54

Riku nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah! That moment completely changed the meaning of the whole story! You think it's just about a struggling musician at first, but then you realize he's been trying to say something all along. It hit me so hard!"

They both laughed.

Ashi felt truly at ease. Sharing her favorite story with someone else.

Talking about books like this…

It was rare for her. Most of the time, people didn't really care about the stories she loved. But here she was, sharing her thoughts without hesitation—and someone actually understood.

"Oh! And that part where he pranks his manager by pretending to sign a contract in invisible ink!" Riku continued, grinning.

Ashi chuckled.

"Yeah, that was so funny! I didn't see that coming at all."

Riku leaned against the desk.

"Have you read 'The Forgotten Sky', 'Winds of Tomorrow', or 'Echoes of Fate'?" he asked, listing a few titles—some familiar to Ashi, some completely new.

She perked up.

"I've read 'Winds of Tomorrow', but I've never heard of 'Echoes of Fate' before."

Riku gasped dramatically.

"What?! You don't know about 'Echoes of Fate'?! That's one of the best masterpieces ever written!"

Ashi blinked in surprise.

"Really? That good?"

"No doubt about it."

"Then I have to check it out," Ashi decided.

But Riku's excitement faded slightly.

"Well… there's a problem."

Ashi frowned.

"Problem?"

Riku sighed.

"That book isn't sold anymore."

"Huh? Why not? If it's really that good, why isn't it available?"

His expression darkened slightly.

"The publishing company that released it suffered a huge financial loss. Since the book was new at the time, not many people knew about it. It didn't sell well enough to save the company, and in the end, they shut down. On the same day… the author passed away in an accident."

Ashi's heart sank.

"That's… really sad."

She had read so many books in her life, but to think a masterpiece like that was lost forever…

"I really want to read it," she admitted, feeling a bit frustrated that something so valuable had disappeared.

Riku suddenly grinned.

"Then how about this—you take my copy?"

Ashi's eyes widened.

"Huh? You're sure?"

"Yeah, I don't mind. Nothing makes me happier than sharing something I love. I'd be really happy if you read it."

Ashi smiled.

"Thanks, Nagi-san. Then bring it to the office tomorrow—I'm looking forward to it."

But Riku hesitated.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yeah, just bring it with you."

He scratched the back of his head.

"Ahh… Nicawa-san, the thing is… I can't bring it to the office."

"Why not?"

Riku looked around cautiously before lowering his voice.

"I don't really want people to know I'm into this kind of stuff. I only told you because you seemed interested, but if others find out, they might make fun of me."

Ashi tilted her head.

"You think so?"

"Trust me. People can be judgmental about things they don't understand," Riku muttered.

She thought about it for a moment.

"Then what should we do?"

Riku's eyes lit up as an idea formed.

"How about this—you come over to my place, and I'll give you the book there. Then I'll drop you off at your place after."

Ashi blinked.

"Huh?"

"We still have time, right? It'll be quick."

Ashi hesitated for a second. But she really did want that book…

"Alright, then." she agreed.

Riku smiled.

"Great! Let's go."

Haari stood outside the office building gate, hands in his pockets, staring up at the darkening sky.

"She's taking quite some time today…" he murmured to himself.

He had been waiting for Ashi, hoping to invite her out for a drink and finally apologize.

But the minutes kept ticking by.

"I wonder if she'll even be free soon."

Just then—

A black Mercedes rolled out from the underground parking lot.

Haari barely glanced at it—until he caught a glimpse of the passenger seat.

His eyes widened in shock.

Ashi was in the car.

With Riku.

The world seemed to slow down for a moment.

Haari's fingers twitched slightly at his sides, but he remained frozen in place.

Why… was she with him?

Riku, sitting in the driver's seat, glanced at the side mirror.

The moment he saw Haari standing by the gate—he smirked.

It was subtle. Almost unnoticeable.

But Haari saw it.

His jaw clenched.

He had already accepted that Ashi had lunch with Riku in the cafeteria today—he understood she was upset with him.

But this?

Getting in his car? Going somewhere with him?

That was something Haari never expected.

The car passed by, leaving Haari standing there.

His heart felt heavier than before.

As he watched the car disappear into the distance. The weight of Rafta's words hit him harder than ever. If you wait too long, you're going to lose her.

"What if… I'm already too late?"

The drive to Riku's house had been quiet, with Ashi lost in her thoughts. She hadn't expected to end up here, but Riku's enthusiasm about the book had been infectious. Now, as they pulled into the driveway of his private house, she couldn't help but feel a little out of place.

Riku's house was modern and expensive-looking, though it paled in comparison to Aya's sprawling mansion. Still, it was impressive—a sleek, minimalist design with large windows and a well-manicured lawn. Riku parked the car inside the garage and led Ashi into the house.

The interior was just as stylish as the exterior. The open-concept living space featured a gallery-like area with a plush sofa, a large LED TV, a dining table, and an open kitchen. Everything was meticulously arranged, giving the space a polished, almost sterile feel.

"Nicawa-san, wait here. I'll go get the book," Riku said, gesturing toward the sofa before heading to his bedroom.

