Operation: Monte Carlo Ep. 4 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

With Kazuo gone, the team has to face the yakuza's puzzlemaster. Shinobu's life is also turned upside down when he finds out some news about his wife. Whill Shinobu get his life straightened out?

          EXT/INT. KAZUO'S HOUSE. SUNRISE/MORNING.

          Yuuto is sitting out on the front steps. He is half awake

          and yawns. He hears the door open and looks back. He sees

          Kazuo with a suitcase closing the door quietly behind him.

          Kazuo does not notice Yuuto.

                              YUUTO

                    Going somewhere?

          Kazuo turns around quickly and pulls out a gun from his

          pocket. Yuuto is not fazed and Kazuo puts the gun back.

                              KAZUO

                    What are you doing up so early?

                              YUUTO

                    Noboru kept me up all night. I

                    couldn't get to sleep.

                              KAZUO

                    Your personalities keep you up?

                              YUUTO

                    When they are constantly screaming,

                    they do.

          Kazuo picks up his suitcase and starts off toward the gate.

                              YUUTO

                    You didn't answer my question.

                              KAZUO

                    I'm getting away.

                              YUUTO

                    Are you still questioning if you

                    did the right thing or not? It's

                    been four days since you killed

                    him. In my opinion, you did a good

                    thing.

          Kazuo turns to Yuuto.

                              KAZUO

                    I can't just go on your opinion or

                    anybody elses' for that matter. I

                    have to figure it out for myself.

                              YUUTO

                    So what are you going to do?

                              KAZUO

                    I'm going to give myself some

                    peace. I have been chasing that man

                    for ten years. I deserve some peace

                    and quite and some time to think.

                    Is that too much to ask for?

          Yuuto smiles at him.

                              YUUTO

                    You deserve it more than the rest

                    of us.

          Kazuo shows a small smile.

                              YUUTO

                    I've never seen you smile before.

                    Maybe killing Furusawa gave you

                    your soul back. Think about that

                    while you're gone.

                              KAZUO

                    Tell everyone I will be back soon.

                    Tell them I wish them all well.

                              YUUTO

                    I will.

          Kazuo walks out of the gate and down the road as the sun

          slowly finishes rising.

          Around early morning, Yuuto, Daisuke, Shinobu, Ryoichi and

          Ninette are sitting in the kitchen. They are all sitting at

          the bar while the cook is fixing their breakfast.

                              DAISUKE

                    He left this morning?

                              YUUTO

                    Yes.

                              RYOICHI

                    He deserves a break. Speaking of

                    breaks,

                              DAISUKE

                    How many days will you need this

                    time?

                              RYOICHI

                    Just a couple. My son's birthday is

                    in a few days and I am getting with

                    his teacher to do something in

                    class for him.

                              SHINOBU

                    You can do that?

                              RYOICHI

                    Well, I have been seeing his

                    teacher lately.

                              DAISUKE

                    What do you mean by seeing?

                              RYOICHI

                    We're not dating or anything but we

                    have some similarities.

                              DAISUKE

                    Alright, you can have your few days

                    off. Hopefully, whatever mission we

                    get next will be easy.

                              SHINOBU

                    And now that you say that, it is

                    going to be so difficult only I can

                    figure it out.

                              DAISUKE

                    You only know everything about

                    everything.

                              SHINOBU

                    I just took unnecessary courses in

                    university.

                              YUUTO

                    Were they really unnecessary if you

                    reference them all the time? You

                    are the first person I know to

                    relate a court case to something

                    that happened in the year 512. What

                    planet are you from?

          Shinobu points at his head.

                              SHINOBU

                    The planet of universal knowledge!

                              DAISUKE

                    I haven't heard that since you were

                    high school. I thought your geek

                    days were over.

                              SHINOBU

                    My geek days will never be over.

                              NINETTE

                    You guys went to high school

                    together too?

                              DAISUKE

                    That's how we met. I'm originally

                    from here, but my family moved to

                    Sapporo because of my father's job.

                    I met Daisuke and his wife in high

                    school. Then we got an apartment

                    together here to go to university.

                    Natsumi moved down with us but she

                    lived in another apartment.

                              NINETTE

                    Why didn't she live with you two?

                              SHINOBU

                    Think about it. Would you want to

                    live in a two room apartment with

                    two men? Our apartment was smaller

                    than this kitchen and we had one

                    bathroom.

                              NINETTE

                    Now that you put it that way.

          Daisuke's phone rings and he quickly answers it. As he is

          talking, the cook gives each of the men and Ninette their

          plate of food.

                              DAISUKE

                    Hello (pause) Watanabe-san, good

                    morning. (pause) That's great, all

                    of us can be there around eleven.

                    (pause) Oh, he did, did he?

          Daisuke looks down the bar to Yuuto who looks back at him

          with a puzzled look on his face. Daisuke mouths 'Did you

          tell him about Ishikawa?' and Yuuto shakes his head as he

          continues to eat.

                              DAISUKE

                    No, I know he left this morning.

                    Takamori just told us.

          Yuuto looks at him with an angered stare.

                              DAISUKE

                    Well, the rest of us will be there.

                    (pause) Thank you again.

          He closes the phone.

                              YUUTO

                    Don't refer to me by that name.

                              DAISUKE

                    I was talking to our superior

                    officer. I wasn't going to be

                    informal.

                              YUUTO

                    At least don't say it when I'm

                    around.

                              NINETTE

                    Now you two stop fighting and eat

                    your food. You two act like a

                    couple of five year olds.

          Yuuto collapses out of his chair. Everyone stands and rushes

          to him.

                              SHINOBU

                    Yuuto, are you okay?

          Yuuto sits up.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    I'm fine but I hurt my head.

          They all realize he has changed and they all look at

          Ninette.

                              NINETTE

                    What are you looking at me for?

                              RYOICHI

                    You mentioned five year olds and he

                    changed into Rei.

                              SHINOBU

                    Now he can't come with us when we

                    go meet Watanabe.

                              DAISUKE

                    This is your fault.

                              NINETTE

                    Those are some pretty big

                    accusations.

                              DAISUKE

                    They're pretty good ones.

          Yuuto jumps up and runs to Ninette.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Stop yelling at the princess, you

                    meanies.

