Making peace with yourself

school]

Kaito: Misaki... before you leave, there's something I need to apologize for.

(Misaki stops)

Misaki: What is it?

Kaito: First, I’m sorry for the tears you shed because of me. Second, I’ll break my old promise of not interfering in your life.

Misaki: Don’t you understand what I said?! This is my life—it’s none of your business!

Kaito: I know... but this particular issue—I’ll allow myself to step in. So… I’m sorry.

Misaki: I told you—

Rin (interrupting): You’re right, Misaki. No one should interfere in our lives.

Misaki: Rin?!

Rin: Kaito, this is a conversation between two girls. Can you leave us for a while?

Kaito (smiling): Alright.

Rin: We have something we need to finish now, Misaki, so listen to me.

[A little later – Kaito and Park waiting]

Park: Rin is taking a long time.

Kaito: We’ll wait for her.

(Rin arrives)

Rin: Sorry for the delay, but convincing this girl to come was tough.

Kaito: Misaki!?

Rin: Yup.

Kaito: How did you convince her?

Rin (whispers): That’s a secret between girls… so don’t interfere!

Kaito: Ah…

---

[At the café]

Yua: Why are they late? I’m starting to get bored.

Jun: And I feel like this painting of beautiful girls is incomplete without Rin. Where is she?

Kaito (sarcastically from behind): You know what’s prettier than her? A painting of you instead.

(Rin enters)

Rin: Hey, everyone!

Minto: What took you so long?

Rin: We were waiting for Misaki.

Jun (overexcited): That’s even better! Now my perfect painting is complete!

Yuri (hitting him): Quiet down and stop your nonsense.

Eri: Misaki! I missed you!

Misaki: I missed you too… but why are you smiling like that?

Eri: Oh, nothing… I just missed you.

Rin (serious): The reason we’re gathered here is because there’s a bully named Shiguro who stole three photos belonging to Misaki. They hold memories with Iroha.

Dori: Who’s Iroha?

Misaki: Allow me to explain…

---

(Misaki explains her story with Iroha. Silence fills the room. Angry eyes everywhere)

Dori (stands up): This is completely unacceptable!

Jun: Where is that guy Shiguro? I’ll smash his face for making Misaki cry!

Everyone: Please, shut up!

Kaito: That’s why we need your help.

Eri: Why don’t you just find him and take the photos back, like you did before?

Kaito: It’s harder this time… he has friends, and we’re running out of time. He plans to sell the photos tomorrow.

Misaki: Who is he selling them to?

Kaito: I don’t know, but the buyer is willing to pay $3,000! That means the photos are very important.

Dori: Then we’re with you. Right, everyone?

Everyone: Yeah!

Rin: Kaito, do you know where the exchange will happen?

Kaito: Unfortunately, no.

Rin: Then tomorrow, we search. Our mission is to find the photos before they’re sold.

Everyone: Yes!

Misaki: Why are you all doing this?

Yuri: Because we’re friends. Does that even need asking?

Misaki: Thank you… really, thank you.

Rin: Don’t say that. We’re always together in tough times, right?

Misaki: Yeah… but… I feel like my back got heavier!

Eri: Oh, because I put a bag on your back… and it looks like it’s full of money!

Misaki (grabbing the bag): What would fill it with money?!

(reads the bag label: “Donations for the Poor”)

Misaki (angrily): Eri! Come here, I need a word with you!

Eri (nervously): Listen! It’s for charity… isn’t that noble?!

Misaki: And I really want to thank you… intensely!! Come here!!

(Eri runs to the bathroom, Misaki chases her)

Everyone: Hahaha!

(Outside the restaurant, a mysterious person stands silently, then walks away...)

[At Misaki's house – evening]

Misaki: I’m back.

Mom: Welcome home. You’re late today… did something happen?

Misaki: I was with my friends at the café.

Mom: I see… Did you enjoy it?

Misaki: Yes.

Mom: It’s good to have friends.

Misaki: Yeah… I’m tired, I’ll go to sleep.

Mom: Good night.

(Misaki lies on her bed, remembering what Rin said on the school rooftop...)

---

[Misaki’s memories – on the rooftop]

Rin: We’re alone now, so stop saying you don’t need help.

Misaki: I’ll deal with Shiguro myself.

Rin: I told you to stop. When I heard you dated that jerk, I felt something was wrong—and when Kaito told me, I was sure.

