Chapter Text
The Day Aokbab Left.
Bangkok, Thailand.
Sunlight beamed right at Rin, causing her to blink a few times before her eyes finally opened completely.
Rin’s body felt a bit stiff, and leaning against the headboard left her neck slightly sore.
Feeling that something was missing, she immediately glanced around. Aokbab wasn't there. Aokbab was no longer in her arms.
Silence enveloped Rin’s room that morning. Her eyes drifted to the side of the bed where Aokbab usually slept. That space beside her was now empty. She slowly ran her fingers across the spot where Aokbab had slept, searching for any lingering warmth that had kept her company over the past few weeks.
She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. Her body shivered as a sudden draft of wind burst into her room. Just yesterday, on a morning like this, opening her eyes meant finding Aokbab beside her, filling the air with the rhythm of her breathing mingling with Rin's. Now, her room felt overwhelmingly vast and cold—a cruel reminder of how quickly that warmth had been ripped away from her.
She stayed in that position for a while before finally getting out of bed to check every corner of her apartment, hoping Aokbab might still be there.
“Jie…?” Rin called out a bit loudly, making sure Aokbab would hear her voice clearly.
Instead of an answer from Aokbab, only silence swallowed Rin’s voice. Her steps suddenly stopped when she saw the glass Aokbab usually used still sitting on the dining table, with some water left inside.
Only Aokbab was no longer there with her.
She slumped into one of the dining chairs, her head resting on her hands atop the table, hiding her face.
It was then that she finally realized Aokbab was gone, her body simply vanishing into thin air, swallowed by time.
Rin then remembered the side effects Aokbab had mentioned last night. She could only hope that whatever side effects Aokbab experienced, they wouldn't hurt her. Rin shook her head softly; she couldn't bear to imagine Aokbab having to face that pain all alone just to travel back to the past to see her.
Unbidden tears began to pool at the corners of her eyes, and unable to hold them back, they overflowed and streamed down her face.
Then, reality brought her back to the true reason behind Aokbab's return to the past. If Aokbab had gone as far as traveling through time to save Rin from her tragic fate, she couldn't let Aokbab's efforts go to waste.
With that, she wiped away the tears that continued to flow, stood up, cleaned herself up, and prepared to go for a morning run.
Running in the morning without Aokbab wasn't much fun for Rin. There was no one left for her to tease by joking that she ran like a grandmother.
Done with her morning run, she headed straight back to her apartment. Her eyes instinctively looked for Aokbab’s presence, who would always be sitting on the sofa to welcome her home. But this time, there was no Aokbab on the sofa—no one except herself.
Exhaling a soft breath, she reminded herself that Aokbab was no longer with her right now. She then walked over to the fridge, looking for anything she could eat for now.
She stared blankly at the contents of her fridge. Neat containers filled with various ready-to-eat meals were lined up inside, complete with sticky notes from Aokbab indicating how long each dish needed to be reheated in the microwave. A faint smile touched her face, Aokbab had even made sure Rin wouldn't starve by preparing food she often mocked as tasteless. She reached for one of the containers and carried it to the dining table.
On top of the box was Aokbab’s handwriting: Reheat for 2 minutes 30 seconds, and finish your food!
She followed Aokbab’s instructions to the letter, finishing every last bite. Aokbab would be proud of her.
Aside from the gentle hum of the refrigerator and the faint sounds of traffic outside, her apartment felt terribly quiet without Aokbab’s presence. She looked around her room, a bitter smile appearing at the corners of her lips.
It was no longer Aokbab, but silence that kept her company.
—————
“What’s wrong with you? It’s not like you to be so quiet,” Prim teased upon seeing her younger sister staring blankly behind the cafe counter.
Rin shook her head softly, burying her face in her hands.
It had been nearly three weeks since Aokbab left, and Rin was still not used to it. Before Aokbab suddenly came into her life, she had been perfectly fine. So why did she now feel like she had forgotten what her life was like before Aokbab arrived?
She still went for her morning runs, still tried to eat well, still forced herself not to stay up late, and had even managed to cut back on coffee in favor of drinking more water. Yet, everything felt different without Aokbab by her side.
Rin missed Aokbab’s nagging, missed teasing her, missed Aokbab herself.
She still wasn't used to her apartment feeling so quiet without Aokbab there. Aokbab’s belongings still decorated her apartment. Her clothes, mostly white, were still neatly arranged in Rin's closet, her toothbrush still rested next to Rin's, and the glass she usually used remained on her dining table. Only Aokbab’s physical presence had disappeared.
“How’s your future wife doing, anyway? I haven't heard you talk about her in a while,” Prim asked casually, still unaware that the reason her sister was feeling down was because Aokbab had left.
“What is there to tell if she's not here anymore?” Rin replied briefly, her voice slightly muffled.
Prim turned to her sister, blinking in confusion. “Huh? What do you mean she’s not here? Did she go back to the future or something?” Prim asked, making sure she hadn't misheard.
Rin shrugged. Honestly, she didn't know the exact answer. Did Aokbab really return to the future? If she did, what would her life be like after traveling back to the past? The question that bothered her the most was whether Aokbab's body had managed to return to the future safely. Or did Aokbab have to endure the side effects she had mentioned until her body eventually gave up on its own? Rin didn't know. And that only made her more frustrated. She didn't know how Aokbab was doing, and she didn't know where to go to find out.
“Yeah, maybe…? I don't really know for sure either. All I know is that she’s gone and hasn't come back until now,” she said softly.
“Aww, look at you, becoming a widow before even getting married,” Prim teased in an exaggerated tone, her eyebrows wriggling to tease her sister.
Rin scoffed in annoyance, her sister’s face looked incredibly irritating to her right now.
Prim chuckled softly seeing Rin’s unamused reaction to her teasing. “You miss her, don't you?” she continued, not quite done teasing Rin yet.
Rin merely rolled her eyes, she wasn’t in the mood for jokes.
“If your future Aokbab already went back, why don't you try looking for the Aokbab of the present?” Prim blurted out, trying to offer advice to her visibly distressed sister.
