Kimagure Orange Road - Double Trouble Double Date!
Here it is in all it's glory... :-) :-) :-) (right..:-))
Kimagure Orange Road - Double Trouble Double Date!
[Writer's foreward: This story was inspired by an Anime Champions Campaign that our group plays. Each of us plays an "anime archetype", but we're not suppose to play actual "main characters". This was intended to allow the GM to utilize the various anime characters in a variety of settings. However, it left me with an interesting dilemma; the character I chose to play was Ayukawa Madoka from Kimagure Orage Road. At first, I just renamed my character Usami Kyoko. However, I had watched the anime and read the manga to get a better feel on how to play the character. As a result, many of the players, for the sake of name recognition, were still calling my character "Madoka of the Northstar" (the fighting style I chose to emulate).
Therefore, I decided to come up with a reason my character and Ayukawa were so similar. The requirements I had to fulfill were to introduce my character to the KOR universe and not to disrupt the continuity of KOR. The idea I came up with is the idea in the story below: twin sisters.
Well, why not? If Komatsu-san can have a one-episode, never- to-be-seen-again brother (the lecherous guy who tried to have his way with Kurumi-chan in one TV episode), then why not Ayukawa. Very little is actually known about her past, which is revealed piece-by-piece during the TV series. Even less is known about her family (except that they're "world-class musicians"). The premise that I used is that they were separated at birth. The who's and why's aren't known at this point, nor are they actually relevant to this particular plot. That's for a future story.
Although I have written some short stories before, this is my first attempt at an anime story, as well as my first attempt at a "script format", so in the words of Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman, "Be gentle, it's my first time...". Comments, suggestions, compliments and flames please mail to acombs@ccwf.utexas.edu].
[Open with Kyosuke in a spinning, disorienting background.] Kyosuke: Ayukawa...!
[Coming from his left] Ayukawa: I don't like guys that jerk me around! If you didn't want to go out with me, then just say so!
Kyosuke: No! It's not like that at all! I...
[Coming from his right] Hikaru: [with tears welling in her eyes] ...I can't believe Darling would do this to me...!
Kyosuke: It's not what it looks like! There's a simple explaination for why this hap...!
[Coming from the opposite direction, but fading away fast] Ayukawa: You are the most wishy-washy [indecisive] guy I've met. And I hate guys who can't make up their minds!
Kyosuke: Ayukawa! [Reaches forward to stop her from leaving and grabs...Jingaro.]
Jingaro: MEEOOW! [Understandably upset at being manhandled, Jingaro leaves his trademark criss-cross scratches on Kyosuke's nose.]
Kyosuke: [Sits up on his bed, rubs his bleeding nose and throws Jingaro across the room.] Oww! Damn cat! [He sits back and looks somewhat relieved.] Jeez, what a nightmare. Good thing it was only a dream. [Pause for a few seconds, then he suddenly sits up straight as his eyes widen.] Oh no! What if it was a foresight dream?
[Cut to slow pan outside of Kasuga's house.]
Kyosuke Narration: Today was the day for the summer festival. I was planning on going to the festival with Hikaru, since she asked me first. But if that was a foresight dream...
[Cut to inside Kyosuke's room, where we see him fully dressed except for his shoes, sitting on his bed, with a pensive look on his face.]
[Picking up from narration] Kyosuke: [to himself in thought] ...then I must have run into Ayukawa at the festival. Knowing myself, I probably tried to spend the day with her, and got caught. [Lays back on his bed as he tries to decide what do] Sigh...Just like always, my wishy-washy nature is going to get me into trouble! [Sits up abruptly, with as determined a look on his face as he can muster. He clenches right fist and smacks it into his left palm.] Alright then! I'll make up my mind right now! [pauses and winces as he shakes his right fist open] I'll go with...
[Cut to outside street about a few blocks away from the school. We see Usami walking on the sidewalk, parallel to the fence. She pauses and looks at the school, but before she says anything, Kyosuke comes running around the corner and sees her.]
Kyosuke: Pant...! Pant...! Thank goodness I caught you! I just wanted to invite you to come with me to the festival!
[Writer's note: Remember, Usami looks and sounds like Ayukawa.]
Usami: Surely you've got plans to go with someone else? The festival opens in about an hour.
Kyosuke: Sure...I mean no! I mean...not really! I mean not anymore...!
Usami: [eyes narrow] Kasuga Kyosuke...?
