CHAPTER 1: "KEISE"
FADE IN:
It was some time during the day. Time didn't really matter to him anyway. Who are we talking about? Keise.
Life belonged to him. If he could, even the clock, even time itself should belong to him. But if he could… well, he couldn't do much of anything anyway. Whatever.
INT. KEISE'S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NOON It was well past noon. Keise was still sleeping in his bed.
The door opened without a knock. KAELİRA (21) stepped in.
KAELİRA (shouting) Come on, Keise! Get up!
Keise groaned and pulled the blanket tighter around himself.
Kaelira impatiently yanked the blanket off.
Keise rolled over in bed, eyes tired. His face was sour.
KEISE Ugh, sis… Always the same look. That angry face. What is it now?
Kaelira's expression hardened even more.
KAELİRA (furious) W-what look? Get up! Dad's waiting downstairs.
Keise rolled his eyes but got out of bed anyway.
KEISE (muttering) Dad's waiting… So what? Let him wait.
Kaelira ignored him, slammed the door, and left.
Keise looked in the mirror. Messy hair, dark circles under his eyes. He stared at himself, gave a faint smile… then the smile vanished.
KEISE (to himself) Who cares?
INT. DINING ROOM – A FEW MINUTES LATER Keise walked into the dining room still in his pajamas. At the head of the long, extravagant table sat a man with graying hair and beard.
A maid leaned in and whispered.
MAID Sir… he's here.
VALDEMAR (in his 50s) looked up. His eyes were sharp, face expressionless. He scanned Keise from head to toe: pajamas, messy hair, sour face.
VALDEMAR (coldly) May we know the reason for being late, Young Master Keise?
Keise rolled his eyes. His father's mocking tone irritated him.
KEISE (sarcastic smile) Nothing… I was just sleeping. No reason.
VALDEMAR (raising an eyebrow) No reason, huh?
KEISE (shrugging) Yeah, no reason. What? Should I be like my fat brother, eating MC every day and playing games until midnight?
At that moment, the OBESE BROTHER (16) was standing silently at the doorway. He heard it. He lowered his head, trying to disappear.
Valdemar's expression didn't change, but a spark flashed in his eyes.
VALDEMAR Don't mock your brother. At least he does something. You, on the other hand…
KEISE (cutting him off) What do I do? I know. Nothing. But what am I supposed to do? Everything's going to be mine anyway. The company, the money, the house… everything. So why bother?
VALDEMAR (voice hardening) Everything yours? Who told you that?
KEISE (laughing) Who else? You did. You always said it. "Son, everything will be yours." Don't you remember?
Valdemar paused for a moment. Then slowly stood up.
VALDEMAR (cold) Then… you will be nothing.
Keise froze. He looked at his father for a second. Then that arrogant, mocking smile spread across his face again.
KEISE Then I'll be nothing, huh? Nothing… Whatever. I'm not arguing with you, Dad. Enjoy your nice house, your nice car… it's all yours.
He turned and walked out.
INT. KEISE'S ROOM – A FEW MINUTES LATER Keise stormed into his room. Opened the closet, grabbed a bag, and started throwing things in randomly. His face still wore that mocking expression, but his eyes held something else… hurt? Anger? Impossible to tell.
He grabbed the bag and left the room.
INT. CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS As he opened the door, EİDA (22) appeared in front of him.
She wasn't as harsh as Kaelira. Not at all. Soft eyes, calm face. When Keise saw her, he paused for a moment. Instinctively took a breath. Relaxed.
KEISE (tired smile) Hey, sis.
EİDA (placing her hands on his cheeks) Little brother… are you okay?
Keise didn't answer, just looked away.
EİDA (cont'd) Were you arguing with Dad again at the table? Your voice carried all the way here.
Keise shrugged.
EİDA Never mind… Come on, let me drive you to school. You're late, but whatever. At least Dad won't see you like this.
Keise gave a faint smile. A rare sight on that arrogant, tough face.
KEISE Thanks, sis.
They started walking together.
EXT. SCHOOL FRONT – SOME TIME LATER Eida's car stopped in front of the school. Keise got out, slung his bag over his shoulder.
KEISE (without looking back) See you later, sis.
EİDA (calling from the car) Keise! Come home early tonight. I'm cooking.
Keise waved his hand and walked away.
INT. SCHOOL – CORRIDOR – NOON Keise walked slowly down the corridor. Reached his classroom. Entered without knocking.
The classroom noise stopped instantly. All eyes on Keise.
He didn't look at anyone. Walked straight to his desk.
The TEACHER (40s, glasses) silently followed him with her eyes. Eyebrows furrowed.
TEACHER (calm but warning tone) Well… Young Master Keise?
Keise stopped without turning. Waited a second. Then slowly turned to the teacher. That usual mocking expression on his face.
TEACHER (shrugging) Sir… I was late. Sorry. Isn't that enough?
Keise didn't answer.
The teacher's eyes narrowed. No one in class made a sound.
Keise glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Then turned back around, sat at his desk, and laid his head on his arms.
The teacher sighed deeply, shook her head.
TEACHER (to the class) Alright, children… let's continue the lesson.
INT. CLASSROOM – SOME TIME LATER Keise still had his head down. Eyes closed. Pretending to sleep? Thinking? Hard to tell.
Math problems on the board. Teacher explaining. But Keise wasn't listening.
EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD – LUNCH BREAK Bell rings.
Students pour out of classrooms. Noise, laughter, running.
Keise still at his desk. Head down.
A hand touches his shoulder.
EREN (17), grinning at Keise. Not as bad as Keise, but still a bit mischievous. More cheerful, more alive.
EREN (shouting) Hey Keise! Keiseeee!
Keise opens his eyes. Yawns. Stretches.
