Episode #22 – Nemuro Kinekan (Nemuro Memorial Hall)

A shadowed figure rests on a large, ornate floating sphere, bathed in light. Another figure stands under an adjacent spotlight, holding a rose.

Akio: And so, at last, even the black rose comes to its final flower. However, I wonder if he himself will actually fight.

Title card: Nemuro Memorial Hall

Miki: We've got to find out who they are, really quickly.

Miki is doing research among tall bookcases in a library.

Miki: They're not trying to take the Rose Bride... They're trying to kill her! Needless to say, it's our duty of the Student Council enforcement division, as representatives of an autonomous body, to maintain order within the academy.

Juri stares at some books on a shelf. She looks up at Nanami, who is sitting on a ladder, looking through drawers.

Nanami: So true. Just who are these people who manipulate regular students and force them to duel Tenjou Utena one after the other?

Miki, Juri and Nanami are riding in the Student Council elevator.

Juri: You're rather impatient. Because you, your friends, and even Touga have been targeted?
Nanami: As usual, you know everything. But if your intelligence network is good enough to find that out, then I want you to find out who these people are, and now!

The elevator arrives at the Student Council area.

Miki: There's one clue...

A train signal light goes off behind Juri.

Juri: Only people chosen by the Ends of the World should have the Rose Signet.

A gate comes down behind Miki.

Miki: So, the shadowskuller may in fact be the Ends of the World, right?
Juri: Who knows?

A wind blows and train sounds are heard as Nanami speaks.

Nanami: But looking...evidence...that someone...backed by...of the World, right? In any case, that...must be...in our quiet academy.

The train noises stop. The light flashes again and the gate goes up.

Juri: Pardon me. I couldn't hear you very well.

Utena is walking around near Nemuro Memorial Hall.

Utena: Chu Chu! Chu Chu! Here, Chu Chu! Sheesh, now where could he have gone?
Mikage: Does this creature belong to you?

Utena looks up to see Mikage standing at the top of the steps, holding Chu Chu.

Utena: Ah, Chu Chu!

She runs up the steps.

Mikage: You're...
Utena: Thanks. Did he give you any trouble?
Mikage: Not at all. I found him crying, caught in a mousetrap in the kitchen.
Utena: Mousetrap? (to Chu Chu) Behave yourself once in a while, okay?
Mikage: Tenjou Utena-san...
Utena: How'd you know my name?
Mikage: Pleased to meet you. I've had an interest in you for quite some time. I'm Souji Mikage, from the high school.
Utena: Mikage? Are you the brilliant high school student who runs the Mikage Seminar?

Utena looks inside the doors and sees the hallway lined with chairs.

Mikage: What do you say, Tenjou Utena-san? Do you feel like joining the seminar?
Utena: Who, me? I... My last test was a makeup, you see...
Mikage: This has nothing to do with academic prowess. My seminar only seeks students with individual personalities. You're perfectly welcome to come and see what it's like.
Utena: Your seminar is held in this building, isn't it?
Mikage: Yes, it is. Nemuro Memorial Hall. I guess you've heard all the rumors concerning this building, haven't you? If you're thinking of the story of a hundred boys dying here, that's true. Long ago, there was a man here named Professor Nemuro. There was a fire here and his students were trapped, and they burned to death, they say.

He looks up at the towering building. Utena follows his stare.

Mikage: And this Nemuro Memorial Hall was remodeled sometime after. However...

Utena looks down to see Mikage looking directly at her.

Mikage: ...that was a long time ago.

Utena: Anybody home? Akio-san? Are you here?

Utena looks around Akio's empty office.

Utena: He's not here... How strange.

Mikage sits at his desk, looking at a picture.

Mikage: Oh, you...

Akio puts a letter down on the desk. Mikage reads it, and throws it back on the desk.

Mikage: I've done nothing more than make a deal with you. There’s no reason for me to obey your orders.
Akio: True. That is our contract. Ever since that time...

Person: It doesn't seem to disappear to quickly, does it, Professor Nemuro?
Mikage: Eh, what's that?

Mikage is walking towards Nemuro Memorial Hall when he is approached by another person.

