As their eyes met, Rai felt an inexplicable jolt of recognition, as if she had stumbled upon a long-forgotten memory. But the feeling was fleeting, leaving her with more questions than answers.
Rai's eyes widened in shock as the figure emerged from the swirling steam. For a moment, she forgot to breathe. It couldn't be... But as the figure's features became clearer, Rai's heart skipped a beat. It was him. Kawin. Her beloved Kai.
She felt like she was dreaming, like this was all just a wild fantasy. But as she gazed into Kawin's piercing eyes, Rai knew this was real. Or at least, it felt real.
For a moment, Rai forgot about the strange realm, the misty steams, and the disembodied voice. All she could think about was Kawin. She took a step forward, her hand reaching out to touch his face.
Rai screamed in excitement when she was able to touch his face. She screamed out and said, "Oh my god, Kai! Are you really Kai? I'm not dreaming, right? I can really touch you?"
Her eyes shone with tears of joy as she gazed at Kawin's familiar face. After seeing Rai excited like a baby, Kai smiled at her, his eyes warm with affection.
"Yes, kiddo, I'm really Kai," he said, his voice filled with amusement.
Kawin's smile widened as he chuckled at Rai's enthusiasm, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He gently brushed a strand of hair behind Rai's ear, his touch sending shivers down her spine.
"I'm really here, kiddo," he repeated, his voice low and soothing. "And I have to say, I'm loving the excited-baby vibe you've got going on."
Rai chuckled at Kai's words, but suddenly her smile faded and she said, "Wait a minute... but why are you here? I got a heart attack, that's why I'm here, I guess... but how are you here? Huh? I'm not understanding."
After hearing Rai's questions, Kai's smile faded too. He was not really able to say a single word back to Rai. He wanted to avoid the questions, so he asked Rai, "Kiddo, what's your name, huh? I'm still unaware of it."
Rai's eyes narrowed, her expression turning stern. "My name is Rai," she replied, her voice firm. "But that's not what I want to know. I want to know how you're here, and what's going on."
Kai's expression remained neutral, but a hint of guilt flickered in his eyes. He didn't respond, and Rai's anger grew.
"You're avoiding my questions, aren't you?" Rai accused, her voice rising. "Tell me, Kai. What's going on?"
Kai took a deep breath and said, "Okay, Rai, I'll tell you everything, I promise. But for now, we need to figure out why we're here and what this place actually is."
Rai's expression softened slightly, and she nodded. "Okay, if you're saying that, then I'll believe you. Let's find out why we're here, then."
Kai smiled and said, "Huu, let's go!" They started walking, but no matter how far they went, they couldn't see anything except the swirling clouds and misty steams. Hours passed, and Rai began to feel tired.
"Kai, wait," she said, panting slightly. "Can we take a break? I'm getting tired."
Kai nodded and said, "Of course, kiddo. Let's rest for a bit." They seated themselves at a spot where the clouds seemed to part slightly, revealing a small, flat area. Rai sat down, rubbing her tired legs, and looked up at Kai. "This is crazy," she said, shaking her head. "I've never seen anything like this place."
Kai responded, "Yes, me too. I've done so many shootings, but never saw something like this."
Rai looked at Kai and said, "Pfft, are you an idiot? Those are sets, and this is real. Obviously, it's going to be different and more beautiful."
Kai chuckled and shook his head, "Ouch, kiddo. No need to be harsh. I was just stating my thoughts."
Rai playfully rolled her eyes and smiled, "Sorry, sorry. I'm just saying, you can't compare a manufactured set to a real, magical place like this."
Kai grinned and leaned back, "Magical place, huh? I like that. You're really something, Rai."
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As they chatted, Rai's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked Kai again, "Now, please tell me, how did you end up here?"
Kai looked at Rai, hesitating for a moment before responding, "Umm, I...I got into an accident, that's why I'm here, I guess."
Rai's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she looked at Kai. "Really?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
Kai nodded, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "Yeahhhh, obviously. Why would I lie to you, Rai?"
Rai nodded, seeming to accept Kai's explanation. "Huu, that's true. Okay, I'll believe you. But, phi, are we dead?"
Kai's expression turned uncertain, and he hesitated before responding, "Ummm, I don't think so...but God knows, actually."
Rai's energetic chatter continued unabated, and Kai found himself mesmerized by her infectious enthusiasm. Despite the surreal surroundings, Rai's extroverted nature made her seem like she was completely at home, chatting with Kai as if they'd known each other for years.
As they talked, Rai's eyelids began to droop, and her words grew slower and more slurred. Kai watched, amused, as Rai's energy finally began to flag.
Before he knew it, Rai's head had nodded forward, and she was fast asleep. Kai's eyes softened as he gently reached out to cradle Rai's head in his lap.
As he stroked her hair, Kai couldn't help but feel a deep sense of connection to this vibrant, energetic girl. He stared at her peaceful face, his thoughts whispering, "I don't know why, but I'm feeling a strong connection with you, like we really know each other for decades. Who are you, actually, kiddo?"
As Kai patted Rai's head, he too drifted off to sleep. The next day, Rai woke up to find herself still sleeping on Kai's lap. She sat up, looking at Kai's peaceful face. He looked so pure, like a child. Rai's fingers twitched, and she reached out to gently touch Kai's nose and lips.
