Orange Marmalade - episode seven "First Date" ^_- Yuu's Journal That was the worst beginning to the day I could imagine. I was sure Rokutanda was going to start a fight, but it didn't happen. He looked at Miwa-san, then at the class, and backed down. There's definitely something going on there... Rokutanda spent the rest of the day glaring at me, but he didn't say anything. And of course, Miwa-san acted like nothing had ever happened. I was going to have enough trouble dealing with the rest of the class, in any case. I'd thought about trying to downplay what Suzuki-san had said, but obviously, there was no chance that that would work now. Thanks to Rokutanda, the rumors would be out of control by the end of the day. He always did have lousy timing. I also decided that it would be best to avoid Suzuki-san. I couldn't straighten out our situation under this kind of scrutiny, and I couldn't go along with her without prolonging matters. If I left it alone, I thought, something else would soon capture their attention. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work as I'd planned... ^_- [Scene: School Rooftop] [A large, empty area on the school roof, broken by a geodesic dome structure near the center. The area is fenced-in. Miki and Arimi are sitting against the fence. It is mid-day.] Miki: (chuckling) Maybe you should give Tsutomu a chance, Arimi. He's certainly persistent. Arimi: I wish he wasn't. I keep telling him I'm not interested. He just won't listen to me. Miki: (serious) I'm sorry, Arimi... [Miki turns and steps forward to the fence. One hand rests on it as she looks out over the schoolyard.] Miki: (continuing) Sometimes I wish there was someone that dedicated... Arimi: What about Ginta? Miki: Ginta? But... we broke up... Arimi: I think he still likes you, though. You can tell by the way he talks about you, sometimes. (laughs) Miki: (looking downward) I don't think it could work, Arimi. There's too much between us. Arimi: (cheerful) Really, Miki-san, it would be all right... in fact, it's perfect! You and Ginta, and me and Yuu-sempai... Miki: (thoughtful) Yuu-kun, eh? Arimi: Mm-hmm! (giggles) He's so quiet all the time... but he's really a warm person underneath. Miki: (smiling softly) He does seem that way. Good for you, Arimi... ^_- [Scene: Matsuuras' Apartment, Living Room] [Evening. Chiyako is sitting on the sofa, watching a television show. Behind her, the door to the apartment opens, and Yuu walks in.] Yuu: I'm home. Chiyako: Welcome back, Yuu. [Yuu nods neutrally, regardless of the fact that Chiyako's back is to him at the moment. He walks toward the hallway, but before he gets there, Chiyako turns around to face him.] Chiyako: Were you at work today? Yuu: (nodding) I just finished. By the way, I'm going to be late tomorrow. Chiyako: (waving the comment off) That's okay. By the way... [She reaches across the couch and grabs an envelope, which she holds out to Yuu.] Chiyako: (smiling) This was going to be a surprise for the girls, but I guess it'd be better for you after all. We'll do something else for them. [Puzzled, Yuu studies the envelope, turning it over in his hands a few times. He glances inquisitively at his mother, but Chiyako only nods and continues smiling. Finally, he shrugs and opens the envelope. Two small paper rectangles are inside.] Yuu: Tickets? {What am I supposed to do with two...? Oh, no...} (tentatively) Okaasan... you don't mean-- Chiyako: (beaming) It's a very popular band right now. We thought you might want to take your girlfriend to see them. Yuu: (flatly) My... girlfriend. Chiyako: (nodding) An told us all about it! Yuu: An?! Chiyako: Mm-hmm. (reproachfully) You don't have to keep these things from us, Yuu. We're not going to be upset if you have a girlfriend. Yuu: {That's not what I was worried about.