Hikaru sits at the table, sorting out the photographs into an album. He takes one of the two of them & looks at it, a smile on his face. He goes to by the window & places it just under the window sill & is about to stick a pin thru it when the door opens. He gets up & with a smile says "Welcome back" but his expression changes when he sees who's at the door. It's his mother. Kyoko walks in & looks around, then says to him "Let's go home, Hikaru" He replies "You know mom…I'm together with sensei…" but Kyoko cuts him off "She won't be coming back" "Eh?" "She's been arrested by the police." "Why?" "That's obvious! She's committed a crime" Hikaru gets angry "What?! What did she do?!" He grabs his jacket & tries to leave but Kyoko's standing in the way. "Where are you going?" she asks, stopping him. "You should know!" Hikaru says trying to get pass her. Kyoko blocks his way & the both of them struggle, Kyoko telling him "Enough! Wake up!" but Hikaru yells back at her "It's you who should wake up!" They both stare at each other for a split second & then Hikaru tries to get out "Leave me alone!" but Kyoko refuses to let him go, & he hurts himself as he struggles. He falls onto the floor, holding on to his side…Kyoko goes down beside him & asks anxiously "Hikaru? What's wrong? Hikaru? Hikaru? Are you alright? What's wrong?" but Hikaru merely grits his teeth in pain & frustration…

At the police station, Michi is handcuffed. As she stares at them, the police officers' voices can be heard "I'll take over" "Thanks" A lady officer puts her jacket over Michi's hands & an inspector leads her away "Well then, let's go." As they walk he says "You have been accused by Kurosawa Kyoko of kidnapping an under aged boy. Right now, we'll take you back to Tokyo & will be conducting the investigation there." Michi tries to protest "Wait a minute, I have not kidnapped anyone!" but the inspector merely tells her "If you have anything to say, wait until we get to the police station & you're questioned. It'll take 3 days, during that time, you're not allowed to see anyone." Michi gets into the car…

The car Michi is in stops at a red light, the car's left indicator flashing. Inside, Michi sitting behind on the right side, looks at her ring. Kyoko's car pulls up next to the police car, right indicator flashing. Michi looks up to see Hikaru in the back seat, looking at his ring. Michi stares at Hikaru & finally he looks up & turns to see her. Kyoko turns to look. Hikaru opens the window & as the glass comes down, Michi reaches out onto the glass window & Hikaru stares at the handcuffs on Michi. The light changes & Kyoko drives off, the police car going off in the other direction. Hikaru yells "Stop the car here!" & grimaces in pain but Kyoko merely ignores him & keeps on driving. Michi stares out from the back of the police car, Hikaru stares out the back of his mother's car as both cars go in opposite directions…

At the police station, Kinoshita & Mich's mother are waiting when Michi is brought in. Her mother says "Michi!" "I'm sorry mom!" Michi's mom says "Jun is now staying with us, I'm looking after her" as the lady officer stops her from getting too close to Michi. Michi says "thank you" to her mother. Kinoshita anxiously says "It's because of me, you tried to help me & got found out!" but Michi shakes her head as the inspector leads her away into another room.

Being questioned, the inspector shows her a book & says "Look at this law, number 240…it's written here…to confuse (trap) someone by seduction, resulting in the other party to lose their ability to judge & to blindly follow you, is considered kidnapping." Michi asks "You're saying that I used sweet words to deceive him?" "To be seduced by someone as beautiful as you...not surprised that most kids would lose their ability to judge" Michi says "Please ask him…he won't say I kidnapped him…where is he now? How are his injuries? Please tell me!" The inspector gets angry & standing up yells at her "You're not allowed to ask anything! You as a teacher, having an affair with a 17 year old student, & then kidnapping him in front of his mother! Where on earth is there such a thing!" & then with a smirk he says to Michi "On top of that, I also heard you proclaimed your love for him in front of the whole school! Not only this, weren't you also engaged to be married? Anyone with common sense would never do something that stupid! You're an educator, your responsibility is to guide others to understand & obey rules & regulations! I have a daughter in high school, if she had a class teacher that did such things I'd never allow it!!"

