The room was bathed in a warm glow as night descended upon Evie's house. It was a special occasion - Evie's father, Frolo, was celebrating his 60th birthday. The living room had been adorned with decorations, and laughter filled the air.
Frolo, dressed in his signature grand shop clothes, donned a red cap on his head, a red blazer, and a crisp white polo. His eyes twinkled with joy as he sat at the center of the celebration. Evie approached him, a bottle of wine in hand, ready to pour him a generous serving.
With a grateful smile, Frolo raised his mug, the wine shimmering in the dim light. "The wine is especially delicious when Evie is here with me," he remarked, his voice filled with affection and appreciation. He then proceeded to chug his mug, his laughter echoing through the room.
One by one, the gathered friends and family greeted Frolo, their voices filled with warmth and well wishes. They joined him in raising their glasses, toasting to his milestone birthday and the many cherished memories they had shared together.
The birthday celebration took a surprising turn as Stephen, groaning in pleasure on the balcony, seemed to be having a little too much fun with his bottle of wine. Carlo, equally indulging in his own groans of frustration, couldn't help but question, "Why did he come along?"
Frolo, observing Stephen's enjoyment, chuckled and remarked, "You really know how to drink. Come sit over here." The others, excluding Carlo and Honey, eagerly welcomed Stephen inside.
An already tipsy Stephen stumbled into the living room, declaring, "The wine here is so good," fixating his gaze on the cranberry wine bottle. With a wistful expression, he added, "I really want Selene to try some too."
Frolo, amused and curious, questioned, "Who is Selene?"
Stephen sighed, "My wife."
Suddenly, Honey, her eyes widening in concern, asked, "What's the matter?"
Stephen revealed, "She hasn't been smiling much recently."
Frolo, puzzled, inquired, "Not smiling? Why is that?"
Stephen, on the verge of tears, explained, "In the past, as soon as I told her a joke, she'd laugh non-stop." Suddenly, he burst into dramatic tears, proclaiming, "But when I tell her a joke now, she doesn't find it funny at all," his tears flowing dramatically. The unexpected emotional outburst left the room in a stunned silence.
Carlo, ever the tension-breaker, interjected, "Stephen, today is Frolo's 60th birthday. Everyone, let's be more cheerful!" Attempting to lighten the mood, everyone raised their glasses to Frolo.
However, Stephen, once again stealing the spotlight, stood up jubilantly, exclaiming, "Your 60th birthday, I feel very touched. It's definitely funny!" The room plunged back into confusion, with everyone left wondering about the peculiar remark. The awkwardness lingered, creating a comically bewildering atmosphere.
Reseating himself, Stephen quipped, "'60th birthday' and 'touched' together. But recently, she finds jokes like these meaningless," in a rapid-fire manner. Honey, uncertain of the meaningfulness of his jest, chimed in, "She found those jokes meaningful before..."
Groaning, Stephen retrieved something from his bag, declaring, "That's why I decided to gamble my life here in this city. I brought this with me," revealing his video camera. Intrigued, Evie asked, "Video camera? Why did you bring that?" Stephen slyly winked at her, teasing, "That's a secret for now," concealing the camera in his pocket, while Carlo shot him an annoyed glance.
Undeterred, Stephen continued, "If my plan fails this time, we'll have to divorce," delivering the bombshell in a serious tone. Evie, attempting to downplay the gravity of the situation, remarked, "It can't be that bad," taking a sip of her wine.
Honey, ever the curious soul, asked, "Then you have to stay in Crescendo for a while?" Stephen affirmed, "Yes, first I have to live with Carlo for a few days." Carlo, irritated by the unilateral decision, interjected, "How can you decide that on your own?" Ignoring Carlo's protests, Stephen proposed, "How about a sumo match?" confidently removing his coat and tossing it aside. Carlo, bewildered, stammered, "Huh? How did it get like this?"
Suddenly, Frolo rose from his seat, his voice commanding attention, "Before Carlo accepts your challenge, you have to beat me first," he declared fiercely. Evie, now anxious, questioned her father's involvement, "Dad, why are you getting involved in this?" Stephen, nonchalantly preparing for battle, asserted, "I have been expecting this day to come." Frolo, now without his red cap, added with a scowl, "Me too."
As the two men assumed their battle stances, Honey, still in the dark about the unfolding situation, innocently remarked, "Isn't this the first time they have met?"
☘
The night at the boys' dormitory lingered on, with Stephen's resonant snores filling the air in Carlo's room. Meanwhile, Carlo found himself entangled in the task of sorting out his belongings in the drawing room, a space filled with boxes and the remnants of his former life. Max, being the helpful friend, joined him in the endeavor to bring some semblance of order to the chaos.
Max, carrying a box, empathized, "You must be in shock, having to suddenly move out of your old home." Carlo, wrestling with cardboard, retorted, "He's the type that makes decisions without other people's consent." The disarray of Carlo's possessions mirrored the tumult within him.
