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EXT. Takagi Residence - Morning

The wintry night’s chill has only just surrendered to the warmth of the day. Morning light pours through scattered clouds, illuminating an idyllic bluff looming over the sea. A smattering of shrubs and trees quiver in time with the briny breath of the sea. A simple home, built in the traditional Japanese style, sits perched atop the cliffs, a crown of artifice in land otherwise given over to the wilds. A single road winds down from the front of the home to the lowlands below, connecting it to a country village that is only now just beginning to open its eyes.

MIYAMOTO NIMURA(24, hesitant, and unremarkable but for the amazing amount of muscle he’s managed to pack onto his wiry frame) and TAKAGI AI (27, with a distinctive whimsy, athletic physique, and a worry-creased face which seems better made for smiling) sit side-by-side on the edge of the road, surrounded by an array of instruments and amplifiers. A musical performance has only just concluded, one which NIMURA put on for AI with the help of her young music students. The three students have just departed.
Despite their proximity, the two seem desperate to look anywhere but at each other. Nothing but silence passes between them, but the silence is loaded-- filled with awkward looks, aborted approaches, and uncomfortable feelings. That the two are close is clear, as is the fact that the current rift between them is one neither quite knows how to cross.

AI looks out to sea, seemingly lost in the waves. NIMURA stares down at his shoes while he summons the courage to speak.

NIMURA
(hesitantly)
Your students sure seem to like you.

AI
(uneasily)
Yeah. I guess so.

NIMURA
Figure you’ve gotten better with kids?

AI
(smiling into air)
Not really. They’re just nicer than most.

NIMURA nods. Silence takes hold again.

AI
That was a beautiful song. Yours?

NIMURA
Yeah. I wrote it after...all that happened.

AI
I see. The solo?

NIMURA
One of Ami’s. Pretty good, right?

AI
(wistfully)
They always are. Surprised Ishida could handle it.

NIMURA
(smiles)
I’m not. He’s a lot better than he thinks he is.

AI leans over into NIMURA’s line of sight and smiles.

AI
I know someone like that…

NIMURA’s eyes widen and he turns away so fast that it’s a wonder his neck doesn’t snap. The tips of both of their ears start glowing red. As another breeze flows past them, off the sea, the two silently stay as they are. AI turns toward NIMURA once more.

AI
Nimura, I-

NIMURA holds his hands in front of AI.

NIMURA
Don’t.
Look, A lot of people pushed me really hard to get me here. I owe it to them to not muck it up.

AI looks over NIMURA for a moment, as if she wants to add something but has decided against it. She smiles and nods.

NIMURA
You were there when we played at Olympus, weren’t you?

AI hesitates for a moment, then nods.

NIMURA
I knew you would be. I looked for you, you know.

NIMURA pauses for AI. A guilty look directed out to sea is her only reply.

NIMURA
You remember Takemi, right?

AI nods again.

NIMURA
Yeah, he’s hard to forget. You saw how he reacted when he lost?

Another nod.

NIMURA
I went to talk to him after. To cheer him up. We...had a talk. Really made me think about some things.

AI
And?

NIMURA
(smiles)
And now I’m here. It's a bit frustrating, though. I spent the last month thinking about what I should say once I got here, and...I still don’t know.

NIMURA
I’m not smart like Ami or dashing like Yuto. If they were here, they’d know what to do. Can’t help but...

NIMURA pauses for a minute. AI stretches out her arms and pulls her knees to her chest.

AI
But what?

NIMURA
...Can’t help but wonder if things would be better if they were here instead.

AI seems at a loss for words. To her surprise, however, NIMURA smiles and hops to his feet.

NIMURA
But when we were playing, I figured out the reason I’m here and they aren’t.

AI
What is it?

NIMURA
(grins)
No one else is crazy enough to chase you.

NIMURA
I’m not like them. I can’t figure out the future. I didn’t know how coming out here was going to turn out, but I was okay with that. Just gotta do what I always do! Do my best and go from there.

NIMURA
So here goes.

NIMURA turns around and looks down at AI, finally meeting her eyes, before offering her his hand.

NIMURA
Come back home with me, Ai. It’s not the same for any of us with you gone. The band, Hoshimi, everything -- it’s just wrong without you there. Come back. Please.

AI looks up at NIMURA and smiles weakly.

AI
You know I can’t do that.

NIMURA
I really don’t. Why can’t you?

AI
Because it’s better this way. You’re all finally happy without me pushing you, and…

AI looks out past the house and into the sea. She sighs.

