Page 11
Panel 1
In the corridor, Koinu leans against the wall next to the door of Kagome's room.
Koinu: Oh, man. Oh, man. That was close. That was bad. And I just put my hand on Yatsuda's tit.
Panel 2
Koinu takes out his cell phone.
Koinu: Time to do some damage control.
Panel 3
Inside the room, Yatsuda looks on as Kagome dresses.
Yatsuda: Higurashi, you're sure you're all right.
Kagome: Um, yes, Ms. Yatsuda. It's just…um…cramps.
Yatsuda: Watch out for that boy.
Panel 4
In the hallway, Yatsuda accosts Koinu as Kagome, holding a large suitcase, looks on.
Yatsuda: Miss Higurashi is ready. You may express your regret for your behavior by carrying her suitcase.
Koinu: Um, sure. Yes, ma'am.
Yatsuda: Keep your hands to yourself.
Koinu: Yes, ma'am.
Panel 5
Koinu and Kagome walk away from a glowering Yatsuda.
Koinu: OK, I got hold of Auntie Barbra. If they call my house, she'll answer. And if they call your house, your grandpa will get it.
Kagome: You told my grandpa what happened?
Koinu: Nope. Just asked him to answer the phone. It's cool. He likes me.
Kagome: I'm going to get kicked out of school.
Panel 6
Profile view of the two, walking.
Koinu: Not gonna happen. What the hell's in this suitcase? It weighs a ton.
Kagome: I don't know. A couple of nightgowns. Underwear. Extra neckerchief. Two pairs of tights. Hair dryer. Shampoo, conditioner. Zit medicine. Extra shoes.
Panel 7
View of the two, walking.
Kagome: … My diary. Hairspray. Warm socks, a sweater, my math study guide. A curling iron. A pair of jeans. Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss. Makeup. A novel I'm reading. Nail polish. Nail file.
Panel 8
View of the two.
Kagome: Razor, shaving cream. A photo album. Exercise clothes. Bath powder. Walkman. CD case.
Koinu: You did understand we were only staying overnight, right?
Page 12
Panel 1
Close-up of the two.
Kagome: I just wanted to be sure I had it if I needed it.
Koinu: Kagome, that's more than I'm packing to spend a week in Canada.
Panel 2
Both suddenly look perturbed.
Kagome: Oh, yeah. Canada. We just got together, and you're going away.
Koinu: Yeah. The one good thing about having sex was that I totally forgot I have to get on a plane tonight.
Panel 3
Kagome looks frosted; Koinu is panicky.
Kagome: "The one good thing"? Oh, I'm so glad something was good about it.
Koinu: I mean … that's one of the good things …
Panel 4
Kagome bursts into tears, as Koinu tries to calm her down.
Kagome: You hated it. I was awful, wasn't I?
Koinu: That's not what I meant! I didn't hate it! It was wonderful!
Panel 5
Kagome sits on her suitcase. Koinu kneels down, trying to comfort her.
Kagome: I'm just a schoolgirl. I'm not beautiful or mysterious . . .
Koinu: Kagome, it's not your fault! The guy's supposed to know what he's doing.
Panel 6
Close-up of the two.
Kagome: "Not my fault." You had a terrible time.
Koinu: I had a great time! I think it was the best time I've had in my whole life.
Panel 7
View of the two.
Kagome: Oh, yeah. This life. Hasn't been much to compare it with in this life, has there.
Koinu: Kagome, that's not what I …
Panel 8
Sakamoto approaches the two, carrying a wrapped parcel.
Sakamoto: Hey, Houjou! I brought down your duffel. Here, I grabbed you two lovebirds some breakfast.
Koinu: Uh… thanks, Sakamoto. Appreciate it.
Panel 9
Sakamoto walks away, leering. Koinu has an "uh-oh" expression as Kagome reacts to what Sakamoto is saying.
Sakamoto: No problem. I know you guys were working up a big appetite last night!
Page 13
Panel 1
Kagome, furious, faces off with Koinu.
Kagome: You … told… Sakamoto … what … we … did??!!
Koinu: Well, no, not really. Not in so many words. I mean, I might have mentioned something in passing …
Panel 2
The two face off, Kagome screaming.
Kagome: "Mentioned something"? You told him what we did!
Koinu: Well, you told Junko! You hardly know her! At least Sakamoto and I have been friends since first grade!
Panel 3
The two face off. Both are yelling now.
Kagome: But I wasn't bragging.
Koinu: I wasn't bragging. It just came up in conversation.
Panel 4
The two face to face.
Kagome: "Conversation"?
Koinu: Yeah! He said something to the effect of "Did you finally fuck Higurashi,"
and I said something to the effect of "Yes."
Panel 5
The two face to face.
Kagome: …
Panel 6
Kagome turns away.
Kagome: You make me sick. Get away from me.
Koinu: Kagome …
Kagome: I'm getting on the bus. Don't even try to sit next to me.
Panel 7
Kagome walks to the bus, leaving Koinu standing alone.