After being questioned, Michi is led into another room. There her handcuffs are taken off. A lady officer holds up her bag & says "Is this yours?" "Yes" "We'll keep it for you until you leave…& also, take off all your jewelery you're wearing." Michi takes off her chain, her ear rings, her watch & puts them on the table. As the officer writes, she takes off the ring Hikaru gave her but instead of putting it on the table with her other things, hides it in her hand…

The officers lead Michi into a jail cell & lock her in. She looks at the ring in her hand…

At the hospital, Hikaru is in bed, Godai checks on him & tells Kyoko "Don't worry, he'll be fine in two weeks" Kyoko helps Hikaru with his shirt & he asks "Please…don't take legal action against her…" Kyoko looks a little annoyed but Hikaru continues "I want to be with sensei, only that…" Kyoko says exasperated "Why are you defending her? Didn't she cause you to get hurt?" "That wasn't her fault…" says Hikaru but Kyoko loses her cool "You…just don't understand how much I worry about you!" Hikaru replies "I'm sorry about that but…" Kyoko says "You are very important to me! I won't ever let you leave me again! Never!" Hikaru stares at her & Kyoko looks back, & then walks out, both Godai & Hikaru just staring at her…

Godai says "Jealousy will turn a person into a monster" & then to Hikaru "Just a bit more, & you'll soon be of age…" Hikaru asks "What do you mean?" Godai answers "When you turn 18, even against your parents' wishes, you can get married can't you? It's just one more year…why can't you wait?" As he goes out he turns back & says to Hikaru "Those who don't know when to give up, are those who suffer the most. That's the saying, no?" He goes out, leaving Hikaru alone…

(-= CJ =- Well whaddya' know, I actually agree with 'shifty eyes')

At the police station, Michi is led down the corridor, handcuffed & tied to her waist with a rope. They stop outside a room & Michi looks at the signboard - seishin shindan shitsu (psychiatric analysis room) Michi stares at it & is led into the room. Her handcuffs are taken off & she sits in front of a woman looking at some documents. The woman puts the document aside & says to Michi "I am Shindo from the psychiatric department. I'm going to asks you a few questions. As this will become reference material, please answer truthfully. Why did you become a high school teacher?" Michi hesitates "That's because…my father's also a teacher, & I also never wanted to do anything else…" "Just that?" Shindo asks & Michi looks at her. Shindo then continues rather condescendingly "It's not because you want to have more opportunities to associate with young men?" When Michi remains silent Shindo says "If you really want to be a teacher, a primary school teacher would also do, no?" Michi loses her cool & says "Please don't talk nonsense! I was introduced to that school by my father!" Shindo ignores Michi's outburst & asks "How many times have you had sex with him?" Michi is appalled "Why do I have to answer this kind of questions?" "Did you have sex everyday?" Michi looks at her in resentment but Shindo calmly continues "Before this, did you have sexual relations with younger men? Or are you not able to have sex with adult men? Have you ever tried selling yourself (prostitution)? Or are you just interested in this kind of behavior (with young boys)?" Finally Michi's heard enough & says "Stop it! I only want to be with the person I love! I only don't want to be parted from him! Only this! Why do you have to ask all these questions?!" Shindo asks "He's everything to you?" "Yes!" "Only by having him, then can you go on living, is that how you really feel?" Michi doesn't or can't answer...but the answer to Shindo's question is written on her face, it says 'No'. Shindo merely smirks to herself. Michi says with tears in her eyes "You will never understand…have you ever loved anyone?" Shindo looks at her & then looks away, as if she cannot meet Michi's eyes. Michi continues "Do you understand what it's like to love someone? Do you understand that sort of feeling?" Shindo cuts her off "Stop it! I'm the one that's asking the questions" Michi says "The person I love just happens to be 17 years old! Just because of that, I'm a criminal?" Shindo answers "The world looks at it that way" & Michi can only look back, nothing to say…

(-= CJ =- Accckk! Another irritating woman, the psychiatrist is! Bloody self-righteous! Glad Michi got her there for a bit.)

