The Embrace

Main Stage, Kabuki Theatre, Night

Keiji stands behind the spider’s web, his full costume in full display. The audience is in awe. There is a hint of fear amongst them.

Kaoru also has a surprised expression. She realises that there is something off about Keiji.

Within Keiji’s mind, he remembers his past traumas. He sees images of Ōemon, Kaoru, his teacher, and finally, his mother. As he remembers these events, his mind fills with dark liquid (the same as in episode 10).

The dark liquid rises quickly, until it reaches Keiji’s neck. There is a close-up of Keiji’s expression. He is struggling with these memories. He feels himself begin to panic.

Keiji (Narration): “But what if I panic again? What if I lose myself?”

Jun (Narration): “Then just remember—”

Keiji remembers his tender moments with Jun. The moment he first saw him in the theatre (episode 1), the time Jun sat next to him at the restaurant (episode 4), when Jun leapt after him (episode 5), and when Jun kissed him (episode 8).

In reality, Keiji steps forward and tears through the spider’s webs blocking him.

Jun (Narration): “Remember that you have me.”

The dark aura around Keiji flows outwards. The dark liquid that he had been drowning in is now directed outwards, flooding the entire theatre. It rushes through the entire theatre, through the other actors and through all of the audience members. It is as if this aura has a real strength to it. Many of the audience are pushed back against their seats. Some of them have horrified looks.

Keiji now truly appears demonic. He doesn’t just look like an actor in a costume. He truly and wholly looks like a spider demon. His smile is wide and evil and terrifying.

The other warriors all have shocked/fearful expressions. Kaoru’s expression is one of fear too, though less than everyone else. She instinctively takes a step backwards.

There is a close-up of her hands holding the prop sword by her side. She clenches it tightly. Her arms are shaking.

Kaoru’s expression turns to anger and jealousy. She cannot believe that Keiji’s talents has suddenly outshone her own.

Keiji turns to look at Kaoru.

Keiji: “You must have no idea who I am. I am the spirit of the ground spider, who has resided in Mount Kazuraki for hundreds of thousands of years! I first tried to approach Raikō

in order to disturb the world of the Emperor again, yet you now try to take my life in turn?

Keiji smiles at Kaoru. It isn’t an evil smile, but a friendly one. Kaoru realises that Keiji is trying to tell her something.

Keiji (Narration): “C’mon, you’re the hero of the play, right? Are you really going to let me win?”

Kaoru smirks. Her fear is gone.

Kaoru (Narration): “You idiot.”

Kaoru removes her prop sword from its sheath. She brandishes it proudly in front of her. As she does, there is a heroic aura that emanates from her. It is the opposite of Keiji’s. Where Keiji’s is dark and viscous and evil, hers is white and angelic. Her heroic aura emanates amongst the audience. Their own fears start to vanish. A smile returns to their faces.

Kaoru speaks her lines proudly and heroically.

Kaoru: “Although you live in the land of the Emperor, you have brought suffering to my lord. Because of your evil deeds, you have received divine punishment and have been slashed by the great sword Hiza-maru. You now suffer, yet do not think that you are already released. I will kill you!”

The audience start to cheer and clap incredibly loudly. The entire theatre is filled with newfound spirit.

Keiji and Kaoru smile at each other. Keiji’s evil aura and Kaoru’s heroic aura seem to clash.

Keiji takes out another ball of string and thrusts it at Kaoru. It bursts into a wide scatter of strings resembling spider webs. Kaoru swings her prop sword at the webs.

Title card: Onnagata. Episode 12.

Main Stage, Kabuki Theatre, Night

Keiji kneels on the stage with his head low as Kaoru and the other warriors stand above him. The spider spirit has been defeated.

The audience claps wildly. Many of them give a standing ovation. The noise is explosive.

Both Keiji and Kaoru are breathing heavily. Their faces are covered with sweat. They have relieved expressions.

Kaoru: “It’s finally over.”

Keiji continues to breathe heavily. He stands up and looks at the audience; the sea of people who are celebrating their performance. He takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of it all. The happy smiles of the audience, the beautiful lights that are shining above him.

A proud smile grows across Keiji’s face. He breathes in the air. He feels himself fully in the moment.

Keiji speaks to Kaoru, grinning. His lips move, but it’s drowned out by the claps and cheers of the audience.

Kaoru shouts at Keiji.

Kaoru: “What did you say?!”

Keiji shouts back.

Keiji: “You know…maybe Kabuki isn’t so bad!”

Kaoru turns away from him, though she can’t hide her smile. She, too, is incredibly happy with the applause and praise of the audience.

Kaoru: “Idiot.”

Then, Keiji turns to look at the wings of the theatre. He sees Jun, who is clapping. Jun has a very proud expression.

Suddenly, the world turns completely quiet. Even though the audience is still cheering and clapping, neither Keiji nor Jun can hear it.

Keiji’s lips move.

Jun’s eyes widen.

The world turns white. Everyone disappears. There is nobody. Nobody except for Keiji and Jun.

Keiji: “I love you.”

The world returns to normal, as if nothing happened. The air is still loud with clapping and cheering. Jun and Keiji look at each other. Jun looks surprised. He is in disbelief at Keiji’s confession.

Jun’s expression and eyes soften. He puts a hand on his chest. There are tears of joy swelling in his eyes. His smile is wide. He physically cannot contain his happiness.

There is a close-up of Jun’s feet. They leap.

Jun is in the air. His arms are wide. Keiji’s eyes are wide.

The audience gasps.

Kaoru blushes.

Ōemon facepalms.

Smack! Jun and Keiji are on the floor. Jun is on top of Keiji. The impact has knocked Keiji’s wig off. Their faces are so close, they are almost touching. They each have a light blush on their cheeks. Their breaths are heavy.

Jun: “You were perfect.”

Keiji’s expression is sombre. There is still some doubt in him.

Keiji: “Even though I can’t go to university. Even though I’m clumsy. Even though I run away from all of my problems. Even though all I ever do is cause problems with everyone around me. Even still…am I worth anything?”

Jun: “You don’t need me to tell you.”

Keiji: “I want to hear it from you. I need to hear it from you.”

Jun’s smile is gentle and soft and intimate.

Jun: “You’re worth everything.”

Keiji smiles back. His hand reaches around the back of Jun’s nape. Jun puts both his hands on Keiji’s cheeks. They lean into each other.

Their lips meet. The two share a passionate kiss on the theatre floor.

Everything fades to white.