Echoes of the Heart

Mayu was on her way back from work, just stepping off the train, when she walked past a café. Riona’s words of encouragement echoed in her mind: to nurture her own bonds and fill her life with joy. On a whim, Mayu decided to stop in for a quick drink and pastry. As she entered, she caught sight of Takao sitting in a corner, his laptop open beside a sketchpad filled with familiar designs. His brow was furrowed, eyes intently scanning the screen.

The sight of him startled her. She stumbled slightly as she pushed through the door, the sound catching his attention. His head lifted, and his expression softened when he saw her.

“Hello, Mayu,” he said with a polite nod.

“Hi,” Mayu replied, her voice shy as she steadied herself.

She joined the short line and ordered a rose milk tea and a cheese Danish. While waiting for her order, she glanced over at Takao. It was her first time seeing him outside of work, and she wouldn’t have thought of him as the café type. She hesitated, unsure if he wanted company or preferred solitude to focus on his work.

“Mayu, you’re welcome to join me,” Takao called over, gesturing to the chair across from him. “They’ve got comfortable seats here.”

“As long as I’m not disturbing your work,” Mayu said, approaching cautiously.

“Oh, no…” Takao trailed off, adjusting his glasses. “Actually, I was just taking a break. I meant to enjoy some coffee, but then I ended up opening a visual novel.” His voice carried a touch of self-consciousness.

“A visual novel? That’s awesome!” Mayu said, her enthusiasm genuine. “We all need hobbies to spark our imagination and unwind.”

Takao gave a small nod. “Yeah, it’s a nice escape.”

“I was just at a pool party this weekend,” Mayu began, but Takao interrupted, his eyes widening.

“Wait, you too?” he asked. “Sorry, it’s just… my little sister went to one, and she described someone who sounds a lot like you. She didn’t mention a name, but your hairstyle is hard to miss.”

Mayu tilted her head in thought. “Yuna… Sachiko… Nemu…”

“Sachiko,” Takao confirmed. “That’s my sister. I was surprised when she said she was going; she usually avoids social events. But her friend Nemu has been with her since childhood, and somehow they balance each other out. Sachiko mentioned meeting someone who made her feel welcome. I guess that was you.”

“She’s so sweet,” Mayu said, smiling. “And Yin, her familiar—what a stunning creature. Sachiko seemed reserved at first, but once she opened up, you could see how proud she was of her opal lizard companion.”

Takao chuckled. “She is. She used to brag all the time as a kid, and now Yin mirrors that confidence. She’s always been on the quieter side, kind of like me. But she’s making strides socially.”

Mayu smiled, appreciating his warmth. Before she could respond, her name was called.  “One moment,” she said, getting up to retrieve her order.

When she returned, Takao eyed her pastry skeptically.

“It’s a cheese Danish, but it’s sweet,” Mayu explained.

“Sweet and cheese?” Takao raised an eyebrow.

Mayu laughed, cutting off a small piece. “Here, try it.”

Takao hesitated but took the bite. “I usually don’t like cream cheese or anything similar, but… this works.”

Mayu giggled, feeling more at ease in his company. She reflected on how brave Takao had been at the staff meeting, voicing his ethical concerns about familiars. His questions showed a deep care for their well-being, and she admired that.

Sipping her tea, Mayu felt her respect for Takao deepen. His quiet thoughtfulness and strong moral compass resonated with her, and she realized how much she valued his perspective—not just at work, but in life.

Takao seemed more relaxed now, his earlier tension from work ebbing away as he continued to nibble on the pastry. Mayu could see the shift in his demeanor—he wasn’t the serious, methodical Takao she saw in the office. Here, he was more open, more… himself.

As she took another sip of her tea, Mayu found herself enjoying this side of him. It was a little odd, meeting him like this, away from the structure of their workday. There was no pressure of deadlines or client meetings. It was just two people, sharing a moment.

“So, what’s your favorite visual novel?” Mayu asked, genuinely curious.

Takao smiled a little, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of his cup. “It’s hard to pick one. I suppose I’d say Fading Light—it’s about a young man who connects with a mysterious familiar in a post-apocalyptic world. The themes of bond-building and finding meaning in a world that’s been torn apart really struck me.”

