Chapter 3 - The silence between waves

They stared at each other.

Koji and the woman—eyes locked across the counter, caught in a silence filled with recognition and uncertainty.

Then Kenji walked up, holding a bottle of tea. He glanced at the woman behind the register and blinked.

“Well, look who it is,” he said. “The friendly neighbor who slammed her door in our faces. Nice way to say hi, don’t you think?”

Koji elbowed him lightly in the stomach. “Shut up.”

The woman looked nervous—shy, even. She tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Her lips moved without sound.

Finally, with effort, she managed:“I... I’m sorry,” she said, bowing quickly. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I just… got scared, that’s all. I’m really sorry.”

Koji softened. “It’s fine. No one wants to see two idiots standing around in their walkway.”

Kenji scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, not your fault, ma’am. Sorry about that. Just don’t be afraid to talk to people, alright?”

The woman nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll try. I’ve… never really had anyone to talk to. I got scared. I won’t do it again.”

Kenji gave her a casual salute. “No worries. He’s your neighbor, so try to get along. He won’t be here long, but maybe you can help each other out.”

Koji shot him a look—mildly annoyed, seeing through what he was trying to do.

But the woman just smiled—small and hesitant—and nodded again.

Kenji and Koji exchanged a glance—both clearly aware of what the other was doing.

Then Kenji turned back to the woman behind the counter.“Oh, right. We forgot to introduce ourselves,” he said casually. “I’m Kenji, and this quiet guy beside me is Koji.”

The woman looked down, unsure.

But then, as if gathering courage, she lifted her head and said softly, “Yumi. My name is Yumi.”

The tension eased just a little. The three of them stood there for a moment, the weight of the awkwardness giving way to something gentler.

Kenji leaned on the counter. “So… Yumi, you work here?”

She nodded, then stuttered out her answer. “Yes… I work here at night. And at a flower shop in the mornings.”

Kenji raised his brows, impressed. “Hard worker, huh?”

Then he glanced at his phone and gasped. “Oh crap, look at the time! Bro, we gotta move. The onsen closes soon.”

He gave Yumi a quick wave. “See you around, Miss Yumi!”

And with that, he rushed out of the store.

Koji stared after him and sighed. “He didn’t pay. As expected.”

He turned back to Yumi.“Sorry about that. He talks too much… but he’s a good guy. Really.”Yumi smiled faintly. “It’s fine.”

Koji hesitated, then said, a little awkwardly, “Don’t take anything he says too seriously. And if you ever need anything… just ask.”

He looked away for a moment, then back at her.

Yumi gave a small nod. “Okay. Thank you.”

The door shut behind them with a soft chime. Koji stepped out of the convenience store and immediately smacked Kenji on the back of the head.

“Ow! What was that for?” Kenji protested.

“For trying to play matchmaker in there,” Koji muttered.

Kenji shrugged, brushing it off with a grin. “What? I was just trying to help. You only ever talk to me. It wouldn’t kill you to make another friend. Might help clear your head a bit.”

Koji gave him a look. “You don’t have that many either.”

Kenji snorted. “Yeah, well. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.”

They kept walking, the road quiet beneath their feet. The breeze had picked up, carrying the scent of salt. The streetlights behind them faded as they neared the shore.

The moon hung low above the sea, casting silver light across the waves. The ocean shimmered, dark and endless.

They stopped at the edge of the beach. Neither of them spoke for a moment.

Their eyes stayed fixed on the sea, the moonlight pulling ghosts out of the water.

**FLASHBACK – MORNING LIGHT**

The morning sun spilled warmth across the street. A breeze stirred the air.

Young Koji stepped out of his front door, rubbing sleep from his eyes—only to stop in surprise.

Hana stood outside, waiting. Her bicycle leaned beside her.

“I thought you were joking yesterday,” Koji said, blinking.

“Nope,” Hana replied, expression soft. “I even brought my bike… though the chain broke on the way.”

She pointed to it sheepishly.

Koji nodded toward the parking lot. “Place it there. I’ll take a look.”

They knelt beside the bike, working in quiet concentration. Hana watched him—not with romantic affection, but with a kind of quiet understanding. A recognition born from shared solitude.

Time slowed as Koji adjusted the chain. The moment felt weightless.“It’s fixed,” he said at last. “So, where do you want to go?”

“The beach,” Hana replied. “Down the slope.”

Koji climbed on the bike, and Hana hopped onto the back, her hands gripping his shoulders. They coasted downhill, the wind in their hair, laughter trailing behind them.

As they reached the base of the slope, Hana spoke again.“Have you ever heard of the 52-hertz whale?”

Koji glanced back. “No. What is that?”

