16.1
(Three weeks later...)
{Monday, 2:15pm, the scene opens up at the campus. It pans across the busy environment of students going to their last classes or returning to dorms. It then moves over to the languages department and focuses on Naori walking towards the exit.}
Naori: (I think that's all for classes for the rest of the week, and honestly...)
(She exhales in relief.)
Naori: (Im happy! Oh, so happy!! I can finally rest for a while, knowing the staff are taking a project at Yokohama and won't be back for two weeks...)
(She smiles mischievously.)
Naori: (Two weeks of no class, what shall I do with this free time?)
(Suddenly, someone calls her.)
Miguel: Nao chan!
(She looks back, stops to let him catch up.)
Naori: Miguel... what happened? You look out of breath...
Miguel: (pants)Yeah? well, I'm not exactly the type to run races... and when classes were over, you just left the hall.
Naori: (chuckles nervously)Oh right, s-sorry about that...
(They both continue the walk out of the department gate and towards the bus stop.)
Naori: That reminds me... I didn't see Kaji kun at all today. Did something happen?
Miguel: Oh(rubs his head) Kaji said he wouldn't make it today. He's been having a bit of a rough time and currently isn't in Shibuya by now anyway. His family visited nearby and called him to hang out for the week.
Naori: Oh, that's good for him to have them show up for comfort.
Miguel: Yeah... he'll be back by next week, and with a more calmed mind i hope... So how about Tokyo chan?
Naori: Hm?
Miguel: She also wasn't around through the day, matter of fact, it's probably a few days these past few weeks... i've been wanting to ask if she's okay
Naori: Oh, yeah she is... Tokyo...
(They reach the bus stop and she looks down and smiles.)
Naori: Tokyo is doing okay, thanks for looking out for her.
Miguel: Oh...
(A gentle breeze blows past them and then, a soft engine rumble is heard approaching them. It gets louder and then upon reaching some bare meters from them, it slows and idles while he drops off a passenger.)
Girl: Thank you Sasaki san, it was a fun ride and saved me time.
Muichiro: Sure, no problem. Go get the work submitted and don't be late next time.
Naori: (Sasaki...)
(He clicks a gear and moves forward a bit, nearly passing her. She gasps softly and he stops, pushes back to her and smiles.)
Miguel: (that's a damn cool bike... but even more than that, she seems fidgety... but calm. Do they know eachother?)
Muichiro: Hey you... how were your classes?
Naori: (flustered smile) My-my classes were great...
(End.)
16.2
{Minutes later... at a pizzeria... Naori is sat by the cornerside while facing down. Her face flushed red with quiet excitement.}
Naori: Hmm...(How in the world did this happen? Minutes ago, Miguel and I were at the bus stop and I was ready to go home to tell Tokyo the news... How did it quickly turn into something like this?!)
(She swiftly looks at Muichiro talking to the cashier.)
Naori: (Did he plan this? What's he thinking? I usually can't read him easily. Huh?! Hold on, is this a d-date?? Aah an impromptu date... but wait, Bakachiro isn't like that... he's tricky but he would've told me since we exchanged numbers recently... still, could it be a-)
Muichiro: Naori...
Naori: (shrieks)Wah! Huh??
Muichiro: You alright?
Naori: Y-yes I'm fine. Don't mind me.
(He smiles.)
Muichiro: You're probably still shaken up by the last few minutes before this right?
Naori: Maybe a little bit if not entirely... I was at school planning on getting home... suddenly I'm here, It's kinda all sudden but still feels nice.
Muichiro: I'm glad I didn't scare you.
Naori: Huh? Is that what it looked like?
(He flinches.)
Naori: (ticked)Hey, just what kinda girl do I strike as to you?
Muichiro: (chuckles nervously)What are you talking about? You're cute, funny-
Naori: (deadpan)try harder, Bakachiro.
Muichiro: (scary..)well... you're feisty, you wanna see the end of it all.
(She postures with pride.)
Naori: Well, Ofcourse.
Muichiro: Oh yeah, you scare easily too.
(She flinches.)
Muichiro: Kinda like a puppy.
Naori: (Gah! Pu-Puppy!?)
Muichiro: Meh, don't be offended. I think its cute and cool that you don't hide anything. Nothing's more awesome than being real with yourself.
(Her breath hitches and her face flushes again. She plays with her fingers while looking down.)
Naori: (mumbles softly)Bakachiro... he can't even let me get mad at him...
(Just then, two cats walk by the window, one black and one white grabbing her attention. She gasps while Muichiro replies a text.)