} Chiyako: (brightly) In fact, why don't you bring her to dinner some time? Your father and I would love to meet her. Yuu: My father. (sighs) Where's An? Chiyako: Hmm... She and Meiko left a little while ago. I don't know where she went. Yuu: Never mind. I'm sure I'll see her soon. [Chiyako nods happily and goes back to watching her television program. Yuu looks at her for a few more moments, then continues down the hall to his room.] ^_- [Scene: Yuu's Bedroom] [The room is very neat, now, almost sterile. There are only one or two posters as decoration. A small bookcase stands against one wall, near Yuu's desk; all of the books are carefully lined up. The desk is clear except for a single ballpoint pen and the red straw hat that Miki gave him. The floor and bed are likewise clear. Entering his room, Yuu sets his bookbag down on the desk and sits down, as if about to work. However, he instead looks at the envelope again. He pulls the tickets out.] Yuu: (leaning back and looking up at the ceiling) "Snow Crash," huh? Hmm... I don't think I've heard of them. (glances at the ticket again) This weekend... [He slides the tickets back into the envelope and makes as if to throw it out. But he seems to reconsider, shrugs, and slips the envelope into the pocket of his school uniform instead.] Yuu: {No sense in wasting them. I'll give them to Meiko and An later.} (frowns a little) {Or maybe Meiko and someone else. I can't believe An told our parents...} ^_- [Scene: Namura's Classroom] [The next morning. Namura's students stand or sit in groups as usual. Tsutomu is not present, but Miwa is chatting with two other students. Miki is sitting alone at her desk, resting her head on one hand and staring out the window. Yuu enters. As soon as the students notice him, the room falls nearly silent momentarily; then the buzz of conversation increases in volume. Yuu does his best to ignore it as he crosses to his desk.] Miwa: (interrupting his conversation) Oh, Yuu. Since you wanted to talk to me, would lunchtime today be good? Yuu: Thanks, Miwa-san. (pauses) But... I have something else to take care of then. Miwa: (shrugging) No problem. Then, after school? ...No, you work now, don't you? Well, then, tomorrow? Yuu: Sure. (shifts positions) Sorry for the trouble. Miwa: It's no trouble at all. [Miwa returns to his previous conversation. Yuu looks down at his books, frowning in thought. He glances at Miki, notices she isn't paying attention to him, and sighs. Then Namura enters the room, and the students come to order as he walks to the front, then stand and bow to him.] Namura: Good morning, class. Today, we're going to cover the use of the perfect tense in more detail. (smiles) There's a possibility that this could be on the exam. [This last statement has a profound effect on most of the students; they lean forward, paying extra attention to Namura, who proceeds with his lecture. Yuu looks at Miki again, but she is now apparently absorbed in the intricacies of English and fails to notice him.] Yuu: {As I thought... there's something to take care of before I talk to Miwa-san.} ^_- [Scene: Terrace] [Lunchtime. Meiko and Anju are sitting alone at one of the tables. Yuu approaches, followed by Miwa.] Yuu: Meiko, have you seen Koishikawa? Meiko: (shaking her head) Were you looking for her, oniichan? But you're in the same class, so-- Yuu: I just had something to... ask her. About an assignment. [Behind Yuu, Miwa raises an eyebrow, but doesn't comment.] Meiko: Oh... if I see her, I'll let her know. Yuu: Thanks. Anju: You might want to try the roof. Yuu: The roof? Meiko: That's right... Arimi said that they were up there yesterday. Yuu: (unreadable expression) Suzuki-san? I guess... it's worth a try... Miwa: Then I'll stay here, in case she comes by. [He takes a seat directly across the table from Meiko, leaning forward slightly. Meiko suddenly becomes very interested in her lunch.] Yuu: I can't ask you to-- Miwa: (waving cheerfully) It's no trouble at all! Go ahead. Yuu: (nodding) Thanks. [He walks back toward the school.] Miwa: So, the two of you make lunch for your entire family? You must be very good at cooking. (smiles) Meiko: Not really. It just takes practice. Anju: Don't listen to her. She's a great cook. But, you know, it was hard at first, but it's sort of fun. Like when you... [Anju continues at length. Miwa listens halfheartedly while he watches Meiko. For her part, Meiko does her best to completely ignore him.] ^_- Yuu's Journal Koishikawa wasn't on the roof. I didn't find her during lunch, and she wasn't in the classroom afterwards. She must have decided to go home and skip the afternoon classes. On top of that, I lost a chance to talk to Miwa-san. ^_- [Scene: Street] [Afternoon. Yuu walks along the crowded street, on his way to work.] Yuu: {Between An and Rokutanda, everybody I know thinks I'm going out with Suzuki-san.