The problem was, Rin had already searched for Aokbab in several places Aokbab visited often, but she hadn't found her anywhere. For the past few days, she had been spending time at the pastry shop that Aokbab claimed was the witness to their first meeting, but Aokbab wasn't there. She had also checked several architecture firms, but there was no architect named Aokbab in any of them.
She slightly regretted not asking for the name of Aokbab’s mother’s company. As a result, she had to go through a list of relatively small architecture firms, visiting them one by one to look for Aokbab. The result was nothing; Aokbab wasn't at any of them.
Instead of running into Aokbab, she ran into Tertis, one of her close friends from college, at the last firm she visited—if she remembered correctly, it was called Jinta Architect.
Rin was standing in the lobby, about to ask the receptionist, when Tertis greeted her first.
“Rin!” Hearing her name called, Rin turned toward the voice and found Tertis. She returned Tertis's greeting with a smile and a brief hug.
“What are you doing here? Applying for a job?” asked the girl who was slightly shorter than her.
Rin shook her head softly. “No, I’m actually looking for someone,” she said quietly.
Tertis tilted her head, blinking in confusion. “Who are you looking for?”
“Is there an architect named Aokbab here? Aokbab Anchita is her full name,” Rin asked quickly. Her hand then rose near her head. “She's about this tall…” she continued, demonstrating Aokbab’s approximate height. “Her hair is long, down to her chest... well, maybe it’s changed now... maybe...”
Tertis shook her head gently. “There’s no architect named Aokbab here.”
“Are you sure there isn't?” Rin asked, double-checking. It was possible Tertis didn't know all her coworkers, after all.
Tertis nodded, her face looking completely certain. “Ever since I started working here, there’s been no architect named Aokbab. Besides, this is a small company. I know every single architect here, and none of them go by Aokbab or match that description.”
Rin could only nod in resignation at the information provided by her friend, then said her goodbyes to leave.
“I’ve looked in every place where Aokbab might be, but she’s nowhere to be found,” she answered weakly, starting to lose hope of ever finding Aokbab.
Rin was growing terrified that she might never see Aokbab again after this. If the movies she'd watched were anything to go by, when someone travels back to the past and tried to change something, there would be things that changed along with that decision. What if—
“Oh, right, what about your trip to Kitakyushu? Are you still going?” Prim suddenly asked, remembering her sister’s plans.
Rin’s head snapped up at Prim’s question, her eyes widening as she stared straight into her sister's eyes. Her expression showed she had just found the answer to a difficult puzzle.
Kitakyushu! How could Rin have forgotten the city Aokbab mentioned so often? The city that, according to Aokbab, held historic significance for the two of them.
Rin leaped up from her seat, hugging Prim tightly and kissing both of her cheeks before excusing herself to go back to her apartment, leaving Prim standing there in complete bewilderment.
She just remembered, according to Aokbab’s story, Aokbab was currently in Japan, not Thailand. No matter where she searched for Aokbab here, she obviously wouldn't find her.
Rin’s trip to Kitakyushu, which had been planned months in advance, was only two weeks away, and she was going to search for Aokbab there.
A wide grin spread across her face, so wide that she couldn't keep her lips from smiling. She instantly wished time could move twice as fast—or even faster—so she could meet Aokbab sooner.
—————
Kitakyushu, two weeks later.
Two weeks flew by for Rin. Over those two weeks, she had meticulously planned where she would look for Aokbab once she got there.
As soon as the automatic doors of the airport slid open, Rin slowed her stride. The cool Kitakyushu wind touched her skin, brushing against her face.
One thing she noticed right away, Kitakyushu felt much colder than Bangkok. It wasn't freezing enough to make her shiver, but it was enough to make her pull her jacket tight—a jacket she had left unbuttoned until now.
She raised her head, looking up at the pale sky above Kitakyushu. The sun was still there, but its light felt gentle, lacking the piercing glare she was used to in Bangkok.
She slipped both hands into her jacket pockets. Just a few hours ago, before departing from Bangkok, she had been sweating merely standing outside the airport for a moment.
The air in Bangkok always clung to her skin. It felt warm, humid, and heavy. A thin sheen of sweat would form on her temples before she even stepped inside a car. Her hair would begin to stick to the nape of her neck. She had even complained about the car’s air conditioner not being cold enough. Now, she found herself wishing for just a bit of warm air.
The wind blew again, this time creeping up from under her jacket, giving her goosebumps. She instinctively rubbed her hands together, seeking warmth.
The luggage wheels friction against the floor produced a small, rhythmic sound behind her. People passed by in thin jackets and sweaters, some even walking leisurely without seeming bothered by the chill.
One hand remained in her pocket as she walked further from the airport doors. There was something distinct about the air here.
She lifted her face slightly, taking a deep breath of her surroundings. The wind carried a foreign scent—a mix of crisp cold air, damp asphalt, and something coming from the trees surrounding the airport.
Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs. This was her first time traveling far across borders alone. A slight nervousness mingled with the excitement of exploring a new city, alongside the hope of finding Aokbab’s presence.
Rin inhaled once more, the cold reaching all the way to the tip of her nose, bringing a faint smile to her lips.
“Welcome to Kitakyushu, Rin,” she whispered to herself. Her voice was quiet, almost swallowed by the noise of rolling luggage wheels and the wind sweeping across the airport entrance.
She resumed walking, still feeling a bit chilly. She was one step closer to Aokbab. She couldn't help but wonder, had Aokbab gotten used to this cold Kitakyushu air?
Aokbab caught cold easily; was she wearing warm clothes in weather like this? In Rin's mind, a mental image of Aokbab shivering with a reddened nose instantly appeared. A small smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
Ah, she was getting more and more impatient to meet Aokbab.
—————
Rin hadn't expected Kitakyushu to be so vast. She had been wandering around Kitakyushu for three days, yet she hadn't spotted Aokbab even once.
Today was her last day in Kitakyushu; tomorrow she had to fly back. But considering she hadn't found Aokbab yet, Rin felt reluctant to leave. Maybe what Aokbab said was true—that they were never meant to meet in Kitakyushu. What was she supposed to do then? Just go home and wait for time to bring them together? What if she never ran into Aokbab ever again?
