Chapter 13

Page 1
chapter title page
Panel 1
Autumn trees on campus

Panel 2
Satchiko sitting in a classroom.

Page 2
Panel 1
A man at the classroom door. We see from his shoulders to just above his knees.

WRITING PROFESSOR
Miss Hasegawa, a word?

VOICE (SATCHIKO)
Yes, sir.

Panel 2
The professor sitting behind his desk in his office. He looks concerned.

WRITING PROFESSOR
Miss Hasagawa, your writing has taken a rather disturbing turn. Is everything all right?

Panel 3
Satchiko looks surprised.

SATCHIKO
(aside) No, everything is not all right, but i don’t know why. I hate not knowing.

Yes, sir.

Panel 4
The professor is thumbing a book.

WRITING PROFESSOR
I wanted to encourage you to gather pieces you felt were strong and help you prepare them for publication.

Page 3
Panel 1
Satchiko’s face, still confused, lights up.

WRITING PROFESSOR
In light of your current assignments, though...

Panel 2
Satchiko’s face falls.

WRITING PROFESSOR
Maybe you aren’t ready for that just yet.

Panel 3
Satchiko leaning against the closed office door.

SATCHIKO
(aside) I have already started to submit pieces on my own.

(aside) So far, it’s been nothing but rejections.

Panel 4
Satchiko sets her bookbag beside her desk.

Page 4
Panel 1
A book is in the middle of Satchiko’s desk.

SATCHIKO
(aside) Some people use charts to track their submissions. I use a scrapbook.

Panel 2
The book is now open, showing a story on the left-hand page, and a letter on the right.

SATCHIKO
(aside) It’s nothing too fancy. I just put the piece in a sleeve, and then line up the rejections in sleeves behind them.

Panel 3
Satchiko is sliding a letter with handwriting on the margins into a sleeve.

SATCHIKO
(aside) Kaori thinks I’m crazy, but I think it’s a great way to see where I’ve been as a writer, and to see how far I’ve come.

Panel 4
Satchiko places the sleeve in the notebook.

Page 5
Panel 1
Satchiko is sitting on her bed reading through her scrapbook.

Panel 2
Satchiko smiles softly.

Panel 3
Satchiko looks angry.

Panel 4
Satchiko laughs.

Panel 5
Satchiko looks thoughtful.

SATCHIKO
(aside) I think I’m getting closer!

Page 6
Panel 1
Kazuki is leaning against a balcony railing.

VOICE (HIKARU)
Man, don’t you ever get tired of brooding?

KAZUKI
No.

Panel 2
Hikaru joins Kazuki at the railing.

HIKARU
What do you see when you look out her, anyway?

Panel 3
Close-up of Kazuki in profile.

KAZUKI
Freedom. The ability to live a quiet life.

You know, I really wonder if maybe I wouldn’t be happier-

Panel 4
Hands grab the back of Kazuki’s collar.

VOICE (TOSHIYUKI)
Finsh that thought, and I’ll throw you off this balcony.

Page 7
Panel 1
Toshiyuki has moved beside Hikaru. Kazuki is in the background rubbing his neck. He looks annoyed.

TOSHIYUKI
I told you, everything will be back to normal soon enough.

Panel 2
The guys are in a row looking out over the balcony.

KAZUKI
Will it be enough, though? Being in the spotlight is pretty rough.

TOSHIYUKI
And you were made fo the spotlight, Kazuki.

Panel 3
Kazuki throws something at Toshiyuki. Hikaru is oblivious.

HIKARU
He’s right, man. With those looks and that smile...you really missed your calling!

KAZUKI
How do you figure?

(aside) And why have you noticed my body, Hikaru?

Panel 4
Toshiyuki has moved away from the railing, leaving only Kazuki and Hikaru.

HIKARU
Can you imagine how sought after you’d be if you were a screen actor?

KAZUKI
But I love being a seiyuu.

Page 8
Panel 1
Hikaru looks at Kazuki, surprised.

VOICE (TOSHIYUKI)
Good! Then shut up and enjoy your life.

Panel 2
Kazuki looks sheepish.

VOICE (TOSHIYUKI)
You have a job you love.

You have a great girl...provided you don’t screw it up.

Panel 3
Kazuki looks hopeless.

KAZUKI
I know she’s great. I just feel guilty.

Page 9

Panel 1
Toshiyuki has rejoined Hikaru at the railing.

TOSHIYUKI
Look at it this way- she’s an aspiring writer. Once she gets her break, you two can dodge fans together!

