As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky shifted from a dusky blue to a deep indigo, casting long shadows over the quiet streets. Nathan stretched his arms, his voice a mix of firmness and something more guarded. "That's enough for today, Hana. You should head home; it's getting late." He watched her walk away, noticing she didn't reach for her phone. A slight smile tugged at his lips. "Need a ride?" he offered. "No buses run this late."
Hana stopped, momentarily disoriented. She had been so engrossed in analyzing the case that she'd forgotten Ryo's words about the bus schedule. Nodding slightly, she accepted his offer and got into his car.
As they drove, the rhythm of the waves against the shore filled the silence. Hana felt herself relax, her breath syncing with the ebb and flow of the tide. Nathan glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "It's a nice feeling, right? One of the reasons I came back to this town." His voice held an odd bitterness, a lingering emotion she couldn't quite place.
His words sparked a flicker of curiosity. "I didn't know you were from the South side," she said softly, watching him closely.
Nathan chuckled, but there was an edge to it. "I'm not. I spent my childhood and all the way through high school on the East side." He noticed her frown deepening and laughed lightly, a hollow sound in the confined space of the car. "We knew each other in high school, you know. Even did a project together in our third year."
Hana bit her lip, struggling to find something to say. She couldn't remember any of it, and it was infuriating. Her amnesia had always been a double-edged sword. Sometimes she was glad not to remember, but moments like these reminded her of the heavy weight of the unknown, dangling just out of reach. She was surprised Nathan seemed to know about her memory loss, but then again, he was a detective. Of course, he knew.
Seeing her lost in thought, Nathan continued, his voice dropping into a more cynical tone. "Back then, you were pretty well-known. Mostly because of your boyfriend."
Hana blinked, confusion crossing her face. "Boyfriend?" she echoed. "I had a boyfriend?" The words felt foreign on her tongue.
Nathan's eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite decipher—hurt, perhaps? "Hans. You don't remember him? Captain of the swimming team, the town's golden boy. Made a real name for himself, even got to compete in state championships. First place. Big future ahead of him." There was a sharpness in his tone, a bitterness that suggested something unspoken, as if he resented how things used to be.
Hana's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had dated someone so prominent? The thought made her feel strangely hollow. She bit her lips, a habit she had when nervous or overwhelmed. Did they date for love, or was it something else? And if Hans truly cared for her, why wasn't he there when she woke up in the hospital?
Nathan's willingness to share these pieces of her past was startling. Unlike her family and friends, who walked on eggshells around her memory loss, Nathan didn't seem to hold back. It both frightened and intrigued her. She had tried so hard to leave the past behind, but it seemed intent on finding her.
The car slowed as they approached her street, a quiet lane lined with modest houses. At the end stood her home, a two-story structure that always seemed to glow warmly from the bakery downstairs. She broke the silence, turning to Nathan, "What... is his name?"
Nathan's gaze slid over to her, his expression unreadable. "Hans," he repeated, drawing out the name like a sigh. "Wow...You've forgotten him. It's like you've wiped everything clean."
The bitterness was unmistakable now, a taste in the air. She didn't know what to make of it. Her heart felt heavy, an inexplicable sadness washing over her. She glanced at Nathan, sensing a story there she didn't quite understand. "I..i see...,Thank you for telling me," she said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady.
The car came to a stop in front of her home, and she stared out into the darkening sky, lost in thought. Nathan's voice, softer now, broke through. "Hana." She turned to him, startled. "Am sorry if made you uncomfortable, its...just....nevermind ...Whether you're the old Hana or not, it doesn't matter. I'll treat you the same—as old friend."
There was something in his tone that made her smile despite herself. "Thank you, Nathan," she said, genuinely touched. His face softened, but then he added, with a playful arch of his brow, "Outside of work, of course."
She laughed, her tension easing. "Of course," she echoed. The lights in the bakery were still on, indicating her sister was inside. She hesitated, then asked, "Want to come in ? Am sure there still some cupcakes left .".
He shook his head. "I've got work to finish." She nodded, stepping out of the car. "Goodnight, Nathan," she said softly. "See you tomorrow."
He saluted her with a casual "See ya," and she watched his car retreat down the street before she turned back to the bakery.
Inside, the smell of freshly baked goods filled the air. Her sister, Jenna, sat on a stool, absorbed in a dramatic TV show. She brightened when she saw Hana. "Oh, Hana! Come sit! Some serious family drama going on here," she laughed, patting the seat next to her.
Hana chuckled, sitting beside her. The shop was quiet, the usual hum of customers missing. Their laughter filled the cozy space until the low rumble of a vehicle and voices outside broke the quiet. The door swung open, revealing Ryo and a group of men. Jenna greeted them warmly, while Hana smiled awkwardly. She still didn't feel like she belonged here, in this town still.
One of the men, rubbing his sore shoulders, complained about how Ryo made them haul loads of charcoal from the mountains. Jenna laughed, promising to reward them with sweet treats. They cheered, taking seats around a table. Hana's eyes drifted over to one of the men as he was called by his companions—a man with black hair and eyes like warm honey, his features striking enough to turn heads. Hana felt something stir within her, a flicker of recognition, like a half-remembered dream.
"Too good-looking, right?" Jenna whispered beside her, a grin spreading across her face.
Hana blushed, quickly turning away, but her sister was relentless. She grabbed Hana by the collar, handing her a tray of cupcakes. "Go on, take these over," she teased, still holding her close.
With a sigh, Hana carried the tray to the table, trying to ignore her sister's giggles. The man with the honey-colored eyes stood as she approached, his gaze locking onto hers. For a moment, the world around her blurred. His faint smile was like a forgotten melody, familiar yet distant. Her heart skipped a beat, a strange ache settling in her chest. Was he someone she had once loved? She bit her lip, feeling the sting of a memory that refused to surface.
The man took the tray from her hands, his touch gentle, lingering. Hana's breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks warming. Ryo, watching from his seat, seemed to notice something between them, his eyes narrowing in thought.
As the men dug into their sweets, Hana retreated to the counter, her mind swirling with unanswered questions. The past she had tried to leave behind was now a shadow she couldn't shake, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to anymore.
Unknown to her the male with honey eyes was glaring at her from far away .