Side Effects.

8.1

{Flashback; 5 years ago}

(24th May, 2018.)

(The bell rings in Shinjuku High School, it's break time, and the students are moving about, spending the time talking and catching up. In class 2a, Muichiro(15-year-old) is sitting on his seat, looking outside the window in thought.)

Boy 1: Hey Muichiro Kun... You are being called by Ms. Usagi.

Muichiro: Miss Usagi? Why though? (I mean she never calls me.)

Boy 1: I have no idea why she called but it seems important. I think you should be on the move now, just to be safe. 

(Muichiro groans quietly)

Muichiro: Anyway, whatever...

(He gets up and goes to the teacher's lounge.)

(While walking, he taps his pocket.)

Muichiro: (I'm going out now. I guess I should just buy what I need from the snack bar rather than move about later.)

(When downstairs, he walks towards the office and unknowingly glances freely at Naori in class 1c. She sees him outside, and they lock eyes for a brief moment; she smiles a bit, and he then walks off calmly.)

Muichiro: (Tugging his chest) Yoo, who was that girl? She looked pretty good, good-looking eyes and... Wait, what am I thinking(smiles to himself.) It's not the time for that.

(He continues his journey to the teacher's lounge, sees a vending machine, buys a treat, and then, two minutes later...)

Muichiro: Excuse me, good afternoon...(Walks to the female teacher on the right) I was called here by you, Ma'am.

Ms. Usagi: Sasaki Kun, I've already called you about 10 minutes ago. Why'd you take so long to get here? 

Muichiro: Uhh..(scratches his head) Sorry, I got carried away a bit. Then I stopped to get something out of the vending machine. Is this about any of my homework, Ms. Usagi?

Ms. Usagi: Homework? No no, why do you keep asking that when you're among the best in the class? 

Muichiro: Among the best? (I mean, I don't even complete it at home. It's not that I hate math homework, it's just... I get bored because nothing feels challenging in the topics we treat. Maybe that's just how I am for math. I don't understand it either but somehow, it's like I'm a bit of a genius in a subject I never really trained for.)

Ms. Usagi: You didn't know? 

Muichiro: I... I had a feeling(laughs nervously.)

Ms. Usagi: (sighs) Anyway, I have a bit of a challenge with one of my students in class 1c. 

Muichiro: Challenge? 

Ms. Usagi: Yeah (looks at him, grins) I think you understand where I'm going from here Sasaki Kun. 

Muichiro: (realizes, gasps) No, please no. 

Ms. Usagi: Hehe, I know what I'm asking is rough but you're the only student I can trust to do this well. 

Muichiro: (groans, curses)Why, why me?

Ms. Usagi: You're my favorite student in class, I trust you(she smiles)

Muichiro: (teases)Try harder Sensei.

Ms Usagi: Okay, how about a game of rock, paper, scissors? If I win three times, you have to do it for me. If you win, I can call someone else.

Muichiro: You're on!

(3 rounds later...)

Muichiro: (defeated) I lost so easily.

Ms Usagi: Never underestimate a champion of this game haha. Now you have to do it(grins)

Muichiro: But I'm not even that good at the subject sensei. 

Ms. Usagi: Sasaki Kun please, think of it as something fun for later. What if it changes something in you?

Muichiro: Fun you say? (Neither math nor being a senior tutor during break time is fun.)and what could it change? (Curious)

Ms. Usagi: Who knows? Anyway, if you do this, I'll throw in some extra credit(even if you don't need it)

Muichiro: (sighs gently, smiles)Fine, fine. I'll do it. I hope he's not too annoying though. 

Ms. Usagi: Great haha, I'll send for her. 

Muichiro: No problem Sensei (wait, her? It's a girl?)

(Just then, another student is about to leave the lounge, and Ms. Usagi calls him, telling him to call upon Futaba Naori from class 1c.)

Muichiro's monologue: (at that point, I hadn't exactly known who or what I was dealing with when I was chosen to be a tutor, then she walked in...)