Kyosuke: [leans forward in hopeful anticipation] Yes...?
Usami: [relaxes a bit] I was going with someone else but...
Kyosuke: [leans forward even more] Yes...?
Usami: Sure, I'll go with you!
Kyosuke: [Jumps up and down] Ya-tah!!
Usami: I'll have to tell my other party that I've changed my mind. Meet me at the festival front gate in an hour.
Kyosuke: Sure. [Runs off happy as a clam]
[Cut to ABCB. Kyosuke is in the phone booth with a paper napkin wrapped around the speaking mike.] Kyosuke: ...and so I can't go today. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow and we can do something then.
Hikaru's voice [from phone]: Poor darling! Are you sure you don't want me to come over?
Kyosuke: [Almost panics and drops phone] No! I mean...it wouldn't do any good if you caught my cough too. Then we couldn't go anywhere for at least a few days!
Hikaru's voice: Oh, of course! Darling is so smart! Then I'll go to the festival and catch a fish for Darling! Bye-bye!
Kyosuke: No wait!
Hikaru's voice: <click>
Kyosuke: Shoot! Now I've got to watch out for her too!
Ayukawa: Watch out for who?
[Turns around and see Ayukawa, apparently working the early weekend shift, is standing outside the phone booth. Kyosuke almost panics again and jumps to the back of the phone booth.]
Ayukawa: What was all that about? Who were you talking to?
Kyosuke [Noticably relieved that Ayukawa didn't guess the other person on the line and puts hand behind his head and laughs.] Nothing.
Ayukawa: Say, you want to go to the festival with me? My other party just called and cancelled out and I've got an extra ticket.
Kyosuke: [Somewhat surprised, but puts it behind him] Uhhh...sure. So it was OK with them?
Ayukawa: Who?
Kyosuke: The other party?
Ayukawa: Oh sure. She just called and told me that she was going with someone else instead.
Kyosuke: Who?
Ayukawa: Oh, just a family friend. [Starts pulling off her apron] I need to go home to change. Meet me at the front gate in half-an-hour.
Kyosuke: Right. [Runs off happy as a clam again]
[Writer's note: That's right, it took Kyosuke half-an-hour to walk to ABCB and make that phone call.]
[Cut to the festival front ticket gate. There's a lot of activity as people line up for tickets. Kyosuke is sitting on a bench looking periodically at his watch. He looks up and almost panics as he sees...]
Kyosuke: Hikaru-chan! [He desperately scrambles under the bench and looks again to see if she saw him. Much to his dismay, he sees Yusaku with her.]
Yusaku: It's so crowded! Couldn't we have come tomorrow? There would have been less people!
Hikaru: Quiet! I wouldn't even ask you if poor Darling [with usual doleful look in her eyes :-)] didn't get sick so not another word!
Yusaku: [Almost but not quite to himself] Do I have to listen to thi-?
[Cut to Yusaku's face imbedded on the bench where Kyosuke is hiding, almost making him give himself away. Hikaru is striking a pose with her fist extended towards Yusaku's general direction.]
Hikaru: That's a word.
Yusaku: Uuhh...hai.
[Cut to Usami waiting by the ticket booth. She seems to be scanning the crowd, looking for Kyosuke. Recognition hits her face as she sees him muttering to himself, coming towards her general direction.]
Usami: There you are, Kyosuke.
Kyosuke: Yup. Are you ready?
Usami: Sure. You got tickets?
Kyosuke: Tickets? I thought you already got tickets?
Usami: No. You must be thinking of someone else.
[Writer's note: Naturally, someone who's thinking clearly would begin to suspect something was wrong at this point. But we are talking about Kasuga Kyosuke. :-)]
Kyosuke: No problem then. I'll get the tickets.
Usami: I'll wait over by the gate.
[Kyosuke gets in line and buys two tickets. He turns around and starts towards to the gate, but bumps into Ayukawa almost immediately.]
Kyosuke: Hey, I thought you were going to wait by the gate.
[Writer's note: By cruel twist of fate, as in so many KOR episodes, both girls are wearing exactly the same outfit. :-)]
Ayukawa: I didn't say that. [Hands him a ticket] Here's your ticket.
Kyosuke: Wait a minute. I just bought two tickets!
Ayukawa: Baka! I told you I already had two tickets!
Kyosuke: But you just said...
