The following is a very rough draft of the latest installment of the
Mikado Ichiban series. Like most things I tend to write, it's getting
overly long.. I would appreciate any and all input, but mostly I'd like
opinions on whether or not I should split up the two main plots of the
episode - The introduction of Hikaru, and the basketball game, into
seperate episodes, or let this go on as it is.
On a continuity note, about 2 months have passed since the last MI
episode, and these events occur in the last semester of Mikado's 11th
year of school, just after the summer holidays. Everything up to episode
8 was intended to build a groundwork for the series..
Anyways, I ramble. On to what potentially may be episode 9 of Mikado
Ichiban... Actually, one last note.. The format has changed in the
series a little, I hope it's made things a little cleaner. As such,
thoughts are now contained within the {} symbols.
-----------------
[The interior of a small office. Seated in a tall, grand chair is an
elderly old man. A small sign on his table says: "Dr. Migumi -
Councellor". He adjusts a small pair of glasses he wears, studying
curiously some papers in his hand.]
Dr. Migumi: I see.. The last few weeks have been very hard for you,
haven't they?
voice: [from off-screen, a sad, quiet voice] Y.. Yes. I didn't think
I'd make it..
Dr. Migumi: [nods] And given the circumstances, I agree with your
request. Going back to your old school will be too hard on you. I can
transfer you in time for the beginning of the fall semester.
voice: [brightening up a little] Really?
Dr. Migumi: [good naturedly] There certainly aren't any laws against
it. [he stands up, and reaches a hand across his desk. For the first
time, we can see the girl. She is a young teenager, with short,
caramel brown hair.] Hikaru Hiyama, I can understand your problems. You
need a new start on things. You need to forget about that Kyousuke
fellow, and make new friends. A change of schools is exactly what you
need.
Hikaru: [leaps up] All right! [she skips about for a few moments, and
smiles brightly at Dr. Migumi.] Thank you so much doctor!
Dr. Migumi: My job, and pleasure. [he shuffles through some papers,
reads a bit, and starts scribbling on some form.] There's another
high school not too far from here- Kolkhoz, it's called. I'm sure
you'll do well there..
Hikaru: [nods] I'll try my best, doctor! [she hugs him quickly, and
leaves the room. She rushes down the hall, laughing.] {A new school,
maybe I'll finally be able to forget....}
------------------------------------------------------------------
[scene fades to black, theme music starts playing.]
[An series of images flash (to the drum beat of the theme song) on the
screen: first one of Mikado, then one of Azusa, followed by a group
picture of Phrank, Josie, Mikami, and Ryuuken. It flashes one more
time, showing a picture of Mikado being hounded by a short,
brown-haired girl as Chance looks on in the background. It is replaced
with a slow pan of Kolkhoz High School, the sun sparkling in the
background. Mikado skates by, graceful and calm as a horde of females
follow him. Josie is cheering in the background, while Phank is
sitting down, looking at her wistfully. The scene changes to an ice
rink, where Mikado and Azusa are fighting against a large group of
people. Noticeable characters are Ranma, Ryuuken, and a boyish-looking
teenager wearing a jacket with the letters 'SC' emblazed on them. Azusa
breaks off from the fight to pick up a coin that was dropped on the
ice, and all of the skaters descend upon Mikado. This scene ends, and
the camera opens on Mikado posing. Azusa jumps onscreen, hugging on to
him tightly. The animation stops with Mikado trying to get away from
Azusa, who is pulling at the tie he is wearing. The music stops, and
the screen fades to black.]
------------------------------------------------------------------
Mikado Ichiban- Zembun Otoko! Episode 9 - An Affair to Avoid
[Cut to the road in front of Kolkhoz High. Hikaru is walking down the
road, shoulders slouched, and his eyes bleary. He stops, taking his
glasses off, and rubbing his eyes.]
Hikaru: Shouldn't have stayed up so late on that chem project..
[Mutters] or Mikado's english paper...
[Hikaru puts his glasses back on, carefully putting them back in place.
Meawhile, Hikaru-chan is wandering down the street, looking curiously
between the area, and a map in her hands. Neither of them seeing each
other, they crash together, Hikaru being pushed back against a wall,
and Hikaru-chan dropping her school bag. Hikaru quickly recovers, and
gets down on his knees to pick up Hikaru-chan's stuff. He sneaks a
quick look up at her. She doesn�t look pleased.]
Hikaru: I'm really sorry.. Let me get that for you..
[Hikaru tries to reach for her pack, but Hikaru-chan gives him a quick
boot, and picks it up herself.]
Hikaru-chan: [coldly] I don't need any help. [Walks off, quickly]
[Hikaru rolls over, holding his stomach tenderly. He watches her walk
off.]
