Disappearing Shadows

...After Misaki said she was dating that bully, I left and went home. I kept thinking about it, but I just couldn’t understand. That bully was the reason behind that day…

That day when Misaki cried like she had lost someone dear to her.

And that state stuck with her until the end of high school. So why… why is she dating him now? I don’t get it. But...

---

[At Kaito’s house]

Kaito: Ugh… What time is it? I couldn’t sleep well.

Mizuhara: Well then, if you're awake, make your own dinner. I’ve got things to do.

Kaito: You’re just being lazy.

Mizuhara: Did you say something?

Kaito: I said I’ll make dinner.

Mizuhara: Good.

(Park is calling Kaito…)

Kaito: Hello?

Park: Hey Kaito. I’m at the café with Rin. Wanna come?

Kaito: Alright, I’m on my way.

---

[At the café]

Kaito arrives: Where are they...?

(Park waves him over)

Park: Kaito, over here!

Kaito: So, what’s going on?

Rin: We tried calling, but you didn’t answer.

Kaito: Sorry, I was… dealing with something.

Rin: It’s about Misaki dating that bully, right?

Kaito: How did you—

Rin: She told me last night.

Park (shocked): Misaki’s dating someone? And a bully? Girls have strange tastes…

Kaito: Something’s not right. Just a week ago, he was harassing her. I even fought with him over it.

Rin: Then why is she dating him?

Kaito: I don’t know... But if that’s her choice, let’s support her.

Rin & Park: Alright...

---

[Misaki returns home]

(A bird lands on her shoulder)

Misaki: Hey, Mongee. Did you miss me? I missed you too. But no food at night—you need to lose a little weight.

(The bird looks sad and turns its head away…)

Misaki: But instead of food, let’s play a card game. If you pick the right card, I’ll either play with you or bring you a treat. The cards are in the kitchen—pick one.

(The bird taps a card with its foot)

Misaki: Oh… sleep, huh? Sorry.

(The bird flies up)

Misaki: Come sleep beside me.

(The bird returns)

Misaki: Good boy.

(As she lies down)

Misaki: Kaito… please forgive me.

---

[At school – P.E. class]

Coach: We’ll do some light exercises today. Everyone, start with pushups. On the last one, hold halfway down. Girls won’t participate, so don’t look so happy.

Boys: Aw man...

Coach: Begin!

Boys: 1…2…15…20…30…50…60!

Coach: Stop there! Hold the position! First one to drop has to run 100 laps.

Boys: …???

Coach (face turning red): I’m going to check on the girls now.

Boys: Knew it…

Park: Hey, Kaito.

Kaito: What?

Park: Forgive me.

Kaito: Why?

Park: Because I can’t run... So... (pushes Kaito down) Sorry!

Kaito: You—!

Boys: Coach, Kaito’s the first to drop! Haha!

Coach: Kaito, you know the punishment. See you after school.

---

[In the classroom]

Park: Sorry! I was about to fall, and to be honest, I’m not athletic at all.

Kaito: Still not enough to apologize.

Rin: Come on, Kaito. Park’s your friend.

Kaito: And that’s what friends do?!

Rin: Exactly. Because he’s your friend, forgive him. Also... I need him.

Kaito: Need him for what?

Rin: The new desks just arrived. I need someone to move them, and Park looks strong enough. Right?

Park (mouth wide open): Aaaah?!

Kaito (smiling): Rest in peace, bro.

Park: Hey Kaito! On second thought, 100 laps isn’t so bad. Wanna trade?

Kaito (smile fades): No.

Rin: Perfect. See you after class, Park.

Park: This is what they mean by “you reap what you sow…”

---

[Kaito running laps]

Kaito: Just a few more laps to go…

Rin (watching from the window): Kaito’s going straight to bed after this.

Park: Me too.

Rin: After you finish your job.

Park: Yeah, my body’s already aching…

[Meanwhile, near the school gate…]

Students: Who’s that guy? Doesn’t look like he’s from here. Let’s stay away.

Misaki: What are you doing here, Shigeru?

Students: What?! She knows him?! Misaki would never talk to someone like him!

Kaito (panting, turns to the noise): What’s happening…?

Shigeru: So you’re famous, huh? Didn’t know that about my girlfriend.

Students: Girlfriend?! Misaki’s dating him?! What is up with girls’ standards?

Rin and Park from the window:

Rin: Is that Misaki? Who’s she with? Let’s go check.

Misaki: You’ll have to wait a month. I don’t have time for dates.

Shigeru: What’s that supposed to mean?

Misaki: I’m busy. Not today, not this month.

Shigeru: I see. Then don’t blame me. I’m not very patient.

(Misaki clenches her fist.)

Misaki’s mom (appears suddenly): What’s going on here?

