CHAPTER 56 : The Past Serves as a Reminder

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Book awoke to a new day, with soft sunlight streaming through his condo window. He usually kept the curtains closed because he slept light and was sensitive to light. However, for some reason, he forgot to draw the curtains last night, allowing the orange light to reach his face this morning.

His eyes were not completely open yet. He rubbed them slightly before taking a seat by the window and looking out with focused eyes. He noticed the morning landscape of the condo complex. The streets were beginning to bustle with cars, motorcycles, cyclists, and people walking back and forth. White smoke rose near food carts selling grilled pork and chicken. The atmosphere of people going about their daily lives had beKan, signaling the start of a new day.

Ding!

The notification sound from Book's phone on the bedside table rang out. He returned to pick it up and looked at the screen, which displayed a calendar notification that he had an appointment with a close friend from university at noon. He still had time to spend about two hours at the condo's fitness center before leaving for his appointment.

He had not seen his close friend in a long time because the other had returned to their hometown in the province. They both had good feelings for each other in college, but neither ever expressed them. Book reasoned that meeting this old friend would help him understand his own emotions a little, if not a lot.

They agreed to meet at a café not far from Book's condo. He had seen it on TikTok a few days ago. It was a small café in the heart of the city with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Many reviewers unanimously agreed that it was worth visiting at least once. So Book decided on this location without much consideration.

He was a little excited as he walked in to take a seat in the shop. His heart raced faster than usual because he had not seen his close friend in quite some time. His gaze scanned the shop, noticing plants and fresh flowers in various corners. The pleasant aroma of coffee wafting through the air made him feel refreshed and relaxed. During this, he noticed a familiar figure sitting in one corner of the shop. He smiled slightly before taking two long strides towards him.

"Ten!" Book called out in a quiet voice as he approached the seated person.

"Oh! You're here?" The person who calling him turned around and smiled broadly.

"Have you waited long?"

"Huh! I have just arrived. Sit down, sit down."

Before continuing the conversation, the book dropped into the opposite chair. "You look more handsome."

"You too, you know."

"It is been a long time since we saw each other."

"Yeah, since graduation, I have returned to help with work at home. You just disappeared. "We barely talked then," Ten complained, looking hurt.

"Sorry about that. I was busy looking for a job as well."

Ten looked steadily at Book before saying, "I really missed you..."

Book smiled in response, but before he could speak, a shop employee arrived to take their order. They both ordered coffee and three or four cake menu items to share. Book was not usually into sweets, but sitting in the shop without ordering anything seemed impolite. So he made a random selection from the menu items recommended by the staff.

"So, how have you been lately?" Ten, the old friend, asked with interest.

Book paused for a moment before answering, "Actually, I'm okay..."

"But...?" Ten narrowed his eyes when he noticed that the other's demeanor appeared to conceal something in his heart, as if he wanted to say something but was not sure if he should say it aloud.

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