} (sighs) {Even my own family... This is going to make it a lot harder. Oh, well. There's nothing else I can do.} [He stops, having reached Kijima's shop, and nods to his reflection in the glass door. After a moment, he reaches forward and opens the door, the picture of determination.] Yuu: {Sure, next time I see Suzuki-san, I'll tell her...} Arimi: Welcome... ah! Yuu-sempai! Yuu: (utter disbelief) Suzuki-san? [Standing behind the counter is, in fact, Arimi. She is wearing an orange shirt and an apron with "ABCB" emblazoned across it -- the uniform. She smiles at him while he stands frozen in surprise.] Arimi: Can I get you anything, sempai? Yuu: No! I mean, I'm not here as a customer. [Arimi looks puzzled for a second, but brightens as she figures it out.] Arimi: I don't believe it! You're working here? Kijima: (from behind the curtain) That's right. [Kijima pokes his head out of the back room and nods to Yuu.] Kijima: I've got a uniform that should fit you better, Yuu-kun. Yuu: Ah... thanks. I'll come try it on, then. [Yuu slowly circles around the counter. He leaves a good amount of space between himself and Arimi as he crosses to join Kijima. She doesn't seem to notice, simply turning to face him... until the door opens. With a small sigh, she turns away from Yuu and smiles at the new customer.] Arimi: Welcome to the ABCB. [Yuu takes the opportunity to duck into the back.] ^_- [Scene: Back Room, ABCB] [A few minutes later. Yuu has changed into the ABCB uniform.] Kijima: Hmm... yeah, that looks pretty good. I guess you can get started now. Arimi-kun could probably use the help. [Yuu nods and starts toward the front, but pauses.] Yuu: Master... how long has she been working here? Kijima: Hm? Oh, about a year, I think. Yuu: Why didn't you mention it before? Kijima: It must have slipped my mind. (grinning) Surprised? Yuu: You might say that. {I knew this job was too convenient...} [A chime can be heard from the front as the door opens once more. Arimi calls out another greeting.] Yuu: (sighing) Sounds like today is going to be one of the busy days you mentioned. I'll get started. [He walks out front. Kijima chuckles and follows. Standing at the doorway, he watches Yuu pick up a tray and walk to one of the tables. He turns to his right, facing a board on the wall where several pictures are hung, among other miscellaneous decorations.] Kijima: (quietly) Looks like he'll be a good worker, too. [Kijima grins as he starts to prepare a pot of coffee.] ^_- [Scene: ABCB] [Later that night. The ABCB is closed for the night, and the earlier crowd has long since departed. Yuu and Arimi, who have changed out of their work uniforms, are sitting at one of the tables; soon, Kijima joins them, bringing three cups of coffee with him.] Arimi: (accepting the cup Kijima hands her) Thanks, Master. Kijima: (handing the second cup to Yuu) You're welcome. Today was busier than usual. I'm glad both of you were here. Arimi: (laughing) Not a very good impression for Yuu-sempai on his first day, though, is it? Yuu: Second day, actually. I started yesterday. Arimi: Oh? (disappointed) I wasn't here... [Yuu shrugs. Kijima grins, pushes his chair back from the table, and stands.] Kijima: I'll just close up in back. You two can go ahead whenever you're ready. [Kijima heads into the back. Yuu sets his cup down, rubs his forehead, and stands.] Yuu: In that case, I suppose I should be going. Arimi: (quickly setting her own half-full cup down) Wait a minute. We can go together... I'll be ready in a second. Yuu: But isn't your house in the opposite direction from mine? Besides... Suzuki-san, I don't think-- [At this point Yuu picks up his jacket. As he slings it over his arm, the envelope falls out of its pocket, onto the table. Arimi reaches over to pick it up.] Arimi: You dropped this, sempai. [She hands him the envelope.] Yuu: (distracted) Oh, the tickets... thanks. Arimi: Tickets? Yuu: {Oops. Now what...?