DUO – Episode 6: “Unspoken Rivalry”

Theme: Tension beneath the surface

Tone: Subtle, introspective, emotionally restrained

Visual Style: Cooler color palette, evening tones, more focus on glances and expressions

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[OPENING SCENE]

Visuals: Montage of the three walking the Tokyo streets—now a regular sight. Streetlights flicker on around them. They stop by old shrines, markets, rooftops.

Music: Lo-fi beats slowly shifting to ambient strings.

Title Card: DUO – Episode 6: “Unspoken Rivalry”

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Scene 1: Three on the Move

Location: Akihabara side streets

Ito snaps photos while Yuji and Kusabimaru fix broken headphones at a pop-up cart. Customers pass, but Yuji keeps glancing at her.

Yuji (softly):

“She always finds something beautiful in chaos.”

Kusabimaru (not looking up):

“You talk about her more than you work these days.”

Yuji pauses, embarrassed. Kusabimaru finishes a repair with more force than needed.

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Scene 2: Quiet Confessions

Location: Nearby vending machine at dusk

Ito and Yuji walk alone. She shows him a photo of him laughing from earlier.

Ito:

“I think this was your real face. Not the one you wear when you’re quiet.”

Yuji:

“You see a lot in people.”

Ito (soft):

“Only the ones who are hiding.”

Yuji wants to say something more, but can’t. She smiles and walks ahead.

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Scene 3: Jealous Sparks

Location: Bridge overlooking the city

Kusabimaru leans on the railing, smoking. Yuji joins him.

Kusabimaru:

“You like her?”

Yuji hesitates.

Yuji (quiet):

“I think I do.”

Kusabimaru (flat):

“She likes someone else.”

Yuji looks up sharply. Kusabimaru flicks the cigarette over the edge.

Kusabimaru:

“Wake up, Yuji. Not everyone’s looking for someone to save.”

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Scene 4: The Train Station Drift

Location: Back at the old station platform – late night

They sit in silence. The same spot they first met.

Yuji:

“You don’t like her, do you?”

Kusabimaru:

“She’s alright.”

Yuji (insistent):

“But she looks at you like—”

Kusabimaru (cutting him off):

“Don’t read into things.”

The silence turns cold.

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Scene 5: Ito’s Diary (Montage)

Visuals: Ito alone, reviewing her photos. Flashes of Kusabimaru—sharp angles, caught mid-thought. Then Yuji—soft light, blurred smiles.

Ito (V.O., from a journal):

“Kusabimaru is like a spark I can’t control. Yuji is peace. But why do I always follow the fire?”

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Scene 6: Breaking Bread, Breaking Distance

Location: A small ramen shop

They eat in silence. Tension is thick.

Ito tries to lighten the mood.

Ito:

“I found a new rooftop. Want to check it tomorrow?”

Yuji (soft smile):

“Sure.”

Kusabimaru:

“I’ve got other plans.”

Ito looks a bit surprised. Yuji notices. Jealousy simmers.

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ENDING SCENE

Location: Yuji walking alone – night rain

He watches the city skyline, headphones in, Ito’s photo in his pocket.

Yuji (V.O.):

“Something’s changing. Maybe it already has.”

He looks back over his shoulder—Kusabimaru’s not behind him.

Fade to black.

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[END CREDITS – Theme: Lo-fi track with low violin notes]

Post-Credit Scene: Kusabimaru alone at a street fight ring. Bloodied knuckles. He smiles bitterly.