ACT ONE

Scene 1

Hallway. Day

ISU (18, male, wearing a perfectly pressed school uniform with a tall, slimline frame, and neatly groomed black hair) enters by walking down a gray and clinical school hallway and checking his watch to see 3:45 PM on the dot. Ever the perfectionist, ISU moves with the rigid precision of someone who plans his life down to the last detail. Avoiding contact with other students, he nervously glances at his planner, noting a coffee stain.

ISU

Five minutes to the library. Fifteen minutes for test review. Then puzzle practice.

He quickens his pace, anxiously biting his nails.

ISU

(whispering) Stay on track, stay focused

He pulls out his planner while walking, scanning today’s schedule again and again. Each task is written in precise handwriting with exact time allocations. He checks his watch again as it ticks over to 3:49 PM, suddenly realizing that he is falling behind the schedule. He walks faster, brining his finger to his mouth and nervously biting his nail until it bleeds slightly.

​​

Scene 2

Library. Day (continued)

ISU arrives at the library and nods briefly to the librarian.

LIBRARIAN

(warmly) Good afternoon, my plan man! Here for the puzzle again?

ISU doesn’t respond but he heads straight to his usual seat directly beneath the ceiling lights, with a clear view of the wall clock.

LIBRARIAN

(softly) Everything happens for a reason, and there is a right time for everything.  

ISU sets his bag down with precision, his movement controlled and deliberate. He arranges his items very carefully and finally places his test paper squarely in front of him.

ISU

(staring at the test paper in frustration) Ninety-nine out of a hundred. One mistake. One stupid mistake.

He crosses off “Review Test Paper” from his planner before moving to the next item: “Puzzle Practice – 45 minutes”. Glancing at the clock: 4:05 PM, ISU moves swiftly to the puzzle section where puzzles are stacked and selects a puzzle he hasn’t seen before.

ISU

At least this, I can control.

He goes back to his seat and arranges all the pieces face-up in neat rows, grouping them by color and pattern. Again, he nervously glances at the clock. Twenty minutes passed. The puzzle is only finished halfway through. His fingers move faster, connecting pieces with increasing urgency. He grows increasingly anxious, biting his nails raw. The school grows quieter. The cold light dims to a warm amber glow and begins to blur, unnoticed by ISU who remains fixated on the puzzle.

ISU

(checking the clock) No, no, no – I’m behind schedule.

He speeds up, fingers trembling slightly. He never stops biting his nails. At last, only one piece remains. More frantic, he places the final puzzle piece into the last open space. The world shifts abruptly.

​

ACT TWO

Scene 3

Puzzle World Street. Morning

ISU stumbles, disoriented. His breathing is rapid and shallow, eyes darting frantically form one structure to the next. He finally finds himself in a colorful yet incomplete world. This new and surreal world around him flaunts vibrant and warm colors anew, but nothing seems complete. Streets end abruptly, buildings are missing walls, lampposts lean at odd angles.

ISU

(voice rising with panic) What… What’s happening? Where am I?! This isn’t the library. This isn’t… This isn’t anywhere!

He rushes to a nearby wall, touching it to confirm its authenticity only to pull back as if burned. He begins pacing frantically and tears his hair in despair. His organized hair becomes rumpled.

ISU

(talking to himself, increasingly hysterical) This doesn’t make any sense. Am I losing my mind?

He sinks to the ground, head in his hands, rocking slightly back and forth.

ISU

(whispering desperately) I need to get back. Everything is planned. I can’t… I can’t stay here any longer. I’ll fall behind. I’ll fail. Everything will fall apart.

YUI (18, vibrant, carefree) enters and approaches confidently.

YUI

You’re new!

ISU steps back defensively.

ISU

Who are you? Stay back. Where is this?

YUI

(leaning forward, eyes bright with interest) You solved the puzzle, right? It brought you here!

ISU

That’s impossible. Wat.. you know about the puzzle? That was just a puzzle! I must be hallucinating… Nothing makes sense to me. I don’t know what this is, but I need to get back to the library right now. I don’t have time for this.

YUI laughs softly, gesturing broadly.

YUI

Does this feel imaginary?

She playfully taps his shoulder. ISU flinches, overwhelmed.

ISU

I said I don’t have time for this! I don’t have time for games!

