EPISODE 23: ALL SET FOR THE STAR FESTIVAL

EPISODE 23: ALL SET FOR THE STAR FESTIVAL

(Sora keeps yelling until he pops forward with sweat on his forehead and all over his face. She jumps forward with a terrified look and screaming while breathing and very fast)

INNER SPACE, INSIDE THE HOUSE OF SAKAKIBARA-NIGHT

SORA

MOM~AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

(At once yūto, itachi, sakakibara, aiko and little aoi turn their sharp gaze towards sora. Sora catches his head and with slow movements gets up, then heads towards the door. Then before he leaves the house he turns his head and says with a cold expressionless look)

SORA

No more rest, now only death. As for you, itachi, I'm not done with you yet. See you soon, you and me.

(He drags the wooden door, rushes out of the house and again drags with force this time the door. Aiko asks with Wonder)

AIKO

What just happened?

(Yūto gets up saying anxious)

YŪTO

We mustn't leave him alone, he can do anything stupid with his nerves. Follow him!

(So itachi and aiko shake their heads affirmatively, go to get up but sakakibara raises her hand to prevent the two children from getting up and beckons them to sit down again, drinks a sip of her tea and says)

SAKAKIBARA

Let him go. He needs to be left alone for a while, to think and "digest" what has happened.

AIKO

What should he think? Sora never thinks.

(Sakakibara gets up from her seat saying)

SAKAKIBARA

It's never too late, chance. He probably found out about his mother. He's sad filled with anger and sadness. We better let him realize it, he'll make it.don't worry. He's strong and he'll get through it on his own. Though I doubt he'll believe what he saw. He's been very skeptical since he was a kid, he hasn't changed at all.

(Sakakibara smiles telling the children)

SAKAKIBARA

But until then you need to get dressed, the star festival is about to start. For you boys I have two yukata that my late husband wore, I wish they were your size, hehe.

(She then turns her head towards aiko telling her)

SAKAKIBARA

While you aiko, such a beautiful and sweet girl like you should not go to waste. You will follow me to my room, and I will fix you up a little. I'll dress you up and make you a doll.

(Aiko with a scared look says)

AIKO

No! No, I'm fine, I just want yukata, that's all.

(Sakakibara grabs aiko by the arm and says as she pulls her along)

SAKAKIBARA

What are you talking about, aiko? Come on, Come On, Don't tell me you're scared or ashamed. Don't be a little kid, I'll make you a doll, hehe.

(When they reached the door of the room, sakakibara tells aiko)

INSIDE SAKAKIBARA'S HOUSE OUTSIDE HER ROOM TO-NIGHT

SAKAKIBARA

Here we are, get in, honey.

(Aiko has never seen such a beautiful and decorated room, so she walks in with surprise, admiration on her face. Sakakibara, however, does not follow aiko, turns her gaze towards aoi and in a low voice says)

SAKAKIBARA

Make sure sora's okay, follow him, okay?

(Aoi smiles)

AOI

Mmm, stay quiet mom, I won't let you down.

(And he embraces her. As sakakibara has aoi in her arms she says with a smile)

SAKAKAKIBARA

Goodbye aoi, I love you.

(Sakakibara moves and gives her shamisen (三味線) then tells her)

SAKAKIBARA

Take the shamisen to accompany you on your long journey, time for this musical instrument to pass into younger hands. Make sure you protect sora no matter what, follow him and live the life you choose to live.

(Aoi takes it in her hands she wears it back on her back with a strap on and says with a smile on her lips)

AOI

Thank you Mom, I'll stand by sora no matter what, I promise. And ... and I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-

(Sakakibara strokes aoi's head telling her proud of her daughter)

SAKAKIBARA

I understand you aoi, you don't have to apologize no matter what you say you're absolutely right. Take care of yourself on this long journey, and I will be by your side, my little one; remember this every moment when he loses ground under your feet.

(Sakakibara smiles. Aoi embraces her mother for the last time and runs, leaving the house while sakakibara enters the room with a smile on her lips and wiping a tear that flows from her cheek. So as he closes the door of the room he says to aiko)

SAKAKIBARA

So are you ready? I have to make you a doll for the star festival.

(At the same time sora stands on a roof of a house and looks at the people walking through the streets of the embellished city. In the streets of the City Walk families gripped hand in hand with each other, while some young boys and girls are held by the hands. Sora thinks of his mother's words that come to his mind at that moment, then a tear rolls down his cheek, he wipes it violently and says)

OUTSIDE, INSIDE THE CITY ON A ROOF OF A HOUSE TO-NIGHT

SORA

Tsk, pathetic feelings.

(She looks at his hand)

SORA

We will be with you, we will be your strength or the fuse.

(Sora clenches his fist)

SORA

Fuck. Lies, it's all a lie, it certainly wasn't a dream what I saw. my mother will be living, waiting for me to return to our home, to the village along with all the people I grew up with. What I saw was nothing but a trap of a demon. But, why didn't he kill me, why?

