Scene 1 – Hana's House
Kiara stood outside her mother's house for a few seconds before ringing the bell.
Even now, it felt strange.
Not bad.
Just... unfamiliar.
The door opened.
Hana smiled brightly.
Hana: "Kiara."
Kiara: "Hi."
An awkward silence followed.
Neither knew what to do.
Then Hana stepped aside.
Hana: "Come in."
Kiara entered.
The house felt warm.
Not luxurious like her penthouse.
Not grand.
Just comfortable.
Family photos covered the shelves.
Vacation pictures.
Birthday pictures.
Old memories.
Kiara slowly walked around the living room.
Her eyes stopped on one frame.
Five young people smiling together.
Three boys.
Two girls.
Young.
Carefree.
Happy.
Kiara picked it up.
Kiara: "Mom... who's this?"
Hana looked at the photo.
For a moment her smile softened.
Hana: "Ah..."
She pointed at each person.
Hana: "That's me."
Hana: "That's Miho."
Hana: "That's Thomas."
Hana: "That's Jiho's father."
Then her finger stopped on the last person.
A young man standing slightly apart from the others.
Watching Hana.
Not the camera.
Her.
Hana: "And that's Kai Wen."
Kiara froze slightly.
Kiara: "Kai Wen?"
Hana: "Hmm."
Kiara: "I remember that name."
Hana: "You should."
Hana smiled.
Hana: "The last time I saw him was at your school."
Kiara slowly looked up.
Kiara: "School?"
Hana: "He became a teacher there for a while."
Kiara: "Oh..."
Now she remembered.
The English teacher.
Quiet.
Always watching from a distance.
Kai Wen.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
Hana: "Why?"
Kiara: "Nothing."
Hana: "Something happened?"
Kiara: "No."
A lie.
But Hana didn't push.
Years apart had taught her when to stop asking.
Kiara placed the photo back.
Kiara: "I should go."
Immediately—
Hana: "No."
Kiara blinked.
Kiara: "Ah?"
Hana looked embarrassed.
Almost nervous.
Hana: "You just arrived."
Kiara: "Mom—"
Hana: "We can eat noodles."
Kiara: "What?"
Hana: "Or watch a movie."
Kiara: "A movie?"
Hana: "Or talk."
Kiara: "..."
Hana: "Or sit quietly."
Kiara stared.
For the first time—
Her mother looked less like the powerful founder everyone admired.
And more like someone trying very hard.
Trying not to lose her daughter again.
Flashback
Young Kiara.
Empty dining table.
Parents working late.
Nannies helping her with homework.
Birthday parties with expensive gifts.
But not enough time.
Not enough hugs.
Not enough memories.
She never hated her parents.
She simply grew up without them.
Present
Hana nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.
Hana: "You don't have to stay."
Hana: "I just thought..."
Hana: "Maybe we could spend some time together."
Kiara looked away.
Her chest felt strangely warm.
Uncomfortable.
But nice.
A feeling she wasn't used to.
Kiara: "Okay."
Hana blinked.
Hana: "Okay?"
Kiara: "We can eat noodles."
For a second—
Hana looked genuinely happy.
Hana: "Really?"
Kiara: "Yes."
Hana: "Good."
She practically rushed into the kitchen.
Hana: "You still like spicy noodles, right?"
Kiara: "You remember?"
Hana paused.
Then smiled sadly.
Hana: "Of course I remember."
Silence.
Then—
A small smile appeared on Kiara's face.
And Hana smiled too.
Scene 2 – Jiho's Family Home
At the same time.
Jiho sat beside his mother.
Miho was finally recovering.
The house felt peaceful.
For once.
Miho: "You look happy these days."
Jiho: "Do I?"
Miho: "Very."
Jiho laughed.
Jiho: "Maybe."
Miho narrowed her eyes.
Miho: "Kiara?"
Jiho: "Mom."
Miho: "What?"
She laughed.
Then suddenly pointed toward an old photo album.
Miho: "Speaking of old memories..."
She opened it.
A familiar photograph appeared.
The same five friends.
Jiho: "Kai Wen."
Miho: "Hmm."
Jiho: "What was he like?"
Miho smiled softly.
Miho: "Very quiet."
Jiho: "Really?"
Miho: "Extremely."
Flashback
School cafeteria.
Everyone laughing.
Thomas telling jokes.
Hana teasing everyone.
Jiho's father making plans.
Miho laughing.
Meanwhile—
Kai Wen sat quietly.
Listening.
Watching.
Not speaking much.
Another Flashback
Group project day.
Everyone accidentally forgot Kai Wen's notebook.
Not intentionally.
Just excitement.
Teenagers being teenagers.
Kai Wen stood alone.
Thinking they'd left him behind.
Then—
Hana ran back.
Hana: "Kai Wen!"
He looked up.
Hana: "Why are you standing there?"
Kai Wen: "You forgot me."
Hana: "No we didn't."
She grabbed his arm.
Hana: "Come on."
Kai Wen: "Really?"
Hana: "Obviously."
She dragged him toward the others.
For the first time—
Kai Wen smiled.
Present
Miho sighed.
Miho: "Hana always included him."
Jiho: "Hmm."
Miho: "He was lonely."
Jiho: "Did he like her?"
Miho laughed.
Miho: "Everyone liked Hana."
Jiho: "Mom!"
Miho: "I'm serious."
The front door opened.
Jiho's father entered carrying fruit.
Jiho's Father: "What are you two talking about?"
Miho: "Old friends."
Jiho's Father: "Ah."
He immediately understood.
Jiho's Father: "Kai Wen?"
Miho: "Yes."
Jiho's Father: "Have you met him recently?"
Miho: "No."
Jiho's Father: "He became a teacher."
Jiho: "Oh."
His father sat down.
Jiho's Father: "We had some good times."
Miho: "Very good times."
Uh-oh.
Jiho recognized that look.
The legendary parent nostalgia mode.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Jiho's Father: "Remember the school trip—"
Miho: "And Thomas fell into the lake—"
Jiho's Father: "And Hana laughed for twenty minutes—"
Both started laughing.
Jiho immediately stood up.
Jiho: "Okay."
Miho: "Where are you going?"
Jiho: "Anywhere."
Jiho's Father: "Sit down."
Jiho: "No."
Miho: "We're telling stories."
Jiho: "Exactly why I'm leaving."
His parents laughed.
As Jiho walked away, his smile slowly faded.
Because one question remained.
If Kai Wen was just an old friend...
Why was his name suddenly appearing everywhere?
And why did it feel like the past wasn't finished with them yet?
To Be Continued... 👀📸