Prince1

The story thus far: As he was coming back from the second years' field trip, Hasukawa ran into Nitta Mieko, the
pop idol from manga volume 2. She said that she had something to talk to Mitsuru and Shinobu about and that
she would call them later.

[Title Page: Mieko in her commercial outfit.]

(*)

Narr: The promised call came that night.

[Mitsuru is talking on the phone.]

Mitsuru: Hello? Mieko-chan?

Mieko's voice: . . .

Mitsuru: Eh?

Mieko's voice: . . .

Mitsuru: What?

Mieko's voice: . . .

Mitsuru: You sound so far away!

[Back in room 211.]

Shun's voice: NITTA MIEKO?!

Hasukawa: Shhh!

Shun: [In disbelief] Where? Where is she?

Hasukawa: Keep it quiet! Especially to her fans!

Shun: Really?

Shun: So how do you and the sempai know her?

Hasukawa: Read volume two! Volume two! [Imo-girl: Tankoubon 2, ep. 2. "Live Off Greenwood"]

[Mitsuru enters.]

Mitsuru: I'm back.

Shinobu: What did she say?

Mitsuru: She said she has a favor to ask either you or me.

(*)

Shinobu: Favor? What kind?

Mitsuru: Dunno. She says she wants to meet us and talk about it this Sunday in front of the station.

[On Sunday, Mitsuru and Shinobu are walking to the station.]

Mitsuru: I wonder what her favor is.

Shinobu: I don't know. But for a busy girl like her to go to the effort of coming out here, it must be something
important.

[Mitsuru is greeted by some random woman.]

Woman: Oh! Good afternoon! How are you?

[Shun and Hasukawa are trailing their sempai.]

[Arrow pointing to Hasukawa: They came along for some reason.]

Shun: (I absolutely don't believe it! I want to confirm it with my own eyes!)

Shinobu: [Continuing as they enter the restaurant] Anyway, I don't think it'll be good.

Mitsuru: I could have told you that.

Waitress: Welcome!

(*)

[A strange woman starts waving at them.]

Woman: Hey! Over here! This way!

[The woman grabs Mitsuru by the arm and starts dragging him into the restaurant.]

Woman: I've been waiting! C'mon! This way! Hurry! [hearts]

Mitsuru: Eh? Uh-

Shinobu: [Glancing at Mitsuru] A friend of yours?

[Mitsuru shakes his head.]

Head shaking FX: Bun bun

Woman: Oh, don't be so cold!

[The woman gets very close to Mitsuru.]

Woman: Hey, you! Would you like a part-time job?

Mitsuru: Uh- do you have some business with me? [Sweatdrop]

[The woman puckers up as if to kiss Mitsuru.]

Voice: Ootani-san. . .

[Mieko, in her usual dark wig, is peeking at them from a booth.]

Mieko: Talking suddenly - they're surprised. [She coughs.]

Cough FX: Geho geho

Mitsuru: Mieko-chan?!

(*)

Mieko: I'll introduce you.

Mieko: This is my new manager. . .

Woman: I'm Ootani Yuki. [Heart] I get the feeling I'm a little bit older than you guys. [Heart]

Mieko: Actually, my old manager, Sugita-san [dyuuda nasaimashite]. . .

Ootani: [Gazing longingly at Mitsuru] I can't forgive Mieko-chan for having such cool boyfriends. Do you dislike
older women?

Hasukawa: [Aside to Mieko] Is she okay?

Mieko: For the time being. . .

[Ootani is stroking Mitsuru's hand.]

Stroking FX: suri suri

Mitsuru: S- so what was it you wanted to talk about? Errr. [Sweatdrop]

Ootani: Oh yes - that.

Mitsuru: A commercial?

(*)

Mieko: Yes. Should I do a camera commercial?

Ootani: [Drawing on Mitsuru's palm with her finger. o_O;;] Yes, that's right. We need a boy to play opposite
Mieko. We haven't decided on the model. At our agency the old-guy client is saying "Use a fresh, new
amateur." What a thing to say!

Ootani: If we do that, won't we be in a fix? []

Mieko: Just then, I thought: "what about those two?" And then, even though I thought I might be creating an
inconvenience, I tried discussing it with the staff.

(*)

Mieko: And right away, Ootani-san said: "Let's go meet them."

Ootani: Ho ho ho! I won. I've never regretted going to meet nice men!

Shinobu: So then, you're asking us?

Ootani: Yes! If you guys do it, the agency and the client won't have any complaints! I absolutely want you!

Shun: Wow, wouldn't it be great if you did it, Sempai?

Ootani: Well, for the time being, the client will choose which one of you. . .

Ootani: But the road to the world of show business may be opening. [To Mitsuru] How about it? Don't you want
to be a star?

(*)

Mieko: Ootani-san. . .

Mieko: Ikeda-san and Tezuka-san's school is famous for its students going on to higher education, so neither of
them have an interest in show business.

Ootani: Eh? Oh. Of course! Of course! It's fine if you do it just this once!

Ootani: You don't have to deliberately throw away your prospects!

Shinobu: [Turning on the formal speech] Please forgive me, however. . . the people in my family disapprove of the
gaudy world of entertainment, so I must decline.