Misaki: It’s nothing. He just wanted to go out and I said no because I’m busy.

Misaki’s mom: Go out? Are you saying you’re dating him, Misaki?

Shigeru: Yes. I’m Shigeru, Misaki’s boyfriend.

Misaki’s mom: Well, this school has rules. Most important one is—keep your relationships outside. So if you want to meet Misaki, do it off campus.

Shigeru: Ah… Sorry. You’re right.

(To Misaki) I’ll see you soon, Misaki. Until then, goodbye.

Misaki’s mom: We’re going home together. Wait for me.

Misaki: Okay

.[At Misaki’s House]

Misaki’s Mom: So, that person... Misaki, as he said, is the one you’re dating?

Misaki: (silent for a moment)

Misaki’s Mom: I know when you want to date someone and pretend otherwise — I’m your mother.

Misaki: …

Misaki’s Mom: So, you owe me an explanation about what really happened.

Misaki: Fine, because I want to talk to you about this too.

Misaki’s Mom: Then go ahead, speak.

Misaki: Mom, why did you hide those photos from me?

Misaki’s Mom: I didn’t hide any photos from you.

Misaki: (takes out a photo) Then why did you hide this?

Misaki’s Mom: (looks surprised) Where did you find this?

Misaki: Then you were hiding them, why?

Misaki’s Mom: Because every time you see those pictures, I see you suffer… but you always try to hide it.

Misaki: I’m not a child anymore. So why didn’t you tell me about Iroha’s photos?

Misaki’s Mom: (grabs Misaki’s trembling hand) I didn’t want to see my daughter in the state she’s in now — shaking and holding back tears she can’t control.

Misaki: (pulls her hand away) I’m composed. I’m not crying.

Misaki’s Mom: Yes, you always hold yourself together in front of others, but inside, you can’t handle the pain. You cry yourself to sleep from exhaustion.

Misaki: That incident was long ago, and you see me now living the life Iroha gave me.

Misaki’s Mom: Yes, I see that. But I also see a girl who goes every morning to the grave, saying only a few words filled with sadness that make the soul restless.

Misaki: But I kept those photos, and I will hold onto them. If you try to take them, I’ll go to dad.

Misaki’s Mom: (hugs Misaki) I know my words may upset you now, but don’t hide those tears. The hardest thing for any mother is to see her beloved daughter cry and not be able to reach out and wipe those tears away. My daughter, Iroha gave you that life so that you would be happy, so please— (holds her tightly) please live as Iroha wanted you to.

Misaki: (clings to her mom and cries)

---

[Misaki remembers her first meeting with Iroha, sitting sadly in her room]

---

[At the Supermarket]

Misaki: Mom, I need you to keep your promise.

Misaki’s Mom: Yes, I’ll get the book for you after shopping.

Misaki: Then let’s finish shopping quickly.

Misaki’s Mom: Okay, wait a moment—I’ll get the box from up there, then we continue.

Misaki: Okay.

(A voice from behind)

Child: Mom, I want chocolate!

Mom: No, you already ate one, and you’re supposed to rest since you’re sick.

Iroha: (frowns and puffs cheeks adorably)

Mom: Your daughter is cute, but no, you can’t have it.

Misaki’s Mom: Kids will be kids, right, Iroha?

Iroha: Yeah, always like this.

Voice: Hey, isn’t that you, Ji-yu?

Misaki’s Mom: Isn’t that you? It’s been a long time. Is that Iroha? She’s grown up, hasn’t she?

Ji-yu: Yes, I think she’s about your daughter’s age, so hopefully, they’ll become friends.

Misaki: Hello, I hope we can be friends.

Iroha: I’m Iroha, like Alice.

Ji-yu: Confident they’ll get along.

Ji-yu: How about you get us two meals from that lady over there?

Misaki: Okay.

Iroha: I’m with you.

(They step away)

Iroha: Listen, I want chocolate, but mom won’t let me have any, so I decided to open my treasure box and buy one for myself.

Misaki: Treasure?

Iroha: Yeah, look! Ta-da! 300 yen I saved all week. It’s the price of a chocolate biscuit.

Misaki: Is this your treasure?

Iroha: Yes, so distract that worker while I sneak to the chocolate fridge.

Misaki: Your mom said you’re sick.

Iroha: No, I’m not sick, don’t worry.

Misaki: Then let’s buy it together.

Iroha: Okay.

(After buying and returning to the moms)

Misaki: We brought the food, Alice.

Iroha: Good job, you two. I was sure you could do it.

Ji-yu: Yes.

(At the cashier)

Cashier: So, the total is 3,000 yen.

Ji-yu: I’ll pay.

Alice: No, I will.

Ji-yu: No, no, I can’t.

Alice: No, I will.

Both girls: Pay half and stop!