Hikaru gets out of bed & goes to the door. He opens it & looks out to see a police officer walking outside, keeping an eve on him. He goes to the window, looks out & then looks at the ring he's wearing. Kyoko comes in & says "Hikaru, you have a visitor" He turns around to see the police inspector & nods to him…

Sitting back in bed, the inspector asks "You were forced by sensei against your will weren't you?" Hikaru replies "No." The inspector says "Please answer truthfully, it's alright, you haven't committed any crime" Hikaru says "I'm not lying" "Your injuries were because of her, weren't they?" "No" "In actual fact, you really wanted to return home, but couldn't because she threatened you…" "I'm not a grade school student." "Did sensei force you to do anything strange against your will?" Hikaru coolly says "Sir, you intend to push all the blame onto sensei? & I'm the victim?" The inspector denies "I'm only trying to get to the truth." Hikaru says "The truth is only one thing" "What's that?" "No one can ever break us apart" The inspector looks at Kyoko, helpless & Hikaru touches the ring he's wearing. Kyoko sees it & looks at Hikaru…

At Michi's house, the doorbell rings & Michi's mom answers it. She opens the dorr & Kyoko says "I'm Kurosawa"…Kinoshita eavesdrop on the conversation between Michi's parents & Kyoko. Michi's father apologizes "This…I'm really sorry. As a father, even as an educator, nothing I can say will make up for this. I accept full responsibility for this & will resign from school." Kyoko says "Is that so?" Michi's mom asks hesitatingly "What my daughter has done, is it really that serious?" Kyoko looks at her & Michi's father says "Shut up! This is also due to our inadequate upbringing of her, please forgive us." Kyoko says "Actually, I want to drop the charges…" Michi's father says "Really?" Kinoshita looks at Kyoko says "For the sake of your daughter's & my son's future, I want to try to make things simple…" Michi's father is relieved & says "Thank you very much" Kyoko continues "But there's one condition…" "What is that?" asks Michi's father. Kyoko stares at him & from the door, Kinoshita turns to look at Kyoko…

In the jail cell, Michi sits on the floor against the wall, looking at the ring in her hand. The door slams & an officer walks up to Michi's cell & opens the door. The officer looks at Michi & says "Hirose san, you're being released." Michi looks up…

Michi's mom is waiting for her when she comes out "Mom! What's happening?" but her mother doesn't answer…

Michi rushes into the house & confronts her father "Dad! I can't accept the condition of not seeing him again!" "For the time being you are to leave Tokyo & go to your uncle's place in Hokkaido!" "Eh?" "You should be grateful for  Kurosawa's kindness towards you. If you make another mistake, you won't be able to get out again!" Michi protests heatedly "I don't think I did anything wrong!" Her father stands up angrily & says "This is your last chance! Don't do anything stupid again!" He walks out & Michi goes after him "Wait a minute! I don't understand!" but her mother grabs a hold of her "Michi! It was so hard for you to come back, please just consider a little? Ok? If you persist in trying to make your own feelings understood you'll only end up making yourself feel worse. So please, calm down."

Michi is in her room, sitting on the floor by her bed & Kinoshita sitting at the table. Kinoshita turns around & looks at Michi "Are you alright?" Michi looks up at her & then says "When I was questioned, I felt it…no one understands what we feel…the law isn't used to protect us but used by society to get rid of & punish those that don't conform." Kinoshita looks at her & not saying anything, goes to her bag & takes out the book Hikaru gave her. She gives it to Michi who takes it & flips thru it. Kinoshita says "When I got this book, it taught me that there isn't rain that won't stop, that there isn't a night that passes that morning won't come…do you know? Galileo Galilei once insisted that it was the earth that revolved, he went against powerful authorities to repudiate the other theories. But now, there isn't a single one that believes the sun revolves…the day will come when people won't think the love the both of you have is anything strange…that day will definitely come!" Michi is touched…

(-= CJ =- Galileo was denounced by the Inquisition in 1615 for defending Copernican astronomy (which places the Sun at the center of the universe, making it the center of the rotational movements of the planets) because it went against the doctrine of the Church. He was tried and condemned by the Inquisition in 1633, enduring several months in prison - sick & fearing torture, & had to recant his beliefs before the assembly...'suffering a fate similar to that of most Witches in the dark ages' so to speak...hmmm, I'm beginning to see where Michi's cross & the chains fit in...)