YUI

(nodding sagaciously) Time… Hmm.. Always rushing. Always missing out. When racing to complete things, you can miss everything along the way.

ISU

(coldly) It’s none of your concern. Now, since you seem to know what’s going on here, tell me how to get back.

YUI

(giving a deep sigh) Fine, fine. If you want to go back so bad, I can show you the way. But it’s not as simple as you think… First, you should see this!

​

Scene 4

Street with Shops. Morning

ISU

(anxiously) I need to go back right now. I have to finish everything on today’s to-do list.

YUI

You don’t need to rush. Everything happens in its own time.

ISU, startled, glances sharply at YUI. He hesitates, as if about to say something, but changes his mind. He checks his watch repeatedly, walking quickly, almost running, eyes fixed straight ahead. Suddenly, he notices stacks of books piled untidily along the street. Nearby stands a half-filled bookshelf with no sign indicating it's a bookstore. ISU stops abruptly, looking around the alley. Several stylish shops line the street, yet strangely, people are cooking, selling, working, and sipping coffee outdoors under the open sky without roofs. ISU picks up several books and begins organizing them onto the shelf.

ISU

(confused) I don’t get it. Why are these books here? Why is everything out of place?

YUI carefully browses through the scattered books and excitedly picks up "The Little Prince," approaching ISU.

YUI

What do you mean? Look at this – It’s my favorite book!

ISU ignores her enthusiasm and continues toward the scattered books.

ISU

(frustrated) Don’t you see? Look around, it’s strange. Cooking food without roofs, people eating right there… Books scattered in the street… Nothing here looks right.

YUI

(gently) Why isn’t it normal? Cooking creates smoke and smells, so no roof means better ventilation. The books get sorted gradually as people pass by. If you’re always rushing, you will never enjoy the joy of accidental discoveries.

YUI waves "The Little Prince" playfully and then places it neatly onto the shelf. ISU hesitates briefly, reflecting on YUI’s words, and then continues organizing the books. YUI smiles warmly at ISU and steps closer.

YUI

Come on, weren’t you worried about time? You will get upset if we delay further. There’s another place I want to show you on the way.

ISU glances once more at the remaining scattered books, checks his watch again, then follows her quickly.

​

ACT THREE

Scene 5

The Unfinished Museum. Day

YUI guides a hesitant ISU into an incomplete museum. Half of the roof is missing, and walls are bent and incomplete. Exhibits are in various stages of assembly. Sunlight streams through gaps, casting kaleidoscope across the floor.  

YUI

(proudly) Welcome to the Ever-Changing Museum! It’s never finished. My favorite place. Every day you can see different things!

ISU

(horrified) This is chaos, not a museum! Museums are meant to preserve, organize, and categorize accordingly.

YUI

(waving dismissively) Boring! Come see!

She pulls him inside and points to a large sculpture made of mismatched pieces: some metal, wood, and glass that seems to change shape depending on the angle of view.

YUI

Life’s all about enjoying the process. Watch.

She rearranges pieces on a sculpture.

YUI

It’s called “Perspective.” Everyone adds to it. I added this piece last week.

She points to a small blue glass shard that catches the light.

ISU

(hesitating) But.. how do you know when it’s done?

YUI

(genuinely puzzled) Why finish? The joy is in creating.

ISU

(frustrated) You know when you start something, you complete it.

YUI

(shaking her head) That’s how things work in your world, maybe. Here, we appreciate and enjoy the process. The becoming!!

ISU

(scoffing) That’s just an excuse for never completing anything.

YUI

Is it? Well.. I think obsession over completion is just an excuse for never enjoying the journey, boy.

ISU

(momentarily stunned while frustration building) … No more detours! You said you’d help me get back! Please..

YUI

I will. Don’t worry. But the way back isn’t as simple as you think.

YUI rearranges sculpture pieces haphazardly, pulling off several components and placing them in completely different positions.

ISU

(alarmed) What are you doing? That’s wrong. There are rules!

YUI

(losing patience) And those rules made you happy? What have they offered you?

ISU

(defensively stepping back) At least I accomplish things! At least I finish what I start.

YUI

(unimpressed but softly) Sure... you finish things... But do you ever enjoy it?

