FROM BLACK WE HEAR:

CUSTOMS OFFICER
What are you in the UK for?

MIYAJISHI
I am... seeing a friend.

After a few seconds of silence, we hear the customs officer finally stamps on Miyajishi's passport.

FADE IN:
INT. CAR BOOT – NIGHT

From the perspective of a luggage inside the boot, we see the highway outside Heathrow airport. Cars passing by, and the lid is shut. The screen goes black again.

TAXI DRIVER(O.S.)
Where are you going?

MIYAJISHI(O.S.)
I am going to…

EXT. CENTRAL LONDON – NIGHT

From a car window, the moving image of central London is as lively as ever, and it slows down, and stops –

INT. TAXI – NIGHT

The taxi stops at a red light. It’s peak time traffic. Miyajishi looks at the city through the blurred car window. He checks his watch. The watch still shows Japan time.

MIYAJISHI is a 21 years old Japanese man. His beautiful appearance is attractive to both women and men, yet sometimes the trace of melancholy can be found in his eyes. He tends to keep distance with others, politely.

MIYAJISHI
Sorry, what time is it?

TAXI DRIVER
10 to 7. This watch is always fast.

MIYAJISHI
I will be late. Could you please drive faster?

TAXI DRIVER
I can try. Can't do much at this time though.

Miyajishi looks at his watch again, helplessly.

MIYAJISHI
Please don't go to my hotel anymore. Please go to the university straightaway.

TAXI DRIVER
You sure? Alright.

The driver glances back at Miyajishi. The light turns green. The driver steps on the accelerator.

EXT. STREET IN RESIDENTIAL AREA - NIGHT

The taxi drives past a quiet street as a lonely PASSENGER is about to cross.

INT. TAXI - NIGHT

MIYAJISHI
Sorry, can you find a flower store?

TAXI DRIVER
There aren't any here, but you can try supermarkets. They've got flowers.

MIYAJISHI
Sorry, but I need a flower store.

TAXI DRIVER
Okay.

INT. FLOWER STORE – NIGHT

It takes Miyajishi some time to consider before he picks up a bouquet of white tulips.

EXT. ENTRANCE, UNIVERSITY – NIGHT

A taxi stops at the entrance of an university. Miyajishi gets out of the taxi. With the bouquet in hand, he raises up his head to the night sky.

INT. ENTRANCE, CONCERT HALL - NIGHT

A tall BODYGUARD, standing in front of the closed entrance, stops Miyajishi while he tries to enter.

BODYGUARD
Sorry sir, the performance has started.

Miyajishi stares at the closed door. He is stunned.

BODYGUARD (CONT'D)
You will have to wait until the interval, sorry about that.

MIYAJISHI
But the singer is my...

Miyajishi resumes a quiet manner.

MIYAJISHI (CONT'D)
(beat)I understand. Thank you.

INT. TRADITIONAL JAPANESE-STYLE ROOM - DAY

The blinding sun shines through the half-opened paper doors in a traditional Japanese-style room with Tatami floors. An empty vase is placed on an empty wooden table; an empty birdcage at the corner of the room. A strange sound of whispering can be heard.

It's an ordinary midsummer in Japan.

INT. STAIRWAY, CONCERT HALL - NIGHT

Leaving behind his luggage, Miyajishi slowly walks down a dimly-lit stairway with flowers in his hand. Shining theatre posters are on the wall. Miyajishi suddenly stops and looks up at the ceiling. He then leans against the wall, recalling something.

HIKARU'S singing voice is distantly heard from the other side of the wall.

INT. BANQUET HALL, CONCERT HALL - NIGHT

The celebration party after the charity concert is held in a small room temporarily decorated as a banquet hall.

Performers including HIKARU enter the room and head to the front as the crowd, Miyajishi and DAVID applaud. HIKARU, a lively 22 years old Japanese singer who just made her singing debut in the west, is especially noticeable among the performers. Hikaru scans the crowd. As she notices Miyajishi is smiling at her, her smile is gone.

