I need to find her

EXT. EMPTY STREET - EVENING

2 WEEKS LATER

On an empty street that seems all too familiar by now, a man walks it one more time. The snow has picked up recently... and the ground desperately reaches out as it falls, clinging to each petal in its vicinity.

With each step, the man stares gently at the petals that fall. Some stick to the lamp posts, others stick to the walls that surround each building... and the rest fight for their spot to stick to. One petal in particular slowly drifts through the wind, fighting back each direction it’s carried in until it falls upon a light, dark blue coat.

Allowed for a moment's rest, the petal lies there until a hand sweeps it off. Completely taken by the wind now, it continues to drift down, and the ground reaches out. Slowly, as if fighting off the inevitable, the petal slowly absorbs into the tiles as it desperately reaches for the very man that pushed him there.

Of course, there is no way the man could’ve seen something so small happening. Without a second thought, he lifts his hands up to his mouth, covering them in his breath in an attempt to heat them up.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

I wasn’t the only one suffering, huh?

Still caught up on when he last talked to Sachiko, his mind wanders. The man, Hiroshi, traps the breath between his hands, rubbing them together as he continues through the blistering snowfall.

Continuing to walk, Hiroshi is prompted to look up a couple times, only giving his indifferent gaze towards each prompt. His eyes graze over his surroundings, going from the different street lights he’s passed to things like the nearby empty buildings. This continues for ten... no... twenty minutes?

Bringing his attention forward, without having realized, he’s standing directly outside of the bathhouse.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

I don’t know a single thing about her... and yet I made that seem like her fault.

Mindlessly, Hiroshi looks from the door handle to the tiny window next to their open sign.

Squinting through the window, Hiroshi scans the inside, looking for any sights of “her”. Actively contemplating on whether he deserves to call her by her name at this point, the best thing to resort to was “her”.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

She probably hates me.

???

Hey young man, looking for a service?

Eyes still captivated on the window, Hiroshi looks over towards the voice with his eyes turned wide. Hoping for “her”, he nearly breaks his neck to look. Unfortunately, his hopes are crushed almost immediately.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

...It’s a man.

The man is old, wearing a grey bathrobe with simple Geta sandals... and his moustache is unfortunately too magnificent to not recognize. Standing with a cheery smile, his build is tall... and somehow shredded for his age.

???

Well? We have bath house, spa treatment—

Immediately, Hiroshi jumps in.

HIROSHI

Ah, no sorry. I’m okay, I...

Drifting his eyes back to the window, they take a quick look inside. Slowly, they start to refocus on the interior.

HIROSHI

I’m just looking for someone... that’s all.

Putting his hand to his chin, he looks off to the side.

???

I see. Well... young man, you are kind of creeping through my window.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

His voice is so deep... how the hell did I even mistake this old man for a girl’s voice.

HIROSHI

Ah, you’re right... I didn’t even think of it like that.

Directing his gaze to the ground now, Hiroshi’s eyes become weak as he starts to turn around.

???

Hold on a moment, young man.

Undoing his turn around, Hiroshi looks back towards the old man.

???

I just told you you were creeping through my windows, and I sensed no life in your response.

HIROSHI

uh... okay...? That’s why I’m leaving.

???

No, this is not okay! So tell me young man, who is it that you look for?

Uncovering his ears from the old man’s unnecessary yelling, he first checks if his hearing is still intact. Skeptically, Hiroshi looks into his eyes, and after a moment, he lets out a sigh.

HIROSHI

Her name is Sachiko... She normally works here at this time, but obviously since you’re here, it seems like she’s not here.

At her name, the old man’s once cheery smile disappears, staring directly at Hiroshi.

???

Young man...

HIROSHI

Yes?

???

Are you truly someone close to Sachiko?

HIROSHI

Huh? Of course I—

Stopping his sentence, Hiroshi freezes.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Wait... I know Sachiko. That much is obvious... but am I truly close to her?

HIROSHI

I... I think so.

Now more serious than he has been this entire interaction, the old man’s face grows stern.

???

Do you know where she is?

HIROSHI

Huh? That’s exactly why I’m asking you, isn’t it?

???

How, then, can you stand here and tell me you are close to her, when you don’t even know something so basic?

Keeping his gaze locked on the old man, Hiroshi’s eyebrow twitches

HIROSHI

Listen... It’s exactly because we’re close that I came here to look for her.

???

How close do you believe you truly are to her?

Unwavering, the old man continues to press the challenge on Hiroshi.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

These are the exact kind of vague terms I hate.

HIROSHI

Like I’ve been saying, the exact reason I’m here is to find her! Does that not speak for how close we are!? Who even are you to get in the way, old man!?

???

Hm... I see. So you have twisted things this far, huh?

The old man puts his hands on his hips and brings his head up to the sky. Slowly, he takes a deep breath as his smile returns.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Again with these vague terms. Why have people been trying to piss me off lately?

