Thread:Swedigimon/@comment-397235-20140730225744/@comment-397235-20140801003001

Yumi doens't go on the trip to the ski resort because Izumi cut her off from their group earlier, and she's still angry with her and Takako; this is what permanetely sours her relationship with those two since it's where Junta dies. Tomohiko doesn't go because he's increasingly unhappy with Izumi's method of handling things, and by mutual consent is no longer working with her.

As for Takeru, I didn't plan for him to go because he'd see it as too frivolous. Takeru is extremely angry at the world by this point and while Izumi finds his drive refreshing (Tomohiko is more moderate, Takako doesn't have her own ideas, and Junta's mostly muscle), but even she recognizes he doesn't play nicely with others. When Kouichi tries to apologize to him for Sanae's death during "Atonement" Takeru basically throws it in his face; in a rare moment of camaraderie, Takako warns Kouichi to watch out for him when Kouichi tries to make things right with her, since he's made it abundantly clear how much he hates Kouichi.

I'd forgotten it was Naoya who first realized Junta was injured. Still, I think it works a little better for it to be Takako to check on him (since she seems to be the only person in the group who cared he was sick, and it'd be severley damaging to her mental state). In the manga, Junta's role is defined as doing pretty much whatever Izumi asked of him, and in the anime he's not much different. He's there, but he doesn't really move the plot along (like I said, basically the same as Aya Ayano, his most significant contribution to the plot is his death). He'd have a few scenes with the girls, and an awkward conversation or two with Naoya and Kouichi. In Tomohiko's flashback episode, we'd see him reach out both to him and Takako individually to try to curb Izumi's slow descent into Takeru's thrall, but neither of them is willing to back him up. Junta's friends with some of the other jocks in the class, such as Kenzou and Takeru, but he doesn't especially like Naoya because of his infatuation with Izumi.

Matsunaga in the anime was originally a banker, but couldn't handle it due to his bitter memories, guilt, and constant drinking, which is what leads to him returning to the family business at the resort. I'd use more or less the same idea here, though it's a ski resort. My only change would be a scene between Izumi and Matsunaga which occurs during the snow ball fight Junta dies at the end of.

Matsunaga *Doesn't look up*: You have the same eyes.

Izumi: What?

Matsunaga: Your eyes...they remind me of someone I met last year. A boy...about a year older than you.

Izumi: What are you-?

Matsunaga: Your faces don't look much alike. He was a pretty plain boy, and you've got a face that's hard to forget. But your eyes...your eyes are the same. Determined. You'll do whatever it takes to make things right...like I did.

Izumi: You knew him?

Matsunaga: Yes...He came here, about this time last year. Alone. He didn't seem like the type to have lots of friends. Not like you. *He gestures to the others, still oblivious* I'd say that's a strength. Some things...ought not be contemplated alone.

Izumi: What...what did you tell him?

Matsunaga: I can't remember. Not since I heard what he did at your school last year. I drink to make sure I can't. I don't know how much was latent mental instability, how much was the curse, and how much was what I told him. I hope to God I never find out.

Izumi: Why are you telling me this?

Matsunaga: A warning. If you go digging for the things I've buried...you might not like what you find.