17.1
(Flashback...)
(Inside Obito's home in Shinjuku, a younger 14 yr old Iori is seen facing a wall in her room, seemingly patching up an injury.)
Iori: Okay, so... the guide says to patch it cleanly, I need to clean the site with iodine first then apply a gauze...
(She looks left, seeing the gauze by her side.)
Iori: (It's probably this net looking thing right?) It's pretty straight forward when I look at it... i've already cleaned the wound with water earlier... Iodine though... its my first time using it, it can't be that bad right?
(Douses two drops...)
Iori: YAAAAAAAHHHH!!!! IT BURNS!! WHO CREATED THIS THING ANYWAY?!!
(A bird squawks in the distance.)
Iori: (whimpers) oww, this thing is too hot on my skin, it burns and yet... the guide said 3 drops is okay... (but I don't wanna... it stings...)
(Suddenly, she hears footsteps and gasps. She shoves the first aid kit behind her drawer. Obito bursts in.)
Obito: (yells)I heard a kiwi screaming!
Iori: (yells)Who are you calling a kiwi?!
Obito: Something screamed and it was quite loud...
Iori: (something?!)
Obito: I was worried about you cos it came out of your room and mom's busy.
Iori: Ohh...(smiles) I'm fine, don't worry about me.
(She moves over to pat his head.)
Iori: I just got spooked a bit.
Obito. (So it was her... I wonder when she'll stop treating me like a baby...)
(He sees the wound slightly.)
Obito: What happened to your arm?
Iori: (flinches) oh this, ahaha... d-don't worry about it.
Obito: Are you sure? It still looks fresh... I can help yunno...
Iori: Nah nah, it's fine... I already cleaned it up, see...
(She holds it up.)
Iori: Don't worry about my arm.
Obito: (concerned)Still-
(Mom calls from downstairs.)
Hinata: Obi! Iori! Lunch is ready.
Iori: (thanks mom!) There, you see... come on, let's go eat lunch. You can head down first, I wanna get something and I'll meet you okay?
Obito: O-okay... don't take long.
(She nods and closes the door, he slowly walks downstairs slightly sad and confused.)
Obito's Monologue: (growing up, I knew Iori to be a very kind older sister. Someone I could look up to and someone who was brave enough to try new things. She was bold and encouraged me many times... but then, i noticed that as perfect as she always tried to be... or portray herself, she was also someone who hid alot of scars. Scars she would pretend are fine even when they were not. That has been her biggest flaw till today...)
(End of flashback, the scene resumes inside Baji's room, the time is 11pm. The guys are sat around Baji's table, facing eachother.)
Obito: I feel that's what has now finally caught up to her. I really can't explain exactly what I feel but that call hasn't made my body calm at all. I haven't been able to reach her since then.
(Grits his teeth.)
Obito: No matter how i look at it, this issue has to definitely be linked to the address she sent us.
Baji: Yeah, since she already said we should come there. I'm just surprised I haven't noticed this side of her earlier... have you put Mui-kun on yet?
Obito: Yeah.
Baji: Good, cos were traveling to Kyoto tonight.
(Just then, a knock is heard before the door opens and shuts.)
Muichiro: You finally got with eachother... what happened Baji?
Baji: Yeah, sorry about that, I had to drop Renji off and left my phone to charge at home.
Obito: Mui kun, right now, the plan is traveling to Kyoto, I'm going to get my sister but it's gonna be a long one and we need you on board bro.
Muichiro: Have you analyzed our situation and hers? Do we have enough resources and should we get some extra?
Baji: I have 2 extra fuel refills in my trunk. If we stop for a refill once or twice, it should be enough... the gas stations would open early just incase we run out when coming back.
Muichiro: What do we know about her situation then?
(Suddenly Obito's phone rings, reading iori.)
Obito: It's her...
(Picks up...)
Obito: Iori! Hey Nee chan, are you okay? What is happening?
Baji: (whisper)speakerphone...
(Obito agrees...)
Phone: Hi, is that Obito kun? This is Takeshi, Iori's course mate. Im with your sister and she's safe now... but it can't be for too long. You need to find a way to get here and take her back to Shibuya. It's not safe for her here... to be very honest, i apologize for shocking you, but your sister is being targeted by a fellow student... a sex predator.)