                              DAISUKE

                    Rei, will you please let Yuuto out

                    so we can go through the briefing.

                    Then you can come back out.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    No! (sticks his tongue out)

                              NINETTE

                    Leave him here with me and I'll

                    take care of him. Just tell

                    Watanabe that he got sick all of a

                    sudden.

                              DAISUKE

                    Fine, but stay here.

          Ninette nods and Daisuke, Shinobu and Ryoichi leave the

          kitchen.

          INT. DIH. MORNING

          Kenta is at his screen with a remote. Daisuke, Ryoichi and

          Shinobu are sitting facing him.

                              KENTA

                    Because of Ishikawa's departure and

                    Takanori's sudden illness, it will

                    just be the three of you for this

                    mission. We will be hunting down

                    the Fu Sector in the next couple of

                    days.

          Kenta presses a button on the remote and the screen changes

          to a picture of AKACHI JURO.

                              KENTA

                    This is Akachi Juro. He is a

                    university student who has been

                    ranked as a genius. He is nicknamed

                    'The Puzzlemaster' by all of his

                    subordinates.

                              DAISUKE

                    Where is he located?

                              KENTA

                    That we do not know.

                              SHINOBU

                    Fu meaning wind. In traditional

                    Wiccan practices which they seem to

                    be following, wind is the Eastern

                    element. If they control a

                    particular ward like Furusawa of

                    the Chi Sector did, it will be

                    either Edogawa or Katsushika. Once

                    we return to Ishikawa's place, I

                    will search in those wards'

                    databases for any information.

                              KENTA

                    Excellent. Know that we know that

                    information, we will be able to

                    track down the other sectors

                    easily. That is the end of my

                    briefing. Sorry that I do not have

                    enough information.

          Kenta turns off the screen.

                              KENTA

                    If he holds up to his nickname, he

                    might leave some traps. Be careful

                    about that.

          Daisuke and the others nod and exit.

          EXT. EDOGAWA. MORNING.

          Ninette and Yuuto are sitting on the banks of the Edogawa

          river. Yuuto is still as Rei but he is in casual mens wear

          instead of something childish. Ninette has a long black wig

          on.

                              NINETTE

                    This is a very peaceful place.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Yep.

                              NINETTE

                    Rei?

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Yes, princess.

                              NINETTE

                    Do you know you are not really a

                    girl?

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    I am a girl.

                              NINETTE

                    Well, I mean you aren't in a girl's

                    body. Do you know that?

          Yuuto looks puzzled. He starts to flick his hands in the

          water.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    I don't think about it. I have

                    always been a girl.

                              NINETTE

                    It's not like I'm going to tell you

                    anything new. You've probably

                    already discovered everything

                    about...

          Yuuto looks at her. Ninette looks away.

                              NINETTE

                    I'm going to stop there and not say

                    one more word.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    He thinks about you.

          Ninette looks back at him.

                              NINETTE

                    Yuuto?

          Yuuto nods.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    He does. He cares about you a lot.

                    I might be young but I understand a

                    lot. He thinks about you in ways he

                    shouldn't.

          Ninette starts to blush and she looks away again.

                              NINETTE

                         (to self)

                    I did not just hear that. (to

                    Yuuto) In what ways?

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    I'm not going to tell you. That's

                    our secret.

                              NINETTE

                    Yours and Yuuto's.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    And Katashi's. Noboru really

                    doesn't hear or say much. Though he

                    has been saying a lot lately, he's

                    still not with us all the time. He

                    cries more than I do. Katashi is

                    mean to him and yells at him a lot.

                    Yuuto doesn't like that so he

                    defends Noboru. Noboru's been

                    around longer than I have and has

                    seen more than I have. I feel sorry

                    for him.

                              NINETTE

                    Sounds like there's drama inside

                    his head too.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Yep. He's learned to deal with us

                    but I do sometimes feel that he

                    would rather us not be around.

                    Yuuto doesn't like people very much

                    and he doesn't really like us. He

                    doesn't like that Katashi is mean

                    and hurtful, or that Noboru cries

                    and screams a lot, or that I dress

                    him up how I want to dress. I don't

                    want to be on his bad side. I want

                    him to accept us.

          Ninette smiles.

                              NINETTE

                    I'm sure he will one day.

          Yuuto smiles back. They both look down at the river and

          Ninette notices someone behind her. She looks back and is

          kicked into the river. Her head hits a rock and she is

          knocked out.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Princess!

          Yuuto is hit in the head and he is knocked out.

          INT. KAZUO'S HOUSE. NOON.

          Shinobu comes rushing into the study.

                              SHINOBU

                    Yuuto! Ninette! Where are you

                    guys?!

          Daisuke and Ryoichi come in from the hallway.

                              DAISUKE

                    They're not in their rooms or

                    downstairs.

                              RYOICHI

                    The cook and the butler didn't even

                    realize they left.

          They hear a beeping coming from the computer. Shinobu goes

          to look at it. A window pops up on the screen with an

          animated character on it.

                              SHINOBU

                    In the city where the snake runs

                    deep, you’ll find two friends that

                    were lost, but before you find

                    them, I will challenge your smarts.

                    In a battle of wits, we’ll find the

                    better genius. In three challenges,

                    I will test you. Find where I am

                    and you’ll be surprised how quickly

                    I’ll test you once more.

                              DAISUKE

                    Is it him?

                              SHINOBU

                    Call Yuuto and Ninette.

          Ryoichi and Daisuke pull out their phones and dial.

                              RYOICHI

                    I'm getting her voice mail.

                              DAISUKE

                    Same here.

                              SHINOBU

                    The trackers aren't moving but it

                    doesn't make sense. In the city

                    where the snake runs deep, you'll

                    find two friends that were lost. He

                    must be talking about Edogawa. The

                    snake is Edogawa river. Daisuke?

                              DAISUKE

                    Yeah?

                              SHINOBU

                    Call Kiyomi and see if she can get

                    in touch with the Edogawa Ward

                    Office. Tell her to search for the

                    name Akachi Juro. If we know where

                    he lives we can possibly find them.

                    Until she figures it out, we need

                    to go where we are picking up their

                    phone signals.

