Episode #14 – Kurobara no Shounen-tachi (Boys of the Black Rose)

Outside a building, the sound of an elevator moving is heard. It stops as a person is seen, standing over a glass cube with water inside of it. Inside the glass cube is a black rose. A drop of water falls down inside of it, and another person appears beside the cube.

Mikage: How is it that this rose can flower here in the bowels of the earth, where the sun never shines?
Mamiya: Because my black rose is absorbing the darkness. (pause) Sempai, I’ve heard that the Student Council president Kiryuu has been absent from school lately. It would explain the academy has been so quiet lately.
Mikage: Well, that’s good. A proper academy should be a peaceful place for study.

Another drop of water falls, and both people disappear.

Title card: Boys of the Black Rose

Outside Ohtori Academy at night. Footsteps are heard walking through the halls.

Utena: Well then, if you'll excuse me.

Utena arrives back at her dormitory.

Utena: I'm home, Chu Chu!

She walks up the stairs.

Utena: My class had a party, since it's Saturday. Your master should have been there too. She's always so unsociable...

Utena opens the door to her room.

Utena: I'm home, Himemiya!... Oh? She's not here?

Chu Chu opens a box sitting on the windowsill with a cake inside it.

Utena: That's leftover from the party. (stretching) Oh, I'm tired... Now that I think of it, I never see Himemiya on Saturday nights. Chu Chu, do you know anything about it?

Chu Chu's face goes red as he loses his balance on the side of the box. He and the cake box fall out the window.

Anthy enters the room.

Anthy: Oh, Utena-sama!
Utena: Hi. Where have you been?
Anthy: At school.
Utena: (pause) I see. It seems as if you're never around on weekend nights. Is something going on?
Anthy: Yes, because I'm told we should meet at least once a week.
Utena: Meet who?
Anthy: My older brother.
Utena: Oh... What?! You have a brother?!

Elevator doors open up in Ohtori Academy to reveal Utena and Anthy.

Utena: Excuse us!... Oops. Wrong floor.
Anthy: No, this is it.
Utena: Huh? So, this is the trustee chairman's office... Looks like a tough place to keep clean.

Utena looks at the giant projector in the middle of the room.

Utena: That's huge! Is this your brother?
Anthy: No, this is a planetarium projector.

Utena walks around the side of the tower and sees two shadowed figures.

Anthy: Utena-sama?
Utena: Shh... Bad timing, Himemiya. They're kissing. (pulling Anthy to the elevator) Let's go before we get in the way.

Akio: Pleased to meet you. I'm Ohtori Akio.

Utena, Anthy and Akio are sitting on couches, facing each other.

Utena: (embarrassed) Pardon me. I'm Tenjou Utena. Pardon me.
Akio: Not at all. It was good of you to come. I'm glad, because this is the first time my sister has introduced me to a friend of hers.
Utena: It can't be... You're Ohtori Academy's...?
Akio: No. I'm just the deputy trustee chairman. The real trustee chairman is Kanae-san's father.

Akio looks towards Kanae, who is sitting on the other end of the same couch.

Kanae: My father is quite taken with Akio-san, and he intends to let us get married as soon as I've completed high school.
Utena: Well...congratulations.
Akio: I keep telling her it's too soon, but...
Utena: (looking around) I never knew the trustee chairman's office was like this.
Akio: In truth, I'm best suited to spending my time watching the sky.
Utena: You love the stars, then?
Kanae: So much it's almost abnormal. And it's been rumored that he was adopted into my family just for the equipment. (looking at Akio) I heard he stayed here again last night.
Akio: Stars are nice. Look through the telescope at those familiar stars, and you can see the true faces that no one knows.
Kanae: Remember me once in a while too, okay?

Utena looks at Anthy, who has been smiling plastically the entire time.

Akio: If I discover a comet, I'll name it after you.
Kanae: (laughing) Really, you're so hopeless.
Akio: (to Utena) I haven't been here long, but there is one thing I do know. The students of this academy are all free, they have a love of learning, and above all, they do not fight... Right?
Utena: I hope it always stays that way.
Kanae: Nothing bad ever happens at Ohtori Academy.