(Obito gasps in fear, grips the phone hard.)
Obito: (heated)Sex...pred...
Muichiro: Calm down Obito-kun, relax your grip.
Takeshi: You need to get down here fast, I don't have much time but I'll give you the full when you get here. Hurry, follow the address she gave you or... forgive me for saying this, but your sister might get raped.
Obito: (yells)NO! K-KEEP HER SAFE FOR ME. TILL I GET THERE... PLEASE!
(The call ends. The room is silent for a while, Obito sways slowly, facing the window... he suddenly wears a sinister chuckle, sighs and looks at the moon.)
Muichiro: Obito...
Obito: ...Guys,. We're going to Kyoto... Now.
(The scene pans out into the night sky, displaying the bright moon.)
(End.)
17.2
{10th May, 2023... Kyoto...]
(It's a breezy afternoon at the annex institution, students are returning from classes and working on projects. The atmosphere is calm but lively. Inside a building, Iori is seen walking down the corridor, her hand holding some notes.)
Iori: (groans)Ugh... this is so frustrating.. this'll be the second time I'll have to ask the professor for some extra time cos I have extra work to do... (whines) it'll be my first time delaying his essay... and i was lucky the first time too... (oddly, he looks like an easygoing man but is quite very sneaky...) ah... lemme just try what I can...
(She reaches his door, slowly reaching for the handle... suddenly, she hears a voice.)
Voice: Do it...
Professor: I'm sorry, that is an absurd thing to do... how dare you ask something like that?
(She freezes for a while then slowly rests on the door to listen.)
(Inside the office.)
Mugi: (teases)Come on old man, help me out here, It's not like you're into her... or could it be, you like far younger ladies?
Professor: Don't say anything, just stop talking! This entire situation is insane, aren't you thinking about the long run? Why would you want to forcibly sleep with that very student?
Iori: (Huh? Sleep?)
Professor: Count me out of your scheme, I have helped you in the past cos of my relationship with your father but I won't do this dirty work. (I hate that your father doesn't know the monster you are now...)
(Squeezes his fist.)
Professor: (it sickens me...) besides why can't you just get a girl-
Mugi: I think I'm tired of playing the nice card. Apparently asking you to simply just pretend you can't hear Okazaki san when she looks your way for help isn't going to work... so...
(Iori gasps, her breath shudders. He stretches out and slowly approaches the professor.)
Mugi: Sir, I want something. Whenever I do that,I tend to really want it until its in my hands. Right now I can make a call to my dad, while I do that, I can reverse engineer this whole conversation, voice changers are wonderful these days and I just happened to record a sample of yours...
(Professor gulps.)
Mugi: I can tell you can seriously imagine what's gonna happen if my dad heard this recording, maybe the school would also like to hear the professors plans to a student...
Professor: No.. please... I'll lose everything.
Mugi: (sneers)hey, I know... let's hear what it sounds like right now.
(He hits play and a reversed copy plays out loud. Iori remains frozen at the door, sweat piling as her body shudders to remain calm. She bounces softly on and off the door.)
Mugi: You sound really great molester sensei hehe, if my father happened to hear his friend and tenant was z molester, I wonder what he'll do.
Iori: (please don't cave sir...)
Mugi: The apartment you stay in sure is fancy, He'll probably withdraw your tenancy rights and kick you out... never to see a penny or your good life again...
Iori: (please... don't.)
Professor: (grits)Don't be an idiot! How dare you try to manipulate me?! Your father would never believe your lies against me! Have you no soul? To come and threaten me all in the name of the heinous act you want to do? You think you'd get away with this?!
Mugi: we can find out...
(He pulls the number out on his phone and calls his father.)
Mugi: (smirks)It's ringing...
(The professor panics while considering his options under the pressure, dad picks up.)
Dad: (hello?)
Mugi: Hey dad...
Professor: FINE! (sighs) ...I'll do it.
Dad: (Hey son, what's up?)
Mugi: Nothing much... I just called to say hi.
(hangs up.)
Mugi: (smirks)I look forward to having more meetings with you... Professor.
