FILLER

Sakura slowly entered the office, observing the silent fight between Yuki and Takumi at the table.

Yuki, with his disheveled blond hair and ever-watchful eyes, gestured energetically, his face contorted in an expression of frustration typical of someone who was about to lose his patience.

Takumi, with his usual air of someone who thinks he has all the answers, adjusted his square-framed glasses, maintaining a look of serene superiority, while drumming his long, thin fingers on the table, challenging each of Yuki's arguments with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

In the corner of the room, Ryo huffed, distracted, fiddling with his cell phone. His messy brown hair and always slightly disheveled clothes showed his carefree style. He maintained a relaxed posture, but the tic of rolling his shoulders made it clear his boredom and the desire to be away from that discussion.

Sakura took a deep breath, observing the three for a moment before joining them.

Yuki (excited, waving his arms): "I'm telling you, man! When Celestial Strikers was at its peak, it was unbeatable. The Celestial Tournament arc? The fights, the strategies... everything was perfect."

Takumi (with a heavy sigh, half-laughing): "You only liked the fights. The story was just anything at the end, not to mention the ones who came back!"

Ryo (without looking up from his phone): "I agree. The ending was like... that Christmas special that no one wants, but everyone watches. Because they have to."

Sakura (sitting down and calmly chewing a Pocky): "You guys still complain about the ending? It's been years, get over it."

Yuki (looking at Sakura): "Get over it? That sequel was just a cheap nostalgia trick! It's nothing compared to the original. Celestial Strikers: Beyond is just there to sell action figures."

Sakura (arching her eyebrow): "And it sold well, didn't it?"

Takumi (laughing, nudging Yuki): "Touché."

Yuki (looking indignant): "But seriously. Do you really think the sequel was good? It was all rushed, new characters with no depth... it felt like Boruto, but with less soul."

Takumi: If that's even possible.

Sakura (calm, eating another piece of Pocky): "Sometimes, growing up hurts. The sequel was about that. It doesn't have to be your favorite story to have value."

Ryo (still looking at his cell phone, now smiling): "She always does that, doesn't she? It turns everything into a lesson."

Without knocking, the editor enters the room with a serious air, interrupting the hubbub. He drops the folder on the table, making the sound echo through the room.

Editor (dry): "New mission. The production wants you to write a filler arc for Celestial Strikers: Beyond. 10 episodes. For last year."

Silence. They exchange glances, and Yuki is the first to laugh.

Yuki (incredulous): "A filler arc? In Beyond? The anime is almost entirely a giant filler!"

Takumi (trying to keep serious): "And what's the idea? Another tournament that leads nowhere?"

Editor (looking straight at Takumi): "No, the author wants something like that clone arc you did for Space Chakra. It needs to seem important, but not change anything."

Sakura (leaning back in her chair, with a carefree expression): "Ten episodes, huh? How about we have the protagonist replaced by a clone?"

Yuki (snorting, but with a smile on the corner of her mouth): "Of course, because everyone loves clones…"

Ryo (closing his cell phone, now paying attention): "Sakura might be involved in something there. Do you think you can fix that?"

Sakura (looking at the ceiling, thoughtful, after a few seconds): "If we're going to do filler... let's at least have fun with it." Takumi (straightening up in his chair, lightly slapping his hands on the table): "Okay, guys, focus. Let's try to make this work. First, let's get the basics out of the way. I want to know… what's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of 'clone'?"

Yuki (without hesitation): "Switching places. Someone disguising themselves as someone else, causing drama and confusion. Who's the original? Who's the fake?"

Takumi (nodding, taking notes): "Classic."

Ryo (sarcastic, crossing his arms): "For me? Mandatory fight scene. The clone has to face the original. Broken mirrors, synchronized punches... you know, epic stuff."

Takumi (with a slight smile): "Fights. Okay, noted."

Sakura (thoughtful, with the pocky between her fingers): "For me, clones are... puppets. Soulless. Something kind of empty, with no real identity."