Attempting to offer some advice, Max suggested, "If you don't want to, why don't you just tell him?" Carlo, freezing momentarily, seemed petrified by the thought. Max, noticing Carlo's reaction, continued, "You've always been like this." Carlo, intrigued, inquired, "What do you mean?" Max observed, "You always keep a safe distance because you're afraid to tell." Seating himself on a chair, Max probed further, "It's the same with Honey, right?"
Carlo, now in a contemplative pause, looked back at Max, acknowledging the truth in his words. "Eh?" he uttered, caught off guard. Max continued, "You never thought about using Edward's time away to your advantage?" Carlo, conflicted, felt the weight of Max's suggestion. The notion of taking advantage of Edward's absence struck him as unfair and selfish. "His time away to my advantage... that would be too selfish of me," Carlo admitted, his ethical stance unwavering.
Max nodded, understanding the complexity of Carlo's predicament. They recognize the fine line between personal desires and ethical considerations.
Breaking the conversation, Max remarked, "How long do you plan to continue cleaning up like this?" Carlo sighed in response, "What should I do? There are many boxes here."
To bring some order to the chaos, Carlo grabbed two boxes and labeled them: Need and Don't Need. In the process of sorting through his belongings, Carlo stumbled upon an old temple project made of clay. He stared at it for a moment, unsure of what to do, but without second thoughts, he unceremoniously tossed it into the "Don't Need" box.
Max, exploring Carlo's old backpack, found a keychain inside. "How about this? This can be tossed, right?" he suggested. Carlo, inspecting the backpack, agreed, "Yes, there's no use for it," and Max casually tossed it into the "Don't Need" box.
Amid their sorting, Brother Romaya entered the room, draped in a fluffy mink coat. Max called out, "Brother Romaya," drawing their attention. Carlo, bewildered, observed Romaya's grand prize mink coat and remarked, "This is the third year in a row."
Romaya stepped closer, noticing the two labeled boxes. Something in the "Don't Need" box caught his eye, and he retrieved Carlo's old backpack. As Romaya touched the keychain, he commented, "Old school bags may be useless," but then acknowledged, "But the keychain that acts as a good luck charm from your mother that is hanging from it..." Carlo, with a serious tone, intervened, "I can't throw that away," placing the backpack to the side. Romaya approved, saying, "That's right," nodding in agreement.
Max, trying to intervene, addressed Brother Romaya, "Brother Romaya." Romaya then picked up the old temple made of clay, stating, "Toy models from elementary school may be useless." Max agreed, "That is really useless." Nevertheless, Romaya continued, "But the happiness that came with the completion of this project..." Carlo, resolute, declared, "I can't throw that away," retrieving the old temple toy.
Every time Brother Romaya attempted to discard something, Carlo vehemently insisted, "I can't throw that away," leaving Max in a state of deep sighs and utter disbelief. Eventually, Max couldn't take it anymore, and he groaned, "There's no use. I'm going to read a magazine a bit." He sat back on his chair, grabbed a magazine from the top of the table, and immersed himself in its contents.
As he flipped through the pages, his eyes suddenly widened in surprise. There, in the arts section, he stumbled upon an unexpected revelation: "Edward Hayes: A Child of Sculpture Industries in Crescendo Surpasses Art's Boundaries." Max, shocked, exclaimed, "What the...!" His eyes darted across the page, and his expressions ranged from disbelief to amazement as he saw Edward's pictures accompanied by a lengthy article detailing his artistic achievements.
☘
The next day, Honey, Carlo, and Stephen embarked on an unusual journey in Stephen's truck. The vehicle rumbled along the highway streets of Crescendo, with Stephen behind the wheel, wearing a tuxedo paired oddly with slippers. Carlo, still perplexed, held the paper Stephen handed him, and Honey, seemingly undeterred by the eccentricity of the situation, eagerly anticipated the adventure.
During the drive, Stephen breaks the silence, "Sorry for dragging you two along with me." Carlo retorts, "You better be sorry. Honey is very busy with her art." He emphasizes, quite honestly, that without Honey's involvement, he wouldn't have agreed to join. Honey, however, brushes off the concern, smiling and saying, "You don't have to worry about me," her excitement evident.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Honey asks, "What are we doing today?" Stephen, with a determined gaze, declares, "We are going to battle for Selene's smile." The gravity of the mission hangs in the air as they approach Crescendo's Supreme Court of Justice, their destination shrouded in uncertainty.
Outside the imposing Crescendo's Supreme Court of Justice, Honey and Carlo found themselves under the bright sunlight. The busy scene unfolded before them, with lawyers bustling into the building, seemingly oblivious to the trio's peculiar presence.