Hikaru: {Man she's vicious.. But cute...} [continues to just lie there
for a while.]
-=-
[Interior of a classroom. Students are lounging around, talking and
organizing books while waiting for class to start. Hikaru is back up,
and sitting at his desk. He is twirling a pencil, randomly jotting
down some weird equations on paper that would have put Einstein to
shame. There's a knock at the door, and the teacher answers it. Hikaru
notices Hikaru-chan standing in the doorway. He cringes, yet looks
vaguely interested. The teacher talks to Hikaru-chan for a while, then
walks her out to the chalkboard. She writes her name on the board,
then turns to face the class. She is attempting to look tough, but not
suceeding completely.]
Teacher: Class, this is Hiyama Hikaru. She will be joining our class
as of today.
[Hikaru-chan bows, and is led off to an empty desk. It's right beside
Hikaru's]
Hikaru: [reaches out with a hand] {I must be crazy..} H.. Hi,
Sanzenin Hikaru. No hard feelings about this morning?
Hikaru-chan: [turns her head away, speaks coldly] Pleased to meet you.
[She sits straight up in her desk, staring directly at the teacher.
Hikaru lowers his hand slowly, and leans back into his seat, hanging
his head down. A hand from the desk behind him slaps him on the back.]
Ryuuken: [whispering] Excellent move, Casanova..
[Hikaru turns around to GLARE at Ryuuken. Sitting beside Ryuuken is
another teen, who is grinning at Ryuuken�s comment.]
Hikaru: [glares] You should...
Ryuuken: [glares back] I should.. What, prey tell?
Hikaru: [goes white] Uhh, nothing.. {He can't even get Azusa, and he's
mocking me?}
Ryuuken: [relaxing] Of course. Be careful where you tread, Sanzenin.
[Hikaru is about to reply when the bell rings. All the students
immediatly sit up straight, taking out their work books.]
Teacher: [bringing out his own book.] Good morning class, lets get
right to it.. If you will recall from last term, we were exploring chaos
theory. Starting this week, we're going into something more scientific-
the big bang theory, and all the math behind it.
[A sea of blank faces - except for one - stare back at the teacher in
shock. Hikaru, on the other hand, looks estatic.]
Hikaru: {Finally, get some real learning going here..}
[skip to a montage of scenes.. The teacher's lecture drones on through
it all. First the students look lost, then they start looking
frightened. Soon, they start figeting in their seats. Ryuuken stares
on blankly, little confusion bugs flying past his head in a constant
stream. Hikaru-chan looks stunned.]
Hikaru-chan: [numbly] {We were just getting into dividing fractions..}
Teacher: [finishing up on his lecture] And so, the grand unification
theory is now what scientists are working on now - the correlation of
everything in the universe. Any questions?
[A sea of dazed students. One hand shoots up.]
Teacher: Ah yes.. Hikaru?
Hikaru: [standing up] Actually sir, it's more of a statment than a
question, Sagan-sensei.
Sagan: {Oh no..} Yes?
Hikaru: Well, I've been doing some calculations lately, and what I've
figured is this.. [Walks up to the chalk board] The big bang theory is
bogus. In reality, it was more like a small 'fwoosh'....
[Hikaru drones on on his own lecture, which even leaves Sagan-sensei a
little flabbergasted. He writes equations across the board, taking up
every single inch of space, which Sagan desperately scribbles down.
Once Hikaru finishes, Sagan holds up his paper triumphantly.]
Sagan: This is it! My ticket out of this job!! [Laughs gleefully,
rushing out of the class, leaving 29 shocked faces staring at Hikaru.
It only takes about ten seconds before someone starts applauding, and
soon, the entire class.]
student #1: [clapping him on the back] Way to go dude!
Student #2: Yeah, that�s the fourth teacher you�ve forced through this
year. At this rate, they�ll just have to pass us all through this class
without an exam!
[The students go on awarding Hikaru with praise. He just laughs
nervously, rubbing the back of his head.]
Hikaru: H.. Hey, it was nothing... {No exam?}
[From her desk, Hikaru-chan watches all this curiously. A small smile
creeps along her face.]
Hikaru-chan: {He could probably help me catch up quickly... Maybe
I should give him the benefit of a doubt..}
[Meanwhile, Ryuuken is still trying to shake the cobwebs out of his
head. He just keeps on blinking, and blinking...]
-=-
[Shot of the Kolkhoz ice rink. Koichi is sitting in the stands,
watching down on the rink with a careful eye. On the ice, half a dozen
teens are skating on the ice.]