Naori: (softly)Kitties...
Muichiro: Hm?
Naori: Outside, the kitties over there.
(She smiles while Muichiro quietly observes her.)
Muichiro: Do you like cats, Naori?
Naori: I love cats... I think they represent something close to freedom for me.
Muichiro: Is that right...
(They both observe the cats playing with eachother, leaping on another while being gentle.)
Muichiro: When you say freedom, what does that mean?
Naori: Well um... cats are among the few animals who are what we call "liberated". They don't have to follow rules of society, they don't have to depend on decisions from others, their autonomy is discreet...
Muichiro: Sounds like you wanna be a cat yourself.
Naori: Not entirely haha, but if I do want something, I guess it'll be how to be more open with myself...
(She sees the cats cuddling with eachother.)
Naori: (softly)Right now, I feel i already know who I wanna depend on.
(He unconsciously gazes at her while the two cats leave after a snuggle.)
Muichiro: Naori, did you have a pet while growing up?
Naori: I.. i had a bunny and a little sea turtle back at home. While growing up, my grandma stayed with me for a while then and had a cat...
(She giggles.)
Naori: I remember i liked playing with it and taking care of it with her... I guess generally, i love animals but... its cats and sea life the most.
Muichiro: (smiles)Really now...
(The waiter then brings their pizza order, they thank him and he leaves.)
Naori: Yay! Chicken pepperoni!
Muichiro: Oh, you like it?
Naori: (squeals)I love it actually, how did you know?
Muichiro: That's a secret...(actually, I just guessed. I had no idea.)
(She takes a slice and eats happily, he smiles at her expressions softly. The scene pans outside the pizzeria, past his bike and to the busy street.)
Muichiro: (She's like that cat she was talking about now... but that's cool, right?)
(End.)
16.3
(Some hours later, back at Obito's dorm. The weather is cloudy but poses no threat of rain. Inside, Obito is on his bed, his hair is loose, falls freely, covering his neck. His guitar by his side and manuscripts are slightly scattered on his bed.)
Obito: (sighs) I just can't get it right... I tried following the steps but I don't why I can't get it to sound the way I want to... and to top it all, this particular tune is special.
(He exhales deeply.)
Obito: (Or is it just me right now? Granted, I'm not exactly in the best headspace to fully perform... and i can't say why. Iori tried to call me yesterday, I missed it, but...)
(Suddenly, someone knocks.)
Muichiro: Hey Obi kun, it's me.
(Obito opens and he walks in, Buster moves up to him and Muichiro pets him happily.)
Muichiro: Hey, Buddy...
Obito: You got here faster than I thought.
Muichiro: Yeah... I wasn't really doing anything at the time... besides, you sounded a bit too serious.
Obito: Yeah, i guess I did.
Muichiro: ...So, what're we looking at?
Obito: I don't know and I can't say if I'm right on this... but, I think Iori may be in trouble.
Muichiro: Iori senpai, your sister?
Obito: Yeah... Like i said, i can't say what's up right now. I don't know if its just stress or not but... I'm not just feeling alright... and its been for a while now.
Muichiro: ("A while" is an understatement... I know you bro and it's been for two days now.) It's why you didn't come for classes today right?
Obito: Mostly...
(An email notification pops up on his phone, he picks it up. Muichiro ponders for a while longer.)
Muichiro: Does anyone else know about this?
Obito: I told Baji. He agreed that it was strange since he also got a missed call from her and couldn't reach when he tried calling back. I called back as well till today and I still can't get through. I haven't been able to tell Asuka yet, she's been busy since last Friday...
(He opens the email.)
Obito: Oh, it's Iori... Huh?
Muichiro: What'd she say?
Obito: "Mistake" and a smiling emoji.
Muichiro: (mistake?) Is there no context on it?
Obito: No, not really...
(He scrolls down a bit...)
Obito: Oh it's a link... a location... link...
Muichiro: Location?
(A notification pops up while he views the link.)
Obito: Text from Baji...
(He opens it, revealing the same location link, message and a reply from Baji.)
Baji: (Did you get this email from your sister?)
Obito: Yeah I did... but she said it's a mistake.
Baji: (I don't know about that mistake part... we all know Iori well, this isn't like her at all.)
Obito: (Actually...)
Muichiro: If Baji got the same message as you then I'm not sure it was a mistake.
Obito: True but, Kyoto is quite the journey.
Baji: (I'm a but busy right now but we'll meet later to talk this out and figure things through... all of this is rather very odd but I'll suggest we leave the link now and each try to contact her individually. Put Muichiro on too.)
