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

"Heard you needed an umbrella."

EPISODE 1

ACT ONE, SCENE E

EXT. HILLWOOD ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI – 8:50 PM — CONTINUOUS

The rain continues to pour. Miko stands a few steps away from the Girl in the red jacket, leaning casually against a pillar box. She doesn’t approach right away—just watches.

The girl is sheltered under the canopy of the old tenement building. She looks a bit younger than Miko, tall, and oddly unperturbed by the wait.

Her eyes lazily scan the passing pedestrians—some with umbrellas, some without. She doesn’t fidget or check her phone. She simply waits.

MIKO

(glancing at her watch, muttering) She’s been standing there for 30 minutes… stubborn girl. Or just really dumb.

The camera shifts. Under the canopy, the girl pulls out her phone, flips through her playlist, then slides it back into her pocket. She starts humming, as if to show she doesn’t care whether Bong shows up.

Just as she turns her head to look across the street, a black umbrella suddenly appears beside her. She blinks, startled. Miko smirks.

MIKO

(grinning, like a playful fairy) Heard you needed an umbrella.

The girl steps back, eyeing Miko up and down.

GIRL

Whoa. Who are you?

MIKO

A Guardian Angel.

Miko raises two fingers in a V. The girl lets out a short laugh.

GIRL

Huh. Didn’t expect him to send a proxy.

Miko folds her umbrella, shakes off the water, and hands the girl a small pink foldable one.

MIKO

Here. This suits you better.

The girl takes it, twirling it between her fingers.

GIRL

So, where’s Handsome?

MIKO

Busy warming sake and making iced lemon tea. Got busted for sneaking out to flirt with girls during work. Deserved it.

The girl tilts her head, studying Miko.

GIRL

And you? What’s your deal? His girlfriend?

Miko snorts.

MIKO

God, no. I have taste.

The girl grins.

GIRL

That bad, huh?

MIKO

(mock-thoughtful) Not really. How do I put it… That lot’s just—clueless.

GIRL

That lot?

MIKO

Yeah. The three guys in the kitchen. Each one’s 33.3%. Together, they’re alright. Individually? Hopeless.

GIRL

Still adds up to 99.9%.

MIKO

(laughs) True. Thanks for the reminder. But, you know… 99.9% isn’t too bad. That’s almost dateable.

The girl chuckles.

GIRL

So, where’s your restaurant?

MIKO

Back there, around the corner.

GIRL

That’s exactly what your friend said. Same wording. What’s the name?

MIKO

Sazanami Japanese Restaurant.

GIRL

What does that mean?

MIKO

“Sazanami” is written like the Chinese character “Lin,” but with three dots on the left.

The girl looks blank. Miko notices.

MIKO

You know how to write “Lin”?

GIRL

(shrugs) No idea.

MIKO

You can’t write Chinese, can you?

GIRL

Nope. I can only speak it.

MIKO

Where are you from?

GIRL

New York.

MIKO

Ah. That’s why your Cantonese sounds funny.

GIRL

(grinning) My dad was born here, but it’s my first time visiting. Staying with my aunt for the summer.

MIKO

Short stay, huh? Bong’ll be disappointed.

For a moment, they both fall silent. Miko tilts her hand up, catching the raindrops rolling off the canopy.

MIKO

You a student?

GIRL

(half-smiling) Sort of.

MIKO

Sort of?

GIRL

(with a dry laugh) Might get kicked out soon. Failed the same course three times.

MIKO

Not good at school, huh? Same here.

The girl’s face lights up, as if she’s found a kindred spirit.

GIRL

School’s so boring and stupid!

MIKO

The worst. The only good part was after school—watching movies, karaoke, staring at puppies in pet shops, buying pointless stationery…

The girl beams.

GIRL

Yes! That’s exactly it! I don’t remember a thing from school except hanging out with my girls.

They both laugh, connected in a way neither expected.

MIKO

You know, this is weird… I feel like I’ve known you forever.

GIRL

Hm?

MIKO

You remind me of a childhood friend. Shan-Shan. We used to walk to school hand in hand every day, rain or shine. Then she moved, and we lost touch.

GIRL

You really remember things from that long ago?

MIKO

Yeah, some things just stick. I might forget faces, but voices? I always remember voices. (she flicks her earlobe) I can recall people’s voices whenever I want, like pressing play on a recording.

GIRL

That’s such a weird talent.

MIKO

Yeah, I know. (looking at her watch) It’s nine. I gotta run. Need to buy a Mark Six ticket for the Female Ghost at work before the cut-off. Will we see each other again?

GIRL

Of course. I have to return this. (holds up the pink umbrella) Pretty sure this isn’t Handsome’s.

MIKO

You can always find me at the restaurant from two till night. Just yell “Miko”—someone will answer.

GIRL

(repeating) Sa… Ja…?

MIKO

(slowly) Sa-Za-Na-Mi.

GIRL

(attempting again) Sa... Ja... La... Mi.

MIKO

Close enough. Oh, if you’re free, come by on Saturday afternoon. We close from three to six—usually just play cards and board games. The gate’ll be half-shut, but there’ll be people inside.

GIRL

(grinning) That sounds fun. I’m not gonna miss it.

She waves the umbrella.

GIRL

Thanks for this. And the invite, Angel.

Miko makes an exaggerated tired face at the nickname. Then—

MIKO

Any message for the boy?

GIRL

(pauses, then smirks) Tell him… he’s not as bad as I thought.

MIKO

(teasing) You waited this long for an umbrella. You sure you’re not the clueless one?

The girl exhales sharply, but there’s a glint of amusement in her eyes.

GIRL

I just don’t like being lied to.

Miko studies her for a moment, then lets it go.

MIKO

(with a playful salute) Promise kept. See you around, Red Jacket.

She turns to leave, but the girl calls after her—

GIRL

Hey!

Miko glances over her shoulder.

GIRL

Tell him my name’s Ming.

Miko smirks wider.

MIKO

Will do.

She steps into the rain, heading for the betting branch. Ming watches her go, then looks down at the pink umbrella in her hands.

She unfolds it, smiling slightly, and walks off into the neon-lit city night.

(→ DISSOLVE TO: Act 1, Scene F.)

(Posted on 13.2.2025)

#HillwoodRomanceRainyNight

(← Return to: Act 1, Scene C & D.)