AI
And I’m happy here.

NIMURA shakes his head.

NIMURA
But you’re not! I’ve seen you happy. The way your eyes glowed when you dragged me into the band. The way you laughed when you ate it on stage that one time. The way you smiled when we finally agreed to play the live show...

NIMURA
You’re… content here, Ai. It’s not the same thing.

AI looks down at the ground and stays silent for a moment.

AI
So? What does that change?

AI rises, ignoring NIMURA’s still outstretched hand as she does.

AI
Nijito was supposed to make everyone happy… and I made it all about me, instead.

AI
I had my chance, and I tossed it away. Now it’s time for you guys to be happy. Without me.

AI turns and starts walking back towards the house, her eyes wet. She doesn’t look at NIMURA, who reaches towards her as she passes.

AI
I’m glad you want me back, Nimura… but no one else does.

NIMURA
That’s not true! Everyone misses you.

AI stops walking and shakes her head.

AI
Do they? Or do you just want to believe that?

NIMURA pauses for a moment.

NIMURA
I don’t...I mean, of course I do, but what does that have to do…

AI
You… wouldn’t you be willing to say anything to get me to come back?

NIMURA
Of course I would!

AI
Even say it’s what everyone wanted?

NIMURA
{increasingly confused)
Wha..no, that would be lyi- wait, but that’s tru-

AI
Then why are you the only one here?

NIMURA starts getting visibly frustrated.

NIMURA
I don’t know, okay? You can ask Yuto and Ami when you see them!

Ai takes a deep breath, then tilts her head to the sky, as if searching for an answer in the clouds.

AI
I’m not going back. Not when I’m so… unwanted.

NIMURA
But… Why would I lie about how everyone feels?

AI sighs.

AI
You know why.

NIMURA stares at AI, stupefied. She turns away and continues towards the house as the wheels in NIMURA’s head slowly turn.

AI
And in another time, another life...maybe it could have worked out. But it’s too late, and we both have to accept that.

NIMURA
(mixed between frustration and genuine confusion)
Wait, you think I’m here because of…

He struggles for a moment to find the right word, then gives up.

NIMURA
Us?

AI
There is no “us”, Nimura. I was never the girl you thought I was. I wish I was, but... I’m just not.

NIMURA
That’s not true!

AI
(quietly)
It is. You’re only here because you haven’t figured it out yet.

NIMURA
But-

AI balls her fists and straightens her posture.

AI
(shouting)
Stop! Just… stop.

AI
Go home, Nimura. Tell everyone I’m fine here. Forget about me. For everyone’s sake.

AI moves to continue her march towards her house, but NIMURA moves ahead of her to cut her off. Instead of stopping, AI pushes past NIMURA, refusing to look at him once again. NIMURA slumps, visibly upset. He fumes for a minute, then takes a deep breath. He straightens up as he releases the salty air, his face a picture of fledgling confidence

NIMURA
(to himself)
Come on, Nimura. You can’t let her walk away again. Not when everyone is counting on you!

NIMURA bolts after AI, easily catching up with her. When he does, he places his hand on her shoulder and turns her around to face him. She’s crying, which takes NIMURA by surprise, but his newfound resolve doesn’t waver.

NIMURA
Maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t know a thing about the “real” you. I don’t give a shit. That was never why I was here.

NIMURA
You saw Ami’s song, didn’t you? When she took down Takemi?

AI nods.

NIMURA
Well, you didn’t see what happened after. I went to see her after the show to hang out, the way we used to.

NIMURA
When I got to her place, she was a wreck. Weeping. You believe that? I couldn’t. I had no idea what to do, so I just followed my instincts. Held her tight, you know? Wanted her to know I was there for her.

NIMURA
Do you have any idea what that’s like? Seeing someone so important to you in so much pain while you’re powerless to help?

AI shakes her head.
NIMURA
Well, it sucks. Especially… when you know it’s your fault. I knew I would do anything to make sure it never happened again. Anything.

NIMURA
I kept asking her what was wrong. If there was a way I could help. And she said --

Nimura swallows.

AI
(whispering, voice cracking)
What did she say?

NIMURA
“She wasn’t there with us.”

AI bites her lip as a fresh wave of tears breaks free from her eyes. She turns her head down, as if blotting out the sight of the world would make it disappear. NIMURA continues speaking, afraid he’ll crumple if he stops.