Ayukawa: [Cutting him off] Never mind. I'll meet you inside. Try to scalp those so you don't waste your money.
[Ayukawa leaves to enter the park, leaving Kyosuke standing there holding three tickets with his usual look of disbelief on his face. Aimlessly, he starts wandering towards the gate, thinking how to get rid of the extra tickets, when suddenly, Usami steps forward and snatches one.]
Usami: Thanks! What took so long?
Kyosuke: Eh? I thought you already had a ticket?
Usami: Baka! I just told you that I didn't!
Kyosuke: But you just said...
Usami: [Cutting him off] Never mind. Let's go inside. [She drags Kyosuke inside, while Kyosuke is trying to ponder this one.]
[Cut to inside the park. Kyosuke and Usami are admiring the myriad sights, sounds and smells typical of a summer festival carnival. All around them are people on rides, participating in games of skill and chance, and sampling a variety of foods.]
Kyosuke: The festival's a lot bigger this year.
Usami: Sure is. Meet me at the first ride over there [points at the Rotating Cup ride]. I'm going to get a souvenir map. After all, I've never been to festival like this before.
Kyosuke: Wait a minute. What about last ye...[Cuts himself off when he realizes that she's already out of earshot.] Oh well [to himself]. I guess she means that the fair's a lot bigger this year.
[He turns around and starts towards the Rotating Cup ride and suddenly runs into Ayukawa.]
Kyosuke: Ayukawa. [Sees that she has a souvenir map] Back so soon?
Ayukawa: What are you talking about? Why did you take so long to get through the gate? [Shrugs] Oh well, don't worry about it. Where do you want to go first?
Kyosuke: I thought you wanted to go to the Rotating Cup ride.
Ayukawa: That's fine. Let's go.
[Writer's note: My interpretation of a "Rotating Cup ride" is as follows: A main circular, spinning platform, with four, smaller circular platforms, each holding four "cups". The "cups" themselves also spin. In short, a hi-speed, dizzying and disorienting ride]
Kyosuke: AAAAAYYYHHHHHHH!!!!
Ayukawa: YYAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! Kasuga-kun, you're not taking it so well!
[Ride stops and Kyosuke staggers off. Ayukawa doesn't seem to have that much problem.]
Kyosuke: I...think I'm gonna be sick...!
Ayukawa: Just sit down on that bench [Points to where the Rotating Cup ride line starts]. I'll go get a glass of water. [Leaves]
Kyosuke: Sure... [Sits down and regains his breath. Thinks to himself...] I hate rides like that. But at least I don't have to go ag... [Jaw drops as he see Usami standing in line to the ride again. He walks up and asks her...] What's going on? What are you doing here?
Usami: [looks at him with a funny look] I said to meet me here! You're just in time!
Kyosuke: B-b-ut... [Kyosuke is helplessly dragged on the ride again.] AAAAAYYYHHHHHHH!!!!
Usami: YYAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! Kyosuke, you're not taking it so well!
[Ride stops again and this time, Kyosuke falls out of the cup. Ayukawa still doesn't seem to have any much problems.]
Kyosuke: This time...I am gonna be sick...!
Usami: Just sit down on that bench [Points to the snack bar]. I'll go get a couple drinks. [Leaves]
[Usami walks to the snack bar and gets in line. Kyosuke has his head down on the table with his arms around his face, as he tries to regain his balance. He is interrupted by Ayukawa, who taps him on his shoulder and hands him a cup of water.]
Ayukawa: You're really not taking it well, are you Kasuga-kun? I couldn't find you by the bench, then I saw you here.
Kyosuke: Ayukawa...?
Ayukawa: When you're ready, join me over by that booth. I'm going to try to catch some fish!
Kyosuke: Uh...hai [He quaffs the water and puts his head back in his arms again. He is interrupted again by another tap on the shoulder. He looks up and sees Usami offering him a soda.]
Usami: Here, drink this.
Kyosuke: Ehh? Back so soon? [Usami looks at him with a inquisitive look that says, "Still don't know what you're talking about".] I thought you wanted to go catch some goldfish.
Usami: [Perks up a little.] Good idea! Let's go! [Kyosuke stands up and starts towards the fish-catching booth with Usami, then suddenly freezes.]
Kyosuke: Oh shoot! Hikaru-chan!
COMMERCIAL BREAK
[Kyosuke grabs Usami's hand and runs around the corner. He flattens against the booth and peeks around the corner. Usami, now thoroughly confused, is next to Kyosuke.]
