Chapter 1
Whenever I think about Kunex, only one memory comes to mind—
A girl.
In my childhood, my father worked as an advertiser for the Nemo Company. His job never let us stay in one place for long. Transfers were frequent—new cities, new schools, new faces. Sometimes, we even had to move to entirely different states.
But when I was born, my father was transferred to Kunex.
And somehow… we stayed.
For ten years.
The longest we had ever lived in one place.
Those ten years gave me something no other place ever could—
Memories I could never forget.
Now, I am 18 years old.
But even today, one question continues to haunt me:
Why did I leave her?
For the past eight years, that question has followed me everywhere… quietly, constantly.
Recently, I got a job and moved into a small apartment in Novenice. My office is in Middle Kemote, so every day I travel between the two places.
Yesterday felt like any other day—
Until it wasn’t.
The metro I usually take was delayed, so I rushed to catch another train before the doors closed. I didn’t even check its route.
A few minutes passed.
Then I noticed something strange.
This train… wasn’t going toward Novenice.
It was heading to—
Kunex.
For a moment, I thought about getting down at the next station.
I should have.
But I didn’t.
Maybe it was nostalgia.
Or maybe…
somewhere deep inside, I was hoping for something I couldn’t even explain.
Soon, the train arrived at Kunex Station.
As I stepped outside, a strange feeling washed over me.
Everything looked both familiar… and distant.
Some things had changed.
But some things were exactly the same.
Like the old tea shop near the station.
Without thinking much, my feet carried me toward it.
The shop looked older now. The paint had faded, and time had clearly left its marks.
But the man behind the counter—
He hadn’t changed.
At least, not completely.
As soon as he saw me, his eyes lit up.
“Oh my… Teapaglu Akira! My boy who always loved tea!”
I froze.
He recognized me… instantly.
I smiled and greeted him respectfully.
He laughed warmly. “You’ve grown up. Look at you… And me? I’ve just become older.” He shook his head with a chuckle. “But leave that. Tell me—what brings you here after so many years?”
I hesitated for a moment… then told him everything.
He listened quietly.
Then smiled.
“So, you came here for nostalgia, huh?” he said. “Then first—you must have tea.”
We sat together, just like old times.
For a few moments, neither of us said anything.
Then, carefully, I asked,
“Uncle… do you remember a girl? She was always with me. About my age… very cheerful…”
He narrowed his eyes, thinking.
Then suddenly—
“Ahh… Nasake Oshino?”
My heart skipped a beat.
“Yes… that’s her,” I said quickly.
“I haven’t seen her for the past eight years,” I continued. “Since I’m here… can you tell me where she lives?”
“Of course,” he replied. “Let’s go.”
We walked through the streets of Kunex.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Memories were everywhere.
Every corner… every road… reminded me of something.
Until finally—
we reached her house.
And then…
I stopped.
A rusted lock hung silently on the door.
Something inside me sank.
I turned slowly toward the shopkeeper.
“Did… she leave the city?”
He sighed.
“Akira… I don’t know,” he said. “A few years ago, my wife was very sick. I had to take her to Middle Kemote for treatment. We stayed there for a long time.”
He looked back at the locked house.
“When I returned… I never saw that girl again.”
Silence.
The street felt emptier than before.
“Maybe…” he added quietly, “she really did leave.”
I didn’t respond.
I just stood there…
staring at the locked door.
Eight years.
And the person I came back for—
wasn’t there.