Panel 8
Bus driver's POV of Kagome climbing on the bus, as Koinu stands on the pavement.
Page 14
Panel 1
Kagome sits on the bus, an empty seat next to her. Other students are seated across the aisle. Koinu is visible out the far window; Kagome looks away from him.
Panel 2
Outside the bus, one of the chaperones talks to Koinu.
Chaperone: Houjou, on the bus! We're ready to roll.
Panel 3
Kagome sits on the bus, an empty seat next to her.
Panel 4
Kagome scowls as Koinu sheepishly sits in the empty seat.
Panel 5
View of the two, both angry.
Koinu: What? This is the only empty seat, OK?
Panel 6
View of the two.
Kagome: Don't try to talk to me.
Koinu: I won't. Not if I make you sick. I don't feel like having you hurl all over me.
Panel 7
View of the two.
Kagome: Why don't you sit with your old friend Sakamoto?
Koinu: He wants to sit next to Shimada. He thinks she'll let him put his hand under her dress.
Page 15
Panel 1
View of the two, looking away from each other.
Kagome: You're both disgusting. Don't talk to me.
Koinu: Fine. You're the one who asked. I was just trying to sit and mind my own business.
Panel 2
View of the two.
Kagome: Then mind your own business and shut up.
Koinu: Look, I'm sorry about last night, OK? So let's just forget about it. As far as I'm concerned, it never happened, OK?
Panel 3
View of the two; Kagome is crying.
Kagome: Sniff.
Koinu: Oh, shit. Are you crying? Why the fuck are you crying? I hate it when you do that.
Panel 4
View of the two.
Kagome: I don't want to forget about it. That was my … my … wedding night.
Koinu: Um … what?
Panel 5
View of the two. Kagome is crying, Koinu is surprised.
Kagome: They said … I got to be … your widow. They agreed … that … that we …
Koinu: Huh? "They" who?
Panel 6
View of the two.
Kagome: Miroku and … and … Sesshoumaru …
Koinu: Sesshoumaru? What the hell?
Panel 7
View of the two.
Kagome: They said … because we'd traveled together all that time…Sesshoumaru said there was a marriage agreement. He said he was your family and approved the match. And Miroku…said they were my family on that side…that they'd heard you vow …
Page 16
Panel 1
View of the two.
Kagome: But the only time I got to be alone with you was…you were…It wasn't what you really wanted. I know.
Koinu: Kagome, I wanted to be with you! Really! I want to be with you now!
Panel 2
Kagome covers her eyes and weeps, as Koinu tries to comfort her.
Koinu: I would never take away your wedding night. It was beautiful last night! You were beautiful last night.
Panel 3
Kagome looks up, tearfully.
Kagome: You don't … hate me?
Koinu: Kagome, I could never hate you! I was so happy last night!
Panel 4
View of the two.
Koinu: I'm glad I could give you what I couldn't give you in that life. Kagome, look…if … if my plane crashes tonight… I'll find a way to come back again, OK?
Panel 5
View of the two.
Kagome: Oh …
Koinu: I mean…you don't have to wait for me or anything. Even if I can come back right away, I know it will be years, but…
Panel 6
Close-up of Koinu, his face gentle and earnest.
Koinu: But don't…don't worry about me, OK? I mean, don't grieve like you did…
Panel 7
Close-up of Kagome, her face serious.
Koinu (offscreen): I mean … maybe we were never meant to be together. But you don't have to worry about me. Ever…
Panel 8
Close-up of Koinu, his face intense, eyes almost glowing.
Koinu: No matter what happens … I'll always love you. And … you don't have to give up your life for me. I never wanted that. I wouldn't do that to you.
Page 17
Panel 1
The two face each other, looking into one another's eyes, and clasp hands.
Panel 2
Close-up of Koinu, even more intense than before, his eyes glowing.
Koinu: Kagome…
Panel 3
Close-up of Kagome, her hand upraised, a look of amazement on her face.
Kagome: Wait … I can still feel … I'm still …
Panel 4
Kagome pulls the rubber band off the surprised Koinu's ponytail.
Kagome: Give me the rubber band out of your hair!
Koinu: Huh? What…
Panel 5
Longer view of the two. Kagome kneels on the bus seat, trying to open the window.
Kagome: Help me open the window.
Koinu: What…we don't…the air conditioner's on …
Panel 6
View from outside the bus. There is a large rock next to a street sign in the foreground.
Kagome: I need a target.
Koinu: Target?
Kagome: There!
Panel 7
A glowing streak — the rubber band — heads for the rock.
Kagome (offscreen): That rock next to the sign.
Panel 8
The rock explodes.
Kagome (offscreen): Yes!
Panel 9
View of the two. Kagome, still holding up one finger, is ecstatic. Koinu is dumbfounded.
Kagome: I did it! I can still do it! I still have power!
Panel 10
Kagome looks smug; Koinu is flabbergasted.
Kagome: I'm not like Kikyou.
Koinu: … .