Shadows on the Wall: The Duel
[In the Dueling Arena.]

A-ko: [dressed in a black Student Council uniform] I swear, by this black rose, that I will defeat you, and rain the humiliation of curry on the Rose Bride! I challenge you to a cooking contest!

C-ko: [dressed in the Rose Bride dress and glasses. Looks dubiously down at her chest] I don't think I have a KitchenAid in there.

B-ko: [dressed in Utena's uniform] I can't cook. Can't we play one-on-one basketball instead?

A-ko: I refuse. Everyone knows you're the ace at that, and besides, you're taller than me. I know! We'll have a piano recital!

C-ko: I know I don't have a piano in...

B-ko: I've never touched a piano in my life! What about... we have a PlayStation Duel?

A-ko: [shakes head] Nope. I hate fighting games, and besides, I've sprained my thumb. We could play chess.

C-ko: [sighs and tucks the PlayStation controller back into her tunic.]

B-ko: I can never remember all the moves. What about soccer?

A-ko: What about knife-throwing?

B-ko: Absolutely not.

C-ko: [peels an apple with a knife.]

A-ko: Well, suggest something reasonable, then!

B-ko: Look, why don't we do this the traditional way?

A-ko: Because you always win the traditional way, you idiot!

B-ko: Are you suggesting that the duels are...

A-ko: I need a way to get out of this... this... pattern! [stamps her foot on the rose pattern on the floor.]

Utena's Voice: I suggest that you stay out of the Dueling Arena, then.

A-ko: It's not fair! All I wanted was a chance! A real chance! Why do I feel like there's something controlling all this?

[Faintly, in the distance, Akio's laughter fades away.]]