A few cameras flash. Hikaru turns her attention to the crowd as performers pose for photographs. After the photographs, the crowds applaud again. Performers blend into the crowd to greet their friends and families.

Miyajishi passes through the crowd to find Hikaru, who is hugging DAVID. DAVID, a 21 years old young British man, senses Miyajishi and makes eye contact with him before Hikaru let go of him.

DAVID
That was an amazing debut!

HIKARU
Thank you.

Hikaru sees Miyajishi, not appears to be surprised.

HIKARU
(in Japanese)
I am glad that you came.

She smiles to him.
MIYAJISHI
(in Japanese)
It's been a long time.

HIKARU
(in Japanese)
You missed a lot of my performance, right?

David interrupts the silence between the two by reaching out his hand to Miyajishi.

DAVID
Hi, I am David.

They shake hands.

HIKARU
(in Japanese)
He is my husband.

Miyajishi is shocked, but doesn’t show it – smiles at David.

MIYAJISHI
Nice to meet you.

DAVID
You are Hikaru's friend?

MIYAJISHI
Yes.

HIKARU
He is a friend of mine. We have known each other for so long.

DAVID
That's great! Should've let me know earlier that you have a friend coming.

MIYAJISHI
We were just... childhood friends.

David notices the flower bouquet Miyajishi is holding.

DAVID
Those for Hikaru?

HIKARU
(in Japanese)
Me?

Hikaru takes the flowers from Myiajishi.

MIYAJISHI
(in Japanese)
Sorry, I couldn't find better flowers.

DAVID
That's lovely. This is your first time in London?

MIYAJISHI
It's my second time.

DAVID
Fabulous. How's that for you? I hope you are having a good time.

Miyajishi nods and smiles at David instead of answering. A moment of some awkwardness between the two men before Hikaru breaks in –

HIKARU
(in Japanese)
Where are you staying?

MIYAJISHI
(in Japanese)
In a hotel.

HIKARU
(in Japanese)
Is that so. (pause)Your luggage... is still with you?

MIYAJISHI
(in Japanese)
I came directly from the airport, so...

Hikaru makes eye contact with Miyajishi. Miyajishi looks away, smiles at David again.

MIYAJISHI
(in Japanese)
Maybe we should speak in English so David can understand.

David looks at Miyajishi. He notices that his name was mentioned.

HIKARU
He is staying in the hotel.

DAVID
Okay, that's good. (pause)Did you come all the way from Japan?

MIYAJISHI
Yes, I did.

HIKARU
Tokyo?

MIYAJISHI
Yes, I flied* from Tokyo.

DAVID
Fantastic. I have been to Tokyo. I love it. I love the food.

MIYAJISHI
Did you go with Hikaru?

DAVID
No, I was 9, I went with my father for a business trip.

MIYAJISHI
(smile)Do you speak Japanese?

DAVID
No, but I'd love to learn it. I always feel that I need to learn some foreign languages. I think it's quite important to speak some other language than just English.

MIYAJISHI
I understand.

DAVID
Yeah I mean obviously your English is perfect. (pause)So where in London are you staying?

MIYAJISHI
Nearby Kensington.

HIKARU
Is it expensive?

MIYAJISHI
(in Japanese)
Don't worry.

David looks at Hikaru, looking for translation.

HIKARU
He said it's expensive.

DAVID
Oh really- (beat)Hmm, why don't you stay in our place instead? Why not? Right?

David looks at Hikaru. Hikaru shrugs at David.

MIYAJISHI
(smiles)No, I can't bother you. I will stay in the hotel.

DAVID
Come on! Stay with us. We've got a spare room, much better than the hotel.

MIYAJISHI
Thank you very much but I shouldn't-

DAVID
Don't be shy. That's a common thing in the west... to invite friends over. It's so funny because I know Japanese can be shy or I wouldn't be insisting. You know what I mean. Haha.

Miyajishi laughs with David.

HIKARU
(in Japanese)
Stay if you want. Don't worry, I don't care.

