Chapter 5: Unfinished Business

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Letters Episode 5: “Unfinished Business”

(Narration)
"There are a million places I’d rather be right now. A deserted island. A dentist’s chair. Even a tax audit sounds better than this. But no—here I am, standing in the cold outside some random café, waiting for Ayane. Again."

(Rukasu shifts uncomfortably, hands stuffed in his pockets. He doesn’t even like cafés. Too many people, too much noise, too much…everything.)

(Just as he considers bailing, he hears footsteps. He looks up. It’s her.)

(Ayane stops a few feet away, watching him. There’s something unreadable in her eyes, something that makes his stomach twist. She looks like she wants to say something, but instead, she gestures toward the café.)

Ayane: softly Should we go in?

Rukasu: flatly Do I have a choice?

Ayane: small smile Not really.

(Inside, the café is warm, filled with the scent of coffee and pastries. Rukasu orders nothing, just crosses his arms and leans back in his chair, waiting.)

Rukasu: impatient Alright. You dragged me here. Start talking.

(Ayane stirs her tea, avoiding his eyes. The silence stretches. Finally, she exhales and looks at him.)

Ayane: quietly I’m sorry.

(Rukasu tenses. He wasn’t expecting that.)

Rukasu: frowning …For what?

Ayane: hesitating For leaving. For not saying anything. For taking this long to come back.

(Rukasu scoffs, looking away. His fingers tap restlessly against the table.)

Rukasu: bitterly Yeah, well. Too late for that, don’t you think?

Ayane: softly Maybe. But I still needed to say it.

(Another silence. The noise of the café hums around them—distant, irrelevant.)

Ayane: carefully How have you been?

Rukasu: snorts Oh, you know. Living the dream. Crappy apartment, crappier job, weird old guy for a neighbor, and an incredibly annoying coworker. Life’s just peachy.

(Ayane smiles faintly, but it fades.)

Ayane: watching him You never left, did you?

Rukasu: shrugs Didn’t have a reason to.

(Ayane looks down at her tea, fingers tightening around the cup. Rukasu shifts uncomfortably.)

Rukasu: grumbling Alright, enough small talk. Just tell me why you’re here.

(Ayane hesitates, then reaches into her bag. Rukasu tenses instinctively—another letter? But instead, she pulls out a small, folded piece of paper. She slides it across the table.)

Ayane: quietly I found this. I thought… you should have it.

(Rukasu frowns but takes it. As he unfolds it, his breath catches.)

(It’s a photo. A faded, old picture of them—him and Ayane, years ago. He barely remembers it being taken, but there it is. Proof that once, things were different.)

(For a moment, neither of them speaks. Rukasu stares at the photo, emotions tangled in a way he doesn’t understand.)

Ayane: softly I didn’t forget, Rukasu. I never did.

(Something in her voice makes his chest ache. He clenches his jaw, shoving the photo into his pocket.)

Rukasu: quietly …What do you want from me, Ayane?

(She looks at him, and for the first time, he sees it—guilt. Uncertainty. Something heavy she’s been carrying.)

Ayane: whispering I just want a chance to explain.

(Rukasu exhales slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. He doesn’t know if he’s ready for this. But then again… when has he ever been ready for anything?)

(He leans back, crossing his arms.)

Rukasu: grumbling Fine. Start explaining.

(Ayane looks at him, then nods. And just like that, the past begins to unravel.)

Submitted: February 20, 2025

Romance romance mystery drama comedy thriller