                              DAISUKE

                    Right.

          INT. METROPOLITAN BUILDING. NOON.

          Kiyomi is sitting in her cubical at her computer. The

          cubical is very neat with a few pictures and books. Her

          phone rings.

                              KIYOMI

                    This is Ishikawa Kiyomi, how may I

                    help you?

                              DAISUKE

                         (from phone)

                    Hey, it's Daisuke. I need you to

                    look up something for me.

                              KIYOMI

                    I'm at work, can't you ask me about

                    it later?

                              DAISUKE

                         (from phone)

                    It has to do with the mission.

                              KIYOMI

                    Alright, what it it?

                              DAISUKE

                         (from phone)

                    Can you try to find a man by the

                    name of Akachi Juro in the records

                    at the Edogawa Ward Office?

                              KIYOMI

                    I can try, there's no guarantee

                    that I will find something. I'm

                    technically not allowed to do that.

                              DAISUKE

                         (from phone) 

                    We need to find him quickly.

                    Ninette and Yuuto are in danger.

                              KIYOMI

                    That changes things. I'll do my

                    best but I can't be sure of the

                    results.

                              DAISUKE

                         (from phone)

                    Anything will be appreciated.

                    Thanks again.

                              KIYOMI

                    You're welcome.

          She hangs up and starts typing at her computer.

          EXT. EDOGAWA. MID-AFTERNOON.

          Daisuke, Ryoichi and Shinobu are investigating around the

          river when Ryoichi spots two cell phones in the water.

                              RYOICHI

                    There! They're down here.

          They all run down and pick them up.

                              RYOICHI

                    I'm surprised you were able to

                    receive a signal.

                              SHINOBU

                    I used water proof trackers.

                              RYOICHI

                    They have those?

                              SHINOBU

                    I made them so they are my design.

                    The cell phone is ruined but the

                    tracker will still send the signal.

                              DAISUKE

                    Well, what do we do now? Their cell

                    phones are all we have.

                              SHINOBU

                    All we can do is wait until Kiyomi

                    calls us with any information.

                              DAISUKE

                    Great!

                              YUMIKO

                    Kawano-san!

          Ryoichi turns to see Yumiko walking towards him.

                              RYOICHI

                    Nakano-sama, how are you?

                              YUMIKO

                    I'm fine. How are you?

                              RYOICHI

                    I'm good. What brings you to

                    Edogawa?

                              YUMIKO

                    I'm visiting family actually.

          She spots Shinobu and Daisuke.

                              YUMIKO

                    Are these your co-workers?

                              RYOICHI

                    Yes. Nakano Yumiko, this is Ogawa

                    Shinobu and Uchida Daisuke.

                              YUMIKO

                    Pleased to meet you. How is work

                    going for you all?

                              SHINOBU

                    Well, we...

                              RYOICHI

                    It's going fine. Really well. We

                    were actually on own way to our

                    office when you ran into us.

                              YUMIKO

                    Oh, well I would hate to keep you

                    from your work. I have to be

                    heading out anyway so I will see

                    you later.

                              RYOICHI

                    One thing before you go. I need to

                    plan a birthday party for my son. I

                    was wondering if there was anyway

                    to hold it during class or after

                    class.

                              YUMIKO

                    Um, after would be better but I can

                    see what I can do.

                              RYOICHI

                    Thank you.

                              YUMIKO

                    Of course. Take care.

                              RYOICHI

                    Bye!

          Ryoichi waves goodbye to her as she walks away. Shinobu and

          Daisuke looks at him. He notices.

                              RYOICHI

                    What?

                              DAISUKE

                    Does she know?

                              RYOICHI

                    Know what?

                              SHINOBU

                    That you are a government agent.

                              RYOICHI

                    Um... no, not really, no.

                              SHINOBU

                    What does she think you are?

                              RYOICHI

                    A salaryman.

                              DAISUKE

                    Do we look like salarymen?

                              RYOICHI

                    No but she doesn't need to know the

                    truth.

                              SHINOBU

                    Why?

                              RYOICHI

                    Because we are not together yet.

                              SHINOBU

                    You think that if you tell her

                    later, she'll be able to take it

                    easier. You're lying to her.

                              RYOICHI

                    Not really.

                              SHINOBU

                    Yeah you are.

          Daisuke's phone rings. He sees that it is from Kiyomi and

          answers, putting it on speaker.

                              DAISUKE

                    Hey, did you find anything?

                              KIYOMI

                         (from speaker)

                    Surprisingly yes. There is one

                    Akachi Juro in Edogawa. He lives at

                    the Shin Koiwa House unit three.

                              DAISUKE

                    Thank you so much, Kiyomi. I love

                    you.

                              KIYOMI

                         (from speaker)

                    Don't ask me to do that again. I

                    almost got fired.

                              DAISUKE

                    I'll have Watanabe send them

                    something about it so you don't.

                              KIYOMI

                         (from speaker)

                    Yes, that will help.

                              DAISUKE

                    I'll talk to you later.

          He hangs up.

                              DAISUKE

                    Did you get that?

          He looks up and see Shinobu and Ryoichi already walking away

          from him.

                              DAISUKE

                    Hey, hold up!

          INT. WAREHOUSE. MID-AFTERNOON.

          In a small empty room, Yuuto and Ninette have their hands

          tied around the steel beam in the middle of the room. Yuuto

          is still unconscious. Ninette looks around.

                              NINETTE

                    Why did I leave the house? I

                    shouldn't have left the house. At

                    least not with him like this...

                    He's a five year old girl, he can't

                    fight like that. As Katashi, that's

                    a different story but he's Rei. I

                    probably should have thought about

                    that before I left the house...

                    They won't let me help anymore. I

                    just screwed myself over. (pause)

                    Why am I talking to myself? Oh

                    yeah, that's right, I'm the only

                    conscious one in here. Yuuto?

          He doesn't answer.

                              NINETTE

                    Rei? Katashi? Noboru? Anybody else

                    in that head of his?

          He is still silent.

                              NINETTE

                    I hate this. This is the third time

                    I've been kidnapped this week. You

                    would think after the second time I

                    would've learn, but no. I am the

                    damsel in distress who is dropped

                    into another castle. I should face

                    it, I would rather be in the

                    mushroom kingdom than this dump. At

                    least the lava makes the castle

                    warm.