Yuki (rolling her eyes, teasing): "Classic Sakura, always philosophical."

Takumi (looking at her, waiting): "And you, Takumi?"

Takumi (with a sparkle in his eyes): "Manipulation. Clones are a perfect tool to manipulate the narrative. They make you doubt everything, even reality itself."

Ryo (raising his hand, theatrically): "The clone is the villain all the time! Call Oscar."

Takumi (laughing, but getting back to the point): "Okay, we have a lot of ideas here. But let's try to subvert that. We don't have to do the obvious. What if… the clone doesn't know he's a clone? He thinks he's the original the whole time."

Sakura (interested, leaning in): "He starts to question his own existence… and maybe the audience does too."

Yuki (pointing at Takumi): "Good. Then in the end, who we thought was the clone was the original, and whoever seemed to be the original… is the one who was manipulated."

Ryo (clapping his hands): "Or even better: what if the clone was the hero? We create an arc where the protagonist everyone likes is the clone, but he's more human than the original."

Sakura (smiling, leaning in): "That's an interesting one. The audience likes who they think is the original, and then when they find out the truth, they stick with the clone… because he's easier to connect with."

Takumi (excited now, pen twirling between her fingers): "So, basically, we make the clone the best 'human' in the story. But no one knows. And the ending... he chooses not to tell anyone. Because, deep down, not even he wants to know."

Editor (looking over his glasses, impatiently): "Okay, this is starting to sound more like filler. Clones, mistaken identity, existentialism... Now, the hard part: make it work by the end of the week."

Editor (looking at the team with a serious expression): "But, if the clone ends up replacing the protagonist, it will mess up the whole canon. It needs to be something simpler, that doesn't cause confusion in the main storyline."

Yuki (exasperated): "Oh, sure, because fillers are known for respecting the canon, right?"

Editor (ignoring Yuki's sarcasm): "How about this: the hero creates a clone so he can... go out for a while. Do some important mission, I don't know. The clone lives a normal life, even better than the original. But in the end, when the hero returns, the clone has to die."

Sakura (raising an eyebrow): "And the audience only finds out he was a clone... when he dies?"

Editor (smiling slightly): "Exactly. And he dies. Tragically, of course. A big reveal, but it doesn't change anything in the main story."

Ryo (thoughtful, rubbing his chin): "So the clone basically lives a perfect life… until the hero comes back, and then, poof, goodbye?"

Takumi (shaking his head): "It's simple. It works. And it has that dramatic twist that tricks the audience. They get attached to the clone without knowing it, and in the end, he disappears without a trace."

Yuki (still suspicious): "But does he really have to die? Can't the clone… escape, like, live in hiding?"

Editor (dryly): "No. He has to die. It's the perfect ending. No complications."

Sakura (shrugging, with a wry smile): "Never mind, Yuki. Let's just kill the clone and move on."

Ryo (with a teasing smile): "Imagine the impact. The audience will be devastated. They'll love to hate us."

Takumi (taking notes, satisfied): "Okay, so we have it: clone lives, does better than the original, dies tragically, audience is shocked. Simple and straightforward."

Editor (standing up, ready to leave): "Great. That's what I want to see by the end of the week. Good luck."

Yuki (sighing, sinking back in his chair): "Nothing like creating the coolest character just to kill him off. Classic."

Sakura (laughing): "Nothing like filler, Yuki. Just because it doesn't matter doesn't mean it can't be good."

Yuki (stretching his arms, looking at the ceiling): "Okay, the clone is going to die. Big news. How are we going to make this interesting? It has to be epic drama, like… I don't know, something like Neon Genesis Evangelion, where he sacrifices himself and leaves everyone philosophizing about the meaning of life."

