(11.1)
{The scene continues from Muichiro's room, he's on a call with someone.}
Caller: Huh, who're you calling rusty? God I wish you'd make that brain of yours actually work.
Muichiro: Coming from someone that has to lube his every 12 hours...
(Silence for a while...)
Caller: Pfft!
Muichiro: (chuckles)
(Both laugh over the phone for a while.)
Caller: Aaaah, how you doing kiddo?
Muichiro: I'm good old man, how're ya?
Dad: I'm alright son, how's school?
Muichiro: Yunno how it is... Class here, another there...
Dad: Yeah haha, takes me back a bit, but it's worth it in the end. So what's up?
Muichiro: Dad... I'm not gonna butter anything up so I'm going to say why I called.
Dad: Oh?! So you didn't call to say hi?
(Muichiro chuckles lightly.)
Muichiro: I think it's time I got my own bike.
(There's silence for a while in the room, the standing fan blowing gently, Muichiro sighs.)
Muichiro: I know it sounds all too sudden for now but I wanted to let you know... I'm ready to be responsible with a motorcycle.
Dad: ...You really know what you want, don't you, kid?
(Muichiro sits up a bit.)
Muichiro: I feel I'm ready, I may be 19 but definitely not a kid anymore. I've been riding for a very long time and I feel I'm just that good to start now. Besides, I don't wanna be reliant on the public transport for too long...
Dad: What's wrong with that?
Muichiro: Nothing really(laughs nervously.)
Dad: So...(Sternly) What if I said no... What would you do, be honest with yourself.
(Muichiro smirks)
Muichiro: (sighs)well, with the little savings I got, I would buy something I can afford and look away with my head held high.
(Muis dad smiles.)
Dad: You've not changed a bit haha, you're still my same little kid... You've never quit cos of a simple no.
(Mui scoffs lightly.)
Dad: So... What you got?
Muichiro: (scratches his head) Well I was thinking I'd pay 45 and you could help out with 55 percent hehe
(Dead silence for 2 seconds.)
Dad: Oh, alright. I'll do you one better even. Send your details, I'll post it to you soon enough.
Muichiro: (really, it was that easy?) sure, hey thank you so much for doing this for me old man. I really appreciate it.
Dad: It's alright kiddo, You're doing the right thing, just focus on you, responsible life and good health... You're the lion of your own jungle so keep it safe.
Muichiro: (smiles) Thank you dad, take care of yourself.
Dad: You too bud, we'll talk later.
(Hangs up!)
(Muichiro lies and sighs in relief on his bed, he looks to his ceiling and smirks.)
Muichiro: Well... There's that now.
(End!)
(11.2)
(Flashback scene)
{12 years ago... Atsuta‐ku, Nagoya.}
{It's a warm summer afternoon, the wind blows gently, the street commutes with life and automobiles. The view is panned in to a residents neighborhood, down the road towards the left, it focuses on a bright coloured bungalow.}
{Inside, a man is working on a motorcycle by it's garage. Tools clatter and spanners twist as he seems to be changing the oil. Outside, in the distance, a boy is running, he runs into the main house.}
Boy: Hey dad!
(Sees nobody.)
Boy: Dad? (Yells)Hey dad, where are you!
Dad: (yells) I'm in here Mui kun!
(Little 7 yr old Muichiro runs out to the garage, sees his dad pouring oil into the bike.)
Muichiro: Hey dad, (curious) what you doing?
Minato: well son, I'm trying to fix what's wrong with the bike... I was checking if it was the oil that needed changing and I was right.
(He tries to start it... It doesn't work,.)
Minato: ah.
(Tries again, no juice, third time, no dice.)
Minato: (it didn't work)
Muichiro: Hey, old man(bored) it didn't work.
(Minato's face twitches.)
Minato: (This kid...) don't worry kiddo, I'll get it to work. I just need to find out what's wrong.
Muichiro: (thinks hard) hmm... Ah!
(He runs to the toolbox beside the car and carries the lighter one to his dad, he strains as it's still a bit heavy.)
Minato: What're you doing?
(He brings out something, a spark plug and gives it to him.)
Minato: (spark plug?) what're—
Muichiro: I saw you bring the new ones home recently and when I saw this one, it has already cracked at the side, see...
(He points and Minato looks to finally see it was the spark plug that had actually slit a crack at the side, he smiles.)
