What's the most beautiful thing a human could ever witness ?
A sunset? A kiss? A movie that makes you cry ?
Maybe.
But maybe — just maybe — it's something quieter.
Something sacred.
A walk. Not just any walk. But one during golden hour.
When the world melts in gold, When shadows stretch long like memories, When the sun doesn't fall — it bows.
A walk with someone you love. Hand in hand. Silent smiles. A glance that lingers longer than a word. Two souls, walking not on earth, but through time.
Something the gods might envy. Something heaven would stop to watch.
12:00 PM.
The sun stabbed through the curtains of Ren's room like bright spears of anticipation.
He had barely slept. His mind was a restless storm, but his heart? Still humming the melody of her voice, of Serin.
He lay half-dead, eyes sunken, hair tousled like he just fought the universe.
But his lips? Still smiling.
No tripping. No chaos. He didn't panic like he used to.
There was a strange calmness about him today.
As if love had finally settled the chaos inside.
He walked to the mirror. Touched his hair. Brushed it back.
Smiled.
"Omg, I can't wait for this."
He grinned at his reflection — that nervous, glowing idiot in love.
Then sprinted to the bathroom like a kid whose promised a candy.
Elsewhere in Kurzawa…
"Remi, pleaaaase. It's been so long since we went out together," Serin begged, pulling her sister's sleeve like a child.
"No way. I've got schoolwork. Art. Homework. And a life," Remi huffed.
"I'll color your art project."
"I'm not seven."
"I'll do your laundry for a week."
Silence.
"Deal."
"Wait—WHAT?"
Serin blinked.
Remi grinned. There's nothing more sacred than someone else doing your laundry.
Serin hugged her like she just secured a million-dollar bribe.
"What will I even say to her when Ren just ' accidentally ' spawns there?"
She bit her lip, hiding the smile rising on her face.
Meanwhile, Ren's bed looked like a clothing store explosion.
Shirts. Hoodies. Sneakers. All over the place.
He stared at the mess, arms crossed.
"This? No. Too try-hard."
"That? Too flashy."
"This? Too formal."
"God, why is this harder than organic chemistry?!"
After what felt like solving the universe's fashion puzzle, he finally found it —his perfect outfit.
A streetwear combo that made him look like he walked straight out of an anime episode.
Chill, stylish, him.
1:00 PM.
He couldn't sit still. He jumped. He paced. He spun in circles like a human Beyblade.
He danced in front of the mirror with a comb as a mic.
He made finger guns at his reflection.
He sent Serin 15 memes in a row without context.
He ran around the house barefoot, shouting,
"TODAY IS THE DAY. SHE'S MINE. I'M HERS. WE'RE DOING THIS!"
Even the neighbor's dog barked back in support.
He felt like the city itself was throwing him a parade.
Meanwhile…
Serin had already picked her fit.
Red hoodie. Oversized black pants. Her armor of comfort.
Simple. Familiar. Her.
She sat at the edge of her bed, eyes closed, fingers resting gently on her knees.
The soft hum of her fan filled the silence. The scent of strawberry shampoo still lingered in her wet hair. She looked calm.
But inside, a thousand butterflies flapped against her ribs.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Ren :" U ready, mochi cheeks?"
She smiled.
Bit her lip.
Typed back: "Almost. Don't die on the way, drama queen."
Ren didn't need to lie to anyone today.
His parents weren't home. The house was quiet.
But the rules still held : " Be back before 6:00 PM or risk everything. "
He threw on his white Converse, tied them with a double knot, and bolted out.
The sky above Kurzawa smiled down at him.
The streets were different today.
Not because they weredifferent, but because he was.
The air felt warmer, like the city was blessing him.
Birds flew slower. As if watching him run.
Cherry blossom petals fell onto the sidewalk like confetti. Even the streetlight blinked green without making him wait.
Kurzawa was golden today. A silent witness to a love story unfolding.
It whispered:"Run. She's waiting."
He ran.
Faster than he ever did for exams.
Faster than fear.
Faster than reason.
Because today wasn't just a date. It was salvation.
1:30 PM.
He was late.
Thirty minutes late.
"Am I cooked...? Did she dump me...? No—no way... or... will she?"
His thoughts choked his neck as he ran, breathless and panicking.
Every second closing in felt like both relief and dread battling inside his chest.
