I know... she's gone

***

INT. HIROSHI’S ROOM - ???

It was a quick cremation. No funeral. No ceremony. Most likely no placement of the ashes anywhere either.

Hiroshi wouldn’t know. He stopped trying to stay updated on things after a while, turning away as it became more and more painful to hear.

The last thing he can recall is seeing a video from one of the police officers involved. He wasn’t wearing a bodycam or anything, he just happened to be filming at the time. Walking into a convenience store, he happened to spot one of the family members... Katou Aoi. He stopped his search for a quick drink and quickly walked over to the woman.

Introducing himself, he first starts with the general questions about how her day is so far, but after not even a minute, he brings up Sachiko's name.

AOI

I’m sorry... I have no idea who that is.

Immediately, Aoi left the convenience store. The final shot the camera could pick up of her face was hard to decipher... but the one thing clear is that there was no amount of grief in her eyes.

According to the report, the woman was Katou Aoi. Twenty year old female... and Sachiko’s sister.

Why she denied even knowing Sachiko... is obviously unknown. There are too many unknowns revolving around the whole thing.

“Why did Sachiko do this to herself?”

“Why does her family turn a blind eye to her?”

“How are we sure Sachiko did this to herself?”

Three of the many spiraling questions of Hiroshi. Well... one of those questions isn't quite an unknown. Having unzipped her body bag two months prior, Hiroshi knows the answer to the last question better than anyone.

HIROSHI

I don’t care anymore... I don’t.

Mumbling to himself, Hiroshi lies on his side, tucked under his blanket that’s halfway on the ground at this point.

HIROSHI

I just want this all to go away... everything.

With the rest of his body motionless, the only thing left moving is his eyes. They flutter, struggling to keep themselves open.

HIROSHI

Maybe...

Flickering between open and closed, he eventually settles on somewhere in between, mimicking a squint.

HIROSHI

Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea...

His eyes cower, weakly holding their gaze forward.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

... for me to go away too.

Suddenly, three knocks come from Hiroshi’s door.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Ah. Is it time already? I can’t feel if I’m really hungry right now... but this is the least I need to do.

???

Hiroshi.

Hiroshi stares at the door, not answering the call from the other side.

???

You, uh...

The voice from the other side hesitates.

???

You... have a visitor.

The voice continues, this time more shaky than its last attempt.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

No... just leave me alone. I’ll get back up soon... I’ll be good as new... trust me. So just a little longer.

Not able to hear his silent pleas, the voice opens the door anyways. The light from the outside gets dragged in, rapidly making a gap in the darkness that engulfs the room.

The light is far too bright. Hiroshi squints in the direction of the door, giving his eyes a moment to adjust.

Suddenly, the ground starts to shake violently. Hiroshi sees his life flash before his eyes. The window in his room shatters. His eyes look towards the glass now broken on the ground, and in an attempt to understand what’s happening, looks towards the window sill itself. A bubbling sound gets closer and closer. Crawling over the window sill, a thick, red substance introduces itself. It’s hot... extremely hot.

Gradually, it pools into his room. Now reaching the base of his bed, Hiroshi makes no extraordinary effort, and continues laying there. Only moving his eyes, they glance out of the window... and the source of the disaster becomes apparent.

A volcano can be seen... currently erupting.

Aaaaand with that, Hiroshi comes back to reality, realizing the true source of the shaking. A loud laugh comes from the crack in his door.

???

You are quite the sight, young man!

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Huh?

Standing there, an old man in a grey bath robe holds a cheery smile... and his moustache is unfortunately too magnificent to not recognize...

Hiroshi finally sits up, staying limp the entire time, but he sits up nonetheless.

First order of business, he looks down to the man’s sandals, lingering there before slowly looking up to meet the old man’s eyes.

HIROSHI

Yeah... it’s definitely you... old man.

The old man makes an effort towards his laugh again, but one look from Hiroshi shoots him down. Instead, he opts for a gentle smile.

???

And you had to look at my sandals first to verify it’s me?

Hiroshi stares at the old man with a subtle scowl in his eyes, but entertains his question anyway.

HIROSHI

You are the only person wearing Geta sandals in Japan right now... so yeah.

???

Young man! You are—

HIROSHI

How did you find me? I never told you where I live.

Forcefully cut off from the laugh he was about to deliver, the smile from the old man fades. Now, he stares at Hiroshi with a gentle expression, but by no means a smile anymore.