Koichi: {Such talent, but none with the grace I seek.. Sanzenin, why
must you be my only choice?}
[As he muses over the students on the ice, Mikado walks over to beside
his seat, and sits down.]
Koichi: [looking at Mikado suspiciously] Shouldn't you be in class?
Mikado: I am. In the important one, at least.
Koichi: [shakes his head] This isn't a good way to start the last
semester of the year, Sanzenin... I could respect your enthusiasm, if
you weren't blatantly using it as an excuse to skip school.
Mikado: Actually, I came to give you something.. [Pulls out a slip of
paper, and hands it over to Koichi.] This was given to me today.
Koichi: [muses over the letter] Challenge.. Rink.. Kazue... [Puts
the paper down] The swimming club is trying to get the rights to the
arena again?
Mikado: [nods] Kazue is becoming persistant.. I think he actually
wants to swim in his school's own pool before he graduates at the end
of the year.
Koichi: Noble, but I can�t afford the training time we'd lose.
Mikado: [shakes his head] You don't understand. This is a challenge
approved by the principal. We have to answer it.
Koichi: Approved by the prin..? [Shakes his head, muttering] That man
will do anything for money..
Mikado: [shrugs] What's done is done. But we have to get ready now,
the challenge is set for the lunch break.
Koichi: Doesn't waste any time, does he? What is the challenge,
exactly?
Mikado: The same as always. Full-court basketball.
Koichi: [snorts] Either their team's enlisted a basketball dynamo, or
Kazue is more stubborn than I thought.
Mikado: Or maybe he's banking on distractions.. Anyways, we have to
get everyone together, now.
Koichi: [nods] I'll put out an announcement. [Gets up] You tell
everyone on the ice what's going on. [Leaves] {What does that boy
Kazue have up his sleeve now?}
-=-
[The meeting room where the swimming club last met. Kazue is playing a
game of darts, a picture of Mikado pasted over the target.]
Kazue: {How ridiculous Sanzenin. A flippant boy like you denying me
the chance to become the great swimmer I could become!!} [whispers] And
for mere skating, you deny me this.. Bah.
[There is a knock at the door, and it is opened by a short,
boyish-looking teen, with brown hair coming down to eye level. He has
an 'SC' jacket on.]
teen: You wanted to see me?
Kazue: [talking, not turning to look at him.] I just wanted to make
sure you're up to this, Wakai. You're still new to the club, this will be
your first challenge, won't it?
Wakai: [nodding] Yeah, it is. But I can prove that I'm just as good
the rest of the team is.. [Pause, a small smile creeping up on his
face] Better.
Kazue: [turning around] You *are* good Wakai.. Damn good, to be
honest. But that�s not what I'm worried about. I know about you
Wakai, and how you feel about.. Things.
Wakai: [looks a bit taken aback] Y.. You know?
Kazue: [casually] It's not hard to notice. I don't care. All I want
to know is, will you be able to compete out there?
Wakai: [stands to attention, looks cooly confident] I'm not about to
let the swimming club down, Kazue.
Kazue: That's all I need to know. [Turns back to his game of darts]
Wakai: [a shadow of doubt crossing his face] But Kazue..
Kazue: Yes?
Wakai: I did watch the last competition.. It was a total whipping...
What have we got this time that we didn�t at the last challenge?
Kazue: [laughs.. And laughs. Shot of the lower half of his face, with
Wakai in the background. A vicious smile is on Kazue�s face.] A plan.
[Pauses] A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.. And we�re
going to ram right.. [tosses one dart. Bulls eye right into Mikado�s
throat] Through.. [Bulls eye again] That link. Besides, the skating
club doesn�t even have a clue to what they�re *really* getting into..
[Laughs more, with Wakai looking increasingly curious, and fearful.]
Wakai: {He's driven, that's for sure..} [pauses] {But he�s got a
point.. Will I be able to do this?}
-=-
[Study hall. Students are sitting all around, quietly going over
books, playing card games, or hiding off in corners playing portable
game systems. Hikaru is sitting at a table all by himself, switching
between reading his textbook, and looking out the window. The chair
beside him is pulled out, and Hikaru-chan sits down quietly, looking a
little embarassed.]
Hikaru-chan: [head turned away] I.. I wanted to apologize for this
morning..
Hikaru: [jumps up in his seat, and turns looks over at her] Hiyama?
[Breathes heavily for a few moments. Smiles] Sorry, you suprised me.
Hikaru-chan: [still not looking at him] I was rude, I'm sorry.. It's
just.. Just..
Hikaru: [quickly cutting in] It's all right. It was my fault anyways. You
don't need to worry.
Hikaru-chan: [breathes a sigh of relief.] Thanks.. What do you say we
start all over again? [Bows slightly in her chair.] Hiyama Hikaru,
pleased to meet you.
