The Edge of the World

TEASER

(At Yuma's school, students gather in the hallway after class, chattering.) - I have *so-o-o* much homework! - Do we have band practice today?

(Yuma is snoring away peacefully at his desk.) Tori: *Yuma*... (shakes his shoulder) Come on! Wake *up*! (Yuma reluctantly comes to, rubbing his eyes.) Yuma: There was a unicorn in the-- eeeyyyggghh! (Tori just grabbed his cheek and pulled on it. He stands up, holding the irritated cheek.) Tori: Hey! Yuma: Owwww! *What is your problem*?! Tori: Class is over. Just thought you should know! (Yuma looks around. All of the other desks are empty.) Yuma: Oh. So it is. Tori: You're *hopeless*. Yuma: All right! Time to find someone to duel! Tori: I assume you were out cold while Mister Kay was making the announcement about tomorrow's class? Yuma: Uh, tomorrow's *Saturday*? (Tori sighs gustily.) Tori: Where have you *been*, Yuma? Tomorrow is school *spirit* day. (Bronk wanders over and joins them.) Bronk: Hey, Tori-- which one a' *your* parents are you draggin' here tomorrow, 'cause I was thinkin'-- (Then Bronk notices Yuma and breaks off talking about it.) Bronk: Uhhh, sorry about that, Yuma. (Both Bronk and Tori are solemnly silent, looking at Yuma with some pity.) Yuma: Don't worry about it. I mean-- whatever. No need to be awkward around me! (He winks and tries to laugh-- unconvincingly.)

(Later, Yuma walks home beside the river, sighing.) Yuma: Uggghhh. <1:00> I wish I could just skip out on *school spirit day*! (The key gleams and Astral appears. Yuma stops walking.) Astral: 'Spirit day' sounds like it involves phantoms and ghosts. Yuma: It's when our parents come to class and watch our teachers teach, and see how we're doing and stuff. Astral: But your parents are not around right now. Yuma: Yeah, but it can be any member of the family. (keeps walking) I'll get grandma or Kari to go.

(Yuma opens the door to his house, and the living room is dark.) Yuma: I'm home, people! Uhh, hello?

Yuma: Grandma? You in here? (Yuma opens the door to a lit room and finds grandma.) Grandma: I didn't hear you come in. Yuma: Yeah, figured... Grandma: So-- what do you think of this kimono, Yuma? (She holds up the light green dress, printed with flowers; the very fabric appears to sparkle.) Yuma: Huh? Grandma: My fifty-seventh high school reunion is tomorrow. I was thinking of *wearing* this old thing! Yuma: Wait, it's *tomorrow*? Grandma: I wonder how old Henry Miyazaki is doing! (blushing) He was my first boyfriend, you know, such a little sweetie! Hehheheh! (Yuma has already ducked out of the room.)

(Yuma opens the door to Kari's dark computer lair, to find her typing away.) Yuma: Hey, Kari? Kari (wearily): You're not getting your allowance in advance, so don't ask. Yuma: I wasn't *gonna*! Kari: Then whadda you *want*? <2:00> 'Case ya can't tell, I'm kinda busy here... (Her phone rings, and she picks up.) Kari (into phone): What's up, *you*! ... *Really*?! (stands) Whoa, go back a sec! ... Apple's wedding is *this* Saturday? Why did I think it was-- (Yuma listens guiltily; Kari's got Saturday plans, too.) Kari (into phone): Well yeah, I'm *totally* going, I wouldn't miss that for *anything*, I mean, have you *seen* the-- huh? (She hears the door close. Yuma has already left.) Kari: Uh... Yuma?

(Above, the moon is a plump wedge of a crescent.) Yuma: Mom... dad... I miss you guys. (Lying in his hammock, Yuma holds up the Key so it glitters in the moonlight before his face.) Yuma: I wish you were here... (He looks at his photograph of his parents, on the chest under his hammock.) Yuma: ... I hope you're safe, *wherever* you are. Goodnight. (He gazes at the photo a moment longer, then turns over and closes his eyes, gripping the Key close. Astral watches him quietly, frowning.)

(Opening)

ACT 1 <3:40>

(At the station in the morning, Tori meets her girl friends near the monorail. One has short, spiky black hair, and the other straight red hair that falls to her waist, ornamented with a pink ribbon.) Spiky hair: Tori! Tori: Hey! Pink ribbon: What's up? Spiky hair: So, are *both of your parents* coming to school spirit day today? Tori: My dad had to work. Spiky hair: I really hope *my* dad doesn't embarrass me! Whenever he meets my friends he talks in this *goofy duck voice* that he thinks is hysterical or something! <4:00> Pink ribbon: And it's really, *not*. (Tori laughs.) Spiky hair: I heard we're doing P.E. today-- the vaulting boxes! Tori: Yeah, we are. Pink ribbon: I wonder how many boxes Yuma will go for *this* time? (At the mention of Yuma, Tori looks anxious and worried.) Spiky hair: *I* wonder how hard he'll wipe out! (They both laugh.)

