Sitting up slowly, Taki made his way to the bathroom, going about his usual morning routine. Adjusting his tie, he stepped out of his apartment, beginning the familiar route to work.

Swiping into the station, Taki waited on the platform for his train, checking his phone for any missed emails. Filing into the train car, he took up a spot near the door, gaze turned outside. Watching another train filled to the brim with office workers pass by, his eyes caught on yours.

Ever since that day on the summit of the mountain, Taki had felt like something was missing. His mouth had closed around the first syllable of something before he’d forgotten what he was trying to say in the first place. Since then, he’s been searching. For what, he doesn’t know. But now, looking at you, he knows he’s found it.

As you disappeared from his sight, he found himself calling out for you, an unknown name bubbling up in his throat.

Where? Where would they go?

Getting off the train immediately, Taki took off running. Shoes pounding against the damp concrete, he ignored all the weird looks he was getting, focused solely on finding you. Desperately searching, he finally arrived in front of a set of stairs.

There you stood, at the top and out of breath. Relief flooding through him at the sight of you, Taki’s mind raced.

Now what? Why was he here?

Looking away, he took the stairs up. As you took the stairs down from the other side of the railing, Taki felt something inexplicable drawing him towards you. Each step away felt wrong, like he was leaving behind a crucial part of himself. Stopping at the top of the stairs, he held his breath, every fiber of his being urging him to do something. Anything.

“Excuse me!” Finally making up his mind, Taki whirled around, calling out to you. “Haven't we met?”

You turned around, tears rolling down your face as you smiled at him. “I thought so too!”

Feeling himself begin to tear up, Taki took a deep breath, leaning forward.

”What’s your name?”