Chapter 9:
Enharmonic
INT. YUUKI’S ROOM - NIGHT
April arrives and the weather is warming up. The club members have formed stronger bonds as they progress with their work; especially Yuuki, Asami, Maya, and Eric.
Yuuki lies on his bed, scrolling through instagram, looking at the posts he was recently tagged in: Group photos in front of the Urban Lights at LACMA, sushi at Little Tokyo, a selfie with Asami at Griffith Observatory, etc.
He receives a text from Asami:
ASAMI (TEXT)
I had fun today! We should go to Santa Monica pier with everyone next time.
YUUKI (TEXT)
Sounds great!
He smiles to himself.
Suddenly his peace is disturbed by the ringing from his phone. A call from his mom. He abruptly sits up in a panic at how to deal with her. His impulse is to decline the call, but his mom never calls him.
Yuuki suddenly remembers the call Asami had with her mom.
YUUKI (V.O.)
Would it be possible for me to have a relationship like that with my parents?
He lets the phone ring. It’s already 8pm in LA, meaning it’s 11pm on the east coast. Something tells him to answer the call as no ordinary call would be made at such a late time.
YUUKI (V.O.)
Please let this be quick.
He reluctantly answers the call.
YUUKI
Hello?
MRS. YAMASAKI
Oh you finally picked up. I’ve been trying to contact you all day.
YUUKI
I was out today. Also had work.
MRS. YAMASAKI
If you have time to go out with friends, you should be working on your homework instead.
Yuuki tries to be optimistic about this call, but the fact that the conversation topic went directly to school irritated him.
YUUKI
Yeah of course I’m doing homework too.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Have you gotten any internships?
YUUKI
Uhh no. It’s the middle of the school year. Internships are usually in the summer.
MRS. YAMASAKI
You could’ve gotten one over winter break. You’re not trying hard enough.
Yuuki’s patience reaches its limit.
YUUKI
Just cut to the chase. What do you want?
The call falls silent before Yuuki’s mother starts again.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Your father and I have decided that we’ll no longer be paying for your tuition.
YUUKI
What?
MRS. YAMASAKI
This is what you wanted, so you’re on your own now.
YUUKI
There’s no way dad would approve of this. He actually supported me!
MRS. YAMASAKI
Well the decision has already been made. We wanted you to be successful, but you won’t find it with your current education.
YUUKI
This is my future, it’s up to me to decide what I do.
MRS. YAMASAKI
I am your mother and I know what’s best. I don’t see a future for you in the music industry.
YUUKI
No you don't. Why didn’t you consult with me about all this?
MRS. YAMASAKI
This is the best thing for you.
YUUKI
Wait! You can’t just-
Yuuki hears the dial tone. There’s so much going through his head, he doesn’t even know where to start. The sudden financial burden put on him gives him a headache. His head sinks under all the pressure.
YUUKI
This can’t be happening. Why now. Fuck.
FADE OUT:
INT. CAMPUS DINING HALL - DAY
Asami, Maya, and Eric are at the dining hall for a quick lunch. They just finished eating and are sitting around, talking.
MAYA
Wait, how drunk were you?
ERIC
I posted on my Facebook story. I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THAT EXISTED.
MAYA
You posted oN wHaT?! PFFFTTT HAHAHA!
The two of them cackle, but Asami doesn’t. She looks down at her phone with a worried expression.
ASAMI
Hey, Eric. Do you know what’s going on with Yuuki recently?
MAYA
Omg yeah. He hasn’t been attending the meetings either. You’re his roommate so you should know, right?
Eric’s expression also changes to one of worry.
ERIC
I’m actually not sure… I know he’s been a lot busier though. He’s a total introvert, so he used to spend a good amount of time in his room, but he hasn’t been around recently.
ASAMI
Is he working more?
ERIC
That’s what I’m thinking. He might’ve gotten a second job too.
MAYA
That would make sense if he’s having financial issues, but he should’ve told us something if he was going to ditch club meetings. If he keeps slacking, we’ll need to find a replacement for him.
ASAMI
I wonder what’s wrong…
Eric looks at his phone for the time.
ERIC
Gotta go. I have class starting soon.
MAYA
I do too. We should get going.
ASAMI
Ok I’ll see you guys later. I might go stop by the cafe Yuuki works at and see if he’s there. I wanna make sure everything’s okay.
MAYA
Please go do that. Let me know what he says.
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY
They part ways and Asami starts walking towards the cafe to see Yuuki as intended.
ASAMI (V.O.)