(Professor grits his teeth in disgust.)
(Iori shudders in serious fear, taking a few steps back from the door. Her breath becoming more rapid by the second. She slips and falls on the floor.)
Iori: (voice shaky)Professor... how could you??
Mugi: (Did you hear something?)
(She gasps, stands quickly and quietly but quickly runs in the opposite direction.)
Iori: (it's a lie, it's a lie, me... why me? I won't allow it, never... I'll never.. oh-)
(She bumps into Takeshi on her way back.)
Takeshi: There you are, I've been looking for you to help me with...
(He notices her mood and a tear fall from her face.)
Takeshi: What's wrong?
Iori: Takeshi kun, we have to go.
Takeshi: Huh?? Go where..
Iori: (sobs)Just... please come with me.
(She stands, takes his hand and they run off through a corner and out of the annex building.)
Takeshi's Monologue: (what she later told me that afternoon shook me to the core of my bones. I immediately told Kaede as well. At that point... I decided, if its only to protect my way i know, I'll do it to the very end for my friends and family.)
(End.)
17.3
{Two days later... 11am, Takeshi is seen walking to the professor's office. He's holding a gift bag and some notes for submission in the other. He reaches the door and knocks.)
Takeshi: Hello professor, its Takeshi from the department. Can I come in?
Professor: (Ahh Takeshi kun, come in.)
(Takeshi exhales slightly and enters.)
Professor: You finally came by to submit your project material for review right?
Takeshi: (chuckles nervously) Sorry I couldn't get to it earlier, I was swamped through most of the week. Yunno how preparations go for us over here.
Professor: Yeah, i can understand where you're coming from. So... do you have everything ready?
Takeshi: Yeah... one sec...
(He puts down the gift bag and goes through his notes, searching for the right documents. The professor notices the bag.)
Professor: By the way, have you found your partners ready for the joint project?
Takeshi: (pauses) ...it's been a bit challenging finding a pair of people to pair with sir. (teases) do you probably have two geniuses you wanna let loose?
Professor: Haha, there are only a handful that push through and dedicate the way you do.
(Takeshi scoffs.)
Takeshi: (dedicate... that shouldn't come from your mouth, sir.)I've found it.
(He takes a printed note and gives it to the professor for review. He walks back to take the gift bag, the professor gets distracted. )
Professor: By the way, if it's okay with ya, would you mind telling me who the lucky lady is? You barely walk around with presents... are you perhaps engaged now, haha?
Takeshi: (chuckles) actually sir, this gift is for you..
Professor: Ohh?
(He hands it to him.)
Takeshi: (rubs his neck, smirks)I remember you had your birthday about a week ago. Before that, you scored my hardest presentation with a grade i didn't expect... I thought, a belated birthday gift wouldn't be too bad.
Professor: Well... thank you for remembering something so personal, I appreciate the gesture.
(He opens it and reveals a brightly colored Rubik's Cube.)
Professor: (chuckles) you found out I liked rubik cubes?
Takeshi: Ahaha yeah, with your usual emphasis... it wasn't that hard.
Professor: Once again, thank you Takeshi kun, why don't you set it down for me over there.)
(Takeshi walks over to the shelf opposite the door, places the cube on it and secretly presses the lower central square behind the cube.)
Takeshi: It looks good, doesn't it..
Professor: Yeah. The orange color matches the office.
Takeshi: Alright sir, I'll be taking my leave now, i have a class.
Professor: Alright then, thank you and take care.
(Takeshi politely walks out, closes the door. Professor continues his work and the scene pans slowly over to the cube, faintly but surely pulsing a steady bright red light within the orange frame.)
Takeshi: (No sir... thank you...)
(He walks, head facing down as he is casually out of range, outside the building.)
(End of Flashback...)
(The scene resumes on the current night 12:30am, Takeshi and Iori are inside the shed they found earlier. While sat in the corner, she is covered up and rests on his chest while he wrestles with his thoughts. He suddenly remembers a teddy bear he gave her.)
Takeshi: Iori.
Iori: Hmm?
Takeshi: You remember that teddy i gave you some weeks ago? Do you still have it?
