Chapter 12:
By Your Side (Epilogue)
Enharmonic
FADE IN:
INT. YUUKI’S ROOM - DAY
The phone dial tone rings and Yuuki holds his breath as he anticipates his mom to answer the call. She answers.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Yuuki? Why are you calling me?
YUUKI
We need to talk.
MRS. YAMASAKI
It’s about the financing isn’t it. I don’t have much time right now.
YUUKI
Please. I really want to talk to you.
Yuuki’s unexpected pleading tone makes her reconsider ending the call.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Okay. What is it, Yuuki?
YUUKI
I feel like I’ve never been able to give you a proper explanation for why I want to major in music.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Okay. Go ahead.
He takes a big breath to brace himself then continues.
YUUKI
Remember back when we first moved to New York? I had a really hard time making new friends at my new school and the environment was so foreign to me. That was the first time I truly felt comforted by music. Before that, going to piano lessons was a chore for me, but I really started enjoying creating tunes and melodies that matched my mood. That was the only thing I had in control of my life back then.
He takes a moment to sort the thoughts in his whirling mind.
YUUKI (CONT’D)
I’m really grateful for all the instruments you and dad bought me back then and I really thought I had your support when it came to music. I know this is gonna sound cringy, but I feel like I owe my life to music. It made me feel safe when I didn’t know what was going on. I want others to feel comfort from the music I create too.
Yuuki stops for a response from his mom, but she has not said a word. After a while, she answers.
MRS. YAMASAKI
I never knew you felt that way. Why didn’t you tell me this?
YUUKI
Well… It’s kinda embarrassing. I didn’t think you cared either.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Yuuki, I care about you. Why do you think I opposed your major in the first place? I want you to have a secure future and be able to provide for yourself.
Yuuki tears up a bit. It’s the first time he had heard his mom say anything like that.
YUUKI
I know that, but…
He wipes away a tear, but keeps his voice steady, so his mom doesn’t realize he’s weeping on the other side of the phone.
YUUKI (CONT’D)
Wow. I really did make a selfish decision didn’t I…
MRS. YAMASAKI
Yes you did, but I understand where you’re coming from now.
YUUKI
You do?
MRS. YAMASAKI
Yes. Yuuki, I worry about you everyday, but I want you to be happy too. I still don’t think music is the right path, but are you willing to give it your all to make this dream a reality.
YUUKI
Yes! Of course I will! I’ve been trying my hardest this whole time.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Okay. I’ll talk to your father about your education again and get back to you.
YUUKI
Seriously?! Thank you so much. Really. And… I’m sorry about everything that has happened in the past few years.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Apology Accepted. Make sure to eat. Take care.
YUUKI
Okay. Bye.
The call ends. Yuuki falls onto his bed, happy with the outcome, but also bewildered at the fact it happened. Years of stress and other burdens are suddenly lifted off his shoulders. The tears he had been holding in stream down his face.
YUUKI
So that was all I had to do this whole time. Just talk.
FADE:
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY
With the urgency of finals season and the project deadline closing in, the month of May ends in a blink of an eye and the film club successfully submits their short film. The team restlessly awaits for the festival results to come out.
TIME SKIP:
EXT. LA FILM FESTIVAL - DAY
The group is pleased to walk through the crowd of people all in an excited buzz. There are several booths set up with food and brochures for the arts. People gather anxiously at the stage in order to hear the results of the contest.
ANNOUNCER
And the winner is…
FADE:
EXT. MANHATTAN BEACH PIER - SUNSET
The members gather near the bonfire; some making smores, talking around the fire, while others play volleyball off to the side.
ERIC
Great job everyone! Second place is still a big flex!
ASAMI
It is! But that first place film was really good.
MAYA
I know right, but now we know what we’re competing against next year.
ERIC
We’ll work our ass off next year and get first!
Although the team doesn’t win first place, they’re more than happy to have gotten second place. To celebrate their accomplishment and hard work, they plan a beach bonfire that weekend. Yuuki sits off to the side in a somber mood. Asami notices.
ASAMI
Hey, what's wrong? We should be celebrating!
YUUKI
It’s just… I could’ve done better with the music. If only I didn’t go MIA for a whole month, we could’ve won. Maybe my music was lacking.
ASAMI
Don’t blame yourself. This was a collaborative project. Your music was amazing and it really enhanced the film.
He smiles at her reassurance.
YUUKI
I guess we’ve still got next year. Sorry I didn’t mean to be depressing.
ASAMI
That’s right! We’ve got this!
They watch as Eric, Maya, and the other club members grow motivated about working on next year's film.
YUUKI
Hey, can I talk to you privately?
ASAMI
Yeah oh course!
They stroll over to the pier just as the sun starts to dip along the horizon.
YUUKI
I just wanted to apologize again and say thank you for everything that has happened in the past few months.
ASAMI
Don’t worry about it! I’m really glad you were finally able to talk to your mom about this too.
YUUKI
Yeah. I’ve been so focused on trying to prove her wrong and everything I did was out of spite, but honestly you kinda made me realize I was wrong.
ASAMI
What?! I didn’t do anything! You were able to overcome this conflict on your own. I should be thanking you too. Seeing the way you talk about music has been really inspiring. You know what? I’m gonna do it.
YUUKI
Do what?
ASAMI
Change my major to art!
YUUKI
Seriously?! That’s great!
ASAMI
Yeah I’ve always considered art to be a very lonely path of competing against others, but this project made me realize what I truly wanted to do. I didn’t realize how encouraging it would be to be around others with the same passion.
YUUKI
The environment helps a lot.
ASAMI
It really does. And as you said before, I won’t be able to impress everyone, but doing what makes me happy is the ultimate reward.
Yuuki’s ringtone emanates from his pocket. He pulls out his phone to see who is calling him.
YUUKI
It’s my mom.
ASAMI
Oh my god. Are you gonna answer?
YUUKI
I don’t know…
They look at each other and Asami nods, urging him to answer. Yuuki answers the call.
YUUKI
Hello?
MRS. YAMASAKI
Hi. Your father and I watched your film online. Miyuki sent it to us.
YUUKI
Oh. Thanks for checking it out, but we didn’t win first place…
MRS. YAMASAKI
That’s alright. You put your all into this project, right?
YUUKI
Yeah I did.
MRS. YAMASAKI
Then that’s all that matters. We think you did a great job.
YUUKI
Really?
MRS. YAMASAKI
Yes. Keep up the good work.
YUUKI
Thank you!
He looks at Asami, who’s also smiling while listening to the flow of the conversation.
MRS. YAMASAKI
That’s all. I’ll talk to you later? Okay?
YUUKI
Okay. Talk to you later. Bye.
ASAMI
So? What did she say?
Without thinking, Yuuki hugs Asami, nearly lifting her into the air. Asami hugs him back joyfully. They both laugh.
ASAMI
Seems like we both got what we wanted.
YUUKI
Yes we did! Damn. That was one hell of a semester.
They both look out at the sunset, surfers catching waves below them and seagulls flying overhead. They suddenly hear their names being called from a distance. It’s Eric and Maya.
ERIC
There you guys are!
YUUKI
We were just talking.
ERIC
Sure. Just talking, huh.
MAYA
This beach is really nice! We should walk to the end of the pier.
ASAMI
Yeah, let's go!
They all cheerfully make their way down the pier, resting their arms upon the wooden railing. The breeze rustles the locks of their hair, only enhancing the calm they feel after achieving their goals. Sure, they are all aware the future may hold more in store, but all that matters right now is the present, their unity as friends, and the golden lights fading behind the undulating waves, bringing their journey to an end.
THE END.
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