Stephen emerged from the truck, dressed in a mismatched ensemble of a tuxedo and slippers. Taking a deep breath, he clutched his video camera, signaling the beginning of a plan only he seemed to comprehend. As he approached them, Honey couldn't help but voice her confusion, "What's with the get-up?"
With an air of seriousness, Stephen handed a paper to Carlo, instructing, "Carlo, read this. Hon will help us film." Carlo was taken aback by the casual nickname Stephen used for Honey. Unable to contain himself, Carlo retorted, "Why are you being cozy by calling her that?! Even I'm not as rude as you."
Unperturbed, Stephen continued on his way toward the imposing building, leaving Honey and Carlo to exchange sighs of confusion, unsure of the eccentric plan unfolding before them.
Honey, ready with the video camera, adjusted the lens while Carlo unfolded the paper containing the message Stephen wanted him to read. The camera was strategically positioned, aligning with Stephen at the top of the stairs before the grand building. Stephen called out, "Ready, action!" and he began to run.
Carlo started reading the message aloud, "The long-awaited decision has finally been announced," as Stephen unfolded a large banner in front of the camera while running. The banner read, "Selene, I love you."
However, Honey, noticing a mistake, urgently exclaimed, "Stephen, the other way. The other way!" Stephen, frustrated, groaned and shouted, "Geez... Cut!" echoing across the area.
Annoyed, Stephen called Honey and Carlo over. As they approached, he scolded them, "You come here. Come here!" Both Honey and Carlo walked nervously toward Stephen. He reprimanded them, "You don't understand that holding it upside down makes it more funny?" Honey, wide-eyed, exclaimed, "Eh?"
Attempting to explain, Stephen insisted, "Then Selene will laugh unexpectedly at it." However, the two were left utterly bewildered, unable to comprehend his sense of humor. Stephen sighed deeply and declared, "You two won't do."
As the truck continued its journey, Stephen was still visibly upset over the earlier failed attempt, nursing a sense of frustration towards Carlo and Honey. In the truck's cabin, Honey looked concerned about Stephen's mood, while Carlo, exhausted by Stephen's antics, was soundly asleep with his head resting on the window.
Voicing his determination, Stephen grumbled, "I can do it alone. I will make Selene smile again. If she's already mine, then I have to make her life full of smiles. That is my only wish."
Carlo, seemingly unimpressed, rolled his eyes, while Honey appeared to be deep in thought. After a brief moment, she spoke up, "I'm willing to help," and flashed a warm smile at Stephen. Carlo, waking up abruptly, muttered, "Honey...," seemingly tired of Stephen's peculiar ways.
Honey giggled at Carlo's reaction and maintained her cheerful demeanor. Stephen, rejuvenated by Honey's willingness to assist, exclaimed, "That's right, Hon!" as he looked at her with gratitude.
Despite Carlo's audible sigh and disapproving attitude, Honey smiled and asked, "Where to next?" Stephen, in his usual enthusiastic manner, declared, "Next, we're going to the Crescendo Special Permission Office," almost turning it into a tongue-twister. Honey burst into laughter, teasing Stephen about his less-than-smooth delivery. Unfazed, Carlo resumed his rest, letting Stephen's antics play out as the journey continued.
As the trio continued their adventure through the city, Honey and Carlo found themselves unwittingly supporting Stephen in his quest to capture various videos, despite their lack of understanding of his intentions or peculiar sense of humor. This continued throughout the day and extended into the night.
Eventually, they found themselves in the city's central park. In the heart of the park stood a tower reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, illuminated with enchanting golden lights that captivated the onlookers. The trio set up their camera in preparation for another whimsical recording.
Carlo, under Honey's guidance, maneuvered around to find the perfect angle for their shot. Observing Carlo moving backward, seemingly wearing the tower like a hat, Stephen couldn't help but smile, his sigh expressing his wish for Selene to witness the spectacle as well. Honey, despite the confusion, maintained a supportive smile.
In an attempt to perfect the shot, Stephen shouted, "Carlo, around that area is okay!" Carlo, slightly annoyed but complying, ceased his movement. Stephen then added, "Also, make a mark there." Carlo, picking up a nearby rock, sighed and begrudgingly agreed, "Okay," as he prepared to mark the designated spot. The scene unfolded like a quirky collaboration, with each member contributing in their unique way to Stephen's mysterious mission.
As Stephen was engrossed in checking the video camera, he decided to engage Honey in a conversation. He asked her, "Hon, do you have someone you like right now?" Honey, who had been happily participating in the filming, suddenly stopped smiling. Her expression turned pensive, and she confessed, "I did," before continuing with a hint of sadness, "But... I was rejected." Carlo, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation while marking his designated spot with the rock, halted his movements upon hearing this revelation.