On her final day, Rin decided to revisit the Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art. She had actually visited it yesterday to attend a book signing event with her favorite architect, Arata Isozaki. Since she had nowhere else to look for Aokbab, she decided to return to the museum to admire one of the architect’s works.
The Kitakyushu air still felt cold to Rin. She immediately pulled her slightly oversized denim jacket tighter around herself as a strong gust of wind greeted her outside the museum. Her hair, left loose, fell past her shoulders, partially covering the front of her jacket. She raised a hand to fix her hair, which had been ruffled by the strong Kitakyushu wind.
The wind blew again just as she spotted a brown notebook casually lying on the upper outdoor stairs of the museum. Her brows furrowed slightly, someone seemed to have forgotten their book here.
She bent down, picked up the book, and looked around; there was no one else nearby. The owner must have already left, unknowingly leaving the book behind. Feeling slightly hesitant, she opened the book in her hand, looking for any clue or contact information so she could return it to its owner.
However, aside from a few sketches and brief notes, Rin found no identifying information. The only thing she could tell was that the owner was a fellow Thai, evident from the Thai script written in the notebook.
Then, driven by an inexplicable impulse, she decided to search for the book’s owner by visiting the places sketched inside it.
Rin began her search at a castle located not far from her current location. Her mouth instinctively parted into a wide smile upon seeing the majestic castle standing before her, looking as though it had stepped right out of the drawing in her hands. She even positioned herself at the exact angle from which the person had drawn it. She sat briefly on a bench near the castle, it seemed the artist had sketched the castle right from this spot. Holding the book up in front of her, Rin compared it to the castle before her. There was no difference—the drawing captured the castle from a unique perspective, yet it was just as beautiful. A wave of admiration swept through her chest, this person was remarkably talented.
She scanned her surroundings, the castle was crowded with visitors, making it difficult to spot the owner of the book among the throng of people.
She ultimately decided to continue her journey to a shrine. Once again, Rin felt as though she were looking at a replica of the shrine transported from the notebook into reality. She was certain the owner of the book possessed an extraordinary talent for drawing. She doubted whether she could ever match such artistic skill.
Unlike the crowded castle, this shrine was quiet. She was the only one there. Rin decided to look around inside the shrine and took a few photos before resuming her search.
Heading to the third location, she struggled to find the house depicted in the book. She got lost a few times and had to ask locals for directions using her limited, stiff Japanese.
However, the moment her feet stepped onto the front yard of that house, she was left speechless. Judging by the drawing alone, she had known the house was beautiful. But seeing it in person, its beauty multiplied tenfold. The lush greenery surrounding the house gave it a serene atmosphere, making it look exceptionally cozy to live in.
She lifted the book once more, comparing the house in the sketchbook to the one in front of her. Unlike the castle and shrine before, she could sense a different emotion embedded in every line of this drawing. There was a sense of sorrow, loss, and a deep, indescribable longing.
Oddly enough, she was familiar with that feeling. For some reason, the drawing reminded her of her late mother. She felt that perhaps the person behind this notebook was grieving the loss of someone precious in their life.
Rin spent a bit more time at that house. After seeing three different places from the book with her own eyes, she felt a certain kinship between herself and the book's owner. She couldn't say for sure what it was. All she knew was that she felt a unique pull drawing her to want to know the owner—she felt the person behind those drawings must be someone fascinating.
As if remembering her initial goal, she finally continued her search to a library, the final location and drawing in the book. Her admiration was impossible to hide upon seeing the library in person. She was left at a loss for words on how to convey her awe for the artist.
Noticing a cafe inside the library premises, she decided to leave the notebook there. Perhaps the owner would return to look for their lost book someday. But just as she was about to hand the book to one of the cafe staff, something inside her urged her to wait just a little longer—perhaps the owner would appear soon.
Rin ultimately decided to take a seat inside the cafe. The notebook was now safely tucked inside her bag. She looked around, scanning for anyone who appeared to have lost something.
More than half an hour had passed since she sat there, and she hadn't found anyone looking for the book. Even her drink had been empty for quite some time. She tapped her fingers on the table, she had spent too much time here. She hadn't even found Aokbab yet, and now she was spending time searching for the owner of a notebook. Her time was limited, and she didn't want to return home without meeting Aokbab.
So, with a heavy heart, Rin finally decided to leave the book with the cafe staff.
She was just about to approach an employee when her eyes caught a very familiar silhouette entering the outdoor seating area of the cafe. Rin’s eyes widened immediately, her heart pounding twice as fast as she recognized the figure.
Aokbab!
She was certain she wasn't seeing things. That was Aokbab, sitting weakly on one of the cafe chairs, her shoulders slightly hunched. Without wasting another second, Rin sprang up from her seat and rushed out to approach Aokbab. Her body moved faster than her mind could process.
Time seemed to slow down for Rin. Even though the distance between her and Aokbab wasn't far, Aokbab felt just out of reach. She bit her lower lip, unable to suppress a smile at the joy of finding Aokbab.
Rin had rehearsed what she would say when she met Aokbab, coming up with several scenarios in her head. But standing near Aokbab, she lost her words. Her brain seemed to freeze, and her voice vanished.
Out of all the approaches she had planned, standing still like a statue wasn't one of them. She didn't know what to do or say. Her mind simply went blank.
Aokbab hadn't noticed Rin’s presence yet. Her head remained bowed, her light brown hair falling freely and covering part of her face. Her hair was slightly shorter than Rin remembered, and the color was different from when she last saw her.
A smile crept onto Rin’s lips unbidden. It felt a bit strange seeing Aokbab wearing clothes in colors other than white. Aokbab was wearing a dark blue long-sleeved top that looked thick enough to ward off the cold Kitakyushu air. From the collar, the rim of a light blue button-down shirt peeked through. Her top was neatly tucked into beige trousers, maintaining an outfit that looked thoroughly appealing in Rin's eyes.
Rin cleared her throat softly before speaking.
“Uhm… Jie…?” she called out quietly, her voice slightly raspy and uncertain.
Slowly, Aokbab raised her head. In that moment, Rin felt as if time were moving in extremely slow motion before their gazes finally met.
Aokbab looked confused, her brows knitting slightly as she looked around, making sure Rin was indeed addressing her.