Utena and Anthy prepare to leave.

Anthy: Well then, Kanae-san, if you'll excuse us...
Kanae: You know, it's okay for you to call me "sister" if you like, since I really will be your older sister soon.

There is a pause as Anthy continues to smile plastically.

Anthy: All right.

Mikage is looking through old newspapers on a screen in his office as two professors talk to him.

Professor 1: Thank you, Mikage-kun. Thanks to you, our research was selected as the consultative body.
Mikage: (not looking away) It wasn't my paper, but rather yours, professor.
Professor 2: (to Professor 1) Hey, hurry up with the gift!
Professor 1: My wife went to a spa a few days ago, and she insisted that I give you this.

He pulls a box out of a bag and sets it on Mikage's desk.

Professor 2: (to Professor 1) Hey...
Professor 1: Sorry for the runaround...

He pulls the box away to reveal an envelope sitting on the desk.

Professor 1: This might not be enough, but we'd like you to accept it.
Mikage: There's no need to pay me. Instead, I may ask you for your help someday soon. I'll be counting on you then.
Professor 1: (picking up the envelope) Of course. We'll help you in whatever way we can.

The two professors leave.

Professor 2: (outside door) So that was the charismatic high schooler who hosts the Mikage Seminar! What an overpowering presence! I was scared stiff! The Mikage Seminar, also known as the Black Rose Society... It's not just a rumor that there's a career bureaucrat who's a member.
Professor 1: (outside door) As recipients of his favor, we college faculty can't say it's anyone else's business.
Professor 2: (outside door) Genius high schooler, Mikage Souji...

A door opens, and Mikage looks away from the newspapers. Miki is standing in the room.

Mikage and Miki are sitting at a table at some kind of cafe.

Mikage: So tell me, have you thought about our last conversation?
Miki: Y-Yes...
Mikage: I could hardly wait. So?
Miki: I deeply appreciate your kind offer, but I'm afraid I'm unworthy of your seminar, Mikage-sempai.
Mikage: I see. An excellent intellect like yours would have been just the thing I was looking for. But if that's your position, okay. Tell me if you ever change your mind. You won't regret it.
Miki: (standing up) Thank you very much. See you later.

Miki leaves.

Utena and Anthy walk by Nemuro Memorial Hall. Anthy: (stopping) Utena-sama, thank you very much.
Utena: Oh? What for?
Anthy: For not telling my brother about my secrets.
Utena: Oh, that.
Anthy: I don't want him to know about anything that might worry him. Me being the Rose Bride, or the Duelists' Code...
Utena: I get it. It's best for us to keep these things secret from your brother. Kanae-san looks to be a nice person, too. It wouldn't be good if they got caught up in it. Now, let's go home.

Miki comes out of the building.

Miki: Oh, Tenjou-sempai, Himemiya-san!
Utena: Miki!
Anthy: Hello.
Miki: Don't you have today off?
Utena: We went to see Himemiya's brother.
Miki: I see... The trustee chairman, right?
Utena: What about you, Miki? What are you doing?
Miki: (looking at the building) Well, I had some research to do in the archives.
Utena: Wow, you even study on your days off? I never even knew this place existed.

Miki clicks his stopwatch.

Miki: You don't know about Nemuro Memorial Hall? It's a building with quite a history behind it.
Utena: A history?
Miki: It's said that a hundred boys were buried alive here a long time ago.

Inside Nemuro Memorial Hall, numerous pairs of shoes line the hallway. Voices can be heard.

Mikage: Mamiya... It seems you're eligible to be the Rose Bride.
Mamiya: Don't you mean groom? I am a boy.
Mikage: Bride suits you better. I will definitely make you a real bride. Then, I'll obtain the power of Dios, and make the secret of eternity ours.
Mamiya: If you say so, sempai.
Mikage: It's all right. We've been acknowledged by the Ends of the World. But to do all that, we must defeat Tenjou Utena, and obtain Himemiya Anthy. Then, we must kill her.
Mamiya: For that, we'll need a duelist with a lot of skill.

