12.1
{10th May, 2023. 9:00 am.}
{The scene opens at the college campus, the atmosphere is lively with the warm morning sun and students moving about to their classes. It pans over to the music department.}
(Inside, students are busy chatting away, settled down while waiting for the professor. Obito sits in thought by the window behind as usual. He slumps on his palm, face giving off a bored/tired look.)
Obito: (Since i spoke to Muichiro about Naori the other day, i haven't seen him around... I wonder if i scared him with that confrontation... Though, he did say he had some training for something that day... Naori on the other hand has been released some days ago...)
(Rubs his temple.)
Obito: (I also feel a bit warmer... Granted, i felt a bit off when i woke this morning. I brushed it aside but... Did it also get hotter in here?)
(A voice calls out.)
Shota: (Okazaki san...)
(Obito mumbles, doesn't hear, Shota calls again.)
Shota: Okazaki san!!
Obito: (snaps)Ohh... Hey, sorry.
Shota: It's fine, you seemed so deep in thought, i thought you i was beginning to bother you.
Obito: No, not at all uhh ...Kazuhiro san, right?
Shota: Yeah, Kazuhiro Shota. I see you remember me.
Obito: Haha, I'm not that bad a person. Were you able to help your friend out well from last time?
Shota: Yeah, i did. She was able to pass the test with a high grade. I was very happy for her
Obito: Is that right?
(He sighs contentedly, coughs twice.)
Obito: That's good then... So is there something you need from me?
Shota: Well um...
(Grips a flyer tightly, shows Obito.)
Shota: The thing is... I was invited to a music training and sharing session... I- it's mostly a convention that showcases mainly wind and string instruments... It also offers free lessons for that day so you don't have to pay for anything, you just watch performers and learn new strategies.
Obito: "Rhythm Land" huh? (I heard about them around a few months ago.)
(Coughs softly.)
Obito: It looks like a nice event... Seems it'll have a good audience too. So you want me to tag along?
Shota: Yeah... You're kinda the only person i talk to in class.
Obito: (we talk?) well uhh...
(Coughs, clears throat.)
Obito: (whats going on?)You're on the class chat group right?
Shota: Uh yeah... You feeling okay though? That cough seems to be affecting you.
Obito: Ugh..
(facepalms)
Obito: (it's suddenly not just the cough... I need to leave now before it gets worse.) I'll get your info and text you if i can make it. I need to get home quick.
(He gets up, ready to leave)
Shota: (concerned)Will you be okay bro?
Obito: I'll be fine.
(He coughs a bit more as he walks to the parking lot and then his bike. Upon reaching, he sees his bike and Muichiro's parked beside his. He shrugs it off, starts his and begins to pull away from the department and towards the school gate.)
(Fade out.)
Obito: Were there always two bikes in the department?
(End.)
12.2
{Minutes later, Obito arrives at his dorm, he briskly walks to his room, hand on his forehead. He opens up, Buster welcomes him warmly. Leaves the door slightly open.}
Obito: Oh... Hey, boy.
(He coughs a bit, rests his palm against his head.)
Obito: (Am i coming down with a fever and cough right now?) Ugh, it really isn't the time to be falling sick... Haah...
(He sits down, Buster sits infront of him, tail wagging but with a look of slight concern. He remains quiet.)
Obito: What is it?
(Buster grumbles softly, Obito looks over to the side, realising he forgot to put down its breakfast.)
Obito: Oh, you want breakfast... I was in a bit of a hurry and i forgot to give you some.
(Pets Buster's head.. gets up slowly and walks to get the dogfood, he pours a bit and some water into the bowls and suddenly sneezes violently, his head immediately aches and his body gets chills now. Accompanied by cough, Obito shivers as he walks back to his bed, nearly misses a step and slumps on the bed, shivering, breathing intensely and coughing.)
Obito: (Why, why's this happening? Why now and who do i call?... I'm not very familiar with the dorm members and now i feel bad for that... And i can't stand up to pick up my phone for a call... What do i do? What do i-)
(He gasps, has a flashback of Asuka, snaps back.)
Obito: (Ichinose san... No, I wouldn't want to disturb her... But still... Why am i thinking like that?)