“Jie…? Who do you mean by Jie? Me…?” Aokbab asked, bewildered.
Aokbab observed the woman standing stiffly beside her. They didn't seem far apart in age—in fact, they looked to be about the same age. But why was this stranger calling her Jie? Did she really look that old?
Seeing Aokbab’s confusion, Rin squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, silently cursing herself. She had forgotten that present-day Aokbab was her age. Being so used to the presence of future Aokbab, who was older than her, Rin had automatically greeted her with the same title.
Up close like this, Aokbab looked much younger. Her facial features appeared softer. However, Rin quickly noticed that Aokbab had recently been crying for a while. She realized this upon seeing Aokbab’s slightly puffy eyes, with traces of tears lingering at the corners. Her nose was flushed red, and her voice sounded somewhat raspy.
Rin scratched her eyebrow briefly before opening her mouth again. “Ah, sorry… habit,” she said softly, grimacing in embarrassment.
Aokbab gave a single nod, then turned her gaze away, ignoring Rin. It was as if Rin’s presence was unimportant and unwanted.
Honestly, Rin wasn't used to Aokbab looking at her like a stranger and keeping her guard up. She had grown far too comfortable with future Aokbab, who always looked at her with gentle, affectionate eyes. So she didn't know what to do when Aokbab treated her with indifference and brushed her off.
“Can I sit here?” Rin finally gathered the courage to ask. She looked at Aokbab expectantly, hoping to be given permission.
Aokbab glanced at Rin briefly, then gave a subtle nod. Rin smiled happily and immediately sat down across from Aokbab.
Rin extended her hand toward Aokbab, intending to introduce herself. “Nice to meet you, I’m Rin,” she said, a bit too enthusiastically, a smile radiating across her face.
Aokbab’s eyebrows raised, surprised that the woman in front of her was introducing herself. Aokbab looked at Rin and her extended hand alternately before shaking it lightly.
“Aokbab,” she said briefly, then quickly pulled her hand back, not wanting to stay in contact with Rin for long.
“I know,” Rin said simply, the smile remaining on her lips.
Aokbab looked at Rin suspiciously. How did this woman know her name? As far as she remembered, she didn't have any acquaintance named Rin, and she was certain this was their very first time meeting.
“What brings you here? On vacation?” Rin’s voice broke the silence again, asking about Aokbab’s reason for coming to Kitakyushu.
Aokbab merely offered a brief nod in response.
“Have you been here long?” Rin asked again, causing Aokbab to raise an eyebrow.
This woman sure is chatty, Aokbab thought to herself.
“A few days,” Aokbab answered curtly.
Rin nodded at Aokbab’s response. “Same here! I’ve been here for a few days too, after attending an autograph session with Arata Isozaki—the architect who designed this library,” she said cheerfully, explaining her visit to Kitakyushu.
Aokbab’s brows furrowed together. She hadn't asked and didn't need that information; why was this woman going out of her way to explain it to her? Aokbab merely nodded faintly in response.
“Uhm… if you don't mind me asking, are you okay? You look like you’re not doing so well,” Rin said carefully, not wanting to make Aokbab uncomfortable.
Aokbab’s eyes widened at Rin’s question. She quickly wiped her eyes. Was it really that obvious? Aokbab lowered her head and shook it gently.
“No… I just lost something very precious to me,” Aokbab said softly, her voice barely audible.
Rin’s head tilted slightly upon hearing Aokbab’s response. Her mind began assembling several possibilities. Was Aokbab the owner of the notebook she had found at the museum this morning? She couldn't be certain; the precious thing Aokbab referred to could be something else entirely. But there was no harm in showing the notebook to Aokbab—it might actually belong to her. She reached into her bag and placed the notebook on the table between them.
“Does this book belong to you?” she asked hesitantly, sliding the notebook toward Aokbab.
Like someone spotting a treasure, Aokbab immediately grabbed the brown book before her, clutching it tightly. She looked up at Rin, her eyes welling up with tears as she nodded rapidly.
Ah, Rin’s hunch was correct, the book did belong to Aokbab.
“I found your book on the museum stairs earlier. I’m sorry for opening your book without permission…” Rin said softly.
In front of her, Aokbab was busy inspecting her book, flipping through the pages one by one.
“Thank you so much for returning this book… It means the world to me,” Aokbab said, looking Rin straight in the eye. Her voice sounded slightly hoarse, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, ready to fall at any moment.
Aokbab now looked at Rin with a completely different expression—one filled with gratitude—no longer treating her with cold indifference. Rin responded with a gentle nod, a smile touching her lips.
An idea struck Rin, she was going to push her luck with Aokbab right then and there.
Rin leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Hmm, if that book means so much to you, that means you owe me a big favor, right?” she paused briefly. “How about you show me around the places you drew in that book?”
“I haven't really had the chance to explore much around here either,” she added quickly, leaving no room for Aokbab to decline her invitation.
Though Rin appeared confident on the outside, her heart was racing wildly, and her feet tapped nervously under the table, afraid her idea would be flatly rejected by Aokbab.
Aokbab remained silent for a moment, appearing to weigh Rin’s invitation before finally nodding in agreement. Seeing Aokbab agree, Rin instinctively clenched her fist and let out a quiet cheer.
Even though she had visited all those places earlier, she certainly wasn't going to turn down going back there with Aokbab.
Rin immediately stood up from her seat, tilting her head toward Aokbab as a sign for her to lead the way. Aokbab followed shortly after, positioning herself a few steps beside Rin. They then walked side by side in silence.
—————
“So, what actually brought you here?” Rin asked once they finished visiting the locations that inspired Aokbab’s sketches.
They were now walking through a park whose name Rin didn't know. The sun had dipped lower, casting a soft, golden glow over part of Aokbab’s face, leaving Rin secretly mesmerized.
The Kitakyushu wind still blew steadily, making Rin reluctant to take off her jacket. Yet somehow, Aokbab’s presence made the air around her feel warmer than before.
Aokbab hummed softly, weighing whether she should reveal her true reason for visiting Kitakyushu to a stranger she had met just a short while ago.
“I didn't really want to come to Kitakyushu at first,” Aokbab began softly.