Kanae walks up to Nemuro Memorial Hall and enters. She rings the bell at the window.

Kanae: Excuse me. I have an interview appointment today...

She notices a sign next to the window.

Sign: if you are to interviewed, please fill out the form and wait. –Nemuro Memorial Hall.

Kanae sits down in a chair and waits.

In the hallways of Nemuro Memorial Hall, numerous chairs are sitting against the wall. The all have the same sign on them: a hand pointing to the left, and the words "Interview chamber". A door closes at the end of the hall with a sign on the doorknob: "Occupied".

Lights flicker on in a miniscule elevator to show Kanae sitting in a chair. A thick glass picture with a butterfly inside is mounted on the wall.

Kanae: I am Ohtori Kanae, from grade 12, class A.
Mikage: (over intercom) Then, please begin.

The elevator shakes slightly and starts to move down.

Kanae: As soon as I graduate next spring, I will be getting married. He is someone my father, the trustee chairman, recommended.

She looks at a photograph in her lap of herself and Akio.

Kanae: He's very gentle, and can be a little childish, but... In fact, he's much more mature than I am, and he watches over me so kindly. I would do anything for him. I believe this from the bottom of my heart. But... But...

The elevator shakes again, and the picture of the butterfly has changed to a picture of a cocoon.

Mikage: (over intercom) Deeper... Go deeper...
Kanae: But... But he has a younger sister...

She moves her hand over the photograph slightly to show Anthy also in the picture.

Kanae: ...and no matter how hard I try, I can't bring myself to like her.

The picture on the wall has changed again to a caterpillar.

Kanae: There was an incident... When I gave her my favorite scarf, and told her to use it... She said "Thank you!" and began wiping her glasses with it! I was so surprised, and when I told her it wasn't a lens cloth, she simply stared at me silently and smiled. The sight of her eyes made my skin crawl, because she looked just like an alien!... And my father's illness... I can't help but feel that my father's illness started when that freak came to our house. I'm not sure if I can keep smiling around her any longer. Up until now I've done my best to like her...

Kanae smashes her thumb into the part of the picture with Anthy on it.

Kanae: But I just can't! No matter how I try, no matter how hard...

The picture on the wall has changed to a leaf. The elevator starts descending rapidly.

Kanae: I can't!!!

The elevator abruptly stops as Kanae starts crying. Mikage stands behind her chair.

Mikage: I understand. It seems you have no choice but to revolutionize the world. The way before you has been prepared.

Kanae looks up, confused.

Mikage stands next to a wall across from the elevator scattered with coffin drawers, all adorned with a rose on the front. Kanae stands up and looks around.

Kanae: Where am I?
Mikage: This is a holy land, a sacred place where a hundred duelists are sleeping. This room leads to the ends of the world. (reading a number above a coffin drawer) Student identification number D-13.

The coffin slides open abruptly.

Mikage: Take a look.

He puts his hand into the coffin and pulls out a ring.

Mikage: This Rose Signet... See, it's black... When its bearer dies, it changes color like this. But I think black is more beautiful.

Kanae starts to back into the elevator, frightened.

Mamiya: (behind Kanae) You can't run away now. You have been selected by my black rose.

Mamiya holds up a black rose in front of her.

Mamiya: This is your new heart... and your new life.

He thrusts his arm out, having the stem of the black rose pointed towards Kanae.

Mamiya: Here's one of the roses blooming at the ends of the world...for you!

He stabs the rose into Kanae’s chest. She screams in pain.

Mikage: A Black Rose Signet...

He puts the ring on Kanae's limp hand.

Utena and Wakaba are walking through the halls of the academy.

Wakaba: Isn't there anything fun to do?
Utena: Well, we had a party last Saturday.
Wakaba: Not like that...something more exciting! Our academy's just too peaceful.

Utena stops at her locker and opens it.

Wakaba: I just wish something surprising would happen!

Utena sees a note written on a piece of a paper with a rose decoration taped to the inside of her locker.

Note: To the one engaged – I shall wait for you in the duel arena this evening.