Usami: Who are we hiding from?
Kyosuke: Ssshhh! [To himself] Oh please don't let her see me!
[Cut to goldfish booth. We see Hikaru and Yusaku standing in line. Hikaru is fast-walking towards the snack-bar Kyosuke was sitting at, with Yusaku running behind her.]
Yusaku: Where are you going? The booth is over here!
Hikaru: I'm sure I saw Darling over here! [Pauses and reconsiders] At least I thought I did...
Yusaku: HE'S SICK AT HOME!
Hikaru: BUT I KNOW I SAW HIM!
[Scene freeze. Yusaku and Hikaru suddenly look around and realize that they are making a scene. Hikaru's and Yusaku's noses go red.]
Hikaru: I guess...maybe I was just seeing things...
[As Hikaru and Yusaku are leaving the Goldfish booth, Ayukawa is stepping forward in line and starts fishing.] [Meanwhile, behind the booth where Kyosuke and Usami are hiding...]
Kyosuke: Whew! Looks like she's leaving.
Usami: Oh shoot! You dragged me away so fast I left my stuff at the snack bar.
Kyosuke: Well, let's go back and find it.
Usami: No, it's OK. I'll find it. Go ahead and get in line at the goldfish booth.
Kyosuke: OK.
[Kyosuke goes towards the goldfish booth and gets in line. He looks in the front of the line and, much to his surprise, he sees Ayukawa. He notices that she's already caught a fish and is working on her second.]
Kyosuke: Wow! How'd you get here so fast?
Ayukawa: Eh? Kasuga-kun. I've been waiting for you here for quite a while. [Hands the bagged fish to Kyosuke.] Let's go ride the ferris wheel.
Kyosuke: Uh...sure. [Both leave; just as Usami is coming around the corner with her stuff from the snack bar.]
Usami: [Looking around. Kyosuke is no where to be seen.] Where'd he go?
[Cut to the ferris wheel. We see Kyosuke and Ayukawa on one of the buckets of the ferris wheel. As the wheel loads, it stops periodically and leaves them waiting near the top of the wheel. The view is breathtaking and, being on a gentler ride, Kyosuke has put the earlier confusion behind him. He's sitting on the top of the ferris wheel with his girlfriend; the classic scene of a young couple in love. Then he ruins it when he sees who's sitting in the bucket in front of him...:-)]
Kyosuke: [Ducks down inside the bucket in near panic.] Oh shoot! Hikaru-chan!
[Writer's note: Note that the bucket with Hikaru is in front of Kyosuke while they're on the top of the wheel, so he's safe temporarily. However, a little visualization will inform the viewer that, when the wheel rotates to the bottom half of the turn, the relative positions will be reversed.]
[Kyosuke reaches up and grabs Ayukawa and pulls her down so Hikaru-chan won't see her and put two and two together. Unfortunately, from the angle he's pulling from, the only handhold on her outfit is her neckline. :-)]
Ayukawa: ...
Kyosuke: [Looks at Ayukawa and sees where his hands and fingers are reaching. His nose goes red and he withdraws his hand.] S-sorry...
[Ferris wheel comes to a stop to load the last bucket. Kyosuke's bucket is accessable to the ground, thanks to the extended loading ramp; a convenience Ayukawa quickly takes advantage of by jumping off and storming down the exit ramp.]
Kyosuke: Ayukawa! [Almost jumps off with her, when he suddenly remembers who's in the bucket that's now right behind him.]
Hikaru: Heey! That was Darling! [Jumps off the bucket, leaving Yusaku flailing helplessly at empty air trying to stop her. She walks toward Kyosuke's bucket, a fact he's frightfully aware of.]
Kyosuke: Oh shoot! Gotta use my power! [Concentrates and teleports away just before Hikaru can see inside the bucket.]
Hikaru: Ehh? Empty? [Look of disappointment on her face as she scratches her head.] I'm sure I saw him. I even heard him!
Yusaku: DO WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AG-!
[Cut to Yusaku imbedded in the back of the ferris wheel bucket. Hikaru is again striking a pose with her fist.]
Hikaru: I know what I saw and I'm gonna find him! [Storms off the ferris wheel exit ramp, leaving the attendant with a look of disbelief. Yusaku's face is visible as a typical battered anime face.]