} [Yuu opens his mouth to say something but is halted as he makes eye contact. Arimi is gazing at him with a mix of curiosity, hope, and excitement playing across her features, and Yuu can't help but remember...] [...At school, meeting Arimi behind the library:] {Yuu: (desperate) But it's not a good idea for me to--} {Arimi: So if you dated me for a while, you'd be able to see whether you're right or not. Don't you think so?} [...With his sisters at the ABCB:] {Meiko: Anyway... normally, you would have said no. So either you must like Arimi-chan, or you were distracted thinking about something else.} {Anju: Why not go out with her, then? You like her, right?} [...At home that morning:] {Chiyako: We thought you might want to take your girlfriend to see them.} [...And Yuu sighs, maintaining the eye contact as he nods to Arimi.] Yuu: My mother gave them to me this morning. I guess I forgot about them. [The two continue silently staring into each others' eyes.] Yuu: {Maybe... maybe they're right. Maybe I should give it a chance.} (coughs) They're for a concert this weekend. I know it's short notice, but if you're not doing anything on Saturday night, would you like to go? Arimi: Really? (beaming) I'd love to! Which band is it? Yuu: Oh... I think it's called Snow Crash. [Before Yuu knows what's happened, Arimi has gotten to her feet, grasped his arm, and hugged herself to him. Yuu is slightly taken aback by this.] Arimi: (absolutely euphoric) My favorite band! How did you find out? Yuu: Err... I... It's just a coincidence. Arimi: {He's so sweet... I'll play along.} That's lucky for me, then. You could have asked anyone. (laughs quietly) I'm glad it was me, sempai. [She gazes up at his face, losing herself in the nervous smile she mistakes for shyness. After a few moments of this, Yuu shifts uncomfortably, breaking eye contact by turning his head slightly away. Arimi smiles softly and relaxes her grip on his arm, leaving only one of her arms twined about his.] Arimi: Why don't you walk me home, sempai? It's getting late. [Yuu still looks apprehensive, but he nods, gathering up his satchel with his free hand. He and Arimi leave the ABCB. When the chime of the opening door has faded, Kijima walks out of the back room. He chuckles as he collects the three cups -- two empty, the third now cold -- and quickly washes them. That chore completed, he removes and hangs his own apron before walking to the door himself. He opens it and, leaning against it, turns to regard the now-empty room one more time. Then he smiles his crooked smile and reaches out with one hand, flipping a light switch. The ABCB goes dark.] ^_- [Scene: Matsuuras' Apartment, Meiko and Anju's Bedroom] [The twins' bedroom is in the same schizophrenic state as it was the last time. Anju is laying on her bed, reading a manga; her feet are near the pillow, against one wall, while her head is near the foot of the bed. Her sister Meiko sits at the desk, busily writing. She pauses in thought, unconsciously raising her pen to her lips. Anju chooses that moment to glance across the room, and her mouth quirks in resigned exasperation.] Anju: You're always so studious, 'neechan. I get tired just being in the same room with you. Meiko: (looking in Anju's direction) Not at all. I'm just writing in my diary right now. Anju: Even something like that seems like work when you do it. You need to relax. Meiko: Maybe you need to work harder. Anju: (defensive) I get good grades, don't I? Meiko: (nodding) You do, but if you put as much effort into your schoolwork as you do with your violin, you'd be a top student. Anju: But I -like- the violin. Besides, maybe I don't -want- to be a top student. [The pen falls from Meiko's fingers as she stares at Anju, uncomprehending.] Meiko: You-- An, you can't be serious? You know how important it-- Anju: (sighing) I know, college. I'll try to do better. (sighs) Sometimes I wish I'd gone to a specialized music school instead. Meiko: You'd have to work just as hard there, if not harder. Anju: I know. It's just sometimes... [Meiko is spared the effort of framing an appropriate response when Yuu suddenly opens