"Please, God. Please..."
he whispered, again and again, like a prayer.
And then—He reached Jusai.
There she was.
Inside.
Facing the entrance.
A girl sat opposite her, back toward Ren.
He paused. Froze.
His heartbeat was thunder in his ears.
Every step he took was slow, like walking through syrup.
That's when she saw him.
And she stood.
Calm.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
That smile…
That smile carried no anxiety. No fear. Only softness.
She walked toward him.
He couldn't move.
Time quite literally, stopped.
The sunlight broke through the shop's window and hit her just right.
Her hair glowed like molten bronze.
Her smile curved softly against her mochi cheeks.
Time slowed, cars crawled, winds whispered.
The entire city paused to admire her.
Kurzawa bowed to their moment.
Everything felt like a movie frame, framed just for them.
"Hey, baby boy,"
she greeted him, her smile pulling at her mochi cheeks.
He wanted to hug her. Lift her up. Spin her around and kiss her forehead.
But then his gaze shifted to the people around them. A couple of aunties sipping chai near the corner. A group of teenagers playing on their phones.
Anyone could be her neighbor, or worse — her mom's friend.
He panicked.
So instead of a hug….He stretched out his hand. Like an awkward business intern at a romantic interview.
She looked at it.
Smirked.
And shook it firmly.
Her hands — soft and warm.
The way her hair caught sunlight made it look like a river of gold. Her eyes gleamed, soft and deep, like they held constellations.
The smile, oh that smile — curved like the moon itself was playing dress-up.
The world around them faded, not disappeared, but blurred — because she was all he could see. If beauty could be measured, this moment would break the scale.
Even the wind slowed down to watch. Even the clock gave them mercy.
They stepped inside.
Jusai — a cozy little café known for cakes, juices, and soft indie music that played just loud enough to fill silences.
And there — seated at the table — was Remi.
Serin's sister.
Ren blinked. This was his first time seeing her in real life.
She stood up, brushing off crumbs from her hoodie.
Holy shit.
She was taller than him.
"Wait—what?"
Ren muttered.
Serin burst into laughter.
She was just 15 !! And already 5'10 !!
Ren wanted to faint.
Serin cracked up like never before.
"WHAT? You're shorter than my little sister?! WHATTTTT!"
she squealed, nearly falling over the table.
Ren stared at Remi, who looked unimpressed.
"I mean... I-I..."
he mumbled.
Serin reached out and patted his head like a toddler. "It's okay, baby boy."
They all sat. Ren tried to keep it cool, but inside he was a waterfall of awkward.
Remi faced them, sitting across the booth, arms crossed.
"Sooo… Remi, huh? You look... tall."
Ren tried to strike a non-awkward conversation.
Remi : "Wow. What an observation. Want a cookie for that?"
"She's been like this since birth." Serin giggled.
Ren: "You sure she's not your mom's older sister?"
Remi: "You sure you're not twelve?Papa's gonna flip if he finds this out."
Serin's smile fades a bit, "Yeah… I know."
Ren: "I mean… maybe he'll see I'm not so bad?"
Remi: "Or maybe he'll see you're short."
Serin bursts out laughing again.
Remi didn't trust him. Not yet.
But she smiled. Once. Maybe twice.
Enough for Ren to feel like he had a chance.
They talked about everything.
Ren cleared his throat. "Sooo... you like cakes?"
Remi shrugged. "It's okay."
Ren nodded like he was gathering data for a PhD thesis.
"Cool. Cake's cool. Very... cake."
Serin stifled a laugh.
He tried again. "So, uh... school?"
Remi looked at him. "School exists."
"Right. Existential. I like it."
Serin face-palmed.
"Stop interrogating her like she's a spy, Ren," she whispered, amused.
"I'm just making conversation,"he whispered back.
Then to Remi, "You know, your sister says she's good at art, but I've seen her doodles. Stick figures don't count."
Remi cracked a smirk. Just a little.
Serin narrowed her eyes. "Excuse you. My stick figures have emotion."
Remi finally spoke, deadpan: "They do. One of them looked clinically depressed."
They all laughed. Even Remi, a soft, quick chuckle.
It wasn't warm yet, but it wasn't cold either.
Ren picked up a juice menu.
"So what are we getting? Something... celebratory? Like, ' Yay, your sister's not dating a complete disaster' drink?"
Remi didn't laugh. But she didn't shut him down either.