C-ko starts a skit behind a stained-glass window that Utena is standing in front of.

C-ko: (running across) Extra extra extra!
C-ko: (on one knee) At last, at last, at last! At last, that which I feared has come to pass!
C-ko: (deep voice) Earlier than for other people.
C-ko: (high voice) My big sister is advanced for her age.
C-ko: (as doctor) Okay, say "Aaaah".
C-ko: Aaaah!
C-ko: (doctor) What should we do about this wisdom tooth!
C-ko: Aaaah!
C-ko: Oh, what should we do?
Utena: (closing locker) Have it pulled.

Utena opens the doors to the duel arena and climbs the steps.
Utena: What's this?

She looks at the arena, which is covered with rows of identical school desks, each with a vase on yellow flowers on top of them. She walks towards the desks, confused.

Utena: What...

She stops as her foot rests on the red silhouette of a person on the floor. She looks around the desk and sees several more silhouettes. She walks a few steps and sees a person standing amongst the steps, her back to Utena.

Utena: Who's there? Kanae turns to Utena, her eyes dark. She is wearing a duelist outfit and a black rose on her chest.

Utena: Ka-Kanae-san... Why?
Anthy: That is not her normal self.
Kanae: This is my true self...the other me which slumbered within... As long as I have this black rose, I don't have to play the false me anymore.
Utena: Because of that black rose...
Kanae: Now, Tenjou Utena, draw your sword!

She points a sword at Utena.

Kanae: Otherwise, the Rose Bride will be mine!

Anthy summons the Sword of Dios. Utena pulls it out of her chest.

Utena: ...the power to revolutionize the world!

The bells near the duel arena ring. Utena and Kanae start to duel. Kanae leaps towards Utena, and she is barely able to hold her back.

Kanae: How feeble! Put more effort into it!
Utena: Kanae-san, you just said you swore by that black rose you'd win this duel and...
Kanae: And bring death to the Rose Bride!

Kanae swipes at Utena, and hits one of the flower vases as Utena flips backwards.

Utena: Fine. I see how it is. In that case, I won't hold back!

Utena summons the power of Dios.

Kanae: What?

Utena charges towards Kanae and cuts her rose off. Kanae gasps and the petals fly into the air. The bells ring once again. The desks move together into four squares surrounding Kanae. She screams in anguish as her Rose Signet and sword disappear. She falls over and lands perfectly against one of the red silhouettes.

Inside Nemuro Memorial Hall, the coffin that Mikage had taken the Rose Signet from falls backwards through the wall and is consumed by flames. Mikage stands next to the opening where the coffin was.

Mikage: So that's the duelist Tenjou Utena... Now I see. She's good enough for the Ends of the World to stake everything upon her. No makeshift duelist whose mind is simply frozen would be able to defeat her.

Utena is sitting in her room, staring vacantly at a newspaper on the table. Anthy opens the door to leave the room.

Anthy: So, Utena-sama... Utena-sama...

Utena looks up.

Anthy: I'm going out now.
Utena: Oh right, today's the day you see your brother. See you later.

Anthy starts to walk out.

Utena: Uh, Himemiya? How has Kanae-san been since then?
Anthy: She's better now.
Utena: I'm glad. And she really doesn't remember anything since then?
Anthy: No, nothing at all before the duel.
Utena: I see. Then I guess she can't explain what happened to her. In any case, I'm sorry I had to hurt someone who's going to be your sister.
Anthy: Please don't let it trouble you. It isn't your fault, Utena-sama.
Utena: Thanks. Sorry for keeping you. And say hello to your brother for me.
Anthy: Okay.

Anthy leaves. Utena looks down and sees Chu Chu looking at the newspaper.

Utena: Oh, Chu Chu, you're still here. Aren't you going with her?

Inside Akio's office, Akio sits on the couch, watching Anthy as she comes in the room. She sets her glasses on a small table in the middle of the room.

Akio: Come here, Anthy.

Anthy turns and walks towards him. The windows all black out. Faint lights glow from the planetarium projector.

Akio: Were you lonely this week?
Anthy: Yes, brother.

To be continued...