the door and enters the room.] Meiko: Oniichan? Anju: Don't you ever knock? [She reaches back, grabs a pillow, and tosses it at her brother. Yuu easily catches it.] Yuu: What did you think you were doing, telling our parents about Suzuki-san? Anju: (giggling) Oh, that. It was Meiko's idea, though. Yuu: Meiko's? [He stares incredulously at the older twin. Meiko blushes slightly.] Meiko: Well... I just said that -maybe- it might be a good idea to tell them, and then we could all surprise you somehow... but I didn't think that An would actually do it. Anju: (upset) That's not what you said! You said it was our responsibility to tell-- [Meiko concentrates. The pillow in Yuu's hands suddenly flies into the air... and strikes Anju in the face, muffling her voice.] Meiko: I didn't say anything of the kind. [Anju manages to free herself from the pillow.] Anju: Hey! What was that for? [There is a loud bang. The squabbling twins fall silent and look up at the door. Yuu, looking rather annoyed, is standing there with his hand still resting on the door -- it is obvious that he has just slammed it.] Yuu: (noting the new quiet) Thank you. Now, I'm sure you both remember that the reason we went to the ABCB was that we could talk there without having our parents overhear. So -why- did you think it would be a good idea to tell them? Meiko: (chastened) Sorry, oniichan. I should have known better than to say something like that to An. Anju: Hey... Meiko: (continuing) But I think she's right, you and Arimi-chan should make a good couple. Anju: (mollified) Yeah! Besides, I wanted to see where Arimi worked. [Yuu blinks.] Yuu: You... knew Suzuki-san worked at the ABCB? Anju: Mm-hmm. She was talking to me about it at lunch last week. Yuu: (disbelief) You set me up, didn't you? You two and Kijima-san. Meiko: I didn't know anything about that, oniichan. Anju: (reluctant) I just hoped Arimi would be working that day. I didn't know he was going to offer you a job. (downcast) You're not mad, are you? Yuu: (sighing) Not really. I guess you can't help it. But... don't try to 'help' like that any more, all right? [Anju sighs and nods slowly. Meiko suddenly frowns.] Yuu: All right, then... Meiko: Wait a minute, oniichan. Did something happen between you and Arimi-chan? Yuu: (raising an eyebrow) Why do you ask? Meiko: You weren't so upset about it before. So what happened? Yuu: Well... after work, we were talking, and I was about to leave... Anju: And? Yuu: And I ended up asking her to go to a concert this Saturday. [The sisters look surprised; then, Meiko smiles, and Anju grins and claps her hands together.] Anju: That's terrific! Meiko: Have a good time. (to Meiko) I can't believe our brother asked a girl on a date. Yuu: Hey, it's not like that... Anju: (to Meiko) Really. I thought they'd gotten into a fight, the way he was acting. Meiko: (to Anju) That seems more likely. He's so stubborn sometimes... Yuu: Don't talk about me as if I wasn't here. [Anju and Meiko turn toward him and grin. He sighs again, shakes his head, and leaves the room.] ^_- Meiko's Diary Well, that was interesting. He asked her out after all. I knew he must have liked her a little. I wonder whether it will develop into anything more. I'm not sure Arimi-chan is right for him, but it's good that he's taking her out. At school, Yuu-oniichan was always popular, but he never seemed to have any close friends except us. And since Anju and I are a year behind him... ^_- Yuu's Journal The rest of that week seemed to drag on forever. Koishikawa wouldn't speak to me -- I'm not sure, since it seems like coincidence was all that was getting in the way, but I think that she was avoiding me. I really have to explain soon. Rokutanda wouldn't speak to me, either. That was a relief. I didn't see Suzuki-san at school, although we worked together at the ABCB once more before Saturday. She didn't say much -- just small talk, really -- but she smiled a lot. She's a nice person, and I'm beginning to wonder whether asking her to the concert was a good idea. If I decide that this won't work after all, then what? It would probably hurt her more. I guess Meiko was right. I must care, just a little. ^_- [Scene: Bandshell] [Saturday evening, the site of the concert. A large crowd of people (mostly high school students, from the look of it) are gathered in rows in front of a stage. On stage, four of the five members of Snow Crash are playing their respective instruments -- guitar, bass, keyboard, drums -- and the fifth is singing, with the bassist performing backup vocals. The stage set is remarkably restrained for a show of this nature, consisting only of large snowflake-shaped ornaments hanging behind the band. As if to make up for it, the lighting switches between various colors of spotlight beams at two-second intervals. All things considered, it's not as tasteless as it could be. It helps that most of the music is fairly good. As the band concludes their song, we can see Yuu and Arimi standing next to each other in one of the closer rows.] Yuu: {I guess it could be worse. It seems okaasan managed to get good tickets, anyway.} Arimi: (grabbing Yuu's arm) Aren't they great, sempai? I love their music. Yuu: I wouldn't say "great"... [Arimi looks dejected, and Yuu relents a little.] Yuu: I do like the music, though. [Arimi smiles and edges closer to Yuu, sorrow forgotten as she gazes almost worshipfully at the stage. Yuu half-smiles.] Yuu: {She seems so much more sure of herself at school... It must be the excitement.} [Arimi leans into Yuu as the band launches into the opening bars of another song. Yuu, a little startled, looks down at her. She smiles as she explains.] Arimi: (quietly) My favorite song, sempai. "Midnight Angel". [The singer, Yuushi Hiro, and the bassist, Tanaka Yumeko, step up to their respective microphones and begin to sing. Arimi continues to smile at Yuu; for his part, Yuu doesn't turn -completely- away.] Hiro: In the mirror I can see Reflected images of dreams Shattered apart Shadows falling (Yumeko: Midnight) Yumeko: Your eyes accuse me silently All I ask is please forgive me For breaking your heart Twilight dawning (Hiro: Midnight) Hiro: A dreamer and a liar (Yumeko: Angel) Redeemer and pariah That's all I am, And what more could you want of me? Yumeko: Don't regret that you met me (Hiro: Angel) And if you should forget me Run into the night, Reach into your heart and fly free Both: And always remember that The night is not an end (Hiro: Believe) Hiro: Even though the light is gone The day's not over yet Both: Always remember that I gave this night to you (Yumeko: Believe) My midnight angel Yours - if you believe it could be true [The audience applauds as the song ends. Cut to a familiar pair at the center of one of the rows...] Ginta: I know you're not supposed to question a gift, but why exactly did you bring me to something like this? Tsutomu: (glaring) Just be quiet. You got a free ticket, didn't you? [Ginta rolls his eyes and glances around with great curiosity.] Ginta: (distracted) I guess so. This just isn't the sort of thing I usually do. (pausing) Hm? Looks like Matsuura's here, too. I didn't think this would be something he'd like, either. Tsutomu: Matsuura? Here? (looking around) Where? Where? [As Tsutomu happens to look in the right direction, the crowd shifts, allowing him to see who Yuu is with.] Tsutomu: A-a-a-ah! (points) Ginta: (glancing at Tsutomu) What's wrong with you? Tsutomu: Arimi! [He grabs Ginta's shoulders and starts sobbing.] Tsutomu: But she... she told me... that she didn't like this band any more! Why does she have to come with him? Ginta: (annoyed) Hey, let go of me... Tsutomu: (shouting) Damn you, Matsuura! [A few rows forward and to the right, Arimi stiffens. Yuu notices, seeing as she's still firmly attached to his arm, and glances down.] Yuu: Are you all right? Arimi: Did you hear something? Yuu: I can hardly hear -you- over this crowd. Arimi: (smiling tentatively) You're right... it's got to be my imagination. [The smile spreads across her face, becoming warmer, more genuine, and more contented. A few rows back, we see that Ginta is now the one holding Tsutomu, who looks really angry.] Tsutomu: (snarling) Hey, let go of me... Ginta: (laughing) You got dumped, Tsutomu. Just accept it, would you? Tsutomu: After I gave you a ticket, you're going to take his side? Ginta: (sighing) That tactic isn't going to work. Besides, I didn't even want a ticket. Tsutomu: We're cousins! Doesn't that mean anything to you? Ginta: {Why me?