INT. TAXI - NIGHT

Resting her head on David's shoulder, Hikaru glances at the front seat, bitterly or sweetly. Miyajishi, staring at the windscreen, is observing either the night city or the reflection of the back seat.

INT. ENTRANCE, FLAT - NIGHT

Hikaru opens the door. Hikaru, David and Miyajishi enter the flat in the dark.

HIKARU
(in Japanese)
I am back!

As David turns on the light, Hikaru takes off her shoes swiftly and goes upstairs, leaving David and Miyajishi.

DAVID
Make yourself at home.

David helps Miyajishi with his luggage while Miyajishi takes off his shoes.

DAVID
Can I get you something? Water?

MIYAJISHI
I am alright, thank you.

DAVID
Lovely. Let me know if you need anything.

MIYAJISHI
Thank you.

Miyajishi gives David a beautiful smile.

DAVID
Oh it's nothing. (pause)Right, this is your room.

INT. HALLYWAY/GUEST ROOM – NIGHT

David takes Miyajishi through the hallway. They reach a locked room. David opens the door, turns on the light, and drops Miyajishi’s luggage in the room. He turns around – Miyajishi stands still outside the room.

DAVID
Oh! Do come in.

MIYAJISHI
Thank you.

As Miyajishi enters the room, David walks out the room.

MIYAJISHI
Thank you for letting me stay.

DAVID
You are very welcome.

The two face each other again by the door. The sound of Hikaru taking a shower comes from upstairs.

DAVID
You are the first person to visit Hikaru... from Japan I mean. I would love to know more about her time in Japan but she doesn't like to talk about Japan very much.

As David speaks, Miyajishi has a glance at upstairs.

MIYAJISHI
I was here before. In London. Two years ago.

DAVID
Oh yeah, I remember you saying that it was the second time you’ve been here.

MIYAJISHI
Yes.

DAVID
That’s good. So you came here to see Hikaru as well?

MIYAJISHI
I was doing an exchange year in York.

DAVID
York! It’s so funny because I am from York. Did you like it?

MIYAJISHI
Yes, I miss it. It feels different with London.

DAVID
Oh yeah. Definitely.

MIYAJISHI
But I don’t know why.

DAVID
People are more friendly, more patient, in general, they want different things in life – you know what I mean.

MIYAJISHI
I understand you.

DAVID
Right, I will leave you to it – you must be exhausted. (pause)See you later?

MIYAJISHI
See you tomorrow.

David is about to walk off –

MIYAJISHI(CONT'D)
Thank you very much David.

Miyajishi's voice calls David to turn back. Miyajishi gives David another warm smile.

DAVID
Oh it's nothing. Have a good night. (pause)Um... how do you say 'good night' in Japanese?

MIYAJISHI
It's - (in Japanese)Good night.

David is confused, by the sound of the language. He feels something strange yet warm.

INT. GUEST ROOM, FLAT – NIGHT

Miyajishi watches David walk away, and closes the door. He looks around the room - his luggage - the ceiling - and then the window.

He approaches the window and looks outside. He finds his reflection on the window is blocking his sight.

Miyajishi turns off the light. The room is dark, but the garden and the street view outside gets clearer.

A car passes outside, its tires clash against the road and make a wave-like sound.

INT. KITCHEN, FLAT – NIGHT

The wave-like sound continues. The microwave clock shows 00:29.

INT. 24 HOUR SUPERMARKET – NIGHT

Miyajishi scans all the alcohols on the shelves, can't find what he is looking for. Finally he grabs a pack of Japanese brand beer and some frozen foods from fridges. He goes to the counter where a young CASHIER awaits.

MIYAJISHI
Sorry, can I buy just one bottle?

CASHIER
No sir, it comes as a pack.

Miyajishi nods to show he will pay for the pack, but the cashier doesn't get it -

CASHIER (CONT'D)
Do you still want them?

MIYAJISHI
Okay.

CASHIER
Do you want a bag?

MIYAJISHI
Excuse me?

CASHIER
Do you want a BAG?

MIYAJISHI
Oh sorry, yes thank you.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Miyajishi walks out of the supermarket. The light shines through the glass door.