Iori: Ofcourse, it's in my room on my shelf.
(Takeshi take his phone and makes a call.)
Kaede: (yeah, Take-kun...)
Takeshi: you remember the teddy i gave Iori that time, right? She says she still has it in her room... can you bring it down when coming?
Kaede: (sure, I'll do that. No problem.)
Takeshi: Be careful... okay?
(He hangs up and looks at Iori who's fast asleep on his lap. He looks outside to the moon... The scene then pans over to Obito and the guys, riding and driving down the express bridge.)
Takeshi: (I hope you're on your way... Obito...)
(End.)
17.4
(1:30am down the express bridges of Shizuoka, Muichiro leads the crew on his R1, Obito remains slightly behind with Baji right behind him...)
Obito: (We've been on the road for about two hours now... the last update to Baji was a text and photo of Iori asleep... I'm a bit relieved, still, letting that relax me would be very stupid to do. I want to get there in time, I want to get there in time...)
(A static buzz comes through his headset.)
Baji: (you doing okay Obi kun?)
Obito: Yeah... yeah I'm okay, why?
Baji: Nothing.. Just from where I'm at your seem a bit unbalanced...
Obito: (...my mind's just allover the place, sorry.)
Muichiro: (Hey, Baji kun, are we still far from the destination?)
Baji: Well... it shouldn't be too far...
(He checks the map display on screen...)
Baji: Map says we've gone over sixty percent of the journey.
Obito: (Sixty percent in two hours is quite fast though...)
Muichiro: (well we're all kinda speeding, 130kmh isn't entirely street legal)
Baji: (haha true, and we've kept at it for most of the trip. If it was daytime, we'd probably be in trouble...)
Obito: (smirks)Right...
Muichiro: (Then again, the road has been really free... that's also helped.)
Obito: ...Japan is beautiful at night.
(Silence falls among the guys for a while...)
Baji: (...You doing okay dude?)
(Muichiro chuckles...)
Muichiro: (where was that from bro, going soft now?)
Obito: haha, sorry... guess I was thinking back at the places we've passed by... the sceneries and scapes have been... breathtaking... guess i was really tryna distract myself.)
(Baji smiles in the car and Muichiro smiles under his helmet.)
Baji: (yeah bro, Tokyo is very beautiful at night...)
Muichiro: (Guys, I'm running low, think it's time to refill now.)
Obito: (I'm falling in the red a bit too, Baji kun...)
Baji: No problem, I'll pull over at the next stop and we'll make it quick.
(The scene pans behind them driving down the horizon. Seconds later, they stop and Muichiro refills the bikes. Obito steps a bit and stares off into the distance for a while and Baji approaches him, smacking his back playfully.)
Obito: Aah! You wanna break my bones?!
Baji: (laughs) come on, its not enough damage to.
(Obito sighs...)
Baji: But you're being a Gloomlord again bro, keep your head up. We're almost there.
Obito: ...Thanks man.
(Mui finishes, returns the leftover fuel and calls them back. Baji enters and starts his car, Mui then pats Obito's shoulder gently.)
Muichiro: (whispers)Relax, take it easy on the bike, okay?
Obito: Yeah... thanks bro.
(They get on their bikes, Muichiro starts up, revving the engine, before leading off slowly. Obito wears his helmet and exhales.)
Obito: (Iori, don't worry, we're almost there.)
(He starts his bike, slowly trailing out and follows Muichiro with Baji joining them right after... the guys continue the journey, Loud engines revving as they drive down the bridge.)
(End.)
17.5
(2:45am, inside the shed. The moonlight luminates through the windowslits, crickets chirping in the background. Iori is sat on a makeshift bed, the teddy rests beside her. Her mood a bit relaxed and also frantic... she slightly curls up under her blanket, she yawns while slightly nodding off.)
Iori: (I'm getting sleepy again, I shouldn't be doing so... but where's Kaede chan?)
(Her head falls downwards a bit, her mind races back moments ago...)
Iori: (When she came with my stuff earlier, she hung around for a while... she did great at calming me down too...)
(She looks up..)
Iori: Still... where is she, I thought she wanted to get energy drinks at the closest vending machine... (i don't wanna be alone...)
