Chapter 1: Lastheimo

The Rainy Afternoon

The rain fell without warning.

Dark clouds had swallowed the afternoon sky, and within minutes, the streets outside San Isidro Senior High School were drenched. Students ran in every direction, laughing as they used their bags to shield themselves from the downpour.

Among them was a girl with shoulder-length black hair, hugging a stack of books tightly against her chest.

"Ah!"

Callie Mendoza let out a small gasp as a passing jeepney splashed muddy water onto the road beside her.

"My uniform..." she whispered with a helpless smile.

Instead of getting upset, she simply brushed the water from her skirt and continued walking.

She had always been like that—gentle, patient, and never one to complain.

As the rain grew heavier, she spotted a warm glow across the street.

A wooden sign swayed gently above the entrance.

LASTHEIMO COFFEE SHOP

The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the air even before she stepped inside.

Without another thought, Callie hurried across the road and pushed open the café door.

Ding...

The small brass bell above the entrance chimed softly.

"Welcome to Lastheimo!"

A cheerful barista greeted her with a smile.

Warm air immediately replaced the cold rain that clung to her skin. Soft acoustic music played in the background while customers chatted quietly over steaming cups of coffee. Shelves lined with books and small potted plants made the café feel more like home than a business.

Callie looked around.

Every table was occupied.

Students were reviewing lessons, couples shared desserts, and office workers typed away on their laptops.

"Oh..."

She smiled awkwardly.

"It looks full."

The barista glanced around before pointing toward the back of the café.

"There should be one table left."

Callie followed his gaze.

Near the large window stood a long wooden table with ten chairs.

Surprisingly...

Only one chair was occupied.

A young man wearing headphones sat quietly near the window, reading a thick novel while occasionally sipping his black coffee.

The remaining nine chairs were empty.

"Would it be okay if I sat there?" Callie asked politely.

"Of course," the barista replied. "It's a community table. Anyone can use it."

"Thank you."

Callie ordered the cheapest drink on the menu—a hot café latte—and carried it carefully toward the table.

As she approached, the young man looked up from his book.

Their eyes met briefly.

"I'm sorry," Callie said with a shy smile. "May I sit here?"

The boy removed one side of his headphones.

"Go ahead."

His voice was calm, almost emotionless.

"Thank you."

Callie gently placed her books on the table before sitting across from him.

For a few moments, silence settled between them.

Outside, rain tapped rhythmically against the café windows.

Inside, only the soft music and the occasional clink of coffee cups could be heard.

Callie wrapped both hands around her warm mug, enjoying its comforting heat.

She stole a quick glance at the quiet stranger.

He looked about her age, with neatly combed black hair and gentle eyes hidden behind thin-framed glasses. Though he appeared distant, there was something peaceful about him.

She smiled to herself before looking back at the rain.

Neither of them knew it yet.

This ordinary rainy afternoon...

would become the beginning of a friendship that would change all of their lives.

And years later...

it would also become the memory that hurt the most.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***