Sophia stood frozen. Her eyes widened, her breath caught, and for a moment, she couldn't even blink.
Rian… is Riko's boyfriend?
Riko noticed her expression and tilted her head, concerned.
Riko: Sophia, what happened? After hearing his name and seeing him… do you know him or something?
Sophia blinked, snapping back.
Sophia: Riko… I have to go. But… I have a request. Don't tell him my name. Please. You can say anything else if you want, but just… not my name, okay?
Riko: Huh? What? Why?
Sophia looked toward the mall's main entrance. The crowd made it hard to get a clear view, but she saw him—Rian, walking in.
Sophia: He's coming… I'll tell you everything at the right time. I promise.
And with that, she turned and walked away, heading in the opposite direction of the entrance.
Riko: Wait… but the entrance is that way… Whatever.
Just as she turned around, she saw Rian walking up the stairs. Riko waved to him.
Riko: You're late… but it's okay.
Rian: First, something happened at home. Then, my bike's tire got punctured.
Riko: At least you came.
Rian smirked slightly.
Rian: Of course. I said I would.
Riko laughed as they both walked down the stairs.
Riko: All right, let's go.
Rian: Go where?
Riko laughed again.
Rian: Don't laugh and tell me!
Riko: Yeah, yeah… just start the bike first!
—
On the road, riding together
—
Riko: Rian, you know I made a friend today.
Rian: Huh? You made a friend? Really?
Riko: Yeah, she's awesome. Helped me from a scam.
Rian: So your new friend is a woman, huh? Good for you.
Riko: Yeah… and she's really beautiful. But the strange thing is… when she saw you, she froze. Her eyes didn't even blink once.
Rian: Huh… really?
Riko: You're not curious?
Riko looked at him.
Who was she really? Did she really know Rian? And… why did she ask me not to tell him her name?
That night – at home
Sophia stood at the sink, cleaning utensils. Her thoughts drifted endlessly.
Sophia (thinking): I still can't believe it. Rian has a girlfriend? But what's the reality between him and Riko? Does he truly love her or…? I'm thinking too much. I need to ask Adi. About what happened between them, about this family's past...
Finishing up, she wiped her hands and walked toward mother's room. The door was slightly open. She peeked inside—Mother was sitting on the bed, and Adi sat beside her, holding her legs gently.
Adi: You should consider checking your blood report, Mom.
Mother: Adi, I told you, I don't want to go to any doctor. I'm fine.
Adi sighed, exhaling.
Adi: You never listen to me…
Mother's eyes turned toward the door.
Mother: Oh, Sophia, come in. Why are you standing there?
Adi turned around too.
Sophia: No, you two talk… I shouldn't disturb—
Adi: No. Come, Sophia.
She walked in and sat near them.
Sophia: How are you feeling, Mom?
Mother: I'm good.
Adi: Great. Sophia, help me convince her to take the blood test.
Mother: Adi, I said—
Sophia: Mom, Adi's right. You should get it done.
Adi: You should at least listen to your new daughter.
Mother looked at both of them, and then smiled softly.
Mother: …All right. But only because Sophia said so.
Adi: Good. Then we'll go together. Let her rest now.
Sophia: Right.
Mother: Wait… Adi.
Adi: Yeah?
Mother: Promise me… you won't fight Rian again.
Adi paused. His eyes softened.
Adi: Mother, don't stress. I won't fight anyone. You can rest assured, okay?
As both walked out of the room, a silence hung between them. Then—
Sophia: Adi… I wanted to ask you something. About… Rian. You never told me what really happened. How did things get so bad between you two?
Adi stayed quiet for a moment.
Adi: Yeah… I think you deserve to know.
He looked up.
Adi: Let's go to the rooftop.
Adi and Sophia on the Rooftop
Adi: Rian... You know, Sophia, we were genuinely like brothers. But now... that word means nothing.
It all began when we were just 10 years old...
14 Years Ago
10-year-old Adi walks upstairs holding a football in hand. He knocks on Rian's door.
Adi: Rian! Let's go to the ground, football time!
The door opens. Standing there is Rian's mother—wearing a white round-neck t-shirt, jeans, and with hair just like Rian's now.
Rian's Mother: Adi... what about your homework?
Adi: Already done, aunt! Please call him—we're getting late!
Rian's Mother (smiling): All right, that's good...
(shouts inside) Rian! Adi's calling you!
Rian hurries out.
Rian: Adiii! Let's go!
The boys rush down the stairs.
Rian's Mother: Don't be late. Come back before dark, okay?
Rian: Okaayyy!
They run outside.
At the bottom of the stairs, Adi's mother stands watching.
Adi's Mother: Don't worry, they'll be back before dark.
Rian's Mother smiles back.
Rian's Mother: Yeah, I know...
Suddenly, the main door opens. A man with silver hair steps inside. A cigarette in his mouth. He wears a long black-and-red coat over an unbuttoned white-collar shirt and black pants.
It's Dagi—Adi's father.
Both women turn to him.
Adi's Mother: Dear! You came back suddenly? But—welcome home.
Rian's Mother: Yeah, Dagi. Welcome back home.
Dagi exhales smoke, eyes locked on Erina first.
Dagi: Erina...
Then he looks at Nima.
Dagi: Nima...
Dagi: Listen to me calmly...
At the Ground
Score's tied 3-3. Adi dribbles the ball, quickly passing to a teammate. He dashes toward the goal.
Rian receives the pass. Two opponents close in. He passes back to Adi.
Adi's near the goal. Everyone expects him to shoot—
—but two defenders rush him.
Adi feints, cuts left, then makes a short pass to Rian.
Though a bit short, Rian reaches it—
—and kicks the ball to the left corner.
Goal!
They win the match. Adi runs to Rian and hugs him.
Adi: We did it, Rian!
Rian: Yeah, Adi! You did it!
As they turn to the edge of the ground, they spot Tsukiyo standing with little Anya holding her hand.
Anya cheers loudly.
Tsukiyo smiles.
The four of them walk home together.
Adi: Tsukiyo-sis! How was the match, huh?
Tsukiyo: You both played really well.
Rian: Told you! That's why we asked you to come.
Anya: I also enjoyed it! Adi-bro, Rian-bro—you were awesome!
Adi (grinning): See, your brother's a champ!
Rian: Huh? But the last goal was mine!
Adi: And who passed to you, huh?
Tsukiyo: Okay okay, no fighting. Home's right here.
They reach home.
Adi notices a pair of shoes outside.
Adi: Tsukiyo-sis… Dad's home.
Tsukiyo: How do you know?
Adi: These are his shoes. See?
Tsukiyo: Yeah… you're right.
Rian: Uncle's here?
Suddenly, Anya rushes inside toward Dagi's room.
Adi: Hey, wait! Brother's coming too! Slow down!
Tsukiyo: Come on, Rian.
They follow behind.
Inside the Room
Dagi sits on a chair, head down. On the bed, Erina and Nima sit.
Nima is crying—Erina trying to comfort her.
Anya and Adi stand at the door, confused.
Rian enters, sees his mother's tear-streaked face.
Rian: M-Mom? What happened? Why are you crying?
Nima lifts her head slowly, eyes red.
Nima: R-Rian... your dad...
She begins coughing, unable to speak.
Dagi (firmly): Kids, go outside and play.
Rian (shaking): Wait—Uncle! How can I go when my mom is crying like this?!
Mom, what happened? You said "your dad"—what about my dad?
Nima (breaking down): Y-Your dad... my husband... is no more...
Rian freezes. His heart skips a beat.
Eyes wide. Mouth open.
The world blurs in that one moment.