(He sneezes and looks over to Buster, his expression tired and hot.)
Obito: (hoarse)Buster... help.
(His eyes close and his coughing continues. Buster instinctively sniffs at him and moves back, barks once, the door is still open so he slips out to the dorm hallway and slowly walks forward.)
(He stops slightly closer to the center and begins to bark repeatedly, seeming to try calling out to people who could be around. No response, he stops and then keeps barking again, slowly one person opens a door, then another and soon five rooms open their door.)
Room 2 male: Oh hey, boy.
Room 3 female: (smiles)Are you lost boy?
Room 1 female: Hang on, i think i know this dog. Isn't it the dog of that guy in room 9?
Room 6 male: (snaps) Oh right, that plays the guitar?
Room 1 female: yeah! him.
(Buster keeps barking, darts and paces back and forth between barks.)
Room 4 male: It's like he's tryna tell us something? What is it boy?
(Buster barks again and suddenly a door opens up behind him, he turns to look and sees Asuka come out, he wags his tail and barks in her direction.)
Asuka: (smiles, bends down to pet him) Hello Buster, so its you making a ruckus in the dorm hallway.
(He barks, repeats his earlier pacing, hoping to drag her attention.)
Asuka: (confused) Hmm... Do you want something?
Room 3 female: i think he's trying to get back in with help, maybe the owner locked him out by accident... Either way its like he's trying to pull you somewhere.
Asuka: (i wonder what he wants) Oh okay, thank you... Well lead the way boy.
(Buster finally leads and she follows earnestly.)
Room 2 male: hey uhh, how do you know that?
Room 3 female: Oh I'm good with dogs, i have 3 at home.
(Buster stops at the door and Asuka freezes.)
Asuka: Whats wrong?
(He grumbles and softly nudges her in.)
Asuka: (giggles) Ohh... Wow, what could be so good you wanna show-
(She gasps as she sees Obito asleep on the bed chilly and sweating from heat, his breath hoarse and she hears him cough before he sneezes.)
Asuka: Okazaki kun!?
(End.)
12.3
{Back at school, students are still pacing about and enjoying company through mixed conversations. Students from Obito's department are seen shuffling along the corridor, waiting on the next lectures. Among them, Shota is seen sitting among the students and writing something before he stops and picks up his poster again.}
Shota: (Okazaki san... I wonder if he's doing fine, he seemed to be in a hurry... Though now that i think about it, it's kinda like he was starting to look sick... I hope he got home safe though.)
(As he sets down the poster, a breeze carries it off, floating it gently between the crowd. Shota responsively follows it, cautiously trying to get it back while shuffling through the crowd. The poster lands and Muichiro picks it up.)
Muichiro: (Oh, a poster... Seems like someone lost it.)
(A friend of his looks over.)
Classmate: What you got there bro?
Muichiro: Looks like a poster for a concert... "Rhythm Land" huh...
Classmate: I heard about them from one of my other friends... Seems they get some major audience every year at the college.
Muichiro: Oh that's cool... Though who's the person that lost this...
Shota: (yells/approaches slightly panting)Hey!... haah... The poster... is mine...
Muichiro: You okay dude?
Shota: Yeah... I just got lost a bit in the crowd chasing it. Thank you.
(Muichiro gives it back to him.)
Classmate: Are you planning to go for the concert?
Shota: (wryly)I... It's rather a convention than a concert...
Classmate: ...right sorry, haha.
Shota: I did plan on going to the convention, ...but, i thought I'd rather go with someone in the same department with me.
Muichiro: You didn't find anyone to go with?
Shota: (scratches his head nervously) Well... not exactly, there was a guy i asked to go with...
Muichiro: (teases) guy, did all the girls say no?
(The three of them laugh a bit)
Shota: Haha, well not exactly... I'm just a little shy when i talk to girls even more... I'm not really good making friends as i get shy.
(He looks down)
Shota: Though i showed it to Okazaki san in our class, i didn't get to know his answer.
Muichiro: Okazaki... Why?
(Looks up)
Shota: Oh uh, he left early.
Muichiro: (subtly surprised) Left? Why?
