Reboot the heyday

Along the western side of the Pacific Ocean flows a warm current called the Kuroshio Current.

The Kuroshio Current flows northward from the Philippine Sea, passing Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands, finally reaching Hokkaido. It is invisible on the surface of the sea, hidden deep beneath the ocean floor.

But it is this unseen undercurrent that carries warm water from the tropics to the frigid zones, making Hokkaido's fishing grounds one of the richest in the world.

Nuna's gaze was fixed on the jade chain, and she didn't look away for a long time.

Inside the box lay a necklace made of black jade, its color as calm as ink, yet under the dim lights of the night market, it shone with a faint, deep-sea-like luster.

The most eye-catching piece is the largest jade pendant in the center, which is polished into a teardrop shape, warm and delicate, like a drop of solidified seawater.

But the way it was placed was strange. The necklace was upside down in the box, with the clasp facing forward and the pendant facing backward.

Wang Taika presented the Black Tide Sea to Nuna and said in a low voice, "Actually, I should have given it to you a long time ago. But it took far too long to find it."

Noona looked up at Wang Taika, her eyes already red-rimmed, but she still managed a smile: "Are you really that serious? Then what do you mean by putting it upside down?"

“That’s how it is.” Wang Taika shook his head and gently turned the box from Nuna’s hand so she could see the true structure of the necklace.

“Look, it’s not upside down. It’s meant to be worn this way,” Wang Taika said with a smile.

Nuna was taken aback.

“The largest piece of jade isn’t worn in front of your chest, but rather on the back of your neck.” Wang Taika stretched out his hand, his index finger lightly touching the teardrop-shaped jade pendant: “It’s placed close to where your cervical spine begins. The clasp is in front, and the pendant is in the back. Once it’s on, from the front it’s inconspicuous, just a thin chain against your collarbone, like you’re not wearing anything at all. But when you turn around, turn your head, or when the wind blows your hair, that piece of jade will be revealed.”

"You can do that?" Nuna's lips parted slightly, somewhat surprised.

“Don’t forget its name, the Kuroshio Sea.” Wang Taika said meaningfully, “The Kuroshio is a warm current, hidden deep in the sea, yet it brings the warmest vitality. So the Kuroshio symbolizes silent love.”

"Because it is silent, others cannot see it or perceive it. But it is always there, always flowing, always supporting us in the shadows. It is not ostentatious, does not proclaim, does not make a fuss. It is just there, quietly and steadily, bringing warmth from afar."

Wang Taika gently kissed Noona on the cheek: "Just like you do for me. Sometimes I doubt myself, afraid that you'll leave. But I can always find out how much you love me in many small details."

The sounds of the night market seemed to be separated by an invisible layer of glass.

Nuna stood there, holding the box in her hands, looking down at the necklace that was placed upside down, her shoulders trembling slightly.

“Fish, you are also my sense of security,” Nuna said softly.

Wang Taika's heart raced. He took the necklace out of the box and asked, "So, are you willing to wear this 'silent love' now? No pressure, I can give it to that person in the function later?"

"Can you please not be so annoying?" Nuna sniffed and wiped her eyes haphazardly with the back of her hand. "You could have just said something nice, but you had to add something that makes me want to punch you."

"Haha, you know I'm just teasing you, so why are you angry? Only you deserve this. Because the only person who left me with memories of Hokkaido is you, only you!" Wang Taika said earnestly.

"Put it on quickly, quickly!" Noona had never been so eager for a piece of jewelry.

Wang Taika laughed and said, "Okay, be a good boy and don't move."

Nuna obediently stood up straight, lowered her head slightly, and exposed the back of her neck. She swept her hair to one side, revealing her fair neck in the moonlight.

Wang Taika moved very gently. He walked the necklace around Noona's face, letting the teardrop-shaped jade pendant hang down at the back of her neck, then came to Noona and carefully fastened the clasp.

The moment the jade touched her skin, Nuna slightly shrank her neck because it was a little cool. But soon, the jade warmed up to her body temperature and became smooth and warm.

It was indeed a silent love. It was as if she wasn't wearing anything at all, yet the presence of that jade was so obvious, known only to herself.

