( When Silence Screams arc )
It was the afternoon. The café wasn't very crowded today, but Haruki was busy with his work — like always. Coffee cups in his hands, cleaning tables, and a mind filled with countless little thoughts.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
"Hello?" Haruki answered the call.
"Hello, it's Hina," came a familiar voice from the other end.
"Hina? Who's Hina?" Haruki asked, slightly surprised.
"Ugh, it's me, you fool. You forgot me so quickly?" Hina's tone was playfully sarcastic, just like always — slightly teasing, but sweet.
Haruki froze. So much so that the phone slipped from his hands. Startled, he quickly picked it up and stammered,
"Y-you… it's you, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it's me," Hina replied casually.
"So… was there something you needed?" Haruki asked, still a bit nervous.
"Yes," Hina said in a calm voice. "I just wanted to let you know that my classes are starting late today."
"Hmm." Haruki scratched his head.
"So I'll be late getting to the café. Could you let Mr. Yun know?"
"Yeah, sure, I'll tell him," Haruki replied in a laid-back tone.
"Thank you… bye! My class is about to start," Hina said, smiling through the phone before hanging up.
Haruki put the phone back in his pocket and returned to work.
---
At the Café – A little later
Haruki was still working, but the fatigue of handling everything alone was starting to show. He decided to pull up a chair and take a quick rest.
Just then, a voice called from the entrance,
"Hello."
Haruki turned his head — Jin So, the café owner, had returned. Haruki stood up quickly.
"Sir, when did you arrive?"
"Just now. Why'd you stand? Sit down," Jin So said.
Haruki, slightly nervous, obeyed and sat down. Jin So handed him a glass of water, which Haruki drank quietly.
"Where's Hina?" Jin So asked.
"She called me and said she'd be a bit late," Haruki replied after finishing the water.
Jin So sat down in the chair beside him.
"Why?"
"She said her classes are starting late today, so she'll be coming in late," Haruki answered.
Jin So glanced around the café, then noticed Mr. Yun, the manager, peacefully sleeping in the corner.
"And what about this manager?" Jin So asked, clearly irritated.
"He's been asleep for quite a while," Haruki replied with a slight smile.
Jin So immediately walked over to Mr. Yun and shouted,
"Mr. Yun!"
Mr. Yun jolted awake, adjusting his glasses.
"Was that an earthquake?!"
"No, it's me," Jin So replied, his tone sharp and cold.
"Sir! When did you get here?"
"While you were enjoying your nap."
"Sorry, sir... I just dozed off for a minute," Mr. Yun stammered.
"You're the manager here. If you sleep, who will supervise the staff?"
"It won't happen again, sir. I promise."
"If it does, I'll give Haruki your position as manager. You can go work in the kitchen."
"Understood, sir. It won't happen again."
---
Across the Road – Hina
Hina stood at the corner of the street, waiting for the signal to change. Her face held a trace of worry.
"Maybe I really am too late today..."
She thought to herself.
As soon as the light turned green, she began to cross the road.
"I already told Haruki… he'll inform Mr. Yun. It should all be fine."
Her heart felt a slight sense of relief.
But just moments later... everything went dark.
A car, speeding fast with failed brakes, came crashing toward her —
It hit her with full force, sending her flying.
Hina fell far away, unconscious.
People ran toward her. Some called for an ambulance. Panic spread.
But Hina's eyes were closed.
Time seemed to stop completely.
---
To Be Continued...
In the next chapter:
What will Haruki do when he hears about the accident?
Will Hina be okay?