Shota: He looked like he wasn't feeling well. He got a bit woozy in class and complained of a cough... I think he was also chilly. He got up to leave the class while we were all waiting for the professor. Sorry, do you know him by any chance?
Muichiro: Uh.. yeah (woozy? Did Obito come down with a fever and ride home? Did he get to his dorm safely while chilly?) hang on a sec.
(He walks quickly through the crowd to the student car park and sees Obito's bike is not there. The classmate and Shota catch up to hi staring outside.)
Classmate: He left?
Muichiro: Yeah, he did...(Turns to Shota) Did he say anything to you concerning the event?
Shota: Oh... Uh... Ah he asked if im in the class group chat, i told him i was.
Muichiro: (smiles/pats his shoulder) then don't worry bro, he'll give you a reply sooner or later. I have to go now.
(He walks over to his bike, starts it and suddenly picks out his phone to call someone. )
Caller: Yeah!!!
Muichiro: Hey, Baji kun...
(End.)
12.4
(Dreamstate.)
{Scene resumes, Its a dark blurry void, a gentle fog slowly creeps up the ground level. A white butterfly suddenly flies across the scenery. Suddenly hands of the first person appear in the dream state, expressing confusion.}
Obito: (whispers)Huh?... Where is this? Why's it so dark?
(He turns to see the butterfly, it stops and suddenly he hears a young girl's voice)
Voice: Obito...
Obito: Huh? A voice?
(He looks toward the butterfly, looks back.)
Obito: (Nahh, it couldn't actually–)
Voice: Obito-kun.
(He slowly turns to the butterfly, slightly shocked/terrified.)
Obito: (Did a butterfly just talk?!)
(The butterfly circles around him twice, lands on his head, he tries to touch it... It flies off straight ahead.)
Obito: Hey...
(He looks down and sees a forming walkway pattern, the butterfly continues. Cautiously but curious, Obito moves forward, following the butterfly and the path ahead.)
(They get to a door filled with light, Obito carefully enters and appears a hillside beside a tree.)
Obito: This place...
(He walks forward a bit and sees a little girl facing the oasis ahead. She turns to him, her face clouded/faded out but her expression is layered as happy.)
Little girl: So you finally came...
Obito: Came? I'm sorry I don't understand.
Little girl: you don't remember?
(A puzzled look appears on his face, then a gentle wind blows, everything looks normal except the wind creates distance between them, Obito on the stationary side cries out.)
Obito: Hey, wait... What is this?
Little girl: Try and remember... If you got this far then that means you can remember too. I'll be here waiting for you, Bye bye.
Obito: (Remember... Remember what?)
(She waves and the scene fades out as Obito wakes up.)
(End of dreamstate.)
Obito: (was that a dream?... That place, that... girl... What was that about?)
(Slowly opens his eyes to see Baji looming over him, his face very close.)
Baji: Hmm...
Obito: Aah!!
Baji: (nods) Yup, he's sick alright.
Obito: (shocked)Ba-Baji kun!? What're you doing here?
(He tries to adjust, falls back under stress.)
Obito: Ack... (Exhales, coughs gently.)
Muichiro: You shouldn't stress yourself out dude
Obito: You too...
Baji: What do you mean what are we doing here? I heard you were sick from him and i came over.
Obito: Weren't you having classes today? You should worry about your grades rather than me bro.
Muichiro: Dumbass.
Obito: Huh?!
Muichiro: Grades don't mean anything. In my own case, i heard from a classmate that you rushed outta school early and said you were feeling a bit weird... I uh... got concerned that you'd probably fall off so, i tailed you and found you here, Ms. Ichinose was already taking care of you while you were asleep.
Obito: Ichinose san?(She came here??)
(He goes silent, slightly disappointed at his prior comment.)
Obito: (She... She took care of me...) I'm sorry.
Baji: It's cool, but... Why would you stress your body over school when you knew you weren't well?
(Obito looks to the side, sees Buster also listening, patiently panting.)
Obito: I thought it was just stress from last night, i overworked myself with a script and couldn't get coffee before i got to school in the morning. It was a warm temperature... I didn't think it'll get this far.
Baji: Physical fitness is the biggest exam, if you fail, you can't attend others. Listen to your body next time bro.
Obito: ...Oh okay.