(Yuma stomps down the stairs.) Yuma: Auughh, late again, late again... (He rounds the corner down the stairs and runs straight into Kari. He bounces back onto the floor.) Yuma: Ow! Kari: Try watching where you're going, *dweeb*. (Yuma looks up at her, and groans; she's dressed up for her fancy wedding in a sleek sort of white and grey suit with gold rings clasped at the hip and an orange tie.) Yuma: Ggh! Why're you wearing a *guy's necktie*? Kari (pityingly): You don't know *anything* about fashion, *do* you. Grandma: Well, *I* do. (Grandma has just joined them in her sparkly green kimono.) Grandma: And I think you look good enough to be in one of those *fashion magazines*! Kari: So do *you*! That kimono is *amazing*! Grandma: You think so? (twirling) I haven't worn this thing since I was a young ballerina! (Yuma slips past Kari and goes for the door.) Kari: Hey, wait a sec. Yuma: Gghh... Kari: Shouldn't you be upstairs *sleeping* still? Yuma: Uhh... I'm... going to school. Kari: On a *Saturday*? *Don't tell me* you got detention! Yuma: *I'm not in trouble*!! Gotta go! Kari: *Yuma*--

(Soon Yuma's running in place at the crossing signal again. Astral drifts beside him.) <5:00> Astral: Yuma, why did you decide to not tell your family about school spirit day? Yuma: Mph, I dunno. What would be the point? They had things to do. I really didn't feel like bothering them. Astral: Are they not supposed to go? (Yuma tries to put a cheerful face on it.) Yuma: Nah-- it's really no big deal, they went *last* year. (The crosswalk changes. Yuma still looks both ways.) Yuma: All right! I can still make it in time! I am *feelin' the--* (He grasps for the Key around his neck-- and it isn't there.) Yuma: Oh no. No--! (He looks around, even between his own legs.) Yuma: No! No! No! Astral: What is wrong? Yuma: It's gone!! My key is gone! Aaa-aa-aaa-aa-aahhh...! Astral: What?! Where is it?

ACT 2 <5:31>

(Along the riverside sidewalk, Yuma is walking along slowly, scanning the ground.) Astral: Do you really believe it simply *fell from your neck*? We are going to have to retrace your steps *exactly*. Yuma, this is very important to me! Yuma: It's pretty important to me too, ya know? I didn't just find that thing lyin' around; my *dad* gave it to me. Astral (think): His *father* gave him the key?

(Flashback. Astral stands inside the extensive, rotating gear puzzle inside the Key.) Astral (VO): What could this mean? Could Yuma's *father* have some connection to me and my purpose here? <6:00> (End Flashback.)

Astral (think): This is most intriguing. (aloud) Yuma. (Yuma's on his knees looking down at the edge of the river itself, in case the key fell in.) Yuma: Huh? Astral: Can you tell me about your father? Yuma: Whaddaya wanna know? Astral: What kind of person is he? (Yuma sits back on the grass, looking up toward the sun with a smile.) Yuma: Mm.. he's the *fun* kinda person. He hates sittin' around, he loves adventure... in fact, this one time he took me along with him on one of his expeditions!

(Flashback. Yuma, a few years younger and with a band-aid across his nose, clings to the face of a cliff. He's standing on a narrow ledge, and it's a long way down.) FB Young Yuma: Ahh... (A tether line runs from him further up the cliff to his dad, in explorer's khakis, who's edging surefooted along a much narrower ledge. His dad looks down to check on him.) FB Kazuma: What's wrong, Yuma? (Chuckling and grinning, he extends a hand.) FB Kazuma: You didn't look *down*, now, didja? FB Young Yuma: I can't do it! I can't *go* any further! FB Kazuma (encouragingly): What're you sayin', we're almost *there*! FB Young Yuma: But I'm, I'm scared!