Ryo (rolling his eyes): "Please, Yuki. We don't need any more existential crises. The clone is just a temporary replacement. I'm thinking more like Dragon Ball Z. You know? The clone goes into battle, gets strong, faces a powerful villain, and in the end, he dies like a hero… in a giant explosion!"

Sakura (sarcastic): "Oh yes, because explosions solve everything, right? How about something more emotional? Like Fruits Basket, where he creates bonds with the people around him, maybe even falls in love with someone, but in the end... he has to leave. It would be more tragic that way, closer."

Yuki (poking Sakura): "Of course, you want romance. Obviously."

Takumi (thoughtfully): "Maybe something more discreet... like Cowboy Bebop. The clone could be more introspective, live a quiet life, create bonds that the original never had, but when he realizes that the real hero is going to return, he simply accepts the end. No big scenes, just melancholy in the air."

Ryo (laughing): "Melancholy? I want action! And explosions. But... what if the clone rebelled against the original? Like Naruto with his fight against Sasuke. The clone thinks he's the original, and in the end, the two fight until the clone realizes he's just a copy and... boom, he disappears in a final jutsu!"

Yuki (shaking his head): "Okay, Naruto, but what if he didn't even know he was a clone until the last second? Like Blade Runner 2049, where the clone believes he's special, but in the end, he realizes he's just another one."

Sakura (laughing): "That's kind of sad, but... it works."

Takumi (interrupting): "What if we mixed it up? He clings to this life, has ties and everything, but... he knows he's going to die. Like Fullmetal Alchemist, where sacrifice is inevitable. He understands that, but tries to leave something of value behind. Something the original never left."

Ryo (sarcastically): "Wow, something profound coming from you, Takumi. Who would have thought?"

Takumi (smiling back): "Just because I like action doesn't mean I can't be philosophical. Explosions can have feelings too."

Yuki (laughing): "So we make the clone build a life, only for him to pull an Attack on Titan and die for the 'great cause' in the end. But in our case, the great cause is just the protagonist coming back from vacation."

Sakura (smirking): "Ah, the nobility of entertainment."

Takumi (sighing, looking at his notes): "Yeah… something like that. Let's just try to make this sound deep, at least."

Takumi (thumping the table excitedly): "Okay, enough philosophizing. Split into two teams. Team epic action and team emotional drama. I vote for action, so the clone has to die in style, either by exploding or fighting to the end. Something like Dragon Ball Z mixed with Attack on Titan."

Yuki (rolling his eyes): "And here we go with more explosions... I'm team drama. The clone has to leave an emotional impact, like in Fruits Basket. He builds bonds, maybe even with the protagonist's family, but in the end, the sacrifice is inevitable."

Ryo (arms crossed, leaning back in his chair): "I'm with Takumi on this one. If you're going to make a filler, make it full of adrenaline. The clone might discover that he's just a copy in the middle of a big battle. He loses his mind, gets angry, and in the end, he and the protagonist have an epic fight. Better than a melancholic and stagnant death."

Sakura (serene, but firm): "And I'm against it. What makes the most impact is the clone's humanity. He knows he's a copy, but still chooses to live peacefully. Maybe he's even more human than the original. In the end, when he has to leave, the audience feels the emptiness."

Takumi (teasing): "Oh, so you want the clone to have an existential crisis while drinking tea? Look, fillers can be fun, they don't have to be all tears and cheap philosophy."

Yuki (pointing at Takumi): "Fillers can have feelings, you know? Not everyone wants to see fights all the time. The emotional connection is what makes the audience care about death. And that doesn't need explosions, just good character development."

Ryo (interrupting): "Development, blah blah... But without a good fight, who's going to remember it? We need something remarkable, something that the audience will discuss later. Like a battle that goes from zero to one hundred, a twist!"

Sakura (crossing her arms, keeping calm): "Sometimes, what makes an impact is the silence. When the clone decides to accept his fate without much fuss. That's the impact. Not in explosions, but in acceptance. Something subtle, like... Your Name. The audience will feel that."

