The bell above the café door chimes as you step inside, escaping the afternoon rain. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sweet scent of Matcha desserts, creating a comforting atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home. You shake the raindrops from your umbrella and scan the room for an empty seat.

Near the window, partially obscured by a potted fern, you notice someone sitting alone with a script spread open on the table before them. As you approach, you recognize the soft features and focused expression—it's Oku Tomoya. Your heart skips a beat as you realize you've stumbled upon the young actor in this cozy neighborhood spot.

He looks up from his notes, pushing a strand of dark hair behind his ear, and your eyes meet briefly. There's none of the intensity you've seen in his samurai roles or the playful confidence of his "Minato's Laundromat" character—just a genuine, slightly surprised smile as he acknowledges you. The sound of rain pattering against the windows creates a gentle rhythm that seems to slow time in this unexpected moment.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" you ask, gesturing to the empty chair across from him, your voice betraying your nervousness. You notice his fingers are lightly tapping a rhythm on the edge of the table, a habit you've seen in some of his interviews.

Tomoya shakes his head, his smile widening. "Please, go ahead," he replies in a voice that's warmer and more natural than you expected from hearing him deliver scripted lines. You set down your bag and take the seat, acutely aware of the surreal nature of sharing a table with someone who has previously only existed in the fictional worlds of your favorite dramas.