(Change Flashback.) FB Young Kari: Aaaggh! This is *totally unfair*! (Meanwhile, back at home, Kari doesn't look much different as a slightly younger teen, but she wears a grey and white school uniform with black skirt and knee-high socks. She's standing next to grandma Haru, who quietly sips tea, and yelling at someone else.) FB Young Kari: How come Yuma got to go climbing with dad and I didn't?! FB Grandma: Are you saying you don't *want* to help me prune my award-winning chrysanthemums today? FB Young Kari: Yeah, grandma... <7:00> (She falls down on her knees, whining.) FB Young Kari: Ugh, it's *just not fair*! (plaintively) Oh, well... it must be *really nice* being the favorite... FB Mira: Don't be so dramatic. Your father just wanted to spend some time with Yuma. (Yuma and Kari's mother is a fair, strawberry-blonde beauty, with warm brown eyes; she's just finished hanging up sheets on the clothesline.) FB Mira: I have an idea; why don't we go and treat ourselves to a big, fancy dinner! FB Young Kari: Okay! Now we're talkin'! (Her mother listens with a wistful smile, her blonde-red hair flowing in the light breeze.) FB Young Kari: Ohh, let's get Italian! Breadsticks, or, ohohoh, maybe a *movie* afterwards? Either way, *let's go*! (Kari jumps up and hugs her mom, who laughs.) FB Mira: Well, you might want to put your shoes on first!

(Back to Yuma and dad. The summit they've climbed to sits above the clouds, offering an unobstructed view of a radiant sunset. Yuma sits near the cliff, huddled with his arms around his knees, while a small pot cooks their dinner over the campfire, hanging from a tripod of sticks. His dad walks over and joins him.) FB Kazuma: Hey, pal; I got a question for ya. (Yuma looks up; his dad sips from a steaming metal camp mug.) FB Young Yuma: Hmm? What is it? FB Kazuma: Everything okay? Your mom tells me something happened at school last week. (Yuma miserably looks away.)

(Sub-Flashback. At school last week, Yuma hit the ground with a groan, sparking with electricity and skidded a bit, as the duel gazer vision evaporated; he had just lost a duel.) - (brown jacket) Heheh! You lose! (Yuma's opponent was a bigger, heavyset kid with a brown jacket and spiky black hair. His two buddies are also bigger than Yuma; one smirks with green eyes and a red shirt, and the other's outfit looks sort of like a sailor suit.) - (sailor suit) Just give up dueling; you'll *never* be any *good*. (Little Yuma jumps right back up and gets in their faces; they're surprised, but not scared.) SFB Young Yuma: No way! 'Cause one day, I'm gonna be an *awesome duelist*! - (brown jacket) Yeah, of course you are-- *not*! <8:00> (He shoves Yuma, who would probably be crying with hurt if he weren't so furious.) SFB Young Yuma: I'm gonna be *great*!! *Just wait and see*!!! (He lunges for the other guys. He might've tried to punch them, but it's unclear; the flashback ends there. End Sub-Flashback.)

(Above, the stars are beginning to come out, as the last orange tint fades from the horizon.) FB Young Yuma: ... It was nothing. No biggie. FB Kazuma (unconvinced): Uh-*huh*... FB Young Yuma: But, like... dad? FB Kazuma: What, Yuma? FB Young Yuma: I, just, don't wanna go to school anymore. FB Kazuma: Why not? FB Young Yuma: Because it's just-- (He sobs into his knees.) FB Young Yuma: ... Too hard. FB Kazuma: Yuma, we live in a *complicated world.* FB Young Yuma: What're you talking about? (His dad watches the stars that are now shining all around them on the mountain ledge, mug in hand.) FB Kazuma: Well, for starters, the world we know isn't the *only* world. There are actually *multiple* worlds, all connected. FB Young Yuma: Uh? FB Kazuma: Let me show you. (He crouches on the ground, drawing with a piece of charcoal on the rock. First he draws a circle.) FB Kazuma: So, over here, we have a world full of adventure and possibility. (He draws a second, wobbly circle next to the first.) FB Kazuma: But then, over here, we have a world of negativity, with people saying 'no' all the time. (He draws an oblong around the two circles.) FB Kazuma: What's crazy is these worlds exist in the *same place*. (That gets Yuma's attention. He turns and eagerly bends over the diagram.) FB Young Yuma: Huh? Seriously? FB Kazuma: You bet. (points) The people who live in *this* world inhabit the same time and space <9:00> as the people who live in *this* world over here. FB Young Yuma: Ah...! (The campfire crackles warmly.) FB Kazuma: Take those kids at school for instance. Sounds like *they* live in the *negative* world! (points at Yuma) *You*, on the other hand, you live in the world of possibility, where people dare to dream! FB Young Yuma (eagerly): I do! So how can I stay in this world forever! (His dad laughs and hugs him, mussing his hair. Yuma struggles to get away.) FB Kazuma: That's an easy one, little rascal! You keep looking to the future, and dreaming big and setting goals for yourself! FB Young Yuma: What kind of goals? FB Kazuma: *Any* kind! (He lifts Yuma up and carries him on his shoulders, with a beautiful view of the stars.) FB Kazuma: You just have to listen to your heart, and *feel the flow* of everything surrounding you. You decide *who you want to be*, and then you go out and you *be* that person! Don't you have any *dreams*, Yuma? FB Young Yuma: Huh? Who, me? Well, yeah, I wanna... my dream is to one day become a *world champion duelist*! But, like, when I *tell* people that, they laugh and make fun of me! FB Kazuma: Ahh, because *those* people don't live in *our* world. FB Young Yuma: They don't? FB Kazuma: They're trapped in the other world; the world full of doubt and negativity. FB Young Yuma: Oh... <10:00> FB Kazuma: It's nearly *impossible* for people stuck in that world to dream, to imagine the *endless possibilities*. *Those* people can only see what *is*. (He sets Yuma down on the ground, kneeling eye-to-eye with him.) FB Kazuma: But what they cannot see, is what could *be*. They're not *adventurers* like you and me. (Yuma starts to smile.) FB Kazuma: Yuma-- always challenge yourself. Don't be afraid to do what others tell you you *can't* do. All right, whaddaya say-- are you up for a little duel? FB Young Yuma: Here? *Right now*? FB Kazuma: Sure; it's gonna be great! And then tomorrow... (He looks out at the stars, the picture of a bold, legendary adventurer; a shooting star arcs through the sky.) FB Kazuma: You and I'll climb even higher!

