4.1
{7:30am, the scene returns to the current day at one of the dormitories in another district, its a Wednesday morning and students are seen round the dormitories with morning greetings and conversations. The scene focuses on a room number 13 down ahead.}
(Inside the room, an alarm rings, a male hand stops it wearily.)
Boy: Oof...
(Stretches his hands upwards, exhales.)
Boy: Yosh!! (stands up, energetic).
{Lively guitar Ost plays.}
(He moves happily about his room, snaps fingers, goes into the bathroom, snaps fingers, gargles mouthwash loudly, snaps fingers, comes out of the bathroom in a funny pose, snaps fingers, casually dresses effortlessly but nicely, styles his hair, slides to the mirror and winks at the mirror confidently.)
Baji's Monologue: (My name is Himejima Baji, I'm the guy who somehow makes friends without trying, well that's cos i love to laugh myself haha. I'm a cinematography student at this beautiful school, im in my 2nd year here and it has been awesome, why you ask? Well thats cos I'm goddamn Himejima Baji!)
(Laughs confidently.)
{Ost ends.}
(Baji preparing to leave for school, checks his phone and sees a message.)
Sender: Yo Baji, Help!! She's trying to kill me!!
(He opens the picture attached and sees Minori playfully strangling his friend, Renji at school, laughs at the picture, replies...)
Baji: Keep her down bro, I'll be the-
(Renji calls.)
Baji: (gulp, quietly) Hello?
Renji(over the phone): I'm sorry bro.
Baji: Heh...
Girl on phone: (yells)Why are you so late, you bighead?! Heck you said you'd pick me up this morning!
Baji: (chuckles nervously) ahaha, well i uh—
Minori: And as for you, Renji!
Renji: Huh?!
Minori: You always let him stay over at your place too long.
Renji: Ha! How is this on me!?
Minori: Whenever he goes, it game this and game that with you two, then it gets so long till he usually has to leave late!
Renji: (confused) How is that my fault!?
(Baji laughs gently.)
Baji: Im sorry Minori, I'll be over there soon.
Minori: It's okay, oh! please can you bring me some cream coffee when coming?
Baji: Sure, no problem.
Minori: Thank you baby.
Renji: Get me one too bro, and some ice for my neck, how is she so small and strong?
Minori: The hell are you calling small?
(Renji hangs up.)
Baji: (laughs) dude cut the call so he won't hear me deny his request, well it's just coffee, no big deal.
(He picks his car keys and leaves the room, locking the door behind.)
(Baji walks slowly in thought from his room across the other rooms, turns left downstairs and heads to the students car park.)
Baji's monologue: I've known Obito for a long time and lived beside him for even longer.(laughs to himself) Dumbass didn't know he moved to my neighborhood but neither did i till middle school days. To be honest, i liked his vibe when i first saw him in first grade. He was the type to bring people together with adventurous wacky stories. When he suddenly changed in second grade, i had already connected with his sister... i wanted to talk to him. I felt bad for both siblings and really didn't want to see a form of rift because of Obito's silence towards his sister. Im no hero by any means but i couldn't just let my friends' brother remain that way, i won't allow it while i still stand.)
(He reaches his car, a Bmw M4 "16 and unlocks it, the scene is busy with students walking and transport commute, he gets in, starts the engine, the engine growls, he snickers and checks his mirrors as he reverses.)
Baji: Let's have some more fun today!
(He revs the engine twice and drives off to the horizon before turning left and disappearing from the scene.)
(End.)
4.2
{The scene opens up with Baji driving down to his faculty, he takes a right opposite the faculty and drives off to the nearest café.}
Baji: (looks around slowly.)Uhh.... Café... I swear i used to see one around here
(He slowly drives along the road and spots the starbucks café).
Baji: Oh here's one...
(Parks the car, gets out and locks it.)
Baji: Hope it's not a long wait..
(He moves in, there are stares among the students in the vicinity as they check out the car and Baji's aesthetic physique, Baji shuns the attention and moves to the counter to place his order. Minutes later he exits the café with his order and walks to his car when two girls approach him.)
Girl 1: Hi handsome!
Baji: (confused) Uhh... Hi.. can i help you with something?