Rin turned her head to look at Aokbab, her eyebrows raised in surprise. “Oh, really?”
Aokbab glanced briefly at Rin and nodded. “Yeah, I came here to fulfill a promise I made to my mother…” Aokbab paused, her gaze drifting as if reflecting on a memory that was both sweet and painful, one she wasn't particularly eager to recall.
Rin turned her head back toward Aokbab, giving her full attention to the girl beside her, whose beauty proved quite distracting.
“I once promised my mother I’d bring her to Japan, but it never happened because she passed away first. So, I came here to visit the places she always wanted to go.”
Rin nodded, she finally understood the real reason behind Aokbab’s trip to Kitakyushu. Aokbab had recently lost her mother and was still grieving.
“The house we last visited, that house reminded me of my mother. This might sound a little strange, but the first time I saw that house, the first thing that came to mind was my mom.” Aokbab smiled to herself as those words left her mouth, feeling slightly embarrassed and regretful that the thought had slipped out so easily.
However, seeing how enthusiastic Rin was and how intently she was listening, Aokbab felt encouraged to continue her story. After all, she had already opened up a bit about her grief. And perhaps, deep down, she really did need to pour her heart out to someone else right now. Besides, they were just strangers who met by chance because she had misplaced her book. Aokbab was certain the chances of them meeting again were slim, and Rin would likely forget her story eventually.
“I don't know how to explain it, but that house made me miss my mother even more… and for some reason, I could feel her presence there, sitting right beside me.”
Rin’s eyes widened slightly upon hearing this. So that was why she had felt such a familiar emotion when she first saw the drawing of the house. Aokbab had drawn it with memories of her mother, which was also why it reminded Rin of her late mother.
A faint smile formed on her lips. The drawing and the person behind it never ceased to amaze Rin. What an incredible effect this woman had on her.
“So, the best I could do was sketch the corners of this city—the city my mother always wanted to visit. I guess you could say drawing is one of the ways I cope with missing her,” Aokbab concluded, looking back at Rin, who was staring right at her with a smile.
“It’s not strange at all!” Rin said a few moments later. Aokbab raised her head toward Rin, waiting for her to continue.
“I completely understand what it feels like when we want to preserve as many memories as possible of someone who has passed away,” she continued, her voice softer this time.
“I’m the same, actually. My mom passed away when I was little. Unfortunately, she died of cancer, so I don't have many memories with her. So yeah, I really understand what you’re feeling…”
This time, it was Aokbab who looked at Rin with curiosity, not expecting them to share such a similar experience of losing someone precious in their lives.
“And I finally understand what I felt when I first saw the drawing of that house… Believe it or not, it reminded me of my mom too!”
Aokbab smiled upon hearing that. “I believe you.”
The wind blew gently again, rustling their hair slightly. Rin didn't know when they had stopped walking, nor did she realize when the distance between them had narrowed. They were now standing face-to-face, with Aokbab looking slightly up to meet her eyes. Aokbab hugged her notebook tightly against her chest, as if afraid it might slip away again.
The surroundings blurred for Rin, all that remained was herself and Aokbab standing before her. The noise around them faded away. All she could hear now was her own heart beating a little faster and the sound of Aokbab’s calm, steady breathing. One of Rin’s hands gripped her bag strap tightly, unconsciously holding her breath. She didn't want this moment to slip away.
Rin then looked deep into Aokbab’s dark eyes before deciding to speak.
“Oh, by the way, I also wanted to tell you… I really, really love your drawings. Like I said earlier, your sketch reminded me of my late mother. Thank you for drawing like that, and please keep drawing,” she said gently with utmost sincerity, a smile gracing her face.
At this close distance, Rin could tell that something shifted inside Aokbab upon hearing her words. She didn't know exactly what it was, but judging by the way Aokbab’s gaze softened and her eyes welled up with tears again, she was sure her words had a profound effect on her.
Aokbab returned Rin’s smile with a confident nod and an equally sweet smile, making Rin wish she could stop time right at that second just to admire Aokbab’s smile to her heart's content.
But the world seemed to have its own way of embarrassing Rin. Loud, strange sounds suddenly echoed from Rin’s stomach. It served as a stark reminder that she had been so consumed by her mission to find Aokbab today that she had forgotten to eat. The last meal she had was breakfast at the hotel this morning, and she hadn't eaten anything since. She closed her eyes and silently cursed herself. How embarrassing!
Hearing Rin’s stomach growling loudly caused Aokbab to burst into laughter. Just moments ago, they were immersed in a deeply emotional conversation, only for the atmosphere to be completely shattered a second later because the girl in front of her was starving.
Aokbab’s laughter went on for a few moments, making Rin grin a bit wider. It felt like it had been a while since she last heard the sound of Aokbab’s laughter. Hearing it again felt somewhat surreal.
“I know a good restaurant not far from here. Want to try it?” Aokbab offered once she managed to control her laughter.
Rin nodded quickly at Aokbab’s offer, her eyes instantly lighting up. That brought a subtle smile back to Aokbab’s lips as she nodded, signaling Rin to follow her.
Dusk began to fall as they arrived at a small seafood restaurant by the river. Yellow lights were already lit along the patio, their reflections dancing on the ripples of the water. From the open kitchen, the aroma of butter, soy sauce, and freshly cooked seafood occasionally drifted in the breeze. The sound of running water mingled with the clinking of plates and chatter from neighboring tables.
Rin suggested they sit facing the river, and Aokbab agreed. From where they sat, Rin could still feel the lingering cool evening air creeping into her jacket.
A few minutes later, two bowls of donburi and several side dishes arrived almost simultaneously. Steaming hot rice was topped with sweet shrimp, glossy pieces of unagi coated in kabayaki sauce, and fresh squid that remained tender under the touch of chopsticks. The sauce smelled sweet with a hint of savoriness, blended with a subtle smoky aroma.
Rin picked up a piece of unagi. The meat was tender, practically falling apart at the touch of her chopsticks, leaving a sweet and savory taste lingering on her tongue. The kabayaki sauce had soaked into the rice, making every bite rich with flavor.