ACT 3 <10:34>

(Back in the present day, Yuma rolls a reed from the riverbank between his fingers reflectively. A squad of teenage girls in green uniforms, probably on a cross-country jog, runs past on the sidewalk above.) Yuma: My dad's the *best*. When I told him I wanted to be a duel champion, he was like 'go for it'! That's one of the reasons I *never* give up; I mean he taught me *so much* that calling it quits would be like *betraying* him!

(Flashback. The night sky glitters and sparkles with endless stars.) Yuma (VO): We used to have the best duels! (Against the stars, Gagaga Magician appears, mid-attack.) FB Kazuma: Attack!! (Gogogo Golem and Zubaba Knight join in, Yuma's dad's monsters-- of the deck he eventually passed down to Yuma-- appear in all their might.) FB Zubaba Knight: Zubaba-a-a--! (Yuma's own monster, Ganbara Knight, withstands the attacks behind its thick double shields. <11:00> Yuma skids back but doesn't fall, breathing heavily.) FB Kazuma: All right, here goes! I overlay my level-four Gogogo Golem and Ganbara Knight! (The two monsters turn into glittering clouds in yellow and orange.) FB Kazuma: With these two monsters, I build the overlay network!! FB Young Yuma (anxiously): Ahh..! FB Kazuma: I Xyz-summon--! Ohh, I forgot-- I don't have any Xyz monsters in this deck! (The two streaks of light crash back to the field, leaving Gogogo Golem and Ganbara Knight in a tangled, dazed heap.) FB Young Yuma: Aahh! You *forgot*? FB Kazuma: Hahahahahahahaha!

(The stars speckle the heavens, as Yuma and his dad lie in their sleeping bags.) FB Young Yuma: Hey, dad? FB Kazuma: Yeah? FB Young Yuma: What's *your* dream? FB Kazuma: Oh. Well, um, mine is a simple one. (He points straight upward toward the stars.) FB Kazuma: To journey! To discover the edge of the world! (Yuma starts to giggle, then laugh. His dad is genuinely chagrined at his reaction, and sits up.) FB Kazuma: What're you laughing at? FB Young Yuma: Hehee, you wanna go to the *edge of the world*? That's just *goofy*, dad! Everyone knows the world is *round*! It doesn't have any *edges*! (He shapes a sphere with his fingertips, as though cupping a little tiny globe in his hands, and keeps laughing.) FB Kazuma: Well, I guess you *do* have a point there... FB Young Yuma: You would just *fall right off*! Hahahaha! (His dad starts laughing, too, but less wholeheartedly.) Yuma (VO): We were cracking up, but, <12:00> maybe I had it all wrong. (End Flashback.)

Astral: What do you mean, 'had it all wrong'? (Now Yuma and Astral have moved to the sidewalk; Yuma sits on a railing, and Astral stands nearby.) Yuma: A little while later, he and mom were on an expedition.

(Flashback. Aurora lights fill the clear sky in greens, blues, and a few pinks.) Yuma (VO): They had gotten lost in a snowstorm, separated from their team. (Two hikers in heavy snow gear trek across a frozen wasteland; Kazuma and Mira Tsukumo, Yuma's mom and dad, can easily see their breath, and both look anxious.)