(So he pauses for a moment and then bends his head. At that moment sora can not bear to keep the emotions inside him, so he starts crying saying)

SORA

It doesn't matter why that demon didn't kill me, all I know is that it wasn't reality, that's what counts! Surely it was not reality! It wasn't... it wasn't, it was something fake, it wasn't something real... it wasn't.

(At that moment AOI appears. Sora wipes his tears and continues to look at the people walking the streets, he does not turn to look at aoi)

SORA

What are you doing here? It's dangerous at this time of night for a pathetic weak girl like you. Get out of here while it's early, before the Demons show up, yet I think you've met one and he's expensive in front of you.

(Aoi starts advancing towards him, then sora says again)

SORA

I SAID GO! I COMMAND YOU!

(Aoi is standing a few steps away from sora. Then sora again says shouting this time)

SORA

Don't come any closer, I'll kill you! Go home with that crazy woman! You heard me!

(Aoi looks at the tiles of the house and in slow motion takes another step towards sora. When she sets her foot to take the step, sora grabs behind her back one of the two small axes and shoots out like lightning in front of her by putting the blade of his ax on aoi's neck. Aoi is not afraid, sora looks at her. After a few seconds he takes the axe from her throat and puts it back in its sheath, in a stern tone asks her)

SORA

You're not scared, huh?

(Aoi shakes her head affirmatively. Sora grabs his head and pulls out a big exhalation)

SORA

Good grief. You'd better follow me if you don't want to be devoured by the Demons, hadn't you?

(Sora turns his back towards aoi, takes a few steps and again says)

SORA

I'm not going to look behind me or babysit you like a little baby. If you want to be a demon hunter, you must be taught by me to protect yourself on your own, without relying on the help of others. So you want to be demon hunter?!

(Aoi shakes her head again affirmatively and smiles. Sora walks over the roofs of the houses, then stops for a while and says looking back at aoi with the corner of his eye)

SORA

My name is sora, yours?

(Aoi says aloud)

AOI

MY NAME IS MASTER SORA!

(Sora looks in front of him again and says)

SORA

Aoi kodama huh? Good name you got, sounds good. It reminds me a lot of my mother's name, but it doesn't matter now, let's go.

(And she starts running over the tiles of the houses, then aoi starts running too with a smile on her lips saying)

AOI

Yes, Master.

(Meanwhile yūto and itachi sit around the table and wait for aiko. Then itachi says to yūto)

ITACHI

Yūto, can I ask you something?

YŪTO

What is itachi?

ITACHI

You and aiko are, you know…

(Yūto looks at him curiously, asking again)

YŪTO

What do you mean by that, itachi?

ITACHI

I mean, you and aiko are, are you together?

(Yūto for a while does not react but when it comes to mind what he thinks itachi says shaking his hands negatively as his face is red from shame)

YŪTO

No, no, no, no! What are you talking about?! Me and aiko are just together as a team, we're demon hunters and we don't have time for these things that your wicked mind is thinking about! Forget it, forget it, forget it at once!

(Itachi then again says with an ironic look)

ITACHI

Really? Because I saw you too much together, too much together I'd say, Hehe. You seem to like it. That's not it. Yūto?

YŪTO

No, no, I don't like it!

ITACHI

You like it!

YŪTO

I don't like it!

ITACHI

You like it, you like it!

YŪTO

NO I DON'T LIKE IT I SAID, ITACHI SHUT UP DAMN!

ITACHI

And yet you like it, you like it! You love her very, very much, lol! That's why your face has been red for so long, I'M telling the truth! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

(Then yūto attacks itachi by passing over the table and shouting)

YŪTO

I DON'T LIKE IT! Aaaaa! STOP ITACHI!

(Yūto takes itachi headlock)

ITACHI

YOU LIKE IT, YOU LIKE IT, YOU LIKE IT! Hahahahahaha!

YŪTO

I don't like it!

(Itachi lying on the ground says again with an ironic and smiling look)

ITACHI

All right, all right, hehe. Then, since you don't like her, I can ask her out today, it'll be like a date. What's the matter yūto, won't you agree with me? Maybe it's because you're jealous and that's what it means by loving her.

(Yūto says anxious)

YŪTO

No!

(Itachi looks at him and smiles, so yūto says since he found the excuse he will say)

YŪTO

I mean, how ... how ... how you can't because, because ... we have a mission to accomplish, and as team leader, I order you to commit to your mission. Yes, that's it! Don't think it's anything else because it's not!

(And laughing mock laughter, itachi puts his hands behind his head and with a sad look says)

ITACHI

I had forgotten that. What a shame for me.

(Then he looks at yūto again and half smiles)

ITACHI

But at some point I will find the opportunity I seek, do not think I missed, yūto.

