"So, there you are! Today we have to win." Inoue picked up her sandals. And with a gentle smile on her face, she left the classroom . She ran as fast as she could to reach her friends, "Where's Inoue?" Miss Iumi asked holding the toy rabbit. Minamoto was staring at the rabbit because he felt something suspicious about it. "I'm here, sorry for being late." Inoue gasped from behind. " Ah ! I'm glad you're here." Miss Iumi sighed. "Now take a deep breath" said Hina, placing her right hand on Inoue's left shoulder. "What?" Sato didn't understand. Inoue was also in the same condition so, she smiled confused. " I know you came here in such a hurry that your heart is still beating fast. I can hear it, so take a deep breath and release it slowly . You will feel better " ( don't you think she cares for Inoue as her mother) She listened to her and did as she told to. After calming herself down she grinned softly and thanked Hina for helping her out . Hina didn't say anything in return and patted her head. " btw you are looking gorgeous today and your cheeks look redder than before, can't you let me pull them even for once? " Miss Iumi smirked as she extended her hands to Inoue's face. " don't you have any other work to do?" Sato shouted , both She and Hina pulled her away from Inoue . And she again gave a confused smile.
" So are you ready ? " Takemichi asked everyone " Yes " they all vociferated except Minamoto . " Then let's show to those damn Sakuras who we truly are !" He said out loud.
Aoi ( as the narrator ) : "Once upon a time, there was a girl named Marie . ( As soon as she started telling the story, all the lights were focused on her) Who used to live a happy life in the mountains with her sweet grandmother Cheryl. ( The curtain rises as Inoue , Niko and the students who were playing the role of cute animals and birds entered) Their house was made up of wood straws and mud .
Niko asked (as Marie's grandma ) : Marie can you help me make delicious blue berry pies.
Inoue replied (as Marie ) : Sure, grandma (A gentle smile appeared on her face )
"Wow , Miss, Inoue is an angel " The students sitting in the audience began to whisper .
Aoi : Marie loved playing with cute birds, and harmless animals living near by . She was the kindest girl ever
Inoue : Grandma look she wants to eat our pie. Let's give it some...(She pointed to a cute little squirrel trying to get inside their hut through the window )
Niko : Oh my sweet , Marie. You are so kind and generous .( Grandma said smiling as two lines appeared at the corner of her eyes)
Aoi : Once she went alone deep inside the forest without informing her grandma to get some dry woods . On her way she saw a sparrow with a broken wing lying under a big old banyan tree covered in blood and scars . Marie went closer and picked it up in her hands. The way that bird was trembling. Seeing her in such pain Marie's heart started pounding fast and a tear rolled down from her left eye. (Sato was pretending to lose consciousness)
Inoue : Oh lord ! You are so hurt . Please bear with this pain a little longer till we reach grandma. She will make medicine for you through herbs. You know she is very experienced. ( Inoue said holding Sato )
Aoi : As Marie could no longer see her pain . She turned back and ran as fast as she could to reach her grandma. Suddenly the lighting struck a huge tree, it broke and fell down on Marie's way. ( Yuma pushed the tree which was made up of hard thermocal. While Takemichi played the sounds of thunder)
Inoue : What should I do now ?
Aoi : Marie was so tense that she didn't know which way to go . And out of the blue, she saw a big hole inside a dead tree. So, she decided to take shelter under it.
Inoue : I guess there's a hole inside that tree. We can stay there until the rain stops.
Aoi : She rushed towards the tree holding that injured sparrow. little Marie was trying to console herself and the sparrow, She tried her best to suppress her fears but in the end the tears found their way to flow.
Inoue screamed " grandma, please save us "
"Wow her acting looks so real " The audience again whispered
Aoi : Just like a bolt from the blue a white rabbit popped up in front of her . (Miss Iumi turned on that toy rabbit. she stuck a red stone in the center of its forehead and placed it in the middle of the door connecting the stage and the back stage. The rabbit began to move, his eyes lit up. It looked like a real bunny was walking) There was a unique red stone in the centre of his forehead. He was really alluring .
Inoue : wow you are so adorable, little bunny please come inside or you will catch a cold ( She extended her right hand towards it, after placing Sato's head on her lap).
Aoi : The moment Marie tried to touch him, he hopped and began to run...
Inoue : Stop, bunny it's raining outside, it's dark all the way, stay here with me or else the wild animals will attack you .