(She gets off the bed, slowly walking to the door.)
Iori: (Obito... he's gonna be mad at me... I can tell... lately, it feels like everyone has been mad at me for a long time...)
(She opens it slightly, while still at it, she exhales..)
Iori: (Honestly, who am I to blame? this has been my fault... it's always been, I failed many times while trying alot for others. I hid alot of pain just because I thought it'll be better not to make them worry... such a stupid decision that was... If I'm ever going to make it up to everyone, then I'll have to start afresh... vulnerability isn't death.. I realized that far too late, especially towards Obito. The only way now... is to let the ones I love back in... no more secrets.)
(She opens it more and slowly creeps out... minutes later, while not far off, she walks down the empty streets within the dormitory complex.)
Iori: (sighs)where could she be at this time? The machines work 24/7 and alot are scattered around the complex... why does she choose that far one anyway?
(Her mind runs to what Kaede said.)
Kaede: "machine 56 always has everything I need in one place, so its easier hehe."
(Snaps back and sighs.)
Iori: Maybe I should call her, oh..
(She realizes her forgotten phone in the shed under her pillow.)
Iori: I can't believe I forgot it, it shouldn't be away from me at this time...
(She turns back and jogs off back to the shed.)
Iori: I can't risk it, my phone should be on me, especially at times like this.
(2:58am, She reaches the shed and finds it slightly open. While taken aback a bit and confused, she presses on carefully.)
Iori: (maybe one of them are back... I remember closing the door.)
(She walks in.)
Iori: You guys... please can we try to keep the door closed next time...
Mugi: (leans over her ear) No one is here.
(She shudders in fear.)
Mugi: It's just me... Iori chan.
(He chuckles possessively and slams the door shut while towering over her shorter frame.)
Iori: N-no, please... please...
(She inches back slowly, trips backwards and instinctively picks the closest thing to her... the teddy bear while backing in closer to a first dead end. Mugi draws closer.. a wretched smile crosses his face.)
Mugi: What's wrong? Iori chan right? What a wonderful first name... I wonder who gave it to you.
Iori: (teary)S-s-stay back Mugi san, p-please... please don't do this.
(He runs his hands seductively on her thighs while pressing her against the wooden boards. She gasps in fear, squeezing and gripping hard on the teddy bear.)
Mugi: Come on, you're just the type of woman I like, you're not like the others I've done it with.
Iori: (shocked) Others?!
Mugi: Yeah, they were usually such a pain to deal with, most times I had to knock them out with a drink or fists before I raped them...
(Iori gasps, her breath quickens rapidly as she struggles to find air.)
Iori: (he's dangerous, a very dangerous person... i don't want him to touch me, someone please... help...)
Mugi: But even then I'm being nice with you, its why i'm asking... look at your pretty face, your lush hair... (chuckles eerily)I want it all...
(His hand traces down and suddenly squeezes her left breast. Iori moans uncomfortably and instinctively slaps him hard,he's thrown off a bit and she quickly stands and runs towards the door, her body clatters with wood as she reaches the front but Mugi intercepts at the doorway and smacks her to the ground.. she falls, slightly disoriented... her face burning red from the smack given.)
Mugi: (chuckles) I considered you special, my dear Iori, time and time again I asked politely for just a simple quickie and you denied, no you discarded me like I was some other guy... DO YOU NOT SEE ME?! HUH?!!
Iori: (weakened, clutching to the bear)Why're you doing this? Why do you hurt people?
Mugi: Why?
(He picks her up and roughly puts her in a sitting position below the closest table by the door.)
Mugi: Cos it's fun wrecking lives... it's wonderful taking a virgins first time.
(He begins to loosen his belt slowly, Iori, weakened only looks away from the horrid display. He takes her face roughly, seemingly about to kiss her forcefully.)
Iori: (struggles) No! No!! I won't let you... please stop this.
(He beats her struggle down, seizing her arms...)
Mugi: (snickers) Pucker up... Iori chan.
(His lips move closer as he forcefully drags her head towards his, Iori, defenseless shudders heavily with tears reddening her eyes...)
Iori: (Help me, he's really getting closer... someone, please... help... Help Me... Obito...)