          Yuuto starts to wake up. He raises his head and hits against

          the beam.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Ow!

                              NINETTE

                    Yuuto!

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    No, Rei.

                              NINETTE

                         (disappointed)

                    Oh. Where is Yuuto anyway?

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    He's sleeping.

                              NINETTE

                    Sleeping, of course.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Do you want to talk to him?

                              NINETTE

                    No, it's fine. I'll wait until he's

                    awake.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Okay. So, where are we?

                              NINETTE

                    I have no idea. All I know is that

                    it's cold.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                         (pouting)

                    I'm hungry.

                              NINETTE

                    I know, me too.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Do you think they are looking for

                    us?

                              NINETTE

                    The guys?

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Yeah.

                              NINETTE

                    I'm sure they are. They're good at

                    finding us.

          INT. JURO'S APARTMENT. MID-AFTERNOON.

          Shinobu, Daisuke, and Ryoichi stare at a circuit puzzle on

          the wall. Daisuke and Ryoichi are horrified while Shinobu

          has a more contemplating look on his face.

                              DAISUKE

                    What the hell is that?

                              RYOICHI

                    Is that even logical?

                              SHINOBU

                    It's a layout for a circuit board.

                              RYOICHI

                    I'm glad you know that.

                              SHINOBU

                    Its different somehow.

                              DAISUKE

                    Yeah, because I've never seen a

                    circuit board look like that.

                              SHINOBU

                    It's more of an input-output

                    circuit board but each line is a

                    Greek letter instead of a regular

                    mathematical variable.

                              RYOICHI

                    Wasn't good in math, please

                    explain.

                              SHINOBU

                    Mathematical variables use letters

                    from the English alphabet, with a

                    few exceptions. Here, there are

                    nine Greek letters; Alpha, Beta,

                    Gamma, Delta, Sigma, Phi, Chi, Psy,

                    and Omega. Each letter has a value,

                    so I won't be dealing with just

                    ones and zeros now.

                              DAISUKE

                    What the hell are you talking

                    about? Where did you learn Greek?

                              SHINOBU

                    I took an online Greek course.

                              DAISUKE

                    Honestly, when did you have time to

                    take all those extra classes?

                              SHINOBU

                         (to himself)

                    Does he want us to evaluate it to

                    get an actual number?

          Ryoichi goes over to the computer that is over by the wall.

          He moves the mouse and a screen pops up with a riddle and

          the chrysanthemum symbol.

                              RYOICHI

                    Ogawa, check this out.

          Daisuke and Shinobu both go over to the computer.

                              DAISUKE

                    The symbol of the house of those

                    who served find Theta, Kappa Gamma

                    the day of Summer's end.

                              SHINOBU

                    Theta, Kappa Gamma?

                              RYOICHI

                    I'm just saying right now that I

                    don't like this guy.

                              SHINOBU

                    Nine, twenty-three?

          Shinobu goes off calculating.

                              DAISUKE

                    I say we take that giant thing with

                    the puzzle and go back to

                    Ishikawa's place. Obviously, they

                    aren't going to hurt Ninette even

                    if we take a couple of days to

                    figure it out.

                              RYOICHI

                    But what about Yuuto?

                              DAISUKE

                    He can take care of himself. You

                    saw how Katashi fights.

                              RYOICHI

                    He's not taking care of himself,

                    someone else is taking care of him.

                              DAISUKE

                    It's still him though.

                              RYOICHI

                    Anyway, why should we take the

                    puzzle to Ishikawa's?

                              DAISUKE

                    So Shinobu can have his computer.

                    This hunk of junk probably can't

                    even get the internet.

                              SHINOBU

                    We'll take it back. I can't think

                    straight here.

                              DAISUKE

                    That settles it.

          Shinobu looks at his watch and starts to run to the exit.

                              DAISUKE

                    Shinobu?

                              SHINOBU

                    I have to go pick up my wife at the

                    airport. I'll see you guys at

                    Ishikawa's. Don't forget the puzzle

                    and take a picture of the riddle.

          He exits. Daisuke looks at Ryoichi who shrugs his shoulder.

          INT. OGAWA APARTMENT. NIGHT

          Natsumi enters with Shinobu following with her luggage. He

          sits it to the side and closes the door. Natsumi walks to

          the couch and sits.

                              SHINOBU

                    You've been quiet the whole time

                    coming back. What it wrong?

                              NATSUMI

                    I want you to resign.

                              SHINOBU

                    Natsumi, I can't right now. We are

                    in the middle of finding someone.

                    One of our men and the person we're

                    protecting have been kidnapped and

                    we have to find them.

          Natsumi rises and walks away.

                              NATSUMI

                    You have other responsibilities,

                    Shinobu. You have me to take care

                    of.

                              SHINOBU

                    I have to bring money into the

                    house somehow. Do you expect me to

                    leave the team and find another job

                    right away?

                              NATSUMI

                    Anything is better than what you

                    have now.

                              SHINOBU

                    I can take care of us, Natsumi, and

                    when I'm with the team, I can take

                    care of myself. Why do you not

                    trust me?

                              NATSUMI

                         (yells)

                    Because I don't want our child to

                    grow up without a father!

          Shinobu is speechless.

                              NATSUMI

                         (calmly)

                    Shinobu, we are going to have a

                    child. The present that my parents

                    gave you is for that. I went to go

                    visit my mother's gynecologist in

                    Sapporo. She said its about three

                    months into the pregnancy.

          Shinobu sits down slowly.

                              NATSUMI

                    I haven't been feeling well for the

                    past couple of weeks and I

                    suspected it but I wanted to make

                    sure. I was hoping that if you knew

                    that than you would step down and

                    go back to your regular lab job. I

                    would rather you do that than being

                    shot at and possibly get killed.

                              SHINOBU

                         (under his breath)

                    I'm going to be a father.

                              NATSUMI

                    Shinobu, please.

          He is still silent. She walks into the bedroom. Shinobu

          hears some shuffling from the closet. She comes back in with

          a few of Shinobu's suits. She tosses them at him and points

          to the door.