She let out a groan of delight as the unagi touched her tongue. Her eyes squeezed shut, her body leaned back, and she nodded her head in sheer satisfaction with her food.
Rin’s reaction to her food elicited a soft shake of the head from Aokbab. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, it was her first time eating with someone who made no effort to hide how much she enjoyed the food in front of her.
Once she swallowed her food, Rin opened her eyes. Across from her, Aokbab was busy peeling a shrimp, though the girl clearly seemed to be struggling a bit. Rin bit her lower lip, holding back a laugh. Something as simple as peeling shrimp looked like a complex task for Aokbab.
Without a word, Rin reached for a shrimp served on their table, peeled it swiftly, and placed it into Aokbab’s bowl.
Aokbab looked up just as the shrimp was placed in her bowl, her eyebrows lifting in slight surprise.
“Well, thank you…” Aokbab said softly, to which Rin replied with a casual nod.
They continued eating while occasionally exchanging light conversation, discussing topics that weren't overly personal. At least, that applied only to Aokbab. Rin, without even being asked, shared whatever she wanted with Aokbab, leaving Aokbab somewhat caught off guard.
From their brief chat, Aokbab gathered that Rin was an architect just like her. Rin was also the youngest child, just like herself, and her older sister owned a cafe where Rin occasionally helped out. Rin even shared completely trivial details, like her love for Japan. Aokbab found herself slightly bewildered by the girl in front of her. Was Rin always this open with others? After all, they were practically strangers. Wasn't Rin afraid of sharing private details with someone she had just met?
Despite that, Aokbab listened intently to everything Rin said. She responded at the right moments, smiled at her silly stories, and shared details about herself that felt safe enough to tell someone she had just met.
The sky had turned completely dark by the time they stepped out of the restaurant. They walked side by side without a clear destination. Rin’s pace was slightly slower than before, she was clearly reluctant to let the night end, knowing it meant parting ways with Aokbab again.
She was supposed to head back to her hotel and start packing her bags. Her flight back to Bangkok was scheduled for tomorrow morning, and she really should have been back at her hotel if she didn't want to miss her early flight. She regretted choosing a morning flight for her return trip.
Rin turned her gaze to Aokbab when the girl’s eyes fixed on a gelato shop located not far from where they stood.
“Do you want some…?” Rin asked softly, her eyes following Aokbab's gaze to the gelato shop. It was as if she could read Aokbab’s mind, knowing she wanted something sweet after their dinner.
Aokbab was slightly surprised by Rin’s question. She hesitated for a moment, her face showing subtle uncertainty.
“Come on, let’s get some, or you’ll regret it later,” Rin urged.
Aokbab remained standing still, her mouth opening slightly before closing again quickly.
“Let’s go, don't overthink it. We can share one if you’re afraid you can’t finish it,” Rin continued.
Aokbab looked at her in surprise—how did Rin know she was hesitating over that exact reason? Rin merely offered a small smile, then gently pulled Aokbab into the shop.
“What flavor do you want? Matcha and black sesame like usual?” she asked Aokbab once they were inside the gelato shop.
Aokbab turned quickly to look at Rin upon hearing the question, her brows furrowed. “How do you know that?”
Rin simply offered another small smile, shrugged, and walked over to the counter to place their order. Inwardly, she grinned with satisfaction. Was this how future Aokbab felt when she knew all of Rin’s little habits and preferences by heart? Consider this Rin’s sweet revenge—playing the mysterious figure who knew everything about Aokbab. It was delightful seeing the look of surprise that refused to leave Aokbab’s face.
Once the ordered gelato was in her hands, Rin turned around and walked over to Aokbab, who was standing nearby. Two small spoons were stuck into the gelato for the two of them.
The gelato shifted smoothly into Aokbab’s hands, and she accepted it with a gleam in her eyes that she couldn't hide. That brought a smile to Rin’s face.
They resumed walking without a fixed destination, letting their feet serve as their compass for the night.
Rin continued chatting away, sharing trivial things with Aokbab, who listened while enjoying the gelato in her hands. When Rin noticed that Aokbab was looking full and unable to finish the rest of her gelato, she reached for the water bottle in her bag and handed it to Aokbab.
“Here, you must be thirsty, right?” she said, holding her hand out in front of Aokbab. One of Rin’s hands took over the gelato, while the other handed over the water bottle, swapping places with the gelato originally in Aokbab's hands.
Rin’s movement happened so quickly and exactly at the right moment. Aokbab’s brows knit slightly as she tilted her head, watching Rin, who was now taking turns finishing the gelato.
Aokbab opened the bottle cap and took a slow sip. “How did you know?” she asked once she quenched her thirst and closed the water bottle.
Rin glanced briefly at Aokbab. “Know what?” she asked back, playing innocent while scooping up the last bits of gelato.
“All of this…? From the gelato flavor I wanted, to knowing I was thirsty, to knowing I couldn't finish the gelato,” Aokbab said, still staring at Rin inquisitively.
Rin chuckled softly, pausing to throw the empty gelato cup into a nearby trash can.
Rin hummed for a moment before answering Aokbab’s question. “How should I put this…” she paused, her expression turning quite serious. “Don't be shocked, okay? But I knew all of that because… I just knew?” she said randomly.
“Huh? Seriously, how did you know?” Aokbab asked again.
Seeing Aokbab’s increasingly confused expression and realizing she wasn't in the mood for jokes, Rin cleared her throat softly. “I knew because back at the shop, you kept staring at those two flavors. Besides, you would’ve ordered those even if I hadn't asked. I also know you always drink a lot of water after eating sweet things, and it was obvious from your face that you couldn't finish the gelato.”
The look on Aokbab’s face turned slightly wary. She looked Rin up and down, carefully evaluating the strange woman in front of her. How could Rin know such small details about her? Even her own brothers often got things wrong and didn't know her usual gelato flavor. None of her friends knew anything that specific about her either.
“Who are you, really?” Aokbab finally asked.
A playful glint appeared in Rin’s eyes as she looked right into Aokbab’s eyes. “Your wife from the future,” Rin answered clearly, a satisfied smile blooming on her lips at Aokbab’s expression.
Taken aback, Aokbab raised her eyebrows, clearly disbelieving. The woman in front of her had to be joking.