???

Come on, young man. You won’t indulge an old friend’s antics?

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

... F*ck you.

A silence sits between them. Rather than giving any kind of answer, Hiroshi’s eyes do all the talking. The old man looks at Hiroshi, then lets out a sigh.

???

Your mother came to me. Or rather, she came to the bath house.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Huh?

Glancing behind the old man, his mom stands there, staring with a weak shine in her eyes.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Oh... that’s right. I never even thought about mom. I’ve been in my room for a long time now... how many times has she brought me a meal now?

Without another word from the old man, he turns around, exiting past Hiroshi’s mom.

MOM

...

Hiroshi turns his head down, trying to hide his face as much as possible.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

I can’t look at her... not now...

MOM

...

Silently, she starts to approach. Each footstep matches the rhythm of Hiroshi’s heartbeat, getting louder and louder.

Now taking over his ears, his heartbeat has become piercingly loud. His slightly grown out hair dangles into his line of sight, and the blood starts to drain itself from his fingers. Slightly out of view, his mom sits down a few feet from him, weighing the bed down in the spot she sits.

Hiroshi’s heartbeat screams for him to run away. Taking a look over to his pillow, he considers laying back down for the rest of eternity... but takes one final look at his mom.

His mom sits there, the couple feet away, with a pained expression on her face. This is not an expression that she has ever made before... and on top of all the other things he’s scared of... this too scares him.

HIROSHI

Mom...

MOM

Yes?

HIROSHI

... I’m scared.

***

INT. HIROSHI’S HOUSE, KITCHEN - ???

The kitchen feels unfamiliar. Two months ago, the room would’ve looked ordinary... but now, Hiroshi hesitates in the doorway.

It’s only a few steps away. Just... a couple steps.

The weight feels heavier the more Hiroshi looks into the lit kitchen, but somehow, it still feels worse to turn around and look at his room instead.

MOM

There’s nothing to be scared of.

Behind him, Hiroshi’s mom holds a smile on her face, and places her hands on his shoulder.

HIROSHI

D—Do I deserve to?

MOM

... I wish I could say “everything will be fine, Hiroshi!”, but we both know it’s going to be hard...

Hiroshi’s eyes squint slightly as he processes her words.

MOM

For now... all we can do is make the step... and that weight will lighten up... if only a little.

Looking down, Hiroshi lets out a weak smile and places his hand on top of his mom’s.

HIROSHI

Thank you, mom.

Hiroshi’s hand slips from his shoulder first, hesitantly followed by his mom’s.

Easing himself into it, Hiroshi finally steps inside.

Inside, Hiroshi brings his head up, almost letting his emotions get the better of him.

MOM

Now... there’s someone who still wants to talk to you.

Ahead, the old man stands by the door, watching Hiroshi. Without a word, he grabs a coat from the nearby coat rack, holding it out to Hiroshi. The old man’s face expresses no emotion, but his eyes tell a different story. If not for the warm look in his eyes, Hiroshi would’ve said no on the spot.

Hiroshi gulps before he reaches his hand out, accepting the offer instead.

***

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - NIGHT

The old man steps outside first, putting up an umbrella as he walks past the entranceway.

Hiroshi walks out next, grabbing his own umbrella to accompany the old man.

The sky is almost pitch black, with hints of light shining through from the scattered street lights. Their glow is further weakened by the snow that clouds it.

Beginning their walk, an uncomfortable silence hangs above them. It stays this way for minutes, no... hours? It’s hard to tell. Looking over to the old man, Hiroshi’s eyes hesitantly meet his. At this, the old man also meets his eyes, but doesn’t turn his head to do so.

HIROSHI

Old man... where are we going?

Suddenly, the old man’s eyes return forward, and he smiles.

???

Sachiko never really went to festivals, or anything like that. I never knew why.

HIROSHI

...

???

Instead, she always went somewhere. The one place that brought her peace... we’ll see it together.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Why? He wasn’t even there... that night...

HIROSHI

... What... Old man... I...

Hiroshi grits his teeth, looking down. His fist tightens, curling until his knuckles are tightly knitted.

Returning to silence, the old man stares at Hiroshi, patiently.

HIROSHI

It’s... I can’t... I made a promise.

...

HIROSHI

All I’ve done is make promises to those around me... but now... I need to see them through. Mom helped me take the first step... Now... I need to keep walking. I can’t falter... not again.

Slightly turning his gaze, the old man exhales from his nose.

