Chapter Three – Bad News and Good

Evening shot of trees and a hillside. The sky is darkening and the first stars are out. Over the city in the distance the indigo of the night sky is polluted by the light made by men. A train passes in the distance. The view changes to a lane with trees either side, large well-kept suburban houses line the road. As the view moves again we see a line of power pylons and then we see two figures sat on the grass looking at the view. It is Seiji and Shizuku's special place. Seiji is sat upright, leaning back against a concrete berm. His legs are apart and Shizuku, her back to him, is between them leaning back in his lap. The boy's arms are held gently round her tummy and she rests her hands on his.

Cut to:

A close up of Shizuku in profile. She is dozing, eyes half closed, her thoughts far away. She's humming snippets of a tune quietly to herself. It's Country Road.

Cut to:

A close up of Seiji. His face is serious and he seems to be thinking hard, he looks troubled. A waft of breeze ruffles his hair.

Seiji: "Shizuku?"
Shizuku: "…Mmm?"
Seiji: "Was it hard for you when I was in Italy for two months?"
Shizuku: "Yes, I missed you a lot. But in a way it helped me too because I got so much done. I really found out a lot about myself, what I could do, what I still need to do to be better."
Seiji: "Well… Um... I have some bad news. And some good…"
(Shizuku sits up and turns to look at him)
Shizuku: "What?"
Seiji: "The bad news is I'm going away for a few weeks in August, uh… about three weeks. The same violin maker I went to before is holding a special summer course."
Shizuku (unhappy): "Oh, Seiji, that's great – will you get special tuition?"
Seiji: "That's right. This master only offers places to the most promising students he has seen over the last year. It's a great honour that he contacted grandpa and mentioned my name specifically. That means he thinks I show potential. It's going to really help me."
Shizuku: "This is hard. I was looking forward to being with you all summer."
Seiji: "Well, that was the bad news. There is good news too…" (he has a glint in his eye)
Shizuku: "Tell me!"
Seiji: "I knew you'd be unhappy about this. So I contacted the place in Cremona and asked a few questions about the residential arrangements…"
Shizuku: "And…?"
Seiji: "Well… how would you like to come too?"
Shizuku (pleased and amazed): "What? Go with you? Oh, Seiji, that would be amazing!"
Seiji: "Whoa – wait, wait." (he lifts a hand toward her, palm outwards in a defensive gesture) "You need to discuss this with your parents. Grandpa and my mom and dad have agreed to cover my costs but you… well, you know… (he shrugs) the flight won't be cheap…"
Shizuku (jumping up): "I'll talk to them right away!"
Seiji: "Please don't get your hopes up too high. Look, I've committed myself to going, it's a big break for me. But I know you'll be upset if you can't go, so please, you need to be realistic about this, the world can't revolve round you all the time."

Cut to:

An outside view of the Tsukishima apartment block. It's dark. Lights are on in some windows. We faintly hear a TV.

Cut to:

The kitchen. The table has the usual family clutter on it. Shizuku sits at one side of the table, her mother and father, Yasuya, at the other side. We've seen this kind of scene before.

Mr. T: "I realise how important this is for you Shizuku, but it is very expensive. And the issue is its three weeks away from your study time. You can't afford to take a holiday like this when it's important that you prepare for school in September."
Mrs. T: "And we worry about you. You will be on the other side of the world, all alone…"
Shizuku: "Mom, I won't be alone. I will be near the teacher that Seiji is with, I'm sure he will keep an eye on me, please don't worry on that account."
Mrs. T: "Of course we worry, you've never been so far away from home before."
Shizuku: "Dad, I can take my school work with me. I'll have lots of time for that when Seiji is in his classes. And it will be such an opportunity. I'll try learning another language and – and… there is so much great stuff in Italy – history and art and everything, it will be the experience of a lifetime! Think how much it will help me when school opens again in September!"
Mr. T: "What, lying by a pool sunning yourself for three weeks?"
Shizuku: "Dad! It won't be like that. I promise I'll study whenever I can."
Mrs. T: "You said that last year, and look what happened then, you got this writing project started and your grades went down so steeply. We were worried. How can we trust you?"
Shizuku: "Mom. You can. I'm older now. I promise."
Mr. T: "Well, as long as you promise not to waste the time…."
Shizuku: "You mean I can go? Yaaaaaay!" (she leaps up).
Mrs. T: "We still have to consider the cost Shizuku, this is going to take a huge chunk out of the money we have saved up."
(too late, Shizuku runs round the table and hugs her mom)
Shizuku: "Mom, dad, you're so cool. I love you!"