Muichiro: (snickers) did Baji just say something wise?
Baji: Oii!!
(Muichiro laughs and gives Obito a tray of ready made food.)
Muichiro: Still though... We're glad it wasn't worse bro.
Baji: (smiles) yeah...
Obito: (you guys: smirks) Thanks guys.
(They get up and walk to the door, Baji opens.)
Baji: You should eat that before it gets cold, Ms. Ichinose made it before she left... I think she said something about having a test...
Obito: (Test? Yet she came here...)
Muichiro: Said she'll come back when she's done... We have to get back to school for now.
Obito: Alright bros, be safe.
Muichiro: We'll call to check in later.
(Muichiro closes the door and Obito is alone once again.)
Obito: (...I have... very wonderful friends, I feel... I'm not alone anymore...) Wow.
(He looks down at the tray of food and the card that reads "i hope you enjoy it.")
Obito: (Ichinose san... she came to take care of me...)
(He unwraps the sealed food and takes a bite and smiles.)
(Fade out.)
Obito: Yummy.
(End.)
12.5
{2:30 pm back at school. The scene focuses on the literary arts department, inside students are seen loitering around the hallways, some are inside a class, packing their stuff and it seems lectures are over. Inside, the scene focuses closely on Asuka sitting, reading a novel and writing something down.}
Asuka: (Summarizing this book was worth it after all, and i heard rumors that it won't be a part of the test.)
(She sighs in relief, tilts head to ceiling.)
Asuka: (i could only understand the social aspect mostly, the psychology of how the author framed the helping others aspect was what intrigued me.) Helping... I wonder if he was okay with me helping... I wonder... If he has woken up and eaten a bit. ( ...If he'll ever remember me.)
(Just then, her classmate calls her from a distance.)
F. Classmate: Hey, Asuka... We're about to leave
Asuka: Oh okay, I'm coming.
(Puts her note and novel in her bag, catches up to her friends outside.)
(Outside, they are walking amidst others, seemingly leaving the department.)
F. Classmate: That test during the last period was a tough one.
Asuka: Was it? It was quite okay for me.
F. Classmate: Of course, every course looks quite okay for you and you always pass them well enough but not to make it obvious. Are you even being serious most times?
Asuka: (giggles)Oh come on, now you're praising me too much.
(Her smile fades and her mood slightly shifts, ahead the two guys wave off the girls, going a separate route.)
F. Classmate: (smiles) Yeah, see you later.
(She notices Asuka's shift.)
F. Classmate: Is something wrong?
Asuka: Huh?
F. Classmate: Your face... It's unusually very moody. Is something bothering you?
Asuka: Ah... Oh haha, is that so?
F. Classmate: Yeah, but it's cool if you don't wanna tell me, i get it if its personal.
(Asuka considers for a while...)
Asuka: Hey... Chiaki, how would you respond to a case of... being forgotten?
(She squeezes her wrist.)
Asuka: Like... If its from someone you knew while growing up but they don't seem to recognize you... but, they see you as a different person?
(Chiaki sighs.)
Chiaki: Is it a guy?
Asuka: (flustered) H-huh!?
(Chiaki smiles.)
Chiaki: I had a similar case one time. Back then he had left me when i was younger.. maybe around ten, he moved to South Korea... he really made me laugh alot more, He came back four years ago and i happened to see him going into a restaurant that i was also going to.
Asuka: Oh, a coincidence.
Chiaki: Haha yeah, well anyway, i was a bit nervous but i went ahead and i sat directly infront of him and said hi... I remember him being initially confused a bit... I was a bit disappointed and sad that he had forgotten me but he gave me some hope to grab onto. He told me i looked very familiar.
(A gentle breeze blows as a car passes by Asuka.)
Chiaki: We spoke for a while there and then i asked to see him again even if i was nervous, he agreed. It took quite a while and steady gentle effort but in the end, it was worth it.
(Asuka smiles.)
Asuka: i see, i understand now(I'm still doing my part, i just need to wait for him to do his.) thank you Chiaki chan.
Chiaki: Chan? (pouts) Don't treat me like a kid Asuka.
Asuka: Ahahaha.
