CHAPTER 1 - departing.

"You'll just continue your studies in San Fransokyo-no big deal," Astrid's father; Andrew said casually, drying a glass with a pristine white cloth.

"San Fransokyo?" She raised an eyebrow. "And what university, exactly?"

"SFIT. You said you wanted to improve your tech, right?" He scoffed, setting the fancy glass down in the cup holder.

"Tech? No! I meant-"

"Ah, ah, ah! Already enrolled you," he interrupted with a triumphant grin.

"But I don't want to go there..." Astrid mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her father sighed as his hand began to work on the dishes at the sink, "how could you possibly dislike a top-tier university with world-class teaching?"

"Because Hiro's there..." She muttered under her breath.

"Who?" Andrew shot her a suspicious look.

"Hiro, Hiro Hamada? You know, the ridiculously smart kid I used to be friends with?" She let her head fall onto the counter with a dull thud.

"Oh... Oh! You mean the one I kept mistaking as your boyfriend?"

Astrid let out a quick sigh, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her voice. "Yeah... him, I guess," she muttered, lifting her head from the counter.

Her father raised an eyebrow. "What's the problem with him?"

She rolled her eyes, annoyance flickering across her face. "Oh, I don't know-maybe the fact that he just up and left without even bothering to say goodbye?" Her tone was sharp, but beneath it lay the sting of an old wound.

"And... that's it? I mean, maybe he had his reasons. Maybe he didn't have enough time to tell you," her father said as he stacked the freshly washed dishes into the organizer. "You don't know a man's ways, Nyx. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions." He dried his hands on a cloth, his tone calm and measured.

Astrid scoffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Oh, I am not jumping to conclusions. He had no reason-none-to just stand up, grab his things, and leave without so much as a proper goodbye. Not even a stupid letter or something?" She pushed herself up from her seat, her anger rising with her.

"Alright, let's calm down now. No need to get all worked up," Andrew said gently, taking his daughter's hands in his own. He stroked her fingers in a soothing motion, his touch grounding her. "How about we change the subject? No point in stirring up bad tension."

Astrid hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Father... is there any way I can transfer to another university? I mean-I just don't feel at home at that city, not the way you do."

"There's no other way, Nyx," her father said firmly. "Besides, just because you have this 'cranky nitwit enemy' doesn't mean it should stop you from studying as much as you can." He offered a small smile, his words carrying a quiet encouragement-reminding her that obstacles weren't excuses to give up.

Astrid let out a sigh, stealing a quick glance at her father before lowering her gaze back to her fingers. She fidgeted with them absentmindedly, her confidence wavering.

"Fine... I'll try to adjust," she muttered, sinking back into her seat. The frustration still simmered inside her, but forced it down, trying to make peace with the inevitable.

"That's my girl." Her father chuckled, his voice warm with pride as he tried to lift her spirits.

Astrid managed a small smile, but it faded as another thought crossed her mind. "Did you tell Mom about it?"

Her father sighed, shaking his head. "No... not yet, sweetheart. Honestly, I doubt she'd care much. You know how she is."

Astrid's smile disappeared completely. For a moment, she had forgotten the situation her mother was in.

"I can't blame her, Pa," she murmured, lowering her gaze. "It's still fresh... Airi's death." The words felt heavy on her tongue, draining the warmth from the room.

Her father nodded solemnly. "I know. We need to give her time-to adjust to this new journey without her favorite daughter." He offered a slow, bittersweet smile, as if the words themselves stung.

Astrid clenched her jaw, frustration flickering behind her sorrow. "We do... but I can't stand watching her sink into depression over someone who won't even let her live her own life." With a defeated sigh, she rested her head on the counter, a deep frown settling on her face.

Her father reached for her hand again, gently massaging her fingers between his. "We'll find a way, sweetheart. There's always another way." His voice was steady, filled with the quiet reassurance she needed.

Morning

"Astrid? Sweetheart, we need to go!" her father called from the kitchen.

