* Visual * Utena vs Saionji *
This set contains 22 images; this page contains 8.
Saionji tells Anthy to do her job, so she picks a red rose and affixes it to Saionji's pocket. She places the pink rose she was already holding to Utena's pocket, telling her the rules of the duel.
The victor of the duel will be the one who knocks the rose from their opponent's pocket - but then Anthy asks where Utena's sword is. Utena has none, but notices a broom on the ground. She steps on the bristles, swinging up the wooden handle and sending red petals flying, and says this will be her sword.
Saionji smirks at Utena's impudence but is certainly willing to fight. The bells ring with a deep, rich tone, signifying the beginning of the duel as they do in the television series, and the duel song begins to play in the background.
Anthy tries to block Saionji, telling him the fight is unfair and that he should stop. Instead, Saionji slaps her roughly aside, sending her flying across the rose-strewn ground.
Utena's anger comes to a hot boil and she yells, "Don't hit your girlfriend!" As Saionji draws his own sword - a real sword and not a practice bokken - and begins to charge, Utena takes up a fighting stance, ready to fight.
Saionji's blade bites deeply into the wooden handle of Utena's 'sword'. Hot words are exchanged between the two. "How can you be her boyfriend?" Utena accuses, to which Saionji replies, "She's the Rose Bride; I can do what I want with her."
Utena still doesn't understand this whole Rose Bride business, but Saionji informs her that Anthy is a trophy, who is awarded to whoever wins the duel. Angrily, Utena demands to know how Saionji would feel if he was a prize, but he laughs at her. Anthy remains on the dueling ground, in the background, unnoticed. She is sitting down, almost cowering and holding her slapped cheek in her hand.
Anthy stays away, her back to the duel, holding her cheek sadly, as Saionji rains blow upon blow at Utena. She blocks each one with the broom handle successfully. However, each attack creates a deep cut in the 'sword' and it becomes apparent that Utena will soon be in trouble...
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