                              NATSUMI

                    Get out.

                              SHINOBU

                    Natsumi, I...

          He stands and she runs over to the door to open it. She goes

          back over to him and pushes him out of the door.

                              NATSUMI

                    For the first time in over ten

                    years, I'm starting to question

                    this relationship.

          She slams the door in his face. Shinobu is dumbfounded.

                              SHINOBU

                    Natsumi! Natsumi!

          He walks away from the door. Once he is out in front of the

          apartment complex, it starts to rain. He stops and looks up

          at the sky. He continues to walks down the sidewalk.

          INT. KAZUO'S HOUSE. NIGHT.

          Daisuke opens the door to reveal a drenched Shinobu. He is

          still holding his clothes. He is shivering.

                              DAISUKE

                    What in the world? Didn't you have

                    to get Natsumi?

                              SHINOBU

                    I'm going to be a father.

                              DAISUKE

                    What?

                              SHINOBU

                    I'm going to have a kid.

                              DAISUKE

                    Shinobu, are you okay?

                              SHINOBU

                    We're having a baby.

                              DAISUKE

                    Um, are you comprehending anything

                    I'm saying.

          Shinobu collapses onto the floor.

                              DAISUKE

                    Okay, Butler!

          Daisuke takes Shinobu's wet clothes. The Butler steps in.

                              BUTLER

                    Yes, sir.

                              DAISUKE

                    Can you take him and give him a hot

                    bath or shower? Also, can you get

                    the cook to make him something warm

                    to eat.

                              BUTLER

                    Right away.

          Later, Shinobu and Daisuke are sitting on the floor in the

          study. Shinobu is bundled up in a blanket, Daisuke sitting

          across from him. There is a tray of soup and hot tea in

          front of Shinobu.

                              SHINOBU

                    I really don't know what to do. I

                    don't want to leave the team, but I

                    want to be there for her. I need to

                    be there for her.

                              DAISUKE

                    You do.

          They hear the front door open.

                              DAISUKE

                    I wonder if Ishikawa came back.

          Kiyomi walks in with a bag of take out food.

                              DAISUKE

                    Kiyomi?

                              KIYOMI

                    Hey, I thought you might be hungry

                    so I brought you food.

                              DAISUKE

                    Oh, thank you.

          Kiyomi looks over at Daisuke.

                              KIYOMI

                    What's wrong with him?

                              DAISUKE

                    His wife is pregnant.

                              KIYOMI

                    And that's a bad thing.

                    Congratulations!

          Daisuke clears his throat to get Kiyomi's attention. He

          notions to her to come closer to him. They talk softer.

                              DAISUKE

                    She kicked him out of the

                    apartment.

                              KIYOMI

                    Was she mad at him for getting her

                    pregnant?

                              DAISUKE

                    No.

                              SHINOBU

                    She's mad because I can't choose.

                              KIYOMI

                    Choose?

                              SHINOBU

                    Between her or work.

                              KIYOMI

                    Oh.

          She sits next to Daisuke. Her and Daisuke begin to eat.

          Shinobu picks up his cup of tea. He looks and sees a

          chrysanthemum at the bottom of the tea.

                              SHINOBU

                    Daisuke, where's the puzzle?

          Daisuke points to the corner.

                              DAISUKE

                    It's over there. You're not going

                    to work on it, are you?

          Shinobu gets up and grabs it. He unrolls it and pulls some

          books off of the desk to hold the corners down.

                              SHINOBU

                    I need a pen or a pencil.

          Kiyomi pulls a pen out of her purse and hands it to him. He

          starts to work vigorously on it. He is doing some of the

          equations out loud. Kiyomi and Daisuke watch him while they

          eat. When Shinobu finishes, he stands.

                              SHINOBU

                    The answer is four hundred.

                              DAISUKE

                    How did you get that?

          Shinobu knells again.

                              SHINOBU

                    See these symbols connecting the

                    lines? The horizontal triangle

                    means negate, which means you

                    switch the one to a zero or vice

                    versa. The half circle means 'and,'

                    meaning that if you have two ones

                    or two zeros entering it, the same

                    number  will exit. If it is a one

                    and a zero, it will exit zero. The

                    crescent shape means 'or,' meaning

                    anything that goes in will be a

                    one.

                              DAISUKE

                    So how did you get four hundred if

                    you only have ones and zeros.

                              SHINOBU

                    That is where the values of the

                    Greek letters come in. Alpha is

                    one, beta is two, gamma is three,

                    delta is four, sigma is two

                    hundred, phi is five hundred, chi

                    is six hundred, psy is seven

                    hundred and omega is nine hundred.

                              DAISUKE

                    Still, how did you get it?

                              SHINOBU

                    By using simple adding and

                    subtracting. The half circle is

                    addition and the crescent is

                    subtraction. The negate will stay

                    the same and you would switch the

                    numbers between negative and

                    positive. By doing this and

                    following the circuit, you get four

                    hundred.

                              DAISUKE

                    What is the significance of four

                    hundred? Is it related to the

                    riddle?

                              SHINOBU

                    It is. The symbol below the riddle

                    is a chrysanthemum, the Imperial

                    symbol of Japan. The year four

                    hundred is when some people think

                    the chrysanthemum was first

                    introduced to Japan. The first line

                    of the riddle is 'the symbol of the

                    house of those who served.'

                              KIYOMI

                    Yasukuni Shrine. The chrysanthemum

                    is all over the place there and it

                    is dedicated to soldiers who died

                    fighting on behalf of the Emperor.

                              DAISUKE

                    It also mentioned Theta, Kappa

                    Gamma.

                              SHINOBU

                    Theta is nine, Kappa is twenty, and

                    Gamma is three. Nine, twenty three.

                              KIYOMI

                    September twenty-third. The

                    chrysanthemum is the seasonal

                    flower of September. The twenty

                    third of September is the autumnal

                    equinox.

                              SHINOBU

                    The day of Summer's end. That's it!

                    Daisuke, I love your girlfriend!

                              DAISUKE

                    You're still married, remember?

                              SHINOBU

                    But what is the importance of the

                    autumnal equinox. It's October,

                    we've passed it.

