Chapter Two

HANA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Hana stares at her phone like it’s a bomb.
A match. A real one.
Her heart pounds in a way award shows never trigger.

HANA (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"Okay, Hana. You’re just… Kanao.
A normal office worker.
With normal hobbies.
And absolutely NOT famous."

She types. Deletes. Types again.
Her first message ends up being:

KANAO (Hana):
"Hi."

She faceplants into a pillow.

HANA
"Ughhh. Boring! I sound like a bot!"

REN’S ROOM – SAME NIGHT

Ren sees the notification.
He sits up straighter than when he grades finals.

REN (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"Okay, Ren. Be cool.
Casual but not creepy.
Charming but not desperate.
You are a man with… books."

He types:

REN:
"Hi!"
(he stares)

REN (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE):
"Wow. Shakespeare would be proud."

He panics, types again.

REN:
"Sorry, that was awkward."
"I’m Ren. Nice to match with you!"

He hits send. Too late to retreat.

Hana receives the message
She smiles. Like, a real smile.

KANAO (Hana):
"Nice to match with you, Ren-san."
"So… any fun weekend plans?"

REN
"My plan is to catch up on grading…
and maybe accidentally eat an entire box of taiyaki."

KANAO:
"That’s exactly how weekends should be spent."

They both stare at their phones, absurdly giddy. Typing… deleting… typing again…

REN:
"How about you?"

Hana looks around her silent, perfectly curated apartment.

Cold leftovers.
Stacks of clothing from sponsors.
A giant poster of her own smiling face.

KANAO:
"Planning to rest."
"And maybe find a new favorite café."

REN:
"If you’re brave enough to meet a stranger from the internet…
I can show you my favorite one tomorrow?"

Hana pauses.
Fear. Thrill.
A leap.

KANAO:
"I’d like that."

Both stare at their phones. Hearts a mess.

COZY CAFÉ – SUNDAY

Ren arrives early.
Too early.
He checks his reflection in the window. Fixes hair. Regrets everything.

REN (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"Just relax.
She might be a serial killer.
Or married.
Or both."

Meanwhile a few streets away

Hana is in disguise: glasses, bucket hat, simple clothes.

HANA (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"I look like I’m hiding from the FBI.
Perfect."

Her manager calls.
BAD timing.

MANAGER (PHONE)
"Hana! Emergency! You’re trending! Negative rumor!
We need you online ASAP to clear it!"

HANA
(not now not now not now!)
"Ah— s-sorry, I’m… in the bathroom. Sick. Dying."

MANAGER
"We’ll send a car to get you. Ten minutes."

Hana hangs up, panicking.

HANA (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"No. No.
Not today."

She looks toward the café…
…he’s sitting by the window.
Quiet. Nervous.
Nothing like the men from the industry.
He looks… kind.

HANA (INTERNAL)
"What if he sees me…
Not the actress. Just… me."

She takes a step forward—

Then a camera shutter.
A stranger nearby: A FAN WITH PHONE
Eyes widen — recognizing her.

FAN
"Hana Nakano!?"

Hana freezes.
Panic explodes.

She turns — and runs.

CAFÉ – SAME MOMENT

Ren glances at his phone:
No new messages.

He checks the door again.
And again.

REN (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"Okay… maybe she’s late.
Or nervous.
Or ghosting me."

He forces a smile at the waitress.

WAITRESS
"Will your date be joining soon?"

REN
(awkward laugh)
"Ahaha yes! Probably! Unless… she’s been kidnapped.
Which is… not funny. I’m sorry."

He hides behind his menu.

We see Hana around the corner. Breathless, devastated, clutching her phone.

HANA (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"I wanted to meet you.
I really did."

She types with trembling hands:

KANAO:
"I’m so sorry."
"Something came up."
"Can we… try again?"

Ren reads it immediately.
His disappointment shifts into the softest smile.

REN (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"She didn’t run away.
She just… had a life."

REN:
"Of course."
"Anytime."