NIMURA
Can you believe that? I’ve never seen her play the way she did that night. She put Nijito back on the map again. But that didn’t matter to her. Only you did.

NIMURA
That is why I’m here! No other reason, Ai. Ami has always been there for me, no matter what. And what did I give her in return?

NIMURA
(clearly upset with himself)
A goddamn broken heart. That’s what. The least I could do for her was bring you back. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but… That would never stop her, would it?

NIMURA starts tearing up himself, and his voice begins to crack.

NIMURA
So… don’t fucking tell me that no one wants you to come home! Everyone wants you back, Ai, and I would never have made it here if they didn’t help me every step of the way.

NIMURA(CONT’D)
So stop being so goddamn stubborn and just come home already. Please? You don’t need to martyr yourself out here. No one wants you to suffer… We just want you to come home.

NIMURA wipes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths, only just seeming to realize how worked up he’s become. AI is still slumped over, a cascade of glistening tears falling from her cheeks to the ground.

AI
(sniffling and sobbing)
I know.

NIMURA
(surprised)
So- Wait, what?

AI
I’ve known… since I saw you guys play. Since I saw Ami play…

She looks up at NIMURA, her face wracked by regret. She wipes her eyes and tries to make a brave face, but fails utterly.

AI
But even if I come home… what could I possibly say to make it up to her? What could I say to any of you?

AI
I’ve tried so many times to make everyone happy! Especially Ami. And all I’ve ever done is screw things up!

AI
I thought… I thought if I left, then I would stop hurting everyone. That everything would work out… But it only made things worse! What the hell am I supposed to do, Nimura?

AI
I ruin everything I’m a part of. Nijito, my team back in uni, everything! I can’t even keep my family together.

AI collapses into sobbing again, and only remains on her feet because NIMURA grabs her shoulders before she can fall.

AI
I’m just a big screw-up… Why can’t I stop hurting the people I love? Why can’t I stop hurting Ami?

AI
And...why won’t she just leave me? No matter what I do, she never… She never gives up on me, even when she should.

AI tries to pull away from NIMURA, but he holds her fast. For a moment it seems like she’ll struggle, then she wraps her arms around his neck and buries her head over his shoulder, now openly crying. The trumpeting bellow of a ship’s foghorn pierces the otherwise tranquil scene. NIMURA is clearly uncomfortable and troubled, but does what he can to soothe her.

NIMURA
She knows you’re someone worth not giving up on. Everyone does. It’s not like you ever gave up on her, either. Hell, you tricked us all into making a band just to make her happy!

AI
And how did that turn out?

NIMURA
I dunno… I think? I mean, yeah, we’ve had some pretty bad moments, but… it’s not like they undo all the happy ones.

AI doesn’t reply, but continues sobbing into NIMURA’s shoulder. He wraps his arms around her and puts a comforting hand on the back of her head. A warm, soothing breeze winds its way over the two, blanketing them against the still-nippy air.

AI
…What am I supposed to do, Nimura? How can I stop screwing up? How can I stop making Ami so miserable?

NIMURA takes a deep breath and pushes AI off his shoulder, so that they’re face to face once more. He wipes some of the tears off her face and smiles.

NIMURA
I really don’t know. All I’m good for is screwing up too, remember?

AI tries to smile and laugh, but it comes out more as a choked sob.

NIMURA
What do you say we go home, and maybe we can find out together?

AI’s eyes water and she sniffles, but she doesn’t break NIMURA’s gaze. She nods, slowly at first, then more emphatically.

AI
(voice breaking)
Yeah. Let’s...Let’s go home, Nimura.

The two partially disentangle. AI’s fingertips rest on NIMURA’s shoulder for just a moment longer than necessary as they do, though the hint seems completely lost on NIMURA. She does her best to smile, and while she doesn’t entirely succeed, some of her usual aura of positivity reasserts itself.
NIMURA starts down the path, away from the house on the bluff and towards the village below. AI hesitates and spares one last glance for the home she grew up in. Her father -- 60, grizzled, and with the body of a man twenty years his junior -- looks down on her from the deck. Their eyes meet, and he raises his eyebrow before motioning her away, towards NIMURA. She nods and waves to him. He raises his hand to wave back even as he turns to enter the home. AI turns back towards the village, and runs after NIMURA with a distinct spring in her step. She runs past him, taking his hand as she goes, then starts dragging him along after her. After a moment of surprise, NIMURA picks up his pace as well, and the two fade into the distance, running hand-in-hand.