                              KIYOMI

                    Maybe it's not the date but the

                    numbers that are important. If I'm

                    not mistaken, there are small

                    warehouses right up the street from

                    it. They are used for storing cars

                    but many government officials use

                    them for storing other things.

                              SHINOBU

                    How do they organize the facility?

                              KIYOMI

                    Each row has a number and then each

                    storage room has a two digit

                    number, starting at ten since there

                    are only nine rows.

                              DAISUKE

                    Does it go up to twenty-three?

                              KIYOMI

                    Goes up past twenty-three.

                              DAISUKE

                    We'll check there tomorrow.

                    Shinobu, you need to get some

                    sleep. I'll be surprised if you're

                    not sick tomorrow.

                              SHINOBU

                    That is a good idea. I need some

                    time to think.

                              DAISUKE

                    Good night.

                              SHINOBU

                    Good night.

          Shinobu picks up the tray and walks out of the room.

                              KIYOMI

                    Is he going to be okay?

                              DAISUKE

                    I don't know. I understand

                    Natsumi's reason for throwing him

                    out like that but I also understand

                    his side. He loves his work and

                    doesn't want to quit.

                              KIYOMI

                    Some things are more important than

                    work.

                              DAISUKE

                    Yeah. If he still wants to help, he

                    can always just stay here and do

                    research. That would keep him out

                    of the line of fire and then

                    Natsumi can be at peace knowing

                    that he's not in danger.

                              KIYOMI

                    Maybe she's worried he'll bring his

                    work home.

                              DAISUKE

                    What do you mean?

                              KIYOMI

                    You don't know much about the

                    yakuza, do you? As much research as

                    you're doing on them, you can bet

                    that they are doing as much

                    research on you. The worst thing

                    that can happen is that they find

                    out where your loved ones are and

                    threaten to kill them. Not only

                    does that put Natsumi in danger,

                    that puts Kawano's son and I in

                    danger. If they do their research

                    correctly, they can easily find us

                    and use us as leverage to get

                    Ninette.

          Daisuke looks away in disbelief.

                              DAISUKE

                    I never thought of it like that.

                              KIYOMI

                    I don't think Shinobu has either.

                    He needs to know that. You're

                    right, maybe if he is out of the

                    line of fire, Natsumi will be safer

                    if they happen to look into you

                    guys. They don't usually hunt down

                    the researchers because they don't

                    think they can do much harm, but

                    lab geeks are the most dangerous

                    people in the world, in my opinion.

                              DAISUKE

                    Do you worry about me?

                              KIYOMI

                    I do, but it is an occupational

                    hazard. I can accept being worried

                    about you. I have since you took

                    this job. I worry but I know you

                    can take care of yourself, so I

                    don't worry as much.

          She smiles and kisses his cheek. She picks up her purse and

          her food plate and stands.

                              KIYOMI

                    I will see you later. Take care.

          She walks out of the room and Daisuke watches her go.

          INT. WAREHOUSE. NIGHT.

          Ninette and Yuuto are still tied to the beam. The door

          bursts open. Yuuto switches to Noboru and starts to scream.

          Akachi Juro walks in and kicks Yuuto. Juro has a very calm,

          monotone voice.

                              YUUTO(NOBORU)

                    Stop!

                              NINETTE

                    Don't hurt him you b*****d!

          She stands and tries to kick Juro.

                              JURO

                    Fiesty. I like that.

                              NINETTE

                    Lay a hand on me or him and you

                    will wish you were never conceived.

                              JURO

                    Very fiesty. Too bad I'm not

                    marrying you, I could have some fun

                    with you.

          Yuuto starts to make a whining noise. Juro pulls a gun out

          and points it at him.

                              JURO

                    Tell him to shut up or I'm going to

                    shoot his face right off.

          Ninette lowers down and tries to move towards Yuuto.

                              NINETTE

                         (calming)

                    Noboru, please be quiet. You won't

                    be hurt if you keep quiet, okay?

                              YUUTO(NOBORU)

                    I don't want to hurt.

                              NINETTE

                    I know, so please quiet down.

          Yuuto quiets down but still whines. Juro laughs.

                              JURO

                    If he's supposed to be your

                    bodyguard, he's really unfit.

                              NINETTE

                    Don't you dare talk about him like

                    that!

          He walks over to her a grabs her chin.

                              JURO

                    Do we have a little crush, Miss

                    Princess?

          She escapes his grab and tries to bite him. He jerks back in

          time to miss.

                              JURO

                    Ah, you're more of a cobra than a

                    princess. I'll be calling your

                    fiance soon to tell him to come get

                    you. I'm tired of babysitting you.

          Juro walks out of the room. Ninette turns to sit next to

          Yuuto who is wincing and shaking.

                              NINETTE

                    Noboru?

          He doesn't say anything.

                              NINETTE

                    Noboru, tell me what is hurting

                    you.

          He looks at her with sadness in his eyes. He looks away.

                              YUUTO(???)

                         (raspy)

                    Don't tell her a thing, boy.

                              YUUTO(NOBORU)

                    Leave me alone, we don't want you

                    here.

                              NINETTE

                    Noboru, who was that?

                              YUUTO(NOBORU)

                    Lady in blue, it's a blue dress

                    covered in blood. She's scary...

                    want her to go away.

                              NINETTE

                    What is her name?

                              YUUTO(NOBORU)

                    No... can't tell.

          His head drops down and then back up.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    What happened?

                              NINETTE

                    Rei, you're back.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    Did Noboru take over?

                              NINETTE

                    Yes, for a little bit. Rei, do you

                    know who he is talking about when

                    he says a lady in a blue dress.

          Yuuto looks horrified but looks away quickly.

                              YUUTO(REI)

                    I...I don't know.

          Ninette looks away from him pondering.

          EXT/INT. WAREHOUSE. MORNING.

          Shinobu and Daisuke are running down the ninth row of the

          storage complex. Each door of the complex has a small metal

          trash can beside of it.

                              SHINOBU

                    Seventeen, nineteen, twenty-one,

                    here it is, twenty-three.

                              DAISUKE

                    Oh, a padlock. Why not a moat and

                    alligators? That would make our job

                    so much easier.

          Shinobu takes the trash out of one of the trash cans and

          starts to slam it against the padlock, breaking it off.