(Just then, the shed door bangs three times heavily, the fourth kick breaking it open.)
Obito: IORI! NEE-
(He freezes upon the horrible sight, grits his teeth firmly.)
Iori: (hics)Obito...
(Obito lunges forward, ferociously kicks Mugi square in the gut, sending him flying and crashing hard into the wood planks on the opposite side.)
(End.)
17.6
(
(The scene continues...)
Obito: (grits his teeth)You fucking bastard...
(He looks over to her.)
Obito: Sis! Are you okay, did he–
(She sniffs continuously while sobbing, Baji suddenly peeks in...)
Baji: Damn, you went really hard on the door Obi kun...
Iori: (gasps, voice shakes)Baji kun... I'm sorry...
Obito; Io-
(Her body trembles and she finally breaks down, crying and apologizing profusely... Obito and Baji quietly watch her... saddened by her tears, Baji moves forward and slowly carries her out of the shed. He turns to Obito...)
Baji: You can handle this alone, right?
(Obito stares squarely towards Mugi's direction. His expression seemingly blank.)
Obito: ...watch her for me please.
(Baji leaves the shed with Iori, standing not too far off.)
Vaji: (Obito...)
(Inside the shed, Mugi moves among the rubble before slowly standing up.)
Mugi: (chuckles) I'm guessing you're the guy who plays superman now and saves the girl, or in this case, your sister.
Obito: (deadpan) What did you do to her?
Mugi: Ohh? Is that what you're really focused on, you're concerned about what i did... even when i hadn't done anything yet?
Obito: I don't care about that... there were marks...
(He walks closer to Mugi...)
Obito: Marks of abuse... domestic abuse were on her wrist and face. Scars are on my sister...
Mugi: ...and with that, she got lucky.
(Obito clenches his fist, while calmly watching Mugi, a steady rage building in him.)
Obito: What did you say??
Mugi: Are you deaf or something? Does the stroke of bad hearing run in the family?
(He chuckles maniacally...)
Mugi: Iori was also the same "What do you mean", "Why're you doing this" those stupid repetitive questions that were already self explanatory... ugh(inhales) time and time again, I wanted to just pin her down and beat the daylight outta her, I honestly didn't care about the after effect, then just like how I did to other juniors and virgins... I wanted to feel her insides, that mushy feeling, the moans...
(Mugi moans creepily, meanwhile, Iori and Baji listen faintly from outside, Iori shudders as she covers her mouth and her breathing increases before Baji comforts her with a soft hug from behind, she hugs him, tugging his shirt.)
Mugi: Ohh, the excitement, the thrill of taking a woman's first time without consent... that joy crept on me and mad me want to do it again. Your sister was special... a beautiful feast for me to enjoy, I was very sure she was tight, I wanted to feel it, to taste it, to FUCK it and listen to those sweet moans that she would've made... (shudders)but you came, you came and you stopped us from all our fun. DON'T YOU SEE, YOU RUINED EVERYTHING, I WAS THIS CLOSE,EVEN IF YOU CAME YOU COULD'VE JUST BEEN THE DAMN CAMERA MAN, DIDN'T HAVE TO BE A CAULKBLO-
(Suddenly, Obito instantly lunges forward and delivers a vicious right hook to Mugi's jaw, destabilizing him effectively but Mugi stands.)
Mugi: Ouch... yeah that one hurt a lot, almost enough to drop me... but still, is that all you got?! You gotta try harder dude!! Like this!!
(He swings his heavy fist for a straight jab, Obito dodges instantly, delivering a left screw jab to his midsection.)
Mugi: (wretches) UUGH!! You damn...
(He uses his left leg to teep Obito to the other side, he crashes into the woodplanks with two boards falling on him.)
Iori: (gasps) Obito!!
(Baji restrains her a bit, calming her down.)
Baji: He'll be fine.
(They continue watching... Mugi slowly walks forward..)
Mugi: (smirks) what's wrong big boy? Huh?! You were acting all tough before, what's wrong now? Can't move?!
(No response..)
Mugi: (Pfft, did i kill him? HA, HAHA..) GAHAHAHAHA! you really can't move from just a single teep. (Exhales) the Okazaki siblings really are weak... it must run in the family.)
