Chapter One

Page 1
Panel 1
exterior of Satchiko's dorm

Panel 2
Satchiko sitting in the corner of her bed, scribbling furiously in a notebook resting on her drawn-up knees

Page 2
Panel 1
Satchiko is on the phone. Only the lower half of her face, her hand, and the phone are visible.

SATCHIKO
Yes, Mother. I'm fine.

Panel 2
Looking out the window at a clear day. Satchiko is partially visible.

SATCHIKO
Of course, I'm getting out.

Panel 3
Pan of Satchiko's desk, a stack of books to one side. An open notebook in the center on a desk pad. The rest of the desk is littered with school supplies.

Panel 4
Partial view of Satchiko from lower face to high hip in profile.

SATCHIKO
I'm eating fine, Mother.

Panel 5
Pan Satchiko's partially-made bed. Anime posters and a picture of Kazuki Kobayashi are over her bed. A stuffed animal is on its side near the pillows.

Panel 6
Hand holding cell phone facing up

SATCHIKO
You, too. Bye, Mother.

Page 3
Panel 1
Satchiko from her hips up, standing beside her desk. Bed fills up left background.

SATCHIKO
(aside) Hi, I'm Satchiko Hasegawa, age 19. I attend college, but I really want to become a writer.

Panel 2
The view out the window over Satchiko's desk- include a cherry blossom. Season is spring.

SATCHIKO
(aside) I started submitting pieces to publications last fall, but so far none of them have been accepted.

Panel 3
Close-up of the open notebook on Satchiko's desk

Panel 4
Satchiko's hand turning the page in the notebook

SATCHIKO
(aside) I keep all of my rejection letters in this scrapbook.

Page 4
Panel 1
A cherry blossom falls from the tree.

SATCHIKO
(aside) I've been working on a piece to submit for the writer's workshop at the next convention.

Panel 2
Blossom still falling from Panel 1.

Panel 3
Satchiko's hand holding an entry form

SATCHIKO
(aside) It's nearly finished, but I'm not sure if I'll submit it.

Page 5
Panel 1
Kaori sitting on her bed, working with cloth

KAORI
Of course, you'll enter it...

...and you'll be accepted into the workshop.

Panel 2
Both of Satchiko's hands holding the form

Panel 3
Just the top edge of the form. The scrapbook is on the desk in the background.

SATCHIKO
I hope so.

Page 6
Panel 1
Kaori's face in surprise

KAORI
Satchiko, don't say that! You're a great writer!

Panel 2
Looking at a spiral notebook, the page filled with neat handwriting.

SATCHIKO
I certainly hope so.

Panel 3
The spiral notebook is thrown on top of the scrapbook.

SATCHIKO
(aside) I don't know that I could take a rejection from a writer's workshop.

Page 7
Panel 1
Kaori holds up a dress, grinning

KAORI
And this costume will definitely get some attention!

Panel 2
Satchiko looking toward Kaori and dress

SATCHIKO
Wow! You really did a great job on it!

Panel 3
Close-up on Kaori's beaming face

Panel 4
White background

SATCHIKO
(aside) Kaori does such great work.

She's a shoe-in to win a prize at the costume contest.

Page 8
Panel 1
Outside look at a university building

SATCHIKO
(aside) When I'm not writing, I go to university.

Panel 2
Looking through a door at a classroom

SATCHIKO
(aside) I study creative writing.

Panel 3
Satchiko writing under a tree outside the building

SATCHIKO
(aside) My parents often wish I had decided on a more serious course of study...

Panel 4
A blossom falls on Satchiko's notebook.

Panel 5
Satchiko looking up.

SATCHIKO
(aside) ...but writing is what makes me happy.

Page 9
Panel 1
Satchiko sitting as a desk in the nearly empty classroom. She's looking out the window, contemplating.

Panel 2
Satchiko's notebook resting on her knees. She's obviously sitting in a chair, although we can't see that. We're looking at her from above.

WRITING PROFESSOR
Your work shows potential, Miss Hasegawa...

Panel 3
Close-up on Satchiko's sad face

WRITING PROFESSOR
...but your stories lack depth.

Panel 4
Satchiko looks lost, a tear forming in her eye

WRITING PROFESSOR
You need to figure out what motivates your characters.

Page 10
Panel 1
Satchiko sitting at her desk, pen poised over her notebook

SATCHIKO
How can I figure out what motivates my characters...

Panel 2
Panel 1 scene description spills over into this panel.

SATCHIKO
...when I don't know what motivates me?

Panel 3
Close-up of poster for Fading Light

Panel 4
Satchiko staring off dreamily

VOICE (KAORI)
So, are you working on another fan fic for the writer's workshop?

Panel 5
Satchiko looks startled

SATCHIKO
Huh? Oh, uh...no.

This is an original piece.

Page 11
Panel 1
Kaori working

KAORI
You ought to take some of your fan fiction to share.

Panel 2
Satchiko looking toward a small pile of books and notebooks on the upper left corner of her desk.

Panel 3
Satchiko's hand writing in a notebook

VOICE (KAORI)
Come on, Satchiko! Your writing is terrific!

Panel 4
Kaori looking frustrated

Panel 5
Kaori's face brightens

KAORI
Besides, I heard that Kazuki Kobayashi is going to be one of the guests.

Panel 6
Satchiko in surprise, profiled to the right.

Page 12
Panel 1
Satchiko looking toward poster, which is only partially visible

VOICE (KAORI)
Wouldn't that be great?

Panel 2
Satchiko, profiled looking down

SATCHIKO
Yeah...great...

Panel 3
Kaori stares at Satchiko in disbelief

Panel 4
Satchiko slumped on her desk, face buried in her arm

SATCHIKO
(aside) The chance to meet Kazuki Kobayashi? What would I ever say to him? "Hi. Your character on Fading Light is horrible, but you have an incredible voice. Have a nice day."

Panel 5
Kaori standing beside Satchiko, hand on her shoulder

KAORI
Satchiko, what's wrong?

Panel 6
Close-up of Kaori's hand on Satchiko's shoulder

KAORI
I would have thought you'd jump at the chance to meet your favorite voice actor.

Page 13
Panel 1
Satchiko starting to peek up from her arm

SATCHIKO
I could never talk to him.

Panel 2
Kaori grinning, holding up one finger

KAORI
Of course, you can. Just tell him he's beautiful and wonderful.

Panel 3
Satchiko's head buried back in her arm

SATCHIKO
I don't want to sound like some pathetic fan girl, Kaori!

Panel 4
Dreamy image of Kazuki labeled "Satchiko's idea of Kazuki"

SATCHIKO
(aside) Maybe I could figure out how to talk to him, but I know I'd just trip over myself.

Page 14
Panel 1
Kaori trying to pull Satchiko from her chair

KAORI
I'll make you a killer costume! He won't be able to resist you!

Panel 2
Dreamy image of Satchiko dressed up in a school uniform.

SATCHIKO
(aside) Sure. Add to my discomfort by putting me in a scary costume.

Panel 3
Kaori taking a measurement on an embarrassed Satchiko

KAORI
What do you think? Something from Fading Light?

Panel 4
Kaori taking another measurement

KAORI
Doesn't Hidori have a love interest?

Panel 5
Close-up on Satchiko's scrunched up face

SATCHIKO
Yeah...but she's awful!

Panel 6
Kaori digging in a sewing box

KAORI
Who, then?

Page 15
Panel 1
Satchiko standing, looking exasperated. Kaori partially visible, still digging

SATCHIKO
Can't I just be myself?

Page 16
Panel 1
Filler sketch TBD