          Daisuke looks at him as he puts the trash back.

                              DAISUKE

                    Did you take a class on breaking

                    locks too?

                              SHINOBU

                    That I saw in a movie.

          He pulls the broken lock off and opens the door. As they

          walk in the dark warehouse, they notice several giant wooden

          and steel crates in various spots. They hear the door

          closing behind them and they look back to see someone on the

          other side.

                              DAISUKE

                    Wait!

          Both of them run to stop it but it closes and is locked

          before they can get out.

                              DAISUKE

                    Well, this must be the right spot.

                              SHINOBU

                    Or a trap.

                              JURO

                         (over intercom)

                    No, you've come to the right spot.

          The lights to the warehouse come on and they notice that the

          floor is a giant grid.

                              JURO

                         (over intercom)

                    Welcome to test two, gentlemen.

                    What you see before you is a life

                    size Sokoban puzzle. Have you ever

                    played Ogawa-san?

                              SHINOBU

                    No, I can't say that I have.

                              JURO

                         (over intercom)

                    Well, I'll explain it to you. There

                    are four plates on the floor where

                    if you move something heavy onto

                    it, it will unlock the door that

                    will lead to your friends. The

                    wooden crates can be moved but the

                    steel ones cannot. However, since

                    there are two of you, I must let

                    you know to not move more than one

                    box at a time. I would hate for you

                    to lose one of your members. You

                    see that security camera.

          Shinobu and Daisuke look at the top left corner of the room

          to find a security camera.

                              JURO

                         (over intercom)

                    It is actually a loaded gun. If two

                    boxes are moved at once, one of you

                    will be shot. So, I suggest you be

                    extremely careful.

                              DAISUKE

                    I don't like this.

          Daisuke and Shinobu look back at the closed door.

                              SHINOBU

                    We don't have any other choice.

          INT. SCHOOL. MORNING.

          Ryoichi is leading Ken'ichi into the classroom. Ken'ichi has

          his eyes closed.

                              KEN'ICHI

                    Can I open them now?

                              RYOICHI

                    Hold on.

          He leads him to the front of the classroom and then steps

          away.

                              RYOICHI

                    Okay, now.

          Ken'ichi opens his eyes and sees Ryoichi, Yumiko, and all of

          the other students. The room is decorated with balloons and

          a banner that says happy birthday. They all yell 'surprise'

          as a giant smile appears on Ken'ichi's face.

                              KEN'ICHI

                    Awesome!

          He rushes over to the rest of the kids who start to play

          with the balloons. Ryoichi and Yumiko are left standing

          together.

                              RYOICHI

                    Thank you for doing this for him.

                              YUMIKO

                    It was really nothing. The kids

                    needed some fun time so this is

                    good for everyone.

                              RYOICHI

                    A little fun is always good.

                    (pause) Are you doing anything

                    after work?

                              YUMIKO

                    I actually have to be at my other

                    job soon after but I'll be free

                    tomorrow if you are.

                              RYOICHI

                    Tomorrow is great.

                              YUMIKO

                    Okay, I'll come by your apartment

                    after work then.

                              RYOICHI

                    Great.

          They smile at each other as the kid play behind them.

          INT. WAREHOUSE. MORNING.

          Shinobu and Daisuke have their jackets tied to their waists

          and their sleeves pulled up as they are pushing one of the

          boxes. They are sweating from the work. They stop to take a

          breath.

                              DAISUKE

                    I think these are made of steel

                    too.

                              SHINOBU

                    We can't stop now, we're almost

                    done. We have one more plate to

                    activate.

                              DAISUKE

                    But where is it?

                              SHINOBU

                    I'll need to look for it and a

                    path.

                              DAISUKE

                    This guy is insane to have us do

                    this.

          Shinobu looks around and focuses on the steel crate close to

          the locked back door. Shinobu climbs up on the crate and

          looks around. He spots one of the plates behind it and looks

          back at the crate Daisuke is leaning on and notices the

          other one beside him is shorter.

                              SHINOBU

                    Try moving the one next to you.

          Daisuke tries to push it but it does not budge.

                              DAISUKE

                    It's not moving.

                              SHINOBU

                    It's already on a plate. Okay, push

                    the one you were on to this plate

                    over here. Push it up two, then

                    over to the wall and then in this

                    corner.

          Daisuke starts to push but starts to have some trouble.

          Shinobu jumps down and starts to help.

          A few minutes later, they push the crate onto the plate and

          they hear a click coming from the back door. They run over

          to it and open the door to see Ninette and Yuuto. Ninette

          looks up.

                              NINETTE

                    Ogawa! Uchida!

          Yuuto looks up.

                              YUUTO

                    Where am I?

                              NINETTE

                    Yuuto?

                              YUUTO

                    Yeah?

                              NINETTE

                    Thank god, it's you!

                              JURO

                    Well done, Ogawa Shinobu. Your

                    intelligence has surpassed my

                    expectations.

          The lights in the room turn on to reveal Juro. There is a

          small table with two chairs in front of where Yuuto and

          Ninette are tied up.

                              SHINOBU

                    I'm guessing you have a final test

                    for me?

                              JURO

                    I do. A game of Go.

          Shinobu snickers.

                              SHINOBU

                    I'm the national Go champion. Do

                    you really think you can beat me?

                              JURO

                    I respect your confidence but I

                    highly doubt you can defeat me. I

                    have trained myself in order to

                    defeat you.

                              SHINOBU

                    Your confidence is about to piss me

                    off.

                              JURO

                    We play under these circumstances.

                    If you win, you can kill me and

                    walk away free with your friends.

                    If I win, I will kill you and your

                    friends and the princess will come

                    with me.

          Shinobu's eyes widen.

                              DAISUKE

                    Shinobu, let me do.

                              JURO

                    That is not an option. I must

                    challenge Ogawa-san.

                              DAISUKE

                    He can't do it.

                              JURO

                    Stop your useless chatter.

          Juro pulls out his gun and shoots Yuuto in the arm. Yuuto

          screams in pain.

                              NINETTE

                    Yuuto!

                              JURO

                    You are wasting my time.

                              DAISUKE

                    Shinobu, you can't do this.