Hikaru: [Grins, bowing back.] Sanzenin Hikaru, a pleasure.
[Hikaru-chan beams, and they both sit there smiling for a while.
Silence pervades for a few moments.]
Hikaru-chan: [finally speaking up] So.. You're pretty smart, ne? That
was mind-blowing, in math class this morning..
Hikaru: [shrugs] It comes easy to me, I guess. [Conspiratoral whisper]
It helps that I inherited all the brains in the family, though..
Hikaru-chan: [giggles] You have a...?
Hikaru: A brother. All looks, and no substance. About as smart as
your averge, oh, two-by-four.
Hikaru-chan: [on the verge of laughing] He's not that bad, is he?
Hikaru: He is. I could tell you stories, but that might incriminate
him. [Thinks about it for a few moments.] All right, there was this
one time...
-=-
[On the staircase to the arena, Mikado, Koichi, Ryuuken, and the
student who was sitting beside him in first class all stand together.]
Koichi: So everyone knows now, but most teachers weren't willing to let
the students out of class to prepare. This was probably part of
Kazue's plan all along. I�d be willing to bet that his group has been
planning this for some time...
Mikado: [nodding] And training all along.. A simply devious way of going
about it.
Koichi: That means they have the upper hand as far as being ready.
However, we do have the advantage of size.
Student: [nods] Yeah, I'd say they average at least four inches less
than the skating club, if not more.
Koichi: That's precisely my point, Hirotaka. Push that advantage, and
we still have a strong chance to beat them. [Looks around] There�s
only three of you here, but you'll probably be the point men anyways. I
want you to practice in the gym for as long as your teachers allow. Go
around and ask them now.
[All three of them nod, and rush off towards the school. Ryuuken is
about to leave, but Koichi grabs him by the arm.]
Koichi: Ryuuken, I want to speak to you in private.. [Pulls him off to
one side, makes sure no one else is watching.] I know you have a
grudge against Mikado, Ryuuken. [Gets a fierce expression on his
face.] But I want you to remember this: anyone who blatantly causes a
loss at this competition will *never* be welcome in the skating club
again. Do you understand?
Ryuuken: [nodding] Y.. Yes Koichi.
Koichi: Good. [His face softens a bit] Listen, you're second best in
the club, Ryuuken. It's nothing to be ashamed of...
Ryuuken: [bitterly] I'm used to it. [Walks off]
[Koichi shakes his head as Ryuuken leaves.]
Koichi: [musing] If anger didn't consume him, he could be so much more...
-=-
[Complete change of scene, to a different school. Nabiki is sitting
among her classmates. The image snaps. Pull back to see Hudson, atop
a building nearby, with a camera with a significantly large zoom lens
attached.]
Hudson: [scribbling down on a piece of paper] Operation Market Watch,
log one. At employee's request, we are taking down as much visual,
audio, and personal data on the assigned target as possible..
[Hudson goes back to the camera, and takes a few more pictures. He
starts moving the camera around, looking intently.]
Hudson: Bingo; women's change room. [Grins hugely] I love this job..
-=-
[A hallway inside Kolkhoz. Hikaru and Hikaru-chan are both standing
outside a door which reads 'study hall'.]
Hikaru-chan: You shouldn't have told me that last story..
Hikaru: [smirks] You asked me to. It's not my fault you laughed so
hard..
Hikaru-chan: [barely managing not to smile] It was funny, wasn't it?
Hikaru: I always thought so.
Hikaru-chan: [lets out a small sigh, and does smile.] I'm glad I came
here..
Hikaru: [looks pleasantly confused] Hmm?
Hikaru-chan: It.. It was hard for me at my other school.. [Turns
away, looking out a window] I think things will be better here..
Hikaru: [Puts a hand out to console her, but pulls back.] You're right.
Hikaru-chan: [turns back around, curious] Hmm?
Hikaru: [resolutely] You will have a better time here.. I'm going to
make sure of it..
Hikaru-chan: [beams] Ohh, thanks [Grabs Hikaru's hand, and tugs him
along, down the hallway.] Come on, if they're going to kick us out of
study hall, let�s go have fun instead!!
Hikaru: [Gets dragged along, looks back momentarily] But.... Okay!
[Follows along with her willingly] {It's crazy, but I'd follow her
anywhere...}
-=-
[Ad break. A single picture of Kazue and Mikado, back to back. Kazue
faces the screen, twirling a basketball on one finger, and Mikado has
his back to the screen, but his head is turned so he is glaring at
Kazue.]