(Naori walks inside after a moment.)

Naori: Ms. Usagi, I heard you called for me. 

Ms. Usagi: Yes dear, I wanted to introduce you to this handsome supporter here. 

Muichiro: (sighs, facing Ms. Usagi) You keep teasing me, sensei. Don't you feel one of us could be in trouble? 

Ms. Usagi: Haha, sorry. Well, anyway, this will be the person helping you out with your math during the break period.

(Muichiro turns back and sees her; he gasps silently, realizing she is the girl he noticed earlier.)

Naori: U-um hello.

Muichiro: Hey, how are you?

Naori: I'm fine(rolls her fingers, looking down). Thank you for agreeing to tutor me; from now on, I'll be in your care.

Muichiro: (she's so soft, it's too cute)

Muichiro's monologue: (And just like that, I met Naori. Back then, I had no idea how much this shy, sweet girl would mean to me. But I guess life has a way of surprising you, huh? Over time, she got "warmer" to me in her way, but you get the idea, haha.)

(End!)

8.2

{The next day, during break time at school, Muichiro and Naori are in an empty clubroom. There is only a table and two chairs. There are textbooks and notes on the table, and in the ambiance, students are going about enjoying their free time.}

Muichiro: So if you solve for x using this formula, you'll get your answer much faster.

Naori: Hmm...(Pouts)

Muichiro: What's wrong, am I too fast?

Naori: No, no, Senpai, it's just that...

(She raises the book and points to it)

Naori: It's just too much Senpai, at this rate, we won't finish the important ones early.

Muichiro: Huh?

Naori: (covers her face) I'm sorry, it's just that I'm not good at solving math questions, no matter how hard I work on them.

(She looks down with a sad expression, Muichiro tries to cheer her up.)

Muichiro: That's not true, looking at these ones, you uh...

(Sees her class works and how she flunks homeworks and tests.)

Muichiro: (oof, this is a tough one)

(He looks at her, she looks at him with big eyes, he looks away.)

Muichiro: (nervously) Why don't we start with something easier, or, is there a topic you like but aren't good with haha?

Naori: Hmm...(She thinks while holding her chest, beams up.) I like the HCF and LCM topics!

Muichiro: Oh? (Tugs his collar nervously). Wow haha! (Holy shit, I'm doomed here. She went back to the basic basics.) well then let's do that, take down this question.

(He gives her some questions and overtime, they have fun solving the problem. Naori smiles as she gets the answers right, Muichiro smiles towards her while seated seemingly enjoying watching her victory.)

Muichiro: (she's cute.)

(Minutes later, the bell rings and students return to their classes for the next class. While the both of them are returning to their class, Naori bumps into Obito lightly on the next turn.)

Naori: Oh! I'm sorry!

Obito: It's okay, Oh Mui kun.

Muichiro: Hey bro, Wassup.

Obito: Not much, heading to the bathroom.

(Looks at Naori.)

Obito: Uh... Is she your girl?

(Naori flinches at the thought.)

Muichiro: Gah! Er, no no haha! She's uh she's a junior I'm tutoring for a while.

(Looks at her)

Muichiro: This is my friend, Obito.

Obito: Hey.

(Naori looks at him for a long while the boys are both getting confused.)

Obito: Uh... Did I scare her, hello? 

(Looks to Muichiro)

Obito: Muichiro Kun(points), your student looks defective.

Muichiro: Haha, she's not an android, she–

Naori: Gah! Woh!! Wah!!?

Both: Huh?

Naori: I'm na– na...(Huh, what's wrong, I can't speak well, my legs are weak, he's staring at me, Eek!)

Obito: Na...

Naori: Na... (Angry) Now I can't do this!!

(She runs off to class, embarrassed.)

Obito: What just happened?

Muichiro: Who knows, though... I think you broke her, bud.

Obito: Get a less defective girl bro.

Muichiro: Shut up.

