Just as the glow of morning bathed the shophouse rooftop, painting the world in hues of gold and orange, Phuby and Hana sat side by side, their hands gently brushing, hearts still racing from the confession the night before. The warmth from Hana's touch hadn't faded—not even a little.
They had fallen asleep there, wrapped in a blanket Phuby brought up after Mrs. Wulan quietly ushered them to rest without interrupting. She'd only smiled knowingly from the doorway, carrying a thermos of warm tea that she left near the stairs. She didn't need to ask what happened. The stars, the rooftop, and the long-overdue confession had already answered everything.
Now, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the second floor. Phuby, groggy but content, stretched his arms and rubbed his eyes before glancing at the mug beside him. The steam curled up invitingly. He took a long sip.
Then lit a cigarette.
His one guilty pleasure. A habit he reserved only for moments like these—when coffee accompanied silence and reflection.
"Morning breath plus cigarette?" Hana teased with a smile, already brushing her hair into a neat ponytail.
He exhaled smoke away from her direction. "It's my ritual. Coffee and cigarette. Keeps me grounded."
She giggled. "Don't turn into an old man too quickly, okay?"
Before he could answer, his phone buzzed.
INCOMING VIDEO CALL: Hana's Mom
He blinked at the screen. "Your mom's calling me?"
Hana scooted closer. "She probably saw the time difference and wants to make sure I'm alive."
He nervously accepted the call. Mrs. Nakamura's face appeared, framed with her signature sleek bob and framed glasses. Her tone was warm but direct.
"Good morning, Phuby," she said in fluent English. Her accent was distinct, but her words were smooth. "May I speak with Hana for a moment?"
"Of course, Ma'am," he replied, offering the phone.
Hana sat cross-legged and smiled. "Okaasan!"
They immediately switched to Japanese, their conversation fast and fluid. Though Phuby couldn't speak Japanese, his ears had grown accustomed to the cadence. He understood bits and pieces:
"He confessed?"
"Yes. Last night."
"And you?"
"I said yes, Mom."
"Hmm… has he smoked today?"
"Only with coffee!" she replied with a cheeky grin and a glance at Phuby.
He almost choked on his coffee.
Then, a deeper voice entered the call.
"Ah, Nakamura-san," Phuby said instinctively, recognizing Hana's father as he leaned into the frame. "Good morning, Sir."
"Good morning, Phuby," he replied in English. "I hope you're taking care of our daughter. And your health. No more than one cigarette, okay?"
Phuby blinked. "…Right. Yes, sir."
Mrs. Nakamura returned. "We'll be visiting soon. Please prepare."
"Visiting?" he echoed.
Hana squeezed his hand. "Surprise."
---
Later that day, down in the kitchen, Mrs. Wulan handed Hana a bowl of warm bubur sumsum while casting curious glances toward her son.
"So? How was the call?" she asked in Bahasa, then switched to English. "Did they approve of my boy?"
Hana smiled as she took a bite. "They like him. They're just worried."
Mrs. Wulan gave a soft laugh. "That's what all mothers do." She paused. "Even me."
Phuby appeared from the hallway, a towel over his shoulder. "Did she tell you they're visiting?"
Mrs. Wulan looked up sharply. "What?"
"In a few weeks. Both parents."
She exhaled slowly, placing her hands on her hips. "Then we better make this place spotless."
---
That night, Hana and Phuby sat in the kotatsu together, laptop open to a cozy anime series. Outside, the sounds of evening scooters and cicadas hummed through the windows.
"You understood everything my parents said, didn't you?" Hana asked suddenly, turning her gaze to him.
He hesitated. "I get the gist… But I still can't say anything back. Japanese is hard."
She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Then I'll teach you. Slowly."
"And maybe your dad can teach me how to survive that stare."
They both laughed.
As the episode played, Phuby glanced at the stars from the corner of the window and thought of everything that had changed: the rented shophouse, the livestreams, the system… but most of all, Hana.
Whatever came next, he wasn't facing it alone anymore.
---