Hana’s gaze was distant, locked on the sea ahead.“It’s the story of the loneliest whale in the world. It sings at 52 hertz—a frequency no other whales understand. It keeps calling out... but no one ever replies.”

Koji frowned. “Who told you that?”

“My mother.”

She hesitated, then added quietly, “I think… you’re like that whale.”

Koji’s hands tightened slightly on the handlebars.
“Stop comparing me to something like that.”

They rolled to a stop. The waves crashed gently nearby.

“We’re here,” he said, hopping off.

Hana stepped down, brushing off her skirt.

They stood silently at the shore, watching the sea stretch out toward the horizon.

**SCENE – THE PENITENTIARY**

The walls buzzed with fluorescent light. A line of visitors sat across from inmates, separated by thick glass. The quiet murmur of phone receivers created a strange intimacy amidst the cold steel.

Kenji sat on the visitor’s side, his fingers fidgeting as he waited. His eyes flicked up as a guard led someone through the far door.

A man walked in—bearded, tired-looking, dressed in prison gray. He took his seat behind the glass with the same weight he carried in his shoulders.

They picked up the phones simultaneously.

“Hey, Dad,” Kenji said.

The man sighed. “Hey, son… I told you not to come here.”

“I wanted to see you,” Kenji said, voice steady.

His father shook his head. “You shouldn’t waste your time on me. Kids your age should hang out with friends.”

Kenji frowned. “That’s not your call.”

A silence hung between them for a moment.

“Anyway,” his father said, trying to change the subject. “How’s school?”

“Boring, as always,” Kenji muttered. “I work at the shop when I’ve got free time. Keeps me busy.”

His father nodded. “And… your mother?”

Kenji’s expression hardened.“She’s not my mother,” he said coldly.

The man sighed again, more heavily this time. “I’m sorry. I should’ve known better than to bring her into our family after your mother died. I just… I wanted someone to take care of you. I made a grave mistake.”

Kenji leaned closer, frustration bubbling. “She lies about everything. Says she’s looking after me—but she just takes the money and disappears. Probably with some other guy.”

“I know,” his father said quietly. “Just wait a little longer. I’ll be out in a few years. We’ll get her out of our lives for good.”

Kenji’s jaw tightened. “You think she’ll just let that happen? She’ll lie again. Do something to keep you in here. Like last time.”

His father leaned forward, eyes locked on his son’s.“Don’t worry. It’ll work out. Trust me, Kenji.”

A guard approached and tapped the glass.“Time’s up,” he said.

The two stared at each other for a moment longer.

Then Kenji slowly hung up the phone.

His father did the same.

**SCENE – BACK AT THE BEACH**

The wind carried the faint scent of salt as Kenji walked alone along the beach, hands in his pockets. The ocean murmured beside him.

Up ahead, two figures stood at the edge of the water—Koji and Hana.

 The waves shimmered silver beneath the moonlight, their backs turned to him.

Kenji approached slowly.

Kenji:“So, why’d you call me here?”

The waves rolled in, quiet and distant. Koji stood near Hana, watching Kenji approach with a curious look.

Before Koji could answer, Hana turned to Kenji and pointed gently at Koji.

Hana:“He has something to say to you.”

Kenji blinked, then scoffed.“Oh, he’s here too. Great. Come on, Koji. You could’ve said it yourself. Don’t need a middle person for this. So, what is it?”

Koji opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat. His gaze dropped.

Hana stepped forward, her tone calm but firm.“Koji doesn’t want you to take money from him anymore. He says he doesn’t like it.”

Kenji’s smile faded.“I said—there doesn’t need to be a middle person.”

(He turns to Koji)“Let’s hear it from you.”

Koji hesitated, fists clenched at his sides. Then, slowly, he looked up. His voice was shaky, but he forced the words out.“I… I just want to be friends. But I don’t like it when you take money from me. It… it makes me feel like I’m being used. Like you’re only hanging out with me out of pity.”

He looked at Hana, then back at Kenji.

Kenji’s expression twisted—hurt? Angry? Maybe both.

He turned, as if to leave—then paused.“I wasn’t using you. I was just asking for help.I’m not pitying you. I thought we were in the same boat. Guess I was wrong.”

Then, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Hana“She’s the one using you.”

Koji’s brow furrowed in confusion.

Kenji (quietly, coldly):“Who do you think told us where you were hiding on the last day of school?”(He gestures toward Hana)“She did.And now she acts like she’s helping you?”

Koji froze, stunned. His eyes flicked toward Hana—searching, unsure.Kenji stepped back, his voice bitter.“Just… know who’s helping you—and who’s using you.”

He turned and walked away, his footsteps crunching over the gravel.

Koji stood still. The sea breeze whispered around them.

He slowly turned to Hana.

She didn’t deny it.

She just smiled at him.

Soft.

Quiet.

Unapologetic.