(Yūto looks at itachi and from within he is boiling with anger)

YŪTO

I wish you to find this opportunity you seek, itachi. I sincerely wish you.

(Yūto thinks)

YŪTO

No way. I'm not wishing you that, you stupid itachi.

(At that moment aiko comes down in a pink attire {yukata} for the feast and with her hair tied back on her head. Sakakibara follows her. Yūto looks at her and is amazed while itachi approaches aiko and takes her hand telling her)

ITACHI

I have not seen with my own eyes anything so beautiful before me to-day, now I can die calm, full of peace within me.

(Yūto thinks)

YŪTO

DIE, YOU BASTARD, YOU STOLE MY LINE! DAMN YOU, ITACHI!

(When he finishes his sentence itachi kisses her hand. Aiko blushes very little and responds with a smile)

AIKO

Thanks for your kind words, itachi.

(Itachi looks at yūto with ironic gaze and with a sly smile kisses her hand again)

ITACHI

He he he.

(Yūto thinks again)

YŪTO

Lick it, you bastard, put it all in your dirty mouth.

(Yūto approaches them, then aiko leaves itachi and she too approaches yūto. So she tells him with a smile on her lips)

AIKO

Yūto, yūto. Look at me, look at me.

(And she makes one turn for yūto to look at her, then concludes by saying)

AIKO

So, do you like the yukata I'm wearing?

(Yūto turns his head and calls me anxious and a little blushing)

YŪTO

You're ... you're, you're... How Shall I put it ... you're very, very beaut-

(Then Itachi pops out and hugging them both by the throat says in a loud voice)

ITACHI

It's time to have a great time! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

(As the children turn to leave sakakibara barks and says)

SAKAKIBARA

{Coughing}

Have you thought about how you're all going to cover this stretch of town? The city is a bit big to chase demons, so I suggest you move in groups. We will go to groups like AOI with sora, so you yūto will go with aiko, while itachi will go with me, do not you agree?

(Yūto is surprised and says anxious)

YŪTO

I, I ... I don't-

(And he looks at aiko who at that moment looks at the ground with a red face from her shame)

YŪTO

No, no, I don't agree! We are a team and we have to be together otherwise, otherwise…

SAKAKIBARA

I'll protect itachi. don't worry. I promise you nothing will happen to her while she is with him, you have my word of Honor.

(And smiling, itachi adds, too, looking at yūto again with an ironical look and with a smile on his lips)

ITACHI

Besides, yūto, we need to get to know each other better as a team, don't you agree, hehe? You and I have known each other for many years, I consider you my brother and aiko don't, here's a chance for you two to get to know each other better.

(Aiko blushes more and grasps the sleeve of yukata's yūto, pulls him a little. Yūto perceives it and turns his gaze towards aiko, so aiko tells yūto with her head lowered while she is ashamed)

AIKO

Never mind yūto, we go together to the star festival. I don't have a problem, really! Unless you do, then we can-

(Yūto interrupts her by saying)

YŪTO

No! No, I have no problem with you, but I ... I want... I want to ... I want to be with you in such a special moment! I really do!

(Aiko blushes and looks at yūto, then lowers her head and with a hidden smile says)

AIKO

I'm glad.

(Sakakibara catches yūto and aiko and pushes them to get out of the house telling them at the same time)

SAKAKIBARA

Great! Come on, Come On, Come On, Don't be late.the festival's about to start. Go have some fun and escape from your daily life as demon hunters, hehe.

(With these words sakakibara has pushed them out of the House)

SAKAKIBARA

See you later, have fun!

(And he crawls, closing the wooden door with force. When sakakibara has closed the door, yūto is surprised and so is aiko. Then he says in a low voice:)

OUTDOOR SPACE, OUTSIDE THE HOUSE OF SAKAKIBARA-NIGHT

YŪTO

Yes, sir.

(He looks at aiko and tells her)

YŪTO

So let's go?

(Aiko shakes her head affirmatively and they start walking along with other people heading towards the festival. Inside the House itachi sits and with a smile on his lips tells sakakibara)

INTERIOR SPACE, INSIDE THE HOUSE OF SAKAKIBARA, IN THE MAIN ROOM WITH THE TABLE-NIGHT

ITACHI

Nice plan of yours to get me out of the gang and the two lovebirds to stay together, lol.

(Sakakibara looks at him curiously)

SAKAKIBARA

HUH?

(Itachi gets up the stairs from where he sits again with a smile on his lips says)

ITACHI

I guess aiko told you about her feelings towards yūto. That's why you created this plan, isn't it?

(Sakakibara says in a serious tone)

SAKAKIBARA

My plan wasn't what you're thinking.

ITACHI

Then what was your plan, sakakibara-sensei?

(Sakakibara looks at the floor for a while and then looks at itachi telling him)

SAKAKIBARA

My plan was to have the two of us alone. I want to talk to you in private, itachi, about something very important that concerns you I believe.