After Wang Tai fastened the card, he did not immediately pull it away. His fingers remained on the back of Nuna's neck, his fingertips touching the jade.

“Nuna, back in Sapporo, we traversed the city, crossed the vast snow, and in the end you cried and begged me to leave. There’s something I’ve never told you. From that moment on, there’s a place in my heart that will forever crumble for you. Do you understand that feeling? It’s that feeling where, no matter what happens, no matter where I go, no matter who’s by my side, that place will always, always be filled with lingering regret for you.”

Noona looked at Wang Taika with deep emotion, remembering Sapporo. She remembered that cold winter, the insurmountable distance between them, how she had painfully pushed him away, and how she had sat alone through the night after he left, without even turning on the light. "My heart is also filled with the ruins left after you burned away." Noona touched Wang Taika's chin and kissed him again.

Wang Taika responded enthusiastically, saying he would stay with her until he was breathless, no matter how long it took.

The night market was still bustling, but Wang Taika couldn't hear anything anymore. He held her in his arms, feeling her small body rise and fall gently in his embrace, their warmth and coolness intertwined.

The two stood under the lights in a corner of the night market, embracing and laughing, neither letting go. The necklace worn backwards sat quietly on the back of Nuna's neck, like a drop of water sunk into the deep sea, or a star that refused to fall to the ground.

After a while, Wang Taika took Noona's hand and said, "I'm so glad that it always snows in Sapporo in winter. When we come back, we can revisit the place and reminisce about our younger days."

Nuna tilted her head back: "I won't wait until I'm old."

Wang Taika, holding Nuna's hand, walked through the crowd and laughed, "That's right, we can go anytime you want."

"real or fake?"

I'd be a dog if I lied to you.

"You always were."

Wang Taika looked at Nuna's self-righteous attitude and laughed in anger: "Fine, then you wait. When I carry you back to the hotel, I'll show you the true meaning of a close friend in bed tonight."

Nuna paused for a moment, then raised her foot and stomped on it.

Unfortunately, Wang Taika was prepared and jumped aside, saying, "You can't step on me!"

"Stop right there!"

The two ran around bickering for a while before Noona stopped, bending over and panting. Wang Taika also stopped, walked back, and stood in front of her.

"Nuna, let's make up."

"Fine, I'll hold a grudge for now and get my revenge when I find the chance," Nuna said angrily.

The two bickered all the way to the beach. The sea in Manila Bay was calm at night, with the lights of cargo ships twinkling in the distance, and waves crashing onto the beach one after another before receding.

A moon rose, and it was really big. Round and low-hanging, it looked like a silver coin hanging where the sea met the sky, and the moonlight spread across the sea, breaking into a flowing white expanse.

Nuna stood on the beach, looking up at the moon, the sea breeze blowing her loose hair. The jade pendant at the back of her neck shimmered in the moonlight.

Wang Taika was unusually gentle, resting his chin on Noona's shoulder and snuggling close to her.

Although the enormous head was somewhat heavy, Noona didn't say anything. Because this dependence from Wang Taika was uniquely hers.

While everyone else was seeking security from Wang Taika, Noona became one of the few people who could provide him with that security.

After all, she's Nuna! She's portrayed as a warm senior and a qualified older sister, but this tolerance has nothing to do with her status.

It's all because of that kind of favoritism—"I'm willing to forgive as long as there's no urination or defecation in public." It's a setup that seems like something a lunatic would have, but Noona thinks it's perfectly reasonable.

The waves surged in and receded again and again. The moon hung on the sea, silently illuminating the intertwined shadows of two people.

Beneath that enormous moon, the silent, surging warm currents of the deep sea, at this moment, are like an unending undercurrent, bringing warmth from afar and carrying it towards an even more distant tomorrow.

Even amidst the surging crowds around them, it was as if no one else existed in their eyes; only each other remained. The two walked slowly forward along the road, their shadows stretching outwards. The moon followed them, and so did the waves.

Even if they turn their backs on the bright lights, they still want to escape into the desolate night and grayness of the rest of their lives.

The golden night is peaceful and the bright moon will never set! (End of Chapter)