(15.1)
{Flashback}
(3rd March, 2011)
[Warm sunny afternoon. Neighborhood park. Kids laughing, running, playing everywhere. Eight-year-old Obito is crouched in the sandbox, very focused on building a surprisingly tall sandcastle. Nearby, nine-year-old Iori is also playing in the sand. A little further away, seven-year-old Asuka sits alone on a bench, clutching her toy rabbit, quietly watching the other children.]
Hinata: (calling from a distance) Obito!
(Obito looks up, runs over to her)
Hinata: (patting his head gently) Why don't you try making some new friends?
Obito: (grumbling) Aww… I just nearly finished mine.
Iori: (brushing sand off her hands, jogging over) Hey, Obi-kun! You should talk to someone new. You're usually good at that. Look, that girl over there—she seems nice.
Obito: (glancing at Asuka) But… she looks okay… maybe a bit lonely. What if she doesn't talk back?
Iori: (nudging him with a smile) You never know unless you try! She could be really fun.
Hinata: Listen to your sister. You never know if you don't try. (smiles warmly)
(Obito looks over at Asuka again. She's sitting very still, big quiet eyes taking in everything. She looks shy, almost fragile. His curiosity wins. He takes a deep breath, stands up and walks over.)
Obito: Hey!
(Asuka doesn't respond, just glances quickly then looks down again.)
Obito: Uhh… I'm Obito! (big smile) What's your name?
(Asuka clutches the rabbit tighter, face half-hidden by her hair. Silence stretches. Obito shifts his weight from foot to foot.)
Obito: (thinking) I knew it… she isn't gonna talk back… But… (notices her small nervous finger movements) It's not that she's ignoring me. She's just really shy… and kinda cute.
Obito: (softly) Pardon me… can I sit next to you?
(Asuka shifts slightly to the side. Obito sits at a polite distance. He starts quietly humming a little tune, stealing glances at her. After a while he notices her grip on the rabbit loosen just a tiny bit. That small change makes him happy.)
Obito: (smiling gently) I'll see you tomorrow, okay?
(He stands, gives a small wave and runs back to his mom. Asuka watches him go, a faint spark of curiosity in her eyes.)
Obito: (to himself as he runs) She's cool… just needs a little push, that's all.
(End.)
15.2)
(Same park, two days later. Obito arrives holding a single pretty purple flower. He spots Asuka sitting under the same tree and jogs over with a big grin.)
Obito: (excited) Hey! Look! I went on a very dangerous adventure in the dungeon yesterday— (holds out the flower) —and I found this on the way here. It reminded me of you. (gets a bit embarrassed at the end)
(Asuka looks up, surprised. Her eyes widen a little. She carefully takes the flower, holds it close and studies it silently.)
Obito: (quietly, mostly to himself) She's tough…
(He sits beside her. She still doesn't speak, but her expression looks a tiny bit softer, more open.)
Obito: (pouting playfully) You're a really quiet girlie, huh? That's okay. (smiles) I'll talk enough for both of us.
(He launches into a story about school, doing silly voices for his teacher. Asuka listens. At one point she lets out a very quiet giggle, covering her mouth.)
Obito: (eyes lighting up) I caught you!! Haha!!
Asuka: Huh?
Obito: (pointing happily) You smiled! It's very pretty. You have a really nice smile. You should show it more often.
(Asuka blushes, looks down, then slowly lifts her eyes to meet his properly for the first time.)
Asuka: (barely a whisper) Why… do you want me to talk so much?
Obito: (grinning) 'Cause I know with you around, things will be way more fun.
Asuka: (sighs, looks down sadly) But I'm not… fun. The other kids don't play with me. Maybe because my hair is different…
Obito: What are you talking about?
Asuka: Huh…
Obito: I like your hair. I think it's very pretty.
(She glances up, a tiny hopeful smile flickers, but she quickly hides it.)
Obito: (sighs dramatically) Hmm… not like that. Here, lemme show you.
(He gently cups both her cheeks and uses his thumbs to push the corners of her mouth up into a smile.)
Obito: There we go. You look much prettier with a smile.
(Asuka's cheeks turn bright red. She lets out a small, surprised laugh and hides her face in her hands. Obito watches, completely enchanted by the sound.)