???

It is exactly by falling that you’ve taught yourself to stand. What will happen to your growth if you abandon falling, young man?

HIROSHI

... I’m already trying, old man. I’m not in the mood for this kind of wise, old man talk.

???

Young man... Sachik—

Not even letting him complete her name, Hiroshi’s patience thins.

HIROSHI

And!? Who are you to say anything about her?

The old man’s mouth hovers for a second, eventually closing rather than trying to continue.

HIROSHI

Where were you!? Huh!? You didn’t show up, once!

The old man looks down, smiling with weak eyes.

???

Think about what I have lost too... young man.

Looking into his eyes, Hiroshi shamefully pulls his own away.

HIROSHI

It just...

Glancing off to the side, Hiroshi’s eyes become weak.

HIROSHI

It hurts... old man.

...

HIROSHI

It hurts so much.

The umbrella he holds blocks his face as his body sags.

Suddenly, the old man’s fingers peer from the bottom, lifting up the umbrella just enough to meet Hiroshi’s eyes.

???

... Even so, here you stand.

The old man assumes his usual stance, putting his unoccupied hand on his hips, and he looks up towards the sky.

???

You are strong, Hiroshi. Don’t convince yourself otherwise.

The last missing piece to his usual stance... the old man doesn’t laugh. Rather, he just stares, holding a delicate smile.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

No... I don’t think so.

HIROSHI

Maybe... one day.

Letting a light puff of air out of his nose, the old man lifts Hiroshi’s umbrella back over his head.

???

Let’s go. We’re almost there.

HIROSHI

... Okay

Bringing his eyes forward again, Hiroshi notices his surroundings. The sky is dark... but clear enough that he can see even the satellites in the sky right now.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Wait... huh? I... I’ve been here before.

...

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

No... I’m sure of it... this is...

???

This is the place.

Continuing to look around, Hiroshi’s eyes fall on one spot in particular... right in front of him.

???

Come. Up against the railing... and look up.

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

The sky... the trees surrounding us... this railing...

...

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

It’s all the same.

As if recalling a memory of its own, the darkness makes room for something else. Even still, the moon is not the brightest thing that shines. Scattered across the canvas of the night colored sky, white dots cast down their rays. The artist is still here, meticulously placing each dot for perfection as they shine down.

Looking over to Hiroshi, the old man opens his mouth, but stops. Hiroshi is completely engrossed in the sky... with his own mouth dangling as he stares.

The old man smiles... gently returning to looking at the sky himself.

Staying like this for a while... not a word was spoken among them.

???

You know...

Breaking the silence, the old man still holds his stare.

???

... About a month before her death... she told me she wanted to leave the bath house.

Hiroshi widens his eyes, looking away from the sky now to look at the old man.

???

... I hadn’t really known Sachiko too well myself... but I could see her weaknesses.

...

???

She breathed them.

...

???

Even I have my regrets...

Hiroshi bites the corner of his lip...

HIROSHI (VOICEOVER)

Yeah... I get it, old man... I understand.

???

On what was supposed to be her last day, she called me right as she got home from closing. I was already asleep at that point, healing these old bones for the next day, but she left a voicemail...

...

???

Do you want to hear it?

HIROSHI

I...

Hiroshi looks down.

HIROSHI

I do...

The old man holds a serious expression, looking from Hiroshi toward his phone. Slowly, he taps away at the screen, poking his finger into a different spot with each tap. After a moment, he turns the phone towards Hiroshi now... leaving the final moment up to him.

The play button sits right in front of him. All he has to do now... is press it.

His finger hesitates... but it eventually reaches its target. Immediately, the volume leaks out, and unsteady breathing can be heard.

“Boss! I uhh... I’m sorry. Please... let me stay. I don’t want to leave yet. I... I want to stay a little longer. I want to keep working the night shift. It’s a super selfish reason... but... I’ve been feeling happy recently.

Oh... uhh... I wouldn’t really say all this if we were face to face... so I guess I’ll just say it here then.

I... uh... met someone recently... at the bath house. I thought he was a bit of an airhead at first... but... each time he leaves, I think I’ve been wanting to see him again.

Ah! Don’t worry! I remember all the times you’ve told me not to rely on someone else for your happiness! I just, uh... I’m not sure yet.

I want to smile a little more... and most of all... I think I want to see him smile...

...

Pfft... Today, when I was leaving for the night, he was standing right outside smelling his armpits.

