YURI KOI
13th March, 2027
ZZZzzz… ZZZzzz…
The alarm clock shrieked, dragging me out of sleep. I groaned, slapped it off, and stumbled out of bed. After brushing my teeth, I made myself a quick breakfast.
Just as I was finishing, my phone started ringing. It was my father.
"Hi, Father," I said, still chewing the last bite.
"Good morning, sweetheart! How are you today?" His voice was full of energy.
"I'm fine. I just finished breakfast—I'm leaving for work now." I slipped on my shoes as I spoke.
"Are you sure you're okay? Do you need money for anything?" His tone was cautious, protective.
I clenched my jaw. "No, I'm good. Dad, you have to understand—I'm not a little girl anymore. I can make my own money."
The anger in my voice surprised even me. The silence on the line was heavy.
By then, I was already walking toward work, phone pressed to my ear.
"I know… but as a father, I just need to be sure my only daughter is living a good life," he said softly.
My heart softened. "…You're right. How's work?" I asked, curious.
"The usual," he said with a sigh. "Nothing special."
"Well, okay then. I'm at the workplace, I'll let you go now."
"Have a good day," he replied warmly.
"See you later, Dad."
Another day began.
Eight hours later…
"See you tomorrow!" I waved to my coworker before stepping outside. The evening air felt heavy, almost restless. On a whim, I decided to visit my father at the hospital.
Earbuds in, I hit play.
Now Playing: West Coast – Lana Del Rey
────────────⚪────── ◄◄ ⏸ ►► 2:18 / 3:56
But when the song ended, I slipped my headphones out and froze.
Across the street, I spotted a guy. His posture, the way he carried himself… he looked so much like Sai. My heart skipped. Could it be?
I shook the thought away. It couldn't be. I'd accepted long ago that I'd probably never see him again. But fate—fate had its own plans.
As I crossed the street, a motorcycle sped past. Its front tire burst with a violent pop.
"NO!" I screamed as the rider lost control. The bike veered wildly and crashed into a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
My legs moved before my mind caught up. I sprinted toward the scene. The rider was dazed but safe—his helmet had protected him. But the other man… the one lying still on the pavement…
He wasn't moving.
My hands shook as I knelt beside him. I tried everything my father had taught me, but nothing worked. Panic clawed at me. With trembling fingers, I called my father, begging for help. Minutes later, the ambulance arrived.
I climbed inside, heart pounding, refusing to leave the stranger's side.
At the hospital, I waited in my father's office. My thoughts were a storm. Then… I noticed it.
A small scar, right on his right hand, across the metacarpophalangeal joint.
My breath caught in my throat. That scar—I knew it. Only one person I had ever known bore it.
It can't be…
Tears welled in my eyes. Is it really him? After all these years… is fate letting me see him again? To talk to him… to make him smile…?
I pressed my palms together and whispered, voice breaking, "Please, Father… please save him. Please keep him alive."
I cried until my chest ached, until my hands trembled with exhaustion. All I wanted in that moment was comfort—my little cat, the only one who ever listened to my thoughts. The one who greeted me at the door after every long day, the one who curled beside me on sleepless nights. I had never felt lonelier than now.
Time blurred. My body gave in, and I fell asleep in my father's chair, cheeks still wet with tears.
When I woke, a gentle hand was stroking my hair.
"You didn't have to cry so much," my father said softly. "He's alright now."
Relief washed over me so suddenly, I nearly broke into sobs all over again. But instead, I sank back into the chair, finally letting myself rest.
For the first time in years, I felt hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, I could visit not just the memory of Sai Shinu… but the real Sai himself.