Obito: He's here and I've explained already.
Baji: (Oh, cool then, I'll reach you guys soon so we can talk together on it.)
(He goes offline and Obito slides the phone back on the bed. Meanwhile Muichiro thinks...)
Muichiro: Obito, can you send me that link, hopefully I can find some more information on it.
(He sends the link and there is silence for a few seconds.)
Obito: Hey, Mui kun... what do you think could've happened?
(End.)
16.4
[One day earlier, 4:30pm, Kyoto.]
[The scene opens up at the annex dormitory of the university. The atmosphere is lively with people going about their activities while conversing. Iori, Takeshi and Kaede approach from the dorm entrance, seemingly leaving towards the main gate.]
Kaede: (chanting)Udon, udon, time to grab some udon!...
Takeshi: You've been singing that since we agreed 5 minutes ago. Don't you feel tired.
Kaede: Nope, the song is catchy, plus it even makes me happier going to grab noodles with you guys.
Takeshi: but we do this every two weeks.
Kaede: (giggles)and I'm happy every two weeks we go together... but since you don't my song, I'll listen to you just this once...
Takeshi: (sighs)Thanks you...
(She begins chanting the song louder, he flinches.)
Takeshi: (sighs/whines)Iori... can you stop her?
(Iori joins the chant.)
Takeshi: (adjust his glasses)you guys truly don't like me.
Iori: (giggles)Aww, don't say that haha. She's just really happy to be spending time with us. We all know Kaede is extra cheerful on noodle nights.
(He oberves Kaede's smile while humming while skipping along.)
Takeshi: I think that's always the best part... looking at the smile on her face... (mumbles) it's hard to get enough of sometimes..
Iori: Hmm? Did you say something.
Takeshi: (flustered)N-no, don't be ridiculous. You didn't hear anything.
Iori: (leans in/teases)But you said something... right? Are you perhaps crushing on-
Takeshi: (shrieks)D-don't be ridiculous! Anyway let's catch up to Kaede chan!
Kaede: (confused)Hmm?
(Iori giggles, leaving him flustered a bit.)
Kaede: Ahh come on guys.
(She takes their hands, tugging them along.)
Kaede: We should hurry before the line gets long.
Takeshi: You should take it easy, ramen shops don't usually have long lines.
Kaede: You don't know that so let's hurry... by the way, what're you gonna get Take-kun?
Takeshi: Me? Ohh... I guess I'll go with shin ramyeon today.
Kaede: (teases) Eh... skinny noodles, just like you.
(The girls giggle.)
Kaede: How bout you Iori?
Iori: Me? Ohh I guess I'll have-
(A male voice suddenly calls out to her, she instantly freezes and flinches as she looks to the side, seeing the guy and his friends.)
Guy: What? Are you gonna ignore me now because you have a little circle with you?
Iori: ...
Guy: Won't you say anything, hey okazaki chan...
(He moves closer and she instinctively moves back, hiding behind Takeshi.)
Takeshi: She doesn't have to say anything, clearly she doesn't want to talk with you, Mugi.
Mugi: (snickers)What's that four eyes? Are you her mouthpiece or something? I believe she can talk for herself.
(He inches up to Takeshi, staring him down.)
Mugi: Or is she deaf and did you sign up to be her personal voice box?
(He reaches his hand to her, Takeshi swats it away.)
Takeshi: Whether as a voicebox or a Bluetooth speaker, what's important now is that she doesn't want to be around you. It you can't see that, you probably need to hop on the four eyes bus.. maybe even more than I do.
Mugi: (grits his teeth)You fucking-
Kaede: Oh look, it's the professor... that reminds me, we were meant to see her this evening. I think we should go now guys.
Takeshi: (staring mugi)Yeah... let's go.
(They walk past Mugi and his friends, Iori peeks back for a bit.)
Mugi: (yells)Hey Okazaki, when you're done, I'll be expecting you in my room tonight.
(He snickers and walks off the other way with his friends.)
Iori: (mutters)You guys are the best.
Kaede: Whether its publicly or privately...
Takeshi: We'll defend eachother in every way we can.
(Iori smiles.)
Iori: Let's go get some ramen..
Kaede: (cheers)Hai! Ho! Lets go!
(She continues her chant as they pass the main gate.)
(End.)
16.5
(9:40 pm, the next night. in a dorm building among the complex. Inside Takeshi's room.)