Minato: (he's a very smart kid, even I didn't notice the crack and I've been working on the bike for some days now.) good work Muichiro, you solved the problem for me... Thank you.
(He fixes the broken plug and lets Muichiro start it for a reward. The bike comes to life and the scene pans over, revealing a 1978 Honda CBX. He revs it and the bike loudly responds, Muichiro covers his ears with a smile on his face.)
Muichiro: it's loud!! Awesome!!!
(Minato shuts it off and goes over to Muichiro, he pats his head.)
Minato: Good work once again for fixing the bike son, for your reward, we're gonna take it to your favourite restaurant to get lunch and you get the bigger share.
Muichiro: (excited) Really?
(Minato bends down.)
Minato: After that, were going to the drag strip when the sun goes down to watch a few races... Maybe I'll join them too, Yunno.
Muichiro: Yeah! thanks dad(hugs him and runs inside to change clothes.)
(Minato also goes in to clean up, minutes later, they are on the bike going to the restaurant as the camera pans up.)
(End.)
11.3
(Muichiro's monologue plays.)
{It's evening time, Muichiro and Minato are at the drag strip, watching a few bikes and cars rev it at high speeds down the sticky road. Muichiro is in awe and excitement as he watches the cars and bikes fly at high speed, the atmosphere is lovely with cheers and other activities going on.}
Muichiros monologue: (My dad, Minato Sasaki... Is my role model. I've always looked up to him from childhood, he... Was a man that could make things go in his favor, a very intelligent man and the thing I liked about him the most... He always went with his gut.)
Muichiro: (curious) Hey dad, why is there black stuff on the road? and it looks sticky too.
Minato: That is called track bite, it's a resin... A special kind of glue sprayed to the floor so the tires for the car can stick closer to the ground.
Muichiro: Ohh, ah(points) it's the bike racers!!
(He runs to the safety fence.)
Minato: (observing him)such a great kid, I'm happy to have a kid like Muichiro. Curious, free little rascal... Sadly I haven't had enough time to break the news to him... News that old CB won't be with us anymore.
Muichiro's monologue: (my dad would work really hard just to make sure I had a smile and a full stomach... Ma left the house after divorcing when I was just a bit over 2 years... We didn't have much money while I grew up and he's been taking care of me since then. He's my best friend... Who am I to be unappreciative?)
Muichiro: Hey dad, that man said it's your turn(excited) I finally see your race!! It's exciting.
Minato: (pats his head) it sure is buddy, time to see what CB can do again, haha!
Muichiro: Aah(gleaming) go get em dad, you can win this!!
(Muichiro keeps cheering his dad, his dad smiles at him and waves.)
Minato: (well... At least I get to max her out one more time.)
(He puts the helmet on, does his burnout, while people marvel at the sound of the bike, comparing it to other variants for it's unique sound. Minato stages against his opponent, lights go out and the racers go on the track. Shifting gears, they race towards the half mile finish line, heavy revving and shifting in-between and Minato crosses the line milliseconds before the opponent. The timer reads and the crowd cheers at the results. Muichiro runs in joy and congratulates his dad from the sidelines.)
(The scene fades to the night, 7:30pm, the boys are back home, Muichiro is watching TV his dad is cleaning up, he takes out the trash and while returning, he spots the bike, exhales deeply and walks slowly towards it.)
Minato: Hey CB, it's been a wild one hasn't it. I feel like I failed as an owner, I thought I'll be able to keep you here for much longer, things fell apart and i..(twists the handle) I couldnt keep you as long as I thought...,(sits on it) They're coming to get you tomorrow (sobs, cleans face.) I'm crying for a motorcycle haha, I may not ride you but I hope someone carries your legacy.
(Just then Muichiro walks out, his expression unreadable.)
Muichiro: Hey... dad.
Minato: Oh, mui kun, is there a problem, you look worked up...
(He doesn't respond.)
Minato: Mui kun...
Muichiro: You had a message on your phone...
(He shows his dad, his dad looks at him in shock and regret.)
Muichiro: (angry) Why didn't you tell me they were coming to take your bike from you?
(Fade out)
Minato: Shit...
(End!)
11.4
(The scene continues.)
Minato: Oh.. umm... I...(sighs heavily) I don't wanna lie to you kiddo, but it's more than the bike... You might have to sit down, son.
Muichiro: (confused) Wh.. what are you saying?
(Minato walks past him, grabs two chairs and they sit.)