-=-
[Kolkhoz's basketball court. It's a regulation-sized court, with
bleachers on all sides. Currently, four extra hoops are set up for
practice shots. Mikado, Ryuuken and Hirotaka are all practicing at
different hoops at one end of the court. At the other end, Kazue is
simply sitting in the front bleachers, watching the three of them.
Behind him sit two or three other students.]
Kazue: [to the people behind him] Watch these three closely. They will
be the main players on the skating club's team. [Calling out]
Impressive aren't they, for only a periods work? If they'd practiced
all week like us, they might almost be equal to us..
Mikado: [Quietly to the other two.] Don�t let him bother you, he works
by getting under your skin..
[Hirotaka nods, pointedly ignoring Kazue and co. Ryuuken grits his
teeth and bears it.]
Kazue: Wimpy little momma's boys, they couldn�t hit the broad side of a barn!
[Mikado turns around to face Kazue. From his end of the court, he
tosses his basketball. It sails through the air... For a distance,
hits the ground, bounces up, and starts spinning around the rim.. It
falls in.]
Mikado: [casually] I always preferred the narrow side, myself..
[Kazue sneers, and gets up to pick the basketball. He tosses it.. It
sails through the air.. It hits the ground.. Bounces up.. And hits
Mikado in the leg. He falls down to the ground.]
Kazue: Oh man, I've got terrible aim today.. [Walks off, leaving the
court. The other students quickly follow.]
[Meanwhile, Hirotaka has rushed up to Mikado, who has gotten back up by
now. Ryuuken looks over, is satisfied it's nothing serious, and goes
back to practicing his shots. Mikado, surprisingly enough, doesn�t
look pleased.]
Mikado: [Pushing Hirotaka away] I�m fine Hiro, thanks. [Hobbles over
to the closest bleachers, and sits down. He grimaces.] Well, there�s
your introduction to the way he plays..
-=-
[A random hallway inside Kolkhoz. Hikaru peeks his head out from an
adjoining hallway, peering in both directions. Satisfied, he steps out
into the hall, followed by Hikaru-chan.]
Hikaru: [one hand behind his head] Well, that about wraps up the tour
of the school, I guess.. It's almost time for next period anyways.
Hikaru-chan: [looks about with mild curiosity] But.. Don't you play
any sports here?
Hikaru: Eh? Not play sports? This place is filled with jocks..
[Disdainfully] Can't you just -smell- the testosterone in the air?
[Hikaru-chan looks a little confused, she sniffs at the air. Hikaru
can�t help but crack a smile.]
Hikaru: It was a joke.
Hikaru-chan: [ahs, and nods, though she still looks a bit confused.]
So.. Is there a basketball team here? It's my favorite sport..
Kazue: [from off-screen] Next doors to your left, around noon, a
basketball game is going down...
[Both Hikarus look over at Kazue, who is flanked by two of the students
that were with him in the gym. He is smiling arrogantly.]
Kazue: Not that it'll be much of a competition, but it�s a game,
nonetheless. [Lets out a small laugh, and exits, followed by his
companions.]
[Hikaru-chan watches him leave, frowning. She brightens up a bit, and
looks over at Hikaru.]
Hikaru-chan: That's what you meant by 'tes-tos-terone', right?
Hikaru: [sighs, rolling his eyes] {Cute... But dense.}
-=-
[Back in the Kolkhoz gym. Mikado is up on his feet, though rubbing his
leg still.]
Hirotaka: [glances over at Mikado] Are you sure you're all right?
Mikado: [gestures him away] It's fine, only a bruise.. [Grimaces] Hardly a
new experience for me..
[Mikado trails off as he notices the gym doors opening. He narrows his
eyes, but relaxes when he sees who it is. It's the Hikarus. Hikaru
glances over at Mikado, automatically and instinctively attempting to
make himself look taller. Hikaru-chan looks around, eyes wide.]
Hikaru-chan: Wow.. It's a lot better than the one at my old school..
[At this point, both Ryuuken and Hirotaka have stopped, and are
watching.]
Hirotaka: [whipsering to Ryuuken] Hey, wasn't she the one who was being
the queen of ice first period?
Ryuuken: [eyebrows raising above his sunglasses.] And so it is.
[Sneers] Perhaps all Sanzenin have the magic touch..
Hirotaka: [stares curiously at Ryuuken�s display, and shrugs] Whatever.
[By this point, Mikado has walked/limped up to Hikaru. He winks,
gesturing towards Hikaru-chan.]
Mikado: [dramtically] Little brother. I thought you boycotted such
areas of the school..
Hikaru: [his lips curl a bit, but he catches himself.] That's the norm,
yeah. But my new friend here [points to Hikaru-chan] wanted the grand
tour. [He turns to Hikaru-chan] Hikaru-chan, this is my brother..
