SCREENPLAY – EXCERPT
INT. RAMEN SHOP – NIGHT
Warm lights bathe the modest interior. Steam curls from bowls. Tension simmers beneath the surface.
RESHURO
(eyeing Subhadip)
Why is the god's son… serving me ramen?
SUBHADIP
(dryly)
Because Himiko-san is my boss.
I work full time. I'm just… me.
And also—an atheist. Like my grandfather.
Worship feels hollow when people suffer.
I only call someone a god if they serve purp—
RESHURO
(interrupting)
We don't worship him.
We worship the multiverse.
He protected it when others tried to destroy it.
SUBHADIP
(quietly)
So… he became god by surviving them?
RESHURO
(shaking his head)
No. He didn't want to become god.
He just stayed when everyone else fled.
He bore the weight.
SUBHADIP
(gently)
If that's true… maybe he was a god.
But I still don't think he was my father.
HIMIKO
(softly)
I'm from a Shinto family.
He tried to convert me.
I didn't change.
RESHURO
(smiling)
I thought I could change her.
And now there's you.
SUBHADIP
(firm)
I made a promise.
I'll convert when I die—maybe.
Until then, call me Subhadip.
I'll respect your belief, if you respect mine.
RESHURO
(lowering his eyes)
Then never speak his name.
I can't.
SUBHADIP
(laughing slightly)
What—will thunder strike?
HIMIKO places a hand gently over his. Silence. Subhadip's smile fades.
SUBHADIP
(realizing)
You're not joking.
RESHURO
(serious)
We're bound.
The system forbids it.
Those tied to it… die if they speak his name.
SUBHADIP
(tense)
What system?
RESHURO
The DirjidCur.
They choose the Bitcho—the spiritual core.
They're the supreme religious body.
But only a few are allowed to know the prophecy.
Beat.
Them…
The Kroliop—Congress of the Multiverse—
SUBHADIP
(quietly)
Yes. I know.
RESHURO
And the Travelers' Organization.
Created by the god's descendants.
That's why Najiro and Himiko… they know.
HIMIKO
(softly)
We carry what's forgotten.
Because we were never allowed to forget.
SUBHADIP
(whispering)
So only three groups know the prophecy…
And all are sworn to silence?
RESHURO
(serious)
Or death.
SUBHADIP
(staring ahead, shaken)
Then why tell me?
RESHURO
(calmly)
Because you were never meant to be left out.
INT. RAMEN SHOP – LATER THAT NIGHT
The door creaks open. NAJIRO steps in. The scent of broth clings to the air.
NAJIRO
Nice to meet you, sir. It's been a long time.
RESHURO
(turning, faint smile)
Oh Najiro, how are you?
NAJIRO
I'm fine. I just came back from Master's house.
RESHURO
(scoffing)
Oh, Suck's house.
SUBHADIP chuckles. NAJIRO shoots him a sharp look.
NAJIRO
He might be "Suck" to you, but he took me in when my clan was destroyed.
He gave me the Travelers' Organization when the time came.
SUBHADIP
(softer)
I didn't mean disrespect.
NAJIRO nods. He turns to HIMIKO.
NAJIRO
I came because Himiko said the ceremony is tomorrow.
RESHURO slurps the last of his ramen. He whispers something into HIMIKO's ear. Her face turns red.
HIMIKO
(scolding)
Stop that!
RESHURO walks off, chuckling.
INT. RAMEN SHOP – LATER – DRUNKEN BANTER
Low table. Cups clink. Laughter.
NAJIRO
(grinning)
I've married a billion across 233 billion years.
HIMIKO
(snorting)
Quadruple that. In just 29 billion years.
She leans back.
HIMIKO
Remember the time you married me in that universe?
NAJIRO
(laughing)
Of course I do.
SUBHADIP
(blinking)
Wait… what the hell?
The mood darkens. Himiko's smile fades.
HIMIKO
(quietly)
It was a normal universe.
We had a beautiful life.
But in the multiverse… those lives don't matter.
Not even those weak little offsprings.
NAJIRO
(laughs it off)
Don't cry about it tomorrow.
He leaves.
HIMIKO breaks. SUBHADIP catches her as she leans in, silent tears falling.
HIMIKO
Reshuro told me not to fall for him.
He said I'd find someone better.
That he would too.
SUBHADIP
(gently)
It's true. Don't think about him too much.
She looks at him—pain in her eyes.
HIMIKO
You've shown me more empathy in two weeks…
than he has in 29 billion years.
She kisses him.
HIMIKO
(whispers)
What if I told you I was meant to be yours… as the prophecy says?
SUBHADIP's heart races.
HIMIKO
(smiling faintly)
I lied.
INT. HIMIKO'S ROOM – NIGHT
She lies on her back, staring at the ceiling.
HIMIKO
Why couldn't I confront him?
It's true.
But… do I even love him?
She touches her lips. A vision plays in her memory:
—Her body limp in his lap.
—His voice, breaking:
NAJIRO (V.O.)
You can't go. You can't leave me.
You were my only hope in the multiverse.
What about our child?
It haunts her.
INT. SUBHADIP'S ROOM – SAME TIME
SUBHADIP
(to himself)
I can't tell if she likes me or not…
But I fell for her.
And now I'm alive because of her help.
INT. HIMIKO'S ROOM – SAME TIME
HIMIKO
(whispers)
I can't tell if he likes me or not…
But I fell for him.
And now I'm alive because of his help.
SHARED VISION
Though miles apart, both imagine the same moment:
A quiet village under the stars.
Side by side. Fingers almost touching.
HIMIKO
I want to settle in a faraway village…
In a universe nobody knows about.
SUBHADIP
I want to settle in a faraway village too…
In my universe.
With… her.
The multiverse listens.
INT. SUBHADIP'S ROOM – LATE NIGHT
Neither can sleep.
They both sneak out to check on the other.
They meet—face to face—at Subhadip's door. HIMIKO stands barefoot, wearing a loose T-shirt slipping off one shoulder.
SUBHADIP
(nervous)
Your bra strap—
She looks down. Blushes.
HIMIKO
Oh. Sorry.
SUBHADIP
(chuckling)
Not complaining. But…
HIMIKO
I'm just… worried about tomorrow's ceremony.
He says nothing. Just looks at her.
SUBHADIP
(softly)
The most beautiful I've ever seen.
She freezes.
HIMIKO
I don't think these clothes are appropriate.
SUBHADIP
Thanks for reminding.
Beat.
SUBHADIP
Would you… walk beside me?
HIMIKO
(grins)
Why not? I'm your mentor. Your boss.
SUBHADIP
And… a partner?
She looks at him.
Slowly—silently—intertwines her fingers with his.
HIMIKO
Yeah. A partner.
They sit by the window. The stars begin to fade.
No words.
Only a dream shared in silence.
A future.