Asuka: (quietly) Asuka…
Obito: Huh?
Asuka: M-my name… (small shy smile) My name is Ichinose Asuka. It's nice to meet you.
Obito: Ooh! (beams) Ichi… ahh, I'll call you Ichi-san!! It's cute, just like you. I'm Okazaki Obito! Nice to meet you too! (big grin + thumbs up)
Asuka: (thinking, blushing) Ichi-san… I like it.
(End.)
(15.3)
(Over the next few weeks, Obito and Asuka develop a routine. Every evening they meet at the park. Obito tells wild stories, eyes sparkling, hands moving everywhere. Asuka listens, slowly opening up, her shyness melting into quiet fascination.)
Obito: …and then my teacher spilled juice all over his desk! It went everywhere! You should've seen his face—he looked like he was gonna cry! He tried to stand up but slipped on the juice too—hahaha!
Asuka: (covering her mouth, stifling laughter) Poor teacher…
Obito: (laughing with her) Yeah, but it was hilarious! (leans closer, whispers) One day I'll be the most famous storyteller ever. I'll tell tales about faraway lands and super brave adventures!
Asuka: (eyes wide) Really?! Like… like a hero?
Obito: (proud grin) Exactly! And you'll be my first mate, right?
(Asuka nods excitedly, eyes shining. They start playing pretend—turning the park into jungles, oceans, magical forests. Their imaginations run completely wild.)
(End.)
(15.4)
{18th May, 2011}
(Beautiful meadow they discovered a few months ago. Wildflowers everywhere, swaying in the breeze. Obito, Iori and Asuka stand at the top of a small hill, looking down at the sea of color.)
Obito: (hands on hips, grinning) I hereby claim this land as… Obito's Kingdom! And I, Obito, am its king!
Asuka: (giggling, playful salute) Aye, Captain! I'll be your first mate forever!
Obito: Yes, Ichi-san! With you, we'll conquer the seven seas!!
(They spend the afternoon running through the flowers, making crowns and bracelets. Obito sits beside Asuka telling more dramatic "legendary" stories, waving his arms wildly.)
Obito: …and then the pirate ship was surrounded by a giant sea monster! But the captain wasn't scared. He stood tall and shouted, "Back off, beast, or I'll make you regret the day you ever crossed me!"
(Iori and Asuka laugh as Obito fully commits to the performance.)
(They play adventurers, "rescuing" Asuka from imaginary monsters. She laughs freely now.)
Obito: (holding up a stick like a sword) With this, I'll protect our kingdom!
(Iori claps. Asuka watches Obito with open admiration.)
Asuka: (caught up in the story) Did… did the monster leave?
Obito: (panting dramatically) Of course! He was so scared he swam away faster than a fish! (big grin) That's what brave adventurers do.
(Asuka laughs, eyes full of wonder. The sun begins to set, painting everything gold. They lie side by side in the flowers, staring at the sky.)
(End.)
(15.5)
(Over the following weeks they return to the meadow often. More stories, more crowns, more laughter. Asuka cheers him on, completely enchanted by his endless imagination.)
Obito: (waving a stick) Behold! The legendary sword of Obito! With this I can conquer any foe!
(He makes dramatic whooshing sounds.)
Asuka: (clapping brightly) Captain, you're the bravest adventurer ever!
Obito: (playful grin) And you're the best first mate a captain could ever ask for.
(Obito suddenly looks at the big tree on the hill, gets an idea. He grabs a small stone and runs to the trunk. Asuka watches curiously.)
Obito: Ngh… over here… a little more… Done! (smiles proudly) Look, Ichi-san.
(She comes closer. Two letters carved roughly inside a heart shape: O and A crossing each other.)
Asuka: Obi-kun… what is this?
Obito: It's me and you. O and A-chan.
Asuka: O… and A… chan??
Obito: Yeah! O— (points to himself) Obito. A-chan! (points at her, a bit flustered) Asuka-chan. (grins + thumbs up)
Asuka: Obi… Asuka… (realizes, blushes hard) Nooo!! That's too grown-up!!