Girl 2: Aww cute boy, he wants to help us out with something. Well since you asked, we're kinda bored in school. You wanna hang out with us.
Baji: (laughs softly) I'm sorry, i can't hang out.
Girl 1: Come on(tugs lightly on his arm) lets have some fun, you won't regret it we promise.
(Baji gets ticked off, removes his arm from her grasp.)
Baji: Im not interested, i have a girlfriend and my classes start soon, Excuse me.
Girl 2: (angry) huh! You want to deny our invitation, well sorry, we won't let you.
Girl 1: (teases)What are you want to do about it?
(He stares at them.)
Baji: (firmly)I don't have time for this.
(Indifferent, Baji walks off from their midst with the coffee, heads to his car, starts the engine and drives off to his faculty. The girls, slightly embarrassed, walk away quickly from the scene avoiding the little stares.)
(Five minutes later, Baji drives down to his faculty and finds a parking space, he parks and gets his bag and coffee for Minori and Renji. He locks up and walks down to Renji in front of the department.)
Baji: Hey hey, Renji!
Renji: Bro! you're finally here.
(They exchange greetings.)
Renji: Did you bring the ice?
Baji: You were serious??
Renji: (stares at him) my neck hurts cos tiny muscular hands girl there choked me to death asking where you were.
Minori: (creeps up to him, coldly) who the hell are you calling tiny Ibara kun... Huh?!
Renji: (shudders) God she scares me! Baji do something.
Baji: Umm... I brought coffee.
(brings out the coffee smiling.)
Renji: Do something to help! Dumbass!!
Baji: Don't worry, she's harmless... she wouldn't hurt a fly.
Renji: (bro she almost choked my neck, my neck! Do you have no feelings bro, I am in pain here!!)
(Baji gives Renji and Minori their coffee.)
Minori: Thank you baby.
(She drinks coffee, squeals.)
Minori: You got my favourite variant!! Caramel flavoured is so good.
(Hugs Baji.)
Minori: (happily)You always know what I want Baji.
(Baji laughs in agreement, pats her head).
Renji: what did you get for me?
(smiles and drinks, eyes widen, he chokes slightly, he coughs.)
Renji: (mutters defeatedly)after all the bro moments we've had, you gave me black coffee without sugar.
Baji: (stares at him mischievously)You thought you were slick when you hung up right? enjoy the flavour my brother!
Renji: (Snickers)Swear to God I hate you.
Minori: Hey we should get to class, lectures are starting now it think.
(Students begin to move in for classes and the three of them join the students to their class for lessons.)
(End.)
4.3
{It's 3:00 pm currently, Students are coming out of the cinematography department, about to head home. The energy seems tired but fulfilled with students happy about how the classes have ended.}
Renji: ahh... (walks as if zombified) It is finally over. Thought the old fart would never leave.
(He rubs his neck wearily.)
Minori: Come on, his classes aren't that bad, look at me.
(does a cheerful spin.)
Minori: (giggles)I'm still good to go for one more class.
(Renji looks at her grimly)
Renji:(menacingly) you only look good because you created most of my situations, because of you, I gained recognition from Mr. Talk-a-lot sensei, after that he scolded me again and now I think I'm on his watchlist.
Minori: well... (pouts) enjoy the centre stage Ibara kun, it's good to stand out sometimes don't you think baby?
(She turns to Baji, tugging his arm)
Baji: Of course, it's good you stand out Renji kun.
Baji: (gestures)think about it, it's like the world is your stage for that particular moment. It all lights, camera and you at the centre stage...
Renji: (disappointed: You know I hate that kind of attention Baji, I thought we were brothers..) anyway, at least it's over till next week and no classes tomorrow. Do you guys wanna hang out?
Baji: Ahh, I can't now bro, I'm tired(stretches in exhaustion) I think I'll just head home now, Mimi are you coming along?
Minori: Oh yeah, I'm coming. For your punishment, I'm staying the night at your place Baji kun(smiles mischievously) or... you don't want that huh?
Baji: (smiles, understands) oh I get it baby, haha!(looks to Renji) You get why now yeah?
Renji: Yeah yeah(he snickers) y'all making me jealous, get a room... haha.