Kinoshita arrives at the hospital & goes to the nurses' station. She tells the nurses "I'm here to see Kurosawa…I'm his classmate Kinoshita" One of the nurses smiles & says "Just a minute" but picks up the phone, looking at Kinoshita rather suspiciously "Director…" As Kinoshita waits, the other nurse gives her the once over as the guard walks by…Kinoshita turns back to the nurse who says to her "Please don't be long" & Kinoshita says "Thank you". "That way" says the nurse pointing the way…

In the room, Hikaru is sitting in bed, looking at the photograph of Michi & himself when he hears the door open. He hides the picture behind him & looks up, his expression changing to one of surprise when he sees Kinoshita. Kinoshita asks "How are you? Alright?" Hikaru looks depressed & doesn't answer. Kinoshita walks up to him & he asks "What about you? Are you alright?" "Uhm" nods Kinoshita "I'm now staying at sensei's place." After a short pause Hikaru says "Is that so?" & the two of them are silent for a while. Kinoshita then takes a chair, puts it next to the bed & sitting down says "Thank you for the other time" Hikaru looks at her & smiles "Uhm" Kinoshita says "What were you looking at just now?" Hikaru turns around & from under the pillow takes the photograph out & hands it to Kinoshita. Kinoshita looks at it & laughs "First time I've ever see you guys with such happy smiles" Hikaru looks sad & Kinoshita says "Let me help the both of you meet… "Eh?" "Let me help you see sensei…" "But…" A knock on the door interrupts Hikaru & Kinoshita quickly puts the photograph in her bag. The nurse says "Have to take your temperature" & hands him a thermometer. Kinoshita says on purpose in front of the nurse "But then again, you were really unlucky…everything made a mess of by Hirose" Hikaru looks at the nurse & says "Uhm" Kinoshita continues "Forget it…going round with her won't come to anything…yes, when you get out of the hospital, I'll introduce you to some girls…"

Michi comes into the living room & sees Masaru, who turns to look at her when she enters. Taking a seat next to her father, her father with his arms crossed says "Masaru says he wants to go ahead with the wedding as planned." Michi looks at Masaru who looks back, neither saying anything. Her father continues "To give away a daughter that has been taken away by the police before, I consider that as causing trouble to others so I've rejected him." Masaru says "My feelings for Michi…even these things (that have happened) will never change that…" Masaru looks at Michi "Please…forget him, start again with me, Michi…" Michi, her parents are solemn for a while & then Michi says "I've hurt you…I'm really very sorry…but, I can't marry you…I love only him, if it isn't him it's not possible…" She puts the engagement ring (box) on the table "I'm sorry" & leaves the room, Masaru just sits there…

Kiriko opens the door of her apartment & sees Masaru. He asks "Can I…come in?" Kiriko nods…going in she says "Place is a mess, sorry…" she puts some things away as Masaru comes in. As she clears some things, she walks towards the kitchen but Masaru suddenly grabs her & holds on to her. Kiriko asks "What's wrong?" Masaru starts kissing her but Kiriko pushes him away "Wait a minute, Masaru…" He says to her "Kiri-chan, you love me, right?" & hugs her "No matter what I do, you love me right? Right?" Kiriko nods & Masaru starts kissing her & this time she doesn't stop him. They end up on the floor & Masaru takes his jacket off & throws it off to one side. With Masaru on top of her, Kiriko looks off to the side & sees the engagement ring, the box opened, having fallen out of Masaru's pocket…

In her room, Michi sits at her desk, deep in thought. Kinishita enters & gives her the photograph she took from Hikaru. Michi asks "You saw him?" Kinoshita asks instead "Is there anyone you know who can keep a secret?" "Eh?" says Michi in surprise…

Michi sits at the dining table with her parents, she looks tense, her parents eating. Her father asks "Where's the kid?" "Jun? She said she was meeting friends & went out…" replies his wife. "Is that so?" he half mutters. The doorbell rings & Michi looks up. Her mother says "Who can that be?" & goes out to answer the door. Michi's father looks at her & says "Not eating at all?" Michi doesn't reply. Just then her mom comes in "Michi, it's Kiri-chan" Kiriko greets everyone "Good afternoon" "Welcome" says Michi's father while her mom says "Come on in…" Kiriko says "It's ok…" & then asks Michi's father "Uncle" "Yes?" "Can I take Michi out with me? Just to try & cheer her up…" Kiriko & Michi exchange looks of conspiracy…