???

If anything, the only meaning I find in your words... is how close you aren’t young man.

HIROSHI

Whatever... she’s in there, right!? Are you just trying to keep me from seeing her!?

The old man now looks down from the sky above him, closing himself off for only a moment. Shaking his head, his eyes open to meet Hiroshi’s.

???

Sachiko has not worked here in two weeks, young man.

Stunned, Hiroshi’s mind comes to a halt. He stands there with his lip quivering, every part of him prepared to speak. Everything arrives except the sound.

???

You know more about me in these couple minutes than you do about Sachiko in your time knowing her. Am I wrong?

HIROSHI

No... that’s... not true...

???

Well... you know I’m the owner, and you know I’m an old man. That’s already two more things than you know about Sachiko.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Huh!? Owner?

Flustered, Hiroshi’s earlier thought process is thrown completely off the rails.

HIROSHI

You never said you were the owner! So no, I didn’t know that!

Repeating his pose from earlier, the old man brings his fingers to his chin again.

???

Ah, I suppose you are correct! Even so... you also failed to ask, no? So we are both at fault.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Eh? Well, I...

HIROSHI

Yeah... I guess you got me there.

Bringing his eyes downcast again, Hiroshi’s eyes soften.

HIROSHI

Still... I want to see her.

After a moment of staring at Hiroshi, the old man lets out a laugh that shakes the environment.

Continuing for an uncomfortable amount of time, he finally stops.

???

You’re quite selfish, aren’t you, young man?

A pained look reaches for Hiroshi’s face, directing them at the old man.

HIROSHI

Stop... that’s the last thing I want to hear... I hate being selfish.

The old man’s cheery smile softens up, turning the adjective from cheery to light... whatever that means.

???

Being selfish is not always a bad thing... young man. It is merely like anything else. Even the sweetest apple becomes bitter when consumed without restraint.

Hiroshi’s eyes widen as he stares at the old man. With his eyes shaking, he looks down suddenly, taking a second to think.

When he finally looks back up, the uncertainty is gone.

HIROSHI

You have a weirdly philosophical way of putting things, old man.

As the man lets out another hearty laugh, he shakes the ground with enough force to disrupt an inactive volcano.

???

How long do you think it took me to get here, young man? My wisdom lies in the wrinkles.

HIROSHI

Does your wisdom also cause you to call me “young man” in every sentence?

In the middle of giving the world a break from his earth shattering laugh, the old man has clearly forgotten, and lets out another one.

???

Yes, though I know that was a question out of spite, that does play a bit into it.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

It was a genuine question though...

Hiroshi stares at the old man, feeling a little bit of the weight leave his shoulders.

HIROSHI

Thanks, old man. It was pretty frustrating talking to you... but I’m glad you didn’t give up on me there.

Understanding that one more laugh might make the ground beneath them crumble, the old man refrains from his bellow. Instead, he opts to smile, holding it on his face with a light heart.

???

A word of advice, young man.

Hiroshi props up his face one more time, anticipating the old man’s words.

???

The more you try to convince yourself, the less it becomes true. Do not blind yourself... that way you can truly see Sachiko for who she is.

HIROSHI

Eh!? How did this tie back to her?

???

She is how this conversation started... Do you think I’m that dense, young man?

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Sorry old man... just a little.

With one more hearty laugh from the old man, Hiroshi quickly swats away the comment the old man just made, turning around in the process. With his destination in mind, he begins walking, crunching the light layer of snow that lies beneath him in each step.

EXT. EMPTY STREETS - EVENING

Hiroshi walks away from the bath house, slowly progressing further down the street. From behind, the old man can be seen waving underneath the bath house light. Hiroshi continues walking, but without noticing, he smiles as he gets further from the old man.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

That old man was such a pain...

At some point, his pace increases. Hiroshi walks faster now, careful to step in spots not covered by flakes so he won’t slip. He continues down the road, turning when necessary through the narrow roads.

Hiroshi keeps walking, glancing up at the sky. The snow is falling heavier now... faster than he was able to notice.

Again, his pace increases. This time, faster. More rapid. Hiroshi sprints down the roads, letting out frantic breaths as he swings his arms in front of himself. Without any caution for his environment anymore, he pushes forward, following through on every step he takes.

Rapidly, the snowfall that once lightly covered the ground, develops into a storm of cloudy snow.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

I don’t really know much about Sachiko.

It’s cold out. Hiroshi squints his eyes so as to not get anything in them. The storm continues to get worse, and the air bites at Hiroshi, desperate to hold him back. Still, his legs stretch out further with each step.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Maybe I never did...

The wind starts to increase as more and more petals interrupt Hiroshi’s vision. Collecting on his face as they fall, they stay for a moment, but then dissolve. The pigmentation of his face continues to rise, starting at the nose, and working its way to his cheeks.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

So what is it that drives me to see her?  Why do I want to talk to her so much?