She just said, "Don't make me regret not calling Papa."
Ren blinked. "Noted. I am now a government-approved upstanding citizen."
Another silence followed. But it felt lighter.
Serin leaned her head slightly on Remi's shoulder. "Thanks for coming. Really."
Remi didn't reply. But she let her head rest gently against Serin's for a moment. That was enough.
Ren smiled, sipping his mango soda.
"I like this," he said quietly.
Serin looked up. "Like what?"
He gestured. "This. The weird triangle we're forming right now."
"You mean... family?" Serin offered.
He blinked. Looked at Remi. She was back to scrolling her phone. But he thought he saw the corner of her mouth twitch again.
"Maybe,"he said softly. "Maybe someday."
Time passed. It shouldn't have.
Because every second with her was a dream.
5:00 PM.
They stepped out.
A gentle breeze followed them. Golden hour painted their backs.
The shadows were longer, but so was the warmth.
They walked halfway together. Then stood still.
The city of Kurzawa was melting into gold.
The sun—low and lazy—was painting the world in strokes of amber and tangerine.
The streets shimmered like molten glass. Every leaf shimmered like it had been kissed by heaven.
Serin and Ren walked side by side.
Their shadows were long, stretched like memories across the pavement.
Their fingers brushed against each other's occasionally. He didn't try to hold her hand.
Not this time.
He just wanted the feeling of her presence beside him to linger longer.
Neither of them talked. There was no need to.
Their silence was loud. Beautifully loud.
The golden hour wrapped around them like a soft blanket. Even the breeze slowed down to watch them pass.
"So... how's my boyfriend?"Serin broke the silence, teasing.
Remi, walking slightly ahead, glanced back with an unimpressed frown. "Not bad," she whispered under her breath. "But... I'm scared. What if Papa finds out?"
Serin's smile dimmed. Her eyes fell to the ground. A shadow flickered through her lashes.
"Yeah... I know," she said softly.
They walked further. The golden hues slowly turning honey-orange.
There was a pause.
Then, Serin's voice—low, but sure.
"But it's worth it."
Remi looked at her, confused.
Serin continued, "It's worth every second. Every risk. Every lie. Love isn't what mom or Ashin taught us. It's something else entirely. It's the first time I feel alive."
Remi didn't answer. She didn't need to.
The golden hour understood.
The universe was watching them, two souls glowing like lanterns in the dusk.
They reached the fork in the road.
Time stopped.
Literally.
Even the breeze paused.
The sun, reluctant to leave the sky, seemed to stay an extra minute for them.
Ren turned back. His eyes searched her face like it was the last time he'd see her.
He signed with his fingers across the air: "Let's call tonight?"
Serin nodded, smiling. Her mochi cheeks glowed under the sky's fire.
And then—without another word—
They parted.
Ren walked backward for a few steps, eyes still locked on her.
The world looked like an oil painting behind him. Brushstrokes of gold and orange bled into the rooftops and trees.
Serin turned once more, waved with both hands, and mouthed: "I'll be waiting."
And then—she was gone.
But for Ren, every step felt like walking on clouds. Like his feet were no longer on the ground, but floating through air stitched with sunlight and dreams.
The sky dripped with light.
The clouds curled like watercolor ink being blown through paper.
And in that walk back home, he felt it—the quiet truth whispering through the golden air:
Sometimes, you don't know the last time you'll see someone. Until it's already behind you.
Each step lighter than the last. Was this how angels felt when they touched clouds?
No.
This was love.
He glanced at the clock on his phone,
5:30 PM.
He made it.
30 minutes before his parents returned.
Perfect.
But then…His eyes landed on the window.
Open. Wide, Golden rays spilled in like a painting from a god's brush.
He grabbed his phone.
Shaking.
Call.
"Pick up… pick up, Serin…"
No answer.
Again.
Still nothing.
He ran to his balcony.
There it was.
The sky had become a living canvas. Golden, orange, pink — all spilling together like a child finger-painted heaven. Each ray reached out like it was trying to touch someone.
Each cloud hovered like a whisper from above. The kind of beauty that made hearts ache. And yet...It felt like it was waiting for her.
Ring.
She picked up.
"What's up? Are you pregnant, Ren?"
He burst out laughing.
"Wtf?? Nooo— Where are you?"
"Home. Why?"
"Go to the terrace. Now."