(Obito freezes for a second then bursts out laughing. Asuka laughs too, secretly liking the idea. They go back to playing, their little world feeling even more special now.)
(End.)
(15.6)
{27th August, 2011}
(Flower meadow. Obito is already there, sitting alone on the hill, earlier than usual. He's twisting a flower between his fingers, looking down, unusually quiet. Asuka appears in the distance, running up happily at first, but slows as she senses something's wrong. Iori watches from farther away, heart heavy.)
Asuka: (softly, touching his arm) Obito… are you okay?
Obito: (deep breath, voice shaky) Ichi-san… I… I have to tell you something important.
(He finally looks at her. His eyes are full of a sadness she's never seen.)
Obito: Ichi-san… We're moving away. My family… we're leaving Osaka.
(Asuka freezes.)
Obito: (quietly) In three days… I don't know if I'll see you again.
Asuka: Huh…? (eyes wide, lips trembling)
(She looks down at her rabbit, gripping it hard.)
Asuka: But… you're my captain… (voice cracks) You're my first friend, Obito.
Obito: (reaches for her hand) And you'll always be my first mate. No matter where I am, I'll think of you. I promise.
(Long silence. Asuka's face crumples. She pulls her hand away, clutching the rabbit tighter.)
Asuka: No… you can't go! You promised!
Obito: I know, Ichi-san. I don't want to leave either, but…
Asuka: No! (tears starting) I don't want you to leave! You can't just go!
(She's crying harder now, small body shaking. Obito tries to step closer but she pushes him back.)
Asuka: (almost shouting through sobs) You said we'd be friends forever! You said you'd always be here!
Obito: (voice breaking) I meant it, Asuka. Even if I'm far away… I'll always be with you. Just like you'll be with me.
(Asuka covers her face, shoulders heaving.)
Asuka: (yelling, heartbroken) I don't care! I don't want you to go! I don't want you to leave me! We're O and A-chan, right?!
(She suddenly turns and runs down the hill, sobs echoing. Obito stands frozen, tears in his own eyes, unable to move.)
(Iori watches everything. Tears slip down her cheeks too.)
Iori: (whispering) Obito…
(Obito slowly sinks to his knees, staring at the spot where Asuka disappeared. He picks up the flower she dropped, hands trembling. Only three days left.)
Obito: (voice cracks) Damn it…
(End.)
(15.7)
(Two days later)
(Obito & Iori's living room. Boxes everywhere, half-packed. Eight-year-old Obito sits on the couch, knees to chest, staring blankly. Iori sits beside him, gently rubbing his back. Hinata stands nearby, watching her kids with quiet sadness.)
Hinata: (sits, brushes his hair) I know this is hard, Obito. Leaving friends… it feels like losing a piece of yourself. But I promise, things will be okay. You'll find new adventures… new friends.
Obito: (voice small) But Mom… Asuka isn't like other friends. She's… special.
(Hinata's face softens. She pulls him into a hug.)
Hinata: I know, sweetheart. Sometimes leaving special people hurts the most. But real friends… they stay inside you, no matter the distance. You'll carry her with you. And she'll carry you.
(Obito buries his face in her shoulder. Iori puts a hand on his arm.)
Iori: Besides… you won't forget her. She'll always be part of you.
Hinata: And who knows? Maybe one day your paths will cross again.
(Obito pulls back, gives a tiny, sad smile.)
Obito: (whispering) I hope so…
(One evening later – Asuka's house)
(Asuka's bedroom. Soft toys everywhere. She's curled under the blanket, clutching her rabbit, face wet with tears. Her mother Sachi sits on the bed, gently brushing her hair.)
Asuka: (sniffling) Mom… he's really leaving tomorrow… I won't see him anymore.
Sachi: (wiping her tears) I know, baby. Saying goodbye to someone that special is so hard.
Asuka: (voice breaking) But… he's my captain… I don't want him to go…
Sachi: (pulls her close) Even captains have to sail to new places sometimes. But that doesn't mean he'll forget you. He'll remember every adventure you had together.
Asuka: (crying harder) I'll miss him every day… I don't know how to say goodbye.
Sachi: (stroking her hair) Then don't say goodbye forever. Just… "see you later." Sometimes the people we love come back when we least expect it.