(End.)

8.3

(On a separate day at school...)

Naori: (wails) senpai, I still can't get this equation right, please help me.

Muichiro: We've been over this equation for a week now and you got it the last time. What's the problem?

Naori: I just can't get the answer right. I've tried using the formulas you taught me but it's still not correct and I got stuck on the last formula.

(Muichiro looks over and sees she completely missed the equation.)

Muichiro: (gulps;what do you do in this situation?) why don't we take a little break? haha.

Obito: (in the distance) Muichiro...

(He enters the clubroom)

Obito: Oh you're here, I need your help on a problem I've got.

Muichiro: (teases)I thought you were a good boy that does his homework.

Obito: (sighs) shut up haha, I had alot to do yesterday, I couldn't do this on time.

Muichiro: Anyway, what's up(looks at his note for the problem, laughs) How do you use the circle formula to solve a logarithm?

Obito: That was Baji's idea(hisses) I knew he was wrong.

(He looks over at Naori.)

Obito: Hi again.

Naori: (shrieks)Eep!

Obito: Huh?(It's just like last time, and the other few times I keep meeting her.) sorry for taking your time while I use your Senpai.

Naori: A-ah! E-ehh... It's o-okay.(Again this is happening, I'm feeling tight in my chest, my body is shaky again like the first time, why do I feel like this when Senpai's friend is here?)

Muichiro: Obi kun, don't scare my student again, she might catch up on your bad antics haha.

Obito: Coming from the father of bad antics. You want me to really expose you, huh?(Smirks grimly)

Muichiro: (nervously) I'm sorry, please spare me.

Obito: Well, more importantly(looks to Naori) I'm sorry miss, have we probably met on the wrong note before? 

Naori: Uhh... Ahh...(I can't frickin' speak!)

(Obito gets closer to her face.)

Obito: (softly stern) Do you probably know me from anywhere miss?

Naori: Ahh!(I don't know anymore!)

(She gets up and decides to run out.)

Naori: I gotta go to the bathroom!

Muichiro: Hold on, we've gotta finish this...

Naori: (in the distance) I'm done for today!!

(Obito and Muichiro remain in the room confused to why she ran out.)

Obito: Why does she keep running when I talk to her? What do you think bro?

Muichiro: (rubs his neck, sighs) I... I really don't know what to tell you.

Muichiro's monologue: (Since that day, Naori didn't come around for lessons frequently. When she walked and saw me and Obi kun, she would run off the opposite way... I never got to know why... Though that wasn't my only unanswered question, cos one day she stopped coming to lessons during break entirely, even when Mrs Usagi persuaded her, she didn't show her face... When she saw me, she would look away and try to leave in a hurry. It began to hurt for some reason but being myself, I put it aside and moved on with my own stuff. With time, we slowly drifted apart... but for some reason, I had moments where i still though about her. Maybe I was being delusional, maybe I overdid it a few times haha... or... maybe I began to see her as more than my Kouhai... and got a bit jealous when she was interested in Obito... I never knew I'd find out sooner than expected.)

{End of flashback.}

(End!)

8.4

{Present day}

(7:50pm, The traffic seems to have pushed on as cars continue on their various journeys and trips, pedestrians are still immersed in the accident that happened minutes ago. Muichiro can be heard coming towards the hospital, the loud screeching of the motorcycle and gearshifts is heard from the distance.)

Security: What is that? (Looks, strains to see.)

(Muichiro is seen racing ahead to the hospital from the horizon, he downshifts gradually as he reaches the parking area, revving the bike before turning it off.)

Tokyo: Excuse me, were here to see the patients of the accident please. 

Security: Sure, you can go inside.

(He opens the door for them, they rush in.)

Muichiro: Thank you.

(They move down the path, while rushing, they bump into the receptionist at her desk. The hospital is a bit packed but very busy in atmosphere due to the accident and other injuries/illnesses of other victims.)

