The Future Guided by Synchronicity: Episode 1

A Fateful Encounter Led by Coincidence

I glanced at the clock. “11:11.”

“Almost lunchtime, huh…”

Lately, work had been relatively calm. There was a time when, thanks to Okane-san’s advice, I had been consciously focusing on energy circulation, and everything in my life—work included—flowed astonishingly smoothly. It was as if I were riding the wind, with events unfolding effortlessly one after another.

However, that momentum had gradually begun to settle. As the busyness eased, a hollow feeling started to grow inside me. I was no longer haunted by the overwhelming anxiety I used to feel. Yet, a new question crept in: “Is this really okay?”

I picked up my smartphone and opened SNS. My feed was filled with cheerful posts from friends. I no longer felt the pangs of envy I once did, but I couldn’t ignore the gap between their active lives and my current state. The air in the room felt a bit heavy, as if something was stagnant.

“Maybe I should go out for lunch for a change…”

Wanting a shift in mood, I opened my closet. As I changed into something casual, I hoped that even a small change might help lighten my thoughts.

As I packed my laptop and tablet into my bag, another thought crossed my mind.

“Maybe I should stop by a client’s office this afternoon…”

For some reason, I felt the urge to head out without any particular appointment. I just wanted to change the flow of the day—an impulse that nudged me forward.

When I started the car, a gentle vibration ran through it, and the dashboard clock ticked steadily. Outside, clouds drifted lazily across the sky, and a dry breeze seeped into the car. Soon, the car’s speakers came to life, relaying a news broadcast.

“At approximately 10 AM this morning, a major truck accident occurred on the roads near [District Name].”

I wasn’t paying much attention, but the name of the district caught my ear. It was an area I used to frequent for work a few years ago. I hadn’t been there in a long time. There was no real reason to, but for some reason, the name stuck in my mind.

As I drove, I absentmindedly watched the passing scenery.

I was still a little ways from my destination. As I focused on the road ahead, a bright red car caught my eye.

I wasn’t sure why, but something about it made me stare.

Then, I glanced at its license plate—and held my breath.

“22-22.”

It could just be a coincidence. But between the color and the number, something about it felt oddly significant.

Come to think of it, I had been seeing repeating numbers frequently. It might just be my imagination, but still—it felt like too much to be mere coincidence.

Even though I brushed it off, a lingering thought remained in the back of my mind. The more I tried to ignore it, the more difficult it became.

“…What is this feeling?”

A faint sense of unease crept in, growing steadily stronger.

As I pondered this, the red car signaled left and turned towards a café I used to visit often with my ex. The memories flooded back, but I continued towards my original destination.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine. With a sigh of relief, I stepped out, letting the fresh air clear my mind.

Then, I looked up—and saw a sign on the door.

“Temporarily Closed.”

“Seriously…?”

I had driven all the way here for nothing. A small wave of disappointment washed over me. But at that moment, my stomach grumbled, reminding me of my hunger. Without overthinking, I decided to head to the café I had just recalled.

I made a U-turn, the sound of my tires scraping against the asphalt.

A few minutes later, I entered the familiar street where the café was located. Seeing the signboard in the distance, I felt an inexplicable sense of ease.

As I waited at a red light near the café, the entrance door swung open, and someone stepped out. It was open. I felt relieved.

Parking the car nearby, I stepped out onto the sidewalk. The street was lively, people coming and going.

As I reached for the café door, I accidentally brushed shoulders with someone.

“Oh, sorry—”

At the same time—

“Oh!”

“Hey, long time no see!”

Looking up, I found myself face to face with a familiar figure.

In an instant, memories from the past flooded back. He had been a business contact back in the day, someone I had worked closely with and often grabbed drinks with. But after he left the company, our connection naturally faded. Before I knew it, we had lost touch.

“Wow, how have you been?”

In the short conversation that followed, I learned that he was getting married next month.

“No way! Congrats!” I blurted out, my voice filled with genuine excitement.

He smiled, a bit sheepishly. “Thanks! Let’s catch up properly sometime soon.”

He glanced at his watch. “I gotta go, but let’s keep in touch.”

With that, he walked off quickly. I watched his retreating figure, warmth spreading through my chest.

As I stepped into the café, the familiar aroma of coffee greeted me. A slow jazz tune played in the background, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

I exchanged a nod with the barista before ordering the same set menu I used to get. Finally settling into my seat, I opened my laptop and checked my email. No new messages.

As I scrolled through my inbox, a familiar company name caught my eye. My fingers paused over the screen, my gaze lingering.

It was the company my old friend had worked at. A nostalgic feeling surfaced, along with a slight hesitation. But then, I wondered—was it just a coincidence that I saw this email now?

“Maybe I should send them a message.”

Muttering to myself, I began typing a note to another former colleague at the company.

Something was shifting, slowly but surely. A quiet sense of anticipation stirred within me.

To be continued in Episode 2: “The Moment of Connection”