EXT. DOOR, FLAT - NIGHT

Miyajishi, standing in front of the door, realizes he doesn't have the key.

His finger on the bell, Miyajishi raises his head and glances at the window at the second floor- the light is off.

Miyajishi eventually withdraws his finger from the bell.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Miyajishi tries to stop a taxi with a hand gesture, as he holds a plastic bag with another hand.

A taxi stops in front of him.

INT. TAXI - NIGHT

Miyajishi shuts the car door, the wave-like sound stops.

MIYAJISHI
Please go to Hotel Kensington.

INT. KITCHEN, FLAT - DAY

The microwave clock shows 5:58.

MIYAJISHI(O.S.)
(voice-mail message)
It's me. Sorry I am... in the hotel. I am fine so don't worry. Give me a call when you wake up, will you? And... never mind.

The microwave clock now shows 5:59.

EXT. PARK - DAY

The sunset shines on a few blooming blossoms trees with Georgian style houses in the background.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Miyajishi, sitting on the bed in his hotel room, is reading a book. TV is on, although he isn't watching.

Disturbed a bit by the TV sound, Miyajishi turns off the TV in order to concentrate on his read, however he soon finds everything is too silent without the TV on. He looks up at the ceiling.

Miyajishi turns the TV back on, stares at the TV screen without watching the program.

EXT. THAMES RIVERBANK - DAY

*THE FOLLOWING CONVERSATION BEWTEEN MIYAJISHI AND HIKARU IS SPOKEN IN JAPANESE

A few pigeons wander on a street near the Thames. They walk away when Hikaru and Miyajishi approach. It's a sunny and nice afternoon. Hikaru and Miyajishi are taking a walk along Thames.

HIKARU
They are indeed cherry blossoms.

MIYAJISHI
But it’s April now…

HIKARU
It’s probably just different species.

They reach a quiet street.

MIYAJISHI
It was a very good performance.

HIKARU
Thank you. I knew you'd say so. (pause)But you missed the first half.

MIYAJISHI
How did you know?

HIKARU
Your seat was empty.

MIYAJISHI
(beat)It was good. I meant it.

HIKARU
I knew.

MIYAJISHI
So this is what you want, being a singer?

HIKARU
Yes, it is.

Miyajishi glances at Hikaru's side face. As Hikaru glances back at him, he turns away to avoid eye contact.

HIKARU
You had the time to stroll in the park, yet you didn’t have time to call me again.

MIYAJISHI
I thought you’d call me.

HIKARU
If you were going to leave anyway, you shouldn’t have come. David was shocked.

MIYAJISHI
Sorry about that. (pause) I went out to buy something, and I didn’t have the key to get in.

Hikaru looks at Miyajishi, confused for a second. The moment of realization. She laughs.

HIKARU
David didn’t give you the key? Are you kidding?

MIYAJISHI
No.

The two laugh together for a short moment, but soon they remember where they are.

MIYAJISHI
(withdraws smile)David seems to be a nice person.

HIKARU
How about you? You have met someone?

MIYAJISHI
Not really.

HIKARU
I think it's time for you to get married.

MIYAJISHI
Why?

HIKARU
Because that is our age.

MIYAJISHI
(laughs)That's true.

HIKARU
I think the Japanese take marriage too seriously. Here they take the marriage as a experience. It is more about feeling, just like experiencing the change of seasons.

MIYAJISHI
Seasons, huh? (pause)You still remember the band you created in high school?

HIKARU
Of course I remember.

MIYAJISHI
I remembered at the time I had just transferred from Kyoto, and you were quite popular on stage.

HIKARU
(beat)Ha, now I don't understand why at the time I would give up my band for you.

MIYAJISHI
(beat)Speaking of this, I met Misaki a few weeks ago in a bookstore in Asakusa.

HIKARU
Really? Is she still playing guitar?

MIYAJISHI
No, she works for the bookstore company. She is an office worker now.

HIKARU
That's why I don't like Japan. How about you? Have decided which company you will work for?

MIYAJISHI
No, I think I will travel.