Kinoshita goes to the hospital carrying a large paper bag. She greets the nurses "Good afternoon" & goes into Hikaru's room. One of the nurses look suspicious & quietly sneaks up to the door to try to eavesdrop. The door suddenly opens, hitting the nurse & she screams, falling to the floor & someone runs out. The nurse screams "Somebody! Hurry! Hikaru's runing away!" Hikaru runs out of the building, chased by the guard & a nurse. The guard stops & sees Hikaru standing at the bottom of some stairs. "Hikaru!" & Kinoshita turns around, whips of the wig she's wearing & says with a big grin "Ahh, tired!" In the meantime, the real Hikaru escapes unnoticed…

Michi & Kiriko wait outside the amusement park. Kiriko says "It's late" Michi looks at her watch & suddenly she hears "Sensei!" She looks to see Hikaru running from the Tokyo Teleport Station towards her. They both run towards each other & finally hug…Kiriko looking on at them, her face unsmiling…

At Kyoko's office, Kinoshita is being grilled by Kyoko. "What on earth were you thinking? Hikaru's injured!" Kinoshita just sits there & ignores Kyoko who's getting more frustrated & threatens "If you just keep silent, I'll have to call the police!" Kinoshita merely nonchalantly replies "Go ahead, I'm already prepared for that" exasperating Kyoko even further. The phone rings just at that moment & Kyoko answers "Hello!" A lady's voice says "Are you Kurosawa Hikaru's mother?" "Yes I am, & you are?" Kinoshita turns around & looks at the telephone…

In a public phone booth, someone is on the phone, Kyoko going "Hello?" That person doesn't answer. The lights on the ferries-wheel are reflected on the glass & the person turns around…it's Kiriko…

Up in the ferries-wheel, Hikaru & Michi looking at the photograph of themselves, Michi has her head on Hikaru's shoulder. Michi says "It's just a little while ago, but it feels like a long time ago" Hikaru nods "Uhm" Michi tells him "When I'm was with you, the day felt very short…really appreciated the happiness of being alive…but now, feels like time has stopped…when I thought that I would never see you again… didn't have the energy to do anything…when I thought I had to be alone forever, I felt really afraid…" Michi looks out & says "Everyone things that I'm strange…because I deceived you…" Hikaru looks away "It's my fault…because I'm only 17 years old, no one will approve…& sensei, have to suffer like this…" Michi tells him "No matter how hard, if you're by my side it'll be ok…no matter how painful, with you I can get over it…" Hikaru promises "I won't leave you alone any more, let's go some place else…right, let's go to Rome & see the real image of Adam (the Creation of Man). Michi smiles & looking out, her expression suddenly changes…standing on the platform are Kyoko, the police inspector & an assistant…as they have move closer to the platform, Hikaru holds on to Michi's hand…

(-= CJ =- Another sloppy bit of filming I think. When Hikaru & Michi are up in the ferries-wheel, it's really high up & stationary, & she can see Kyoko & company by the platform? & the next second it's moving? hmmmm....)

Michi at the police station removes all her jewelry again but this time as she takes her ring off, she drops it & before she can pick it up, the police officer picks it up & puts it on the table. The officer records "One ring" Michi pleads for it back "Can you let me have the ring please?" but the officer ignores her…

Coming home, Kyoko goes into the living room while Hikaru goes off towards his room. A door slams, Kyoko's face expressionless…

Hikaru goes into his room & sees Sugai standing by the window. He asks "What?" Sugai takes her glass off & puts it on the table, & then takes her shirt off, putting it on the table as well. Hikaru asks "What are you doing?" She drops her skirt & loosens her hair & Hikaru says again "What are you doing!?" She turns around, stares at him & then goes over & hugs him. Hikaru shouts "Stop it!" & throws her onto the bed. He goes out, slams the door & goes into the living room, looking for his mother. He sees her & says "What are you doing!?" Kyoko calmly replies "Hurry up & forget that woman…you are only interested in going around with girls, doesn't matter who she is, it's just a moment of desire, just use her…" Hikaru says "You're talking nonsense…I can't take talk to you…I don't want to see you again." & turns to leave. "Do you have any place to go to? She won't be able to come out (from jail) anymore…" Hikaru stops for a second, a helpless look on his face, & leaves…

