"A Moment Between Two Journeys

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 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, literature department.

Wang: So you're at Sungkyunkwan? I heard the beauties of Seoul go 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 it’s better you don’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 today’s Rin’s birthday.

Kaito: Wait... did you say today is Rin’s birthday?