Aokbab let out a soft laugh. “What are you talking about? You’re joking, right?”
Rin shook her head, a wide smile gracing her lips. “Nope. In the future, you’re going to marry me.”
Hearing that, Aokbab could only shake her head softly, dismissing Rin’s words as nonsense. She could never imagine marrying anyone—not after her last relationship had shattered her. Not after the person she loved had betrayed her so easily and turned around to stab her in the back. Romance was not her priority right now, and Aokbab had no plans to start a new relationship.
“Hey, I’m being serious!” Rin said when she saw Aokbab refusing to take her words seriously and continuing to walk instead.
She quickly caught up with Aokbab, turning her head completely toward her. “Unless… do you already have a girlfriend?” she asked hesitantly.
What if Aokbab already had a partner? Would that mean—
“No, I don’t have a girlfriend, and I’m not interested in having one,” Aokbab answered swiftly. She then glanced at Rin, who was still staring at her. “Wait, if you’re really from the future, shouldn't you know that already?” she added, teasing Rin back.
“Well, I’m from the future, not the past! Besides, you never told me about that,” Rin retorted quickly, her lips pouting forward a few centimeters.
“Are you really not joking right now?” Aokbab asked again, clearly still unable to believe Rin’s claim of being her wife from the future.
Rin exhaled a soft breath and looked back into Aokbab’s eyes. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
Aokbab nodded firmly at Rin’s question. Of course, if she wasn't joking, then Rin must be out of her mind, Aokbab thought. Time travel was impossible, they weren't in a movie, and time travel had never been scientifically proven. Aokbab simply didn't buy it.
Rin’s shoulders slumped. Well, of course Aokbab wouldn't believe her. She couldn't actually travel through time, and she was merely borrowing the words Aokbab had spoken when they first met. But still, they really were going to get married in the future, and Rin believed that with all her heart.
“Fine, if you don't believe me, I won't force you to anymore,” Rin said softly, looking away from Aokbab.
“Where are you heading after this?” Rin asked, changing the subject.
Aokbab looked around. It was getting late into the night, she hadn't expected to spend this much time with Rin, someone she had only met earlier that day.
“It’s already late, I should head back to my hotel, and you should go back too. You have a morning flight tomorrow, right?”
Rin looked around at her surroundings, which were indeed growing darker. Aokbab was right; they had to return now. Yet Rin was still reluctant to end her meeting with Aokbab.
“Alright, then I’ll walk you back to your hotel,” Rin said, phrasing it as a statement rather than an offer.
Aokbab shook her head. “You don't need to walk me back. You should go back and rest yourself,” Aokbab countered quickly.
Rin opened her mouth, intending to insist on walking Aokbab back to her accommodation, but her mouth snapped shut when she saw Aokbab flash a polite smile to bid her farewell.
“Alright… take care on your way back!” Rin said as Aokbab turned and started walking away.
Aokbab acknowledged Rin’s words with a brief wave, saying nothing more. Aokbab was already a few steps ahead, while Rin remained standing in place, watching Aokbab’s figure distance itself.
Then, as if remembering something, Rin walked briskly to catch up with Aokbab.
“Hey, Aokbab!” Feeling herself being called, Aokbab slowed her pace, waiting to hear what Rin had to say.
“If your brothers ask you to come home to help run your mother’s company, please say yes! We’ll meet again there!” Rin blurted out as soon as she caught up to Aokbab.
Aokbab’s steps halted immediately, her head turning to face Rin. How did Rin know about that? She had indeed discussed it with her brothers, but she hadn't made up her mind about returning yet. She was still torn. One side of her wanted to stay in Japan, while the other was telling her to go home.
Before Aokbab could ask, Rin had already said her goodbyes with a wide grin.
“Bye! See you later in Bangkok!” Rin bade farewell, turning around and walking away from Aokbab. Rin’s figure grew smaller, vanishing into the night and the surrounding crowd.
Aokbab could only shake her head gently. Rin… that girl was truly something new in her life.
—————
Bangkok, a few months later.
The one thing Rin regretted about her trip to Kitakyushu was forgetting to exchange contact information with Aokbab. She kept cursing herself for forgetting the most important detail. As a result, she flew back home without any way to reach Aokbab.
She had looked for Aokbab’s social media, but her account was set to private. She had pressed the follow button on Aokbab’s profile, but so far, there had been no response from the owner.
Ever since her return from Kitakyushu—meeting her favorite architect and meeting Aokbab—something had changed within Rin. Ever since meeting Arata Isozaki in person, she held onto his advice to design with her heart. That was what she applied to her work, infusing her heart into everything she designed.
It bore sweet results for Rin. Her name grew increasingly well-known, and numerous firms competed to offer her top positions at their companies. Yet she hadn't accepted a single offer. She still hadn't found a firm that felt right for her.
At least, that was the reason she gave Prim whenever her sister nagged her not to reject offers from various firms. Especially considering the last firm to contact her was a major powerhouse in the architectural world, often regarded as the top firm in the industry.
The other reason—and her true reason—was that Rin was secretly waiting for Aokbab’s return, whenever that might be, so she could apply for a job at Aokbab’s mother’s company. Her plan was thoroughly set and non-negotiable. Unfortunately, she still didn't know the name of Aokbab’s mother’s company, nor did she know when Aokbab would return to Bangkok.
Rin was at her sister’s cafe that afternoon. She had just uploaded her latest work to social media when Prim told her to pick up a cake she had ordered from their regular pastry shop. That made Rin groan lazily and complain quietly.
It was scorching hot outside, her sister was ruthless for sending her out to pick up a cake in such sweltering weather.
Ultimately, Rin still went, obeying Prim’s order because her sister threatened to cut her pay. How cruel!
Riding her electric scooter, Rin finally headed toward the pastry shop Prim mentioned. The shop wasn't actually that far from Prim’s cafe. Still, under the blazing sun and riding nothing but an electric scooter, she was overheating. She grumbled in annoyance, wondering why did Prim have to send her out at the hottest time of the day? She also cursed herself for wearing a jacket in such hot weather. Even though her hair was tied up, it didn't lessen the heat trapping her body.
