Chapter 1: The Unexpected Commute

Gigi was on his usual train ride to work, lost in his own lighthearted thoughts as the cityscape of Japan slowly drifted by. His mind often wandered into the realm of comedy, even during these mundane moments. Today, however, something felt different. As the train eased into a stop at an intermediate station before his final destination, he noticed a change in the atmosphere of his compartment.

Just as the train doors slid open, a young woman stepped in. Dressed in a sharp business suit that spoke of her professionalism, her dark hair was neatly styled, and her fair skin contrasted with the deep intensity of her red eyes—a gaze that was both captivating and coolly detached. As she made her way to an empty seat beside him, she couldn’t help but notice the lingering, admiring looks that Gigi cast in her direction.

Breaking the silence, Akane leaned slightly toward him and, with a tone edged with mild irritation, asked, “Is there something wrong with my face?”

Taken aback by her sudden comment, Gigi’s heart raced. In a spontaneous burst of emotion and clumsy humor, he blurted out, “Marry me!”

Without missing a beat, Akane’s reply was as cool as her demeanor: “I refuse.”

In that moment, the only response that echoed in Gigi’s mind was a resigned “gg”—a familiar shorthand for yet another setback in his long series of failed attempts at both humor and romance.

The train continued its journey, and soon it reached Gigi’s station. Disheartened yet unable to shake the memory of that brief, unconventional exchange, he stepped off the train. Outside, fate seemed to have more in store: he noticed that Akane had also alighted. Her figure moved with an air of mystery as she headed in the same direction toward the office building where he worked.

Gigi followed at a distance, his thoughts swirling. “Did I miss my way?” he mused quietly, though his doubts quickly faded when he saw her entering the building just moments before him.

Inside, the familiar corridors of the company greeted him with their everyday hustle and bustle. As he made his way to his desk, the events of the morning replayed in his mind with a mix of amusement and melancholy. It wasn’t until he glanced at the new staff list posted near the entrance that he discovered her name: Akane. The realization that the enigmatic woman he had encountered was the new employee added an unexpected twist to his already complicated emotions.

Gigi had always been the cheerful, comedic type—someone who found humor even in rejection. Yet, deep down, he longed for a connection that went beyond the laughter and the jokes. In the quiet recesses of his mind, where memories of many failed attempts at romance lingered, there flickered a spark of hope. Could Akane be the person who would eventually change everything, even if nothing stirred in her heart at that very moment?

Throughout the day, as Gigi observed Akane from a distance, he noted the precision with which she carried out her tasks. Her cool efficiency was unwavering, and while her face revealed nothing of hidden passion or vulnerability, it was clear that her emotions would only unfold gradually in time.

The day wore on in its usual rhythm, the mundane tasks mingling with fleeting, awkward moments that hinted at a deeper connection yet to be awakened. As the office lights dimmed at the end of business hours, both Gigi and Akane left the building. Outside, the cool evening air encapsulated the myriad of unspoken emotions that had taken root during the day. Gigi’s steps were slow and deliberate as he made his way home, each one a reminder of the bittersweet encounter, while Akane’s measured pace betrayed nothing more than the calm of a well-practiced routine.

That evening, as Gigi sat alone in his modest apartment, he replayed every detail of the day. Despite his hundreds of past rejections in his relentless pursuit of humor and love, there was something uniquely intriguing about his encounter with Akane. Perhaps it was the stark contrast between their worlds or the way a single, awkward moment on a train could set the stage for a connection yet to blossom.

Little did either of them know that their lives were about to intertwine in ways they could never have imagined. The day had set the stage for a complex narrative—a journey of unexpected romance, bittersweet humor, and the trials of modern life. Gigi’s spontaneous declaration and Akane’s cool dismissal were just the beginning. Her heart would remain carefully guarded for now, with emotions unfolding gradually as the chapters of their story progressed.