Upstairs, in the dimly lit mess of her bedroom, Astrid was still fast asleep-mouth slightly open, her laptop looping TikTok videos, and her phone lying beside her, completely dead.

"Astrid?" Her father's voice grew closer as he stepped into her room.

Startled, Astrid jolted upright, her expression dazed and groggy. "Eh...?" she mumbled, rubbing her scalp with one hand while struggling to wake up. Her eyes were heavy, her body sluggish-the clear signs of yet another all-nighter.

Her father sighed, arms crossed as he took in the sight of her. "Slept late again, didn't you?"

"...No? I don't know..." Astrid mumbled, letting out a tired sigh as she struggled to stay awake mid-conversation.

Her father clicked his tongue. "Tsk, tsk... Come on, pack your things. We're leaving."

"Leaving? To where...?" she asked, her voice sluggish as she rubbed her eyes.

Her father exhaled, a hint of exasperation in his tone. "San Fransokyo."

"Today?! Already? You never told me!" Astrid's voice shot up in panic as she spun around, eyes wide. She barely registered her father's presence before lunging toward her closet, yanking clothes off hangers- and shoving them blindly into her suitcase. Her hands trembled as she packed, her mind racing.

Her father sighed, his tone calm but firm. "I did tell you last night, Nyx. You just weren't listening." He stepped forward, gently pulling a tangled mess of clothes from her suitcase and folding them properly. "Now hurry. You have a flight to catch."

She froze, her breath catching in her throat. "Me?" she whispered.

"You're not coming?"

Andrew exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can't. I have work... and your mother-" his voice wavered just slightly. "She needs me. You know she can barely speak now."

Astrid's hands clenched into fists, her chest tightening. "Dad, I-" She swallowed hard, her voice breaking. "I can't do this alone."

Her father reached for her hands, his grip warm and steady despite her shaking fingers. He traced slow, comforting circles over her thumb, like he always had since she was a child.

"Yes, you can," he said softly, looking her in the eyes. "You have to."

"I haven't traveled solo before, Dad," Astrid whispered, her voice laced with unease. She tightened her grip on his hands, as if letting go would make everything unravel.

Her father squeezed back, firm yet gentle. "I know, sweetheart," he murmured, his eyes searching hers. "But there's a first time for everything."

Astrid swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. "What if I mess up? What if I get lost?" Her voice cracked, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on her chest.

Andrew let out a soft chuckle, though there was a sadness behind it. "Then you find your way, just like you always do." He reached up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You're stronger than you think, Astrid."

Her eyes burned with unshed tears. "I just... I don't want to leave you. Not now."

"I know." His voice was steady, but she could see the flicker of emotion in his expression. "But this isn't goodbye. It's just see you later."

"I'll visit whenever I can," her father promised, though his voice carried a softness that made Astrid wonder if he was reassuring himself just as much as he was reassuring her. He took a deep breath, steadying his expression. "You're not leaving forever, sweetheart. You're just going there to study... to learn how to stand on your own."

Astrid lowered her gaze, her chest tightening. "I know... but I'm scared, Dad." She let out a shaky breath. "I don't trust myself the way you do."

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as the weight of reality bore down on her. She was leaving. Alone. Flying across the ocean from the Philippines to Japan, stepping into an unfamiliar world where she had no safety net, no warm presence waiting at home after a long day.

Her father reached out, resting a firm yet gentle hand on her shoulder. "You have to trust yourself, Astrid," he said, his voice steady but full of quiet emotion. "You're stronger than you think."

Astrid swallowed hard, blinking back the sting in her eyes. "But what if I fail? What if I mess everything up?"

Her father gave a small chuckle, though there was sadness behind it. "Then you get back up. You always do." He squeezed her shoulder, his touch grounding her. "You're my daughter. You're meant to do great things."

She sucked in a deep breath, forcing down the lump in her throat.

"Come on," he said, offering her one last reassuring smile. "Your flight takes off in two hours. It's time."

Astrid hesitated for a moment longer-then, with one final sigh, she nodded.

It was time to go.