Rin was still feeling hot and fanning her jacket a few times as she stepped into the shop. The air conditioner she hoped would cool her down didn't seem to be working well. She glanced briefly at where the air conditioner was installed. Whoever owned this shop needed to check the BTU rating of their air conditioner, the cooling capacity might be insufficient. And they should also make sure all gaps were tightly sealed so the cold air wouldn't leak out.
It felt as though Rin could hear her own internal thoughts when her ears caught someone explaining the exact same thing to one of the shop staff. The voice echoed in her ears as she shifted her attention to the back of a woman standing right in front of her.
The woman was still rambling about the building structure of the shop, then unabashedly held out her phone to the staff member. On her screen was the social media profile of the firm she worked for—at least, that was what Rin gathered from the woman’s voice. Looking at her from any angle, this woman was trying to offer her services to an employee who had no idea what was going on.
Wait, this situation felt familiar to Rin. She had never experienced it firsthand, but she felt like she had heard this exact story before.
Rin then looked closely at the woman in front of her. From behind, she looked oddly familiar. She narrowed her eyes, the woman’s height wasn't too different from hers, and Rin felt like she could recognize that frame anywhere. Coupled with her hair tied neatly into a ponytail and her voice, which Rin knew by heart.
A fraction of a second later, her eyes widened. It was as if Rin were looking at something precious right in front of her. There was no mistaking it—the woman in front of her was Aokbab. She was absolutely certain, and she could never misidentify Aokbab.
A smile tugged at her lips, Aokbab had returned to Bangkok! And they met at the pastry shop, exactly as told by her wife from the future.
Unable to resist teasing Aokbab, Rin finally spoke up. “Hey, Jie! Are you trying to offer your service to her or what?” she called out, her voice slightly loud. She bit her lower lip to hold back a laugh, already imagining what Aokbab’s expression would be like.
Hearing that, Aokbab’s head snapped around toward the voice coming from behind her. “Jie? Who are you—Rin?”
Aokbab’s eyes widened instantly upon recognizing Rin standing behind her. Initially offended and about to protest the title directed at her, Aokbab softened immediately and forgot all about it the moment she saw Rin addressing her.
“Hi, we meet again!” Rin greeted cheerfully, a broad smile lighting up her face.
Aokbab’s eyebrows raised as she scrutinized Rin’s entire appearance from head to toe, still bewildered and somewhat shocked. Out of all the people, why was Rin one of the first she encountered the moment she set foot here?
“How come you’re here?” Aokbab asked then.
Rin chuckled softly at Aokbab’s question. “Like I said, we’d meet again once you came back here,” she replied with a shrug.
“Welcome back,” Rin said warmly, the smile still decorating her face.
Remembering her original errand, Rin peeked her head toward the staff member behind the counter. “My cake order, please hand it over to me.”
The staff member nodded quickly and skillfully prepared Rin’s order.
Rin then shifted her attention back to Aokbab. “Renovating without the owner’s permission is against the law, you know. Who knows, maybe you forgot about that,” she remarked casually, teasing Aokbab about her actions just now.
Aokbab rolled her eyes at Rin’s teasing, adjusting her bag strap to a more comfortable position. “I didn't forget. Besides, I was just offering, in case the owner is interested in renovating their shop, they can contact my company.”
“Sure, whatever you say,” Rin said as she accepted her neatly packaged cake box.
“How long has it been since you came back?” Rin asked again.
Her free hand then pulled the handle of the shop door for the two of them, gesturing for Aokbab to step out first.
“Just now. I headed straight to the company right after landing this morning,” Aokbab answered honestly as they stood outside the shop, right next to Aokbab’s car.
Rin shook her head, her mouth parting slightly in disbelief that Aokbab chose to go straight to work instead of resting and regaining her energy. She really didn't know whether Aokbab was simply a workaholic or deeply dedicated to her family’s firm.
“Want to drop by my sister’s cafe? It’s close to here,” Rin offered. She wasn't going to let this chance meeting with Aokbab end just like that.
Aokbab flashed an apologetic smile, she truly didn't have time for that, at least not today. She then held up her hand, showing an iced Americano and a paper bag containing her ordered pastry to Rin.
“I’m sorry, but I really can’t. I have to head back to the company, there’s something I need to take care of right away,” Aokbab answered softly, still smiling apologetically for turning down Rin’s invitation.
Honestly, she wasn't lying. Seeing the mess at the firm with her own eyes had nearly driven her crazy. She didn't have much time, helping Pat and Chan at their mother’s company was far more important right now. She couldn't let her two brothers mess things up further and end up arguing again like they did this morning.
Aokbab bit the inside of her cheek, thinking of a quick solution so Rin wouldn't be disappointed by her rejection. She really couldn't bear to see Rin’s face, which had been beaming moments ago, turn slightly gloomy. Her shoulders had even slumped down.
“How about another day?” Aokbab suggested.
Rin remained silent for a moment before nodding in agreement. “Alright then. See you again, my future wife!” Rin bade farewell, walking backward toward her scooter.
She waved her hand at Aokbab and flashed a warm smile before twisting her electric scooter’s throttle and riding away from Aokbab.
Aokbab remained standing near her car, watching Rin’s figure gradually recede into the distance. A few seconds later, Rin looked back once more. Whether it was to check if Aokbab was still standing there or simply out of habit, Aokbab wasn't sure.
With the same smile, Rin raised her hand one last time before turning at the end of the street. Aokbab raised her hand too, even though Rin could no longer see it.
Without realizing it, a subtle smile touched Aokbab’s lips.
The sun was still shining brightly, scorching Aokbab’s exposed skin. And for a fraction of a second, something warmed inside her chest—a feeling like something melting, which she was certain had nothing to do with the midday heat.
But hey, wait a minute. Rin hadn't mentioned the name of her sister’s cafe or even where it was located. They hadn't even exchanged contact numbers—how was Aokbab supposed to visit Rin’s sister’s cafe?
Aokbab let out a soft sigh, she would figure that out later. After all, Aokbab was certain they would meet again. She didn't know when, but she felt entirely confident they would run into each other soon.
Her intuition told her so, and her intuition was hardly ever wrong.