Yusaku: H-hi-ka-ru-chan...[Another tooth falls out as he says it, just for effect...:-)]
[Cut to empty wall behind a booth. With appropriate sound effects, we see Kyosuke appear out of nowhere. He looks left and right and shows relief that no one saw him. He looks forward and...]
Kyosuke: [to himself] Now I've got to find Ayukawa and straighten this whole thing out. If this keeps up, my foresight dream might very well come tr...AAYYHH! [Looks to the left and suddenly sees Usami standing in front of him, holding two goldfish in a bag. Her arms are crossed and she doesn't look pleased. His eyes squeeze shut, his head ducks down and his arms fly up to protect his face from the anticipated, dreaded, "triple-take slap". When it doesn't come, he tentatively opens one eye and observes Usami's response. The angry look is replaced by a look of confusion.] A-ayu...?
Usami: [face goes back to angry] Where were you? I waited by the goldfish booth for half-an-hour and you weren't anywhere to be found!
Kyosuke: What do you mean? We were on the fer- [Cuts himself off, as he decides that he would rather not mention what came next.] [Eyes downcast] Sorry about that.
[Writer's note: He's referring to grabbing her chest.]
Usami: [face softens] That's alright, forget it. Let's go.
[Writer's note: She's referring to standing her up at the goldfish booth.]
Kyosuke: [surprise that he's being let off so easily] Uh...sure. Where to?
Usami: [smiles wickedly and points. He's not getting off *that* easy.] There...
[Writer's note: Picture the largest, tallest, wooden roller- coaster you've ever seen. You know the one with the twin-loop corkscrew that can be seen from five or more miles down the road...:-)]
Kyosuke: [Head slowly tilts up] Aaaahhhhh...
[Cut to concession stand near the middle of the festival. Ayukawa is sitting alone at a table with a drink in front of her. She looks depressed; this was not how she envisioned the day turning out. She takes another sip and suddenly hears a familiar voice...]
Hikaru: Madoka-san!
Ayukawa: [Turns around] Hikaru!
Hikaru: Ha! Thought that was you! Have you seen Darling?
Ayukawa: [Face darkens] Well...yes.
Hikaru: Ya-tah, I knew it! [Face suddenly turns serious.] But he told me he was sick...
Ayukawa: [Realization gradually creeps on her face, as she puts two-and-two together.] I see...
Hikaru: I gotta find him! [Just then, Yusaku comes staggering in...] See? Madoka-san said she saw him too!
Yusaku: [Face turns angry] Then don't you see? He was lying about being sick! He doesn't really want you!
Hikaru: But...[Face turning sad]
Yusaku: Can you think of any other reason he would have told you he was sick?
Hikaru: [Tears welling in her eyes] Well...
Ayukawa: [To Hikaru] Don't jump to conclusions yet! Let's find him and hear what he has to say!
Hikaru: [Tearfully] Hai...
[Cut to the Tsunami Roller Coaster. Kyosuke is sweating as the restraints are being latched down and the seat belts are buckled. His eyes pop open with fear as the attendant's voice cries, "Stand Clear!". The train coasts down a gentle slope and starts up that big, first hill. The "rat-tat-tat" of the chain does nothing to calm Kyosuke down.]
Kyosuke: Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...
Usami: Nonsense! Don't be such a wimp!
[At the top of the hill, the first *steep* drop is now visible.]
Kyosuke: AAAAYYYYYYHHHHHH!!!!
[Cut to the game booths. Hikaru and Yusaku are standing in front of the "Knock the Bottles off with the Ball" game as they look for Kyosuke. It is apparent that Ayukawa has split off and is looking in another direction.]
Hikaru: I don't see him anywhere!
Yusaku: [To Hikaru with a determined look on his face.] Then we must keep looking for him!
Hikaru: [Pleasantly surprised by Yusaku's determination.] Hai!
Yusaku: [To himself, with an even more determined look on his face.] ...And when we do...[Slams his right fist into his left palm.]
[Cut to just outside the Tsaunami Roller Coaster. Ayukawa is standing by a snack vendor across the sidewalk where riders queue up to ride the roller-coaster. She looks less than pleased that her day has gone to hell...]
