The coffee shop is quiet.The old man behind the counter watches Rin as she restlessly moves around the shop.
He approaches with a gentle look.
- Rin, dear… why not take the rest of the day off?
Rin tries to protest.
But he holds her hands firmly, smiling in a way that tells her it's okay.She finally gives in.
After changing out of her work uniform, she glances back at him.Her expression twists into something like a growlBut he only chuckles with a cheeky grin.
Flustered, she storms out with a pout.
Outside, a voice cuts through the street
- IS THERE A COFFEE SHOP AROUND HERE?!
She turns.Makoto is standing there, shouting.
And on his backLuca.
Her eyes widen.
- Hey! What happened to you, Luca? Are you okay?!
Makoto blinks, confused by her familiarity.But Luca, despite his weakened state, reaches for her outstretched hand.
His breathing steadies.His eyes close.He falls into exhausted sleep.
[Dreamscape]
High school.The halls are full, yet he's invisible.
Alice walks by.Doesn't even glance his way.
A world without sound.Without color.Only emptiness.
- Where did I go wrong? Did she ever love me?
Faces blur in his memory.Times he hid. Times he laughed off the pain.
He sees himselfCowering before family.Cowering before friends.
Running.Always running.
Now?The path has ended.The way behind him is gone.
He just stands there in the void as time flows.His age shifts teenager, adult, child over and over.
A forgotten memory plays through his mind
A small boy curls up on the ground, clutching his knees.Tears stain his face as the voices from his past flood him.
- Where'd you come from, weirdo?
- You should just cut it off that dumb hair of yours!
- Why's your hair black and gold? Looks girly!
The group of bullies laughs.
Something fliesA bag smacks one of them.
- You three are loud. Get outta here before I flatten the rest of you.
The voice is sharp, confident.
A middle school girl with green and black hair stands there.
The bullies scatter.
Another girl rushes in, panting.
- Rin! You need to slow down!
- But Miyabi, they were bullying this kid.
Miyabi spots him bruised, shaking and shrieks.They both help him up.
- Th-thank you…
Luca tries to walk away, but Rin steps in front of him.
- Hey. Want me to walk you home? I can protect you in case those suckers are still around.Or… you could stay here with us a while. Tell us what's wrong.
He grips his backpack.Nods.
They stay at the park.For the first time, he laughs out loud.
Both girls stare then smile.
- They always make fun of my hair. Say it's not normal.Some think I dyed it to look cool BUT I DIDN'T, I swear!… But maybe it's my fault too. I never speak up.I'm scared… what if no one likes me? I don't like being alone.
Miyabi opens her mouth, but Rin beats her to it
- Would they really be friends if you had to fake who you are?Real friends stick with you through everything.So you never have to fake it ya hear?
Her voice softens.
- Plus… I think your hair's pretty cool. Almost like mine.
His eyes widen.She swings back and forth.
- So you can always reach out your hand, okay?And I'll grab it so you're never alone.
[Dream fades]
The wall before him in the void cracks.
The child in him steps forward.He raises his handIt passes through.
On the other side…A familiar smile.
[Reality]
He opens his eyes.
Rin's face hovers above his.
Her warmth.Her smile.
- Good morning, mister. You've been asleep for a while.
He reaches up, brushing her cheek.
- You were so loud back then.
Flustered, Rin punches him in the stomach
- CAN IT!… Oops. Sorry.
He laughs. She laughs.
They talk for a while.She hugs him tight, burying his face against her chest.
The sun sets.The moon rises.
Her head rests on his shoulder.
- Where's your place? Let me walk you home.
- Don't act like some tough guy, mister. Walking me home pfft.
She pinches his side.
- Give me like… five minutes.
They walk to her apartment.At the door, they pause.
- I'm sorry for not recognizing you before, Rin.
She flicks his forehead.
- Relax. You apologize too much. Plus, it's been years. You moved away, right? It's all good.
- Alright… I'll stop sorry. Oh by the way, how's Miyabi?
Her eyes darken for a second.
- She's alright. Just busy with work. Office job. Busy, busy.
- I see. Would be nice to see her, but… yeah.Anyway, I'll head off now. Rest well, okay?
She smiles, ruffles his hair.
- You may be bigger than me now, but you're still cute. Goodnight, Luca. Get home safe.
- …Goodnight, Rin and thank you.
The door closes.Inside, Rin stands still.Her hand grips her arm.
- Miyabi…
Luca arrives at Makoto's apartment.Knocks.
Makoto opens the door.
Oh welcome back! How you feeling, Luca?
Before he can answer
- Who's there? Is that Luca? Hey, Luca! Over here!
- COURSE HE CAN HEAR YOU, SILLY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE SHOUTING!
- HUH? I'M SHOUTING?! LOOK IN THE MIRROR, YA PSYCHO!
Makoto walks into the room.Luca lingers at the door, awkward.
- SAYS THE PSYCHO DATING THE PSYCHO!
- OF COURSE I'M DATING YOU, I LOVE YOU, DUMMY!
- AND I LOVE YOU TOO, SILLY, BUT YOU'RE STILL A PSYCHO. Wait… Luca? My bad, dude. Come in!
Makoto gestures toward his screen.
- Luca, meet my girlfriend, Misha. Just like you, she came here for a bit, but she went back to America after high school.
- Nice to meet you, Luca. Makoto's told me a lot about you.
- Nice to meet you too. He's been really helpful.
Makoto grins.
- Why, of course. Now tell me, bud who's the girl that took you away today?
Both of them look at him, eyes curious.He turns away, flustered.
- She's… just a good friend from the past. She's always saved me. I want to help her too, someday.
They exchange knowing smiles.
Makoto laughs.
- Well, I'm just glad you're okay now. You scared me earlier, for real.But in the future aside from her you can rely on me too, dude.Or if you just wanna chill, play games, come over. Got it?
He offers a fist bump.Luca meets it.
That night, Luca heads home.Sleep comes quickly.
The next day, he meets Makoto outside.From then on, they walk to class together.