Ootani: Huh?

Shun: That's right. Shinobu-sempai's family will be impossible. But - my family loves show biz.

Ootani: By any chance, could this be a rich kid?

(*)

Ootani: Ah! Of course!

Ootani laughing incincerely FX: ho ho ho

Ootani: [To Shinobu] Oh, well, give your esteemed father my regards!

Mieko: How about you, Ikeda-san?

Mitsuru: No - I mean, look. . . I've got things to do at school. For starters, I'm getting ready to take college entrance
exams. . .

Ootani: It's fine! It absolutely won't interfere with your studies and we'll explain to your school and to your family.

Ootani: [Holding Mitsuru's left hand] So, let's do it, okay? [Heart]

Mieko: [Holding Mitsuru's right hand] Ikeda-san, I'm begging you. . .

(*)

[Outside shot of restaurant.]

Waitress' voice: Thank you very much!

[Mitsuru has his head in his hands as the gang of four walk back to the dorm.]

Mitsuru: Whenever Mieko-chan asks me to do something, I get the feeling I'm listening to her dying wishes. . .

[Meanwhile, in Ootani's car. . .]

Ootani: You did great, Mieko!

Mieko: Eh?

Ootani: Thinking of those two! Nice!

Mieko: But. . .

Ootani: With their enthusiasm, this job will be a breeze. [Translation?]

Ootani FX: Ho ho ho! Now, now!

Ootani: (I mustn't let my chance to meet nice, rich men escape! Even if it kills me!)

Ootani: Mieko, you're in the world of show business, so you can capture a nice man too!

Mieko: [Doubtfully] Okay. . .

Ootani: Well, let's get to work!

Car FX: Burun (Vroom!)

(*)

Ootani: I'm waiting for your reply! [Heart]

[Back in Room 210.]

Hasukawa: But. . . A commercial model, huh? Speaking of which, when she said that, they didn't seem surprised.

Shun: But Mitsuru-sempai wasn't very enthusiastic, was he?

Hasukawa: That's right! I thought that was weird, too! Even though he usually wants to be the center of attention.
. .

Shun: Don't you think there's something up?

Hasukawa: Something up, you say?

Shun: The reason he doesn't want to do the commercial! Maybe he won't do it!

Shun: Then. . .

(*)

Shun and Hasukawa: [Clasping hands] We have to *make* him do it!

Shun: [Determined] Okay, then!

Hasukawa: [To himself] Ack! When did I become this kind of character?

Crowd approaching FX: Dota dota

[A crowd of boys have cornered Mitsuru in the bathroom as he's preparing to brush his teeth.]

Boy 1: Mitsuru!

Tochizawa: Mitsuru-sempai!

(*)

Boy 2: Isn't it being said that you're going to be in a commercial with Nitta Mieko? It's awful, you keeping quiet
about it until now!

Boy 1: You bastard! I thought you liked being the center of attention!

Boy 3: Sempai! You met Mieko-chan again?

[Two boys pretend to be gossiping housewives.]

Boy 4: Oh, Missus, she's as lovely as a flower.

Boy 5: It's because she's in love with him. Ho ho ho. [Translation?]

Mitsuru: Cut it out!

Noyama: [To Fred] The Japanese world of show business is scary! The yakuza are at the top!

Fred: [Worried] Yakuza? That's dangerous!

Mitsuru: [Yelling at Noyama] Aren't you telling him irresponsible things?!

Mitsuru: [To Shun and Hasukawa] You guys! Where have you been going and spouting off?!

[Shun looks sheepish.]

(*)

Mitsuru: Now, look! I still haven't decided if I'm going to do it or not!

Boy 1: Mitsuru. . . We're friends aren't we?

[Shot of the outside of the school.]

[Boys are gossiping in the school cafeteria.]

Boy: They said Ikeda-sempai was scouted.

Etc: Wow.

Tochizawa: [Overhearing] Is it okay? That the rumors are spreading at school like this?

Shun: It's fine. Is there a school rule against part-time jobs or something?

(*)

[A teacher stops Mitsuru in the hall.]

Teacher: Ikeda! They said you're going to be on TV?

Teacher: That kind of job might suit you, but what about college? You're going, aren't you?

Mitsuru: [Sweatdrop]

Random store clerk: Oh, my! This time you're going to be on TV?

Bookstore guy: That's a gamble. It'd be better if you gave up on it since you've worked hard and gotten into a
good school. . .

Random woman on the street: Hang in there, 'kay?

[Mitsuru and Shinobu are walking back to the dorm.]

Mitsuru: [Sweatdrop] How come everybody in town seems to know?

Shinobu: Probably because you know everyone.

Picture-taking FX: Basha basha basha

(*)

[Three junior high school girls with cameras run off.]

Girl 1: Kyaa! I took his picture!

Girl 2: I'm so jealous!

Shinobu: [To Mitsuru] Don't you have to do it now? Everyone expects it.

Mitsuru: [Sweatdrop] . . .

[Back at the dorm.]

Intercom FX: Pin pon paan

Intercom: Room 211, Ikeda-kun - telephone!