Something must be wrong. He seemed excited to be a part of the project at first… He even left me on read when I tried reaching out. Did I do something?? No no no I shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions. I’ll just talk to him.
INT. CAFE - DAY
She enters the cafe and looks around, but Yuuki isn’t present. She walks up to the barista at the counter.
BARISTA
Hi, what can I get you today?
ASAMI
Hi! I was actually wondering if Yuuki’s here right now?
BARISTA
Yuuki? I think he left like 30 minutes ago to go to class.
ASAMI
Oh okay. Since I’m here, I’ll get a White Chocolate Mocha, iced.
BARISTA
“White Chocolate Mocha” coming right up!
Asami sits down. Might as well get some assignments done while she’s here. She opens up her laptop and starts to do the reading for an upcoming exam.
TEXTBOOK
“Self-esteem involves judgments made about their own worth and the feelings associated with those judgments. Self-esteem is associated with: a mastery oriented approach, lack of criticism, and enthusiasm from environment”
She reads the same passages multiple times, but is unable to focus. She pulls out her sketchbook instead.
ASAMI (V.O.)
I need to take my mind off of this right now.
She starts sketching the interior of the cafe. Asami has been putting a great amount of time into improving her perspective art to get better at storyboarding. She’s proud of how far she’s come.
Her phone suddenly lights up. It’s a text from Kai, her classmate.
ASAMI (V.O.)
Omg it’s Kai! I haven’t talked to him in a while!
KAI (TEXT)
Hey are you free right now?
ASAMI (TEXT)
Yeah I am!
KAI (TEXT)
Wanna study for the exam?
ASAMI (TEXT)
I was studying for that just now, but kept getting side tracked. Let’s meet up somewhere.
KAI (TEXT)
Want to meet in front of our class?
ASAMI (TEXT)
Yeah! See you soon.
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY
Asami and Kai are walking to the library and chatting. The clouds have come in and the sky is looking gloomy.
KAI
And then I fucking tripped while walking up the stairs just as the professor passed me. God that was so embarrassing.
Asami laughs at first, but sighs and returns to her worried expression. Kai immediately notices.
KAI
Hey, you okay?
ASAMI
Yeah yeah… I’m fine…
She’s tried to take her mind off of Yuuki, but can’t. The thought of him only continues to darken her worry lines.
ASAMI (CONT’D)
Actually not really.
KAI
What’s wrong?
ASAMI
One of my close friends has been avoiding me recently. I don’t think he’s avoiding me specifically, but I have no idea what’s going on.
KAI
Man, that sucks.
ASAMI
We’re in the same club too and he hasn't been showing up to that either.
Kai pauses to think.
KAI
Maybe it’s best not to ask if he’s not telling you anything. At least not for now. It might be really personal.
ASAMI
That’s true. It’s just… I’ve known him for so long. I’m so worried.
KAI
I know how you feel. I’m sure he’ll eventually open up.
Right at that moment, Asami spots Yuuki in the distance.
ASAMI
OH MY GOD! Wait. Kai. I’ll meet you at the library. Just go ahead. I- um just remembered something I had to do!
Asami rushes over to Yuuki, who’s walking in the opposite direction. He doesn’t realize she’s there.
ASAMI
Yuuki! Wait.
He turns around, taking his earbuds out.
YUUKI
Oh. Hey, Asami.
ASAMI
Is something going on? You haven’t replied to my messages recently.
YUUKI
It’s nothing.
ASAMI
Are you sure? You haven’t been showing up to the club meetings either. Maya and Eric are worried too.
YUUKI
It’s none of your business.
His response pisses her off.
ASAMI
What do you mean it’s none of my business? Whatever’s happening right now is affecting our relationship. Did I do something?
YUUKI
No you didn’t.
ASAMI
Then what is it?! It’s okay! You can tell me.
YUUKI
I don’t wanna talk about it. Just drop off.
Asami looks as though she’s about to cry, but pulls it together.
YUUKI
Asami… I-
She leans in and talks in a quiet voice.
ASAMI
This is just like when you moved away. We promised we’d stay in touch, but you eventually didn’t bother contacting me or even replying back.
YUUKI
That has nothing to do with this. Why are you bringing it up?
ASAMI
It does. It has everything to do with this.
A tense air settles between them.
ASAMI (CONT’D)
We were best friends. You ended it all.
YUUKI
It wasn’t my decision to move to New York. We were kids. Long distance was never going to work in the first place.
Asami ceases talking and avoids eye contact with Yuuki.
YUUKI
I need to go. I have class.
Yuuki walks away and Asami is left alone in her misery.
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