KEISE (tired) Ahhhhh… What's up, Eren?
EREN (grinning) Good, good… But you don't look so good. That attitude with the teacher… What happened? Activated teenager mode again?
Keise smirks. Lightly elbows Eren's shoulder.
KEISE Shut up.
Stands up, puts his arm around Eren's shoulder.
KEISE (cheerful tone) Come on, let's see who's at the cafeteria.
They leave the classroom together.
INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA – LUNCH BREAK Cafeteria packed. Students in line, sitting at tables, laughing.
Keise and Eren push through the crowd. Some students shy away, some greet respectfully. Keise ignores them all.
They sit at a table.
EREN (curious) Come on, spill it. What's wrong? Fight with Dad again?
Keise pauses for a second. Then shrugs.
KEISE (casual tone) Same old stuff. He doesn't understand me, I don't understand him…
EREN (laughing) Classic.
KEISE (smiling) Classic indeed.
A moment of silence. Keise's eyes wander through the cafeteria crowd. Suddenly he spots someone.
SETSUKO.
Sitting alone in the corner. Small notebook in hand. Scribbling something.
Keise's expression changes. For a moment… what is it? Curiosity? Regret?
EREN (noticing) Oh damn, her again? Setsuko? Still chasing after you?
KEISE (distracted) Huh? Oh… no. Forget it.
He looks away. But his mind stays there.
EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD – END OF BREAK Bell rings. Students head back to classes.
Keise stands up, says goodbye to Eren. But his eyes search the courtyard.
He spots Setsuko. Walking alone in the distance. Notebook in hand.
Keise pauses. Wants to call out to her. But no sound comes out.
Setsuko enters the building, disappears from sight.
Keise takes a deep breath.
KEISE (to himself) Forget it…
Heads toward his classroom.
INT. CLASSROOM – AFTERNOON Class has started. Keise has his head on the desk again, pretending to sleep.
But he's not sleeping.
His father's words echo in his mind. Setsuko's eyes echo in his mind. His sisters echo in his mind.
KEISE (inner voice) I'll be nothing… I already am nothing.
His eyes slowly closed. This time he really fell asleep.
INT. CLASSROOM – LATE AFTERNOON Keise's eyes suddenly opened.
He lifted his head. The classroom was empty. Sun was setting, orange light pouring through the windows.
KEISE (surprised) Ah… damn Eren! Why didn't he wake me?
He quickly checked his watch. The bell rang 10 minutes ago.
As he gathered his bag—
His phone rang.
Screen: BIG SIS EİDA
Keise answered while packing. Walked to the window. Sunset… orange, red, peaceful.
KEISE (on phone) Hello? Hey sis?
EİDA (concerned from phone) Keise? Are you okay? School ended ages ago, I couldn't see you.
KEISE (shrugging, but voice soft) Fell asleep in class. Eren didn't wake me, the idiot.
EİDA (light laugh) Oh my baby… Where are you? Let me pick you up.
KEISE (looking out the window) No need, sis. I'll walk. The weather's nice.
EİDA (insistent) Keise, it's getting dark. Let me come get you.
KEISE (smiling) No sis, thanks. I'll walk. Clear my head a bit.
A moment of silence.
EİDA (soft) I talked to Dad, Keise.
Keise's smile faded.
KEISE (cold) Don't.
EİDA Keise…
KEISE (harsh) I said don't, sis. He's not my father anymore. He's just… some guy.
EİDA (sad) Don't say that. He loves you, he just…
KEISE (cutting her off) Loves me? Loves me so much he'll take my inheritance away? Loves me so much he said "you'll be nothing"?
His voice trembled. Anger… and hurt.
EİDA (whisper) Keise… please. Come home. I made dinner. For you.
Keise took a deep breath. Looked at the sunset. Orange, red, lonely.
KEISE (softening) Okay, sis. I'm coming.
He hung up. Sling his bag over his shoulder. Walked toward the classroom door.
Paused. Looked back. Empty desks, empty board, setting sun.
KEISE (to himself) I'm nothing…
He walked out the door.
EXT. SCHOOL FRONT – EVENING Keise stood in front of the school. The air had cooled. No one was left.
He started walking.
A few steps later, something hit his foot. He looked down. A COMIC BOOK.
Normally he wouldn't care about such things. But this one… caught his eye.
He bent down to pick it up—
At the same moment, another hand reached for it.
SETSUKO.
SETSUKO (smiling) Hey Keise? Nice to see you.
Keise looked at her, momentarily stunned.
KEISE (stammering) Uh… sorry. I'm… good, Setsuko. Better than you, I guess.
He paused.
SETSUKO (soft) What's with the long face? I saw you walking… what happened? Did a rock fall on your head?
Setsuko laughed lightly.
KEISE No… same old stuff. Dad again.
Keise's face grew serious.
SETSUKO (soft) What happened? Want to talk about it?
Keise was about to answer—
A BLACK LUXURY MERCEDES pulled up beside them. Tinted windows, menacing, expensive.
Both turned.
The window slowly rolled down. VALDEMAR was inside. Bodyguards beside him.
VALDEMAR (cold) Keise. Get in the car.
KEISE (furious) What? What car? You come at me this morning with your words, and now "get in the car"?
Valdemar didn't answer. Just nodded.
The door opened. Bodyguards stepped out.
SETSUKO (shocked) W-what are you doing?!
The bodyguards grabbed Keise by the arms, forced him into the car.
VALDEMAR (calm, turning to Setsuko) Good evening, Setsuko Hanım.
SETSUKO (stammering) I-I…
The car drove off, disappearing.
Setsuko watched them go. Clutched the comic book tightly in her hand.
SETSUKO (whisper) Keise…
The car vanished from sight.
FADE TO BLACK.
[CHAPTER 1 END]