Mikado.
Hikaru: [has been practically drooling at Mikado since he came over.
Her eyes are wide, and her mouth is agape.. After a few moments, she
thinks to bow.] H.. Hikaru Hiyama. P.. Pleased to meet you!
Mikado: [instinctively takes a step forward, but can -feel- the daggers
coming out of Hikaru�s eyes. He pauses, and takes Hikaru-chan's hand.]
Mikado Sanzenin. And it is always a pleasure to meet such lovely women
as yourself.. [He bows, and kisses Hikaru-chan's hand. Hikaru-chan�s
cheeks are burning red, and Hikaru seems to be on his way as well..
Mikado lets go after a moment, and takes a step back.] I'd love to
chat, but I have a challenge to attend to.. Perhaps we shall meet
again some time..
[Mikado turns away, back to the court. Hikaru-chan is now blushing
furiously. She looks down, and pushes her index fingers together a few
times.]
Hikaru-chan: He.. He doesn't seem as bad as you said Hikaru...
[Hikaru-chan looks up, but Hikaru is no longer there. The gym door is
just closing when she looks up.]
Hikaru-chan: [surprised, whispering quietly] Hikaru...
[Hikaru-chan exits after him, while Ryuuken and Hirotaka watch on
critically.]
Hirotaka: I guess that's more what you're used to?
Ryuuken: Disgusting as it may be, it is the norm around Mikado..
[Hirotaka gives a bemused shake of the head. Mikado has picked up a
basketball, and is practicing his dribbling. Hirotaka gives him a
thumbs up, to which Mikado replies with a simple, small smile.]
Mikado: Stop fooling around, we have a game to win.. [Once everyone
else is back to practicing, he gives a quick, concerned(?) look back at
the gym doors. He shrugs after a few moments, and goes back to his
basketball practice.]
-=-
[A classroom, the period before lunch starts. Kazue is sitting in a
desk, dilligently taking notes down from the board. Sitting behind and
to the left of him, is Chance, who is giving him a lot more notice than
the trio of fools behind him...]
Hojo: [whispering in Chance�s ear] Hey dude, we�ve got a new plan
involving public enemy number one.
Chance: [not turning around, but looking a little interested] Oh?
Hojo: Yeah.. See that guy in front of you with the buzz cut? His
name�s Kazue..
Chance: [leaning back a bit to whisper more effectively] The
evil-looking guy? What about him?
Hojo: [supressing a giggle] He�s evil all right man, freakin� awesome.
Meet us after class if you want get in on the gang-up moshing we�re
going to give Mikado..
Makimura: [from his seat] And not just him, but the entire skating
club.. Groovy, eh?
Hojo: Yeah.. That means.. [Raising his voice] Even Azusa will be fair
game!!
[Finally, the teacher notices the three people whispering, and tosses
them outside of class. Gato watches on, shaking his head scornfully.]
Gato: [muttering to himself] Those fools. How many times do I have to
tell them...
[Gato stops as he notices a shadow cross over him. He looks up, and
sees the dissaproving glare of his sensei...]
-=-
[Outside the class, all four of them now stand, holding water buckets.]
Makimura: That was pretty sneaky man, getting us kicked out so we could
talk about this..
Hojo: [looks momentarily confused, but figures it out] Oh, yeah. It
was, wasn�t it?
Chance: [looking between the three of them] So.. What�s this about the
skating team?
Makimura: [sniggers] They�re going to get crushed, man. That Kazue�s a
genius..
Chance: Oh?
Gato: [sighing, and getting to the point] It�s like this: the swimming
club and the skating club are having a basketball match today [Chance
flares up for an instant, but calms himself instantly], and Kazue�s set
it up to us to make a few... Distractions.. One for each of the main
members of the skating club..
Chance: [puts on a questioning expression] And..?
[All three of the grin, and pull objects out of nowhere...]
Gato: [holds up a cute stuffie] For Azusa.
Hojo: [holding up a giant poster of Azusa... In a bikini. Chance
shudders] For Ryuuken. [Gets starry-eyed] I got it from my room....
[Continues to gaze over the poster]
Makimura: [pulls out a live mouse from nowhere] This is like, for
Hirotaka.. Deathly afraid of them, y�know..
Chance: [looking more and more curious] But what about the main target?
The one you guys are really after?
Makimura: Well, we wanted to try something against him, but Kazue, he
got all on this hook about wanting to beat Mikado himself.. He just
wanted the [mocking Kazue's general attitude and voice] 'supports to
crash down'. Real deep..
Gato: [silently] Besides, we're too young to hire Mikado's kind of
distraction..
