1. INT - KITSU'S LIVING ROOM - MORNING

JENNIE
(to Kitsu)
Good morning!

Jennie stands to greet Kitsu as he comes down the stairs. He pauses, momentarily thrown off by her sudden presence. Meanwhile, his MAID (40) enters, holding a cup of coffee.

MAID
(setting the coffee on the table)
Miss Jennie has been waiting for you for a while.

Kitsu tilts his head, puzzled.

KITSU
Why are you here?

JENNIE
I just thought I’d stop by. I always visited you when we were in school.

The maid smiles fondly.

MAID
Shall I prepare breakfast for you both?

Jennie squeals like a child.

JENNIE
Really? I’d love that! I’ve missed your cooking so much.

Kitsu stifles his irritation.

KITSU
(exasperated)
I have urgent work to attend to. I won’t be able to stay for breakfast. Please excuse me.

He walks past Jennie and heads out of the house. Leaving her and the maid in an awkward situation.

2. INT - MIZU'S OFFICE - DAY

Mizu sits at her desk, typing. Ruka glances at her occasionally, sensing the cold distance between them. After a moment, Ruka gathers her courage, picks up a paper, and approaches Mizu’s desk.

RUKA
(hesitantly)
The document is ready.

Mizu scans the paper, considering it thoughtfully. She then looks up at Ruka.

MIZU
(calmly)
You still have a lot to learn. I don’t think this role suits you, given the workload.

Ruka opens her mouth to respond but hesitates, staying silent.

MIZU
I may need to start looking for a new assistant. You can continue as my apprentice, but with the pressure here, there’s little time for learning and adjustment. I need someone with more experience.

Ruka nods.

RUKA
I understand. It would be the best.

MIZU
Hmm.

Mizu gives a slight nod. Ruka returns to her desk, glancing back at Mizu.

RUKA
(V.O.)
You’re upset, but you won’t say what’s really on your mind.

She lowers her gaze, disheartened.

RUKA
(continued V.O.)
When you said we could be friends… did you not mean it?

Ruka looks over at Mizu, who remains focused on her typing, oblivious to her surroundings.

3. EXT - SHOOTING LOCATION - DAY

Kitsu poses for photos as Jennie walks in, waving at him. The hairstylist steps in to adjust his hair. Kitsu offers her a polite but indifferent smile. Jennie settles under Kitsu’s shade without acknowledging NIKI and ASHI, who exchange knowing glances. Ashi coughs, catching Jennie’s attention.

JENNIE
(surprised)
Oh! Hey there.

Ashi and Niki also force a smile.

ASHI & NIKI
Hey.

Their fake friendliness is obvious. Moments later, Kitsu returns to his shade, and Jennie quickly clings to him. As Kitsu takes a seat, Jennie hands him a drink. He accepts it, his expression showing mild irritation as he sips.

JENNIE
(with concern)
You’re sweating. Let me wipe it off!

She pulls a tissue from her bag, but Niki intercepts, taking the tissue.

NIKI
I think that won’t be necessary.

She hands the tissue directly to Kitsu.

KITSU
Thank you.

Jennie shoots Niki a dirty look but gives up eventually.

4. INT - IN THE CAR - DAY

Kitsu’s phone keeps ringing. Each time he silences it, the caller redials. Finally, he answers.

KITSU
Hello?

5. EXT - KITSU'S YARD - DAY

Jennie sits on a chair under a shaded area in Kitsu’s yard.

JENNIE
Kitsu! You finally picked up. When are you coming home? I’m waiting for you.

INTERCUT – PHONE CONVERSATION

The scene alternates between Kitsu in the car and Jennie in the yard as they speak.

Kitsu raises an eyebrow.

KITSU
Wait...where are you right now?

JENNIE
(proudly)
At your house.

Kitsu’s brow furrows deeper.

KITSU
What are you doing there?

JENNIE
I brought lunch for you. I cooked it myself.

Kitsu closes his eyes in silent frustration.

KITSU
Jennie, I’ll be late. You should head back home.

He ends the call, turns his car around, and mutters to himself.

KITSU
(V.O.)
I bet she wouldn't leave anytime soon. Where can I go at this moment?

Jennie frowns, staring at her phone as he hangs up.

JENNIE
(determined)
I’ll wait until you get back. You can’t ignore me like that.

Her expression hardens with resolve.

INTERCUT ENDS

6. INT - INSIDE THE CAR- DAY

Kitsu taps his finger on the steering wheel, as he gazes at the road. Suddenly his face lights up. He takes the phone and slide into his messages, types something and send it to the person and waits patiently for the reply.

7. INT - RUKA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Ruka is eating her snacks while reading a book. Suddenly her phone buzzes. She opens it, her eyes widening.

The screen displays: "Where are you?" The sender is Kitsu.

RUKA
(surprised)
Kitsu?

At first, she held the phone with one hand, but now she grips it with both of her hands and shifts around from her comfortable sitting position.

RUKA
(in her head)
Why would he message me? Did something happen?

She squints her eyes.

RUKA
Did something happen to Mizu?

Immediately, she types back: "I’m at home. Is something wrong?" She grips her phone tightly, eagerly waiting for a reply, her eyes glued to the screen.

A moment later, she receives a response: "Ok."

RUKA
Huh? What kind of reply is that? What does he mean?

She starts typing again.

"Why did you ask that? Did something happen?"

Ruka waits for a while for Kitsu's reply, phone still in hand, but she gets no response at all. So she puts her phone down, her interest in the snacks beside her fading. Her gaze suddenly drifts to the large photo frame of Kitsu. She looks sharply at the photo frame.