Aoi : Marie chased him holding the little sparrow in her arms, she kept calling him from behind but he didn't stop . (Inoue was going after the bunny leaving Sato behind . Meanwhile Sato shouted " Hey Marie take me with yourself are you going to leave me here like this ) (" So, it's a talking sparrow " everyone laughed including Yui and her friends ) . Inoue came back and took Sato with her giving a weird smile. Miss Iumi , Hina , Takemichi , Minamoto and everyone else heart stopped for a while. But when Inoue corrected her mistake they felt kinda relief.
Aoi : At last he stopped by a huge cave . He went inside and sat . Marie was stunned to see such a deep cave there still she went after him .
Inoue : Don't go bunny stop, it's dark inside. (She followed it's steps and entered the cave . She sat next to him and kept staring at the bunny for about an hour )
"Howl ! Howl ! Growls ! Growls !"
Aoi : Out of the blue she heard the screams of some wild creatures. She started crying and trembled in fear. She lost her consciousness due to intense pressure (Inoue fell and closed her eyes) but after a long hour's of sleep in the middle of the night she slowly tried to open her eyes.
(Inoue opened her eyes )
Aoi : She saw the bunny standing on it's own two feet striving against some dreadful wolves. Trying to protect her and the sparrow . He was covered with blood and bruises. ( Takemichi tied the toy rabbit to a string and put some artificial blood on his body and made him stand ).
Inoue : Bunny why are you so hurt? who did that to you? What are you doing ? ( Inoue was grumbling to herself as Marie )
Aoi : Little Marie was unable to do anything, tears were falling down from her cheeks . In the blink of an eye one of those wild wolves leapt on him and attempted to attack.
Inoue : No stop ! ( This time Inoue was serious. She felt as if what was happening there was real. She imagined herself in Marie's place . Her eyes turned black. If she could see anything, it was only that rabbit stained with blood . Before Aoi could say anything she acted on her own and jumped to save it . )
Aoi : Ma...Marie's leg started acting on its own, she jumped between them to save the bunny . The Wolf's sharp and pointed nails lacerated her back, the blood didn't stop. That rabbit was in a real shock. The stone that was in the center of his forehead started glistening as their lips met each other accidentally. After saving the rabbit Marie lost her consciousness . (She said her dialogue in a hurry to manage the mistake Inoue made).
( And here she really collapsed. They were all shocked. Especially Minamoto. His hands were shivering . Sato speculated that he may try to jump on stage to support Inoue . So, they let the curtain fall and asked the audience to take a short break)
"She is amazing . It seemed so real " Everyone was whispering among the audience
When the curtains fell Minamoto couldn't control himself anymore and ran to help Inoue." Inoue ! Inoue ! Inoue ! " that's all he was saying . "Inoue wake up ! ' Inoue...wake up ! '" He screamed . Takemichi , Hina and all ran to support him they picked her up and carried her to the back stage " . It was the first time Takemichi saw Minamoto in such condition . So, when Miss, Tamiko and Miss , Iumi arrived . He took him somewhere by pulling his hand. Minamoto wasn't saying anything . He was just blaming himself for everything.
After some minutes...
" Bunny , don't go ! don't leave me alone ! I will save you, wait...!" Inoue woke up murmuring. " Inoue...." Sato shouted " Sato..." She said softly and after regaining consciousness, she remembered about the play . " Sato, the play . What happened to the play ? I ruined it ? Didn't I ? Why aren't you saying anything?" Inoue's voice went from high to low when she was inquiring. " There is still enough time left to complete the play " Hina stepped inside the class with a bottle of energy drink in her hand. " What ? Then why are we here ? Let's go " Inoue got up from the bed " But we will end it . Not you , i can't let you risk your life again " Hina responded by placing the energy drink she bought for her on the table " No, please let me do it . Please Hina , Sato give me another chance..." Inoue started pleading as two tear streamed down her face. Seeing her in such way Hina's heart hurt . She was about to cry but to hide her emotions she turned around and said " No ". Sato was also crying .