Person: I was talking about the snow, Professor.
Mikage: Stop calling me "Professor". We're about the same age, you know.
Person: But the distinction is important. With a genius like you here, our project has been jumpstarted.
Mikage: Really now, you're making too much of it.

Mikage and the other person walk up the stairs.

Person: Putting that aside, I didn't think they were so extreme in the secrecy. We're being treated like spare parts, so to speak.
Mikage: Didn't you agree to that when you made your contract with the academy?
Person: Yes, but we don't even know the research project of out neighboring section. Rumor has it that it has something to do with "the power to revolutionize the world", or some research about "grasping eternity". Can't you even give us a hint?

Mikage is inside a sunlit room in Nemuro Memorial Hall, looking out the window.

Mikage: Even I don't know anything beyond the rumors. Furthermore, I'm not even interested. By the way, there's something I've been meaning to ask.
Person: What is it?
Mikage: What is that ring all of you wear on your left hands?
Person: (showing Mikage the Rose Signet on his hand) Oh, no special meaning. It's the latest fashion.

Person 2: So that's Professor Nemuro, the genius? And he really doesn't know about our current research subject?
Person: Looks that way. But, the Professor's intellect is warranted by you-know-who.
Person 2: His thesis is interesting, but the man himself is quite dry. People who act like they don't care about anything are unsophisticated. Let him act how he wants. The man is just like a computer. We should use him for all he's worth.

Mikage walks out of the room, having heard everything the two people have said.

Mikage: (thinking) At the time, I certainly was like a computer. Though the computer is a peerless machine, machines themselves hold no purpose. My dry self, those dry days... And it's also true that I wasn't particularly interested in the research at that time. And as a result, the research which I participated in wasn't progressing, but I didn't mind.

Mikage enters his office, where a woman is standing.

Tokiko: You're the research coordinator, Professor Nemuro, right? I was sent by the board of directors. I'm here as their current inspector, Chida Tokiko. Pleased to meet you.

An hourglass runs out as sounds are heard in the background.

Mikage is standing near the door in Tokiko's house. Behind him, a flashing hand points to a black cat sitting outside the window. Meanwhile, Tokiko is pouring tea. Another flashing hand points to the teapot.

Tokiko: The streets around here are bad. It must have been difficult with the roads all slushy.

Another hand points to a large glass picture with a butterfly inside behind Mikage.

Mikage: Yes, well...

Mikage and Tokiko are sitting. A flashing had points to outside the window, where there are now two black cats.

Mikage: You've called me all the way out to your house, so what is it that you want?

Tokiko drinks her tea.

Tokiko: It's too strong. The tea seems too strong, even though I let it steam the same amount of time I usually do. I wonder if even an hourglass can run slow.
Mikage: The job I was given is running its course, as planned. I can't guarantee completion, however.
Tokiko: I know that you're not one for taking orders from others. Genius is a godly thing. Its spirit can't be tied down to earth.
Mikage: I'm not a genius.
Tokiko: Why are you contributing to this project?
Mikage: Purely for business reasons. As it is, I think I'm already working beyond my contract. We've got one hundred excellent youths gathered together at Ohtori Academy, all pursuing this research.

A crowd of students in lab coats is shown walking up some outside stairs. A flashing hand points to one of the students.

Mikage: They are saying that the purpose of this research is for the power to revolutionize the world, or to grasp eternity, or something like that. (pause) To even think of grasping eternity... It sounds like they're trying to build a perpetual motion machine. People should be humbly giving thanks for these god-given things.
Tokiko: Yes, but you could...

Suddenly Tokiko looks over, having noticed something. She gets up.

Tokiko: Excuse me for a moment.

Mikage looks at Tokiko's tea cup. A small flashing hand points to her lipstick smeared on the edge of the cup. Tokiko's voice can be heard from outside the room.

Tokiko: Mamiya! What are you doing?

Mikage looks over to the doorway of a courtyard. A flashing hand points to the doorway, where Tokiko and someone else who looks almost exactly like the Mamiya of Nemuro Memorial Hall are standing.

Tokiko: Weren't you told to stay in bed today?
Mamiya: Yes, but I got a bit worried about the roses.
Tokiko: Get back in bed right now!
Mamiya: Okay, in a moment.

He leans over to water the roses. Tokiko grabs his shoulders.