(Suddenly, the planks start moving and Obito pushes and stands through,except, he's in a lower stance now, he stares emotionless daggers at Mugi.)
Obito: (calmly)Senpai, I'm going to hurt you.
(Mugi suddenly shifts back, slightly concerned.)
Mugi: (what the hell... his tone just changed, like he just got serious... it's not like I care though.)
(He charges forward.)
Mugi: I'll just take you down again.
(Obit shoots for his left leg, overpowers his stance, locks his thigh causing mug to fall the other way. He quickly mounts Mugi's chest, locking him down in a "ground n pound" position.)
Obito: (indifferent)Apologize...
Mugi: Pfft for what, I didn't do-
(He punches Mugi's face squarely, Mugi groans sharply.)
Obito: Apologize for what you said and did...
Mugi: You're going this far cos I hurt your feelings? You really are small...
(Obito punches him again, he flinches.)
Obito: (indifferent) We can go all night, you're firmly pinned and I have all the time to destroy every part of you. It's your choice to listen or not... all you need to do is sincerely apologize, before I beat it out of you.
(Mugi shudders slightly. Scoffs into a laugh.)
Mugi: Go ahead and try then, cos I won't apologize. Why? Cos i leant every single thing I said.
(Obito stares squarely at him, all emotions seemingly gone.)
Obito: Apologize.
(BAM!)
Obito: Apologize.
(BAM!)
Obito: Apologize.
(BAM!)
Obito: APOLOGIZE...
(BAM!)
(The strikes get louder and stronger as he continues the order of punishment on Mugi, meanwhile Baji and Iori listen to the fist pounding and then, the painful moans of Mugi begging him to stop...)
Baji: (Obito... he's not gonna stop... But i can't interfere no matter how much I want to... what should I do?)
Iori: Hey, Baji... Something is wrong.
Baji: Yeah, you feel it too right?
(Silence falls between them, Iori remains uneasy as the sickening sounds of moans and pleas continue from the shed...)
Iori: We have to stop him...
Baji: We can't... I... can't. This is his fight and a very personal one that
All I can do is watch. (Clenches his fist)It hurts, I've never seen Obito like this before...
Iori: (restless) He's going so far... doing all this cos of me... but no... my skin crawls, it crawls cos it feels like I can't find my brother... (hics) i dont want that, i can't let him spiral deeper because I'm irresponsible.
Baji: I know, but we have to stay here...
Iori: Ngh! No!!
(She breaks from Baji's grip and runs over to the shed.)
Baji: (Iori...)
(She reaches the door and gasps heavily upon seeing a bloodied Mugi below Obito. His hand raise in the air for another strike.)
Mugi: (gargles) plish... I'm showwy...
Iori: (screams)OBITO!!
(She lunges forward and hugs him tightly from behind as he launches the fist down. He gasps and stops.)
Iori: (shivers, voice cracks...)I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything,
(Baji quickly reaches the entrance,stopping abruptly at it...)
Iori: I should've always trusted you to help... I should've always trusted everyone in loved to help me when I was down or in trouble... I kept too much from you, i made you worry all the time while hiding...(sniffs) I lost my little brother on my own accord because I wanted to be the brave one for both of us(hics) I was stupid, very stupid to think you wouldn't respect me if you helped me... and i was wrong. So please...
(She hugs him closer.)
Iori: That's enough... I don't wanna lose you again... please.
(Obito calms down and holds his sister's hands, he turns slowly and hugs Iori without saying a thing.)
(End.)
17.7)
(Hours later... 7:00 am, on the way back to Shibuya. Muichiro leads like usual with Obito right behind. Baji follows closely, he taps the steering and looks at a sleeping Iori in the passenger seat, hugging the teddy... Outside, the scene pans on a silent Obito, seemingly deep in thought of the past events.)
Obito's Monologue: (after the fight at the shed, Takeshi and Mui kun finally caught up to us...)
