A VOICE BEYOND THE WIND

Scene 1 – The Bus Stand, 1999

The old bus stand buzzed quietly under the soft orange sky. The paint on the benches was chipped, and the air smelled of dust and tea.

Kaito stood near a rusted pole, hands in his pockets, tapping his foot impatiently. A half-finished cup of tea sat beside him on the bench, long gone cold.

He checked the road again. Another bus rumbled past, its horn loud and careless — but still, no sign of Daichi.

Kaito sighed, glancing at his watch. “Late again,” he muttered under his breath.

A soft breeze stirred the dust around his shoes. The tea vendor looked up from his kettle.

“Your friend still not here?”

Kaito shook his head with a faint grin. “Yeah. He probably missed another bus. Classic Daichi.”

He looked down the road one more time, the evening light flickering across his face — part annoyance, part quiet fondness.

The evening sky was painted in a soft orange glow, buses coming and going with tired honks fading into the distance. Kaito sat on the bench, his elbows resting on his knees, eyes dull with disappointment.

He had been waiting for almost an hour. Every time a bus approached, his heart would leap—only to fall again when Daichi didn’t step out.

“Tch… maybe he’s not coming today,” he muttered, glancing at the road one last time before lowering his head. The wind brushed past, carrying dust and the faint smell of diesel.

Just then, another bus appeared from far away, its headlights flickering through the haze. Kaito didn’t bother to look this time. He was done hoping.

But the bus slowed down… hissed to a stop… right in front of him.

The door creaked open.

And there—amid the crowd stepping down—stood Daichi, his black hair ruffled, a grey backpack slung over one shoulder, eyes half-tired but calm as ever.

For a second, Kaito froze. His eyes widened, breath caught in his chest.

“No way…” he whispered, almost disbelieving.

Daichi adjusted his strap, looked up, and spotted Kaito staring at him. A faint grin broke across his face.

The kind that said, “Missed me, didn’t you?”

And in that instant, all of Kaito’s annoyance melted away.

[Scene: Bus Station | Early evening | Light breeze, crowd murmuring in background]

Daichi steps down from the bus, dusts off his jeans. Kaito’s eyes light up as he rushes toward him.

Kaito: Oyeee! Finally decided to show your royal face, huh? Thought you vanished in some other dimension!

Daichi (smirking): Haha, yeah right. I just got tired of your face, so took the scenic route.

Kaito (grabbing the bag): Scenic route? Bro, you look like you wrestled with that bus! What’s in this bag—bricks or your ego?

Daichi: Careful, that’s my “emotional baggage.” Handle it with respect.

Kaito: Emotional baggage? Bro, even your emotions are heavy!

(They both laugh. Kaito almost stumbles while lifting the bag.)

Kaito: Damn, this thing’s heavier than my future! What did you pack—stones from Mount Fuji?

Daichi: Haha, just a few textbooks and your share of brain cells, since you clearly forgot yours.

Kaito (mock gasp): Wow, comedian Daichi is back! The world was really missing your sense of… bad jokes.

Daichi (grinning): Yeah? At least my jokes make people laugh, not cry like your math grades.

(Kaito pretends to be offended, then laughs.)

Kaito: Okay, okay, Mr. Genius, let’s go before I drop your emotional baggage right here.

Daichi: Deal. But if you drop it, you’re paying for the therapy bills.

(They both burst out laughing as they start walking toward the streetlights, still teasing each other.)

It was a quiet afternoon.

The sun was soft, the air warm, and the wind carried the smell of blooming flowers.

In the small verandah of an old wooden house, a few children sat on the floor, laughing and writing in their notebooks.

Sara sat among them — simple white top, loose hair, and a gentle smile that made everything feel calm.

Her voice was soft and sweet as she said, “Okay, who will read first?”

One little boy raised his hand, too excited to wait. Sara laughed lightly, her eyes shining.

“Haha, slow down, Riku,” she said, tapping his notebook. “You’ll finish the whole lesson alone.”

The kids giggled. She joined them, her laughter echoing with theirs.

The wind moved her hair slightly, and the sound of her voice mixed with the chirping of birds nearby.

It was such a simple scene — but something about her made it feel special.

Sara wasn’t just teaching… she made that small verandah feel like the happiest place in the world.

The narrow street was quiet, lined with old wooden houses and the faint rustle of wind through the trees.

Daichi and Kaito walked side by side, backpacks slung over their shoulders, chatting lazily about school.

[Scene: Small street near Sara’s house — soft wind, afternoon light]

Kaito: (stretching) Maaaan, my legs are dead. Next time, we’re taking the bus, no walking!

Daichi: (half-smiling) You’re the one who said “let’s walk, it’s good for health.”

Kaito: Yeah, and now I’m pretty sure my health is begging for mercy.

(They both laugh. Suddenly, Daichi slows down... then stops.)

Kaito: (confused) Oi, what happened? You saw a ghost or something?

Daichi: (quietly) …No. Listen.

(Soft laughter and a gentle voice drift from the verandah — Sara teaching the kids.)

Sara (in the distance): “Okay, everyone, one more time! A for Apple~ 🍎”

Kaito: (blinks) …Bro, don’t tell me you stopped for A for Apple.

Daichi: (still frozen) That voice… it’s so soft.

Kaito: (grinning) Oh nooo… here we go. The hero just heard his background music. 🎶

Daichi: (glares) Shut up, idiot.

Kaito: (teasing) Should I call her sensei already?

Daichi: (turns red) Stop it, man! She’s just… teaching kids, that’s all.

Kaito: Uh-huh. Sure. Totally just “teaching kids.” Meanwhile, you’re standing like you got hit by Cupid’s bus.

(Daichi tries to walk away, hiding a small smile. Kaito bursts out laughing, following him.)

Kaito: Admit it, Daichi. That voice got you.

Daichi: (softly, looking back once) …Yeah. Maybe it did.

(Sara’s laughter fades into the wind as they walk away, Kaito still teasing, Daichi quietly lost in thought.)

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