Misaki: Even if I needed help, I wouldn’t ask for it. I always cause problems for others…

(She remembers Iroha)

I’ve caused enough trouble. I don’t want to burden anyone anymore.

Rin (in pain): I’m a bad friend… because I didn’t know anything about you, and I had to hear it from someone who’s only known you for a few months. And now I’m trying to act like a hero… what kind of friend does that make me?

Misaki: I don’t know how Kaito found out… but you’re not a bad friend. You’ve always understood me, you were always there…

Rin: That’s why I know how much fear you’re living with right now. Don’t try to hide it from your friend.

Misaki (tearfully): What do you want from me? To forget that Iroha sacrificed herself to save me? My hands were covered in her blood… I screamed and cried… It was all my fault! If I hadn’t taken her there, if we hadn’t snuck in, if… if…

Rin (hugs her): Cry… I’m here with you.

(Misaki collapses into Rin’s arms, crying her heart out)

---

[Elsewhere – Shiguro]

Boy: Shiguro, something important…

Shiguro: What is it?

Boy: I saw that guy—Kaito—with his friends. Looks like they’re planning something.

Shiguro: Annoying… but it’s fine. I’ll make a call.

(He calls the photo buyer)

Man: Why are you calling all of a sudden?

Shiguro: Hello. Shall we meet tomorrow as usual?

Man: Changed your mind?

Shiguro: No, just a slight change. We’ll shift the meeting time.

Man: Out of the blue?

Shiguro: Some complications.

Man: Doesn’t matter, as long as I get the photos tomorrow.

Shiguro: You’ll have them.

Man: Goodbye.

(Shiguro hangs up)

Shiguro: I hate rich people… and annoying ones even more.

Boy: So, what do we do?

Shiguro: We’re going to play a little game with them…

------

[The next morning – at school]

Kaito: Just like we agreed, we’ll search for Shiguro. Whoever finds him, call the rest immediately.

Everyone: Got it!

(Everyone splits up to search – Misaki receives a call)

Misaki: Who’s calling?... Oh, it’s…

(She goes to meet the caller – it’s Shiguro)

Misaki: I didn’t expect a call from you, Shiguro.

Shiguro: We used to date, remember? I missed seeing you, darling.

Misaki: Don’t joke… Why did you ask to meet?

Shiguro: Clever… I like that.

Misaki: Get to the point.

Shiguro: I have something I want to give you.

Misaki: What is it?

Shiguro: These… the photos.

Misaki: The photos?! Why now, all of a sudden?

Shiguro: No reason… just take them, and let’s forget our issues.

Misaki: I don’t get it… After everything, you just give them to me like that?!

Shiguro: Is there a problem?

Misaki (taking the photos): No… thank you… for understanding.

Shiguro: Let’s forget everything between us and never meet again, alright?

Misaki: That’s exactly what I intend to do.

(Suddenly, Park appears from behind)

Park: Don’t believe him, Misaki! He ordered one of his friends to steal those photos from your house!

Misaki (shocked): What?! Was that your plan from the start?

Shiguro (sighs): It could’ve worked… if it weren’t for this idiot. But at least I still have the photos. Goodbye.

Misaki: Where do you think you’re going?! Give the photos back now!

Shiguro: I don’t have them… maybe my friend took them, it’s not my problem.

Park: How is it not your problem when you planned everything?!

Shiguro: I’m not my friends’ babysitter!

Kaito (appears): Good thing I took care of it this time… so don’t worry.

(At that moment – tension rises)

Park: Kaito! I knew you’d catch up to him!

Kaito: Thanks for calling me when you saw him stealing the photos and going to tell Misaki.

Shiguro (mocking): So… you have the photos now?

Kaito (smiling): Yes. And like you said, you’re not their babysitter—but you acted like a decent guy and gave them back… Now we have both copies.

Shiguro (angrily): And you think I’ll let you walk away after that?!

(The bullies surround Kaito and the group)

Kaito: No… but this time, I came prepared! (He pulls out a stick)

Shiguro (laughing): What will a stick do against us? Tell me?

Jun (arriving): It’ll help… especially if he’s not alone, right, Minto?

Minto: You’re slow, man. If you’d moved faster, we’d have been here earlier!

Jun: Dude, this is a climax moment!

Shiguro: So you brought your friends? Then let’s start the party! Bring the photos! Your money depends on them!

(The fight breaks out – the bullies are many)

(Kaito and his friends fight hard, taking hits but refusing to back down)

Park: Kaito! There’s too many, I can’t hold out!