ISU

(after a brief silence, firmly) Enjoying something is not the point. Success and accomplishment. They are my priorities.

YUI

Oh dear. You really do not know how to enjoy your life, do you?

ISU

(furious, voice rising) Don’t you dare judge me! You, with your half-built world and your careless attitude! You have no idea what real pressure feels like!

YUI

(meeting his eyes) And you have no idea what real living is.

They glare at each other, breathing heavily as tension escalates. YUI sharply turns away, leading ISU out of the museum. The lights dim gradually, darkness deepens, and distant thunder rumbles ominously.

​

Scene 6

Unfinished Bridge. Day

The sky gets darker. A storm brews with clouds swirling. ISU panics while YUI remains calm.

ISU

(looking up nervously) What’s happening?

YUI

(calmly) Just a storm. They come and go.

ISU

(as raindrops begin to fall) We need shelter!

YUI

(calm and trying to catch raindrops) It’s just water.

The rain intensifies, accompanied by the growing rumble of thunder. ISU frantically searches for shelter, but every building inexplicably lacks walls or roofs. Thunder lights flashes vividly, illuminating YUI’s calm, composed expression in stark contrast to ISU’s panicked face. Overwhelmed, ISU finally erupts in anger.

ISU

(voice breaking, nearly crying) This isn’t safe! We need proper shelter, NOW!

YUI remains silent and calmy observes ISU.

ISU

(yelling at YUI) Are you trying to get us killed?

YUI

(hurt) You think I’m deliberately putting you in danger? I’m trying to help you!

ISU

(anger in his eyes) I think you are deliberately trapping me here! You are playing games, leading me in circles instead of showing me the way back! You are wasting my time with your riddles!

YUI

(disappointed, quietly) Why would I do that?

ISU

(frustrated and desperate) I don’t know! Maybe you are bored! Maybe watching outsiders like me panic is entertainment for you!

A sudden, sharp crack of thunder interrupts, echoing dramatically around the two.

YUI

(started by his outburst) What? No. I’ve been trying to help you! I wasn’t wasting your time. I was trying to show you there’s more than your checklists in your planner. But you are so obsessed with control, you refuse to see anything that doesn’t fit your perfect plan!

ISU

(stepping very close to her) You know what I think? I think this is all some elaborate hallucination. Or I'm having a mental breakdown from stress. Because there is NO WAY puzzles transport people into half-built worlds with annoying guides who speak in riddles!

YUI

(taken aback and hurt) Annoying? I’ve been trying to help you see what’s making your life so harsh and destructive.

ISU

Not a single thing on my checklist is destroying me! I have plans, I have goals, and I have a future mapped out, step by perfect step!

YUI

(voice rising) And what happens if you miss a step? Or fail to cross off one item on your precious checklist? Does your entire world collapse?

ISU

(firmly) I do not miss steps. I don’t make mistakes. That’s exactly why I have my planner.

YUI

(shaking her head) Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes are natural. Everyone fails sometimes!

ISU

(furious again) I CAN’T! Don’t you understand? I can’t fail! I can’t miss a step!

They stare at each other. His mouth opens, then closes. For a long moment, neither of them moves. The storm finally begins to ease. A thin shard of light pierces the clouds. ISU turns away, wiping rainwater and low-key teardrops from his face. He doesn’t answer. YUI doesn’t press. She turns and starts walking. ISU stays still for a moment longer before following her. The storm has now passed.

​

Scene 7

Unfinished Bridge. DAY.

The two start walking in silence until they arrive at a bridge abruptly ending mid-air. ISU freezes.

ISU

(startled) It’s incomplete! Unsafe!

YUI calmly picks up planks scattered nearby and effortlessly lays them down to form a path. Warm sunlight illuminates the newly created path, highlighting the safe route YUI has made.

YUI

(reassuring) We build our own way here.

ISU

It’s reckless!

YUI

Or creative.

A tense silence follows as they cautiously cross.

 

Scene 8

Fountain. Late Afternoon

ISU and YUI rest by an incomplete fountain, water flowing from its incomplete stone structure. ISU seems less rigid now, unsurprised by yet another incomplete scene while he still maintains a cautions distance from YUI though. Unbothered at all, YUI sits calmly and dips her feet into the cool water.

now doesn’t get surprised by this incomplete thing anymore. He sits less rigidly now, though keeping distance from YUI. YUI doesn’t care his attitude but dangles her feet to touch the water.