Ayukawa: [To herself in thought.] Now I have to look for that jerk! Where could he have gone...eh? [Looks up and thinks she hears his voice. After all, right now he screaming louder than anyone else...:-)]
[Cut to the Tsaunami Roller Coaster. The ride is finishing up with it's finale double-loop corkscrew. As the air brakes kick in, Kyosuke's face is a shade slightly off-color. Usami looks happy; having gotten some small form of payback. As she walks, and he stumbles down the exit ramp, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a large bag of peanuts. She hands them to Kyosuke.]
Usami: Here, eat these. You'll feel better. I'm going to the washroom, so I'll be right back.
[Kyosuke sits down by the entrance line and swallows the peanuts. Just as he gulps the last one down, he looks up and see Ayukawa, with a *very* angry look on her face.]
Kyosuke: A-ayukawa...?
Ayukawa: I don't like guys that jerk me around! If you didn't want to go out with me, then just say so!
Kyosuke: No! It's not like that at all! I...[Freezes when he remembers where *that* line came from. He recovers to see Ayukawa standing in line for the Tsunami Roller Coaster. He scampers back in line, his fear of losing her momentarily overcoming his fear of exciting rides.] I want to be with you!
Ayukawa: What's going on with Hikaru? Why did you tell her that you were sick?
Kyosuke: [to himself] Because I'm gonna be after riding this thing again...
[Cut to outside the Tsunami Roller Coaster. Usami is just coming out of the washroom and sees that Kyosuke is no where in sight...again.]
Usami: Damn him! Well, I'm not gonna waste any more of my time waiting for him. [Gets back in line for the Tsunami Roller Coaster.] If he's not back when I get off, then to hell with him!
[Cut to entrance ramp of Tsunami Roller Coaster. Kyosuke is sweating with fear again, and this time, his stomach is churning with the peanuts he just ate. Ayukawa is silent; she has very little to say to Kyosuke at this time. Meanwhile, Usami is also getting on one of the front cars. She too has very little to say. As the train rolls out of the gate again, Kyosuke is again starting to have second thoughts...]
Kyosuke: [Almost to himself] Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...
Ayukawa: Well, if you're gonna be such a wimp, you shouldn't have come!
Kyosuke: [As the first drop comes to view again...] AAAAYYYYYYHHHHHH!!!!
[As Kyosuke's voice again dominates the noise of the train, Usami takes notice. She turns around and sees him sitting in the seat five cars behind her. However, because of the train's movement, passenger restraints, and a few conveniently tall passengers, she can't see who he with...]
Usami: Son-of-a...! What's he doing here? [She knows by now that's it's highly unlikely he would be here on his own accord.] Damn! I can't see who he's with! [Turns back around and faces forward with a determined, angry look on her face.] But I'm gonna find out!
[Cut to the roller-coaster station. The train has just pulled into the station and the passengers are getting off. Kyosuke runs off the ramp in haste. His stomach is telling him that he's got to go somewhere fast. Ayukawa follows him off; curiosity, coupled with genuine concern motivating her. Meanwhile, because of this rapid departure, Usami is unable to see who Kyosuke was with on the train.]
Ayukawa: Wait up! Where are you going so fast?
[Kyosuke runs down the ramp and towards the washroom. Unfortunately, someone(s) see him first...]
Kyosuke: <Gulp>...!
Yusaku: There you are! Even when you're not around, you ruin the whole day! [Cracks his knuckles] Have you anything to say about lying to Hikaru-chan!
Kyosuke: [To Hikaru] Wait just a minute! I wanted to go with you...
[Just then Ayukawa comes into view from the exit ramp, weakening his case immensely...:-) Hikaru's lips is trembling, her eyes are welling with tears and her fists are just below her eyes]
Hikaru: ...I can't believe Darling would do this to me...!
Kyosuke: It's not what it looks like! There's a simple explaination for why this hap...!
[Just then, the strain of the rides, the peanuts, the day's events and Kyosuke's natural nervousness come slamming together. He pitches forward and empties half-digested peanuts on the pavement. Hikaru stops crying, and Ayukawa's previously angry face softens. Even Yusaku unclenches his fist; after all, you can get only so mad at a guy pitching his lunch on the pavement...]
Hikaru: He...he really is sick...
Yusaku: I guess so. [Face goes back to angry] But then why did he come?
Kyosuke: [Coughs out the last of the peanuts] Like I said, I wanted to be with you. I later thought that I didn't feel so bad, so I tried to...
Hikaru: [Back to usual beaming self] You did want to see me! Even though you weren't feeling so good, you came anyway! [Turns to face Yusaku] There! See?