HIKARU
Travel?

MIYAJISHI
Yes. (laughs)You know, like someone said to me, 'to find out about the past and the future', right?

HIKARU
(beat)You didn't change. (pause)Enough about the past. Tonight I have my last performance. David wants to invite you to join our celebration dinner. And you should really stay in our place for the rest of the week. Your luggage is still there. Hotels are too expensive in London. Just check out today and come back.

MIYAJISHI
Alright, I will be there.

HIKARU
I wonder where they are now.

MIYAJISHI
They?

HIKARU
You know, Small Green and Small White.

Silence. The shadow of leaves is visible on the ground.

MIYAJISHI
(beat)You think it was Small White that lived?

HIKARU
Perhaps.

MIYAJISHI
(pause)Somewhere in the forest. They move during the winter, and come back during the summer, I heard.

The shadow of leaves now becomes invisible.

EXT. TOKYO - DAY

The skyline of Tokyo is burnt orange at sunset.

EXT. LONDON - NIGHT

The skyline of London is blue violet at night.

INT. SHOWER, FLAT – NIGHT

Dressed Miyajishi just finished his shower. He wraps his neck with the towel and exits.

INT. KITCHEN, FLAT - NIGHT

A laptop playing Jazz music in the kitchen. Miyajishi smiles, takes out a bottle of water from the fridge. As he drinks it, David suddenly appears by the door -

DAVID
(beat)Hey! Em... Hikaru has just given me a call from the concert. She couldn't make it tonight.

MIYAJISHI
(beat)Really? (pause)Why?

DAVID
Her band had a surprise party for her.

MIYAJISHI
I see. Don't worry.

Miyajishi turns around, faces the sink instead of David. He turns on the tap and fills his bottle with water.

As Miyajishi turns back to David, he gives David a smile.

DAVID
Hmm... we can still have a dinner. I mean, I already bought them.

Speaking, David shows Miyajishi a bag of sushi sets from some Japanese takeaway.

David(CONT’D)
Hikaru told me to buy them.

David moves the laptop on the table away but leaves the music on. He puts the bag on the table.

DAVID(CONT’D)
You drink beers?

MIYAJISHI
Yes.

David grabs two beers from the fridge and opens bottles. As he opens the second bottle-

MIYAJISHI
I…

The second bottle is opened.

DAVID
Here you go.

David gently puts two beers on the table.

MIYAJISHI
Okay. Thank you.
The two sit down.

DAVID
(in Japanese)
Cheers.

They drink. Miyajishi then looks at the beer bottle.

DAVID (CONT'D)
It's an English beer.

MIYAJISHI
I see.

David takes out sushi sets from the bag. Witnessing this, Miyajishi takes out the chopsticks from the bag, a pair for David and a pair for himself.

MIYAJISHI (CONT'D)
Do you know how to use chopsticks?

DAVID
Em... yeah a little bit. Hikaru taught me a bit. Well you can tell if I am wrong.

MIYAJISHI
Ok.

They break their chopsticks. As Miyajishi makes the soy sauce and wasabi sauce for them both, David watches him.

David picks up a sushi with chopsticks and dips it in soy sauce. He eats the sushi. A bit of soy sauce drops on the table.

Miyajishi then has a piece of sushi as well.

DAVID
Japanese food is amazing. I always like sushi. (pause)You are going back to Japan next week?

MIYAJISHI
No, I changed my plane. I will travel around Europe.

DAVID
That's fantastic.

MIYAJISHI
Thank you.

David is clearly not a drinker. He gives Miyajishi a hesitant little smile. They drink.

DAVID
Do you like the sushi? The franchise is very popular in London. I meant you definitely know sushi better than me. Hikaru like them. She doesn’t really care about food though.

MIYAJISHI
It’s good. I know.

Silence.

Miyajishi(CONT’D)
If you don’t mind me asking –

David
Yes?

Miyajishi
What do you want for your life?

DAVID
(beat)Oh, I am a photographer. I graduated last year.

MIYAJISHI
What kind of photos do you like?

DAVID
I work with models.