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

EXT. Takagi Residence - Morning

The wintry night’s chill has only just surrendered to the warmth of the day. Morning light pours through scattered clouds, illuminating an idyllic bluff looming over the sea. A smattering of shrubs and trees quiver in time with the briny breath of the sea. A simple home, built in the traditional Japanese style, sits perched atop the cliffs, a crown of artifice in land otherwise given over to the wilds. A single road winds down from the front of the home to the lowlands below, connecting it to a country village that is only now just beginning to open its eyes.

MIYAMOTO NIMURA(24, hesitant, and unremarkable but for the amazing amount of muscle he’s managed to pack onto his wiry frame) and TAKAGI AI (27, with a distinctive whimsy, athletic physique, and a worry-creased face which seems better made for smiling) sit side-by-side on the edge of the road, surrounded by an array of instruments and amplifiers. A musical performance has only just concluded, one which NIMURA put on for AI with the help of her young music students. The three students have just departed.
Despite their proximity, the two seem desperate to look anywhere but at each other. Nothing but silence passes between them, but the silence is loaded-- filled with awkward looks, aborted approaches, and uncomfortable feelings. That the two are close is clear, as is the fact that the current rift between them is one neither quite knows how to cross.

AI looks out to sea, seemingly lost in the waves. NIMURA stares down at his shoes while he summons the courage to speak.

NIMURA
(hesitantly)
Your students sure seem to like you.

AI
(uneasily)
Yeah. I guess so.

NIMURA
Figure you’ve gotten better with kids?

AI
(smiling into air)
Not really. They’re just nicer than most.

NIMURA nods. Silence takes hold again.

AI
That was a beautiful song. Yours?

NIMURA
Yeah. I wrote it after...all that happened.

AI
I see. The solo?

NIMURA
One of Ami’s. Pretty good, right?

AI
(wistfully)
They always are. Surprised Ishida could handle it.

NIMURA
(smiles)
I’m not. He’s a lot better than he thinks he is.

AI leans over into NIMURA’s line of sight and smiles.

AI
I know someone like that…

NIMURA’s eyes widen and he turns away so fast that it’s a wonder his neck doesn’t snap. The tips of both of their ears start glowing red. As another breeze flows past them, off the sea, the two silently stay as they are. AI turns toward NIMURA once more.

AI
Nimura, I-

NIMURA holds his hands in front of AI.

NIMURA
Don’t.
Look, A lot of people pushed me really hard to get me here. I owe it to them to not muck it up.

AI looks over NIMURA for a moment, as if she wants to add something but has decided against it. She smiles and nods.

NIMURA
You were there when we played at Olympus, weren’t you?

AI hesitates for a moment, then nods.

NIMURA
I knew you would be. I looked for you, you know.

NIMURA pauses for AI. A guilty look directed out to sea is her only reply.

NIMURA
You remember Takemi, right?

AI nods again.

NIMURA
Yeah, he’s hard to forget. You saw how he reacted when he lost?

Another nod.

NIMURA
I went to talk to him after. To cheer him up. We...had a talk. Really made me think about some things.

AI
And?

NIMURA
(smiles)
And now I’m here. It's a bit frustrating, though. I spent the last month thinking about what I should say once I got here, and...I still don’t know.

NIMURA
I’m not smart like Ami or dashing like Yuto. If they were here, they’d know what to do. Can’t help but...

NIMURA pauses for a minute. AI stretches out her arms and pulls her knees to her chest.

AI
But what?

NIMURA
...Can’t help but wonder if things would be better if they were here instead.

AI seems at a loss for words. To her surprise, however, NIMURA smiles and hops to his feet.

NIMURA
But when we were playing, I figured out the reason I’m here and they aren’t.

AI
What is it?

NIMURA
(grins)
No one else is crazy enough to chase you.

NIMURA
I’m not like them. I can’t figure out the future. I didn’t know how coming out here was going to turn out, but I was okay with that. Just gotta do what I always do! Do my best and go from there.

NIMURA
So here goes.

NIMURA turns around and looks down at AI, finally meeting her eyes, before offering her his hand.

NIMURA
Come back home with me, Ai. It’s not the same for any of us with you gone. The band, Hoshimi, everything -- it’s just wrong without you there. Come back. Please.

AI looks up at NIMURA and smiles weakly.

AI
You know I can’t do that.

NIMURA
I really don’t. Why can’t you?

AI
Because it’s better this way. You’re all finally happy without me pushing you, and…

AI looks out past the house and into the sea. She sighs.

