop.)
Naori: Aah!! (eyes gleaming) Heaven!!
(They both walk into the ice cream shop, the atmosphere is slightly packed but still quite spacious for new customers. Some seats are filled with students talking and taking a load off the weeks activities while calm lively music plays in the background.)
Naori: Hmm... What flavor, what can I get today?
Tokyo: (I thought you always decide when we're at the entrance.)
Naori: Hmm...(pouts)
(Just then, Tokyo spots Muichiro in the shop sitting at a far corner from the counter. She beckons on Naori.)
Tokyo: Hey, isn't that Gloomlord's friend we saw with him that other time?
Naori: Ohh? (Looks over to where he is) Yeah, that's Sasaki kun.
Tokyo: Ohh(smiles) Let's go sit with him!
Naori: Huh?! (Shocked) Why would we go there?, I don't even talk much to him.
Tokyo: You have the choice of going to meet him with me, or I go myself and you still follow eventually(nudges at her).
Naori: (shy) But... what would I say?
Tokyo: Don't plan it, it'll just flow like that!
(Tokyo and Naori walk down to Muichiro who is listening to music while on his phone.)
Tokyo: (waves)Hi.
(Muichiro looks up and is a bit shocked to see the girls, he smiles.)
Muichiro: Oh.. Hello, how're you both?
Tokyo: We're fine... Is it okay if we sit with you?
Muichiro: Yeah, no problem.
(They sit down facing him.)
Naori: H-hello Sasaki kun. This is my friend, Tokyo. She's in my department.
Tokyo: (Smiling gently)Nice to meet you.
Muichiro: The pleasure's mine, I'm Sasaki Muichiro.
Tokyo: Wait... how do you guys know each other?
Muichiro: Well... I can't really say I know her. We went to the same high school but I was her senior.
Tokyo: Ohh, well then, do you know that she loves chocolate ice cream and comes here a lot?
Naori: Tokyo! Why would you–
Muichiro: Oh? Then, would you both want some ice cream?
Naori: Why... do you want to treat us to ice cream?
Muichiro: Umm...(do I really need a reason for you Naori?) it's just me I guess... If it's too much then I apologize for asking.
Tokyo: It's no problem, we would appreciate it.
Muichiro: Okay, well... order the flavour you want from the menu.
(They order some ice-cream and a sundae. The ice creams come first, both girls eat and Naori seems to be happier rather than her shy demeanour.)
Muichiro: That's a lot of sprinkles don't you think?(smiles)
Naori: Ahh(flustered) d-don't look at me, it's embarrassing.
Muichiro: Here you go.
(Her offers her a napkin.)
Naori: (covers her lips hiding a smile) Thank you.
(Muichiro unconsciously keeps gazing at her for a little bit.)
Naori: Y-you shouldn't stare so much... Sasaki kun.
Muichiro: (snaps back, laughs nervously) I'm sorry, haha.
Tokyo: Hey, Sasaki san... What happened to your ice cream? When we ordered, you didn't get any for yourself.
Muichiro: Oh, I had some already before you came here. I'm good now.(looks back at his phone for a while.)
Tokyo: Ohh??
(Tokyo looks at Naori, smiles mischievously.)
Tokyo: Excuse me, I'll be using the restroom.
Naori: (jittery)Eh?! T-T-Tokyo?!
Tokyo: Don't worry, don't worry, I'll be in and out.
(She leaves them both to the bathroom with a smile on her face.)
Tokyo: (I'm doing this for you Naori, believe in yourself and stop lying to your emotions.)
(Muichiro looks up and sees Tokyo has left for a bit, he looks at Naori, cautiously stealing glances at her. When she turns her head, he notices a hair clip on her head and compliments it.)
Muichiro: I like your hair clip.
Naori: Thank you, it was a gift from my mum before she left the country.
Muichiro: It's cute, I think it looks good on you.
(Naori looks to him, flustered but grateful, she lowers her head and quietly thanks him and smiles softly to herself.)
Muichiro: Wait, where's your friend?
Naori: She... she went to use the restroom(looking down, gently playing with her fingers.)
Muichiro: Ohh..(realises, smirks) Hey, Futaba San...
Naori: Y-yes?
Muichiro: What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
Naori: (looks at him shy but slowly) I like chocolate ice cream.