Takumi (laughing): "Subtle? Okay. Subtlety is not our strong point here. The audience wants action and twists, not sad monologues."

Yuki (glaring at Takumi): "You underestimate the emotional impact. The audience loves fillers that touch the heart, you can see that in animes like Clannad."

Ryo (slamming his hands on the table): "Action. Fighting. Epic death. Let's go with Naruto vs Sasuke, with the clone going crazy. And in the end, he disappears with a 'final jutsu', something no one expected."

Sakura (sighing): "Or... he just disappears because his function is over. A quiet death, which only highlights the emptiness he leaves behind."

Takumi (rolling his eyes): "Oh, please. I can already hear the sad violins playing in the background."

Sakura (arching an eyebrow): "Better than hearing another explosion."

Takumi (leaning forward, with a victorious smile): "Okay, guys, that's enough. Let's do this the right way. The clone doesn't need a deep emotional arc. It's a tool to create tension, and the audience loves a good fight. So, the protagonist leaves the scene and leaves the clone in his place, right?"

Ryo (completing): "Exactly. The clone thinks he can lead the protagonist's normal life, but then comes the fight, something unexpected. During the fight, he realizes that he's just a copy and that he'll never be as good as the original. That creates tension."

Yuki (resigned, but trying to contribute): "What if the clone didn't want to fight at first? Like, he just wants to live peacefully, but ends up being forced into combat because of the circumstances?"

Takumi (thoughtful): "Hmm... Okay, I can even buy that. It creates a certain contrast, makes him reluctant at first, but then, in the middle of the fight, he explodes. Then, yes, there will be that epic moment."

Sakura (mumbling, trying to hold back her frustration): "And then he dies at the end, of course. No big emotional impact..."

Ryo (looking at Sakura): "Look, there could be a moment of reflection, but it doesn't have to be dramatic. He realizes that his sacrifice was necessary and accepts his fate."

Takumi (enthusiastic): "Then the original comes back, like Goku being resurrected, and doesn't even know that the clone died for him. Maybe the clone was even a hero in the shadows."

Yuki (trying to soften): "There could be a final scene where someone from the supporting cast mourns the death of the clone, but no one else knows about his existence. Something touching, yet subtle."

Sakura (looking away, frustrated): "Subtle... yes, of course."

Takumi (thumping the table enthusiastically): "Perfect! Let's go with this. The clone realizes at the climax that he's just a shadow, but makes one last epic attack before disappearing. The audience will love it."

Ryo (confirming): "We end with a high-level fight. And the audience only finds out he was a clone in the final scene. It gives that impact."

Yuki (with a half smile): "Maybe at the end, as he disappears, there will be a reflective sentence. Something that gives an emotional touch without being too cheesy."

Sakura (forcing a smile): "That's right, of course. Reflection without drama."

Despite trying to contribute, Sakura feels out of place. The idea of ​​an explosive fight prevails, and although there is a small concession to the emotional touch she suggested, the essence of Takumi and Ryo's plan of action wins the battle. Sakura, frustrated, realizes that her more introspective vision has been rejected, but tries to swallow her discomfort and move forward with the group.

The next day, the room is already full of conversations and the sound of keys being pressed. Takumi is explaining some adjustments they made to the story as Sakura arrives.

Takumi (looking at his watch and then at Sakura): "Finally. Okay, here's what happened while you were gone. We made some adjustments to the clone's story. Now, he's going to have a little memory glitch that makes him realize something is wrong right before the final fight. The fight is still the climax, but we're including more scenes of him interacting with the other characters. You know, to show that he's not just a copy, but... something more."

Ryo (with a smug smile): "Yeah, like, he lives better than the protagonist. Like he found a peace that the original never had."

Yuki (trying to keep the tone positive): "And then, in the end, he sacrifices himself, without anyone knowing he was a clone. Only the audience knows."

Sakura sits down, processing what was said, and then leans forward, determined.

