Polaroids on The Floor

Yokohama

As the cityscape of Yokohama blurred past the car windows, Kim sat quietly, absorbing the sights while his mind raced with thoughts of their plan. The vibrant city lights reflected off the glass, casting a soft glow inside the car. Fuuto was focused on the road, but he could feel the tension between them-an odd mix of excitement and uncertainty about what lay ahead.

After a while, Kim broke the silence. "Do you have the pictures of your hotels ready? I've already taken some when I stayed at one of them, so just send me the ones from the other locations."

Fuuto nodded, pulling over to a quieter side street. He parked the car and began scrolling through his phone. "Yeah, I've got them organized by location. I've even labeled the best ones for you." He handed his phone to Kim, who looked through the images, noting how well-maintained and luxurious each hotel appeared.

"These are really good," Kim said, impressed. "You should be proud of what you've built, you know. Not many people can say they've achieved what you have."

Fuuto looked away for a moment, a shadow of doubt crossing his face. "It's hard to be proud when you know how much blood and deceit are behind it. But if this works, maybe I can start fresh... do something good for once."

Kim nodded, understanding the weight of Fuuto's words. He accepted the file transfer of the images, then typed a few notes on his phone. "I'll make sure these get the attention they deserve. My boss will be interested-if I pitch it right, it could draw a lot of positive attention to your hotels."

A faint smile touched Fuuto's lips, but there was a lingering sadness in his eyes. "Thank you, Kim. You're the first person who's ever wanted to help me without asking for something in return."

Kim smiled back, a little softer, more genuine. "Well, don't thank me yet. We still have a long way to go."

They sat there for a moment, the silence no longer awkward but filled with an unspoken understanding. The city hummed around them, life continuing on, but in that car, it felt as though time had slowed down, allowing them to catch their breath before the next big step.

"Let's grab something to eat before we head out of here," Fuuto suggested, breaking the quiet. "I know a place not far from here-nothing fancy, just good food."

Kim agreed, and they drove to a small, cozy restaurant tucked away from the bustling streets. It wasn't anything extravagant, but the warm lights and the smell of freshly cooked food gave it a welcoming atmosphere.

As they sat down, Kim couldn't help but notice how different Fuuto seemed here-more relaxed, almost at ease. It was like he could finally let go of the façade he had to wear around others.

"I haven't had a proper meal in a while," Kim admitted as he looked over the menu. "I've been so caught up with work... and everything else."

"Then let's make this a good one," Fuuto said, signaling the waiter. "You deserve it."

They ordered their food, and as they waited, the conversation flowed naturally, touching on lighter topics. For the first time in a while, Kim felt like he could breathe, like the weight of the situation with Fuuto's father wasn't pressing down on them.

But as the food arrived, so did the reality of their situation. The plan they had put into motion was a gamble-one that could either free Fuuto from his father's grip or backfire in a way they couldn't afford.

After they finished eating, they took a walk along the waterfront, the cool breeze carrying the scent of the ocean. Kim stopped to take a few pictures of the bay, capturing the city lights reflected on the water. He felt a sense of calm, knowing that this was his last stop for the project. Yet, there was also an undercurrent of anxiety, knowing what they still had to face.

As they returned to the car, Kim turned to Fuuto. "Are you ready for this? I mean, really ready?"

Fuuto hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I don't know what will happen next, but I'm tired of running. I want to face whatever comes-together."

Kim looked at him, seeing the determination in his eyes, and nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

With that, they got back into the car, ready to head to their next destination. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, Kim felt like they had a real chance-a chance to turn the tide and find a way out of the chaos that had brought them together.

As they drove out of Yokohama, the city fading into the distance, both of them knew that the journey ahead would be anything but easy. But with each other's support, they felt a glimmer of hope-one that they hadn't dared to believe in before.