(Later, they edge along a narrow ledge over a sheer drop; the ferocious blizzard seems to have started up again, howling through the narrow chasm along which they're climbing.)

(They hike onward, barely able to see where they're going, walking close together. They see a blue light gleam, then shine, up ahead, so bright they cower, shielding their eyes. When they look again, it's gone.) FB Kazuma: What was that, Mira? The ground's shaking! (A crack opens in the ice and rips across it, forming a chasm right ahead of them. The ground beneath her feet gives way, and he runs to help her; the ground falls out from under him, and he falls into the chasm, yelling.) FB Mira: Kazuma!! (He hits an ice sheet and crashes right through it on the way down, then his fall jolts to a painful halt when the rope attached to him is pulled tight; the two of them were tied together by a rope, probably for the climbing earlier or to keep from getting lost in the blizzard. Mira pulls on the rope, braced on the edge of the huge drop.) FB Mira: I've got you!! Hang on! <13:00> I can- pull you up! Kazuma! (He hasn't moved since the line stopped his fall. He comes to, and looks up, seeing Mira fighting desperately to pull him up by the rope-- and losing.) FB Kazuma: Mira...! (He pulls out a pocketknife, grips the rope, and starts sawing through it.) FB Mira: Kazuma! Don't do it!! FB Kazuma: You can't pull me up! You'll fall in *with* me! Don't worry, Mira! I'm gonna be fine! Trust me; I'm in *really good hands.* (She shakes her head in tearful denial, her beautiful bright hair escaping its warm hat and hood.) FB Mira: Ohh, *no-o-o-o*! Kazuma! No!!! (And she is left alone, on the edge of that cold, icy chasm.)

(Kazuma comes to halfway translucent, in a breathtakingly colorful field of stars; ahead swirls the bright turquoise spiral of Astralworld.) Yuma (VO): It's like he *experienced* something in that light, and, like, he *knew* that he was gonna be okay. FB Kazuma: What *is* this place? That *light*... is this... *the edge of the world*? (He looks up with a happy sigh, feeling waves of energy that emanate from a humanoid form that glows bright turquoise. He watches in openmouthed awe; the figure's face shines too brightly to show any features. It opens its glowing hand and drops an object that glows just as brightly gold-- the Key. <14:00> Kazuma carefully catches it, and as soon as it touches his hands, he begins to glow gold himself.) FB Kazuma: Whoa...! (He sees trails of red spiral in and bombard Astralworld, blossoming into red explosions. The blasts hit the surface and spread, setting it afire, immolating it in unnatural red energy, wreaking pathways of destruction.)

(The blades of the rescue helicopter whir against the dark night sky.) Yuma (VO): A search team found my dad a couple days later. He was holding the key. (A rescue worker carefully wheels Yuma's dad out of the helicopter onto a landing pad somewhere in Heart Land City. Mira anxiously accompanies him. His left leg is in a cast, his left arm splinted, his head wrapped in bandages, and his neck in a brace. His right hand holds the golden key close to his chest. Yuma and Kari run to join them.) FB Young Yuma: Daddy! FB Kari: You okay? (He opens his eyes to smile up at them.) FB Kazuma: H-hey, there, Yuma. You been a good boy? FB Young Yuma: Mmm-hmm. (As Kari speaks, the glint of the golden key catches Yuma's eye.) FB Kari: We've been so worried, dad! You've been missing for days! (Yuma, staring at the key, is no longer listening. End Flashback.)

(Yuma throws a rock into the still water from the steps between the riverbank and the sidewalk, on which he now sits.) Yuma: He said he'd traveled to the *edge of the world*. Astral: How is that possible? Yuma: I have no idea. Astral: Did he say anything else? Yuma: Nothing that made much sense. He was going on about *lights*, and different worlds. The doctors said it was just dehydration and exhaustion talking; I have no idea. (Astral looks a bit startled.)

(Flashback. Yuma is thrown backward onto the ground. The chains around the door snap apart, and it begins to open, the way beyond full of blueish light, and beyond it rainbowy light centering into pure white. Within one of Yuma's wide brown eyes swoops a glowing, blue-green figure...) Astral (VO): Yuma's father found the key on that journey; perhaps it unlocks a *door* of some sort, a door connecting *this* world to *another* one... (End Flashback.) <15:00>

Yuma: Ah..! Oh yeah-- *I remember when he gave it to me*.

