SHINBASHI - III

“I’ve arrived at the hotel.”

Heri’s message came in on Sakura LINE.

Just as Heri going to put down his phone, a notification popped up.

“I’m still on the train >.< But already on the Chiyoda Line—almost home!”

Her quick reply made Heri smile. He typed,

“How about we meet at Shinbashi Station tomorrow, 10 a.m.? Too early for you, Sakura-san? Weather’s supposed to be nice. I was thinking we could take the Yurikamome line to Odaiba. Should be fun.”

Not even a full minute passed, Sakura reply almost immidiate,

“Yes yes! Yurikamome sounds great! 10 is totally fine!”

Heri’s smile widened.

He got up, grabbed a towel, and headed into the bathroom to rinse off—wanting to freshen up after a night that had quietly warmed his heart.

Meanwhile, Sakura had arrived at Yoyogi-Uehara Station.

The night air brushed her cheeks, cool but gentle. She took a deep breath, letting the breeze carry her thoughts away… to the night they just share, his smile, and this feeling she still couldn’t quite name.

The Odakyu Romancecar—a luxury express train—rushed past behind her, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She opened her phone camera and snapped a photo of the quiet station, then typed:

“I just arrived at Yoyogi! (^_^)/ Going to stop by the konbini first, then heading home!”

Heri, now out of the shower and drying his hair, read her message and smiled.

He typed quickly:

“Be careful. It’s late. Let me know once you get to your apartment.”

Then, covering his face with one hand, he let out a small laugh.

“Only two times meeting her… so why does it feel like this already?”

A soft smile stayed on his face as he laid down on the hotel bed.

He set an alarm for early morning—for prayers, a light jog, and breakfast with his crew before meeting Sakura.

Sakura, now walking home with a small shopping bag in hand, read Heri’s message.

A slow smile spread across her lips.

Her steps quickened—almost as if her heart wanted to reply faster, so he wouldn’t have to wait long.

Twelve minutes later, she arrived at her apartment door.

After putting down her groceries, she messaged:

“I’m home~!”

Her LINE buzzed shortly after:

“Rest well, Sakura-san.”

Sakura looked at the screen, her smile lingering.

She opened her closet, already thinking about what to wear tomorrow. Something semi-casual, but comfortable for walking.

Her fingers grazed two pairs of shoes: the trusty New Balance… or her shiny, barely-worn OnClouds?

She touched her jackets and warm clothes—nothing too bulky, but enough for Tokyo’s chilly mornings.

That night, her heart felt full.

For the first time in a long while… she felt calm. Warm.

Before bed, she set an alarm on her phone.

The trip from Yoyogi-Uehara to Shinbashi would take about 30 minutes—and she refused to be late. Not for a day she’d been waiting for.

In two different corners of Tokyo, within two different city wards—two hearts were quietly resting.

Resting… peacefully.

***

Morning's coming.

Heri’s alarm buzzed softly in his hotel room. Still half-asleep, he made his way to the bathroom—washed his face, brushed his teeth, and performed his early morning prayer.

Afterward, he changed into jogging clothes: a Heattech inner layer, a workout shirt, a light jacket, and thick socks.

Despite the cold Tokyo air, he headed outside for a 45-minute jog around the hotel area—a habit to stay fit for his work.

After the jog, he returned to his room, showered, and began getting dressed.

But before he could finish, the room phone rang.

“Come on, time for breakfast. We’re all downstairs already.”

His captain’s voice greeted him from the other end.

“Got it! Just finished showering—on my way!” Heri replied, smiling.

At the hotel restaurant, Heri joined the Merak 006 crew and several others from different flights—some heading back to Jakarta, others freshly landed from America or Canada. The place was buzzing with energy and laughter as crews from across Merak Route Network crossed paths.

“Heri, we’re heading to Ginza and Shibuya for some shopping after this. Come with us! Maybe give our cabin crew a little Tokyo tour,” his captain joked.

“Hehe, thank you. But I’ve already made plans with a local friend today—someone I’ve been meaning to see for a long time.”

“Ah, I see. No worries then. Just be sure to meet us at the lobby by seven tonight.”

“Will do. Thanks!”

After breakfast, a few cabin crew members chimed in:

“Heriiii! You’re not coming? Bring your friend along! We could all hang out.”

“Yeah! You always sneak off when you’re in Tokyo!”

“How come you disappear on every Tokyo layover, huh?”

Heri chuckled softly.

“Maybe next time. I already made a promise today.”

Back in his room, he changed into his best casual outfit—nothing flashy, just neat and clean. He checked his phone battery, slipped his old PASMO card behind his phone case—still working, still reliable.

Now, all that was left is to wait for 10 a.m.

Across town, Sakura’s alarm blared—for the fifth time.

She groaned, stretched, and glanced at the clock.

“OH NO—I OVERSLEPT!” she screamed internally.

She wake up like lightning speed, pure panic on her face.

“Why now?! Why today, of all days?!”

She was used to sleeping in on Saturdays.

But this isn’t just any Saturday.

She isn’t going to let herself ruin it.

She sprinted to the bathroom—washed her face, brushed her teeth, got dressed in record time.

The outfit from last night: a sweet white sweater, paired with a khaki dress, warm leggings, and her pristine OnCloud sneakers.

She grabbed her wallet, phone, bag, keys…

“PASMO! Almost forgot!”

She snatched the card and gave herself a quick once-over in the mirror, fixing her slightly messy bob hair.

Then—she ran to the station.

As she arrived, an announcement echoed through the speakers:

“The Chiyoda Line is currently delayed by 7 minutes due to safety inspection.”

“AAARGH!!!”

She wanted to cry.

“Why now?!”

“Why TODAY of all days?!”

She frantically messaged Heri to explain the delay.

His reply came quickly:

“It’s okay, don’t stress. Odaiba’s not going anywhere.”

Sakura smiled faintly—though her stomach growled.

“Ugh, I skipped breakfast… I’m so dumb.”

Hunger mixed with embarrassment.

The train rolled on toward Omotesando, where she had to transfer to the Ginza Line. She thought about stopping by a konbini—but there wasn’t time.

She pressed on, her eyes flicking nervously to her watch.

“I’m late… Heri must think I’m irresponsible. Ugh, this is so embarrassing…”

Meanwhile, Heri had already arrived at Shinbashi Station, leaning casually near the entrance to the Yurikamome Line. Earphones in, he listened to “Melodrama” by Natori and Imase—a soft melody perfect for a Tokyo morning that is slowly warming up.

He glanced at the time.

Still calm. Still smiling.

Sakura finally stepped off the train, rushed but determined.

Her PASMO balance is fine this time—thankfully.

She messaged:

“I just arrived! I’m so sorry I’m late (T_T)”

Heri replied:

“I’m by the Yurikamome entrance. I’ll wait there.”

Sakura hurried in the direction he mentioned.

When she arrived, she paused briefly—leaning against a wall, taking a deep breath.

She was flushed from running, a mix of nerves, exhaustion, and overwhelming embarrassment.

In the distance, she spotted Heri, standing with one hand in his pocket, scrolling on his phone.

She walked toward him.

“Heri-san, I’m really sorry I’m so late!”

Her voice was full of apology.

Heri looked up and smiled.

“It’s alright. What matters is you got here safely.”

He added,

“Odaiba’s not going anywhere. Take a deep breath… I think you need that.”

Sakura let out a small laugh, the tension beginning to melt.

Today—two people from two very different worlds—

would share time, stories,

and perhaps…

just a little bit of magic.

On an island called Odaiba.