Rain fell without asking.
Like always.
And like always… the city pretended nothing was wrong.
Motorbikes kept passing, people kept walking, and lights kept shining like everything was fine.
Even when it wasn't.
It never really was.
Tiwan stood by a small roadside coffee stall.
His jacket half wet, hair damp, but he didn't move.
Like he was waiting.
For something.
Or someone.
"You look creepy standing like that."
Raka's voice came from the side.
"Like you're planning revenge."
Tiwan didn't look at him.
"You watch too many movies."
Raka grinned.
"And you have too many problems."
This time—
Tiwan didn't argue.
Because for once…
Raka wasn't wrong.
Rain got heavier.
The stall was almost empty.
The seller was busy with a broken TV full of static.
"Seriously," Raka said, "who are you waiting for?"
Tiwan spoke quietly.
"I'm not waiting."
"Then what?"
He exhaled slightly.
"Sometimes… I just want to be quiet."
Raka chuckled.
"Wow. Rain hits and suddenly you're deep."
Tiwan almost smiled.
Almost.
Then—
Footsteps.
Not loud.
But enough to make him look.
A girl.
Walking alone in the rain.
Black umbrella. Calm steps.
No hesitation.
No rush.
Raka whispered,
"Damn."
Tiwan didn't comment.
But his eyes followed.
She stopped at the stall.
"One black coffee."
Her voice was flat.
Calm.
Without thinking, Tiwan said,
"Make that two."
Raka nudged him.
"Fast reflex."
"Shut up."
The girl turned.
And that's when—
Something felt different.
Not just her looks.
Her eyes.
Like someone who had been strong alone for too long.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Raka stepped back slightly.
"Straight to the point."
"Tiwan."
She paused.
Like deciding if it was worth answering.
"Lara."
Short.
No smile.
But not completely cold.
They sat down.
Rain filled the silence.
"You come here often?" Tiwan asked.
"Sometimes."
"Alone?"
Lara glanced at him.
"Why do you keep asking that?"
Tiwan smirked slightly.
"People who sit alone usually… are looking for something."
"Like what?"
He thought for a moment.
"A place to disappear."
Lara went quiet.
Longer this time.
Then she said softly:
"Or… a place where no one looks for you."
That line hit heavier than expected.
From behind, Raka muttered:
"Yep. Trauma session confirmed."
Before anything else—
SCREEECH!
Motorbikes.
Tiwan turned instantly.
Instinct.
Three men stepped down.
And their eyes locked on—
Lara.
The difference?
She wasn't surprised.
She just sighed softly.
"Took you long enough."
Tiwan understood.
This wasn't random.
"Friends of yours?" he whispered.
"Unfortunately… no."
One of them stepped forward.
"Finally found you."
Lara stood up slowly.
"I told you… stop looking for me."
"Boss wants you."
"I don't care."
That answer changed everything.
The man grabbed her arm.
And right there—
Tiwan stood up.
THUD!
He slapped the hand away.
"Don't touch her."
Silence.
Raka slowly covered his face.
"Yep… here we go…"
🔥 Mini Hook
As one of them stepped forward—
His sleeve lifted slightly.
And for a split second—
Tiwan saw it.
A tattoo.
A symbol…
that felt way too familiar.
And in his mind—
Only one thought appeared:
"This should've been over…"