IV. Yuuko

YUUKO

INT. MUSIC ROOM - EVENING

FLASHBACK, BLACK SHOT

YUUKO

Masaru isn’t skilled.

A window shot is shown.

...

Several hours after the plan overview that was hosted by Masaru in the music room, there are only two people left sitting in the room. Yuuko, sitting in her chair, and Souta, who moved over to sitting across from her at a desk. They sit next to the window, staring out of it while talking to each other.

SOUTA

...

Yuuko and Souta continue to stare out the window, not looking over in each other’s direction.

YUUKO

He’s too slow with his gestures.

...

SOUTA

Uh huh.

...

YUUKO

He lacks the ability to give criticism on performances.

...

SOUTA

Yeah.

...

YUUKO

And he’s quick to agree with others downplaying his efforts.

...

SOUTA

You know-

Quickly racing to finish her thought, Yuuko interrupts Souta.

YUUKO

Wait! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It’s just... He keeps going... I don’t get it. Why?

Yuuko, now turning her head from the window, looks over to Souta. Seeing that he’s still looking outside, she turns her head back to the window.

SOUTA

Well... I’m not Masaru, you know.

YUUKO

Right...

She’s not really disappointed, she was honestly just a little curious. Clearly there’s no use in thinking about it too hard. Seeing as the sun is setting, Yuuko lets out a sigh and starts to-

SOUTA

But...

Just as Yuuko was about to stand up, Souta seemed to have come to his own realization.

SOUTA

I think he’s probably scared.

Confused by his answer, she decides to settle back into her seat.

YUUKO

He’s scared? Like of letting us down?... Wouldn’t he have quit by now?

Souta directs his gaze up to the ceiling for a moment, thinking before he decides to answer.

SOUTA

Well, he’s probably scared of that too... but I think it’s something else.

Waiting for Souta to put together his thoughts, Yuuko sits there quietly, knowing that guessing won’t get her anywhere.

SOUTA

Masaru has dedicated his whole life to conducting... I think he’s done great considering the condition he’s in... But if he stops now, that would mean erasing his meaning.

YUUKO

...

Widening her eyes, Yuuko stares at Souta in a mix of surprise and contemplation.

SOUTA

Everyone has their own way of playing, and I could totally be wrong, but... I think he’s starting to doubt his importance here.

YUUKO

...

SOUTA

Unfortunately, probably in the orchestra... and in life...

Yuuko, relaxing into a blank expression, stares slightly past Souta, not looking at anything in particular.

SOUTA

I’m pretty sure I hit the nail on the head, but still... I’m not Masaru.

Becoming completely invested in her own thoughts, Yuuko continues to stare off in a close up shot reminiscent of the one focused on Masaru. (LASTS A COUPLE PANELS) Souta can be seen walking past her, and sliding the door closed in the back of the room.

INT. CLASSROOM - EVENING

A couple hours after their last performance, an empty classroom can be seen. Inside of it lying the echoes of the people who previously sat within it.

With the sun setting, it’s clear that there is nobody left inside of the school... except for one woman. Sitting in the room with no clear urgency in her posture, Yuuko taps her desk slowly, unable to keep her mind fixated on anything around her. Each tap continuously provokes a new thought within her.

YUUKO (VOICEOVER)

I don’t get it. Or rather... I do get it, but I understand both sides. How do you tell when something becomes who you are? And how do you find something so meaningful that you become dedicated to it?... What is “meaning”?...

...

What is right?

As she finishes her thought, her finger stops tapping the table, becoming completely still. She looks around her, studying her surroundings. After a moment, she sighs, bringing her bookbag onto the table in front of her, and getting up out of her seat.

INT. HALLWAY - EVENING

YUUKO (VOICEOVER)

Why am I thinking about this so much? What is it that bothers me about this?...

...

I don’t know anymore. I want to go home.

Walking through the dimly lit hallways, Yuuko sets her attention on each step she takes. As she walks, she passes classrooms, different club rooms, and finally, the Music Room. She pauses briefly, staring at the door with a pained look on her face.

YUUKO

Am I scared?

Looking back and forth between the exit and the Music Room, Yuuko hesitates for a moment.

...

YUUKO

Ughhh, enough. I’ll regret it if I don’t go.

Walking up to the door, Yuuko notices the light pouring out from underneath. Looking back up with a confused expression, she cracks the door open. Taking a peek inside, she sees a man standing in front of the music desk, supposedly lost in thought. She had made sure to crack the door open very quietly just in case she didn’t want to talk to whoever was inside.

YUUKO (VOICEOVER)

I guess this is what he does after our performances.

...

Our performance earlier was terrible. Daiki really went off on Masaru.

...

Though, I’ll give it to him, Masaru is strong willed. He continues to put his best effort in.

...

Is this too a result of his dedication?