MIYAJISHI
(smiles)Do you take nude photos?

DAVID
(beat)Haha, yeah well it just depends. Sometimes.

MIYAJISHI
That's very courageous.

DAVID
Thank you. (pause)By the way, are you also from Tokyo?

MIYAJISHI
No, I am from Kyoto. I went to Tokyo to study high school and university.

DAVID
Me too, kind of. I came to London for university… and then I met Hikaru.
Miyajishi nods, opens his mouth – but doesn’t say anything.

DAVID(CONT’D)
At the time she was a third year student in my university.

MIYAJISHI
I see.

DAVID
(laughs)It’s so funny because if you told me I’d get married 2 years ago I wouldn’t believe it. She is just so nice don’t you think?

Miyajishi nods.

DAVID(CONT’D)
So you guys were in high school together.

MIYAJISHI
Yes, we were – (pause)we used to have some pet birds together.

DAVID
Pet birds?

MIYAJISHI
Yes. I don’t know how to call it in English. Let me check.

Miyajishi takes out his phone and searchs for translation.

MIYAJISHI(CONT’D)
Oh, it’s called white-eye bird. Just some childhood things. They died soon.

Jazz music from the laptop stops with a few piano chords and a fade-out.

David puts down his chopsticks.

DAVID
You know –

MIYAJISHI
I -

DAVID
Oh sorry.

David gestures for Miyajishi to go ahead.

MIYAJISHI
(points at the dark laptop screen)I used to play piano, and I wanted to learn jazz, but it was completely different.

DAVID
Oh really? What kind of piano do you play?

MIYAJISHI
Classical music.

DAVID
That's good. Why do you want to learn jazz?

MIYAJISHI
Jazz is very popular in Japan.

DAVID
Okay that's good. I think Hikaru also said that. It's funny because I start to listen to jazz because of her.

David drinks up his beer, glances at the sushi box, picks up his chopsticks and grabs a piece.

DAVID (CONT'D)
You know sometimes I feel I need to be more - proactive...

MIYAJISHI
What do you mean?

DAVID
(plays with chopsticks)I mean like you, how you want to learn jazz even though you are a classical pianist. I just feel - I am too much of a coward.

MIYAJISHI
I don't think so.

DAVID
(laughs)You know how I met Hikaru? I was in this Japanese culture society at the uni. You know, all about anime and stuff. And Hikaru was the only real Japanese person in the club. She told me she joined the society because she wanted to make friends and practices her English. And one day she asked me out - she was the first woman to ever ask me out. And that's how I met her.

MIYAJISHI
(beat)I can understand.

DAVID
But it was me who wanted to get married. I told her. She wasn't even that surprised. She just agreed.

Miyajishi nods. David makes eye contact with Miyajishi, and smiles. A bit nervous, David stands up, opens the fridge and takes out two bottle of beers -

DAVID
Do you want another one?

MIYAJISHI
I am ok. I haven't finished this one yet.

DAVID
Okay.

MIYAJISHI
Ok, I will have another one.

David laughs. He finds the opener and opens the bottles. His movements show he is tipsy, perhaps.

DAVID
Why don't we go sit in the garden?

MIYAJISHI
Ok.

Miyajishi stands up and starts cleaning up the table.

DAVID
It's okay. We will do the clean-up later.

David exits the kitchen with two opened beers in his hand.

EXT. GARDEN - NIGHT

The two are sitting on wooden chairs at the backyard garden, holding beer in their hands. David glances at his front, and looks at Miyajishi.

DAVID
So you were together before.

MIYAJISHI
Excuse me?

DAVID
(smiles)You and Hikaru were together before.

MIYAJISHI
(beat)What? No.

DAVID
She told me last night. Don't worry, I don't mind at all. She also told me that you went to the same university, and you did the exchange programs together but ended up having to go to different unis. And after that she transferred to my uni, but you went back to Japan.

MIYAJISHI
(pause)Yes, at that time she said she wanted to find out about the world and go to foreign countries.(beat) But we weren't really couple. In fact, I refused her.

