The morning sunlight filtered through the glass ceiling of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, casting a golden glow on the polished marble floor. Lucas adjusted the leather strap of his briefcase and glanced at his watch again. The flight to Tokyo was set to depart in less than an hour.
His phone buzzed. A message from his assistant:
"Japanese lawyers confirmed. Signing set for 3 PM tomorrow, Kyoto headquarters."
Lucas exhaled lightly. The Japan merger case had been months in preparation, and the Kyoto headquarters had finally agreed to the joint legal venture. This wasn't just about his reputation at the firm—it was about the future of the Malaysian division.
"You still have time to back out," came a familiar voice, breaking the silence. Ryan appeared beside him, dressed casually, looking more relaxed than he had in a long time.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "And let Tokyo think we're pulling out of East Asia's most important deal in five years?"
Ryan shrugged, a half-smile curling on his lips. "I didn't mean you. I meant me. I can still skip this flight."
Lucas looked at him. "Your call. Just don't make it a drama."
"Just thought… a change of scenery might help me figure some things out. Life. Work. Everything." Ryan said quietly.
Lucas didn't respond, but deep down, he was relieved. Ever since the fallout with Kai and the growing complexity with Emily, Ryan had been unstable. He needed an outlet.
Ten minutes later, Emily arrived at the gate, slightly out of breath, dragging a silver suitcase behind her.
"Sorry! My Grab driver took the scenic route through half the city," she said with an apologetic grin.
Lucas gave a nod, while Ryan visibly brightened. "You made it."
"I'm not about to miss Japan," she said playfully. "You promised ramen and matcha parfaits, remember?"
The three boarded the flight together. The journey was quiet. Emily spent most of the time watching Kyoto travel vlogs, jotting down notes about Nishiki Market's food stalls. Ryan stared at the screen in front of him, occasionally stealing glances at her.
Lucas reviewed legal documents for the Japanese partners, taking a precise ninety-minute power nap.
Kyoto, Day Two
The signing took place in a traditional ryokan-style office, where paper sliding doors met sleek boardroom aesthetics. Lucas exchanged documents with the Japanese legal team, bowing with precise decorum.
"Congratulations on our collaboration," said the senior partner in a navy kimono, speaking polished English.
Lucas returned a small bow. "Looking forward to deepening the partnership."
That evening, the hosts insisted on a kaiseki dinner by the Kamo River. It was a symphony of flavors—exquisite sashimi, grilled eel, and miso soup with yuba, each dish crafted like art.
Emily gasped at nearly every course. "I swear, the tofu here is sweeter, silkier than in Malaysia."
"Maybe it's because of the company," Ryan quipped.
Lucas ignored them, listening instead to a Tokyo partner explaining a maritime law case involving patent theft.
Back at the hotel, Lucas declined the karaoke invitation from colleagues. Instead, he slipped into the dimly lit lobby bar alone. He ordered a Yamazaki whiskey on the rocks and sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at Kyoto's softly glowing nightscape.
He'd barely taken a sip when he heard a familiar voice.
"I just don't get why you didn't tell me."
Lucas turned slightly. In a back booth, Ryan and Kai sat facing each other.
Kai looked tense, his glass half-empty. "You said you needed space, but now you've flown across the world with her?"
Ryan looked tired—more defeated than angry.
"It's not what you think."
"Then what is it?" Kai challenged. "From where I'm standing, you're starting a new life and cutting me out."
Lucas frowned. He hadn't known Kai came along.
Just then, the elevator chimed. Emily stepped out, hair loosely tied, holding a hotel notepad and pen, clearly heading somewhere to jot down thoughts.
Her gaze swept the bar—then froze on the booth.
Kai. Ryan. Lucas.
Their eyes locked.
Time stopped.
Kai stood abruptly, knocking over his glass.
Emily instinctively stepped back.
Ryan opened his mouth but no words came out.
Lucas merely lifted his drink, sipping slowly, the clink of ice against glass unnervingly loud.
Outside, the night rain pressed against the windows. Inside, silence reigned. In that instant, something irreversible shifted among them.
Kyoto would never be just Kyoto again.