AI
And I’m happy here.

NIMURA shakes his head.

NIMURA
But you’re not! I’ve seen you happy. The way your eyes glowed when you dragged me into the band. The way you laughed when you ate it on stage that one time. The way you smiled when we finally agreed to play the live show...

NIMURA
You’re… content here, Ai. It’s not the same thing.

AI looks down at the ground and stays silent for a moment.

AI
So? What does that change?

AI rises, ignoring NIMURA’s still outstretched hand as she does.

AI
Nijito was supposed to make everyone happy… and I made it all about me, instead.

AI
I had my chance, and I tossed it away. Now it’s time for you guys to be happy. Without me.

AI turns and starts walking back towards the house, her eyes wet. She doesn’t look at NIMURA, who reaches towards her as she passes.

AI
I’m glad you want me back, Nimura… but no one else does.

NIMURA
That’s not true! Everyone misses you.

AI stops walking and shakes her head.

AI
Do they? Or do you just want to believe that?

NIMURA pauses for a moment.

NIMURA
I don’t...I mean, of course I do, but what does that have to do…

AI
You… wouldn’t you be willing to say anything to get me to come back?

NIMURA
Of course I would!

AI
Even say it’s what everyone wanted?

NIMURA
{increasingly confused)
Wha..no, that would be lyi- wait, but that’s tru-

AI
Then why are you the only one here?

NIMURA starts getting visibly frustrated.

NIMURA
I don’t know, okay? You can ask Yuto and Ami when you see them!

Ai takes a deep breath, then tilts her head to the sky, as if searching for an answer in the clouds.

AI
I’m not going back. Not when I’m so… unwanted.

NIMURA
But… Why would I lie about how everyone feels?

AI sighs.

AI
You know why.

NIMURA stares at AI, stupefied. She turns away and continues towards the house as the wheels in NIMURA’s head slowly turn.

AI
And in another time, another life...maybe it could have worked out. But it’s too late, and we both have to accept that.

NIMURA
(mixed between frustration and genuine confusion)
Wait, you think I’m here because of…

He struggles for a moment to find the right word, then gives up.

NIMURA
Us?

AI
There is no “us”, Nimura. I was never the girl you thought I was. I wish I was, but... I’m just not.

NIMURA
That’s not true!

AI
(quietly)
It is. You’re only here because you haven’t figured it out yet.

NIMURA
But-

AI balls her fists and straightens her posture.

AI
(shouting)
Stop! Just… stop.

AI
Go home, Nimura. Tell everyone I’m fine here. Forget about me. For everyone’s sake.

AI moves to continue her march towards her house, but NIMURA moves ahead of her to cut her off. Instead of stopping, AI pushes past NIMURA, refusing to look at him once again. NIMURA slumps, visibly upset. He fumes for a minute, then takes a deep breath. He straightens up as he releases the salty air, his face a picture of fledgling confidence

NIMURA
(to himself)
Come on, Nimura. You can’t let her walk away again. Not when everyone is counting on you!

NIMURA bolts after AI, easily catching up with her. When he does, he places his hand on her shoulder and turns her around to face him. She’s crying, which takes NIMURA by surprise, but his newfound resolve doesn’t waver.

NIMURA
Maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t know a thing about the “real” you. I don’t give a shit. That was never why I was here.

NIMURA
You saw Ami’s song, didn’t you? When she took down Takemi?

AI nods.

NIMURA
Well, you didn’t see what happened after. I went to see her after the show to hang out, the way we used to.

NIMURA
When I got to her place, she was a wreck. Weeping. You believe that? I couldn’t. I had no idea what to do, so I just followed my instincts. Held her tight, you know? Wanted her to know I was there for her.

NIMURA
Do you have any idea what that’s like? Seeing someone so important to you in so much pain while you’re powerless to help?

AI shakes her head.
NIMURA
Well, it sucks. Especially… when you know it’s your fault. I knew I would do anything to make sure it never happened again. Anything.

NIMURA
I kept asking her what was wrong. If there was a way I could help. And she said --

Nimura swallows.

AI
(whispering, voice cracking)
What did she say?

NIMURA
“She wasn’t there with us.”

AI bites her lip as a fresh wave of tears breaks free from her eyes. She turns her head down, as if blotting out the sight of the world would make it disappear. NIMURA continues speaking, afraid he’ll crumple if he stops.

