The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting soft golden hues across my bedroom. I stirred in my sleep, reluctant to wake, as fragments of last night's dream clung to the edges of my mind. The blurry man, the tunnel, the light… and the warmth I felt when he smiled.
My hand instinctively moved to the birthmark on my chest. It was still warm, though the sensation had dulled with the sunrise.
"Why is this happening?" I murmured, sitting up and running a hand through my tangled hair. The events of the previous day rushed back, and I groaned audibly.
A blind date. Arranged without my consent.
I pushed the thought aside and got out of bed. After a quick shower, I slipped into a casual cream dress and tied my hair into a loose ponytail. Today was going to be uneventful—at least that's what I told myself.
Downstairs, the kitchen was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread. My mother was humming softly as she prepared breakfast, but her voice faltered when she saw me.
"Iori, good morning!" she greeted, her tone overly cheerful. "Did you sleep well?"
I eyed her suspiciously. "I slept fine."
"Good, good." She handed me a cup of coffee. "So… are you ready for your date today?"
I nearly choked on my first sip. "Mom, seriously? I already told you I'm not happy about this."
She placed a hand on her hip, her expression firm. "You promised to go, Iori. It's just one meeting. Who knows? You might end up liking him."
"I doubt it," I muttered under my breath.
By the time afternoon rolled around, I was dressed and begrudgingly ready for the date. My outfit was simple yet elegant: a soft lavender blouse paired with a pleated white skirt. Manami had insisted over the phone that I wear something "approachable but classy."
As I stepped out of the house, my mother called out from the doorway. "You'll be fine, sweetheart! Just be yourself."
I rolled my eyes and walked toward the taxi waiting at the curb.
The cafe was quaint, with a rustic charm that made it seem more like a scene from a fairytale than a modern establishment. Wooden beams lined the ceiling, and the scent of freshly baked pastries filled the air.
I scanned the room, my nerves on edge.
And then I saw him.
He sat at a corner table, a book in his hands, his posture relaxed yet poised. His dark hair fell in soft waves over his forehead, and the light filtering through the windows seemed to highlight his sharp features.
He looked up as I approached, his eyes locking onto mine.
For a moment, I froze.
Something about him was achingly familiar, though I was certain I'd never met him before.
"Miss Nanase?" he asked, his voice rich and deep. He stood, offering a polite bow.
"Yes," I replied, my voice quieter than I intended.
He gestured for me to sit, his movements graceful and deliberate.
"I'm Kazuki Haneda," he said, his smile warm. "It's nice to finally meet you."
I nodded, studying him carefully. "You're the one my mother set me up with?"
He chuckled softly, his laugh light and genuine. "Guilty as charged. I wasn't expecting this either, to be honest. But when my family mentioned your name, I was intrigued. Your artwork has always fascinated me."
His words caught me off guard. "You know my work?"
"I've followed your career since our university days," he admitted. "Your paintings… they have a unique depth to them. It's as if they tell stories that words cannot."
I blinked, unsure how to respond.
"Especially the recent ones," he continued, his gaze holding mine. "The ones with the man standing with his back turned. There's something hauntingly beautiful about them."
My chest tightened. How did he know about those?
"Thank you," I said cautiously. "But those paintings are personal."
He leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "I apologize if I overstepped. It's just… they resonated with me."
I studied him, trying to make sense of the strange feeling bubbling within me. His presence was calming, yet unsettling. He felt like someone I should know—someone I did know.
"Miss Nanase," he said after a moment, "do you believe in fate?"
The question caught me off guard. "Why do you ask?"
He smiled, but there was a sadness in his eyes. "Because sometimes, life brings people together for reasons we can't understand. Maybe this meeting isn't as random as it seems."
I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, the café door swung open, and a gust of wind swept through the room.
I turned instinctively, my heart skipping a beat.
Standing in the doorway was a man. His figure was partially silhouetted against the sunlight, but I could make out his broad shoulders and confident stance.
And then it hit me.
The man from my dreams.
He was here.
My breath caught as his gaze swept the room and landed on me. His eyes were piercing, filled with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
Kazuki followed my gaze, his brows furrowing. "Do you know him?"
"No," I whispered, though my heart screamed otherwise.
The man took a step forward, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. It was the same smile I had seen in my dreams.
"Iori Nanase," he said, his voice like a melody I couldn't place. "We finally meet."