“FRIENDS ”

BY DIVINE AND MICHAEL

 DECEMBER 1992, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

(IWAMIZAWA HIGASHI, HIGH SCHOOL)

(Weather report)
Divine: At 9:30 pm, we have received a report of sudden large snowfall between Hokkaido and
Sapporo,
Due to unexpected weather,
we advise all citizens to bundle up and
avoid using major roads as it occasionally freezes each year --
 (NEAR THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE)
(Michael)Hikaru: you… Sasaki, how long are you planning to slack off
Aren’t we going to Osaka tonight, did you know how much trouble we have to make just to make it this far?

hurry up before I BEAT you to a pulp!

(Divine) Sasaki: hey Hikaru calm down, didn’t you just hear what that woman says…
She says that the weather is going to be bad that all. I know that you are mad because our sacrifices are gone in
vain, so calm down and si-
(Michael) Hikaru: then what... what! are you saying all that…
aishh, forget it, if you don’t want it just shut up and get lost, I will be late just by arguing with an immature like
you

(Divine) Sasaki: fine but it’s better late than dead on time, so we have to be careful, okay?
(Michael) Hikaru: of course, look at me, even professional drivers can’t compare to my skills
(Divine) Sasaki: okay, let’s go before we truly get late.
(Michael)Hikaru: Sasaki… Sasaki! Where are you!
Where are you!
.

(Divine)Sasaki: (silent) I’m here… hikar---

(Michael) Hikaru: huh?! Sasak-
(Divine) Nurse: Mr. Hikaru-shh, are you awake?
Can you see me? Here can you count how many is this?
(Michael) Hikaru: (silent) that’s 4, right?
By the way, where am I?
(Divine) Nurse: ahh! Mr. Hikaru-shh, you are currently in hospital
(Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital)
You had been in a coma for the past 2 weeks after the accident
 .

(Michael)Hikaru: Ohh… right, tell me if I am wrong but didn’t my friend is with me during that time, why
I can’t see him right now, may I ask if he is okay? Can I see him now?
(Divine)Nurse: yes but… I’m deeply sorry to say that your friend Sasaki-Kun did not survive and was dead
on arrival,
the hospital was truly sorry for your loss.
(Michael)Hikaru: it’s okay, I understand…
(Divine)Nurse: then, I shall tell your parents that you have already been woken up.
(the prayer room)
.

(Michael) Hikaru: hey… Sasaki, did you remember this place?

I think you don’t, you are too oblivious about that time, that time…
We have fun, cry and you even take my first kiss, you know!!
Arghhh… hey that was a joke, how can I let a fool take my first
…
Thank you, Sasaki…
Thank you for not jumping the ship until your last breath…
of course, you have to, we are literally in the same boat, you know!
Thank you, brother, I will see you soon, just wait.
(IWAMIZAWA HIGASHI, HIGH SCHOOL)

(Michael) Unknown student: hey, did you hear the rumor?

(Michael) Unknown student (2): what kind of rumor?
(Michael) Unknown student: about the top fool dies because of Hikaru?
this blows away the school, ma’am Yoruichi must be anxious right now
that the math contest is nearby!
and one more, they said that the dean/ headteacher itself is involved!
(michael)Unknown student (2): really?! Ohh… I getting goosebumps
(Michael) Bully (1): Hey, Jessica, I’m mixed up right now, isn’t it weird that fool is still studying
even after her friend’s death,
Unknown: Hooah, she is dead to the world, isn’t she?
(Michael) Bully (2): here… watch this!
see she really can’t feel anything Hooah…
she must be strong as a bull or something!
(Divine) Tanaka: what’s wrong with me studying after my friend’s death?
Especially since the math contest is nearby, don’t you even compare your stupid self
to me,
I’m expensive you know!
(Michael) Bully (2): insolent! argh! I will blow one’s top
if you don’t shut up!
(Divine) Tanaka: … get a lost, pig!
(Michael)Bully (1): where are you going! You bi-
(Divine) Tanaka: cemetery, I’m going to the cemetery

(past) (Tanaka’s memory)

(Michael) Sasaki: good morning! Everyone!
Did you hear the news from the office, they say that we are picked to participate in the next
monthly contest?
what do you think? Can we really do it?! If we lose, we have to face the consequence, you
know!
(Divine) Tanaka: alright, calm down first, here take a sit
I know that this is a big contest with many competitors
But who do you think we are? Aren’t we the “the top trio” or the golden generation,
This is just an easy pie for us, so calm down
Sasaki: …
(Divine) Tanaka: And you know even if we lose our tight bonds are still intact so, regardless of
what happens…
Sasaki: LIFE AND DEATH, UNITE!
 (PRESENT)
(Divine) Tanaka: Sasaki-kun
Sasaki-kun, are you there?
How are you doing out there? I’m sure that you are having fun, didn’t you?
Unknown: …
(Divine) Tanaka: I will take that as a yes,
Hey! Don’t be sad, that fool betray us,
you don’t have to feel sorry about it since there is no point, don’t cry,
I don’t want your handsome face to look so down and out
Even still, we are still friends, right?
Be assured that I will make my promise, surely
Just wait!
Please wait for me just once,
I WILL BE THERE!
私たちは、私たちの最愛の人の一人が私たちを裏切ることを恐れています、
意志が彼らの約束を破ったこと…
いいえ！私たちの約束
どんなに誤解があったとしても、私たちの友情は続くのでしょうか ?