                              SHINOBU

                    I have to or the mission is in

                    jeopardy. 

                              DAISUKE

                    Don't do this!

                              SHINOBU

                    I have to! I'm the only one that

                    can possibly beat him and save

                    everyone!

                              DAISUKE

                    You have to go back to Natsu!

                              SHINOBU

                    You think I don't know that!

          Daisuke steps back.

                              SHINOBU

                    Let's get this over with.

          Juro smiles and walks over to the table. He lays out the Go

          board and hands Shinobu the black chips.

                              JURO

                    White is my lucky color.

                              SHINOBU

                    What a coincidence, black is mine.

          The two of them sit across from each other and begin to

          play. A montage starts of the two of them playing, Daisuke

          and the others watch them intensely. As it gets to the last

          few moves, Juro speaks.

                              JURO

                    Are you ready to face your fate,

                    Ogawa-san? In a few more turns, I

                    will succeed and walk away from

                    this.

                              SHINOBU

                         (snickers)

                    You really think too highly of

                    yourself. With this move...

          Shinobu places a chip on the board.

                              SHINOBU

                    I win the game.

          Juro looks back at the board with a horrified look on his

          face. His speech becomes dynamic.

                              JURO

                    It can't be. I played the right

                    moves, I started the game so I

                    would win.

                              SHINOBU

                    You can't just memorize a play and

                    think you'll win. It's about your

                    mind at the moment. If you just

                    memorize someone else's play, you

                    can never defeat an opponent.

          In frustration, Juro sweeps the board off the table, stands

          and pulls his gun out. Shinobu jumps out of his seat. Juro

          aims and as he is about to shoot Shinobu, Ninette kicks his

          leg causing him to trip. He falls, dropping his gun. Shinobu

          picks it up. Juro rises to his knees.

                              JURO

                    We had conditions, just do it

                    already.

          Shinobu aims at Juro but hesitates. He lowers the gun.

                              SHINOBU

                    You could have been very successful

                    if you hadn't led this life. I feel

                    sorry for you. A life in prison is

                    worse than death for people like

                    you.

          Shinobu hands the gun to Daisuke.

                              SHINOBU

                    I'm not going to kill him. I can't

                    have his blood on my hands. I need

                    to go make things right with

                    Natsumi.

          Daisuke nods.

          Several minutes later, the warehouse door is opened by the

          same person who closed it earlier and Daisuke and the others

          come out. Yuuto has Juro handcuffed. Daisuke aims his gun at

          him.

                              DAISUKE

                    You are under arrest for holding

                    government officers hostage. Put

                    your hands in the air.

          The man does as he is told and Daisuke goes to handcuff him.

                              DAISUKE

                    Shinobu, go on. We can take care of

                    everything.

          Shinobu nods and jogs off.

          EXT. COUNTRYSIDE. MID-AFTERNOON.

          At a small house in the country, Kazuo walks outside and

          sits on the steps. He seems at ease. He notices a ball

          rolling towards his feet. When he looks up, he sees a small

          boy running towards him but he stops, almost afraid. Kazuo

          rolls the ball back to the child. The child picks up the

          ball and smiles at him. He starts to walk towards Kazuo.

                              HARU

                    Hello mister. I have never seen you

                    around before.

                              KAZUO

                    I'm on vacation.

                              HARU

                    Where are you from?

                              KAZUO

                    Tokyo.

                              HARU

                    Awesome. Is it cool?

                              KAZUO

                    I guess so.

                              JUN

                         (from distance)

                    Haru!

          Kazuo looks behind Haru and sees a woman running towards

          them. She stops behind Haru.

                              JUN

                    Haru, how many times do I have to

                    tell you to not run off like that?

                              HARU

                    Sorry, mama.

                              JUN

                         (to Kazuo)

                    I'm sorry if my son bothered you.

                              KAZUO

                    It's fine.

                              HARU

                    He's from Tokyo, mama.

                              JUN

                    Tokyo, huh? If I might ask, what

                    brought you out to the country?

                              KAZUO

                    I'm trying to figure that out

                    myself, actually.

          Haru starts tugging on his mother's dress.

                              HARU

                    Mama, invite him over for dinner.

                              JUN

                    Haru, I'm sure he is very busy.

                              KAZUO

                    I'm not actually.

                              JUN

                    Ah, well, my son would like to know

                    if you would like to have dinner

                    with us?

                              KAZUO

                    I would love to.

                              JUN

                    I'm Sayuki Jun, this is my son,

                    Haru.

                              KAZUO

                    I'm Ishikawa Kazuo.

                              JUN

                         (smiling)

                    It is nice to meet you,

                    Ishikawa-san.

          Kazuo smiles at her and she smiles back.

          INT. KAZUO'S HOUSE. NIGHT.

          Ninette is sitting in the study looking through files. Yuuto

          is beside her sleeping on the floor. Ninette looks over at

          him and smiles. She looks back and pulls out one of the

          files and starts to read it. Her eyes widen.

                              NINETTE

                         (to herself)

                    Cosette?

          INT. OGAWA APARTMENT. NIGHT.

          Natsumi is sitting in the living room looking through a

          photo album of her and Shinobu. She hears a knock on the

          door and she goes over to open it. There stands Shinobu with

          a bouquet of chrysanthemums. Her eyes widen.

                              SHINOBU

                    Natsumi.

                              NATSUMI

                    Shinobu.

                              SHINOBU

                         (steady but increases speed)

                    I talked with Watanabe-san. I told

                    him I didn't want to leave the team

                    but I have taken it upon myself to

                    be just a researcher for the team.

                    I didn't realize how much danger I

                    was in until today and I don't want

                    to leave you with a baby on the

                    way. I almost lost my life today

                    and I don't want that feeling

                    again. My first priority is you.

                    You are more important to me than

                    anything else. I won't allow myself

                    to be in that much danger again

                    because I love you more than...

          Before he can finish, she knocks the flowers out of his hand

          and kisses him. He embraces her. They finish the kiss and

          Natsumi looks into his eyes.

                              NATSUMI

                    I love you, Shinobu.

                              SHINOBU

                    I love you, Natsu.

          They continue to hold each other as the scene fades out.