Chance: [nods, but makes no comment] {Why the hell didn't Deitrich
inform me of this?}
-=-
[Darkness. And an occasional knocking sound. Suddenly, a light switch
goes on. It's the furnace room of Kolkhoz High. A man dressed in
coveralls has dragged along Prince-I-Pal into the room. He points
towards one of the vents.]
Man: ..And I've been hearing strange noises coming from that vent since
about the time that school started today.. I shut the vent off, just
to make sure..
Prince-I-Pal: [sighs, and looks at the vent curiously] So.. What does
this vent do?
Man: It's the central heating vent for the school, sir.
Prince-I-Pal: We're in the middle of a cold spell.. But I just *can�t*
afford to get a repairman in this month.. Oh well, guess we'll have to
suffer, for the good of the school. [Pause] My personal office won't
be affected by this, will it?
Man: Actually sir.. Yes.
Prince-I-Pal: [groans, and ponders] Have to find some kind of extra
revenue... [Leaves the room, followed by the man.]
[Blackness again. The knocking continues.]
Deitrich: [hollow-sounding] From the depths of darkness, Deitrich
manages to get stuck in a heating vent... God.. This won't look good on
my report..
-=-
[Meanwhile, back outside Chance's classroom, Hojo, Gato, and Makimura
are all sitting down, their buckets on the floor. They seem to lack
consciousness. Beside them, Chance is quietly conversing with Drake.]
Chance: Another damned information blockage Drake, the boys on this
mission are starting to get on my nerves..
Drake: A good thing I decided not to go with Hudson on Operation Market
Watch, isn't it? [Looks down over the collapsed bodies] There wouldn�t
have been any subtle way you could have taken them down.
Chance: [nods] Not without losing their info pipline, no. [Shakes his
head suddenly] Wait a second, Hudson's unaccompanied on his mission
run?
Drake: Yeah, he is.... [Suddenly realizes] Oh no..
Chance: I'll go on, I was supposed to take over 1300 hours anyways..
[Takes the objects the 3 stooges were holding, and hands them over to
Drake] And take care of these. Make it look like the skating club
caught on, and took them out..
Drake: [takes the items, pausing with distaste when he sees the Azusa
poster] What should I do with this?
Chance: [while exiting] Burn it.
[Drake nods, and goes about his business. Chance meanwhile, leaves.]
-=-
[Back at Furikan High, Hudson is still viewing life through a
telescopic lens..]
Hudson: Hee heh heh... [Picks up a voice recorder] Operation Market
Watch, log one, hour three. Still no sign of the target, but I'm
dillegently searching.. [Stops recorder, and laughs again] Guess she
doesn't have gym until after lunch...
-=-
[A hallway, windows looking out across the school field to the ice
rink. Hikaru stands in front of one of the windows, a hard look on his
face. Hikaru-chan walks silently onto the scene, concerned. She stops
a few feet away from Hikaru, shuffling her feet.]
Hikaru-chan: Do you really hate your brother that much?
Hikaru: [looking out the window, his eyes narrowing to slits] No, just
the attention he gets.
Hikaru-chan: Hmm?
Hikaru: [mimiking a feminine voice] Oh Mikado, he�s so great.. Oh
Mikado, what a man!.. Oh Mikado... [Normal voice again] Bah. He�s
never done anything for anyone but himself.. Nobody cares about
anything substantial, with his flash around..
[Hikaru-chan nods sympathetically, a hand reaching out to brush
Hikaru's arm. Hikaru stiffens up for a moment, and then relaxes. He
glances over at Hikaru-chan quickly.]
Hikaru-chan: You've been overshadowed all the time, haven't you?
[Hikaru nods silently in reply. Hikaru-chan looks a little embarassed,
and nods.] So was I... [Reaches out for Hikaru's hand] Come on, let�s
go watch the game..
[Hikaru looks down at his hand, shocked, and nods stupidly. The two of
them walk down the hall, together.]
-=-
[High noon, back at the basketball court. On the court, the skating
and swimming clubs are doings some last-minute practicing at their ends
of the court. In the stands, Hikaru and Hikaru-chan are sitting down
beside Phrank and Ferro. Everywhere, placards cheering on Mikado..
And the skating club, are to be seen. On the opposite side of the court
from Phrank can be seen a lone handful of people holding up signs
cheering on the swimming club, and not Kazue. These people tend to be
getting a lot of nasty glares from all sides.]
Hojo: [looking around him - at all the nasty glares] Man, even without
our help, the dude Kazue's gonna win.
Makimura: It's karma man, karma.
Gato: And the fact that he's got other tricks up his sleeve..
[The other two hush Gato, and they turn their heads to the court, just
as the announcer starts to speak.]