" We're ready to give you a chance." Miss Iumi said as she entered the room. Inoue and the two others were astonished to hear her. "Are you crazy? Haven't you seen what happened to her a while back? Hina bawled with rage . Miss Iumi looked at her then looked at Inoue. " But on one condition?" she crossed his arms. she had a serious expression on her face. "a condition? Inoue questioned back. Suddenly she smiled softly and said "If you promise us that you will not let your past destroy your present, then only we can allow you to perform in this play again. I don't know what happened to you in the past." . Maybe it is something related to someone who was really close to you." Her words moved everyone present there to tears . Inoue felt so overwhelmed that she just hugged her tightly while crying , she said " I will never let this happen again. Promise " she showed her pinky finger to her " promise " Miss, Iumi tangled her pinky with Inoue's , " Hina, now can you let her play her part , anew ? " She asked . Before answering anything . She looked at Sato for a second . She shook her head, wiping her tears . Hina again turned and said, "If she is saying that she will take care of herself this time. Then I don't mind . Because I trust her more than anyone else". Inoue's face rejoiced, she jumped with joy "Thanks Hina, I'll never let you down again". Hina nodded and smiled. "Btw where is Minamoto? He was the only one who was most concerned for her ! And what about Spiky?" Miss,Iumi queried ." His name is Takemichi !! " Sato sighed "Akihiko was worried for me " Inoue spoke to herself.
"We're here..." Takemichi said coming from behind. Minamoto was with him. He was trying to hide himself from Inoue. But Takemichi pulled his hand and forced him to come inside. Still, he chose a corner and stood with his head bowed . "Akihiko!" Inoue stepped closure to him . "Sorry to worry you!" . The moment he heard her his eyes widened. He raised his head. and said looking into her eyes "I have hurt you a lot" I ignored you too. You are still saying sorry to me. how cruel am i? It's not you who should say sorry "A tear rolled down his left eye." Now you're back to normal, it made me feel really happy" Inoue smiled. "Mm" Minamoto nodded while smirking.
"Now go back to the stage. Start from where you left off We only have 15 minutes left " Miss, Iumi clapped. 'Yeah, everyone shouted and so did Minamoto.
The play again started
Meanwhile "Don't forget what I told you before" Takemichi said, stopping Minamoto. "Mm..." Minamoto replied with only one word.
Aoi : Marie's leg started acting on its own, she jumped between them to save the bunny . The Wolf's sharp and pointed nails lacerated her back, the blood didn't stop. That rabbit was in a real shock. The stone that was in the center of his forehead started glistening as their lips met each other accidentally. After saving the rabbit Marie lost her consciousness .
"I don't want to spoil the play again, they count on you please make no mistake" Inoue spoke to herself.
And this time she really did well .
Aoi : The bunny transformed into a huge terrifying creature . Seeing his new-look the wolves skedaddled away in fear. After some hours dawn arrived Marie was still unconscious, the sparrow was lying on the ground motionlessly. ( Minamoto's turn came) The bunny opened her eyes slowly .
Minamoto said (as the bunny) : "Why am I feeling so heavy, where are my furs, my hands why they are so big wait it's not me, I need to see myself first...I have to find water, yes water ! "
Aoi : The Bunny turned into a human kid . He was staggered of losing his soft white silky furs so he went near a river's side to see himself. The bunny sprang away from the river in fright
Minamoto : "No it's not me, how can I become a human child, why did it turn out this way."
Aoi : Meanwhile someone said coming from behind
Takemichi ( someone ) : "So, i guess now I can say we both are same but there is one difference that you are the prince and I'm just a mere soldier's son."
Aoi : The bunny turned and found one of his closest friends 'Luka'.
Minamoto : "Luka ! How did I turn like this ? why am I looking like you ? How can I transform into a human ?
Takemichi ( as Luka ) : "Anwyll 'O ! Sorry prince Anwyll, now you have become a human, it's all because of that kiss ' remember the moment that girl was trying to save you 'your lips met hers'. We are magical creatures, it is being written in our destiny, we can't change it .
Aoi : Luka told him everything he wanted to know. Then he asked him to forget Marie forever after her wounds are healed.. The prince did as he said and left her side forever . The prince did as he was told. He left her side forever for her safety . When Marie got up she saw the sparrow chirping with joy . And all her wounds were also healed . The bunny was gone . She thought he might have been killed by those wild creatures . So, she blamed herself for the rest of her life....
(The story continued )
The time came when Minamoto and Inoue were about to kiss each other as prince Anwyll and the yellow haired girl Marie . They were smiling , blushing and feeling a little nervous too
And suddenly someone screamed "Monster! Help!" They were all stunned to hear that voice. Minamoto turned around when he heard the word 'monster'. He turned to Inoue again. But she was no longer there.
Except for one strange man. Who had two horns on top of his head. He was staring at him with an evil smile on his face and holding a stick in his hands....Minamoto's jaw dropped, seeing him there his whole body trembled....