(A flashback shows the montage after the fight... 3:45am... )
Obito's Monologue: (It would turn out truly, Iori wasn't the first girl he tried to assault and was successful on different occasions. Turns out a professor... specially Iori's professor was in on the whole thing, a whole man of authority.. how despicable. I met and heavily thanked Takeshi kun for making all this possible... I found out he was the one who recorded the whole thing, using a Rubik's Cube as a camera...using a teddy bear as voice recorder... (scoffs) I'd never have thought of that...)
(The engines rev down loudly down the expressway...)
Obito's Monologue: (with all the evidence gathered, Mui kun and Takeshi kun called the police and explained the situation carefully. Kaede went to take a few of Iori's things in a bag for her... a while later, Mugi and the professor were both arrested... the dean was present so he was informed and Iori's marks were rewarded in a full passing grade while he supported the arrest... He granted Iori the leave back to the main campus, promising to ensure she got all her project marks in full... the other students were also compensated. Soon after that, we left back immediately for Shibuya, bidding Takeshi and Kaede well on the remaining two weeks...)
(End of Flashback.)
(Obito looks ahead blankly as he rides his bike carefully. Baji notices from the car...)
Baji: (Obi kun... you doing okay?)
Obito: I'm fine bro... I'm fine...
Muichiro: (we... we know how this is heavy, especially for you obi kun... but we're your brothers. We're always gonna be here for you.)
Baji: (Always bro.)
Obito: (sighs) Thanks guys, but lemme ask this... after witnessing all that, after the beat down, after the breakdown... after I nearly spiraled... what really is there to talk about?
(The guys fall silent for a long while. The engines moving in sync... soon enough they reach a road that diverts... Obito looks at the road...)
Obito: (whispers) I can't go back...
Muichiro: (Huh?)
Obito: I'm not ready to go back yet...
Muichiro: (Hey! What're you talking about, what do you mean you can't go back now?)
Obito: I'm sorry bro... I'm filthy... a very filthy mess...
(Obito turns on his blinker and slowly begins to turn right.)
Obito: Im sorry... I need some time alone... if you wanna say hi, then I'll be waiting over there...)
Muichiro: Obito! Obi...
(Obito's connection is lost due to distance.)
Muichiro: Damn it, he's gone... hey Baji kun what do we do now?
Baji: ...we leave him.
Muichiro: Huh?
Baji: Understanding Obito isn't easy and we can't do it better than he does himself. He's never been like this, but i believe he has a reason... so let's just leave him for now.
(Muichiro sighs)
Baji: If we feel he's gone too long, we can always go to that place.
Muichiro: Yeah.. the problem now is... what do we tell her?
(7:55am at Obito's dorm, Shibuya.)
(Downstairs, Asuka is hanging out washed laundry when she hears a bike engine and a deep car rumble. She smiles but it quickly fades into confusion as she doesn't see Obito's bike among. The boys walk off their vehicles toward her.)
Asuka: Sasaki kun... Himejima kun...
Muichiro: (sighs, scratches his head.)Umm... We'd like to see you privately, Ichinose san.
Asuka: (worried)Is something wrong? Did something happen? Obito... why isn't he here?
(She looks towards Baji's car, slowly walks over and gasps upon seeing an injured but sleeping Iori.)
Asuka: (voice shaky)Iori nee, w-what happened?!
Baji: We'll answer your questions but please before that, could you help us in taking her upstairs?
(Asuka nods and they all go up together. Moments later... in Obitos room, Buster is alert but resting in the corner, Iori asleep on Obito's bed.)
Asuka: (breathes heavily) So you mean, all that happened all this time she was at Kyoto and Obito along with you guys had to save her from getting assaulted...
(She steadies her breath slowly.)
Asuka: Obito... almost lost himself too...
Baji: We're sorry he couldn't get home to see you. He felt guilty for what he did... he would've felt bad for coming back to you the way he left.
Asuka: Ohh...
(Asuka falls silent for a while, takes a deep breath...)
Asuka: Then... where is he now?
Baji: ...
(The scene switches and pans over a different city.. the scene shifts inside a hotel room, then pans over to the balcony and slowly reveals Obito from behind. His knuckles now washed but bruised, he takes a deepbreath as he stares ahead... towards Mt. Fuji...)
(Location: Urawa, Saitama.)
(End.)