(They keep walking till Chiaki hails a taxi to her dorm outside the school campus.)
Chiaki: Are you going to your dorm now? We're done with classes today.
Asuka: Yeah, but i wanna stop at the supermarket before i head back, can he make it there?
(Chiaki asks, he agrees. She gets in, her mind flashes back to moments of Obito and her together, snaps back, she smiles.)
Asuka: (I'm sure he will.)
(Closes the door, and the taxi drives off towards the school gate.)
(End.)
12.6
{8:00 PM, Obito's room. Obito sits half-upright on his bed, scrolling through his phone. Buster fast asleep beside him, tail twitching now and then. The dorm's faint hum fills the quiet until there's a knock on the door.}
Obito: Who is it?
Asuka: A... (gulps) Ichinose-san.
Obito: (blinks) ...come in.
(The door opens, and Asuka peeks in and waves with a little smile.)
Asuka: Hi...
Obito: (waves back, a little awkwardly) H-Hey, Ichinose-san.
(She walks in, holding a small plastic bag with some home cooked food inside, sets it on the drawer nearby. Her purse slides off her shoulder onto the drawer.)
Asuka: (exhales a bit) How're you feeling? I wanted to come earlier but… got caught up in a few things.
Obito: I'm better now. (He stretches slightly.) I heard you had a big test today... how'd it go?
Asuka: (smiling faintly) It went fine. Thanks for asking.
Obito: I... I hope i didn't cause you too much problems... knowing you came here to take care of me before you left.
Asuka: Not at all, i know you... and since i had that hurdle solved, it didn't just look okay to see you burning up and leave you there... You're not exactly a stranger to me.
Obito: (eyes widen, he blushes a bit) Really... That's good.
(Silence hangs lightly for a few seconds, she looks in her purse, rummaging for something.)
Obito: I really liked the food you made earlier, by the way.
(She fumbles slightly... his words hit deeper than he realizes, her purse slips, scattering its contents across the floor between them.)
Asuka: Oh my... how clumsy.
Obito: It's okay, I'll help.
(They both kneel. Pick up the contents of the purse together carefully. Unconsciously, their hands meet as they reach for her ID card. A small, still moment. He slowly looks into her eyes, she does too, locked in... Almost gazing deeply but quietly.)
Obito (softly): ...Purple.
Asuka: Huh?
Obito: Your eyes. They're purple.
(Their fingers slide gently into eachother and slowly lock, it lingers longer than they should.)
Asuka: (turns aside) They've always been like that. It's not that big a–
Obito: (softly)Beautiful.
(Her breath catches. She averts her gaze, face flushing, eyes trembling between shyness and disbelief.)
Asuka: (softly)I—uh, we should probably finish packing this up...
(He realises, releases her fingers lightly and moves back a bit gently.)
Obito: S-sorry. That just…
(He hands her the last item. She takes it gently, clutching her ID but he quietly notices a specific detail on the card.)
Asuka: So... like i said, i brought this for you...some food. There's a cold medicine too, just in case.
Obito: Oh... thank you.
Asuka: You should eat it while it's still warm. I'll… check on you later.
(She smiles faintly and leaves, the door clicking shut.)
(Obito stays still for a moment, running his hand through his hair, letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.)
Obito: (Damn... I really said that out loud, huh.)
(Sighs.)
Obito: Smooth, real smooth...(So that's when it is huh?)
(In the hallway.... Asuka leans against the wall, face burning, her hand over the one that touched his.)
Asuka : (quietly)He... really called my eyes beautiful.
(She walks to her room, closes the door behind her, and falls onto the bed, hugging a pillow tightly.)
Asuka: (Beautiful... He said it out loud.)
(She sighs deeply, stares at the ceiling, replaying it over and over, then whispers.)
Asuka: Whats gonna happen tomorrow?
(She ponders on it for a while before turning her lights off.)
(Later that night, Obito's room. He drifts back into sleep, the same dream creeping in like fog.)
(Dreamstate.)
Obito: Huh...? Here again?
Voice: Oh, you're back!
Obito: You again... that girl?
(He looks around, searching for traces of the little girl or the butterfly?)
Obito: Where are you?
Voice: (laughs softly) Hehehe...
(End.)