Takeshi: (sighs)So... of all things to do tonight, you chose a drawing contest... now that's okay, except... why does it have to be in my room?
(They ignore him and draw intensely while squeezing and tossing papers around.)
Takeshi: Hey! Don't ignore me in my own living space! Its bad enough you littered it already, don't you-
Kaede: Sharrap Baka...
Iori: Were trying to daw that perfect statue to see who's better...
(He stares at the statue, which also stares at him.)
Takeshi: (grits/yells) you've been trying to draw that for almost an hour... how are there these much papers in that time?! It's not even that hard to draw!
Kaede: So what're you saying?
Takeshi: Oh, er..(shit..)
Iori: Are you saying we can't do stuff right?
Takeshi: N-no its not that..
(They inches closer to him.)
Kaede: I think he's saying our hands are rather just decoration, or just what are you saying, Takeshi kun?
Takeshi: (flustered)A-Absurd, I'm not against you drawing-
Kaede: Hmm...
(Pokes his cheek.)
Kaede:(teases) Then... what are you saying? You want two pretty girls gone?
Takeshi: Fine fine, you can stay!
(The girls giggle, he sighs in relief. Kaede stands.)
Kaede: Anyway, I'm raiding your fridge. You have any chips today?
Takeshi: Huh?
Iori: Check if he has any diet coke.
(She scans through but sees none.)
Kaede: There's none... there's practically no soda here, its all beer, Take-kun are you becoming a drunk?
Iori: (sighs)aww, I really wanted a diet soda... guess I'm going to the vending machine downstairs.
Takeshi: Is it still working?
(Kaede looks over.)
Iori: Yeah, I'll be right back with it.
(She takes a step, he grabs her wrist.)
Takeshi: He stays around there, will you be okay?
(She freezes up, doesn't reply.)
Iori: (quietly)I'll be fine, you guys can trust me.
(Looks back and smiles.)
Iori: I'll be right back, I need to try this alone... Takeshi kun, could i borrow a hoodie?
(The door opens/shuts. Kaede and Takeshi stare for a while.)
Kaede: ...
(Seconds later, Iori is hooded in black, walking down the last flight of stairs. She spotscthe vending machine on the opposite end.)
Iori: (I'll be quick to avoid being seen.)
(She walks over gently towards the machine, a black silhouette suddenly follows her path. She picks her pace as her breath begins to puff out.)
Iori: (It's suddenly so cold here...)
(The figure picks its pace and she jogs over, past the vending machine, she sees an empty path, takes it and hides in the corner, her body trembles.)
Iori: (calm down, calm down, its not him... its not.. him... I need to hurry back, I need to hurry back up.)
(She looks both ways and moves cautiously. She picks her pace but then, is suddenly intercepted and pulled to the side by the hidden figure. He reveals himself.)
Mugi: Yo! you didn't come last night.
(She gasps, tries to struggle out of it. He overpowers her, facing her towards him.)
Mugi: Don't worry, I'll make sure you repay me till I'm satisfied. For this night and last night you missed.
(He chuckles slowly while gently stroking her hair.)
Iori: (I'm scared, I'm scared. He's really gonna hurt me now... what do I do?)
Mugi: (grimly) we'll have a lot of squishy fun.
(Iori shrieks, screams and squirms to no avail, he holds her down and tries to silence her.)
(End.)
16.6
(Continuation)
(Iori fidgets in the corner, hands tied with Mugi having a small knife to her throat as her mouth remains tied. He looks at her.)
Mugi: You poor thing...
(She muffles words into the cloth.)
Mugi: Hmm? I didn't catch that, my dear Iori chan. Tell me, what was it you said?
(He removes the cloth, she gasps for breath.)
Iori: Why're you doing this?
Mugi: (chuckles) why?... why you say? You haven't figured out why I want you by my side?
(He inches up to her, sniffs her body.)
Iori: Ugh, Stop that!
Mugi: (whispers)Well it's because you smell wonderful and look amazing. Just my type of woman.
Iori: You don't even know me.
Mugi: I feel I know what I need to know. I may know alot more that you think but even with that, all of it doesn't matter. Your secluded lifestyle is boring to me. You're so self conceited, you see help from others as a threat to your ego.
(He chuckles...)
Mugi: That's why you're here, that's why I found you and that's why, its why I will have my way with you.
(He grabs her hair, she groans.)
Mugi: Its your fault, Iori chan, if only you had more trust.
(Smooches her face and rubs his own closer to it.)
