Chapter Three

IZAKAYA BAR – NIGHT

Kenta pours Ren a beer like it’s a cure for heartbreak.

KENTA
"So let me get this straight. She cancelled last minute. Again."

REN
"Not again. Just… once."

KENTA
"And you still like her?"

REN
"She apologized. Said she was sick."

KENTA
"Ren. Everyone on dating apps says they’re “sick.” It’s the polite way of saying, “I found someone taller.”"

REN
"I’m not short."

KENTA
"You’re average. Which is worse."

Ren glares. Kenta grins.

REN
"Remind me why I’m friends with you."

KENTA
"Because I’m married and living proof that sarcasm works as foreplay."

REN
"That’s… deeply disturbing."

They both laugh.

KENTA
"Look, man. Maybe she really had something going on. Give her another shot. You’re too serious. Be fun. Flirty. Mysterious."

REN
"You just described a golden retriever."

KENTA
"Exactly! Be the dog! Everyone loves the dog!"

Ren takes a sip.

REN (INTERNAL)
"Maybe I do take things too seriously.
But somehow, “Kanao” didn’t feel like just another match."

He scrolls through their messages again, smiling unconsciously.

KENTA
(eyeing him)
"You’re smiling at your phone. Oh no. You’ve caught feelings."

REN
"What? No. It’s just... funny."

KENTA
"You said that like a man auditioning for denial."

HANA’S AGENCY OFFICE – DAY

Hana sits across from her manager, REI KISARAGI (late 30s), who’s pacing with a tablet.

REI
"It’s not that bad. Just… tabloids saying you have a secret boyfriend and “mysterious late-night habits.”"

HANA
"I went to buy miso soup at 11 PM. Alone."

REI
"Exactly. So mysterious."

Hana groans, head in hands.

REI
"Anyway, we’ll spin it. You were “focusing on your craft.”"

HANA
"That’s what we said last time."

REI
"Then this time you’re “focusing on personal growth.”"

HANA
"You’re unbelievable."

REI
"That’s why you pay me."

They share a look. Equal parts exasperation and affection.

REI
"Take a few days off. Stay low-key. Don’t go near Shibuya. Don’t download anything."

Hana freezes.

HANA
"…Define “anything.”"

REI
"Apps. Especially dating ones."

Hana smiles nervously.

HANA
"Right. Of course not. Definitely didn’t already do that."

Rei squints.

REI
"Hana."

HANA
"What? I was… curious!"

REI
"Curiosity killed the career."

HANA’S APARTMENT – LATER

Hana collapses on her sofa, scrolling her chat with Ren (“Kanao ↔ Ren”).
Her last message: “Can we try again?”
His reply: “Anytime.”

She types… then erases.

HANA (INTERNAL)
"He probably thinks I’m a flake.
Or a catfish.
Or worse — both."

She flops face-first into a pillow.

HANA
"Why is dating harder than acting? I fake-cry for a living!"

Her phone buzzes. A text from Ren:

REN:
"Hey, Kanao. Hope you’re feeling better.
No rush about rescheduling, but I did find a café that serves taiyaki and coffee. Thought of you."

Her heart melts.

HANA (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"Oh no. He’s thoughtful.
The most dangerous kind."

She starts typing back.

ART GALLERY CAFÉ – WEEKEND AFTERNOON

Ren stands near the entrance, waiting for Kenta and Yui. They invited him to a photography exhibit.

He sips his coffee, distracted.
His phone buzzes. New message coming from Kanao.

KANAO:
"Sorry for going quiet. Work’s been wild.
Still owe you a coffee."

He smiles, small, genuine.

SAME CAFÉ – CONTINUOUS

A commotion near the counter.
Cameras flash.
Hana, in sunglasses and a mask, stands frozen as fans recognize her.

FAN 1
"Hana Nakano?!"

FAN 2
"Can I get a selfie?"

She forces a polite smile, trapped.

HANA (INTERNAL)
"Of course. Of all cafés in Tokyo…"

She signs an autograph quickly and turns to leave.
Colliding directly into Ren, spilling his coffee.

REN
"Ah! I’m so sorry"

HANA
"No, it’s my fault"

They both stop. Time slows.

Ren blinks at her. The eyes above the mask, the familiar warmth.
He can’t place it, but something stirs.

REN (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"Where have I seen those eyes…"

Hana panics, adjusts her mask higher.

HANA
"I—I’ll pay for your coffee!"

REN
"It’s fine. Really. Are you okay?"

HANA
"Yes! Totally fine!"
(awkward pause)
"Um… do you like taiyaki?"

Ren freezes.

REN
"Wait… what?"

HANA
"Nothing! I mean—bye!"

She flees before he can respond.

Ren stands there, holding his empty cup, baffled and slightly charmed.

REN (INTERNAL)
"Did she just… ask about taiyaki and run away?"

He watches her disappear into the crowd, then checks his phone.
A new message.

KANAO:
"Sorry. Can we rain-check again? Something came up."

Ren reads it… then glances at the direction she ran.
A strange smile tugs at his lips.

REN (INTERNAL MONOLOGUE)
"No way… right?"