(Flashback. Yuma is in the middle of another duel, gazer on, cards in hand.) FB Young Yuma: Ha! (Again, his opponent is the jerk in the brown jacket.) - (brown jacket) Next, I activate my "Soul of Fire" spell card! FB Young Yuma: Whaaaaa--! (And Yuma hits the ground on his back; his lifepoints fall to 100. The three other boys snicker. Brown jacket still has a perfect score of 4000 lifepoints. They're dueling on the grass and sidewalk near the river, and the sunset has turned the landscape gold.) - (brown jacket) Hahahaha! That *pretty much does it*. - (sailor suit) Maybe take some *piano lessons* or somethin'! (Yuma stands up.) FB Young Yuma: This duel isn't over yet, ya got that?! Ah! (He takes a step back. His opponent has walked across the field to get in his face, looming over him; the other two stand a short distance behind, smiling cruelly.) - (brown jacket) So then *beat* me-- since you're such a *great duelist*! (The one in the orange shirt cracks up laughing a little.) - (orange shirt) Show us your *greatness*! - (sailor suit) You can't defeat him and you know it! - (orange shirt) You couldn't defeat a *donkey*. (All three laugh. Yuma's cheeks burn pink, and his eyes are filling with tears.) FB Young Yuma: You're right... I can't win! FB Kazuma: Don't give up, Yuma! (Yuma stops crying instantly, and looks up. The other three boys turn as well. Yuma's dad is standing on the sidewalk above, wearing his own light blue duel gazer.) FB Young Yuma: Dad! FB Kazuma: Remember what *world* you're in! FB Young Yuma: Wh- whadda you mean? FB Kazuma: You live in the world where *anything is possible*! Just feel the flow! It's all around you! (He throws the Key, and it sparkles in the sunset as it flies, before landing in Yuma's hands. <16:00> It glints up at him as he stares at it, then looks at his dad.) FB Kazuma: Yuma... let that key always remind you that you have the power to unlock your potential, and be who you wanna be! (Yuma grips the Key in his hand, and it reflects the sunlight.) FB Young Yuma: I *can* do this. (With a new resolve, Yuma puts the Key around his neck on the cord it's attached to; again it glints gold, even though the sun is at Yuma's back.) FB Young Yuma: Thanks, dad! I'm *never* gonna give up! (He draws, and really begins to look like Yuma of the closer present as he declares--) FB Young Yuma: I am *feelin' the flow*!! (End Flashback.)

(Yuma and Astral sit and stand quietly beside the placid river.) Yuma: Mom and dad went missing after that, and... no one's heard from them since.

ACT 4 <16:32>

(At school, Yuma's classroom is full of students and parents. Kazwell and Flip stand apart from the desks, enraptured.) Flip: Ohh... Kazwell: Look at Tori's mom! Flip: She's like an *angel*!

(Across the room, Tori's mom, of course, is oblivious to all this. She looks a lot like Tori, with darker, more olive green hair than Tori's teal, and kind eyes.)

Bronk's mom: Why was six afraid a' seven? Bronk (exasperated): Because *seven ate nine*. (Bronk's mom replies with a hearty laugh. Like him, she's quite bulky, with the same texture of black hair and single wacky green lock of hair that sticks straight up. Bronk hides his face in his hand, embarrassed.)

(Tori's sitting next to an empty chair, and her mom has noticed.) Tori's mom: Hey, how come your friend Yuma isn't here, Tori? Tori: I dunno... (From the way Tori looks aside, worried, she thinks she actually might...)

(Meanwhile, back at Yuma's house...) Yuma: Okay, uh, *now* I feel dumb. Astral (smiling): So, then, <17:00> it has been hanging here the whole time. (The Key hangs by its cord from Yuma's rope hammock.) Yuma: It must've fallen off in my sleep, and when I woke up late I didn't notice! (Yuma picks it up again, and looks toward the photo of his mom and dad.) Yuma: At least mom and dad were watching over it!

(In a tall building somewhere in the city, Yuma's grandma is sitting down to a quiet lunch with another lady at least as ancient. They carry on a polite conversation throughout the scene in the foreground, while in the background hilarity ensues. The waiter calmly carries a tray past the table, shadowed by a crowd of young women with hearts in their eyes; a couple of girls at a table are also completely charmed.) Grandma: How is your *garden*, Meredith? Meredith: My chrysanthemums are blooming wonderfully! (An old man walking past notices the waiter's following, and looks pretty ticked off.) Grandma: Oh, how nice!

(Cut-screen of just the two old ladies.) Meredith: And I've registered my primrose bushes to be judged in the annual garden-fest. (Raised voices can be heard in the background; the two sweet old ladies don't notice a thing.) Grandma: Now, didn't your lovely *begonias* take home the blue ribbon last year?