The trees sway slightly, struggling to fight back against the storm as Hiroshi does. Again, Hiroshi wipes his eyes, and continues to squint.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Why? Why does seeing her smile make me feel like this?

Hiroshi’s legs nearly give out beneath him, struggling to keep his balance now as he slides on the ground.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Old man... honestly... there was one more question I wanted to ask you.

Hiroshi’s fingertips start to lose feeling, and the wind becomes sharper. It almost feels like it’s impossible to run anymore.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Is this love?

One breath. Then another. Then another.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

I want to continue to make you happy, Sachiko.

The storm continues to cry out. It leaves pain wherever it passes... yet somehow, it feels like the storm is the one suffering most. There is nothing visible anymore... only the path that Hiroshi has laid out in his head.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

I want to share more moments with you, Sachiko.

The footsteps become louder as Hiroshi applies more force into the ground, yet nobody else can hear them. The white flakes absorb his impact, letting little of the impact reach the pavement below it. Careful to avoid slipping, Hiroshi grits his teeth, keeping his eyes directly forward.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

I want... to stay by your side a little longer.

...

Even if my heart figured it out before I did...

Sachiko.

***

Hiroshi lunges over, clasping his palms into his knees as he struggles for breath. Just a little further now... just a little further.

Hiroshi turns a couple more corners, getting closer with each one. Suddenly, a light starts to come into view. Or rather... a flashing light.

Rapidly, without noise, it alternates between two colors, illuminating the sky as it does so. As Hiroshi continues, the source of the lights also becomes closer... and a crowd of voices can be heard.

Blue. Then Red. Blue. Then Red. The lights continue this cycle.

Turning the last corner, the crowd of voices gets louder, and the source of the lights appear. Outside of Sachiko’s apartment building, the crowd has huddled together.

Atop three different cars, the lights spin in a circle, sitting right beside the crowd.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Huh? What’s going on?

Giving himself no time to collect his breath, Hiroshi brings his shaky legs to the crowd.

HIROSHI

Sorry... Excuse me... Oh, Sorry.

Making his way through the crowd now, he slides between each person. As he approaches the front of the crowd, the entrance comes into sight... and so does the yellow tape surrounding it.

TEXT: KEEP OUT

Pushing past the final person, Hiroshi walks toward the yellow tape, lifting it to go under it.

???

Sir! Going beyond the tape is prohibited at this time, please stand back!

Suddenly, a hand grabs Hiroshi’s arm, pulling it back from the tape.

Hiroshi quickly snatches his hand away, looking at the culprit.

HIROSHI

Huh? I’m visiting a—

Bringing his eyes up to the man, he starts at the face. He works his way up, scanning the man he’s talking to, until the hat on his head becomes clear.

Hiroshi takes a step back and looks around. Five others are wearing the same hat. His eyes widen.

HIROSHI

What... What the hell is going on here?

Taking a closer look around, on top of the police cars present, an ambulance is also present.

???

I’m sorry, but we cannot comment on the details of the incident at this time. This is currently under investigation, so please refrain from entering this area.

Hiroshi stares at the officer, confused

HIROSHI

I can’t even—

???

Coming through! Please clear the way!

Suddenly, a group of paramedics comes rushing out of the entryway, carrying a stretcher as they approach.

On top... a body bag rests, tied down to the stretcher. As it approaches the ambulance, Hiroshi stands right in between them, off to the side and behind the tape.

Hiroshi's thoughts disappear... and only the body bag remains in his vision.

Close enough, Hiroshi darts under the yellow tape, reaching for the body bag immediately. His fingers land on the zipper, and he pulls.

Each prong the zipper clicks past sends a sharp beat through Hiroshi’s chest. It quickly increases... and his eyes start to shake.

The zipper opens further, and the people around him are all running towards him.

Time starts to fall apart, and everything slows around Hiroshi.

In the gap Hiroshi created, the hair flows briefly in the wind that gets let in. The gentle eyelashes Hiroshi had gotten so used to flutters one last time. With enough time for one more thing, Hiroshi finally does what he had ignored doing all this time.

Hiroshi looks at her. He truly looks at her... one last time.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

I can’t breathe... I can’t breathe... I can’t breathe... I can’t—

Suddenly pulled back, the police officers yell a string of commands at him. Nothing moves in slow motion anymore. Their voices hit him all at once, but it’s no use... none of it makes sense anymore.

Hiroshi’s face holds still, and with his mouth agape... the tears fall on their own. A complete numbness overtakes his body, and he grabs his arms as he crouches on the ground.

HIROSHI

Sachiko... Sachiko... S— Sachiko!

Steadily, the police officers help him back to his feet, escorting him home for the night.