Minori: Avert your eyes and your thoughts from bad ideas(smiles mischievously).
Renji: (scoffs)well I'll see you guys later, I'm off.
(Renji waves and separates from them going to his parked bike, Baji and Minori head for Baji's car. Baji opens the door and Minori gets in, while inside, she playfully locks the door while Baji tries to open it. She does it three more times and they both laugh it off. Baji finally gets in the car.)
Baji: Are you good?
Minori: Yeah, I'm fine(she gently squeezes his palm in hers, looking in his eyes while smiling to him softly.)
Baji: (smiles back warmly) alright, let's go home.
(She releases his hand, he starts the car and reverses out of the parking lot, they drive off down the horizon, Baji turns left and leaves the scene driving ahead.)
{3:09pm, inside the car...}
Minori: Oh, hey baby.
Baji: Yeah?
Minori: Can we make a stop at the store? I wanna get some things for dinner tonight.
Baji: Alright, no problem. We'll stop at the next supermarket.
(He drives further down for a minute and stops at the supermarket right ahead, parks, shuts off engine and they both come down, heading into the supermarket.)
(Inside the supermarket, the place is bustling with customers, the atmosphere is busy with greetings and thank yous.)
Baji: Oh there's the foods section(points to an aisle on the fourth row) come on.
(He holds Minori's hand, gradually navigating her through the traffic of people in the shop, they get a few vegetables and meat and while returning to the checkout stand, Minori accidentally steps on a raspy looking guy, catching his attention roughly.)
Thug: Hey! Girl!(angrily) You stepped on me, don't you use your eyes?!
Minori: (apologetic) oh I'm sorry Mr. I didn't mean to.
Thug: (stares her down, focusing on her big breasts, licks his lips) hey hey, I don't forgive you, but I believe there's a way we can settle this-
Baji: (pissed off) I'm sorry dude, she already apologized that she didn't mean it. You should leave her and us now. Excuse us!
Thug: Huh!!(Yells).
(They leave to the counter but he follows them, Baji pays and the three of them walk. Meanwhile, two other thugs are waiting outside for the three of them.)
(Upon seeing the thugs, Baji gets very defensive, he shields Minori from them cautiously.)
Thug 2: Yo, Bastard! Didn't you hear our boss, he said you should let go of the little lady with you.
Baji: (firmly) I can't do that! She apologized already so what's all this about now?
Thug 3: Hey(turns Baji towards him) who do you think you are?! Drop her and leave, we just wanna have some fun with her(looks at her weirdly)
(Minori shudders in fear, her body trembles slightly, there is silence for a few seconds.)
Minori: Ba-Baji(tearfully looks to him.)
Thug 1: (forcefully pulls Minori from Baji, his hand ripping her shirt sleeve open) Relax big breasts(whispers in her ear weirdly)when we're done, we can return and you can tell him how big we all were(he laughs annoyingly)
(Minori is in shock and the murmurs get louder a bit, Baji snaps upon seeing Minori's case, he knocks out the third thug with a quick right hook to the lower jaw.)
Thug 1: You Bastard! (he swings left at Baji, leaving Minori, misses and Baji replies with a left gut punch and overhand right hook to the first thug, knocking him out too.)
Thug 2: Eek! How dare you!!(runs to attack Baji but Baji trips him casually, when he tries standing, Baji delivers a knee strike to his face leaving him hurt.)
Baji: (panting, grabs the first thug by the collar) You will never, ever lay a finger on her... You will never lay a finger on the ones I love! The next time you and your idiots see her again, walk the other way or... run away!(He pulls tighter, staring him down with anger and rage in his eyes) Do you understand?!...
(He drops the thug carelessly and leaves the area, Minori still in shock from what she hears adjusts when Baji slowly and carefully hugs her, using his jacket to cover her up.)
Baji: Nothing would ever happen to you, I promise.
Minori: I'm sorry Baji...
(checks his hands to see some bruises.)
Minori: You're hurt because of me(feeling guilty, she tears up a bit) I'm sorry...
Baji: (wipes her tears) it's over now, I promise, it's not a big deal.
(smiles to her reassuringly.)
Baji: I'm going to keep loving you every day, you know that right?
