Five years later…
In the heart of the city, a cold winter night swept through the nearly empty streets.Inside one of the buildings belonging to the most prestigious publishing house in the country, a lone silhouette stood still.
A man held a cup of coffee. His face showed exhaustion… and the unmistakable marks of accumulated stress.
He was on the phone.
—What? Are you serious? I need that material by tomorrow! If we delay the book release one more day… we're all out of a job.
—Alright… let me handle it —came the reply from the other end.
The man clenched his jaw.
—Listen. I'll send you everything we have so far, but I need more time. Sarah still hasn't sent the final chapter.
—What do you mean she hasn't sent it? We can't publish an incomplete book… —he exhaled in frustration—. That girl still acts like we're in high school. When did she even become so famous in light novels? Just hurry her up. I have to edit it… one week won't be enough if she keeps stalling.
—Okay, okay… don't yell at me —the voice answered, slightly annoyed—. Being her manager is stressful too, you know? No one would've guessed she'd end up writing romance…
—And even less that you'd be her manager, Cris.
A laugh came through the phone.
—Yeah… life's weird like that. But hey, tell me—are you coming tonight? I'll get you everything by tomorrow, but come grab a drink with us. Like always, it's Tai and me… we're missing the third musketeer. We'll be at the usual bar in half an hour. Don't bail.
The call ended before he could respond.
—I'm not sure I can— …did he just hang up?
He sighed.
—That idiot never changes…
He walked toward the window. Outside, the cold seemed even harsher.
—Still… maybe it wouldn't hurt to clear my head.
He checked the time. A twenty-minute drive.
—Fine… for old times' sake.
He grabbed his coat, his car keys, and left behind a desk covered in scattered papers.
The elevator descended slowly as he glanced at his phone.Doubt crept in.
Since he started working as an editor, going out for drinks had become rare. He didn't have time… not even for himself.
He shook his head.
—I deserve this. I've worked hard… and we're almost done anyway.
He tried to convince himself.
The drive was quick.
When he arrived, he decided to wait outside.Five minutes… then ten.
The cold eventually got the better of him.
He stepped inside the bar.
Just then, his phone rang.
—Where are you? I'm already here. I'll wait inside… I was freezing out there.
—Ray… you're going to kill me. Sarah asked me to stay and help her. She says she has… writer's block. I'm sorry.
He closed his eyes, holding back his frustration.
—Now you see why I don't usually go out drinking with you guys. You're still just as irresponsible… but at least tell me Tai is coming.
Silence.
—Well… about that…
The call ended.
Ray slowly lowered his phone.
—Unbelievable…
The years had passed… but some things never changed.
He sighed and walked toward the bar.
Next to him, a woman was on the phone, clearly upset.
—What? What do you mean you can't come? Writer's block? Does that even exist? Sarah… Sarah—did she hang up on me?
She let her head fall onto the counter.
—Thirty minutes waiting… and I get stood up. Perfect.
She straightened up, annoyed.
—Whatever… next time, I'll be the one doing the standing up.
She stared ahead for a moment.
—Well… since I'm already here, I might as well get a drink.
Ray took a seat.
The bartender approached.
—Good evening. What can I get you?
—Good evening… I'll have—
—A whisky on the rocks.
They both spoke at the same time.
The bartender raised an eyebrow.
—Oh… I thought you came together.
Ray shook his head without looking up.
A few minutes later, the glass was placed in front of him.
As he reached for it, something caught his attention.
The woman had a notebook on the counter.
And on top of it…
a pencil.
He froze.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze.
And then…
he recognized her.
Hana.
After five years.
She looked at him too.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
—Ra… Ray? Is that you?
Her eyes scanned him in disbelief.
—Wow… you look really good. You haven't changed much.
He let out a soft laugh.
—So you remember my name… that's a surprise. Running into you here…
—Well… I got stood up —she said with a faint smile—. What about you?
—Same here.
He shrugged.
She studied him for a moment.
—Let me guess… a girl left you here alone?
Ray chuckled.
—No. A friend… Cris. I don't know if you remember him. He said Sarah has "writer's block." Does that even exist?
He took a sip of his whisky.
Hana stayed quiet for a moment.
Then she smiled.
—What a small world… our best friends work together… and they both leave us hanging in the same place.
She looked straight at him.
—Fate can be a little unpredictable sometimes.
A brief pause.
—Since we're already here… why don't we catch up?