Astrid pushed herself to her feet, grabbing her bags with slow, reluctant movements. The suitcase's wheels thudded softly against each step as she dragged it down the stairs, the weight on her arms nothing compared to the heaviness settling in her chest.

Outside, her father's car idled by the sidewalk, its headlights cutting through the dim morning light.

She forced her tired legs forward, exhaustion pulling at her every step. As she reached the trunk, she hoisted her suitcase inside, her movements sluggish, her mind clouded with doubt. The lack of confidence was written all over her face, but she tried-God, she tried-to push it down.

Slipping into the back seat, she let out a quiet breath, her fingers immediately fumbling for her phone. Without thinking, she plugged her charger into her power bank, then into her phone, her hands moving on autopilot.

As the car pulled away from the house, she stared at the screen, but her mind was somewhere else-lost between the past she was leaving behind and the uncertain future waiting ahead.

Her father slid into the driver's seat, shutting the door with a quiet thud. The engine roared to life, and as the wheels rolled forward, the speed gradually increased, taking her farther and farther from home.

"You know," Andrew said, eyes fixed on the road, "you'll meet plenty of new people there-not just Hiro."

Astrid exhaled sharply, pressing a handkerchief over her eyes as she set her phone aside on the seat. "Maybe... but it's still possible I'll run into him," she muttered. "And I'm still not okay after everything that happened between us."

Andrew stole a glance at her through the rearview mirror. "Why not just talk to him? He's not going to be your enemy forever, right?"

Astrid instantly sat up, yanking the handkerchief from her face. "What?!" she sputtered, shooting him a glare. "No way-no, no, no! If I even try to start a conversation, he'll just start trash-talking my projects again! He'll find something to tease me about, and I refuse to give him that satisfaction."

Her father chuckled, shaking his head. "If you really hate him, why do you know exactly what he'd do if you two met up?" He arched a knowing brow at her through the mirror.

Astrid opened her mouth-then hesitated.

"Erm..." She reached up, scratching her neck, suddenly at a loss for words.

Her father smirked but said nothing.

The silence in the car was louder than the engine.

"Exactly. You don't always have to argue," Andrew chuckled, keeping his eyes on the road as the city lights blurred past them.

Astrid huffed, crossing her arms. "I mean, it's obvious what he's going to do..." She rolled her eyes, the irritation creeping back into her voice. "He's just waiting for a chance to get under my skin."

Andrew smiled knowingly. "Still," he said, his tone calm but firm, "just try talking to him. You might be surprised-he might actually listen."

Astrid scoffed but didn't respond right away. Instead, she stared out the window, watching the world rush by, uncertainty tightening in her chest.

Could Hiro really understand?

Or was this just wishful thinking?

...

After an hour of silent driving, the car finally pulled up to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The bright lights of the terminal reflected against the windshield, a harsh contrast to the dull ache settling in Astrid's chest.

She stepped out, the cool air tinged with the scent of jet fuel and anticipation. Popping open the trunk, she grabbed the handles of her two suitcases and slung her bag over her shoulder.

Andrew smiled as he walked around the car, effortlessly taking one of the heavier bags from her grasp. "Come on, I'll walk you in."

Together, they made their way into the bustling airport, where travelers hurried past, voices overlapping in a mixture of excitement and exhaustion. Astrid's heart pounded as they reached the check-in counter, each step solidifying the reality that this was really happening.

She handed over her passport, watching as the airline attendant printed her boarding pass with a bright, routine smile.

"Here you go, ma'am. Safe travels."

Astrid took the ticket with hesitant fingers, swallowing the lump in her throat as she glanced at her father.

They proceeded to security, the final barrier between her and the departure gates. Her grip tightened around her suitcase handle.

This was it. No turning back now.

Andrew gave her a reassuring smile, though there was a flicker of something else behind his eyes-pride, worry, maybe even sadness. "You can do this, sweetheart. It's a big risk, but this will take your studies in astronomy to the next level. And isn't that what you've always dreamed of?"

Astrid hesitated for a moment, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. "Yes... but-" she swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper, "you promise you'll visit me?"