(Asuka closes her eyes, still heartbroken, but leans into her mother's warmth. She eventually cries herself to sleep against Sachi's shoulder.)
(Fade out.)
(End.)
(15.8)
(BGM: Sleeping Angel – Brian Hughes)
{31 August, 2011}
(Late afternoon. Flower meadow. The hill where they always played. Flowers sway gently in the sad summer wind. Everything feels heavy, bittersweet.)
(Obito waits at the bottom of the hill. Asuka slowly walks down toward him, eyes already shining with tears. This is it—the last time.)
Obito: (forces a smile) Hey, Ichi-san. Ready to say goodbye?
(Asuka nods, throat too tight to speak.)
Asuka: I guess… it's time, huh?
(Obito looks down, struggling. He steps forward and gently takes both her hands.)
Obito: I want you to know… you've been one of the best parts of my whole life. I'll never forget you.
(Asuka squeezes his hands hard, tears starting to fall.)
Asuka: Obito… please don't say that. I don't want you to forget me.
Obito: (voice shaking, but determined) I promise I'll never forget you. Even if things change… I'll always remember your smile. You made me smile too.
(Asuka's tears fall faster. Obito cups her face gently, wipes her cheeks with his thumbs, then softly pushes the corners of her mouth up like before. She gives a tiny wet giggle.)
Obito: (sniffling, hands trembling) I'll miss you so much… But you have to promise me something.
Asuka: (looking up) Anything.
Obito: Promise me you'll keep smiling… even when it's hard. Be strong, just like you already are.
Asuka: (nods, eyes full) I promise, Obito. I'll try.
(They stand there a moment. Then Obito pulls her into a tight hug. Asuka melts against him, crying openly. They hold on for a long time, like the hug could stop time.)
Obito: (whispering into her hair) I'll always be your friend… no matter where I am.
Asuka: (pulls back just enough to look at him) And I'll always be yours. You'll always be Obito… my best friend.
(They share one last small, painful smile... full of every memory they made. One more long hug. Then they slowly let go.)
Obito: Goodbye, Ichi-san. I'll be waiting for the day we meet again.
Asuka: Goodbye, Obito. Don't forget me.
Obito: I won't!! O and A-chan… I'll always remember that. (weak thumbs up, then turns away)
(He walks a few steps, glances back one last time... Asuka standing in the flowers, tears shining, but giving him a soft, brave smile. He burns the image into his mind.)
(Sachi appears at the edge of the hill, watching quietly.)
Sachi: (gentle) Asuka-chan.
(Asuka turns, runs to her mother crying.)
Asuka: Mama… Obito… he won't be here again!
(Sachi kneels, holds her tightly.)
Sachi: You're a beautiful, strong girl. You'll get through this. (tears in her own eyes)
(Obito keeps walking. Scene shifts to the car + moving van pulling away. Obito looks out the window, throat tight, eyes wet.)
Obito: (voice trembling) I don't want to leave, Iori… What if I can't make new friends? What if everything changes?
Iori: (sadly) Obito…
(She pulls him into a hug. He buries his face in her shoulder, finally crying.)
Obito: I'm scared, Iori… What if I lose you too?
Iori: (voice cracking) You'll never lose me. I promise. I'll always be here.
(Hinata glances back from the driver's seat, eyes misty, seeing her children holding each other.)
Hinata: (softly) You two are each other's strength. That will never change, no matter where we go.
(The car keeps driving. Iori wipes Obito's tears. He gives her a small, shaky smile. They pass the "Goodbye to Osaka" sign. The horizon swallows them.)
{End of flashback}
Obito: (monologue, quiet laugh at the end) Ahhh… looking back, that day wasn't just a goodbye. It was the start of something else. I was scared out of my mind, didn't know what was coming. But meeting Asuka… her laugh, her gentle way… it made everything brighter, even when everything was changing. I still remember that shy smile, how her eyes lit up when I told her she was pretty. (small laugh) I knew I'd miss her. Felt heavy leaving Osaka. But somewhere deep down… I had this tiny hope it wasn't really the end. And now… she's literally living in my dorm. How crazy is life, huh? Giving you a second chance... Just like that?)
(End.)