(Back to the whole area. The old man has confronted the waiter, practically hopping up and down with rage. We catch only snippets of what he says.) Meredith: It was my gladioli, actually. Old man: ...Whippersnapper! ... not even my grandkids!... Grandma: You really should come over sometime. Old man: ...know your place! You at *least* owe me an apology! Grandma: I recently acquired this *lovely* new tea set. (The waiter bows deferentially.) Waiter: Sorry.

(Cut-screen again.) Old man: --Not even my grandkids-- Grandma: Do you *hear* something? Meredith: Perhaps there's a *parade* outside.

(Back to the whole area. While the two old ladies talk on, still completely oblivious, the old man and the waiter have pulled out their duel gear, and an augmented reality vision link is being established in the dining room.) Grandma: Speaking of which, are you going to the May parade? (Duel screens appear, showing a starting count of 4000 lifepoints for each; the old man has thrown off his coat to reveal skinny legs and rolled-up shorts underneath, and the waiter's profile image projected by his duel equipment shows him with a rose held in his teeth.) Meredith: Of course! I never miss the May parade!

(Cut-screen. Despite their apparent obliviousness, both grannies are suddenly wearing duel gazers. Battle sounds can be heard in the background.) Grandma: The kids' floats last year were *quite precious*! Meredith: I helped *build* one of them. Both: Hmm...

(Back to full-screen. The old man just got clobbered by the waiter's big, red Tongue Twister, straight down to 0 lifepoints, and goes flying across the room. The waiter stays modest, but his fan club is gong completely nuts over him.) Both: *Where has our waiter wandered off to*??

(Elsewhere, at another swanky event.) <18:00> Bronk's sister: Look at *you*, Kari, you look *great*. Kari: Well, I never get the chance to dress up, so-o-o, you know. (The young lady of similar age that Kari's talking with is clearly Bronk's big sister; she has the hereditary choppy black hair with one wacky green forelock. She wears an orange hat over it, and even wears some thinner, classier-looking suspenders over her salmon-pink cami. Unlike Bronk and her mom, she's as thin and fit as Kari.) Bronk's sister (winks): My idea a' dressin' up is to throw on one a' Bronk's hats! Sounds like you're *busy*! Kari: Yeah, well-- that's the life of a freelance journalist! Bronk's sister: So I guess your *grandma* went to the school today, then? Kari: Huh? Bronk's sister: Ya know, school spirit day, or whatever? Bronk dragged *mom*, I think. (Kari realizes with openmouthed surprise...)

(Flashback. Yuma tentatively walks into Kari's computer bunker.) FB Yuma: Hey, Kari...? FB Kari: 'Case ya can't tell, I'm kinda busy here! (When she looked up from her phone conversation, Yuma had already left again without another word. End Flashback.)

Kari: Ahh, *man*! (Kari sets down her drink and is already running out.) Kari: Sorry-- I gotta get my grandma! Bronk's sister: Kari...?

(Kari drives out onto the highway in her little red car, looking pensive and worried...) Kari (whispers): *Yuma*...

(Flashback, to another car ride. The sunlight glares green through the windows, obscuring the terrain outside; it might be late afternoon. The lighting lends some surreality to the scene. Kari and Yuma's dad, Kazuma, is driving; Kari, in her school uniform, is in the passenger seat, and Mira is sitting in the backseat, with Yuma on her lap, fast asleep. Yuma isn't wearing the Key.) FB Kazuma: Kari... FB Kari: Why're you looking all *serious* all of a sudden, dad? FB Kazuma: You need to keep an eye on Yuma's dueling. Before too long, he'll be forced to take *great risks*. FB Kari: Uh-! What *kind* of risks? FB Kazuma: You'll know, soon. (Kari shrugs off her concern in favor of petulant annoyance.) FB Kari: Why do *I* always have to be the responsible one? <19:00> (The green lighting and the quiet urgency of her parents' request lends an eerie quality to the scene.) FB Mira: We need you to look out for your little brother, Kari. FB Kari: Where will *you* be?! FB Mira: ... This is *very important*, Kari. (She smiles wistfully down at her younger child, watching him sleep.) FB Mira: Yuma is going to face a lot of challenges. He's got quite a road ahead of him. We need you to always be there for him, and to support him along the way. (Kari looks away from her mother's trusting smile, still trying to shrug off her parents' seriousness.) FB Kari: Okay, whatever... but I want a bigger allowance. (End Flashback.)

(Now Kari is the only one driving, and the responsibility that she so casually, tentatively took on that day is reality. Her face filled with determination, she presses the gas and speeds up.)

