Chapter 3:
Right Here
Enharmonic
FADE IN:
INT. LECTURE HALL - DAY
It’s later that day and Asami’s in her psychology class. She thinks back to the conversation she had earlier with Maya.
ASAMI (V.O.)
Is Maya right? Am I really wasting my potential?
PROFESSOR
Today we’ll be going other the differences between individualistic cultures and collectivistic cultures-
Asami takes out her notebook and writes the header on the page to take notes, but she’s still distracted.
ASAMI (V.O.)
It’s not like I hate what I’m learning right now, but I guess it’s true that I’d rather be drawing or creating something.
Asami starts to doodle a vine filled with daisies winding up the side of her page. It’s one of her favorite flowers and a calming image to look at.
ASAMI (V.O.)
Can I really make a living off of art? I know it’s possible, but am I capable of doing that?
She impatiently taps her foot on the floor.
ASAMI (V.O.)
Am I not happy with what I’m doing right now?!
The boy sitting next to her looks over with a curious look. She immediately notices and ceases tapping.
ASAMI (V.O.)
Crap. I didn’t even realize I was doing that. He must be so annoyed.
Asami internally beats herself up for being a “public disturbance”. She shouldn’t be letting her thoughts manifest themselves in such behaviors.
FADE:
PROFESSOR
And that’ll be it for today! Make sure to do the reading for the next chapter before we meet next class. I’ll see you all on Wednesday.
ASAMI (V.O.)
Wait what?! Class is over?? Crap. I didn’t take any notes… And I don’t know anyone in this class yet, because the semester just started…
Her seat partner gives her a tap on the shoulder. He looks a little worried.
KAI
Hey, are you okay?
ASAMI
Huh? Um yeah! I’m fine!
KAI
Hm okay. You seemed really stressed out during class, but that must have been my misread. Sorry about that.
ASAMI
Actually you’re not wrong. I kind of have a lot going through my head right now… and might have totally forgotten to take notes.
KAI
Oh do you want the notes I took?
ASAMI
Yes! That would be great! Oh my god thank you so much.
KAI
Don’t worry about it! Here, I’ll give you my phone number, so I can text you a picture of the notes to you. I’m Kai, by the way.
ASAMI
Asami. Let me find my phone.
Asami searches through her bag to find her phone. Her phone is exactly where she placed it, but unfortunately, what does appear to be missing is her sketchbook. She feels her heart skip a beat in panic.
She quickly opens up the messaging app on her phone and hands it to Kai.
ASAMI
Just text yourself from here.
Asami immediately goes back to scrambling through her bag. She places her bag on the table and tears through all the pockets.
KAI
Ok I messaged myself… You good??
ASAMI
omg omg omg WHERE’S MY SKETCHBOOK?!
KAI
You… lost your sketchbook??
ASAMI
Yeah I think so. It’s not in my bag. Crap, did I drop it somewhere?
KAI
Ummmm when’s the last time you saw it??
ASAMI
I don’t know! I didn’t draw it in today, so it should be in here, but it’s not!
KAI
Hm ok? Did you take it out by any chance?”
ASAMI
I don’t think so-
Wait, I did! This morning at the cafe when I showed Maya the thumbnails for-
Asami snaps out of it and notices how puzzled Kai appears to be. She blushes, embarrassed at her outburst.
ASAMI
Gosh. I’m so sorry you had to see me like this. I swear I’m not this scatterbrained most of the time. Ugh what a terrible start to the semester.
KAI
Tell me about it. We all have those days. Last semester, I was walking through campus and a bird decided it’s the perfect time to take a shit while it was flying right over me. That ruined my mood for the whole day.
ASAMI
Gees, that sounds terrible.
KAI
Sure was. Anyways, I’m glad I was able to help you figure out where your sketchbook might be.
ASAMI
Yeah thank you!
KAI
Well, are you gonna go look for it?
ASAMI
I have another class starting soon so I’ll need to go later.