Minori: (smiles, cleans herself) yeah, I do. Let's go home.
(He sits her in the car and gets in, he starts the car and drives off to his dorm, the crowd disperses, some chanting over his victory as he passes.)
(Scene fades out.)
(End.)
4.4
{It's 7:15pm in the evening, the scene returns to Baji's room. Inside, Minori is slicing vegetables and preparing dinner, Baji is taking a shower while this happens.}
Minori: (humming) tonight's dinner is looking good...
(She checks on the meat boiling in the pot.)
Minori: Yeah.. that's almost ready, time to boil the pasta.
(Just then, Baji walks out of the bathroom with a towel and joggers on, he smells the aroma pleasantly, looking intoxicated by the smell.)
Baji: Ahh!!, the smell of a work of art... created by the most beautiful chef(looks at her while making a funny pose.)
Minori: (giggles) well, my baby deserves the best from THEE BEST!(points at herself proudly)
Baji: Hell yeah! So what's for dinner my dear chef.
Minori: well tonight dear we're having pasta and meatball curry.
Baji: (swoon) you know how to treat a man so well, it tugs me heartstrings.
(Minori smiles, while slicing a carrot, she has a brief flashback of the earlier encounter at the supermarket, she snaps back and shudders a bit.)
Minori: (cuts herself accidentally) Ouch!
Baji: (looks at her) what's up?
Minori: Nothing, just a little mistake.
(Checks the wound but tries to hide it so Baji's won't worry... Curious, he moves closer to her.)
Baji: Mimi you cut yourself!(tries to see the cut.)
(Minori hesitates for a bit and he backs up a bit.)
Baji: Mimi come on... (gently) can I see it?
(She slowly shows him looking slightly embarrassed and sad.)
(They walk over to his bed, he carefully dresses her wound, she looks at his fists to see little scratches from earlier that day and feeling bad, she wears a downcast expression. Baji, slightly confused about her look asks.)
Baji: (softly) What's the matter Mimi... Something on your mind?
Minori: It's just...(clenches her fist gently) I remembered the thing that happened today and how you had to defend me again, and after I cut myself, you're the one that helped me again. I just feel bad that you always have to get hurt because of me. It worries me...
(looks down) it worries me because I want to protect you too sometimes.
Baji: (softly) Mimi...
(Minori looking down has a little teardrop fall from her eye, there's a bit of silence around the room as the pasta boils, Baji's pulls her close to his chest.)
Baji: Mimi, what if I told you that you've always been protecting me since our first year in high school?
Minori: (looks to him slowly) How?
Baji: You remember... Back then, in first year high school, my parents raised my allowance a bit, being the jumpy me then and thinking I had good friends then, I'd share happily with those who asked me. I didn't know I was just an ATM machine for them, so I stopped showing my allowance to school for a while and ate mostly bread during break for a long time. Then on that day... Well actually(smirks) two days after I talked to you for my first time, you brought me a home cooked meal. I haven't had a home cooked meal in a long time. Do you remember that time?
Minori: I remember(laughs to herself) I remember I couldn't stop myself somehow and just wanted to keep sharing my lunches with you, I was surprised at it too because... Well because I thought I hated all boys... Till you proved how much you understood me. It was weird at first, I won't lie...
Baji: Weird?(Laughs).
Minori: Yeah, it was. But overtime, I got used to it. I liked our little conversations during break time and I always looked forward to the next day to see you and do it all over again.
Baji: You saved me by giving me the best meals baby, you're the reason I'm this happy today, with you around... I want to do anything and everything to make you happy and safe, so please let me protect you in every possible way I can. I'll try my best not to get hurt and I'll work even harder so you don't have to worry anymore.
(Minori hugs Baji and he kisses her forehead gently)
Minori: I love you darling(squeezes him gently.)
Baji: I love you too.
(Minori cleans up and Baji finishes up the cooking, she serves the food and the scene shifts to them having a conversation over dinner and laughing happily, it then shifts to Baji's phone, the phone displays a missed call from Iori before it cuts outside to Baji's dorm building.)
(End.)
4.5
(Meanwhile...)