In the psychiatric analysis room, Shindo is writing up a report, Michi sitting in front of her in silence, the ring no longer on her finger. Shindo finally says "Altho we'll have to wait for the trial, I still think you'll have to stay in hospital for treatment for a while. It'll be alright, you just have to listen to me, you'll be fine in no time" Shindo nods to the officers & they put the handcuffs on Michi. Michi suddenly says "Loving a 17 year old boy is an illness? A teacher loving a student is an illness"?" As they take her out Michi says defiantly "If you say that my falling in love with him is being sick, then I refuse to be cured! I don't mind being sick!" The door slams behind her…

Hikaru lies on the floor of their old apartment. It's empty except for a picture of Michelangelo's Creation of Man on the floor. He sits up & looks at it, the glass is cracked. Standing up, he goes over to it & as he bends over it, he hears the door being opened. He looks & sees Masaru. Masaru asks "What are you doing here?" Hikaru doesn't answer. Masaru tells him "Because of you, Michi has to stay in jail or hospital for a while…even if she's released, she'll he looked at as a criminal or a mental patient for the rest of her life..." Masaru walks up to Hikaru & half pleads "If you really are thinking of Michi's happiness, don't you have something you have to do? Aren't you the only one who can persuade your mother? Michi's life is a complete mess, aren't you going to bear any responsibility?" As if nothing else left to say, Masaru finally leaves…Hikaru silent the whole time, is obviously thinking of what Masaru's said…

(-= CJ =- Masaru lays on the guilt trip really thick…I liked the way he acted in this scene, if nothing else he doesn't look demented for once!)

In the jail cell, Michi sits in the corner & looks at her hand, the ring isn't there…

At the apartment, Hikaru sits staring at the picture, reaching out to touch the broken glass & cuts his finger. He looks at the blood on his finger, still thinking…

(-= CJ =-  There's really not much Hikaru can do except...)

At the office, Kyoko is looking through some documents when Hikaru comes in. Kyoko smiles, gets up & goes over to him "What's wrong?" "Mom's right" "Eh?" "Having calmly thought it over, I know I was just interested in sex, doesn't matter who with…I don't love her any more…so, I won't see her again…" Kyoko looks at him & says "Then, prove it. Prove that you don't love that teacher anymore." Hikaru takes the photograph of him & Michi out of his pocket. Taking the lighter from the table, he flicks it & puts it at the edge of the photo, setting it on fire. Throwing it into the ashtray, he watches it burn…Kyoko looks at it & then at Hikaru. Unseen by his mother, Hikaru moves his right hand, feeling the ring on his finger…

At the police station, Michi is released. The lady officer says "Please verify your things…" returning Michi's bag, her book & ring…Michi picks up the ring & looks at it, relieved & thrilled to get it back. When she comes out, she is shocked to see Kyoko "There's someplace I want you to go with me…"

With Kyoko driving in the rain, both women are silent in the car. Michi touches the ring on her finger & Kyoko sees…

At Narita airport Michi follows Kyoko & sees Hikaru sitting down, waiting. Kyoko tells Hikaru "Hikaru, say goodbye to  sensei" Hikaru says to Michi "I'm going to Los Angeles to study" Michi is shocked "Eh?" but Hikaru only replies "Take care" Michi asks "What's that? Why are you saying that?" Hikaru says rather cruelly "I don't want to see you anymore…I've don't love you any more…" Kyoko has a slight smile on her face & Hikaru finally turns to leave. Michi asks "Why are you lying? Didn't you say you wouldn't leave me alone anymore? Didn't you promise?" After the longest while, Hikaru turns around, takes the ring from his hand, holds it out & drops it. It rolls towards Michi's feet & stops when it hits her shoe. Michi looks up at him shocked but Hikaru merely turns around & walks away, looking at the floor…Michi stares at Hikaru as he walks further away, Kyoko at his side…& Michi looks down at the ring by her feet…

Return to Majo no Jouken Page

1