"…What? Why?"
"Please, Serin. Just go."
She stayed on the call. Ran up the stairs. Onto her roof.
"What now—?"
"Babe," he whispered, "I just wanted to spend this golden hour with you."
She froze.
Looked up.
And there it was.
Above her — the exact same sky as his. A shared sky. A shared moment.
She raised her hand toward the sun, as if she could catch it between her fingers.
The wind whispered their names. The light spilled across rooftops like confetti thrown by the universe. She stood there, stunned. No filter. No edits. Just raw, perfect light.
Time didn't stop — but it softened. Paused just enough for them.
Two souls. Staring at the same sky from different rooftops.
Together.
The call ended.
She texted:
"How are we spending time together if you hang up, idiot?"
He replied:
"You won't understand… it's a leap of faith."
She smiled. Quietly. Softly.
The kind of smile only the sun gets to see.
That night…
Snacks.
Laptop.
Bed.
Headphones.
The perfect setup.
Ren rushed to his room like a kid about to watch his favorite cartoon.
His dad raised a brow.
"What's gotten into him?"
Call connected.
"Babeeeeee!"
She popped onto the screen, cheeks puffed like mochi.
"My baby boyyyy!"
She whispered it like a secret.
This was their world.
Their sacred, hidden world.
"Imagine if we actually marry."
"Our kid's gonna hate our cringe."
"I'd teach them to dance in the rain."
"I'd teach them to burn the rice."
"We'll be cool parents."
"Our kid will be like, our parents were weird, but they were in love."
Serin and Ren crafted their future through their pixels.
Suddenly—
"SISSY LOOK AT THIS SONG AGAIN!"
Remi barged in.
Serin Switched the tabs like a ninja.
"Gwenchana ding ding ding ding—"
They both burst into laughter. Ren was lost.
"What is Gwenchana—"
"It's a dumb song we vibe to," Serin giggled. "I had to be weird to match your weird."
They laughed like stars colliding in private space.
The room was dark, lit only by the soft glow of Serin's laptop screen.
She had Ren on the call, her face cupped in her palms, lips curled in a secret smile.
They were talking in whispers.
She couldn't stop grinning.
Ren's voice from the screen, "...and when we have a kid, I'm naming him Ronaldo."
Serin laughed, hiding her mouth with her sleeve.
"You're such an idiot," she whispered.
But then—
A sound.
A creak.
The door.
She froze.
Everything inside her froze.
The blood in her veins.
The thoughts in her brain.
A shadow grew tall and monstrous behind her.
"WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO RIGHT NOW?"
Her mother's voice—Low. Sharp. Controlled fury.
Serin didn't move.
She didn't breathe.
She slammed the laptop tab with a lightning-fast ALT+TAB, heart slamming against her ribs.
"Uh—No one, mom! I was just... sending a voice note to my friend!"
Her mom stepped forward slowly, like a hunter toying with prey. Her eyes were locked onto the screen. Onto her daughter's trembling hands.
"You're lying."
"I-I'm not—look! See?"Serin fumbled with her phone, pulling up an old voice note from hours ago.
"I just sent this... just now..."
Her mother stared at her — long, still, silent.
That kind of silence that made your stomach twist in knots.
Then—
She turned around.
But said nothing.
Not a word.
She walked away.
But that silence? That walk?
It was not relief.
It was a warning.
A storm cloud gathering on the edge of the sky.
Serin slowly turned her gaze back to the screen. Ren was still there. Pale. Speechless.
"Dude... what was that?"
he whispered.
But Serin didn't reply.
She couldn't.
She just stared.
Eyes glassy.
Hands trembling.
Her lips barely parted.
Serin had just barely switched the tab. Her heart still thundered inside her chest. Her mother's footsteps echoed down the hallway like thunder rolling in the distance.
But just as the tension dropped for a split second…Remi barged into the room.
She looked Serin in the eye — no warning, no pretense.
"Are you serious right now?" Remi's voice cracked. Not with anger. But something heavier.
"You were talking to him again? After everything?"
Serin flinched.
"Remi, I—"
"No. Don't," Remi snapped. Her fists were clenched. Her jaw was trembling.
"You always do this! Always sneak around, always lie. And then when they yell or cry, I'm the one who has to sit through it. I have to pretend like our family is fine while you're busy falling in love like it's a fairytale!"