She reached out her pinky, her heart aching with the thought of being an ocean apart from him.

Andrew chuckled softly, warmth radiating from his expression as he gently intertwined his pinky with hers. "Promise."

For a moment, it was just them-father and daughter, holding onto a simple, unbreakable vow.

Astrid forced a smile, though her heart felt heavier with each step. She gripped the handle of her suitcase tightly, her fingers trembling slightly as she approached the check-in counter.

As she made her way toward the gate, she paused-turning back one last time.

There he was. Her father stood just beyond the barrier, hands tucked into his pockets, his warm, reassuring smile never faltering. But there was something else in his eyes-something deeper, as if he was memorizing every detail of her before she disappeared beyond the gate.

Astrid lifted her hand, waving. "See you soon, Dad!" she called out, her voice light-too light-trying to mask the lump forming in her throat.

Andrew chuckled, raising his hand in return. "See you soon, sweetheart."

She held his gaze for a moment longer, committing it to memory-the crinkle of his smile, the way he always looked at her like she could take on the universe itself.

Then, with a deep breath, she turned and stepped through the gate, never knowing that this would be the last time she'd ever see him.

Astrid leaned against the window of the plane, watching as the world below grew smaller and smaller. The glow of city lights blurred beneath the clouds, disappearing into the endless stretch of the night. There was no turning back now.

She let out a shaky breath and reached for her AirPods, slipping them in with a quiet click. A few taps on her phone, and the familiar pulse of Meddle About by CHASE ATLANTIC filled her ears, wrapping around her like a second skin. The deep bass thumped in sync with the racing of her heart.

Her fingers drummed anxiously against the armrest as she tried to settle in, but something didn't feel right. Something was missing.

Her father's voice. His laughter. The warmth of his hand ruffling her hair right before she left.

Astrid clenched her jaw, staring blankly at her reflection in the window. The last image of him standing at the terminal played over and over in her mind-the way he smiled, the way he waved, the way he promised.

"I'll visit you soon, sweetheart."

Her stomach twisted. She wanted to believe him. Needed to believe him.

But as the plane carried her further and further away, a sinking feeling settled in her chest. Like something had been left behind. Like something was about to change forever.

She turned up the volume, drowning in the music, trying to ignore the fear creeping in.

Astrid gazed down at the world below, mesmerized by the way the city lights flickered like scattered embers in the dark. From up here, everything felt so small-so distant. The towering skyscrapers, the winding roads, the people rushing about their lives... all of it blurred together beneath the clouds.

As the plane soared higher, the familiar lyrics pulsed through her ears, the beat syncing with the soft hum of the aircraft. She let the music fill the empty spaces in her mind, but even then, one thought refused to leave her alone.

What if she ran into Hiro?

The idea alone made her stomach churn. She could already imagine his smug expression, the teasing lilt in his voice as he picked apart her work just to get under her skin. He always knew exactly how to rile her up.

Her fingers curled into a fist on her lap. No. Not this time.

If she wanted him to leave her alone, she had to make him think she didn't care. No frustration, no reaction-just fearless confidence.

Let him believe she was untouchable.

Astrid exhaled slowly, leaning back into her seat as she adjusted her AirPods. It wouldn't be easy, but it was the only way.

For now, she let the thought settle as she lost herself in the view outside, the world beneath her fading into a sea of dark clouds.

After a few hours of sleep, Astrid slowly opened her eyes, feeling groggy and disoriented. The plane was quieter now, except for the rustling of passengers gathering their belongings and the low hum of conversation.

Her AirPods were still in, music playing softly in the background as she stretched her stiff arms. Had she really slept the whole way? She rubbed her eyes and glanced out the window, catching sight of the city lights below.

The pilot's voice came over the intercom, announcing their descent. Astrid sighed, adjusting in her seat as she prepared for landing. She had finally arrived.

"Finally," she muttered as she got up from her seat, grabbing her bag and slipping her phone and AirPods inside. She stretched, blinking away the last traces of sleep.