"A Moment Between Two Journeys
1398 Words
Went with my friends to the shop and found it was one of the branches, but bigger and more beautiful. I was happy for two reasons: first, that he took my advice, and second, because I was sure I could travel back in time.
But what saddened me was that the ramen didn’t feel the same.
Song: Or maybe it's delicious? The soup really is tasty.
Song: You're right, isn't it, Kaito?
Kaito: Yeah...
Kaito (thinking): What occupies my mind now is how I traveled back in time. All I remember is that I’ve gone back twice—once when I returned and met Rin on the first day of school, and the second time is now. The common thing is that I fell asleep and woke up to find myself in the past.
No... no, I have to remember clearly. Okay, the only common thing is that I slept and found myself in the past, and then woke up again and found I had returned.
No... If that were true, I would’ve traveled multiple times. Okay, what else? The only thing in common is that I met Misaki both times...
Song: Kaito, why did you stop eating?
Kaito: Sorry, I have to go. If Misaki is the key to time travel, or if there’s even a little luck involved, I’ll follow this path no matter what.
(Another scene)
Kaito: Misaki...
Misaki: Kaito? What do you want?
Kaito: Can we talk for a second? It’s important.
Misaki: Okay, but I have something now, so I can't. Can you come to my house in five hours?
Kaito (thinking): Five hours? That’s a lot, especially since I have little time. But if there’s no other choice...
Kaito: Alright.
... After waiting five hours, I went to Misaki’s house.
Kaito: Misaki, are you inside?
Misaki: Kaito? You came? Come in.
Kaito: Excuse me...
When I entered, the house was clean and tidy. I think Misaki has kept her habits since childhood.
Misaki: So, what’s the important thing?
Kaito: Well, I brought this for you.
Misaki: The little house from high school that we built?
Kaito: Yes, I want to give it to you to remind you of Rin, because she was afraid you’d forget us because of college.
Misaki: It’s impossible for me to ever forget my best friend. I always remember her.
Kaito: Then, do you still have the photo we took at the amusement park?
Misaki: Yes, I do.
Kaito: Then I lost the bet with Rin.
Misaki: A bet? What bet?
Kaito: When we went to the amusement park, Rin said you’d still have the photo. I said you forgot it, so we made a bet.
Misaki: And what was the winner’s reward?
Kaito: Rin.
Misaki: What about your condition?
Kaito: Rin.
Misaki: I'm asking you! What was your condition?
Kaito: Why?
Misaki: Because I know what Rin would ask for, but you... I can’t even imagine the weird things you might request.
Kaito: Haha, of course, I asked for something reasonable.
Misaki: Like?
Kaito: I asked that the loser bring the pie we ate while playing in the house.
Misaki: Finally, something somewhat reasonable... unexpected!
Kaito: Yes. Would you wait a second?... Here you go, this pie is on behalf of Rin, since she lost the bet.
Misaki: I’ll gladly accept it.
Kaito: Alright, I should go now.
Misaki: Okay, goodbye.
Kaito: Alright, let’s finish the exercises... Now the homework. Okay, let’s sleep now.
Wang: Hey, Mia! Don’t you want to give me that notebook you prepared? Please!
Mia: Of course not, it’s my effort! And it’s your fault—your brain is the size of a bean!
Wang: No, it’s not that! The subject is just really, really hard... Okay, Kaito, my dear and only friend!
Song: What about me?
Wang: Yeah, you too... but Kaito will help me with the subject, right?
Kaito: Yeah, alright.
I thought I would go back in time after meeting Misaki, but it turned out to be the opposite. I woke up and found myself preparing for next week’s exams.
It was worth the try, but I won’t give up. I’ll find a way to go back to the past no matter the cost.
Suddenly, while walking, I saw someone I recognized from high school, but I couldn’t remember them...
Song: Let’s go to the library.
Wang: Kaito, why do you want me to solve this? It’s hard!
Kaito: I want to see how far you've come.
Wang: I told you, the last lecture was the hardest.
Kaito: Okay, I’ll explain it to you.
Wang: Okay, I got the first two problems, but what about this one?
Voice from behind: Oh, this one? You have to break down the equation, use the formula here, then find the other side and it’ll be solved.
Kaito turns: You... Park?
Park: Yeah, it’s been a long time.
Kaito: Yeah, I haven’t seen you since high school.
Park: And I haven’t seen you since Rin and Misaki made you fulfill the agreement after you failed their test—it was just one question!
Kaito: Did you have to remind me?
Mia: You know him? Tell us, what was it?
Park: New friends?
Kaito: This is Mia, this is Wang, and this is Song.
Park: Are they siblings?
Kaito: No.
Park: They look weirdly alike.
Kaito: Yeah, same behavior. So, which university are you in now?
Park: I’m at Sungkyunkwan University, the literature department.
Wang: So you're at Sungkyunkwan? I heard the beauties of Seoul are there! Can you take me with you?
Mia: Why not? But you’ll have to go on a stretcher because I’ll break your leg!
Park: I think you shouldn’t go—your girlfriend looks super angry! Haha.
Song: How did you know they’re a couple?
Park: Because I study literature and have a deep perspective. By the way, Kaito, where’s Rin?
Kaito: Rin... passed away.
Park (sadly): I’m sorry to hear that.
Voice from the back: Park, are you here?
Park: Somin, I’m coming, go ahead... Again, I’m sorry, Kaito. I didn’t know.
Kaito: It’s okay.
Park: Well then, see you.
After we left the library, I went home and thought about how I traveled through time.
Kaito (thinking): I don’t know what’s wrong. Both times I went back in time, Misaki was there, and in both times I don’t remember anything happening... except I shook hands with Misaki.
... After saying that, I went to Misaki. I don’t know what came over me, but I went to her house and knocked until she opened.
Misaki: Kaito? Why are you knocking like that? What’s going on?
Kaito: Misaki, can you shake my hand?
Misaki: What?
Kaito: Just shake my hand.
Misaki: Calm down, what’s wrong?
Kaito: Nothing... just shake my hand.
(Misaki hits his forehead)
Misaki: I said Calm down!
... After I calmed down, Misaki brought me a cup of tea.
Kaito: I’m sorry for what I did.
Misaki: It’s okay, but what made you act like that?
Kaito: Hey, Misaki... what if there was a possibility to go back in time somehow...
Misaki: Is that why you wanted to shake my hand?
Kaito: Yes, there’s a possibility... so I want to try.
Misaki: Kaito, I don’t know what you're talking about, but did a handshake really take you back? Maybe it’s all in your head.
Kaito: It’s not. I saw it with my own eyes—it’s real.
Misaki: If you believe that, then prove it by changing something in the past. We’ll see.
Kaito: Thank you, Misaki.
... After shaking Misaki’s hand, I went home and slept.
Kaito: I’m now eating with my parents at home, and night has fallen. What’s this? A return ticket without a departure? I haven’t even done anything yet!
Kaito (thinking): The theory worked! All I have to do now is prove it to Misaki.
Kaito’s father: You need to go to bed early, you have an exam tomorrow.
Kaito: As if I haven’t had enough university exams...
... I went to bed, woke up, and went to school.
Park (from behind): Hey Kaito, how are you?
Kaito: Oh, Park! I’m good.
... I’ve known Park since elementary school, and we’re best friends.
Park: Off to school, huh?
Kaito: Yeah, anything new?
Park: I thought you were going because it’s Rin’s birthday today.
Kaito: Wait... did you say today is Rin’s birthday?
- Writer