[Writer's note: Naturally, Ayukawa could contradict this somewhat biased interpretation of the day's events, but chooses not to. As she has done before, it's more for Hikaru's sake than Kyosuke's.]
Yusaku: [Still not satisfied] Then where were you? If you wanted to see her, why did you spend all day with Madoka-san?
Ayukawa: [Shakes head] He has not! He's been gone half the time we've been here. I thought he was with you.
Hikaru: [Shakes head] No. [Turns to face Kyosuke, and with usual sweet, pleading voice...] You were just with Madoka-san, because you thought she was going with me, weren't you?
Yusaku: Then if you weren't with Madoka-san, then WHO HAVE YOU BEEN WITH ALL THIS TIME?
[Right on cue, Usami is storming around the corner. She is walking into the scene with Kyosuke facing her, but the others with their backs turned. Seeing him first, she storms up to him and says...]
Usami: You are the most wishy-washy guy I've met. And I hate guys who can't make up their min...!
[She turns around to see who he's been talking to and...scene freeze.
Hikaru's and Yusuka's jaws are slack. Kyosuke looks white as a sheet. He is stammering meaningless sounds and pointing back and forth]
Ayukawa: ...
Usami: Madoka-san...
Ayukawa: Kyoko-san...
Both in unison: What are you doing here?!?
[Kyosuke faints]
COMMERCIAL BREAK
[Cut to ABCB. It's late evening and the sounds of conversation are coming from inside.] [Cut to inside as we see the entire group looking in silent disbelief. Ayukawa and Usami are both behind the server's booth, now wearing different outfits. Both are smiling, since the secret is now out. The silence is cut by...]
Hikaru: Ehh? Twins?
Usami: That's right. We were separated at birth, but Ayukawa's parents are my blood parents.
Kyosuke: But why didn't you tell us this sooner?
Ayukawa: I didn't find out myself until a few weeks ago, when I got a letter and a photo from Kyoko-san. She said that she would like to visit and talk. I wrote back and suggested that we go to the festival together.
Usami: But then, I ran into Kyosuke on my way to her house. After I realized who he was, I decided to try to get to know him, so I could find out a little about Madoka-san from someone who knew her better.
Ayukawa: So she called me and asked to postpone our meeting until later this evening. She must have called just before you [to Kyosuke] were coming into ABCB. I guess we had a breakdown in communication.
Kyosuke: [to Usami] But how did you know who I was if you never met me before?
Usami: [smiles broadly]: Easy. Ayukawa told me a little about you and sent me a photo. When I first saw you, it became apparent right after you opened your mouth.
Kyosuke: [stews silently]...
Hikaru: [Hugs Kyosuke vigorously, much to his embarrassment.] No wonder poor Darling was so confused! I knew I should have trusted you and not listened to Yusaku!
[Cut to outside patio of ABCB. It's about a couple hours later. Kyosuke is sitting outside, apparently waiting for Ayukawa to finish closing. He take a deep breath in relief that the day is over and that all is resolved.]
Kyosuke: [to himself] Well, even though the day wasn't exactly how I planned, I did make my decision to go with Ayukawa. To be fair [since he didn't know Usami Kyoko at the time], I did pretty well. [Eyes light up with a determined look on his face.] From now on, I'll be able to make my own decisions!
Usami: Say, Kyosuke.
Kyosuke: Eh? [Looks and sees Usami is right in front of him. Ayukawa is right behind her, locking the front door and coming down the steps.]
Usami: We just wanted to asked you a question about today. [Looks at Ayukawa, who nods and smiles. To the viewer, it is apparent that both have worked this question out in advance.]
Ayukawa: Kasuga-kun, if you had to make a choice...
[Both lean forward into Kyosuke's face and...] Both in unison: ...Who did you like being with better?
Kyosuke: AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!
[Slowly pull back from the frozen scene. In the black background, the viewer sees a photo of another event that summer with Kyosuke, Ayukawa and Usami (girls wearing different outfits).]
Kyosuke Narration: Usami returned to Tokushima at the end of the summer, promising to write and keep in touch. It was a summer I'll never forget--the summer that I got to spend with two Ayukawas. But, even though I couldn't tell the difference the first time we met, I think that I have begun to realize the subtle cues that I pick up from both girls. If I had to make the choice again, I would have chosen...uhmmm]
END CREDITS