Panel 2
Kazuki glares at Toshiyuki. Hikaru is in the background laughing.

Panel 3
Toshiyuki crosses his arms, unaffected.

TOSHIYUKI
Now, what should we do today?

Panel 4
Kazuki and Hikaru just shrug.

Page 10
Panel 1
The guys have decided to lose themselves in a bookstore. Hikaru is sitting reading. Kazuki is scanning the shelves.

Panel 2
Toshiyuki has found his way to the bookstore’s cafe.

TOSHIYUKI
(aside) I’m really not a bookworm.

Panel 3
The guys then wander into an arcade.

Panel 4
Toshiyuki and Kazuki are facing off in a racing game.

TOSHIYUKI
Tana would so school Hidori at this game!

KAZUKI
In your dreams, Toshi!

Panel 5
Hikaru is playing a shooter game. Somewhat hidden behind the game is a girl.

Page 11
Panel 1
Hikaru is very focused on the game. He hasn’t noticed the girl step around the machine.

GIRL
Excuse me, are you Hikaru Junoushi?

Panel 2
Hikaru looks surprised.

HIKARU
Yeah, I am.

Panel 3
In the distance, seen over Hikaru’s shoulder, Kazuki and Toshiyuki are still racing each other. They’re laughing.

Panel 4
Kazuki is about to beat Toshiyuki.

VOICE (HIKARU)
I think we should get going.

KAZUKI AND TOSHIYUKI
Huh?

Page 12
Panel 1
Hikaru is smiling good-naturedly, but his eyes are filled with worry.

HIKARU
Let’s go grab lunch. I’m starving!

Panel 2
Kazuki and Toshiyuki look confused, but follow Hikaru.

Panel 3
The girl Hikaru met is follwing them. She has a couple of friends with her.

Panel 4
The guys make it outside.

HIKARU
(aside) There’s gotta be someplace we can duck into.

Page 13
Panel 1
Hikaru’s eyes widen as he smiles.

HIKARU
(aside) There! Perfect!

Panel 2
Hikaru has started walking. Kazuki and Toshiyuki are just standing there. The girls have just emerged from the arcade.

GIRL
Junoushi-san, can we hang out with you?

Panel 3
Hikaru flinches. Kazuki looks away. Toshiyuki turns to face the girls.

GIRL
Oh my gosh, you’re Toshiyuki Sato!

ANOTHER GIRL
Is that Kazuki Kobayashi? He’s so much cuter in person!

Panel 4
Kazuki blushes. Hikaru is now beside Toshiyuki.

TOSHIYUKI
Yes, yes, I am Toshiyuki Sato. We’d love to invite you to join us, but I’m afraid we’re headed somewhere you shouldn’t go.

Panel 5
The girls have turned back sadly toward the arcade.

Page 14
Panel 1
Hikaru and Toshiyuki face each other.

HIKARU
Nice one, Toshi.

TOSHIYUKI
I have a pocket full of them.

Panel 2
Hikaru and Toshiyuki turn their back on the arcade.

TOSHIYUKI
Does that make me think, though... We should go find a pool hall to lose a few hours in.

What do you think Kazuki?

Panel 3
The spot Kazuki was standing in is empty.

VOICE (HIKARU)
Kazuki?

VOICE (TOSHIYUKI)
Damn it, Kazuki!

Panel 4
Hikaru looks at Toshiyuki with concern.

HIKARU
Where do you think he’s gone?

TOSHIYUKI
I don’t know.

Page 15
Panel 1
Toshiyuki is on his cell phone.

TOSHIYUKI
I doubt he will, but if Kazuki calls Satchiko, call me back.

No, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.

Yes, everything is fine.

Panel 2
Hikaru pointing toward the left distance.

HIKARU
I’ll go this way.

TOSHIYUKI
I’ll go the other way, then.

Panel 3
Hikaru walking down the sidewalk.

HIKARU
Kazuki? Come on, man! This isn’t funny!

Panel 4
Toshiyuki has stopped a fellow pedestrian.

TOSHIYUKI
I’m sorry to bother you, but have you seen a guy come through here. He’d be a bit taller than me...teenager...

Panel 5
A split-panel- both Hikaru and Toshiyuki walking down the sidewalk.

BOTH
Kazuki, where are you?

Page 16
Panel 1
Toshiyuki looks frustrated.

TOSHIYUKI
(aside) I know Kazuki is feeling vulnerable these days.

(aside) I just didn’t think he’d run away.