Receptionist: I'm sorry, visitors can't be allowed beyond here for now.

Muichiro: Miss, please, I need to see this person. It's very important.

Receptionist: I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. The doctors are still busy with the patients and it's an order from them, in a few minutes it'll open, please bear with us.

(Tokyo sighs and paces frantically, Muichiro tries to relax, he sits down, looks around and sadly watches Tokyo pacing with emotions across her face.)

Muichiro: Tokyo, why don't you come sit down for a bit?

Tokyo: I don't want to.

Muichiro: You'll wear yourself out by pacing.

Tokyo: I don't care!

(She looks at him teary eyed.)

Tokyo: (sobs) I... I just wanna see Nao-chan.

(Muichiro gets up, calmly walks to Tokyo and hugs her gently. There are seconds of silence for a while.)

Muichiro: (softly) Naori is strong... She has always been strong since I knew her. I know she's alive and I know she'll survive this without problems. I have faith in her and I want you to as well, she's gonna be alright.

Tokyo: (softly hugs him back) Yeah, Naori is strong, she's gonna be okay.(Smiles reassuringly to Muichiro.)

(He leads her to sit on the chair, she sit beside him, holding his hand lightly. A few minutes pass and then 3 nurses begin to come out of an ER wheeling an injured Naori to a ward.)

Nurse 1: She's finally stabilized, I was so scared she won't stop bleeding. 

Nurse 2: Right? She looks this bad(looks at her injured lap, head and left arm) but compared to that other guy...

Nurse 1: Wow, that guy? He broke 5 ribs and his arm in two places, and still has little internal injuries. It's amazing he survived cos that's much worse, he's gonna be here for a while longer.

(They wheel her with a drip attached to a room, crossing paths with Tokyo and Muichiro, Tokyo immediately sees them, abruptly stands up.)

Tokyo: Nao-chan...(Covers her mouth)

(Tears spill over, and her legs threaten to give out. Muichiro instinctively steps closer, placing a steadying hand on her arm. Tokyo turns to him, clutching his sleeve as she breaks down. A nurse sees them, feeling they may know her, she walks to them and makes a request.)

Nurse 3: Pardon me, if you would like to see the patient, you can wait till we get her to her ward... She is stabilized and calm now so when we pass here again, you can go in to see her.

(Tokyo nods)

Muichiro: Thank you nurse.

(The nurses continue with her to her room, a few minutes later, they walk out of the ward. Muichiro and Tokyo go in to see Naori.)

Muichiro: (holds her wrist gently) Hey, I know how you feel now and I understand it's okay to be sad, but for her sake, let's not make her more worried, is that good with you?

Tokyo: (Cleans her tears, stays composed)Okay, I'll do my best.

(Tokyo opens the door to her room, she walks inside)

Tokyo: (silently)Naori chan... 

(She looks at her cleaned wounds, three stitches on her wrist, bandage on her head but covered by her hair, her right thigh deeply lacerated, bruised up knuckles on both hands and a small but deep gash on her right forearm.)

(Naori, seemingly asleep groans softly)

Tokyo: (Why did it have to be you, someone so frail, you didn't do anything wrong. You never hurt anybody, why do you have to suffer without a cause?)

(She holds Naori's hand, looking at the little cuts. She lightly squeezes her palm)

Naori: (groans) Oww...

(She opens her eyes slowly)

Naori: (strains)To...kyo... chan...

Tokyo: Yeah sis, I'm here...

Naori: (smiles)I knew you'd come.

Tokyo: Of course I would come, I'm so sorry this had to happen to you.

Naori: It's not your fault that this happened to me. I expected him to make a move. I just didn't think he was so insane to do something like this.

Tokyo: He's gonna pay(clenches her fist) I swear, he's gonna pay!

Naori: Forget about him for now, I'm so glad you're here to be honest. Did Obito senpai come with you.

Tokyo: No, he didn't, Muichiro senpai drove me here on Obito's bike.

