The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria
Book 6: Chapter 6

15 Years Old and Earrings, SCENE 4, 1/3

1. A RIVERSIDE – DUSK

A bird’s-eye view shot. The broad surface of the river sparkles in the light of the setting sun. It’s a pure-red vista, except for the black silhouettes of two people. Their hands clasped together, the third-year middle schoolers Daiya and Kokone are facing forward, not looking at each other.

KOKONE (VO)

Daiya and I have always been together, for as long as I can remember.

Daiya squeezes the hand holding his firmly.

KOKONE (VO)

When I think back, he’s always there in the images that appear in my head.

KOKONE (VO)

If I want to put the past behind me, I have no choice but to break up with him.

2. KOKONE’S ROOM – SIX MONTHS EARLIER, 5:00 PM

The two of them sit on Kokone’s bed in their school uniforms.

KOKONE

Mm…f.

Daiya’s lips move away from Kokone’s. Her hair is black, and she’s wearing glasses. She looks down shyly.

KOKONE (VO)

The two of us had always been together, but it was thanks to Haru that things changed between us. When Daiya saw Haru and me getting closer, he finally realized how he felt and initiated a relationship with me. From my standpoint, though, Daiya was too slow to realize how he felt.

Daiya intertwines his right hand with Kokone’s, then strokes her hair with the other. His gentle smile sets Kokone’s heart astir, and she presses her head into his chest.

KOKONE (VO)

I had loved Daiya ever since we used to play house together, after all. I was well aware of my feelings, but I was just as aware that Daiya hadn’t figured out his.

Daiya puts his arm around Kokone’s back.

KOKONE (VO)

When I told Rino I’d had a crush on Daiya long before we started going out, she asked me if that really counted as being in love for a long time. She sounded so suspicious, but I think it did. At least, I was always infatuated with him in my memories. I lived my life constantly with it at the fore front of my mind in the hopes that one day he would take notice of me.

An overview of Kokone’s room appears. From the study desk to the CD player and stuffed animals, the room is full of pastel tones, with many white accents and furniture made of pale wood.

KOKONE (VO)

My room was full of Daiya. If I listened to a love song, it was his face that rose in my mind; if I read a romance manga, my feelings for him would overlap the protagonist’s and bring me to tears. When I was studying, I would write Kokone Oomine in my notebook with a grin on my face. Daiya always filled my thoughts in my room.

DAIYA

Kokone.

KOKONE

What?

KOKONE (VO)

Daiya had recently started calling me by my first name. Obviously, I can remember the first time like it was yesterday. He was trying to play it cool, but he was blushing too hard to fool anyone. It’s a memory I hold close to my heart even now.

DAIYA

I love you. I’ll always love you, and that’ll never change.

KOKONE

Yeah. I can believe that.

Daiya beams happily with an innocent, boyish smile. Kokone smiles in kind.

KOKONE (VO)

I have this feeling, deep in my heart. It’s more than the empty promise of a girl silly in love; for me, it’s a simple, certain truth.

Kokone runs her finger over Daiya’s lips.

KOKONE (VO)

If it will make Daiya happy, I will give everything I am to him.

3. A RIVERSIDE – DUSK

Still wearing her sneakers, Kokone puts her feet into the river.

KOKONE (VO)

My world was warm. Warm like Daiya’s body. Like one of those French movies I saw long ago. The world was so gentle, glowing pale and wrapped in sheer happiness.

Ever so slowly, Kokone slips into the dark-red water.

KOKONE (VO)

I was wrong, though. I had no idea. We all live on the same earth, but the truth is, I was the only one experiencing such kindness. I didn’t know that it was completely different for everyone, that the world as others saw it might be cold or dirty or barbaric. And once I crossed paths with the worlds they saw—

Raw garbage floating down the river bumps up against Kokone’s drenched form.

KOKONE (VO)

—my world would be corrupted, too.

Daiya enters the river, chasing after Kokone.

KOKONE (VO)

Hey, Daiya. Don’t tie yourself down with promises that your love for me will never change. Your happiness brings me more joy than my own. I would do anything to make you happy. So you see—

Soaked in the river water, Daiya wraps his arms around Kokone.

DAIYA

Kokone, it’ll be all right. I’ll always be here with you.

Within Daiya’s wet embrace, Kokone trembles.

KOKONE

You’re cold.

Daiya releases her in a panic.

KOKONE (VO)

If I’m going to get in the way of your happiness, I’ll make it easy for you to toss me aside.