RUKA
(in her head, squinting)
I have a bad feeling about this.

After finishing her snacks, she clears the area and heads to her room. Moments later, she returns to the living room, throwing her body over the couch while opening the book again. Suddenly, the doorbell rings.

RUKA
(in her head)
Mizu?

Hastily, she goes to the photo frame and removes it from the wall along with the plushie. Biting her lip, she stands with the photo and plushie in her hand thinking for a while. She places the plushie inside one of the cabinet drawers and rushes to her bedroom with the photo frame.

8. INT - IN FRONT OF RUKA'S DOOR - DAY

As she opens the door, her jaw drops on the floor.

RUKA
(in disbelief)
KITSU?

Kitsu smiles at her. Ruka looks panicked. She looks around and pulls Kitsu into her room and closes the door immediately.

9. INT - RUKA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Ruka and Kitsu stand in front of the door, both looking puzzled and confused.

RUKA
(Restlessly)
Why did you come here so suddenly?

KITSU
Chill.

He turns his back to explore her room.

KITSU
You’re so neat and tidy.

A look of amazement spreads across his face as he moves around the room, while horror fills Ruka's eyes.

RUKA
How do you know my room number?

Kitsu turns to face Ruka.

KITSU
(Blatantly)
Well, I asked the security guard.

RUKA
(Bewildered)
What? Did he see your face?

KITSU
No. I wore my mask and hat.

Kitsu says this proudly, and Ruka sighs in relief. Kitsu starts to walk around the room, and Ruka follows closely behind.

RUKA
You just showed up out of the blue? Did something happen?

Kitsu takes a seat on the couch while Ruka stands at a distance.

KITSU
Well, a rising actor is visiting you. Shouldn’t you show some gratitude?

Kitsu looks at Ruka, waiting for her response.

RUKA
(in her head)
They both treat this place as if it’s theirs.

She snaps back to reality.

RUKA
I thought there was an emergency.

KITSU
There is one.

Ruka pauses for a moment.

RUKA
What is it?

KITSU
You see, I haven’t eaten anything since morning.

Ruka gives him a awkward smile, and Kitsu returns the same energy.

RUKA
Of course, you’re hungry. I’ll make something for you.

She moves toward the kitchen area.

RUKA
(in her head)
Of course, they just barge into the house whenever they want and orders around like it's normal. No wonder they sticks together.

She looks into the fridge. When she turns around, she finds Kitsu peeking from behind her. Startled, she quickly moves aside, but Kitsu just smiles and takes her spot, casually looking through the refrigerator while holding the door open. Ruka looks at him in astonishment.

KITSU
Have you had lunch yet?

RUKA
(V. O.)
Oh my God! Whoever said a celebrity crush is better from afar was 100% true.

Kitsu watches her, waiting for an answer. Ruka gathers her composure.

RUKA
Not yet.

KITSU
(Happily)
Fine. Since I came unannounced, let me cook for you today.

RUKA
Huh?

Kitsu starts to pick some vegetables as Ruka regains her senses.

RUKA
Mr. Kitsu, please don’t trouble yourself. Let me cook.

Ignoring Ruka, Kitsu takes some vegetables from the refrigerator and places them on the kitchen counter. Ruka follows him around.

RUKA
Mr Kitsu... I...

He suddenly stops, causing Ruka to bump into his back. Ruka scratches her forehead.

KITSU
If you want, you can help.

He then takes off his jacket, making Ruka freeze in her spot. With his back facing her and his arms exposed in a half-sleeved t-shirt, he walks toward the couch, places his jacket on it, and turns back to Ruka, hands in his pockets.

KITSU
Do you like it that much?

Ruka snaps out of it, trying to think something to defend herself. Kitsu simply smirks.

KITSU
Let’s make rice with meat and vegetables.

Ruka nods and follows his instructions.

10. INT - KITCHEN COUNTER - DAY

They stand at the kitchen counter, which occupies one side of her living room. Ruka cuts the vegetables while Kitsu washes the rice. Ruka looks back at him, taking in his appearance and totally forgetting that she needs to cut the veggies.

KITSU
(Without even looking back at her)
If you want to stare, you can just sit down and let me do the rest.

Ruka immediately turns away, silently cursing herself.

RUKA
I was just making sure if you can really cook. You don’t really have to.

KITSU
Well, cooking is not something that's unusual for me. I often cook for myself.

He returns to Ruka as he finishes putting the rice in the cooker.

RUKA
Really?

They share a look. Kitsu smiles and grabs a knife.

KITSU
I’ll chop the meat.

RUKA
(V.O. - smiling to herself)
Seems like this crush is much better up close than afar.

They work side by side, stealing glances at each other, smiling and chatting.

11. INT - JENNIE'S HOUSE - DAY

Jennie storms in, throwing the lunch boxes onto the floor. Her maid rushes in after her.

MAID
Is the cooking bad, Miss Jennie? I did my best while preparing it!

Jennie storms into her room without responding.

12. INT - JENNIE'S BEDROOM - DAY

She slams the door shut, flinging her bag onto the bed before dropping into it with a heavy sigh. Her breathing is quick and furious.

JENNIE
(Gritting her teeth)
You won’t even look at me, no matter how hard I try!

She takes a moment to calm herself, a smirk creeping across her lips.

JENNIE
(V.O.)
But I'm not someone to give up that easily. I will find my way to you.

An evil determination etched on her face, her eyes sparkling with resolve.