Tokiko: What I hate most are people who don't look after themselves.

Mamiya turns away, catching Tokiko's attention, who also looks. They see a surprised-looking Mikage standing in the courtyard.

Tokiko: Sorry you had to see that. (to Mamiya) Hurry and go to bed.

Tokiko walks out of the courtyard. Mamiya turns to Mikage.

Mamiya: You're Professor Nemuro, aren't you?
Mikage: And you are?
Mamiya: Chida Tokiko's brother, Mamiya. I've really wanted to meet you for the longest time.
Mikage: Because of the strange and interesting rumors? They say I'm a computer-like man.
Mamiya: I've read your thesis. You're the first person I've ever respected, excepting my sister. My sister came to Ohtori Academy to meet you.

Tokiko prepares a syringe in Mamiya's room.

Tokiko: Because you weren't sleeping quietly, that's why...
Mamiya: I like it when you give me an injection.
Tokiko: Don't say such stupid things, you brat.

Tokiko: It's for his sake that I'm involved in this.

Tokiko stands by a fireplace, looking at a picture on the mantle. It is of herself and Mamiya, who is wearing the same outfit the Mamiya in Nemuro Memorial Hall wears. Mikage is standing nearby.

Tokiko: The doctors told me that there's nothing left to do but to give up hope. But if the research succeeds...
Mikage: The research has nothing to do with medicine. Even if it is a success, it may not help your brother.
Tokiko: But maybe I could grasp eternity for him.

She stops to wipe the tears from her eyes.

Tokiko: I'm sorry for crying like this.
Mikage: It's all right. I feel like this is the first time I've seen a person's tears.

He starts to leave.

Tokiko: Is there someone important in your life? (pause) Or perhaps those known as geniuses never fall in love with other people?

Mikage turns and looks at her.

Mikage: So it would seem.

Mikage: (thinking) That is, up until today.

Mikage is working with the students in doing various kinds of research.

Student 1: Professor Nemuro seems awfully excited about the project lately, doesn't he?
Student: 2: Didn't the board of directors send an inspector?

Mikage is consulting with Tokiko amongst the research.

Student 3: She really seems to be just right for the job.
Student 2: Well, whatever you-know-who does is in vain.

Mikage sees another covered coffin being pushed down the hall.

Student 1: Then, the professor still doesn't know what this is all about?

Mikage and Mamiya are sitting in the courtyard.

Mikage: Shouldn't you be asleep right now?
Mamiya: It's okay, I'm feeling a bit better today.
Mikage: I see. (looking around) The snow in this garden doesn't disappear so easily, does it?
Mamiya: My sister was called out by the board of directors, so she probably won't be back until the evening.
Mikage: No, that's fine. I only came here today to see your face.
Mamiya: So, do you like it?

A plate is shown with some food on it.

Mamiya: It's a rose sugar-pickle. My sister makes them. (gesturing to flowers on table) These dry flowers are like them too. She doesn't want to see the flowers scatter, you see. When she does this, even the shortened flowers can be made to last a little longer. But I wonder if the flowers themselves are happy, being forced to last so long. Eternity doesn't exist in this world, does it? It's just that one could think that a heart that longs for eternity is beautiful.
Mikage: You don't think that what your sister and I are doing is going to succeed?
Mamiya: I respect the two of you, and I'm grateful as well.

(pause)

Mikage: (getting up) Thank you for having me. I'll be back again sometime.

A flashing hand briefly points to the picture on the wall. Where the butterfly once was, there is now a leaf.

Mamiya: Professor Nemuro?
Mikage: Yes?
Mamiya: I'll be sure to tell my sister that you're worried about me.

Mikage is in his office, writing on a chalkboard. A flashing hand points to a teacup on the table. Mikage erases something on the board, looking frustrated. Another flashing hand points to the lipstick stain on the teacup.

Mikage is sitting at his desk, thinking.

Akio: (off-screen) You still can't solve the equation?

He puts an envelope on the desk, which is sealed with a rose symbol.

Mikage: This place is off-limits to outsiders.
Akio: (off-screen) There are no outsiders here. That is, except for you.

Mikage looks at him, surprised. Akio holds out his hand, which is all that is visible of him.

Akio: That is the first step towards the power to revolutionize the world. That will set everything in motion.