NIMURA
Can you believe that? I’ve never seen her play the way she did that night. She put Nijito back on the map again. But that didn’t matter to her. Only you did.

NIMURA
That is why I’m here! No other reason, Ai. Ami has always been there for me, no matter what. And what did I give her in return?

NIMURA
(clearly upset with himself)
A goddamn broken heart. That’s what. The least I could do for her was bring you back. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but… That would never stop her, would it?

NIMURA starts tearing up himself, and his voice begins to crack.

NIMURA
So… don’t fucking tell me that no one wants you to come home! Everyone wants you back, Ai, and I would never have made it here if they didn’t help me every step of the way.

NIMURA(CONT’D)
So stop being so goddamn stubborn and just come home already. Please? You don’t need to martyr yourself out here. No one wants you to suffer… We just want you to come home.

NIMURA wipes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths, only just seeming to realize how worked up he’s become. AI is still slumped over, a cascade of glistening tears falling from her cheeks to the ground.

AI
(sniffling and sobbing)
I know.

NIMURA
(surprised)
So- Wait, what?

AI
I’ve known… since I saw you guys play. Since I saw Ami play…

She looks up at NIMURA, her face wracked by regret. She wipes her eyes and tries to make a brave face, but fails utterly.

AI
But even if I come home… what could I possibly say to make it up to her? What could I say to any of you?

AI
I’ve tried so many times to make everyone happy! Especially Ami. And all I’ve ever done is screw things up!

AI
I thought… I thought if I left, then I would stop hurting everyone. That everything would work out… But it only made things worse! What the hell am I supposed to do, Nimura?

AI
I ruin everything I’m a part of. Nijito, my team back in uni, everything! I can’t even keep my family together.

AI collapses into sobbing again, and only remains on her feet because NIMURA grabs her shoulders before she can fall.

AI
I’m just a big screw-up… Why can’t I stop hurting the people I love? Why can’t I stop hurting Ami?

AI
And...why won’t she just leave me? No matter what I do, she never… She never gives up on me, even when she should.

AI tries to pull away from NIMURA, but he holds her fast. For a moment it seems like she’ll struggle, then she wraps her arms around his neck and buries her head over his shoulder, now openly crying. The trumpeting bellow of a ship’s foghorn pierces the otherwise tranquil scene. NIMURA is clearly uncomfortable and troubled, but does what he can to soothe her.

NIMURA
She knows you’re someone worth not giving up on. Everyone does. It’s not like you ever gave up on her, either. Hell, you tricked us all into making a band just to make her happy!

AI
And how did that turn out?

NIMURA
I dunno… I think? I mean, yeah, we’ve had some pretty bad moments, but… it’s not like they undo all the happy ones.

AI doesn’t reply, but continues sobbing into NIMURA’s shoulder. He wraps his arms around her and puts a comforting hand on the back of her head. A warm, soothing breeze winds its way over the two, blanketing them against the still-nippy air.

AI
…What am I supposed to do, Nimura? How can I stop screwing up? How can I stop making Ami so miserable?

NIMURA takes a deep breath and pushes AI off his shoulder, so that they’re face to face once more. He wipes some of the tears off her face and smiles.

NIMURA
I really don’t know. All I’m good for is screwing up too, remember?

AI tries to smile and laugh, but it comes out more as a choked sob.

NIMURA
What do you say we go home, and maybe we can find out together?

AI’s eyes water and she sniffles, but she doesn’t break NIMURA’s gaze. She nods, slowly at first, then more emphatically.

AI
(voice breaking)
Yeah. Let’s...Let’s go home, Nimura.

The two partially disentangle. AI’s fingertips rest on NIMURA’s shoulder for just a moment longer than necessary as they do, though the hint seems completely lost on NIMURA. She does her best to smile, and while she doesn’t entirely succeed, some of her usual aura of positivity reasserts itself.
NIMURA starts down the path, away from the house on the bluff and towards the village below. AI hesitates and spares one last glance for the home she grew up in. Her father -- 60, grizzled, and with the body of a man twenty years his junior -- looks down on her from the deck. Their eyes meet, and he raises his eyebrow before motioning her away, towards NIMURA. She nods and waves to him. He raises his hand to wave back even as he turns to enter the home. AI turns back towards the village, and runs after NIMURA with a distinct spring in her step. She runs past him, taking his hand as she goes, then starts dragging him along after her. After a moment of surprise, NIMURA picks up his pace as well, and the two fade into the distance, running hand-in-hand.