} ^_- [Scene: Koishikawas' Home] [Night. The room is large and tastefully furnished. Aside from the large sofa and coffee table we can see on one side of the room, there is an impressive-looking grand piano. Miki is currently sitting at it; there is sheet music in front of her -- one of Bach's fugues -- but she isn't really looking at it. Instead, she improvises a simple tune; her jazz influence shows. Rumi is occupying the sofa, thumbing through a magazine while she and Miki speak.] Rumi: The summer break is coming up soon, isn't it? Miki: Mm-hmm. Rumi: And we'll be moving to our new home with the Matsuuras. [Miki misses a chord, but plays on.] Rumi: Have you started packing your things yet? It wouldn't be good to wait until the last minute. Miki: No, not yet. I will soon. [Jin drifts into the room in time to hear Miki's last statement. He and Rumi look at each other. Rumi nods to Jin.] Jin: Miki, your mother and I were thinking... You don't object to this remarriage, do you? Miki: I already said that I didn't. Rumi: We know, but... are you sure? Jin: (explaining) We don't want our actions to hurt you. Rumi: So we just wanted to make certain-- [Miki stops playing, and her mother stops talking. Both parents wait as she turns on the bench to face them. There is an uncomfortable pause, and then a thin smile crosses Miki's face.] Miki: I'm sure. Really. I'm... looking forward to it. [The parents' solemnity vanishes without a trace. Jin cheers; Rumi jumps up. The two dance around the room a bit while Miki continues to smile at them. They go through one of the doors -- almost. Rumi pokes her head back in the room a moment later.] Rumi: Thank you, Miki. [Then they are gone, and Miki allows the smile to slip. She gazes sadly at the door for a moment, then turns back to the piano and resumes playing. This time, however, she is following the sheet music, and the song is rich, heavy, and dark in tone.] Miki: {Thank you, Papa, Mama. But I know how much this means to you. If I said anything, it would only be my own selfishness... Besides, I can live with it.} [The song grows slower and more complex. She closes her eyes and continues to play along flawlessly. She looks as though she may begin to cry... but she doesn't.] ^_- Notes: This one took a little longer than I would have liked; I ran into problems first with the beginning, then with the song (and, as usual, school reared its ugly head). However, chapter 8 seems to be coming along nicely at this point. I hesitate to make a prediction, though, and I can't say when I'll finish the next chapter of Future Perfect or when I'll get back to Soulmates. I did write a short Maison Ikkoku fic for Halloween; I'm cleaning it up, following some advice from the FFML, but I should be posting the revised version to RAAC soon. (I may send it back to the list once more first...) Credit where credit is due: The name of the band Snow Crash is taken from the title of Neal Stephenson's excellent novel. The singers' names are shameless plays on the same source. The name of the song "Midnight Angel" came from the wonderful but on-hiatus Fugawari Orange Street, one of the few KOR-universe fics out there; take a look at it. The lyrics are mine, so don't blame them for those. ^_^ Finally, thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read and comment on my work. Special thanks for this chapter go to Emily Siazon, for constantly pushing me to get the draft finished, and to James Nutley, for catching a number of things I'd overlooked in said draft. Orange Marmalade is a Marmalade Boy/Kimagure Orange Road fusion. As a result, some... okay, most... of the MB characters are significantly changed, and not always in the obvious ways. Consider yourselves warned. ^_^ Marmalade Boy, Kimagure Orange Road, and their respective characters and such were created by Yoshizumi Wataru and Matsumoto Izumi, and are used without permission. Text placed inside {braces} denotes voiced-over thoughts. Comments, criticism, and flames welcomed at schimmel@seas.upenn.edu. * * * * *