Announcer: Welcome to the Great Kolkhoz Arena Challenge! Today, as
usual, it's the four-time champions, the Kolkhoz High Skating Club
[insert applause, cheers, and general fan approval] versus the
four-time losers, the swimming club!!
[A few voices squeak out cheers, but are quickly silenced. The
swimmming club is looking quite annoyed at the announcer's commentary.
Kazue looks incensed.]
Swim Club Member: [to Kazue] Kaz, the odds are totaly against us man,
this plan of yours better work..
Kazue: Not to worry, this time, things are going to happen a little
differently.. [He smiles, which is not a pretty sight.] They won't be
laughing, once they get a taste of what's about to happen.. [turns to
Wakai] Did you inform the referees?
Wakai: [nods slyly] Yeah, they were a bit surprised, but are going
along with it..
Kazue: Good. [turns to face the skating club] They have no idea
what's in store for them...
[Across the court, the skating club is making final preparations]
Azusa: Ohh! Francine! Francine!! [Azusa proceeds to chase after
Mikado's basketball]
Mikado: Gyah! [tosses the ball into the crowd. Azusa scampers
after it.] If only we could get her to use that energy against
the skating club..
Ryuuken: [perks up] Whhatt?? You dare to think of putting Azusa
in a place of danger? Sanzenin, I ought to....
[Ryuuken stops, as he realizes Koichi hovering behind him.]
Koichi: Ought to... What, Ryuuken?
Ryuuken: [supresses a sneer] Concentrate on the game, Koichi-sama.
Koichi: Right. [addresses the entire club] Okay team, you know how
this works, and what's at stake. Our future as a club depends on a
successful outcome here. [somehow, a breeze blows across Koichi's
face, wafting a few strands of hair to the side] The enemy is
relentless, and they won't give up for anything. You must be just
as relentless, never to yeild! You must fight, with the fire of
youth and rightousness, and you will win! For the glory of...
[trails off, as the buzzer goes, and everyone goes off
to their positions. Koichi looks momentarily startled, and then
walks off the court, muttering] Youth these days...
[The players organize themselves on and off the court, into their
respective groups. First on the court are Mikado, Ryuuken, and
Azusa at the front, and two other members filling up the shift.
On the skating club's side, Kazue is the only recognizable member.]
Kazue: [standing at the point, sneering at his respective point
man, Mikado] Ready to go down in history, pretty boy?
Mikado: [dropping into a near-battle stance] I'm always ready.
Kazue: We'll see...
[Mikado looks at him with faint curiosity as the referee walks up
to them, holding the ball.]
Announcer: And the annual freestyle martial basketball competition
is about to begin!
[Freeze frame of confused faces. Mikado staring at the announcer,
Koichi's face getting set firmly in a frown, and crowd members
blinking. The Hikaru's watch on, with various reactions..]
Josie: What...?
Phrank: *Martial arts*
Hikaru-chan: Basketball?!
Hikaru: [shaking his head] Now you know why I hate this school...
[Back on the court...]
Mikado: [Facing Kazue] Freestyle Martial Basketball? I've
never even heard of it before! I thought you challenged us to
our traditional game...
Kazue: [grabbing the basketball from the air, the referee having
just tossed it.] Traditions have to change with time, or they
die out.. [Bounces the ball a few times, then starts twirling
it on one finger nonchalantly] Such as with this tradition. I'd rather
it die out than my club.. [a nasty smile curves up on his face.] So
Sanzenin... [pulls back his arm holding the basketball, as if ready to
throw it.] Care to Dance?
-=-
[Cut to commercial. When the show comes back on, the credits roll.
Mikado is roller-blading along a road, images of all the other
characters from the show fading in and out from the image. Time
passes, and the sky slowly gets darker as he skates along. As the song
comes to a close, Mikado stops skating, and stares out across a bay,
moon reflecting off the water. The camera rises up, showing Mikado's
face as a constellation in the stars.]
-=-
Mikado Ichiban: Zembun Otoko!
Episode 9 - An Affair to Avoid
Written by: Eric Jones
-=-
and so it is, so far.. As I said before, it's a first draft- any and all
comments are welcome.
==============================================================================
|
-Eric "Mikado" Jones | ejones@finearts.uvic.ca
| http://kafka.uvic.ca/~ejones/home.html
Unwilling Arch-Deacon of the |----------------------------------------
Church of Azusa, Keeper of the |
Bruises, and head of the "kawaii | "No Azusa, those pants are *not* cute!"
people!" department. | -Mikado
-----------------------------------------
Join now, and you get to give up a treasured object of your very own to
the Goddess Azusa! Or she'll kill you!
==============================================================================