Muichiro: Seriously, just a plain flavour?
Naori: Aah!, d-don't make fun of me Bakachiro, it's not like I wanted to tell you.
Muichiro: Bakachiro?
Naori: (covers her mouth) I, I didn't mean it, I'm–
Muichiro: I kinda like it... (chuckles to himself)
Naori: Huh?
Muichiro: Yeah, it's a fun name... Bakachiro... I'll take it so don't feel bad calling me that(smiles).
(Naori openly smiles a bit.)
Muichiro: Have you tried mixing it up a bit once in a while?
Naori: Mixing it up?
Muichiro: Yeah. To be honest, I like to mix things up, I think trying new experiences is something exciting so I usually like to be a volunteer of stuff like that.
Naori: I... I'll try that sometimes too.
(Seconds later, the sundae they ordered before arrives, while untouched, Naori looks to Muichiro and asks.)
Naori: Hey, umm... Sasaki kun, do you... want to... (twirling her fingers)s-share this sundae with me?
(Muichiro is silent for a while, shocked at the request. He smiles at her.)
Muichiro: Yeah, I'd like that.
(She beams up a bit, flustered.)
Naori: D-don't take it the wrong way, I just thought it'll be too much for me and I don't want it to waste.
Muichiro: (she's so cute.) I get it haha, well anyway, let's eat.
(They both eat the sundae while having a subtle conversation, meanwhile Tokyo is returning from the "restroom".)
Tokyo: I almost got lost back there, why are there so many sections? I wonder how they're both doing. I've been gone for a while.
(She freezes and hides in a corner, a smile forms gently on her face as she watches them both talk and have a good time together. She sees Naori smiling comfortably and Muichiro keeping her entertained.)
Tokyo: (seems I've jump started a new chapter for you...)
(She giggles.)
Tokyo: Be happy Naori, you deserve it.)
(Scene fades out outside the ice-cream shop.)
(End.)
6.4
{4:10pm, Muichiro,Tokyo and Naori are now leaving the ice cream shop. They head to their dormitories to call it a day.}
Tokyo: Ahh(relieved) that was so good! Thank you for the treat Sasaki san.
Muichiro: It's no problem. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Tokyo: (teases)Nao Chan, did you have fun? Hmmm??
Naori: D-dont look at me like that Tokyo Chan!
(Muichiro snickers at them both.)
Naori: (I had fun actually, it was nice to connect a bit to Sasaki kun.)
Muichiro: Futaba San...
Naori: (shy) Aah, Y-yes?
Muichiro: (smiles)I had fun today, Thank you.
(Naori flinches unconsciously.)
Naori: (flustered)Me... Me too.
Tokyo: Aww Nao Chan had fun... Look at her all happy.
Naori: Tokyo!! You're not fair.
(Tokyo laughs and Naori smiles.)
Tokyo: Great, we all had fun. Next time, we'll come again here as a group!
Naori: (We?)
(They reach the intersection ahead, just then Muichiro takes a call and excuses himself from them for a while.)
Tokyo: So Naori... Did you really have a good time?
Naori: I don't know, I guess... Ah I mean it was just a meet up, it wasn't even planned(flustered.)
Tokyo: Yunno something about you girl? You have two types of ways that you smile. I've noticed it for a while.
Naori: What... what are you saying?
Tokyo: (sighs) Nao Chan, when you smile with your face, it's just there as a normal smile, your eyes don't squeeze in and your cheeks are stressed. That's how I know you're not smiling from within.
Naori: (flatly) and... What's the second way? (she checks her phone)
Tokyo: The second smile is the one I saw you with on in front of Sasaki san.
Naori: Huh?(Shocked.)
Tokyo: That smile was genuine, you tried to avoid it then, but when your eyes met that time in the shop with his, your smile was more relaxed, your eyes snitched on how happy you really were. You looked different from the girl I used to know.
Naori: (slowly turns red; Did I really smile that good? What is happening? She's right, I did feel a bit happier when I was with Bakachiro kun. (smiles) He... He was different and very nice.)
Tokyo: (she doesn't even know how happy she was for a moment like this. I'm kinda happy I came for this.) Well Nao Chan, am I lying?
Naori: No, I was happy(looks at Tokyo) I had fun.