(For a while absolute quiet prevails, itachi looks at sakakibara with anxiety and fear in his gaze. Meanwhile sora and aoi run and jump from roof to roof over the old Japanese houses. In a moment sora stops and looks at the people down the street, then aoi arrives. Sora sits down on the roof of a Japanese house with slow movements, and AOI sits down with her knees. Sora says and closes his eyes)

OUTSIDE, INSIDE THE CITY ON THE ROOFS OF OLD JAPANESE HOUSES-NIGHT

SORA

We'll take a break here, when I feel something I'll let you know. Rest while you can because the hardships will start from now on.

(Sora starts up and breathes, takes deep breaths to understand what is going on around him. He has his teeth tight, and the air enters his lungs like a fog. The air through the city hits buildings and people but reaches the end inside sora's lungs, with this movement sora can see the space around him. Aoi approaches him and sits next to him, takes the same position as sora and starts breathing. Sora looks at her, spreads his left hand in front of her nose and says)

SORA

You're not doing this right.

(Aoi looks at him and bends her head saying)

AOI

I'm sorry, Master.

(Sora tells her in a stern tone)

SORA

Sorry is not befitting a demon hunter. Try again, no one is perfect, as long as you try again and again until you succeed. Look at me and find out.

(Aoi looks at him and after sora does one inhalation and one exhalation tries and aoi to imitate him. But again he gets it wrong)

SORA

Breathe through your mouth with your teeth closed and not through your nose.

(Aoi tries again and this time takes breath through the mouth with closed teeth but the air does not go to the lungs. So sora punches his left hand and puts it in front of aoi's chest telling her)

SORA

The air you breathe must get into your lungs. Try again, I'm sure you'll make it this time.

(Sora looks at her coldly. Then aoi takes a deep breath through her mouth with her eyes closed and her teeth closed, then sora says in a low voice)

SORA

Don't think about anything, let the technique itself take you where it wants to take you. She leads you, she doesn't control you, but she leads you. He wants to join you, give your hand.

(In the mind of aoi come images of the future, images such as: all together, sora, yūto, Aiko and aoi laughing while walking to the next city, all together in an old beautiful of that time "hotel", then crying over a grave and on the ground there is only a katana with a black blade (SPOILER! Death of itachi) another death and a demon's horn cut down on the ground while it rains in a city (SPOILER! Death of hibana), a gray smoke spreading (SPOILER! meeting a new hunter), finally a horrible war with many dead people and demons (SPOILER! The last episode of demon hunter) and at the end, sora finally hugs aoi and gives her hands his blouse, then with the two fingers of his hand touching her forehead (SPOILER! The death of sora last episode demon hunter) aoi is frightened and thrown back taking deep and quick breaths. Then in her mind come the words of her mother that she was saying to yūto and itachi and aiko at the table)

THE FLASHBACK BEGINS:

INNER SPACE, INSIDE THE HOUSE OF SAKAKIBARA-NIGHT

SAKAKIBARA

Of course you can. A demon hunter can learn all kinds of moves and techniques to use them. This is why all movements are joined to each other and have a lot in common with each other if you have noticed.

(Aoi as you take deep breaths thinks)

RETURN FROM THE FLASHBACK OF THE PAST:

OUTSIDE, INSIDE THE CITY ON THE ROOFS OF OLD JAPANESE HOUSES-NIGHT

AOI

What was it I saw? That move, it wasn't like future music, but, but... it was, it was something else, something different.

SORA

This is the initial movement you learn in the technique of blind and is called balance breath. It's a move that allows us to locate the Demons at close range. When you inhale the air enters the lungs, but to get here you have to overtake some obstacles.

AOI

Obstacles?

SORA

Yeah, do you see that building over there?

(And he points with his finger sora a building)

AOI

In fact, I see it very clearly.

SORA

The air behind it will have to come to me, but to get as far as here it will have to pass it. In this way when the air overtake the particular obstacles will and get into my lungs automatically will form the image of the building in my mind. It looks a lot like beast sound with the only difference that in beast sound you make a sound to be able to see the space around you. The sound hits on buildings and various objects while in balance breath you have to breathe.

(Aoi looks at sora surprised and full of admiration)

SORA

To understand it, you have to try it.

(So aoi closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, the air enters into her lungs and creates directly the image of small shops and people walking in the streets of the city. Then aoi opens her eyes to see if she has seen the same image, and indeed it is the same image but in black and white. So she turns her head towards sora and says surprised)

AOI

Indeed, I saw exactly the same picture as I see it now. Only the colors were different, in my mind created the street of the city along with the various shops and people in black and white color.

SORA

In the technique of blind all movements are depicted in white and black colors, of course in reality we see not only black and white but all colors like any normal person.