"Remi, please—"
"Do you know what it's like?! Watching mom break down in the kitchen while you lock yourself up with your headphones and pretend nothing's wrong?! Watching papa slam doors, throw things, scream at me asking where you are?"
Her voice was rising now. Tears were collecting in the corners of her eyes.
Ren could see and hear everything....But for serin and remi the tabs were switched .
"Do you have any idea how that feels, Serin?"
Serin stood still. Silent. Breathless. Her lips parted, but she couldn't speak.
"I looked up to you,"
Remi whispered.
"You were always the calm one. The smart one. The strong one. But now all I see is someone I don't understand anymore."
A pause.
Then Remi stepped back, her voice shaking again — not with rage now, but with grief.
"You're tearing this family apart, Serin. And I don't even know if you see it."
She turned to leave, then stopped.
"I miss you,"
she added in a whisper.
"Not this version of you. You."
And then she was gone.
The room went quiet again.
Was this all worth ?
Serin collapsed into her chair, fingers trembling above her keyboard. Her screen was still on, but Ren was no longer there.
Ren watched. Heard everything.
He whispered into her AirPods which were still there on her ears.
"I'm sorry, Serin," he whispered. "I don't want to be the reason you suffer."
"Sometimes I feel like you deserve better. Someone easier. Less complicated. Maybe you should leave me. I wouldn't blame you."
Silence.
"I know I've ruined things. I know I brought storms into your life. But if pain is the price of loving you, I'd bleed forever. Because you didn't just love me… you saved me. you made me feel like I belonged in a world that kept locking its doors. And if I lose you… I don't just lose love. I lose my reason to breathe."
Serin didn't answer.
She couldn't.
But she looked. Right into the camera. At him.
Still there.
Still in love.
The stars above blinked quietly. Twinkling like soft lanterns. Blessing a doomed love.
"Serin."
She raised her left eyebrow.
Cuz she knows she was being watched but only way she could talk with him was with her eyes.
"I love you."
Silence.
Then…
"I love you in every universe."
Her lips curled. She smiled. Tears ran down her cheeks like watercolor streaks.
She covered her mouth, hiding a shy laugh. A blush danced across her mochi skin.
She turned away. But that smile stayed.
Suddenly—
A creak.
A thud.
Footsteps.
"NO... BROTHER NOOOO!"
Serin's voice cracked in panic.
A SLAM.
The door flung open.
CRASH.
Her brother stormed in like a demon out of folklore. Eyes wild. Shoulders raised. Mouth pulled tight.
Without a single word, he ripped her headphones off and swung his hand.
SLAP.
The sound echoed in the room like thunder.
Serin cried out, stumbling backward.
Ren screamed from the screen,
"NOOOO!!!"
But he was helpless. Just a frozen image behind a screen. A ghost watching from the other side of a glass wall.
The laptop shook as the brother slammed it shut.
But not before—
He sat down.
Eyes scanned the keyboard.
Pressed Alt+Tab.
Ren's face.
Still there.
Frozen in terror.
A dead silence followed.
The brother leaned forward slowly, his breath heavy into the mic.
Then he closed the lid.
Call ended.
" What Happened ?"
Ren couldn't breathe.
A static noise hummed in his ears. The world blurred. His limbs numbed.
He stood.
Ran in circles.
Smashed his keyboard.
Banged his head.
Punched the wall until his knuckles Bleed.
"Serin… oh my Serin… what have I done…"
He screamed into his pillow. Like it could absorb his guilt.
Blood.
Sweat.
Tears.
Nothing helped.
And then—
His phone rang.
Unknown Number.
He picked it up.
He didn't speak.
But the voice came. Cold. Sharp. Male. Young.
"Is this Ren?"
"Mhm..."his throat barely let out the sound.
"Never call Serin again."
Ren froze.
"You son of a b*tch you used my sister for drama."
"If you ever contact her again…"
"I'll make you regret you were ever born."
There was a pause.
"And one more thing...
F* you."**
Click.
Silence.
Ren dropped his phone.
Dropped himself.
To the floor.
Flat. Staring at the ceiling. Empty.
"If love ends tomorrow…"
The memory echoed.
"I knew we'd break soon,"
he whispered,
"But I never knew… soon was today."
"And somewhere far above this broken world, the angels wept… not because two souls were torn apart, but because they knew… even heaven couldn't save them."