Sakura (calm, but intense): "Okay, cool... but you're forgetting something. This could be more than just a cool fight. You're limiting it too much. Have you ever heard of Blade Runner?"

The three look at her, confused.

Ryo: "That old movie with the robots? I watched 2049."

Takumi: "Replicants, right? I've seen it. Lots of philosophy, but little action."

Sakura (with an ironic smile): "Exactly. Lots of philosophy, but that's what I'm talking about. The movie is a Noir, dark, with action and emotion mixed together. And at the end, one of the replicants, Roy Batty... He dies. And his last words? They're what the audience remembers. Tears in the rain."

The room goes silent for a moment. Takumi crosses his arms, clearly skeptical, while Ryo and Yuki exchange curious glances.

Sakura (inspired): "This guy, he wasn't a clone, he was a creation. And when he dies, he delivers one of the most iconic lines in cinema. That's what we need. The audience will remember the words, not just the fight. Tears in the rain."

Takumi (raising an eyebrow): "Okay, but how do you fit that into a filler arc? The guy will have a philosophical epiphany and die in a dramatic rainstorm?"

Sakura (coming closer, excited): "Yes! But the rain doesn't have to be literal. What I'm saying is... the clone needs a moment of redemption, a final line that resonates with the audience. He can't just disappear, he has to have an impact. Think about it: the clone lived better than the original, right? He found something the original never could. And in the end, he knows he's a copy, that he's going to disappear, but he accepts it. And he says something, something that makes the audience feel his loss. Something that, in a way, is even more memorable than the original's return."

Yuki (starting to get excited): "Like... can he talk about what it means to exist, to be a shadow... but also to be more than that?"

Sakura (nodding): "Exactly! He realizes that his life was meaningful, even though he was just a clone. It doesn't matter if he dies or is forgotten, what matters is that he lived. And the audience will feel that."

Ryo (thinking out loud): "So he looks up at the sky, maybe in a peaceful scene after the battle... and then lets out one last line that breaks everyone's hearts."

Takumi (reluctant, but intrigued): "Okay, and what would that line be? Something like Tears in the Rain?"

Sakura (slowly): "Something simple, but full of meaning. Something like... 'I existed, and that's enough.'"

The room goes silent, and Takumi scratches his head, still a little resistant, but realizing the potential.

Takumi (mumbling): "Hm... okay, okay, I admit there's something there. But only if there's a fight before that, huh."

Sakura (smiling, satisfied): "Sure, the fight will stay. But in the end... the emotion is what will make the difference. The audience won't forget the clone."

The next day, the editor enters the room with hurried steps, clearly agitated, and finds the group already gathered around the table. They are anxiously waiting to present the results of the last discussions.

Editor (hurriedly, taking off his glasses and wiping them with his shirt): "So, what do you guys have for me? Come on, I'm curious."

Takumi, as always, takes the lead. He looks at the group before starting to speak, with a small smile of satisfaction.

Takumi: "We came up with something that really works, man. The clone, he's going to have this existential crisis, realize that he's living better than the original protagonist and... in the end, he sacrifices himself, but he says a powerful final line, something like 'I existed, and that's enough.' It's an emotional arc, and it ends with the hero coming back."

The editor leans back in his chair, clearly interested, his face lighting up at the explanation.

Editor (excitedly): "Wow... this is... good. I mean, really good. It's got action, it's got emotion, it's got that philosophical edge. Pretty interesting. But... that's it? Didn't you have any more ideas?"

Ryo, with his typical light-hearted humor, can't resist the chance to joke. He lets out a laugh and, with a sidelong glance at Yuki, drops the bomb.

Ryo: "Oh, we also had another idea. A villain who is a clone of the original villain... but everyone in the world is a clone. Like, no one ever realized that the entire planet was a clone of the original. Plot twist!"

Everyone in the room laughs at the absurd idea, including the editor, who almost knocks his glasses off laughing.