(Sora looks ahead of him)

SORA

When you first try the balance breath movement and do it right it shows you things from the near future. He had shown me from what I remember that I was going to meet a girl, I guess he meant you. He had also shown me that I would meet yuto, itachi and aiko but that some loved one of mine would find an unjust death. MMM very likely he meant shu. Anyway, that's where my vision stopped, which is why I'm very curious to know about your vision. What showed you that was going to happen, can I find out?

(Aoi looks at the sky and smiles at me saying to sora)

AOI

I don't want to reveal it to you yet, Master, let me keep it to myself.

(Sora smiles and says in turn)

SORA

Mmm see, I can wait as long as it takes, as long as you tell me before I die, at least.

(From the eyes of aoi come out and roll a few tears of emotion and joy)

AOI

I'll tell you, you have my word, sora.

(Straight aoi blushes and looks down saying)

AOI

Sorry, sorry! Master sora I wanted to say. I got carried away unwittingly, I sincerely apologize.

(Sora with his hand grasps aoi's head and says, with a smile on his lips)

SORA

It's okay, you can call me sora. I don't like being called a teacher anyway, lol I'm not old.

(Aoi tears a little and says she too with a smile wiping her tears)

AOI

Mmm yes, sora.

(Sora stands up, takes a deep breath and looks at aoi telling her)

SORA

That's the easy part, aoi. From now on your worst nightmares will follow, are you ready and want to continue?

(Aoi looks at sora in a serious tone, when sora finishes AOI stands up and answers bravely)

AOI

I want, I want to go on! I want to learn other things from you, sora. I consider you my teacher and I want, I want ... I want to be like you!

(Sora looks at her curiously saying with Wonder in his tone)

SORA

Like me, huh?

AOI

Mmm, I want to be a strong and brave demon hunter! I want us to hunt the demons together! I want to follow you and save the world because life is like a beautiful melody. At some point it will end but until then you have to enjoy it and it will definitely be moved at the end but you will feel relieved and free. ABOVE ALL FREE MAN!

(Sora turns his back towards aoi ready to start running again, but before starting he thinks in a hushed voice)

SORA

Like me, huh? Good grief. That girl has a lot of guts, ha.

(sora smiles and looks at aoi saying)

SORA

You have my word, then. But to do that you have to try hard, whatever dreams you have you have to try. I'm sure you'll make it, I'm absolutely sure that one day you won't be just like me, but more than I am, as long as you believe in yourself something you have to watch out for now, out there.

AOI

Explain to me, what do you mean sora?

SORA

This is the technique of demons to kill a demon hunter, make you not believe in your abilities and bend. So be careful and always think you can, because you can! You can do anything.

(Aoi walks and stands next to sora, looks at him with a smile on her lips and with closed eyes answers)

AOI

I'll try hard, I won't let you down, sora.

(Sora looks at aoi's gaze with the corner of his eye and thinks)

SORA

This girl does, she does want to help. She wants to be one of us, she has an appetite for learning and faith, not only in herself but also in others around her. Looks, Looks…

(At that moment a voice sounds in his ear)

MOTHER OF SORA

That's right, my little sora, he looks like me, doesn't he?

I'm very proud of what you've done, but it's time for you to trust others, like this girl. I know people have treated you in a horrible way and you fear for their death, but ... but I promise you myself, he will never get hurt or betray you like the rest of them. Take a step forward.

(Sora closes his eyes and opens them again, the voice leaves his ears)

SORA

You ready?

(Aoi shakes her head affirmatively. Sora looks in front of him and again thinks)

SORA

Maybe you're right, mother. Maybe, but what do I have to lose? Nothing. What's in it for me? A strong friendship and trust, to overcome the fears I have for people. Mmm yeah, sounds better.

SORA

Let's go kill some demons today.

(And she jumps to the opposite side of the House, aoi then with a smile on her lips says)

AOI

Sora! Don't leave me behind, lol!

(So as sora jumps from roof to roof he looks behind him and yells at aoi with a smile on his lips)

SORA

The last one is slow chicken, lol!

(While running sora at the same time feels for the first time so free and happy, really happy, and this is also seen in his look. At the same time, yūto and aiko walk through the decorated streets of the city. The streets are filled with women and men while children play at the various games that each shop has. Aiko takes a step a little ahead of yūto and says with a smile)

OUTSIDE, INSIDE THE DECORATED STREETS OF THE CITY-NIGHT

AIKO

So yūto, how do I look? You still haven't answered my question. Am I Beautiful in this yukata I wear?

(And again he makes one turn, yūto blushes a little and says, making him ignorant)

YŪTO

What do you mean how you look to me, hehe, I don't know what you're getting at, aiko.

(And rubbing the back of his hair, aiko then takes a good pose telling him)

AIKO

I mean, I'm not pretty?

YŪTO

I, I don't ... I want to say you're not ... you are, you are. If you say so, I guess.

(Aiko gets angry, approaches yūto very close and says)

AIKO

Yūto! You tell me, I want you to tell me and not because I'm telling you to.