Naori: Mui... Senpai?(Why)

(Suddenly, there is a knock on the door of her ward before Muichiro enters.)

Muichiro: Hello.

(Naori gasps)

Naori: Hi,(why did he come here? and why didn't obi senpai come too?) Muichiro senpai.

Muichiro: Nah haha, don't be too formal, Muichiro is fine by me.

(He reaches over to her, looks at her injuries and grits his teeth painfully, he clenches his fists and chooses to remain calm by taking a deep breath.)

Muichiro: Did the doctor tell you anything when you got here.

Naori: No, not really. Honestly, I don't even know how I got here(holds her head gently.)

Tokyo: Do you remember anything from after the incident?

(Naori looks down)

Naori: I remember we tumbled roughly to the bottom road and then I passed out when I was being wheeled to... I think it was an ambulance. It's really all hazy right now, maybe–

Muichiro: Futaba san(he observes her sharply, points to her hair.) your hair clip, the smaller one, it's gone.

(Naori gasps and tries checking her hair, realizing she can't find it, she stops sadly.)

Naori: That was my mom's favorite one...(grips the sheets)It's fine... I'll get another one when I'm out.(sobs) What did I ever do to deserve this?

(There is silence for a few seconds in the room, Tokyo does her best to put Naori at ease.)

Muichiro: Futaba san, other people outside the both of us are worried about you, would you like to say hello to them?

(Brings out his phone and offers to place a video call.)

Naori: Yeah, I would.

(End.)

8.5

(8:22pm, Muichiro video calls Obito's phone, he picks up, Baji and Asuka close by wanting to interact of see her.)

Muichiro: Yo Obi kun.

Obito: Hey bro, y'all finally called. How is she?

Muichiro: She's fine now( switches the view and gives the phone to Naori.) Why not say hi?

Naori: Senpai, hi(smiles, waves gently to him.)

Obito: Naori...(My God, how could this happen to a person? Why do we choose to be wicked to each other?) are you... Are you okay?

(Clenches his fist, Baji pats his back gently.)

Baji: Naori chan, we're gonna get to the bottom of this, whoever did this is definitely not getting away!

Obito: (silently) I should have been there, if I had been more observant, this wouldn't have happened(grits his teeth) fuck!

Asuka: Okazaki kun, don't beat yourself up, neither of this is your fault nor hers.

(Obito sighs deeply)

Obito: Naori, I'm sorry I couldn't come down to the hospital right away, the traffic jam was heavy... Baji couldn't drive in it.

Naori: It's okay Senpai, I know you would've done something if you could.

Obito: Did the doctors say anything? Were there other people asides you in the car?

(Naori looks sadly)

Naori: (silently) Zen kun. 

(She thinks back to moments ago when Zen said reassured her in the car, switches to the moment she saw Zen unconscious in the front seat after the accident, snaps back and shudders.)

Muichiro: Futaba San... Do you remember anything?

Naori: Yeah, it's just that one of my friends I worked with was also involved in the accident. I just don't know if he's doing okay now... That poor taxi driver(sobs lightly), he just wanted to go home to his family, now they can't see him anymore.

(There is silence from both ends for a few seconds.)

Baji: Naori chan, personally, I don't know you that well but, you're a friend to my best friend here and also my cousin, she seems to care alot about you and as my person, I can't seem to let this slide because all of us are affected to be honest. My name is Baji Himejima, if you'd like me to help you, then you can please let me know what you want.

Naori: Thank you Himejima san. I appreciate your concern alot.

Tokyo: So Naori, would you want him to help? 

Naori: (grips the sheets) Yes, please. I underestimated Glen and I underestimated what he could do, he tried to kill me, he hurt my friend and killed someone else...

(Clenches her fights lightly.)

Naori: I want revenge, please. I want to get back at him... I don't care anymore. I'm so worried about the death of the driver. If I didn't enter his taxi, non of these would've happened... So please, I want to get revenge on Glen for the lives he pushed into sorrow and pain.