Mayu nodded thoughtfully. “I can see why you’d like that one. It sounds like it’s all about relationships, not just between people, but with the world itself.”

Takao seemed surprised by her insight, his eyes meeting hers with a quiet intensity. “Yeah, exactly. It’s about how even in the most broken of places, connections can be formed. It’s really hopeful, even if it’s set in such a dark world.”

“I like that,” Mayu replied, her voice soft. “It’s comforting, isn’t it? To think that, no matter what happens, there are always people—and familiars—that you can rely on.”

Takao’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, something unspoken passing between them. He then broke the silence with a small chuckle. “Well, if we’re being honest, I didn’t expect to be talking about visual novels with you, Mayu.”

Mayu blushed slightly, feeling her nerves kick in, but she couldn’t help but laugh along with him. “Yeah, me neither. It’s not like we’re often in the same situation outside of work.”

He nodded, his expression more relaxed now. “True. And I’ve always thought you seemed… so professional, you know? I mean, at work, you’re always so composed, and it’s easy to forget you have hobbies and interests of your own.”

Mayu’s eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the compliment. “I guess I try to keep things separate. Work is important to me, but so are the things I enjoy outside of it.”

Takao’s smile softened. “That’s good. I think… everyone should have that balance.” He paused for a moment, almost as if he was choosing his next words carefully. “You know, you’re not what I expected when we first started working together. You’re a lot more… approachable than I imagined. And I can tell you really care about your clients.”

Mayu felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words. It was rare for someone to acknowledge how deeply she cared about her work and the people she helped. It meant something, especially coming from someone like Takao, who had a strong sense of responsibility himself.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, meeting his gaze. “That means a lot to me. I really do care, but sometimes I feel like I don’t always know how to balance everything. You know, work and life and… relationships.”

Takao’s eyes softened with understanding. “Yeah, I get that. It’s not easy. And I think, sometimes, we put so much pressure on ourselves to get everything right.”

Mayu nodded. She appreciated how he was able to acknowledge the struggles she faced without making her feel like they were a burden. In fact, his words made her feel lighter, as if maybe she wasn’t alone in dealing with it all.

After a brief silence, Takao picked up his sketchbook and opened it. “I’ve been working on some familiar designs,” he said, showing her a few rough sketches. “This one is for a client who requested something that’s more… unique. I’ve been experimenting with different traits to make it stand out.”

Mayu leaned in, her curiosity piqued. The designs were intricate, with a blend of human-like and animal features that reflected Takao’s thoughtful approach to his work. “They’re beautiful,” she said, genuinely impressed.

Takao’s face lit up, his earlier reserve melting away. “Thank you. I want to make sure the familiar fits the person’s needs, not just physically, but emotionally, too.”

Mayu could see how much thought he put into his work, and it deepened her respect for him. She’d always admired how methodical he was at the office, but seeing this side of him, the one who cared so deeply about every detail, made her feel more connected to him.

“I’m sure your clients really appreciate your care,” she said, her voice sincere.

Takao smiled faintly, his gaze meeting hers again. “I hope so.”

As the conversation shifted, Mayu found herself more comfortable, more at ease than she had been in a long time. The quiet tension that often hung between them at work seemed to fade in this more casual setting. They continued talking about small things, like the latest anime they’d watched or their favorite foods, and before she knew it, hours had passed.

When it was time to leave, Takao stood up, offering her a small smile. “It was nice getting to talk to you, Mayu. Outside of work, I mean.”

“Yeah,” Mayu replied softly, feeling a flutter in her chest. “I really enjoyed it too. Thanks for inviting me to join you.”

As they parted ways, Mayu walked home with a lighter step. Her thoughts were tangled, but there was a quiet sense of contentment in her heart. She couldn’t help but smile at the idea that she’d just spent hours talking with Takao in such a relaxed way. It was the first time she had truly seen him outside the confines of work, and something about that felt… different.

Later, as Mayu sat at her desk, she found herself replaying their conversation in her mind. She thought about how Takao had opened up, how he’d shared things with her she hadn’t expected. She also couldn’t ignore the way her heart had felt lighter in his presence.

She shook her head, trying to focus on her notes, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Maybe, just maybe, she had found something more than just a colleague in Takao.