(So yūto replies while he has blushed exceedingly)

YŪTO

I, you ... You Are, you are very ... very ... you are very beautiful, that's what I mean.

(Aiko blushes a little too)

AIKO

Thank you, yūto.

(And she smiles sweetly, then aiko approaches yūto a little more and says in her turn)

AIKO

And you are very handsome, yūto. This yukata looks great on you. Yeah, but I have to make you some.…

(Aiko grasps yukata's yūto collar to straighten it. Yūto looks down and sees aiko's breast, straight blushes and raises his head high, thinks)

YŪTO

What was that, what was that?! No, no, no, forget yūto, forget it! Get that picture out of your head. You have a mission to accomplish, commit to it! No, no, no, I'm an idiot! Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.

(Aiko has just finished with yūto's collar)

AIKO

You're almost ... ready. Now we can move on.

(Yūto's face is red and shyly replies)

YŪTO

Y-yes, let's move on.

(We see images such as: yūto and aiko playing in the various games that each shop has, eating various sweets of the season and moving along with the rest of the people in the beautiful streets of the city. Until the time has come for the fireworks and all the people go to a high hill without trees or houses to witness this wonderful spectacle. Then aiko as they too go to this hillock to watch the fireworks sees several girls holding hands with the boys beside them, turns her head and looks at yūto. Then he grasps yūto's hand without asking him with hesitation, aiko's face turns red, yūto on the contrary is frightened and says to aiko with a reddened face)

OUTSIDE, TO THE MOUNTAIN FROM WHERE TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS-NIGHT

YŪTO

What-what-what are you doing?

(Aiko looks at him and says shyly)

AIKO

I saw all these boys and girls around us and-and, and I said If you want to hold hands, too. Do you mind, yūto?

YŪTO

Me n-no, I don't mind.

(Aiko smiles)

AIKO

How good, I'm glad, hehe.

(Aiko pulls yūto sharply by his arm and they start running)

AIKO

Come on, Come on, we're gonna be late! We must hurry yūto, haha haha hahahahahahaha.

(Laughs sweetly. Yūto thinks as he runs caught hand-in-hand with aiko)

YŪTO

What is it, because I feel my heart beating so strongly. I feel so free, I feel like I'm about to pass out any minute. And yet, and yet this touch of aiko's soft skin fills me with peace and quiet. She's so sweet, but I can't tell her. Maybe, maybe soon he'll find out, hechee. Until then, until then…

(Yuto also shouts at aiko smiling)

YŪTO

Don't run so fast aiko, hahahahahahaaa.

(Aiko thinks about the dialogue she had with sakakibara when she dressed and painted her)

THE FLASHBACK BEGINS:

INSIDE THE ROOM OF SAKAKIBARA-NIGHT

SAKAKIBARA

What a pretty girl you are.! Mmm, all the boys have to run after you.

(Aiko sits and looks at herself in the mirror opposite her, at the same time adorned by sakakibara)

AIKO

I do not have time to make relationship with Boy sakakibara-sensei, is that... that-

(Then sakakibara as she does her hair interrupts her by telling her)

SAKAKIBARA

It's because you're demon hunter, I totally understand you. Listen to me aiko my sweet angel, listen to my words carefully and put them well in your smart mind. When I was your age in the same position as you, I felt the same way. I was a demon hunter, so I believed the same expensive things you believe now, that I would never have a family or fall in love. But look how things turned out, I had an adorable baby aoi and got married.

(Aiko says in turn looking at sakakibara from the mirror)

AIKO

Yes, but your husband is dead and aoi, aoi will become at some point in the near future demon hunter, you will lose her from your loving embrace. She might die, and you might be left alone in this awful life. No matter that yūto has no time for these things.

(Aiko realizes what she has said and gets upset trying not to understand sakakibara, but in vain)

AIKO

I-i-i mean, no, no, that's not what I wanted to say, I messed up my words! Misunderstanding, big misunderstanding sakakibara-sensei, I did not want to say that…

SAKAKIBARA

Yūto? Aiko, do you love yūto?

(Aiko does not answer, only bends her head. Then sakakibara happy says)

SAKAKIBARA

That's great aiko, that's the best news I've ever heard. I knew there was something wrong with you two from the beginning when I saw you, hahahahahahaha.

(Aiko in a serious tone replies)

AIKO

Don't tell anyone, please.

(Sakakibara looks at her in Wonder and asks her)

SAKAKIBARA

Why don't you want anyone to know? If you like it and-

(Aiko gets up tired and cries saying)

AIKO

I DON'T WANT HER TO EVER, EVER, EVER KNOW! All right!

(Sakakibara gets scared, aiko starts crying)

SAKAKIBARA

Aiko. What's wrong with you?

AIKO

I don't want her to ever know. I don't want to love him, we'll die soon, we'll die soon. But even if I live and he dies I can't bear to live away from him. Without yūto I am nothing, he is good, beautiful and uplifting, because of him he gives us strength to dream for a better life, for a better tomorrow and if he dies he will take all our dreams with him.