I guess he didn’t notice me, but he smelled his armpits like five times!

I mean... isn’t he a weirdo?

Oh, and then he looked at me, and I tried to play it off... I did end up just asking him if he liked armpits though... uh... maybe I shouldn’t have asked him that after all...

Honestly... he really is an airhead... ha... haha...

Oh... sorry... I forgot this is to get my job back.

Maybe I shouldn’t be sending this after all... Is there even a way to undo your voicemail?

...

I don’t see a button... well... it’s probably fine. Uh... anyways, that’s it... It’s a dumb thing I did... but I hope it’s no trouble...

No, obviously it’s trouble... sorry boss. I’ll talk to you soon.

I’ll end it there... Hopefully that’s enough... Huh? Why isn’t the hang up button wo—”

...

HIROSHI

H— Hah... wow. I uhh...

...

HIROSHI

Oh! I knew she thought I was weird from that!

...

HIROSHI

Come on... she should’ve just been honest at that moment!

...

HIROSHI

She really is something, huh?

Hiroshi looks over to the old man, cheesing from ear to ear. His eyes squint slightly, curving up only from the smile...

And for a moment... it almost feels genuine.

Without answering, the old man stares deep into Hiroshi’s eyes. The old man should be giving his hearty laugh by now... he should be putting his hands on his hips and harassing Hiroshi. Hell... he should be doing anything. Anything...

???

Hiroshi.

Hiroshi freezes, sucking in his breath.

???

...It is not selfish to cry.

HIROSHI

Eh... huh?

Confused, the corner of his mouth turns. His eyes widen slightly, coming up from his previously maintained squint.

Hiroshi looks once more into the old man’s unchanging eyes. Suddenly, his eyes widen.

A single tear falls. Then another one... and then two more.

Hiroshi brings his hand up to his mouth as the tears stream down from his eyes. Tightly cusping his face, he brings his other hand up as well, his breaths shakily escaping from the sides. Even more now, his tears well up, traveling down each finger until it drips into the snow.

Unable to see the old man anymore, the blurriness in his eyes takes over.

Hiroshi collapses to his knees. His knees scrape against the ground as he does, becoming cold and bruised from the snow. Eyes wide, his hands stay stretched over his mouth, and he looks up at the sky.

HIROSHI

Th— The... The sky... I— It’s so f*cking beautiful.

The petals fall lightly, making room for the stars to shine past them.

HIROSHI

I— It’s beaut... iful... They're... They’re beautiful, Sachiko!

They... they...

Hiroshi’s head starts to fall. His eyes turn into a squint now, with the remaining bit of his vision blocked by the tears that still flow.

HIROSHI

...Eh... u... hu... huh... e

The snow below him becomes filled with his tears, carving out indents, much like before, for his tears.

Suddenly, his shoulder feels heavy. Not a bad kind of heavy... It feels incredibly warm. Spreading from his shoulder to his side, the warmth feels alive.

???

Thank you, Hiroshi.

Hiroshi sucks in his breath, bringing his tears to a halt as well. Slowly, he brings his head up... and looks over.

Hiroshi’s entire face lifts. All at once, it scrunches up, and it releases within the same moment.

HIROSHI

Sachiko... Sa... chiko...

His tears fall heavier this time as he rests his head on her shoulder.

HIROSHI

This is what you wanted me to see...

...

HIROSHI

Isn’t it?

...

HIROSHI

And I... I! I wasn’t even paying attention...

Lifting his head off her shoulder, he looks her right in the eyes. Her gentle face matches Hiroshi’s gaze, smiling as her eyes soften even more than before.

SACHIKO

Thank you, Hiroshi.

HIROSHI

You...

Hiroshi hangs his mouth... and then after a moment, brings it into a light smile. The tears still fall, absorbing into the smile he holds.

Slowly, he shakes his head. Wanting to say a million things... he quickly changes his mind. None of them would change anything now.

He should’ve listened better. He should’ve paid more attention. He should’ve made room for her feelings too.

HIROSHI

I know.

Sachiko’s hands reach out, grabbing Hiroshi’s now. Hiroshi glances down to their hands for a moment, but then, one last time, meets Sachiko’s gaze.

SACHIKO

Thank you, Hiroshi.

Hiroshi’s face rises again, squeezing out the last of his tears. Gently, he tries to grab back... but there’s nothing to grab.

HIROSHI

... I know.

Sachiko is gone.