YUI

(sighs, breaking the silence) I used to be like you, you know…when I was little. One summer day, I built a sandcastle at the beach. It was the biggest I’d ever made. I spent hours on it. I thought it was perfect, like something a princess from a fairytale would live in.   

ISU

(slightly interested) …. And?

YUI

(staring into the distance) I lost it. A single wave destroyed my perfect sandcastle like in a second. At first, I cried. I screamed. All that effort, all the time spent building it… Gone just like that.

ISU

(nodding, genuinely engaged) Finally, something I can agree with you on. If I were you, I’d have cried too. It’s normal – creating something perfect, only to see it destroyed. Anyone would be disappointed.

YUI

But then my sister handed me a bucket, and my brother started digging a moat. And my parents simply said, ‘Now you can build a new one.’

ISU frowns slightly, puzzled.

YUI

(quietly smiling) Watching my family building new sandcastles, I realized: things don’t need to last forever or be perfect to have meaning...

ISU

(surprised, genuinely confused) But what’s the point if it gets destroyed?

YUI

Maybe the real joy was in building it.

ISU doesn't respond. His fingers tighten against his arm. He wants to argue, but something about what she is saying resonates. His entire life has been about reaching completion, perfection. The idea of something being meaningful without being finished unsettles him. While the transformation is so subtle that it might go unnoticed by the untrained eye, YUI sees it. A crack in ISU's carefully constructed world, letting in just a hint of possibility. YUI silently gestures for ISU to follow.

​

Scene 9

Central Puzzle. Evening

They arrive at an enormous puzzle wall placed in the center of the city. The puzzle glows softly. The puzzle pieces are constantly shifting, gently floating, and rearranging themselves. ISU frantically attempts to assemble the puzzle but pieces keep moving out of alignment.

ISU

(frustrated) Why won't it stay complete?

YUI

(calmly) Because it’s not meant to be finished.

ISU

But puzzles should have answers…

YUI

(softly) Why?

ISU

(quietly) Because… what else is there?

YUI

(warmly) Everything. Life. Possibilities.

ISU pauses, deeply reflecting on her words.

YUI

(gesturing to the puzzle, smiling) Well...finally! This is your way home.

ISU

(excited but confused) But…how? How do I go back?

YUI

(looking directly at him) You already know. Remember to forgive yourself when you’re not perfect. You can always find value in the attempt and learn to enjoy the unexpected!

ISU hesitates, then slowly places down a puzzle piece, letting go of perfection.

YUI

Don’t forget that puzzle piece. Don’t forget this moment, ISU.

ISU

(looking back) Will I ever return?

YUI

(voice gently fading into the distance) That’s up to you. The puzzle will always be here, but maybe you won’t need it anymore.

Suddenly, lights fade rapidly, enveloping the stage in total darkness. A deep silence fills the space as the world gently fades away.  

 

Scene 10

Library. Evening

ISU blinks awake. He’s back in the library. The unfinished puzzle is still on the desk right next to his planner filled with the rigid schedules and checklists. He notices that he’s already missed three scheduled tasks. Yet, for the first time, he feels no urgent need to complete them. He breathes deeply, gently closing the puzzle box without finishing it.

ISU

(with a subtle smile) It’s enough.

He calmly gathers his belongings, stands, and walks down toward the library exit, without once checking the clock or his watch. As he nears the exit door, the LIBRARIAN, still on his duty, looks up with mild surprise. For the first time, ISU pauses to acknowledge him with a genuine smile and a gentle nod.

ISU

(with smile) Good evening, ma’am!

LIBRARIAN

(smiling warmly, knowingly) Good evening, my plan man! Looks like you’ve finally figured out the puzzle that matters the most!

ISU pauses, startled by the LIBRARIAN’s words. He slowly turns back, looking thoughtfully at the LIBRARIAN. His hand, hovering near his mouth, slowly descends. For the first time, there is no urge to bite his nails. Instead, his fingers gently brush his face, a gesture of acceptance. ISU exhales deeply, and the tension leaves his body. Finally, his hands are still at peace. He smiles gently as the lights gradually fade, immersing both in peaceful darkness.