Mom: Okay.

Cashier: Excuse me, but this chocolate biscuit belongs to you.

Mom: We didn’t order this.

Cashier: I found it in your bag, and it’s already paid for.

Misaki: It’s for Iroha.

Alice: Who bought it for her?

Misaki: I did.

(Alice talks to Iroha)

Mom: Didn’t I tell you, you have liver disease, and too much chocolate is dangerous?

Misaki: I didn’t know about the liver disease.

Alice: It’s okay.

Iroha: But I’m fine, and I feel like I want chocolate.

Alice: Now, let’s go out.

Ji-yu: Don’t be sad, Misaki—you don’t know.

Misaki: But I was going to hurt Iroha.

Iroha: No, you were going to give me my superpower.

Alice: Yes, we agreed on one chocolate to boost your superpower, but you broke the contract, so maybe I’ll deduct one day’s allowance.

Iroha: Why, Alice?

Alice: Because you don’t spend your money on things that harm you.

Iroha: (tears in her eyes)

Ji-yu: Calm down, calm down. How about you come with us, Misaki? You’ll buy a book from a nearby shop, and Alice and Iroha will come too.

Ji-yu: Let’s go together.

(At the bookstore)

Ji-yu: So, Misaki, which book did you reserve?

Misaki: This one.

Iroha: You’re lying! That’s the book I wanted too, but there’s only one copy.

Alice: Sorry, dear, but you can choose another one.

Iroha: I don’t want another one.

Misaki: (thinks then smiles) Okay, since we both want the same book, why don’t we read it together?

Iroha: Really?

Misaki: Yes.

Since then, we’ve been best friends.

---

[Back to Present]

Misaki’s Mom: Ji-yu… I wish those days would come back.

---

[Kaito Learns About the Photos]

(Second day, one hour before nightfall, Kaito buying a drink near the park)

Kaito: What’s happening? Is the past changing or what? How could someone make Misaki cry and say she’s dating him? I don’t get it.

(Looks ahead and sees Misaki meeting the bully)

Shiguro: So you came.

Misaki: Yes, because I’m taking those photos today.

Shiguro: Taking them? I don’t think so. You didn’t do what we agreed on.

Misaki: I won’t hurt someone who’s not involved.

Shiguro: Then no photos until I get what I want.

Misaki: No, you won’t do anything, and you’ll give me those photos.

Shiguro: How will you convince me?

Misaki: Take these extra 600 dollars, so give me the photos.

Shiguro: So you’re replacing our deal with money? Clever. Fine.

Misaki: And the copies of the photos too.

Shiguro: What? Did you know I have copies too?

Misaki: Yes, so give them to me.

Shiguro: No, they have a price. If you want them, you’ll pay more.

Kaito: You won’t pay a thing, and you’ll return the money and those photos.

Misaki: (surprised) Kaito!

Shiguro: And who’s going to make me do that? You?

Kaito: Yes.

(Kaito punches Shiguro)

Shiguro: That hurt, but not enough. I was going to come with my friends soon with Misaki’s help.

Kaito: What? So that’s why when I waited for her at school, this was the reason?

Shiguro: Yeah, but she didn’t bring you to us. Lucky you’re here now, and I have my friends, so why don’t we finish what we started?

Kaito: Step back, Misaki, these idiots will hit you today.

Shiguro: Brave, but you know what they say—numbers beat bravery.

Kaito: That’s what weaklings say, and I’ll prove them wrong.

Shiguro: We’ll see when we teach you a lesson.

(Kaito clenches his fists)

(A bully approaches)

Bully: Ha!

(Kaito punches the bully’s left shoulder, then kicks him down, then punches the second, then kicks the third, beating up the bullies)

Kaito: (takes the photos and hands them to Misaki) Here, I think these are yours.

Misaki: (holds them)

Kaito: Did you get hurt?

Kaito: I’m fine, look.

Misaki: Shiguro’s running away!

Kaito: It’s okay; we have the photos.

Misaki: No, not all of them, he copied the photos I have too.

Kaito: What? These photos are important?

Misaki: (sighs) Listen, I told you if I wanted to tell you about these photos, you would listen, right?

Kaito: Yes.

Misaki: So, will you listen now?

---

[Call from the Bully]

Shiguro: Damn that guy, damn him!

(Phone rings)

Caller: Are you Shiguro?

Shiguro: Yes, who is this?

Caller: I heard you have photos of Misaki with that girl, and you sent some pictures, right?

Shiguro: Yeah, I know who you are.

Caller: I have 3,000 dollars for each photo.

Shiguro: That changes everything.

Caller: Then goodbye.

Shiguro: Goodbye.

(Shiguro smirks) Seems luck’s on my side, but maybe that guy will interfere, so I better be careful