The Hillwood Romance: Episode 1 – Rainy Night on Hillwood Road (Act 1, Scene B)

Miko, the Big Sister.

EPISODE 1

ACT ONE, SCENE B

INT. SAZANAMI JAPANESE RESTAURANT, HILLWOOD ROAD – NIGHT

The restaurant is bustling with energy, the air thick with the scent of fried food and grilled skewers. Laughter and clinking glasses fill the space. Bong enters, his hair damp from the rain, his kitchen uniform soaked.

MIKO (25), a petite waitress with a ponytail, rushes over, her brows furrowed.

MIKO

Bong! What took you so long? Master Choi’s been looking for you everywhere.

Bong sighs, running a hand through his wet hair.

BONG

Sorry. The rain’s crazy out there.

Miko eyes him up and down, her sharp gaze scanning his damp face and soaked uniform.

MIKO

He’s not in the best mood. Got any final words?

BONG

When is he ever in a good mood?

MIKO

Only when he wins at the races. But seriously, change out of that before you go in. You’ll catch a cold dressed like that.

BONG

Got any delivery orders?

MIKO

Nope. Ken’s got that covered. Master Choi wants you in the kitchen. Now.

BONG

How bad is it? Like… a six out of ten?

MIKO

Eight.

BONG

(groaning) Perfect. Wish me luck.

MIKO

Let me go in with you. Might help smooth things over.

BONG

Miko, you’re my guardian angel.

MIKO

Ugh, who wants to be your guardian angel? I only care about handsome guys.

She waves a hand in front of her face, as if brushing away the idea of being too kind.

MIKO

Now hurry up and change. You stink.

Bong heads to a corner to strip off his wet uniform and T-shirt. Miko watches for a split second, then looks away. Once Bong is in dry clothes, they step into the kitchen.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN – SAZANAMI JAPANESE RESTAURANT – CONTINUOUS

Inside, the kitchen hums with activity. Sizzling pans, chopping knives, and the smell of Japanese curry, tempura, and fried pork chops fill the air. MASTER CHOI (50s) barks out orders while KAI (28) and JUN (25) work at their stations.

As Bong steps in, Kai winks at him. Jun smirks.

MASTER CHOI

(shouting from across the room) Bong! Where the hell have you been? Going on a vacation or what?

Miko steps in front of Bong with a nonchalant shrug, arms crossed.

MIKO

Whoops, my bad. I sent him to grab me a pack of cigarettes. Didn’t expect him to take this long.

Kai raises an eyebrow.

KAI

The convenience store’s right around the corner. I could’ve gotten smokes and finished a Coke in five minutes.

MIKO

Yeah, if you were a smoker. He couldn’t find my brand, so he ran all over the place.

Jun snorts, flipping skewers onto the grill.

JUN

Man, that’s loyalty. Must be a real fan of older women.

Laughter rings out. Bong turns red.

MASTER CHOI

Enough chatter! Bong, get on those drink orders. People are thirsty!

Bong hurries to the drink station, scanning the long list of orders. But then he remembers—his promise to the short-haired girl.

BONG

Uh, Master Choi… any deliveries for me?

MASTER CHOI

Nope, no more time off for you. Ken’s got that covered. Just focus on the drinks.

He walks away. Bong looks troubled. Miko, watching from the side, steps in.

MIKO

(quietly) What’s going on with you?

BONG

What?

MIKO

(narrowing her eyes) What’s with that face? Something on your mind?

Bong glances around, then leans in, whispering near Miko’s ear.

BONG

…I promised someone I’d bring an umbrella.

Miko pauses, then grins.

MIKO

A girl?

Bong’s ears turn red. Miko slaps him on the shoulder.

MIKO

Look at you! All grown up, huh?

Kai overhears and leans in, intrigued.

KAI

What's going on with our boy here, Miko?

MIKO

Nothing, just glad to see him acting like a normal man for once.

She turns back to Bong, teasing.

MIKO

So, you think she’s still waiting? How long has it been?

BONG

Fifteen minutes.

MIKO

Pfft. She’s long gone by now.

BONG

I don’t know… but I promised.

Miko scoffs, shaking her head.

MIKO

Since when do you care about keeping promises? You promised to get me Häagen-Dazs, and what did I get? Nestlé. Wrong flavor, too.

BONG

They didn’t have mango Häagen-Dazs.

MIKO

Liar. All men are liars. All of you. You! You! And You!

She points at all three of them. Jun shrugs, while Kai smirks.

KAI

Some women are just easier to lie to.

Miko grabs a kitchen knife playfully, pointing it at Kai.

MIKO

Say that again, I dare you.

Kai chuckles. Miko turns back to Bong.

MIKO

So? She a beauty?

Bong hesitates, rubbing his nose.

BONG

…Sort of.

Miko raises an eyebrow, eyes glinting.

MIKO

Whoa. First time I’ve heard you say someone’s pretty. Not even me.

Jun bursts out laughing.

JUN

Better not get your hopes up. Bong’s taste is weird.

MIKO

Where is she now?

Bong gives the address of the old tenement building.

MIKO

Alright, details. Long hair?

BONG

Short. Red jacket.

MIKO

Tall?

BONG

Taller than you. (gestures above Miko's head) About 165.

Miko crosses her arms, pretending to be offended.

MIKO

That’s it. No umbrella for anyone taller than me.

Kai smirks.

KAI

Guess that means you’ll never bring one.

Miko grabs a kitchen towel and throws it at Kai. He dodges, laughing.

Bong shifts awkwardly, unsure of what to say. Miko watches him for a beat before sighing dramatically.

MIKO

You guys are exhausting. This beauty is going to get some fresh air.

She grabs an umbrella and gives Bong a playful, cool look.

MIKO

You owe me Häagen-Dazs.

Miko heads out, leaving Bong to continue his drink orders. Kai cranks up the radio, and Jun hums along, while the kitchen falls back into its usual rhythm.

Miko steals a quick glance at the guys in the kitchen, then looks away before walking toward the restaurant.

(→ CUT TO: Act 1, Scene C.)

(Posted on 8.2.2025)

#HillwoodRomanceRainyNight

(← Return to: Act 1, Scene A.)