DAVID
(smiles)Because you didn't like her?

MIYAJISHI
I don't know David.

DAVID
(beat)Oh it's fine. Sorry if you don't want to talk about it. It's fine. Was it rude?

MIYAJISHI
No no. It's just - (pause)I didn't regret it... as much as I regret.

DAVID
That's interesting.

MIYAJISHI
Sometimes the more you care, the less you can get it right, I think.

DAVID
Yeah... I can feel that.

Silence. Drinking.

MIYAJISHI
(smiles)But there are as many women as stars in the sky. I guess sometimes people just have to... move on. So I have forgotten about her. Don't worry.

They look at the sky.

DAVID
(pause)Man, you are so interesting.

MIYAJISHI
Thank you.

DAVID
I mean really. I think I am falling in love with you.

Miyajishi laughs.

DAVID (CONT'D)
(beat)When my mom passed away, it was 15 years ago, I told my dad the same thing. Of course I was sad, but when I became an adult I wanted him to move on, but he wouldn't.

MIYAJISHI
I am sorry.

DAVID
It's fine. And suddenly he was gone, and I got married, so much happening... (pause)But yeah, I agree with you.

MIYAJISHI
It's alight. I have faith in you.

DAVID
(smiles)I hope so.

David looks down at the bottle in his hand.

DAVID (CONT'D)
(beat)You know I have been thinking, maybe we can em - go back to York before you leave, just for a day or two. You know, my old house is still there, I will show you around... and you can do whatever you want. You and me.

David makes eye contact with Miyajishi -

DAVID (CONT'D)
(pause)And Hikaru.

Miyajishi is caught a bit surprised for a moment, but he quickly resumes a polite manner and smiles to David -

EXT. PARK – NIGHT

Twilight in a park with blossom trees. The blossoms on the tree have died due to the sudden warm weather, but the green leaves continue to thrive.

A flying green bird stops and rests on a branch for a short moment - it turns its head, then flies away. The branch shakes for a long time.

Following the bird's direction, to reveal:

The bird is nowhere to be found.

FADE TO BLACK -

MIYAJISHI (V.O.)
Last year they got divorced. David said he had finally found himself.

MIYAJISHI (V.O.)
It was the spring before we departed for the England. One afternoon, one of my pet birds flew away from its cage.

MIYAJISHI (V.O.)
White-eye birds are paired species, they cannot survive alone. So she had her own pair, and I had mine. After my white-eye bird flew away, we decided to put the one that is left behind together with her pair in a cage.

MIYAJISHI (V.O.)
At the beginning her pair was frightened by the newcomer, but after one evening, they seemed to get along. As we thought everything was settled, one morning, we found one of the female birds died, curled up at the bottom of the cage.

MIYAJISHI (V.O.)
Perhaps it was because of the loneliness... right? We couldn't find out which one it was, mine or hers. She took the dead bird out and let the rest of the birds go. She told me she felt like a murderer.

INT. JAPANESE-STYLE ROOM - DAY

YOUNG MIYAJISHI half sits whereas YOUNG HIKARU lies down. Both at 16, they are looking at each other. Miyajishi has a rope in hand.

MIYAJISHI (V.O.)
(in Japanese)
The summer after my white-eye bird died, we decided to commit suicide. I asked of her, if she would die with me, she said ok. We didn't know what to die for, nor did we know how to die.

Miyajishi begins to tie Hikaru's legs. Hikaru is looking at the empty vase in the room.

MIYAJISHI (V.O.)
(in Japanese)
What drove me was the imminence of the future, and knowing that we could never go back to that moment if we kept moving on.

YOUNG HIKARU
(in Japanese)
Please tie my legs tightly. I heard that when people chock, their legs flail about and make a strange sound, as if someone is clapping.

Hikaru's legs are half tied. Miyajishi touches Hikaru's skin unintentionally. He looks at the side of Hikaru's face. He stops tying.

YOUNG HIKARU
(in Japanese)
I hope there were some kind of blossoms in the vase, so that they might fly back next year.

FADE OUT.