(Meanwhile at school, Yuma runs into the classroom, late, straight into the crowd of parents; Tori's, Bronk's, and Kazwell's moms all smile consolingly.) Mr. Kay: So nice of you to *join* us, Yuma. (The students are sitting in their desks, the parents stand in an orderly crowd at the back of the room, and Mr. Kay is teaching at the lectern in front.) Yuma: Yeah, um, uh, yeah. Mr. Kay: You remember where you sit, right? (The students laugh. Yuma cringes his way to his desk.) Yuma: Yeah, um, sorry! (Mr. Kay groans to himself.)

(Soon, P.E. period. The parents stand in a clump watching the class. At the moment, Tori and Kazwell are getting ready to vault five boxes each, with Mr. Kay supervising.) Mr. Kay: All right-- are you two ready? Tori and Kazwell: Yup!

(Tori's, Kazwell's, and Bronk's moms watch from the crowd. Kazwell's mom has the same straight blue hair, with a pair of half-framed glasses.) Kazwell's mom: In the end, you can do it, Kazwell! Bronk's mom: You knock 'im dead, Tori!

(Tori turns slightly pink. In the background, Bronk is groaning to himself.) Tori: Okay. Kazwell: New school record, here I come! (Mr. Kay blows his whistle, and Tori vaults the boxes, pushing off the top one with both hands, as does Kazwell.) Tori: Aaahhhh... Kazwell: Whooaaa... (Tori lands carefully on her feet, while Kazwell bumps painfully against the top of the tower on his way down, and, offbalanced, hits the mat facefirst. Kazwell's mom looks a bit worried, but the rest of the crowd claps approvingly for their effort.) <20:00>

- This class is really great...! (Yuma watches reservedly with a calm smile, leaning against the wall behind the other students; he's not performing for his family like they are, so he can let them have the spotlight. Tori walks over to Bronk.) Bronk: So, uh... (While they talk, Mr. Kay calls up the next pair of students.) Mr. Kay (overlapping): Andy and Cherry, you're up! (The two students standing to either side of Bronk, a boy with wild brown-grey hair and a girl with bright black pigtails, respond enthusiastically and step up next.) Bronk (overlapping): Guess that no one from Yuma's family could make it. Cherry (overlapping): We're ready! Tori (sadly): Guess not...

(Astral, floating unseen in the air in the gym, pensively watches Yuma, frowning slightly. Yuma smiles quietly; really, he doesn't mind that there's no one here for him.) Kari: Yuma?! Yuma: Huh?! (Tori and Bronk turn with a start.) Bronk and Tori: Huh?

(Grandma Haru, still in her fancy kimono, elbows through the crowd of parents, all twice her height, and Kari follows behind. Neither looks very happy.) Grandma (scolding): *Yuma*! Yuma (surprised): What're *you* guys doing here? Grandma: We're *supposed* to be here, but you didn't tell us! Kari: For real! Did you *seriously* think we'd be okay with missing out on your school spirit day?! Yuma: You guys... you came...! (Grandma nods with a smile. Kari's disapproval brightens to a smile as well. They're there for him, no matter what.) Tori: Go, Yuma! Show 'em what you can do! Bronk: Tear it up! (Yuma is momentarily startled by this display of solidarity from friends and family then itches his nose to ward off tears, deeply moved.) Yuma: All right..! (He grips the golden Key around his neck, and points challengingly.) Yuma: I'm going for *twenty* boxes today!! (The top box reads 1-- and that's where Yuma is aiming. The boxes reach toward the gym ceiling, as though they were a rocky, snowy mountain; and gazing at the top, Yuma is inspired.) Astral: What are you smiling at, Yuma? Yuma: They're watching me...! (Astral looks up; above the topmost box, Kazuma and Mira Tsukumo smile down at them in a vision against the gym ceiling, pride and love in their eyes.) <21:00> Yuma: Mom and dad...! (His dad grins and gives him a thumbs-up. Yuma returns them.) Astral: I understand. I feel like I can see them as well.

(Grandma is waving a pair of fans.) Kari: High-five the sky! Grandma: Go, Yuma!

Tori: Do you think he can actually *do* this? Bronk: Not a chance. Tori: Come on, Yuma! Cathy: Yeah!! Tori: Make us proud!

(Astral watches Yuma prepare to jump.) Astral (think): Observation number fourteen; the people who *know* Yuma... *love* Yuma. (Astral points ahead, smiling just as much as Yuma's other friends.) Astral: All right! Do it! (Yuma runs toward the box tower, and leaps, key shining...) Yuma: I am feelin' the flo-o-o-o-ow!!

END <21:36>