Kaji: A Shiba Inu's Solitude

Peter K F Cheung SBS
13 hours ago
3 min read

FADE IN
Act 1
INT. HOME - MORNING
Bedroom. Soft light filters through the curtains, illuminating a cosy scene. KAJI lies nestled between the PACK LEADER and PETER, both are asleep. She opens her eyes.
KAJI (V.O): I cherish sleeping with them in bed.
The Pack Leader, sensing Kaji's presence, rolls over and drapes an arm over Kaji's hand,
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): I love it.
Then, Peter stirs awake and shifts, draping a leg over Kaji's body.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): That's comforting, but a little weighty.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Let me wake him up; it's time for us to have breakfast together.
Kaji gets up, her eyes fixed on Peter. She then makes soft whines.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Hey, wake up. I'm ready for breakfast.
Act 2
INT. HOME - CONTINUOUS
Peter slips out of bed and heads to the bathroom.
KAJI (V.O): Where are you going?
Kaji hops off the bed, determined to follow him.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Don't get distracted!
Kaji waits at the bathroom door.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): I don't sense the maid is around.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): As usual, Peter will go out for a while and return with a bread in a clear bag.
INT. HOME - LATER
The main door opens, and Peter steps inside, a clear bag containing a bread in hand.
KAJI (V.O): Welcome back!
Kaji bounds over to him, circling his legs, her eyes fixed on the bag.
PETER: See. I've returned. With bread. Happy?
Kaji jumps up, trying to get a closer look at the bread.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): That's largely for me!
As Peter sits at the dining table, he pulls out another chair. Kaji quickly hops onto it.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): It's my seat.
Without delay, Peter tears off a piece of bread, keeping the smaller portion for himself and handing the larger portion to Kaji.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): He knows exactly how much I love bread.
Later, we hear the sound of clock alarms, and a sleepy Pack Leader stumbles in to serve Kaji's first full meal of the day.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): I'm fortunate; there's always the risk she might not wake up, and I could end up skipping my meal involuntarily.
INT. HOME EVENING
Kaji is observing the Pack Leader bustling around and gathering their things.
KAJI (V.O): It's clear that they're preparing to go out.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): But they don't help me put on my harness.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): That means they're leaving home without me.
PACK LEADER: Stay home. Be a good girl.
Kaji lets out a tiny, almost imperceptible sigh. And Kaji is alone in her thoughts.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): A Shiba's solitude is the price I pay for their love, transforming their companionship into a cherished gift rather than an expectation.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): In a Shiba's heart is a sacred, silent space where even the closest human is merely a visitor.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): I'm not alone, I consult myself, the guardian of a home only I can feel.
Act 3
INT. HOME - NIGHT
Kaji rests alone in her cozy nest.
KAJI (V.O): A Shiba's solitude is a watchful presence, keeping the peace and ensuring everything is as it should be.
Thinking.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): In a Shiba's silence, you can hear her thoughts - tracking her routines, moods and meal times.
Reflecting.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): A Shiba alone isn't lonely, loneliness comes from fearing solitude, while solitude is about embracing it.
FADE OUT
THE END