Chapter 10:
Double Take
Enharmonic
INT. ERIC AND YUUKI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Yuuki finally returns home after a full day of working and dealing with annoying customers.
YUUKI (V.O.)
Finally some peace and quiet.
He closes the front door behind him, slumping against it. The room is dark, but then his eyes adjust to see a figure.
MIYUKI
Sup Yuuki.
He jumps violently.
YUUKI
Miyuki?! What the fuck are you doing here??
MIYUKI
I told you I’d visit you during spring break!
YUUKI
You told me that like 4 months ago! We never confirmed anything. How did you even get in here?! Eric is flying back to Korea today.
MIYUKI
Eric and I planned a little surprise! It totally worked, didn’t it? I should’ve been recording when you got home! Hahaha
YUUKI
Not funny. How long have you been here?
MIYUKI
I came right before Eric left for the airport. You work at a cafe right? You should’ve brought me back a drink.
YUUKI
HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW YOU WERE HERE.
Yuuki walks over to the couch where his older sister’s stuff is scattered all over the place. Her optometry textbook and notes are open.
YUUKI (CONT’D)
Were you studying?
MIYUKI
Yeah I have my NBEO exam coming up for my optometry license.
YUUKI
Damn, good luck.
Yuuki approaches the fridge and grabs some frozen food to heat up and appease his appetite.
YUUKI
So what did you want to do?
MIYUKI
Celebrate your birthday! You didn’t come home during winter break, so I missed your birthday. You’re a 21 year old whiny baby now! Oh and I thought we could…
Miyuki slides next to him and takes out a bottle of Umeshu.
MIYUKI (CONT’D)
… celebrate with this! But with all the soju bottles lying around the house, it seems like you already do enough drinking.
YUUKI
Nah most of it is Eric’s.
MIYUKI
Whatever. We’re celebrating tonight!
After a few drinks, they’ve had some time to catch up and are feeling a bit tipsy.
MIYUKI
I heard what mom did.
Yuuki sighs, not having anything to say about the matter.
MIYUKI (CONT’D)
I’m sorry about what happened. I really wish I could help, but I’m also still a student, so there’s not much I can do.
YUUKI
You have no reason to apologize. It’s my fault anyway.
Miyuki frowns, her brows knitted in worry.
YUUKI
I was prepared for something like this to happen the moment I decided to leave. I just didn’t know when it was gonna happen.
MIYUKI
What mom and dad did is really irresponsible. Did they even talk to you about your financial situation?
YUUKI
No. They didn’t.
MIYUKI
Wow. Ok. They could’ve at least done that first…
They pause for another drink.
YUUKI
Are you happy studying optometry?
MIYUKI
Eh it’s alright.
YUUKI
Aren’t you frustrated?
MIYUKI
Frustrated about what?
YUUKI
That mom made you give up on your dreams?
She thinks over his question.
MIYUKI
I got over it.
YUUKI
How?
MIYUKI
I don’t know… Maybe thinking from her perspective.
YUUKI
I understand where mom’s coming from, but we're talking about MY future. Shouldn’t I be the one making decisions?
MIYUKI
That’s true, but… She’s worried about you. Even you know that the music industry is risky.
YUUKI
Trust me. I’ve considered more lucrative options, but I can’t see myself enjoying anything other than music. I can’t give up before I even try.
MIYUKI
I know you’ve been resenting mom and dad for a while, but think about it, they’re the ones that gave you the opportunity to learn music. They got you your piano, guitar, drumset and everything when we were younger! You should be grateful for that. Without their support, you wouldn’t have gotten here.
YUUKI
I am… but the way they treat me makes it hard to do.
Miyuki
I get it.
More silence. Yuuki’s question has set a depressing mood, so he changes the topic.
YUUKI
Hey, remember Asami from elementary school?
MIYUKI
Of course! She used to come over to our place all the time!
He smiles.
YUUKI
We go to the same school now.
MIYUKI
NO WAY?! Show me her instagram!
Yuuki shows his phone to Miyuki.
YUUKI
Here’s a picture we took recently.
MIYUKI
Awww she’s so cute! Do you like her??
YUUKI
Shut up. It’s not like that.
MIYUKI
Haha sureeee. Didn’t you have a crush on her back then?
YUUKI
… Maybe…
MIYUKI
Hah I knew it. You used to be so quiet back then, but she was the only one you would open up to.
YUUKI
Well our moms used to be friends and she came over a lot, so I kinda had to.
MIYUKI
Uh huh ok sure. Tell her I want to meet her again!
Yuuki hesitates due to the awkwardness of the question.
YUUKI
We’re not really talking right now.
MIYUKI
What?!
YUUKI
We kind of got into an argument.
MIYUKI
Oh shit. You and Asami fighting? Never would’ve seen that coming in a million here. What happened?
YUUKI
It was right after the call I had with mom. I was in a really fucking bad mood for weeks and ended up giving everyone the cold shoulder. She reached out to me and I pushed her away.
MIYUKI
Sounds like a “you” problem then.
YUUKI
She was being pushy.
MIYUKI
Still. Giving people the silent treatment is never the right answer. She reached out to you right? She was worried then. Geez. What’s up with you rejecting worried people.
YUUKI
It’s seriously not her problem though. Like you said, it’s a “me” problem. Asami can’t do anything to fix my family relationship problems. I need to handle this on my own
MIYUKI
How do you feel right now? Doesn’t it feel better to get this burden off your shoulder by telling me all this?
Yuuki sulks at the truth in her words.
YUUKI
Yeah… I guess.
MIYUKI
Right? Asami probably just wanted to talk. You’ve always been so independent; trying to solve everything on your own.
YUUKI
I need to be. I’m the only one I can depend on.
MIYUKI
I disagree.
They both sigh.
MIYUKI
How long has it been since you’ve talked to Asami?
YUUKI
A few weeks.
MIYUKI
Yikes. You should talk to her.
YUUKI
I know, but she’s probably mad at me too.
MIYUKI
Do you want this relationship to end?
YUUKI
Of course not!
MIYUKI
Then you need to talk to her. ASAP. And don’t talk over text.
YUUKI
Yeah I’ll meet up with her.
Miyuki checks the time on her watch.
MIYUKI
I should get going. It’s getting late.
YUUKI
Where are you going?
MIYUKI
I’m staying over at my friend's house. I’ll get an uber. You should sleep. You look tired.
YUUKI
Yeah. I am.
Miyuki packs up all of her scattered things and heads out the door.
MIYUKI
See you later.
She starts walking down the hall.
YUUKI
Miyuki.
Miyuki stops and turns towards him.
YUUKI (CONT’D)
Thanks for listening to me.
She gives him a comforting smile.
MIYUKI
No problem.
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