(Sakakibara rises from her seat and embraces her sharply, aiko stops crying and is amazed, then sakakibara says in a low voice)

SAKAKIBARA

I can imagine how difficult it is, I understand. But think of one thing, aiko, just because you're a demon hunter doesn't mean you just have to chase demons and save people's lives for the rest of your life. Forget about survival, think about life. That's the whole point of being demon hunter! Learn to live your every moment like it's your last, because as you said "the life of a demon hunter is too short and he can die at any moment"! Having fun, fighting, falling in love and having a family, everything has to be in your life. But you determine how much you devote to each one individually. Love is the greatest power that each person has individually, if you love him you will stand by him and smile. That's what I did, unfortunately fate decides otherwise for our lives. I had dreams, hopes and yet I thought they were all destroyed, until I saw sora and from now on I know the course of things.

(Sakakibara lets aiko out of her arms and wipes her tears rolling down her cheeks)

SAKAKIBARA

You're brave. You are brave, believe in yourself and everything will be fine. Live your every moment as you wish, live as you love. Just live and stop surviving, just live, okay?

(And she smiles sweetly, aiko embraces her again and sakakibara laughs while from her cheek rolls a tear)

(Aiko while lying in sakakibara's arms says and at the same time cries)

AIKO

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you very much!

(Aiko comes back from flashback)

RETURN FROM THE FLASHBACK OF THE PAST:

OUTSIDE, TO THE MOUNTAIN FROM WHERE TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS-NIGHT

(She looks behind her at yūto who runs holding her hand, smiles and thinks)

AIKO

I'll live, I'll have fun. Now I understand, what a beautiful feeling, my heart is beating like crazy, I wish this journey never stopped.

(Then they arrive at two streets, some people walking at that moment taking the left Road. Aiko pulls yuto and they follow the right road that goes a little further up)

AIKO

Come on! THIS WAY, YŪTO!

(Yūto looks behind him and sees many people taking the left Road, then turns his head and looks at aiko)

YŪTO

Aiko, I think we took the wrong road! All people go from elsewhere.

(Aiko pulling yūto says)

AIKO

Trust me, we're taking the right path. You'll see it when we get to the top.

YŪTO

And where does this road lead?

AIKO

It's a surprise, hehe.

THE FLASHBACK BEGINS:

INSIDE THE ROOM OF SAKAKIBARA-NIGHT

(While sakakibara paints aiko's face she says)

SAKAKIBARA

You're ready, honey, to get up and look at you.

(Aiko gets up and makes one turn, then sakakibara says Happy)

SAKAKIBARA

You look beautiful, I think an angel stands in front of me.

(Indeed aiko is very beautiful wearing a beautiful pink yukata, obi( 帯), geta (下駄) and having her hair pulled back. Says aiko in turn making a bow to sakakibara)

AIKO

Thank you very much for what you did sakakibara-sensei, I am grateful.

(Sakakibara waving her hand answers aiko)

SAKAKIBARA

No, no, it was no trouble for me, honey. It's a pleasure, my daughter.

(Going to leave aiko, sakakibara catches her hand saying to her)

SAKAKIBARA

Do you know the way to the mountain where you'll watch the fireworks?

AIKO

No, but I'll follow all the rest of the world going that way.

SAKAKIBARA

No, no, no, big mistake aiko my daughter. I would advise you to take the completely opposite path to what other people are taking. You will climb some stairs and reach a small old temple. That's where me and my husband used to go when we were young, hehe what you remind me of now. What wonderful memories. It has a fantastic view, and not so much fuss if you know what I mean, hehehehee.

(Aiko blushes a lot and says)

AIKO

T-th-th-thank again sakakibara-sensei.

(Aiko after coming back from the flashback sees in front of her those stairs that sakakibara was talking about)

RETURN FROM FLASHBACK:

OUTSIDE, ON THE STEPS NEAR THE OLD TEMPLE TO-NIGHT

YŪTO

Aiko, Where Are we?

AIKO

What do you mean? Let's go see the fireworks.

(So aiko goes ahead and goes to climb the first step, but can't Geta (下駄) has made her hit in the leg)

AIKO

(Sound of pain)

(Yūto approaches her saying)

YŪTO

Aiko, are you okay?

(Aiko in order not to worry yūto gets up and says)

AIKO

Mmm, I'm fine, don't worry. It was just a little pain in my leg.

(And he goes up the next step but again aiko makes a sound of pain. Yūto approaches her, sits down and says

YŪTO

Sit down for a while, aiko.

(Aiko sits down and yuto pulls out her Geta (下駄), Aiko blushes a little. Then he sees aiko's leg full of wounds, turns his back towards aiko and tells her)

YŪTO

Let me help you aiko, come get on my back. I'll carry you up there, allow me.