{The scene shifts over to Obito's room. He has his hair free flowing and is seemingly working with his guitar while searching for something online, seems like he's practicing a song. Buster is eating dinner by the other end of the room.}
Obito: (drops headphones) that sounds like a really good track honestly(smiles) just a bit more practice and I'll get it right.
(He picks up the guitar and begins strumming gently, he strums carefully as he is in a practice session with himself and is concerned about making less mistakes).
Obito: Ooh, it's kinda sensitive on some tones(adjusts the pegs, tuning the guitar) let's try again...(Strums gently)
(Just then, his phone rings. He looks over to see it's Muichiro calling, drops guitar, picks the call.)
Obito: Yeah, Mui. What's up?
Muichiro: Hey bro, are you busy right now?
Obito: Uhh... I was actually just trying to practice a freestyle I found online(looks outside the window briefly.)
Muichiro: Oh... Sorry for disturbing man.
Obito: it's good bro, what you need?
Muichiro: It's about that strain... I happen to have a few right now, matter of fact, the plug is here. I just wanted to let you know.
Obito: Oh(scoffs) I uh–
(Just then, there are soft but evident murmurs across the dormitory hallway, Obito strolls to his door and opens it a bit. He sees a small but evident crowd gathered around the room 5. He wonders why but shrugs it off and closes his door.)
Muichiro: Hey! Obi kun.... Yo!! You there bro?
Obito: Yeah yeah man, sorry I got distracted.
Muichiro: Oh! (Teases) Did you already zone out on how good it's gonna make you feel?
Obito: (Bro you're the one that zones out without even making a complete burn.) Funny boy, but actually I was just checking why my dorm got so noisy all of a sudden. Seems like a new member joined in tonight, I couldn't really get a look... Or care much really.
Muichiro: Oh that's cool, if it's a girl, maybe you can sway her with your melody if she likes the guitar. You'd be her little guitar hero haha!
Obito: Yeah yeah(rolls his eyes, picks his bike keys and gloves, heads towards his door.) so where do I meet you bro?
Muichiro: Umm... Behind the Segway Six snackbar, by the second alleyway on the way to my dorm.
Obito: Alright...(looks to the ceiling trying to remember) I think I know the place. I'll see you in a few minutes.
Muichiro: Alright bro, I'm waiting, don't be late(hangs up.)
Obito: (exhales) alright Buster, I'll be back soon okay(pets Buster)
(He barks in agreement and stays put in the room.)
(Obito opens the door and sees the crowd, he avoids the attention and passes the opposite stairs to the car park, meanwhile the new neighbour undisclosed looks in concern as they observe a little of Obito walk the opposite way. The person sighs gently...)
(Scene fades out.)
(End).
4.6
{It's around 9:10pm, around the corner of a nearby park, the new tenant is seen talking to another student. He's male and seems to be in the same hostel with them, the weather is slightly breezy.}
Student: You want me to tell you how this dormitory is like? Well... I can't really say much though..., but everyone I know here seems really nice.(Smiles reassuringly)
Tenant: Oh, good then. It's nice to have friendly neighbours. Do they happen to be close and supportive too in terms of socializing?
Student: Ofcourse! You can count on anyone to help you with what you need(pauses) although... There seems to be a person who seems to never come out of his room.
Tenant: A person?
Student: Yeah, most times if he's not at school or out with his friends, he's usually just inside his room with the door closed... Sometimes, some of us want to go and try talking to him to make friends... drag him out a bit haha... but I guess everyone has their own boundaries.
(The student's brow furrows slightly as they think about it.)
Tenant: Oh... I see.
Student: I guess it's okay for him to have his own form of entertainment... Seems he also plays the guitar really well... When he plays sometimes, my roommate and some of the others in the dorm love to listen to his melodies(looks up, sighs) he seems like a good dude, seems like he just got hit a bit too hard where it hurts. Maybe this is how he heals.
Tenant: (smiles) it's a beautiful thing that you care about other people. Thank you for everything you've told me.
Student: Don't mention it, well I have to meet up with some people now. You take care miss, Bye!(He walks off)
(The tenant waves and returns to their room quietly. Scoffs into a smile.)
(Scene fades out.)
Tenant: Guitar?(giggles)
(End.)