Minato: I got framed and fired Muichiro.
(Muichiro gasps in shock)
Muichiro: F-f-f...
Minato: ...
Muichiro: What did they do?
Minato: They... they planted some documents and company money in my workspace and my locker, and then said I embezzled it to give to a rival company...
(Muichiro breathes heavily, mind racing)
Minato: (mui kun) When I was reported, the money they framed me with... They increased the price from what they actually took there... They said I took a higher amount than what was actually found... I was fired from the company on the spot... Was already low paid... and now.. fired, and since they framed the amount too, they said I have to pay with something from my belongings if I can't afford the cash... Sadly, ol' CB is the best I can do to satisfy them.
(Muichiro grits his teeth, writhes in anger.)
Muichiro: (quietly) Why?
Minato: Hmm...?
Muichiro: Why... Why does CB have to be the one to leave? Why didn't you tell me about it before, dad?
(He sobs, sniffling lightly.)
Minato: ... I'm sorry kiddo, I didn't want you to get worried about my own problems.
Muichiro: Still, it's not just about the problems, CB is family, dad... I don't want you to let them take it away.
(Minato grits, sobs lightly and pats Muichiro on the head.)
Minato: Hey Muichiro, CB is a great bike, a rare work of art in machine form... and no matter where it ends up, it's always gonna stay that way cause that's it's DNA. This may not matter much but I get a bit of interest after I unwillingly have to sell her... If it's to see my boy healthy and happy, then I'm willing to give up all I have for you, son.
(Muichiro sobs, cries on his dad's shirt, Minato pats his back gently.)
Minato: (hopefully, the next rider would carry it's racing legacy.)
Muichiro: I promise...
Minato: ah..
Muichiro: Dad, you couldn't be the racer you wanted cos the jewel was taken from you. So you're career got cancelled... But I promise.
(He sits up, wiping his tears.)
Muichiro: I'm gonna carry the legacy of your bike racing...
(Minato gasps, imagines Muichiro as a pro bike racer.)
Muichiro: (hyped) I'll be the best bike racer in town and then... In all of Japan!
(Minato smirks, chuckles.)
Minato: You're aiming really high my boy... It's a long way to the top, you know that right??
Muichiro: I'm ready for it then... I'll do whatever it takes to be the best... You can count on me!
Minato: I sure can bud.
(They fist bump with smiles on their faces.)
Muichiro's monologue: (The Honda was taken the next day afternoon... I remember shedding a few tears before remembering my promise to my dad. I didn't wanna let anything cross my mind, I already set it to be the best. They gave my dad a few thousand yet, it wasn't much but he didn't complain about it. To be honest, seeing the bike leave my home that day... That had to be one of the worst days of my life.)
(Two years later...)
Muichiro's monologue: (Around two years later, we got luckier, well, sort of... My dad had to get odd jobs just to get us by. Thankfully, he had no complaints with his employers or people he did deliveries for. Things we're looking up and life was still pretty good. Then one day, we suddenly had a surprise visitor.)
(Door knocks, opens, a man appears.)
Man: Yo, Minato, wassup big bro?(smiles)
Minato: (gasps) Juro...
(He sits down and Mui and Minato are also seated on the opposite side.)
Juro: Yeah, yeah, I said I was in town for a few days because I needed to finish some work.
Minato: Still though... You could've said you're coming over, given me time to prepare.
Juro: haha, I didn't prepare a visit... I just thought it'll be fun to jump in on my big brother once a while.
(Looks to Muichiro.)
Juro: Little Muichiro has grown up a bit too. How are you kid?
Muichiro: I'm fine, Uncle Juro.
Juro: Your dad tells me you're into bikes and bike spotting, have you spotted anyone lately
Muichiro: Oh...(nervous) Haha. Not really, i- I haven't really felt like it for a while now.
(Juro sighs.)
Minato: Mui's a great kid, Juro, but ever since we lost CB, he hasn't really done anything concerning motorcycles.
(Juro thinks for a while.)
Juro: Big bro, you have to forgive me but another truth why I'm here is because I wanted to offer you a job
Minato: Jo..b...? What are you saying?
Juro: I'm saying, for a while now I've known about your unemployment status... And what you had to do daily just to keep peace and smiles on your faces. I know the whole story
(Squeezes fist) and it didn't sit right with me that I couldn't do anything... So, usually when we we were kids and I told you stuff about yourself, I memorized some of your skills and somehow got some job offers that fit your skills.