(Aiko at first refuses)

AIKO

No, no, I'm fine.

(But yūto insists on saying with a smile on his lips)

YŪTO

Come on, Come on, it's Okay, get on.

(Aiko climbs on yūto's back and yūto gets up from the ground saying)

YŪTO

Now let's go.

(So yūto starts to climb the stairs carrying aiko on his back. Aiko lies down on yūto's back and yūto thinks)

YŪTO

Why do I feel like I'm going to fall, but I'm not going to fall? Why don't I have power? This is the first time this has happened to me, I wonder ... Do I really like it? I don't know, I'm confused and if she doesn't want to, then ... then what?

(He shakes his head right-left continuing to think)

YŪTO

What to do, what to do?

(On the other hand aiko and she thinks)

AIKO

What a beautiful feeling. I feel like I'm flying, like I'm safe, I don't want him to leave me, I want him to hold me forever. HOW BEAUTIFUL LIFE IS! Maybe you'll find out soon, brave hunter, hehe.

(And again he lay down on yuto's back. When they reach the top they see a big beautiful gate torii (鳥居) Yūto lets Aiko down on the ground saying to her)

OUTSIDE, IN THE CHURCH COURTYARD-NIGHT

YŪTO

Can you walk?

AIKO

Thank you so much yūto for your help.

(Yūto rubs the back of his head)

YŪTO

Hehe nothing, on the contrary aiko my pleasure.

(Aiko looks at the beautiful view from up there and approaches)

AIKO

WOW! What a beautiful view it has from up here! Come and see yūto too?

(He approaches and yūto and stands beside aiko saying)

YŪTO

Mmm, she is amazing. This image has been imprinted on my memory and I will not forget it for many years from now.

(Simultaneously on a roof of a house somewhere in the city appear two black shadows that these shadows transform into two demons. Out of these shadows appears a demon boy and a demon girl. The demon girl has short white hair, red eyes while the White of her eye is colored black, on one of her two eyes writes kenji love. It also has two horns black with red. Her left Horn is broken, and on her cheek she has the petals of a flower painted black. Unlike her brother who also has short black hair up to his shoulder, the color of his eyes is red like his sister's and on one of his two eyes writes kenji "melancholy". The White of his eye is colored black and finally he has two horns colored black. The demon girl pulls out a nodachi from the sheath she has, its handle is colored red while the blade is colored black. The nodachi of the demon boy is the exact same except that the blade is colored white. the demon girl knows on the roof of the house where they are and says with Demon Gaze looking down at the people)

OUTSIDE, INSIDE THE CITY, ON A ROOF OF A HOUSE TO-NIGHT

DEMON GIRL, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 9

It's time, brother. Let's go!

(And he makes a leap to attack some people who haven't gone up the hill to see the fireworks and are walking through the city light-hearted. The demon boy catches her by the back of her blouse and says with calm gaze)

DEMON BOY, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 8

Where do you think you're going, sister?

(The demon girl tries to escape him, then after he does not succeed calms down, looks back at the demon boy and says)

DEMON GIRL, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 9

Let me go, let me go! You don't see all these lovely people walking down these streets, it's like they're doing it on purpose. They really want us to eat them, I could eat them all, it's like a big plate of tidbits. I already taste in my mouth the taste of the blood they carry.

(The demon boy leaves her and continues to speak in a calm voice saying)

DEMON BOY, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 8

Have a little patience, sister. In a little while, when the sky is filled with fireworks, they won't know where it came from. But we need to move fast, I've learned that a demon hunters team is in this city, it won't be as easy as before.

(The demon girl looks at him straight when he says " demon hunters")

DEMON GIRL, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 9

Finally! Here's a different dish on the menu today, hahahahahahaha! These worthless hunters fall at the first difficulty to the ground like worms. Hahahaha, it will be a cinch for us to slaughter them.

(And patting the demon boy's shoulder telling him again)

DEMON GIRL, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 9

Don't you agree, brother?

(The demon boy looks at the people walking along the streets, after a while bends his head with an exhalation, again raises his head and says with a calm and serious look)

DEMON BOY, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 8

It may be as you say, but don't forget what we're fighting for, sister, remember well.

(In the mind of the demon appear images such as: some people kill and burn their villages, while many people rape women demons and behead young children. The eyes of the demon girl become more intensely colored red, and the veins become pronounced upon her body. The demon boy hugs her saying her expressionless)

DEMON BOY, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 8

Let's move on, the festival will start any minute. The hour of vengeance has arrived, prepare.

(Then the demon boy lets the demon out of his arms and makes a leap, leaping across to the other roof of the old Japanese house. The demon girl looks at her brother and thinks)

DEMON GIRL, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 9

For my brothers, for a better future, for a world without discrimination.

(He then makes a jump and starts following the demon boy saying)

DEMON GIRL, BLOOD MOON LEVEL 9

Great, let's go eat!

23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23