Mugi: Ohh... if only you had more trust in your friends, i wouldn't have caught you or had you as something to admire! But now, i caught the prettiest virgin in the pond... and I'm finally going to rough that up!
(Iori shudders... he releases her and she hits her forehead which begins to bleed.. tears stream down her eyes.)
Iori: (Is this... is this really how i give up my virginity? To him? I don't want to. I'm so scared. I can't do it alone... I can't do it alone, I'm scared!)
Mugi: Any last words before we-
Iori: (yells) TAKESHI!!!, KAEDE!!! HELP!!!
(Mugi gets confused as she keeps yelling for help. He tries silencing her but she bites him.)
Mugi: why you-
(A hard pellet hits his neck, he tries to find the direction...)
Takeshi: IORI!!
(She gasps, sees Takeshi holding an airsoft rifle.)
Mugi: (snickers)well well, four eyes decided to show up. You're also doing pellets now?
Takeshi: Let Iori go!
Mugi: Why? Why does it concern you? Its not like you're her friend... she has too much ego issues to realize who true friends are. She should as well just be my bitch to have some purpose in life.
(Takeshi stares him down and fires slowly then repeatedly.)
Takeshi: That is a very stupid thing to say. Asshole!
(He reloads and looks over to see Iori gone already.)
Takeshi: (She's not here, Kaede must've taken here to the place.)
Mugi: You fool, you made her leave.
Takeshi: You can never make her stay.
(Mugi pushes him back, he falls. He grabs his collar and punches Takeshi once.)
Mugi: Dude, stay out of my way, Iori is mine, so fuck off.
(He pushes him down and runs off to search for Iori.)
Takeshi: Iori...
(End.)
16.7
(Meanwhile, 10:30pm in a shed not too far from the dorm...)
(Iori is seen sitting in a fetal position, her mind ponders the event of the night as her thumb hovers over her phone. She replays the criticisms in her head and slowly begins tearing up, crying profusely, she hics while looking at her phone and dials number.)
(Back at Shibuya, a windy dimly lit night, Obito's dorm... His phone vibrates by the bed as he is asleep. He jolts awake, looks and picks up.)
Obito: Hey sis... wassup? I've been trying to reach you all day, I-
Iori: (Obito, please... I need you to come down here...)
Obito: Down there, are you okay?
(She hics, Obito sits up.)
Obito: Nee chan, Iori.... what's wrong?
(He hears furniture clatter, he shudders.)
Iori: (Obi kun... please... hurry...)
(More stuff clatters in the distance... he hears a deep male voice approach. Iori keeps crying while trying to stay quiet.)
Obito: (frantic)Sis, what's going on?!
Iori:(No, No... he's coming... obi kun, ah-)
(The call ends abruptly.)
Obito: (frantic)Iori! IORI!!
(He calls back 5 times but the number remains unavailable. He suddenly remembers the email from earlier.)
Obito: Fuck!
(He gets off his bed, wears something thick, takes his keys and helmet, Buster follows. He walks down hurriedly through the corridor and meets Asuka along the way.)
Asuka: Obi kun, you're not asleep yet.
(She notices his impatience.)
Obito: Asuka, i can't get into the details now, but i need to leave for Kyoto.
Asuka: (confused) Kyoto...to.. why?
Obito: I... I can't explain... Not right now.
(He takes her hand, feeling them for a while, gently slips his spare key and Buster's leash in her hand.)
Obito: I'll explain when I get back. Please help me, I hope you understand.
(He leaves in a hurry, runs to start up his bike and pulls out of the car park, off to Baji's hostel.)
Asuka: Come on, Buster...
(Buster leads and Asuka follows him, off to her room...)
(While riding, his mind races through the phonecall and the fear he sensed from Iori. He jolts, during flashbacks, nearly hitting a pothole.)
Obito: (quietly)Baji, something is wrong, terribly wrong...
(He rides down, minutes later he reaches Baji's hostel. He parks, runs in and seeing Baji's door, he pounds it frantically.)
Obito: Baji! Baji open up!!! Its Obito!
(No answer...)
(BANG BANG BANG!!)
Obito: BAJI, Please open up bro, something has happened to Iori, it has something to do with the address she sent us...
(BANG BANG BANG!!!)
(People from other rooms start to get suspicious and some peek out to see what's causing the noise. Obito keeps knocking.)
OBITO: COME ON BRO, IORI IS IN TROUBLE, OPEN THE DOOR BRO!!
No answer...)
(He keeps banging frantically and then desperately a bit on Baji's door.)
Obito: BAJIIII!!!!!!
(END!)