Stephen, visibly surprised by Honey's admission, responded with genuine concern, "You're giving up just like that?" Honey looked at him, her eyes reflecting a tinge of melancholy, and said, "He went overseas already. I don't think we'll ever meet again." Carlo, witnessing Honey's sorrow, felt a pang of sympathy for her as he sensed the weight of her unfulfilled feelings for Edward.
To lighten the heavy atmosphere, Stephen quickly shifted the focus by calling out to Carlo, and they resumed shooting. In an attempt to infuse humor into the video, Stephen started acting in a comical way, taking off and putting back on the city tower on his head as if it were a hat. His antics were a deliberate effort to distract from the emotional moment that had unfolded just seconds ago.
While Honey and Carlo were engrossed in watching Stephen make a fool of himself, Carlo couldn't help but express his frustration, audibly groaning, "I'm afraid I won't be able to laugh at his jokes my whole life." Honey, however, responded with a surprising compliment, saying, "I think your dad is really cool, Carlo."
Carlo, taken aback by Honey's unexpected praise for his stepfather, questioned her intent with a puzzled, "What do you mean?" Honey replied with a smile, "He's a very straightforward person," and she continued to watch Stephen's antics.
Carlo, uncertain about how to respond to Honey's positive remarks about Stephen, turned his gaze to watch his stepfather's comical performance. As Stephen entertained them by taking off and putting back on the tower as if it were a hat, Honey remarked, "He's wearing Crescendo's tallest hat," giggling at the playful display.
Carlo, still wrestling with his feelings, realized something profound. In a moment of self-reflection, he uttered to himself, "From the start, like my stepfather and I, there was a line drawn between us. But the distance between Honey and I isn't getting any shorter."
As the atmosphere held a mix of emotions, Carlo sighed and contemplated his relationship with Stephen and the growing gap between him and Honey. Meanwhile, Honey, unaware of Carlo's inner turmoil, encouraged him, saying, "Carlo, go join with him too. Your mom would be really happy." Carlo, torn by his conflicting feelings, responded, "I think I'll pass."
Honey turned her gaze toward Stephen with a continued smile, and Carlo, still observing her, thought to himself, "I want to get closer. But, I can't get closer now. Continuing like that, I didn't even move one step this year." The two of them continued watching Stephen's antics, each harboring their own sentiments amidst the lighthearted scene.
In the truck, as they made their way home after a day of capturing videos, Carlo stared out the window, watching the city lights and passing cars blur into streaks of light. Meanwhile, Stephen initiated a conversation, asking, "Did you draw the eyes on the second daruma yet?" Honey responded with a simple "Not yet."
Encouraging a shift in perspective, Stephen suggested, "Small wishes are good too, but how about you make a big wish this time?" Intrigued, Honey questioned, "Can big wishes be granted too?" Stephen, sharing his wisdom, replied, "You know, wishes don't always have to be granted. It's far more important to draw the eyes of the daruma after strongly hoping for it to be granted someday."
Unbeknownst to Stephen and Honey, Carlo was silently listening to their conversation. As he absorbed their words of wisdom, he found himself reminiscing about a significant piece of his past. Reflecting on his own experiences, Carlo mused, "I too had a wish that I hoped would come true someday. The daruma, which was among my belongings, the one Honey touched that day, was for my mother."
Delving deeper into his memories, Carlo revealed, "After my father passed away from an illness, I thought I was the only one to support my mother. It became my dream to earn a lot of money in the future and give her a great house as a present someday. After my second year of high school, my mother married Stephen and told me that I could live the way I wanted. Everything before my eyes turned white."
Carlo's gaze shifted towards Stephen, and he silently uttered to himself, "It was Stephen's fault that my dream was gone." The atmosphere in the truck became heavy with unspoken emotions, as each occupant harbored their own thoughts and reflections during the journey home.
Honey, Carlo, and Stephen reach the Hamadayama Research Facility to drop off Honey. As she descends from the truck, Honey turns to Stephen with a warm smile and says, "Take care, Stephen."
Stephen reciprocates the sentiment, saying, "Okay. Good luck with your painting," a smile playing on his lips. Carlo, feeling a bit bashful, chimes in, "Sorry for making you come around with us today."
Honey reassures him with a smile, "Don't worry. I had a great time today." Carlo manages to flash a smile back, saying a simple "Bye."
As the truck starts moving again, Stephen honks it twice. Honey waves goodbye, her smile lingering on her face as she watches them depart. Once she turns back towards the laboratory building, though, she notices something unexpected. The light is on in a room on the third floor.
Intrigued, Honey walks toward the room. The door is slightly ajar, and she can hear faint sounds of someone working inside. As she pushes the door open, her eyes widen at the scene unfolding before her. Evie, usually composed, is crying, her hands molding the clay with a mix of sadness and determination. The dimly lit room adds to the emotional atmosphere, leaving Honey standing at the doorway, uncertain of how to navigate this unexpected revelation.