Editor (laughing and banging the table): "That's a good one, that's a good one. Everyone is a clone, and no one ever noticed. Hahaha!"

Takumi shakes his head, still laughing, but ready to get back to work.

Takumi (laughing): "Yeah, that one was just for fun, don't worry."

After a good moment of laughter, the editor pulls himself together, puts his glasses back on his face and says: "Okay, okay, excellent, I like your idea. I'll pass it on."

They relax a little, satisfied with the positive reaction, but still serious about their work.

Later that day, Takumi's phone rings. He puts it on speaker while everyone else continues working, already expecting it to be the editor with good news.

Editor (with an unusually animated voice): "Guys, I just talked to the author... and he loved the idea!"

Yuki (excited): "The existential clone idea, right? I knew he'd like it!"

Editor (with a strange tone): "Yeah, so he... liked it, yes, but... he wants you to do... the other idea."

The silence in the room is absolute. Everyone freezes for a second, unable to process what they've just heard.

Takumi (in disbelief): "Wait... the whole planet being a clone?"

Editor (laughing nervously): "Yeah, that's it! He loved the idea! He wants you to do something with it, yesterday."

Sakura (desperate): "You're kidding, right?"

Editor: "I wish it was a joke... but it's not. He loved the idea. So, let's get to work, guys. You have until the end of the week to develop this arc."

Everyone in the room exchanges looks of pure despair and disbelief. Ryo, visibly regretting having made the joke, tries to hide behind the computer, while the rest of the group begins to process the absurdity they have just received as an assignment.

Yuki (whispering): "We're screwed..."

Takumi (laughing nervously): "Yeah, it seems so... But what can we do? Come on, clone planet, here we go."

Sakura, still trying to recover from the shock, just sighs, resigned.

Sakura (frustrated): "Tears in the rain... no, now it's going to be tears on the clone planet."

The four of them are outside the building, waiting for their buses under the orange light of the late afternoon. A light breeze passes, and they are all silent for a moment, clearly exhausted from the mental marathon that was the day.

Yuki looks at his watch impatiently.

Yuki (mumbling): "I can't believe we're actually going to write about an entire planet of clones. Who would have thought that joke would come true? It's ridiculous."

Ryo (scratching his head, frustrated): "Man, I just threw that out there to make us laugh a little... Now look what happened. That's why no one takes filler seriously."

Takumi (sighing): "Exactly. Filler is that thing that everyone hates, but you can't escape. It's there to fill time and space, nothing more. No one wants to watch it, but it has to exist."

They fall into a melancholic silence again, until Sakura, who had been quiet the whole time, finally speaks, her voice calm, almost thoughtful.

Sakura: "Do you know why filler bothers us so much?"

The others look at her, waiting, while she continues, with a distant look in her eyes, as if reflecting on something deeper.

Sakura: "Because filler... it reminds us of real life. Not every day is exciting. Not always something important happens. Sometimes you just... live." 

The three look at each other, surprised by the depth of what she said.

Sakura (with a half smile): "Filler fills the schedule the same way routine fills our days. And in the end, it's there. You can even hate it, but it's part of the whole thing, like anything else. It's what keeps the story going, even if it's not about the main story."

Takumi (thoughtful): "So... like, filler is life...?"

Sakura (shrugging): "In a way. Not everything is about the final fight or the next big villain. Sometimes, it's just about how the hero lives between battles, about who he is... in the moments when no one pays much attention."

Sakura's bus arrives, and she stands up.

Sakura (as she boards the bus, with a wry smile): "Now, let's go. Let's create the best filler that no one will want to watch."

She nods, and the bus departs, leaving the other three still processing her words.

Yuki (laughing): "Well, that was too deep for the end of the day."

Ryo (shaking his head): "Yeah... but it's still true."

Takumi (still thoughtful, as he watches Sakura's bus drive away): "Yeah... maybe filler does have some value."