Chapter 7:
2 soon
Enharmonic
EXT. ERIC AND YUUKI'S BALCONY - NIGHT
Yuuki decides to join Asami at the balcony. Plus, she's the only conscious person who can provide some company and an explanation.
YUUKI
What the hell happened here?
ASAMI
Oh uh... Alcohol and food coma?? I don't know.
YUUKI
Makes sense. Are you feeling fine?
ASAMI
I didn't drink that much so I'm fine.
They both look out at the view from the balcony. Streets lined with palm trees can be seen below and downtown Los Angeles sparkles in the distance. It is peaceful outside despite the occasional cars.
ASAMI (CONT'D)
You got really lucky with this apartment. This is such a nice view! You can even see downtown from here.
YUUKI
Yeah it is nice. I seriously thought Eric's listing was a scam, but I'm glad I reached out. I'm on a budget, right now so I seriously didn't think I'd get to live somewhere nice like this during college.
ASAMI
Props to you for reaching out! And is that why you're working at the cafe?
YUUKI
Yup. It helps pay the bills. By the way, I noticed you multiple times at the cafe.
ASAMI
WHAT?! MULTIPLE TIMES? Why didn't you say anything??
YUUKI
I wasn't 100% sure if it was you! Plus, I'm the one with the name tag, so I'm surprised you didn't notice.
Asami sarcastically pouts with an exaggerated frown.
ASAMI
Gosh, so now you're blaming me for my ignorance, huh.
YUUKI
HAHA I'm joking!
They both laugh. It's been almost a decade since they last met, but being together feels comforting as if they never truly separated.
ASAMI
Oh, back at the party a few weeks ago, you were gonna tell me something. I think we were talking about school??
YUUKI
Right! Yeah I actually just transferred last fall semester, so I've only been living here for about 6 month now.
ASAMI
Oh ok! Where did you transfer from?
YUUKI
Juilliard.
ASAMI
Juilliard?! Like The Juilliard School in New York?!
YUUKI
Yup. That Juilliard.
ASAMI
What made you transfer here? Juilliard sounds like a way better opinion for studying music.
YUUKI
I didn't like my major there... My mom wanted me to become a doctor or some shit, but I was already set on majoring in music. My sister ended up following that path and I didn't wanna be like her.
ASAMI
Oh my god Miyuki! How is she doing?
YUUKI
I think she's doing fine. She's working towards her graduate degree in Optometry right now.
ASAMI
Wow seriously? That sounds hard.
YUUKI
Yeah no joke. Anyway, once I was accepted into Juilliard, she finally somewhat opened up to the idea of me studying music.
ASAMI
That's great!
YUUKI
But Concert Piano was the only major she would accept at Juilliard. And her reasoning is that it sounded the most "prestigious"... or whatever the hell that means.
ASAMI
I remember your mom being super strict, but she was the one that enrolled you in piano lessons, so she should've expected something.
YUUKI
Right?! Anyways, I ended up transferring here as a Music Composition major, cause I wanted to make films for music. Being in Los Angeles seemed like the most logical move for my career.
ASAMI
That's so cool! Following your dreams, doing what you're passionate about. You're thriving! I'm happy for you, but why didn't you just switch majors at Juilliard?
YUUKI
I felt stuck. I seriously needed to get out of there. I know this is really selfish, but I'm in a better state of mind now... Just not in a good place regarding my relationship with my mom.
ASAMI
Ouch. I bet. But this is your future. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide.
YUUKI
Yeah... You're right. But it sucks that my mom can't be on the same side as me...
Silence permeates the air.
YUUKI (CONT'D)
On a less depressing note, how are you? You're majoring in art right? I remember you liked to draw a lot back then, so sounds like a good fit for you!
ASAMI
Oh I'm actually just minoring in art. My major is Psychology.
YUUKI
Oh. Okay! That still seems interesting.
ASAMI
Ah yeah. But to be completely honest, I would've loved to major in illustration, but that industry just seems too risky for me.
YUUKI
Makes sense. That's the same for the music industry, so that's the main reason my mom was so against me majoring in music in the first place. But I've seen your work on instagram! I think you'd make a great illustrator!
ASAMI
Thanks, Yuuki. I guess I'm just a bit anxious about my future. I wish I had more faith in myself so I could pursue my passion like you.
YUUKI
It's good that you're thinking about the future. I think I'm living life on a whim a bit too much.
More silence occurs. Again.
ASAMI (CONT'D)
It's cold out here. Let's go inside.
INT. ERIC AND YUUKI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The two of them head back inside and see that Eric and Maya are still asleep.
YUUKI
Seems like they're still passed out. Maya should probably sober up before leaving, so it's good that she's sleeping. We should be quiet.
A few bottles of flavored soju are open on the table and readily available.
YUUKI
Want a drink?
ASAMI
I'm not the biggest fan of the taste of alcohol, so I'll pass.
YUUKI
Oh hate it too, but these fruit flavored soju are really good. You should try the peach one.
ASAMI
Ok. Just a sip then.
Yuuki pours her a small drink and they take a shot.
YUUKI
How is it?
ASAMI
Wow this is actually really good. Soju has a pretty high alcohol percentage, right?
YUUKI
Yup. These are dangerous.
Asami glances about the room as she sinks back in thought. She notices that there's a room with a piano inside.
ASAMI
Is that your room over there?
YUUKI
Yup. Wanna see?
ASAMI
Yes! Let me judge your interior designing skills.
INT. YUUKI'S ROOM - NIGHT
They both enter and Yuuki turns on the lights. His room is filled with various musical instruments aside from the piano.
ASAMI
Woah! It's like a music studio here! You've got your whole setup and everything.
YUUKI
Yeah I've invested a bit too much into this setup, but it's totally worth it.
Asami walks around the room, observing the different furniture and objects. Records hanging on the wall, a skateboard leaning against the dresser. The things scattered around one's bedroom really shows their personality after all. She walks over to his bed and notices a pair of glasses.
ASAMI
Hey, do you still wear glasses?
YUUKI
Sometimes.
ASAMI
Here, put them on! I wanna see how you look now.
He reluctantly puts them on. Asami stares at Yuuki's appearance intently, causing him to faintly blush and look away. A smile appears on her face.
ASAMI
That's the Yuuki I remember.
They get lost in one another's eyes. However, their attention shifts as they hear noise from the living room.
MAYA
Asami? Are you still here?
ASAMI
Yeah I am!
Asami darts out of Yuuki's bedroom.
INT. ERIC AND YUUKI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
MAYA
Sorry I didn't even realize I fell asleep.
ASAMI
Don't worry. How are you feeling?
MAYA
Yeah that nap helped a lot. We should get going. It's a school night.
ASAMI
Oh crap. Yeah we should.
YUUKI
Do you guys want a ride home?
MAYA
Nah I'm feeling fine, so I'll drive. Thanks for the offer though.
Eric starts to awaken from the buzz of all the increasing conversation.
ERIC
Oh Yuuki you're back!
YUUKI
Yeah I've been back for a while.
ERIC
You have?
Eric gives a tired stretch, looking over to see that Maya and Asami are heading towards the door.
ASAMI
Thanks for having us over!
ERIC
It was fun! Come over again!
The girls wave goodbye and shut the door. The long, eventful night comes to an end. Yuuki grumbles as reality starts to settle in.
YUUKI
Welp. Time to work on assignments for class.
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