Mikage opens the envelope and reads the paper inside.

Mikage: Ridiculous... How could anyone even execute such a plan?!

Akio holds out a Rose Signet.

Mikage: That's the ring everyone wears, isn't it?
Akio: It's the Rose Signet, the proof of a contract with me.
Mikage: Contract?
Akio: Yes. All of the one hundred youths working here are contracted to me.
Mikage: That's crazy. What is this contract? And those boys bound by that contract, why are you subjecting them to this? Besides, even if I do grasp eternity by doing this, she won't be very happy.
Akio: Oh, her?

He drops the Rose Signet in the teacup.

Akio: I'll leave this Rose Signet for you. Should you ever desire eternity, then put it on.

Mikage stares at the ring.

Akio: I suppose you have no choice but to revolutionize the world. The way before you has been prepared.

Mikage looks up to see that Akio is gone, but another covered coffin is being pushed down the hallway. He comes out of his office and tries to follow it. He looks through an open set of doors. He stops and stares. The beeping sound from the flashing hand get louder as Mikage sees Akio and Tokiko kissing, with a flashing hand above them. He turns away. The Rose Signet in the teacup is shown.

That night, something is ablaze at Nemuro Memorial Hall. Mikage and Mamiya are standing outside the gates, watching the building burn. Tokiko comes running up to Mamiya.

Tokiko: Is it true? Do you do this? Is this... Is this your doing?
Mamiya: Yes.
Tokiko: Why? How could you do such a thing?
Mikage: Those boys had a contract. Ancient creatures died and left naught but fossil fuels, like coal and petroleum. Without that sacrifice, our present energy civilization would not exist. That sort of sacrifice is what is always demanded.
Tokiko: What are you talking about?
Mikage: This is the first step in the job you are advancing. Soon, the road leading to eternity from this academy will be opened.

He breaks her hold on Mamiya, showing his Rose Signet.

Tokiko: Nemuro-san.
Mikage: What Mamiya-kun did was proper. Now I, too, wish to grasp eternity.

Tokiko sits defeatedly in front of the building, watching it go down.

Mikage sits in his office, hearing another coffin rolling by in the hallway.

A woman places a bundle of roses on the ground, and walks away. She is later walking down a hallway in Ohtori Academy when she passes Mikage. She stops and turns as he passes, as we see that it is Tokiko.

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

C-ko: Extra! Extra! Extra!

C-ko comes in as a robot, making beeping noises.

C-ko: (as mad scientist) It's complete! The all-purpose robot made from the essences of science!
C-ko: (as robot) A robot does not age. A robot does not tire. I catch the monkeys.
C-ko: (as mad scientist) You are superior to humans.
C-ko: (as robot) A robot is superior. I catch many monkeys.
C-ko: (as mad scientist) You cannot become worried.
C-ko: (as robot) A robot does not worry. When I see a monkey, I catch it quickly! A robot is not lonely. I have all the monkeys I have caught. A robot can work indefinitely, and can catch many monkeys.
Tokiko: But those who look at you get lonely.
C-ko: (as robot) A monkey! A monkey!

Akio is in his office. Tokiko walks over to him.

Akio: You... It's been a while.
Tokiko: The academy has changed a lot. Just now over there, I saw Professor Nemuro.

Mikage is outside the rose garden, watching. Utena and Anthy are inside it.

Utena: Now look, you don't have to do what those unknown people tell you.
Anthy: But I can't help it. I am the Rose Bride, after all.
Utena: Stupid! What I hate most are people who don't look after themselves.

Mikage remembers when Tokiko had said the same thing to Mamiya.

Mikage: Tokiko...

Tokiko: (to Akio) He hasn't aged a bit since then, just like you.
Akio: As long as they stay within this garden called an academy, a person will never become an adult.
Tokiko: There's something wrong with that, though...
Akio: Are you leading a normal life?
Tokiko: ...Yes, I am. My husband is a kind and generous man.
Akio: What did you come here for today?
Tokiko: I came to visit my brother's... Mamiya's... grave.
The windows in Akio's office all close, and the planetarium projector comes on.

Tokiko: Even you should know. To bear fruit, flowers have to cast off their petals.
Akio: Yes, indeed.

To be continued...