Mrs. Ikeda's voice [on the telephone]: Mitsuru? We heard you were scouted, but - is it a proper studio? It's not a
*sex video* company, is it?

[Mitsuru facefaults.]

Mitsuru: [Yelling at the dorm at large] All right, who called my parents?!

[Arrow pointing to Shinobu: Actually. . .]

Mitsuru: [Picking up the phone again] Hello! Yeah, that's right. It's a legitimate studio, so it'll be fine!

(*)

Mitsuru: No, it's just this one time. . . Yeah. . . A friend asked me.

Mitsuru: It's become a situation that I can't refuse. . . [Sweatdrop]

Shun and Hasukawa: [Overhearing] Yay! We did it!

[Mitsuru walks off after pounding Shun and Hasukawa.]

[Back in 211.]

Shinobu: Your mother said okay?

Mitsuru: Yeah.

Mitsuru: . . .

Shinobu: What's the matter? I thought you'd be delighted to do it. You like that kind of thing, don't you?

(*)

Mitsuru: Of course I like it! It'll probably suit me, I think. But!

Mitsuru: . . .

Mitsuru: There's someone at home who'll be mad if I do it. . .

[Picture of Shou.]

Narr: While that was happening, the client was pleased with Mitsuru-sempai's picture, so it happened that
Mitsuru-sempai really truly was going to be in a commercial.

Ootani: Thank you! I knew you'd do it! I'm so touched!

Boy: Hey. . . Maybe sempai'll become popular.

Boy 2: Doesn't he have bad luck with women?

(*)

Narr: About a month later, on a Sunday, so there would be no school. . .

Shinobu: Is it all right if I observe?

Ootani: Of course! [Heart] Please come!

[Outside shot of Studio M5.]

Narr: They were shooting various things that day.

Director: Okay, action! Ikeda-kun, raise your line of sight! Like that!

(*)

[Mitsuru and Mieko stand with a stuffed peacock. Mitsuru's wearing a robe and a sort of shawl on his head. He
looks uncomfortable.]

Director: Right! Right! Just like that!

Hasukawa: I don't believe it. . . Mitsuru-sempai's nervous. . .

Shinobu: He's a downtown person, that's why. [Imo-girl: This must be some colloquial phrase I don't know.]

Shun: He's fine if it's *live*.

[After the take.]

Mieko: Ikeda-san, are you all right? Not nervous?

Mitsuru: [Laughing uncomfortably] Ha ha ha. I'm fine. Fine. Fi -

Mitsuru falling off the set FX: DOGO

Mieko: Kyaa!! Are you all right?!

(*)

Studio guy 1: You're not hurt, right?

Studio guy 2: What about the costume?

[Mitsuru's face is scraped.]

Mitsuru: Oww. . .

Studio guys: WAH!

Studio guy 1: [Speechless with horror] He. . . he. . .

Studio guy 2: [Grabbing Mitsuru by the front of his costume] Why'd you do that? We're doing a close-up shot
after this!

Shinobu: [Intervening] Don't worry.

[Shinobu's wearing a tag that says "Manager."]

Shinobu: [Pushing Mitsuru's head down] The biggest appeal of his face. . .

Shinobu: [Lifting Mitsuru's head] . . . is this. Look.

Mitsuru: [Perfect as ever] Hey.

Mitsuru's Face FX: Sukkiri [Neat!]

Studio guys: [Awed] Ooh!

Studio guy 1: Why don't you do modeling seriously?

Studio guy 3: That's extremely convenient!

Studio guy 2: And without needing a touch-up.

(*)

Ootani: [Stretching in an unladylike manner] Ah - I'm pooped! It sucks spending all day long in this place.

Shinobu: This job requires more strength than I thought. It must be tough.

Ootani: [Straightening up] Oh!

Ootani: [Making eyes at Shinobu.] That's right! Sometimes I just want to find someone wonderful to settle down
with and retire.

Shinobu: But I have the feeling that a person as beautiful and capable as *you* can handle it, Ootani-san.

Ootani: Uh - oh -

Ootani: That's right! You understand? Well, they say heaven gives us our burdens, don't they? It's hard, isn't it?

Ootani laughing FX: O ho ho ho ho ho

(*)

[A lightstand gets caught in Ootani's mouth.]

Ootani (with a lightstand in her mouth) FX: Ge ge ge ge

Ootani: [Yelling at the studio guy who is carrying the stand] Hey! Watch what you're doing! That hurt!

Studio guy: Uh, sorry.

[Shinobu and the studio guy catch sight of each other.]

Shinobu: Ah. . .

[The studio guy whips around and tries to slink off.]

Turning suddenly FX: KURU

Ootani: [Oblivious] Sheesh! Those damn studio men everywhere. . .

Studio guy walking off FX: Suta suta suta

(*)

[Shinobu tickles the studio guy with a peacock feather.]

Shinobu: It's futile, I tell you.

Studio guy: [Laughing] Waa!

[The studio guy turns around angrily.]

Shinobu: [Smiling] It's been a long time, hasn't it . . . Akira nii-san.

Ootani: [Startled] Eh?

End Oujisama wo Sagase! Part 1