Chapter 6: Echoes of the Past

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Letters Episode 6: “Echoes of the Past”

(Narration)
"Regret is a funny thing. You don’t really notice it until it sneaks up on you, whispering in your ear about all the things you should’ve done, should’ve said. And right now, it’s practically screaming at me. Because here I am, sitting across from Ayane, waiting for answers I don’t even know if I want."

(The café feels smaller, quieter. Rukasu taps his fingers against the table, impatient. Ayane looks down at her tea, gathering her thoughts.)

Ayane: softly After everything that happened, I needed to leave.

(Rukasu stiffens but says nothing.)

Ayane: I thought if I stayed, I’d just be… a reminder. Of everything you lost.

Rukasu: flatly So you just disappeared? That’s supposed to make it better?

(Ayane flinches but doesn’t look away.)

Ayane: I didn’t know what else to do, Rukasu. You were shutting down. Pushing everyone away.

Rukasu: sarcastic Yeah, and abandoning me was a great way to help with that.

(A beat of silence. Ayane exhales, gripping her cup tightly.)

Ayane: It wasn’t just that.

(Rukasu narrows his eyes. There it is—that hesitation, like there’s something else she’s not saying.)

Rukasu: leaning forward Then tell me. The real reason.

(Ayane hesitates, then reaches into her bag again. Rukasu tenses—another letter? Another picture? But instead, she pulls out a small, folded note. She slides it across the table.)

Ayane: quietly I found this. Before I left. It’s from your sister.

(Rukasu freezes. The air in his lungs turns sharp, heavy. His fingers hover over the paper but don’t touch it.)

Rukasu: low voice …Yuki?

(Ayane nods, her expression unreadable. Rukasu swallows hard before finally picking up the note. His hands are steady, but his chest feels tight.)

(The paper is old, the handwriting familiar—Yuki’s. His sister’s words, written before she… before she was gone.)

"Rukasu,
I know you’re angry. At the world, at life, maybe even at yourself. But please, don’t let it turn you into someone you’re not. Don’t shut people out. Don’t let this pain be the only thing you feel. You’re not alone, no matter how much you think you are. Please, remember that.
– Yuki"

(His grip on the note tightens. His throat feels like sandpaper.)

(Ayane watches him, waiting.)

Ayane: softly I didn’t know how to show you this back then. I thought it would just hurt you more. So I kept it. But now… I think you should have it.

(Rukasu exhales sharply, stuffing the note into his pocket. His voice comes out rougher than he means it to.)

Rukasu: muttering You should’ve given it to me sooner.

Ayane: whispering I know.

(Silence stretches between them. The weight of the past lingers in the air.)

(Finally, Rukasu sighs, running a hand through his hair.)

Rukasu: grumbling …So what now?

(Ayane studies him, then smiles—small, hesitant, but real.)

Ayane: softly That’s up to you.

(Rukasu doesn’t answer right away. His fingers brush over his pocket, where the note sits like an unfinished sentence. He doesn’t know what’s next. But for the first time in a long time… maybe he wants to find out.)

Submitted: February 20, 2025

Romance romance mystery drama comedy thriller