(Tokyo smiles, Muichiro returns from the call.)
Muichiro: Hey um... I'll be taking this route, I need to see a friend of mine. Where're you both headed?
Tokyo: Were taking the other way, Our dorm is close by.
Muichiro: Okay, you guys take care of yourselves.
Tokyo: You too Senpai.
Naori: Hey Sasaki kun... I- I also had fun today, Thank you very much.
(Muichiro and Tokyo smile)
Muichiro: It's fine, glad I could do it. I'll see you later Futaba San.
(He walks off but turns back.)
Muichiro: Hey Tokyo, (gazes at Naori gently)please take care of her.
Tokyo: (giggles) Always.
(Muichiro walks off and the girls take their own route to their dormitory.)
Tokyo: So... Just in case, if he asks you out next time, would you be fine with it?
Naori: (smiles) it's not a bad idea... right?(Giggles.)
(End.)
6.5
{It's 7:45pm, the scene shifts over to Muichiro's dormitory. Inside there are students talking and laughing. Some rooms have guests with open doors while others are close. In the upper block, room thirteen, Muichiro room}
(Inside, there are nice decorations, a TV and gaming console, Muichiro's table and laptop. There are three beanbags and his bed. He also has some nice motorcycle posters.)
(Muichiro relaxes on his bed looking to the ceiling.)
Muichiro: (Today was fun...)
(He smirks, flashes back to the days event)
Muichiro: (Granted, I was a bit surprised when I saw them but honestly, it was fun.)
(His mind races back again with focus on Naori and the events transpiring between them at the moment, he snaps back and smiles again.)
Muichiro: Her smile... I want keep seeing that smile.
(He turns to look at some of his bike posters available.)
Muichiro: Hmm...
(He thinks back to events and days of him racing and Obito asking him if he likes bikes, snaps back.)
Muichiro: I think I'm going to actually need one for myself. Things and circumstances are changing along with myself... Might as well join the movement. (Maybe one day... I could take her on a ride.)
(Scene fades outside his dorm and moves to a different location.)
(End.)
6.6
{8:00pm, in a different location, along the other side of town, the scene enters a different hood setting. There are gangs located in different sectors and in a particular underground garage. The spy seen earlier is seen heading into the garage and knocks before being ordered in.}
Spy: Aye yoo, you shouldn't keep me out for long.
Gang member: What'd you say chump?!
Boss: Leave em, leave em. He's our eye now.
(The spy slowly walks to the boss of the gang.)
Spy: So I got some results on the chic you wanted me on(pulls out some pictures). Turns out she might have a dude already.
Glen: Lemme see that! (snatches them) Ahh yes!! Hello my precious Naori...
(he creepily kisses the picture, he changes it from the selfie to the picture of her with Tokyo and Muichiro)
Glen: Who are these idiots in the picture. Who is that guy?!
Spy: (looks at him in disgust) dude you're damn creepy, even for me. Anyway, I can't be exactly sure, but it looks like that's the dude she might be dating or not.
Glen: Definitely not(mocks) look at him, he doesn't even seem to be on her level. I'm the only one meant for her! But now since I can't have her... Since she won't look at me... I won't let anyone else witness her smile again!
(He laughs menacingly.)
Glen: Ohh, my dear Naori... Didn't you know? Cheating on your partner isnt a good thing.
(Glen then licks her part of the picture. The gang members look at him in confusion but support him since he is going to pay them.)
Spy: Yeah... So I gotta dip, where's my pay?
(Glen pays him and he leaves the place.)
Glen: Hey Boss, I've waited already for a while, how long do I gotta wait?
Boss: Chill out little man. Jobs like these need to be done perfectly. No matter what price you put on it.
(Glen paces, weirdly covering his face and mumbling.)
Glen: (Naori. I'm really sorry it has to be this way, I'm really really sorry, but if you can't be mine, You can't belong to anyone else.) I'm sorry I have to tell you goodbye this way!(Shudders with creepy laughter.)
Boss: (smoking on a cigar)Hey Blitz!
Blitz: Sir!
Boss: Call up "Gentle push"
(The gang cheer lowly in unison recognizing the name.)
Boss: (snickers)Hehehe, tell him I've got a job for him... No matter what!
(End.)