KAI
Ah okay. Well, good luck finding it! And I’ll text you the notes tonight!
ASAMI
Okay thank you!
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY
They both exit the lecture hall and part ways with a friendly wave.
Asami walks to a nearby bench and looks through her bag again to double check. She sighs at her incompetence.
ASAMI (V.O.)
Ugh are you kidding me. I lost my sketchbook and now my classmate thinks I’m crazy. FML. Kai seemed like a nice guy though.
ASAMI (V.O.CONT’D)
I’m so stressed out. Should I just go look for my sketchbook right now? No, I can’t show up late for the first class session. That would be so embarrassing! I wonder if I can go back and look for my sketchbook later. My last class ends at 5:30pm.
Quickly, she rushes to google the cafe’s business hours in hopes of an opportunity.
ASAMI (V.O.)
They’re open till 6! That’ll be enough time to stop by! Please be there.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CAFE - NIGHT
Yuuki returns to the cafe for his dreaded closing shift. He didn’t even bother to change since he’s the only employee present. His thoughts return to the events of the morning. Particularly to when he had left the cafe earlier.
YUUKI (V.O.)
I swear it’s her… but what are the odds of running into her here.
The sound of bells and footsteps alerts him that someone has entered the cafe.
YUUKI (V.O.)
Are you kidding me? Coming in 10 minutes before closing?
The customer is the girl he had been thinking about; Asami. She appears distracted as her eyes wander around the premises of the cafe.
YUUKI (V.O.)
It’s her! But what is she doing?
Asami gives up her search and approaches Yuuki for assistance.
ASAMI
Um hello. I was here earlier today and I think I might have forgotten my sketchbook. Have you seen it by any chance?
Yuuki tries to think, but is taken aback by the fact that the girl he was thinking about magically showed up.
YUUKI
I’m not sure, but I can go check in the backroom.
ASAMI
Okay. Thank you.
Yuuki heads around the back to retrieve the sketchbook. Asami watches as he leaves the room.
ASAMI (V.O.)
It’s the boy from this morning. I didn’t know he worked here. Maybe that’s what I remember him from…
Scene cuts back to Yuuki.
He rifles around the objects left on a shelf in the backroom. He finds a journal.
YUUKI (V.O.)
It must be this.
He quickly flips through the pages full of colorful sketches and illustrations.
YUUKI (V.O.)
Wow, her drawings are really good! Did she write her name in here?
“Asami Summers | Please text if found 760-xxx-xxxx”
YUUKI (V.O.)
Wait ASAMI SUMMERS?! I was right. It is her!
Yuuki hesitates to go back out.
YUUKI (V.O.)
What should I say to her?! "Hi! It's me, Yuuki! Your childhood neighbor? Remember me?!"
He cringes at the thought of saying that.
YUUKI (V.O.)
God. No. That’s so stupid. Fuck. Should I pretend not to know her??
After pacing around the backroom for a bit, he gets his shit together and musters all his courage to exit the backroom, still undecided on what to say.
Yuuki comes back into view and hands Asami her beloved sketchbook back.
YUUKI
Here you go.
ASAMI
Oh my god! Thank you so much!
With a nervous laugh, he scratches the back of his head.
YUUKI
No problem. You should be more careful not to lose it.
ASAMI
Yeah I can be such a klutz sometimes haha. Again, thank you so much!
Asami is satisfied and prepares to leave the cafe. Yuuki hesitates to try and speak up.
YUUKI (V.O.)
I guess she didn’t recognize me… Should I ask her? Does she even remember me? What if she doesn’t.
His curiosity gets the best of him.
YUUKI (V.O.)
It’s now or never!
YUUKI
Uhh you’re Asami right?
Asami turns around, surprised.
ASAMI
How do you know my name? Have we met before-
The bright name tag displayed on Yuuki’s shirt is all Asami needs to come to the sudden realization of who exactly stands before her.
ASAMI
No way. YUUKI?!
FADE OUT:
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