DUO – Episode 7: “The Distance Between Heartbeats”

Theme: Slow drift, emotional confusion

Tone: Introspective, emotionally charged

Visual Palette: Washed blues, slow camera pans, overcast skies

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[OPENING SCENE]

Visuals: Kusabimaru stands in an alley behind the street-fight ring, blood dripping from his hand. He stares at it like he doesn’t feel the pain.

Title Card: DUO – Episode 7: “The Distance Between Heartbeats”

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Scene 1: Rooftop Without Him

Location: Abandoned rooftop in Shibuya

Music: Ambient guitar

Ito sets up her camera. Yuji sits next to her, legs dangling off the edge. The view is incredible—endless Tokyo lights under grey clouds.

Yuji:

“He said he had plans.”

Ito (casual):

“He always does lately.”

She doesn’t sound angry—more curious. Yuji tries to smile.

Yuji (soft):

“I’m glad you invited me.”

She snaps a photo of him without warning.

Ito:

“That smile’s real.”

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Scene 2: Kusabimaru’s Spiral

Location: Underground gym

He punches a bag endlessly, ignoring trainers shouting. His mind flashes—Yuji and Ito on rooftops, laughing.

Fury builds. He stops suddenly and stares at his fists.

Trainer:

“You gonna fight for real next time?”

Kusabimaru (flat):

“Only when it’s worth it.”

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Scene 3: Shared Umbrella

Location: Backstreets, light rain

Yuji and Ito walk, laughing faintly under a small umbrella.

Ito (teasing):

“You’re not bad company when you loosen up.”

Yuji:

“I’m trying. Because… I like you.”

She stops walking. Rain falls quietly between them.

Ito (gentle):

“You’re kind, Yuji.”

She doesn’t say she likes him back. But she smiles, and keeps walking.

Yuji’s heart sinks, but he follows.

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Scene 4: The Lie Between Brothers

Location: Tokyo station underpass – night

Kusabimaru lights a cigarette. Yuji arrives, slightly soaked, bag of instant noodles in hand.

Yuji (offering it):

“Didn’t eat?”

Kusabimaru (taking it):

“Didn’t feel like it.”

They sit side by side. Silence.

Yuji (quiet):

“Ito said she likes someone else.”

Kusabimaru stares at the ground.

Yuji:

“Do you know who?”

Kusabimaru (shrugs):

“No idea.”

His lie lingers in the space between them. Yuji doesn’t press.

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Scene 5: Ito’s Thoughts

Location: Her apartment, alone at her desk

She scrolls through photos—Yuji’s soft eyes, Kusabimaru’s stormy grin.

She writes in her diary.

Ito (V.O.):

“Yuji feels safe. But Kusabimaru…

he feels like the part of me that’s still alive.”

She closes the book. Looks outside. It’s still raining.

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ENDING SCENE

Location: Rooftop, later that night

Yuji stands alone this time. Rooftop’s empty, lights flicker. He looks at the city.

Yuji (V.O.):

“Something’s slipping. Between us all.

Like heartbeats that used to be in sync.”

Camera pans up into the sky. The clouds part, moonlight bleeding through.

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[END CREDITS – Slow piano + rain soundscape]

Post-Credit Scene:

Ito outside a ramen shop. Kusabimaru’s already there, leaning on the wall. He looks up. She walks toward him.

Ito:

“You always disappear.”

Kusabimaru:

“Only when I’m about to ruin something.”

Fade to black.