Kai shivered, and his eyes fluttered open. Rai quickly withdrew her hand, trying to act nonchalant. Kai sat up, rubbing his eyes, and smiled at Rai. "Oh, you're awake, kiddo."
Rai nodded, trying to hide her blush. "Yes, I'm awake."
Kai stretched, yawning. "Umm, I slept so peacefully after so many days."
Rai's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Really?"
Kai nodded, smiling. Rai giggled, and her eyes twinkled. "Hihi, that's why you were snoring."
Kai's eyes widened, and he squeezed them shut, laughing. "I was snoring? Uhu, impossible."
Rai grinned mischievously, making a face at Kai. She stood up, laughing, and started running. Kai jumped up, chasing after her. "Stop, Rai! Stop there! You're making fun of me, huh? You naughty kiddo!"
Rai and Kai continued to run and play, their laughter echoing through the misty air. Suddenly, a voice called out, "Katherine!" Rai's eyes widened in surprise, and she stopped in her tracks.
"Who's there?" Rai asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Who's calling my name?"
Kai stopped beside her, his eyes scanning the surroundings. That was when they saw him - a figure dressed in all white, emerging from the swirling mist.
Rai and Kai stared at the figure in amazement, their laughter and playful shouts replaced by stunned silence. The figure's features were shrouded in mist, making it impossible to discern any defining characteristics.
Rai took a step forward, her eyes fixed on the mysterious figure. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The figure smiled at Rai, his eyes glinting with an otherworldly intensity. "Katherine, you can call me an angel or a devil, whichever you prefer," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
Rai's eyes widened, and she took a step back, her face flushed. "Huh? An angel?" She looked flustered, and her words tumbled out in a rush. "Then you can tell us, na? Why we're here? Huh? Please tell us, na? We're so confused here."
Kai stepped forward, his eyes locked on the figure. "Yes, please help us."
The figure's gaze shifted to Kai, and he said, "Kawin, you want to know why you guys are here? It's all happening because of you. Katherine is here also for you."
Kai's eyes narrowed, and he squeezed them shut, his face scrunched up in confusion. "Huh? Araiwa, what are you saying? Katherine is here for me? But why?"
The figure smiled at Rai, his eyes glinting with an otherworldly intensity. "Katherine, you can call me an angel or a devil, whichever you prefer," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
Rai's eyes widened, and she took a step back, her face flushed. "Huh? An angel?" She looked flustered, and her words tumbled out in a rush. "Then you can tell us, na? Why we're here? Huh? Please tell us, na? We're so confused here."
Kai stepped forward, his eyes locked on the figure. "Yes, please help us."
The figure's gaze shifted to Kai, and he said, "Kawin, you want to know why you guys are here? It's all happening because of you. Katherine is here also for you."
Kai's eyes narrowed, and he squeezed them shut, his face scrunched up in confusion. "Huh? Araiwa, what are you saying? Katherine is here for me? But why?"
The figure's gaze seemed to bore into Kai's soul, as if he knew a secret that Kai hide into himself."You know yourself, Kawin, what you did," he said, his voice low and mysterious.Hearing this kai's eyes filled with guilt.
His gaze shifted to Rai, and he said, "I can only tell you that you're here for him. He's the reason.And also you guys are soulmates." He paused, and his expression turned serious. "And one more thing: you both are not dead yet. You guys are in a coma."
Rai's eyes widened, and she asked, "Then why are we here?"
The figure held up a hand, stopping her. "Listen to me, you guys have one month. You guys have to complete some tasks to go back to your bodies. Or, if you can't make it... there'll be a consequences" He trailed off, his expression grim.
Kai's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "What kind of consequences?"
The figure's gaze turned somber. "You guys will die for real."
Then, he looked at Rai and said, "Katherine, you still don't know the whole truth, and I'm not able to say that to you. Ask Kawin what actually happened. Ask him what he said to you, if it's true or not."
After the figure vanished into thin air, Rai's mind reeled with his words. She felt a pang of unease, her thoughts swirling with questions. "What did he say? Kai lied to me about something... But why would he lie to me?"
She turned to Kai, her eyes searching for answers. "What's happening, phi? You lied to me, but why? What are you hiding from me? Tell me, Kai, tell me!"
Kai's eyes widened, and he took a step back, startled. "N-no, Rai, I'm not lying! Why would I lie to you?"
Rai's gaze intensified, her voice firm. "Then why did he say that? You're lying... Don't tell me he was lying?"
Hearing this, Kai's expression changed. He looked away, unable to meet Rai's gaze straight on. His eyes dropped, and he mumbled, "I...I don't know what he's talking about..."
Rai turned away, her voice laced with hurt. "So you're really not gonna tell me, right? Okay, fine. You don't have to."
But before she could take another step, a strange, glowing screen materialized in the air before her. It flickered to life, displaying a scene that made Rai's eyes widen in shock.
Rai's eyes stung as she realized the truth. Kai had been lying to her all along. He had been hiding something from her, something big.
She felt a wave of disappointment wash over her, followed by anger and hurt. She turned to face Kai, but he was too late. Rai had already seen the truth.
Without a word, Rai turned and ran, disappearing into the misty surroundings. Kai called out to her, begging her to come back, but she was gone.
Kai collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry, Rai! I'm really sorry! Please forgive me! Where are you? Please come back!"
But Rai was nowhere to be found, leaving Kai
alone with his guilt and regret.
The question lingered: what was the truth that Kai had been hiding, and why had he lied to Rai?