"Yeah, okay," Ashi replied, her eyes wandering around the room. She felt a little awkward standing in the middle of such a pristine space. Just then, a male housekeeper approached her, holding a glass of water in tray.

"Ma'am," he said politely, offering her the glass.

"Oh, thank you very much," Ashi said, taking the glass with a small smile. She sipped the water, her nerves slowly calming.

A few moments later, Riku returned, holding a shopping bag with the book neatly packed inside. "Here, this is the book I was talking about," he said, handing it to her. "Please read it. I think you're really going to like it."

Ashi took the bag, her expression softening. "Yeah, sure. And thanks again,"

"There's no need for that," Riku said with a warm smile. "I'm just happy to share it with someone who appreciates it as much as I do."

Before Ashi could respond, the housekeeper interrupted. "Sir, the table is ready."

Riku turned to Ashi, his smile widening. "Nicawa-san, why don't we eat first? After that, I'll drop you off at your place."

Ashi hesitated, clutching the bag tightly. "But I—"

Riku cut her off gently but firmly. "This is the first time you've visited my house. Who knows if we'll ever get a chance like this again? Let me treat you well."

Ashi bit her lip, her mind racing. She hadn't planned on staying for dinner, but Riku's insistence made it hard to refuse. "Ahm… okay," she said reluctantly, though her unease was still evident.

Meanwhile, Haari stood outside the office building, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. He had watched Ashi leave with Riku, and the sight of her in his car had left him unsettled. Where did they go? Are they… No, no, that's not possible, he thought, shaking his head. She probably just asked him to drop her off at her apartment. She's been so busy lately, and maybe she didn't get much sleep last night."

Haari took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. I'll go to her apartment, apologize, and then say goodnight. Yeah, that's a good plan.

With renewed determination, Haari set off toward Ashi's apartment, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't know what he would find when he got there, but he knew one thing for sure—he couldn't let this moment slip away.

Back at Riku's house, Ashi sat at the dining table, the book still in her lap. The housekeeper had prepared an elaborate meal, and the table was set with precision. Riku sat across from her, his demeanor relaxed and confident.

After they done eating. Ashi stood up, clutching the bag with the book. "Thank you for the meal, Nagi-san. I should really get going now."

Riku stood as well, his expression unreadable. "Of course. Let me grab my keys, and I'll take you home."

Haari stood outside Ashi's apartment building, a small box of her favorite ice cream in his hand. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. This was his way of apologizing, of making things right. Just as he reached out to press the doorbell, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Ashi's not here yet," a familiar voice said.

He turned around to see Ashi's aunt standing there.

"Huh?" Haari blinked. "Not here? But it's late."

"She called earlier. Said she'd be coming home late today," her aunt replied casually.

Haari's brows furrowed. "Why? Did she say where she was?"

"No, she didn't mention anything specific," her aunt said. "Is there something important? I can tell her when she gets back."

Haari hesitated, gripping the box in his hands a little tighter. "No… it's nothing urgent," he mumbled, forcing a small smile. "I'll just talk to her later."

Her aunt gave him a small nod, but Haari barely noticed as he turned away. He knew exactly who Ashi was with. His chest felt uncomfortably heavy, as if a weight had settled deep inside him.

As he walked away from the building, lost in thought, a car's engine hummed in the distance. The sound pulled him back to reality, and instinctively, he glanced toward the road.

A sleek black car pulled up in front of the building.

Haari's heart stopped.

He quickly stepped behind a tree, using the cover of the night and the thick roadside greenery to observe. The car door opened, and Ashi stepped out, holding a shopping bag. She was laughing.

Riku was still inside the car, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched her.

Haari's grip on the ice cream box loosened. His fingers went numb, and the box slipped from his hands, landing on the ground with a dull thud. He didn't even look at it. His entire body felt frozen.

Ashi looked… comfortable. Happy. Too happy.

Haari's chest tightened painfully, as if something were squeezing him from the inside. He felt a wave of shock and disbelief wash over him. The ice cream box slipped from his hand, landing on the ground with a soft thud. He didn't even notice.

Without waiting another second, Haari turned and walked away, his steps quick and unsteady. He couldn't bear to watch any longer.

Ashi found her aunt waiting at the door.

"You're back," her aunt said, studying her carefully.

"Yeah," Ashi replied. "What are you doing outside? You should be sleeping."

Her aunt shrugged. "I was waiting for you. Oh, right—"

Ashi quickly cut her off with a small smile. "Thanks for worrying, Aunty. Did you eat?"

Her aunt sighed. "Yeah, I did. But what about you? You were out so late."

"I ate too," Ashi reassured her.

"Oh, and this—"

she held up the shopping bag. "It's a book."

Her aunt raised an eyebrow, amused. "You and your books. Do you even have time to read them?"

Ashi chuckled softly. "I make time."

She stifled a yawn, the exhaustion from the day finally catching up to her. "I'm kinda tired, Aunty. Let's talk tomorrow?"

Her aunt nodded. "Alright, get some rest. Good night."

"Good night," Ashi murmured before heading to her room.