(Minato gasps in shock, Muichiro gazes.)
Juro: There's only one side to it... You'd have to move to Tokyo by next week. I know that might not be the easiest part that's why–
Minato: I'll do it.
Juro: Eh?
Muichiro: (excited) Dad!!, we're moving?!!
Minato: Yes son, Juro, lemme see the offers, I'll find one and we can move to Tokyo next week.
(Juro smiles, snickers.)
Juro: You really are ready for anything Big bro, not changed since day one.
Muichiro's monologue: (They spoke for a little while longer and Uncle Juro left, the next week, we moved with my uncle to Tokyo, it was the beginning of a new life... Uncle was nice enough to sign me in a little bike league when I was 10, at 15, I had competed in lots of official and local races and had a clean winning streak, I had a nickname haha "Guided bullet" I guess that's how they felt about how quick I was, I even surprised my coach most times and he made bank and a name off my talent but I didn't care, cos I just wanted to keep racing. My dad was also doing well with his new job. An office worker that got promoted within a year because of his cunning intellectual ideas he accidentally said out loud while being a guest at a meeting. He rose up fast and is in a much better place now... we both are. Big thanks to Uncle Juro for changing our lives forever cos moving to Tokyo was the best decision I feel we ever made.)
(END OF FLASHBACK!)
(End!)
11.5
(Three days later, present day.)
{It's 4 pm in the local shopping district. Shops are bustling with customers accordingly, it's a slightly breezy weather, leaves sway slowly. Muichiro is seen walking among the shops, earbuds in he casually strolls across.}
Muichiro: (Lately I've been so busy... I haven't even had time to go back to the hospital.)
(Sighs, runs his hand through hair.)
Muichiro: (I didn't think getting one would be so stressful... Well, at least its done now, I'll just wait for their call like they said.)
(Suddenly his phone rings, he picks up via earbuds.)
Muichiro: (that was fast) Hello...
Caller: Yo, Mui kun.
Muichiro: Oh, Gloomlord... Wassup?
Obito: I'm not a Gloomlord!!
Muichiro: Hahaha, course you are, always been number 1 since high school.
Obito: Ugh... Anyway, I need your help on something, you mind coming over to my place for a while?
Muichiro: Uh.. yeah, that's alright.
Obito: Okay man, see you.
(Hangs up.)
Muichiro: (Now I have to help a kid with his homework too.)
(He sighs and while walking, he suddenly looks at the show glass of a female accessories and cosmetics shop. He stops, looks at the storename, looks around for a few seconds, 2 girls pass by him talking to each other and he looks back at the same accessory that caught his eye... He sees female customers inside, flusters up, his face turning beet red.)
(Scene switches to Obito's room, Muichiro is at the doorway, watching Obito struggle with a heavy box and shelf, trying to get them off his body.)
Muichiro: So... Is this what you do when no one's around?
Obito: (struggles) shut up! I tried to get something from the box and it fell off, seems the shelf was happy so it joined. Somehow, I managed to have my phone with me.
Muichiro: I see... I see... So what exactly is my business here, Obi kun?
Obito: (groans) Argh! Aren't you listening?!
(Muichiro chuckles, the shelf is then picked and arranged and Obito and Muichiro are checking through the items in the box.)
Muichiro: Going through a box with stuffs like these, must be pretty something important you're tryna find.
Obito: Not really, It's just a bunch of novelty and nostalgia. I'm tryna find one of my older scripts I wrote some years back.
Muichiro: Ohh? you're ready to take some bigger steps... (Leans in) Are you planning to perform to the Ms. we saw last time??
(Obito flinches, swats him off.)
Obito: Don't say bullshit, dumbass.
(He sighs.)
Obito: By the way, you've been away from school for some days now... What's up with that?
Muichiro: Ah, (runs hand behind neck)umm... I actually had another place to be during that time, the final day is today so even at that, once they call me, I have to go back for the last test.
(Obito observes him.)
Obito: That so..
(He goes back rummaging.)
Obito: How's Naori by the way?
(Muichiro side eyes him.)
Obito: Lately, I noticed that from our little circle, you're the one that has more of an interest in her.
Muichiro: Checking on her doesn't inherently mean anything, does it now?
Obito: To a mutual friend, sure it's a sign of kindness... The way you visit her on the other hand is seemingly more effective.
Muichiro: Elaborate...