(She sobs gently with Tokyo comforting her, Obito, Asuka and Baji look at her from the other side of the phone.)

Obito: You got it.

Naori: Huh?

Obito: We're gonna get back at Glen, right Baji?

Baji: Fuck yeah! You don't do things like this, at all. Mui kun, you good on it?

Muichiro: (smirks)Do you need to ask? If you weren't gonna help her, I fucking would've done it myself.

(Naori unconsciously looks at him for a while when suddenly, there is a knock on the door of the ward, the nurse in charge peeks in politely.)

Nurse: I'm sorry, but I have to tell you now that visiting hours will be over in ten minutes. Please use this time to round up, thank you.

(She closes the door and there's some silence for a few seconds.)

Obito: We'll come down over in the morning to see you and find out more, are you sure you're doing okay for the night? 

Naori: Yeah... I'll be fine through the night, thank you guys so much for calling in. 

(They wave goodnight at her and Muichiro ends the video chat session.)

Naori: (Senpai... Who is that girl with you?

Is she the one you're going to be with? Does Senpai not like me anymore... Or rather, was I expecting him to like me because I liked him?)

(End!)

8.6

Muichiro: I guess I should head out first now, (stands up) I'll be waiting outside for you Tokyo chan. 

Tokyo: Okay, I won't be long. 

Muichiro: (looks to Naori, smiles) Futaba san, I'll see you tomorrow morning, please try to get some rest for now.

Naori: Okay Sasaki kun, thank you for coming.

(Muichiro heads outside the room, he slowly paces past the reception and out of the hospital towards the parking lot. Outside, the night air is cool, and the faint hum of the city continues in the background. He walks toward the bike, pausing as he leans against it.)

(Muichiro inhales/exhales deeply and then lowers his head, his hands gripping the bike handles tightly. His knuckles turn white as his body trembles, the facade of calm cracking under the strain. Slowly, tears begin to fall. He doesn’t make a sound, just silent, uncontrollable sobbing as the night hides his grief.)

Muichiro: (whispers to himself, voice breaking) Naori... why does it have to be you?

(He tilts his head back, staring at the sky as if searching for answers. The moonlight reflects off his tear-streaked face. Two minutes later, Muichiro stands by the bike, the cool air brushing against his face. He’s more composed, though his eyes are slightly red, a faint trace of his earlier tears lingering. As he exhales slowly, the soft sound of footsteps behind him makes him turn.)

Tokyo: (hesitantly) Muichiro senpai...

(He straightens, his usual calm demeanor slipping back into place.)

Muichiro: (quietly) Everything okay?

(Tokyo steps closer, her gaze searching his face. There’s softness in her eyes, an unspoken understanding.)

Tokyo: I should be asking you that.

(Muichiro doesn’t respond, his eyes flickering away for a moment. Tokyo smiles faintly and moves closer, standing on her toes to press a gentle peck on his cheek. Muichiro freezes, his eyes widening in surprise as she steps back, looking at him with a warm, genuine expression.)

Tokyo: You’re so sweet, Senpai. To go this far for Naori... she’s lucky to have someone like you.

(Muichiro’s lips part as if to respond, but no words come out. He glances away, a faint flush rising to his cheeks.)

Muichiro: (softly) I’m just doing what anyone would.

Tokyo: (shaking her head) No, not everyone would. Not like you.

(She places a hand lightly on his arm, giving it a small squeeze.)

Tokyo: Thank you... for being there for her... and for me.

(Muichiro’s gaze softens, and he nods, his voice steady but sincere.)

Muichiro: Always.

(Tokyo smiles at him one more time before stepping back.)

Tokyo: We should go home now.

(Muichiro nods, his calm exterior fully restored. He helps Tokyo onto the bike and climbs on too, starts it and they move off towards their dormitory area around the campus. As they head back together, a faint smile lingers on his lips, though his thoughts remain with Naori.)

(End!)