Jun: Hurry! I’m getting tired!

Shiguro: Don’t worry… I’ll finish this soon—especially with you, Kaito.

Kaito: Misaki, give me the photos you have!

Misaki: Why?

Kaito: Just do it!

Misaki: …Here! (hands him the photos)

Kaito (holding them): Hey, Shiguro! You want these photos?

Shiguro (furious): Yes! They’re mine! Give them to me!

Kaito: In your dreams, idiot! (rips the photos in front of everyone)

Misaki (shocked): No!! What did you do!!? (grabs Kaito in panic)

Shiguro (screaming): You’re dead!!

Kaito: Come on, stop hiding behind your boys!

Shiguro: You fools! Forget the others! Beat Kaito to death!

(Suddenly, a police siren sounds)

Voice: Uh-oh… it’s the police! Run!!

(The bullies scatter in every direction)

Kaito (chasing Shiguro): Where do you think you’re running?!

---

[Kaito catches Shiguro and punches him hard]

Kaito: You bastard! You’re going to pay for everything you did to Misaki! All the pain, all the sadness… I’ll make sure you feel it!

(He keeps hitting him repeatedly)

Police (intervening): Stop! Hey kid, stop right now!

(Misaki’s mom appears)

Misaki’s Mom: Arrest that boy lying on the ground, and leave the others—they’re victims.

Misaki: Mom!?

Police: Yes, ma’am!

---

[After the police intervention]

Misaki’s Mom: Thank you, Eri and Yua, for informing me.

Eri: No, thank you for arriving just in time.

Misaki’s Mom: And thank you all for standing by my daughter. You won’t be questioned about anything, so don’t worry.

Kaito: Thank you.

Misaki’s Mom: Now, let’s treat those wounds.

---

[At Misaki’s house – after first aid is given]

Mom: Alright, everyone’s injuries are treated now.

Jun (to himself, making a weird face): Misaki’s mom is seriously an angel…

Sewa (hitting him): Don’t think I don’t know what’s going through your head!

Mom: Okay, now relax a little while I call your parents and let them know you’ll be late.

Kaito: We don’t want to trouble you more, so we’ll be going.

Mom: Why not stay a little longer?

Rin: Sorry, but I have to go too. Right, guys?

Everyone: Yeah.

Mom: Alright, and once again… thank you all.

---

[Everyone leaves, but then…]

Misaki (calling): Kaito! Can I talk to you for a moment?

Rin: I’ll wait for you, so don’t be long.

(Misaki grabs Kaito’s arm)

Misaki: Why did you rip the photos? Tell me, why?

Kaito: Because I was afraid we’d fail, and Shiguro would get them.

Misaki: I don’t care what you thought! You know how much those photos meant to me! You destroyed what little I had left of my memories with Iroha!

Kaito: There was another reason… I wanted you to stop clinging to the past and focus on your life… just like Iroha wanted for you.

Misaki: What?

Kaito: Holding on to old things… and the sadness you carry—it won’t fix anything. You needed to let go of that.

(Misaki slaps him hard)

Misaki (with tears): Who do you think you are to say something like that? Have you ever lost someone precious to you? Can you even feel what I feel? What I went through… you can’t even imagine!

(Kaito looks down in sadness, then pulls out a photo)

Kaito: It’s true I tore the photos… but I kept this one.

Misaki (takes the photo): This… my photo in the hospital?

Kaito: I kept it because it had a bit of happiness in it… You looked like you were genuinely laughing in it. Stop remembering just the pain—focus on what’s ahead. Let this picture be a happy memory.

(Misaki stays silent, looking at the photo)

Kaito: So… I guess we’re done. See you tomorrow.

Misaki: W–Wait… don’t go…

---

[Kaito walks away, thinking of Misaki’s words. Memories of Rin flash through his mind—her laughs, her tears, her hope… then her lying in a coffin

(As he sees Rin waiting, he feels like he’s looking at a ghost… something unsettles him and makes him want to be sure)

Rin: Why did you take so long?

Kaito: Rin… If I asked you to hug me tightly right now, would you do it?

Rin (surprised): Why?

Kaito: Please… it’s important to me.

Rin (hugging him): Alright… but just for a few seconds.

Kaito: That’s enough…

Rin (while hugging): You’re tall! I can’t hug you properly!

Kaito: Just stay like this…

Rin: Seriously… you need to shrink a little!

Kaito (laughing): Hahaha… stop it!