Obito: I went to see her on Monday, if there's one thing I noticed about Nao chan, it's that she has.. no, she had a smile on her face when I used to check on her in the past. That day, it was the first time I saw her force a smile on her face when I was there. (scoffs) I didn't want to believe it but outside the chat we had, she just seemed... like she was waiting for someone else... It doesn't end there, as even on the day we all went, she was looking... Focusing on you a bit more, it was subtle but the concentration was present.
(Muichiro doesn't respond, he then gets a text.)
Muichiro: It's the test team, I have to go.
(He walks to the door.)
Obito: You like her, don't you?
(He freezes.)
Obito: Muichiro.
(Silence lingers as the fan blows in the room.)
Muichiro: Are you against it, Obito?
Obito: ...
Muichiro: Would it bother you if I dated Naori?
(Obito sighs softly.)
Obito: Nahh, Take care of her, bro.
(Muichiro grins slightly, leaves the room.)
Muichiro: I'll see you.
(Door closes.)
Obito: Lucky bastard(although... I should've asked him to stay a bit... Who's gonna help me lift the box back?)
(End.)
11.6
{7:55 pm the hospital. The scene pans into Naori's ward.}
Naori: (I have two more days here and I can return after that... Somehow, I still haven't seen him since that day... It's been three days since then...)
(squeezes her blanket, looks out the window.)
Naori: (He's coming, I... I usually don't feel so agitated and I don't know why I feel this all of a sudden... still, I just feel he would. He promised after all.)
(She waits for a bit longer.)
(8:58 pm... visiting hours are now over and the hospital night staff are coming in.)
Naori: So, he didn't come right? (Sighs, looks down light grabs the blanket.) Guess I'll go to bed now.
(She lays on the bed, covers up.)
Naori: (What was I expecting anyway? Muichiro... you dummy.)
(A tear runs down her cheek... Two minutes later, a bike engine is heard racing towards the hospital entrance. Muichiro parks, turns it off, jumps off, and rushes in, food in hand at the last moment. He sees a nurse at the reception.)
Nurse: Sorry, sir, visiting hours are over. You can't see patients now.
Muichiro: I know, but please, I don't care what I have to do, this visit is important.
Nurse: Sir, we can't...(Exhales, leans him in silently) But I understand you, and I want to help. I can pass you in, but you're going to be spending the night over.
Muichiro: (Sighs) That's fine.
Nurse: There's a spare bed in her ward you could use, just don't fall off.
Muichiro: Thank you, nurse.
Nurse: Nah, I've seen how you treat Ms. Futaba since she got here initially.
(Muichiro scratches his head and laughs nervously.)
Muichiro: Eh, haha, what are you saying, miss?
Nurse: You like that girl, don't you?
(Muichiro freezes, then smiles.)
Muichiro: Yeah... I do.
Nurse: Then I'm saying it's a good thing you care this much about her. Shows how much you're willing to do for her.
(She lets him through.)
Nurse: Go on, she's waiting for you. Plus, the food in your hand will get cold, she may not like that.
Muichiro: Thank you, nurse.
(He hurries to Naori's ward.)
(In the ward, Naori is laying down when she hears running sounds down the hall. She gasps, turns slowly, Her ward door opens.)
Muichiro: Ah! I made it! (Pants lightly.)
(Naori beams up quietly.)
Muichiro: Hey.
(Muichiro approaches her side. He sits beside her.)
Muichiro: How've you been, wh–
Naori: (Quietly) You're late.
Muichiro: I know, I'm sorry. Something came up these past few days, and I didn't know it'd take so long to fix. But–
(She sits up and gently hugs him from behind, pulling him close.)
Naori: ...I was worried you wouldn't come again tonight. I thought you forgot about your promise.
Muichiro: ...I'm sorry I scared you like that.
Naori: (I don't know why... but still, Mui-kun, don't go.) Are you... still leaving tonight?
Muichiro: Nah... Look, I brought dinner for us. I'm here with you through the night.
(Naori is flustered, but happy.)
Naori: (Smiles)That's great then.
(They enjoy the takeout dinner as the scene fades to of the hospital building.)
Muichiro: So... Is it good? Do you like it?
Naori: Yeah, this is good. (All of this... All of it is good right now.)
(The scene fades out of the hospital window, over to the parking lot slowly pans down over Muichiro's new motorcycle, a blue Yamaha R1 before it fades out.)
(End.)