Home 3

The soft morning light filtered through the narrow window of a small apartment at the edge of the city. Birds chirped outside. The wind carried the scent of warm bread from distant bakeries.

Argan slowly opened his eyes. He looked around to confirm that he had truly awakened in his room.

The same sky. The same light. But for him, everything had changed.

After millions of years hoping he would wake up on Earth, it had finally become a reality.

He sat at the edge of the bed and stared at the floor in silence.

A few minutes later, Argan had already washed up and gotten ready to go out for a walk. He wore his usual dark and simple clothes — the same ones he used to wear in the past.

His father had already gone to work early in the morning, while his mother had gone somewhere else.

As Argan stepped outside, the fresh air greeted him with a cool daytime breeze.

The streets were just beginning to stir. Vendors were setting up their stalls. Children lined up to board buses on their way to school. Some hunters were preparing to leave the city to hunt monsters.

There were also robots cleaning up trash along the sidewalks.

Argan continued walking, enjoying the beautiful view of the city, until his steps led him to a familiar corner.

There stood a place he seldom visited in the past.

He stopped in front of the door. Even though millions of years had passed, he had never forgotten this place — the one he used to stop by every morning.

CARAND CAFE

The name was still hanging above the window, carved into the old wood. The scent of roasted coffee beans drifted through the ventilation shaft.

As he pushed the door open, the bell above it rang softly.

It seemed he was still early. Only a few customers were in the café. A mother with her child. A student flipping through a notebook. And behind the counter, Casde.

"Good morning. What would you like to order?" asked Casde, who was busy writing something in a notebook and didn't lift his head to look at Argan.

"The usual, Casde," Argan replied with a smile, knowing his friend never rested once he started working in the morning.

Recognizing the familiar voice, Casde looked up — and was stunned to see Argan standing before him.

His eyes widened. "...Argan?"

Argan nodded slowly.

"You—" Casde stammered. "I haven't seen you in five years, you know. As your best friend, I was really worried. No letters, no news. We thought—"

Casde couldn't believe it. His friend, who had vanished for five years, was standing right in front of him.

"I know," Argan replied calmly.

Casde stepped out from behind the counter and looked him up and down. "It's really you."

"Yes."

For a few moments, Casde said nothing. Then he exhaled in relief and regained his composure.

"You still take your coffee black?"

Argan gave a small nod. "Yes."

Casde gestured to a booth at the back. "Go ahead and sit down. I'll bring your favorite."

Argan sat quietly, watching the morning unfold outside the window. He remembered how hard it was for Casde's café to get customers in the early days. Even when there were people inside, most of them just sat without ordering anything.

That was when Argan had first come to this café and tried the coffee Casde brewed. When he found it delicious and well-made, he recommended it to his coworkers.

Thanks to his recommendation, CARAND CAFE started gaining attention. From that day on, Argan and Casde became close friends.

Soon after, Casde returned and placed a cup of coffee in front of him.

"You haven't changed at all," he muttered.

Argan took a sip. "You, on the other hand, have."

Casde laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "That's what happens when you run a café alone."

He then sat across from Argan, his face turning serious. "Why did you suddenly disappear five years ago?"

Argan paused. He considered whether to tell Casde the truth, but in the end, he made an excuse.

"I couldn't do anything back then."

Casde frowned, clearly confused. "Were you kidnapped by some evil organization? Or sold off overseas?"

"Something like that." Although Argan wasn't sold abroad, he had been sent to another world.

Before they could continue the conversation, another voice interrupted.

"...Argan?"

Both men turned.

Standing at the doorway, holding a half-eaten croissant, was Reyfy.

Blue hair. Blue eyes. His silver hunter coat slightly open. He froze, seeing his friend Argan chatting with Casde.

Casde looked toward the entrance. "Reyfy—"

Reyfy stepped closer, blinking several times. "I… thought I was seeing things."

Argan slowly stood up.

"You're alive," Reyfy said softly. "We searched for you. For months. Me, Casde… even Ludan sent scouts."

Argan could only remain silent as he listened to his friend.

Reyfy set his food down on a plate. "You vanished without a trace. No clues. Nothing. We thought you were dead."

Argan looked him in the eye. "I didn't plan to leave. But I couldn't return."

Reyfy stared for a long time before sighing. "You could've at least given us a sign."

Casde stood up. "You both sit. I'll get another cup."

The three of them sat together, just like five years ago. Three seats. Three cups. One returning memory.

Reyfy leaned back. "I still remember the last time we sat here. You were complaining about Ludan's terrible stew."

Argan gave a faint smile. "It really was terrible."

"Still is," Reyfy chuckled.

Casde returned with another cup of coffee and sat with them again.

"How's Ludan doing?" Argan asked.

Reyfy took a sip and continued. "He's now a guildmaster. He runs Imor Guild. Still bossy, still running around — but he's doing fine."

"And Deymus?"

Casde replied, "Still training. He said he wants to raise his hunter ranking. Last year he went to Floz. Said he won't come back until he's 'twice as strong'."

Argan chuckled when he heard about his other friend. "Some things never change."

Argan paused, then looked at both of them more seriously.

"And… what about her? My wife?"

Casde and Reyfy froze. Their smiles disappeared.

They exchanged glances.

Reyfy gently set his cup down. "…She's actually moved away."

Argan's voice grew quieter. "I already knew that."

Casde let out a long sigh and rubbed his forehead. "Before she left the city… she made us promise. If you ever came back, we had to tell her first. She didn't want you to find her… not right away."

"Why?"

"She never explained," said Reyfy. "She used to look for you all the time, Argan. She waited… for a long time."

Argan closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled, trying to calm himself. "…So that's how it is."

Reyfy looked at him seriously. "And you? What really happened? Where did you go?"

Silence fell between the three of them.

Argan stared into his cup.

"I… don't know how to explain it. But I was somewhere far away."

Reyfy's eyebrows lifted slightly. "You mean…?"

"I'll tell you. But not now."

Casde leaned back. "As long as you're back, that's all that matters."

The morning light grew brighter. Outside, the city kept moving. But inside the café, time felt like it had paused — if only for a while.

After the customers finished their meals and the atmosphere calmed down, Argan stood from his seat.

"I should go now."

Reyfy also stood. "Where are you staying now?"

"At my parents' house."

Casde placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't disappear again. This seat still belongs to you."

Argan gave a small nod.

Reyfy extended his hand. "Welcome back."

Argan shook it. Firm. Full of meaning.

He stepped toward the door.

The bell chimed as it opened.

But Argan's steps remained steady.