55

After a quick shower, she sat on her bed in her night lossen thin cloths, unwrapping the book carefully. The cover was simple yet elegant, its pages slightly worn, proof that it had been well-read.

She smiled to herself, running her fingers over the spine.

"Let's see what's so special about you," she whispered, flipping open the first page.

The night outside was calm, but somewhere across the city, Haari lay awake, staring at his ceiling, his mind restless, his chest aching with something he didn't quite understand yet.

Something he wasn't ready to admit.

Next day

The cafeteria bustled with employees chatting over their meals, the clatter of trays and distant laughter filling the air. Ashi sat at a table, her hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea, while Riku casually leaned back in his chair.

"So? How's the book?" Riku asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I only read a few pages last night," Ashi admitted. "But I can already tell—it's going to be amazing."

Riku smirked. "Told ya. That story's a masterpiece."

Just then, Oki walked in with Rafta. Spotting Ashi, Oki's eyes widened in surprise before she made a beeline for her.

"Ashi? What are you doing here?" Oki plopped down beside her. "It's not like you to eat in the cafeteria."

"Oh, Habi-san," Ashi greeted with a small smile. "I forgot to bring my lunch today, so I figured I'd just eat here."

Oki raised an eyebrow before turning back to Ashi. "Wait, hold on. You forgot to pack your lunch? You?"

Ashi scratched her cheek, looking slightly embarrassed. "Yeah… I got so caught up reading that book last night, I completely forgot."

Oki's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "A book?"

Ashi nodded. "Yeah, Nagi-san gave it to me. It's actually really interesting."

Riku crossed his arms, a smug expression on his face. "See? I knew you'd like it."

Oki's gaze flickered between them, a knowing smirk creeping onto her lips. "Huh. Interesting indeed."

Rafta, who had been listening, silently turned on his heel and walked out of the cafeteria.

"Hey, Rafta, where are you going?" Oki called after him. "Aren't you eating lunch?"

Rafta didn't even glance back. "I'm not hungry," he muttered before leaving.

Ane approached at Haari desk holding some files " Huh , bro is not here, did he already went for lunch."

Then Ane went to cafeteria to look for Haari she scanned the area their was no sin of Haari then she spotted Ashi , Oki and Riku. She approach them " Ahm, Nicawa-san did you know where is my bro " .

Ashi didn't answer she looked away Riku noticed that his eyes widend in shock, he realize that something unusal happen between them.

" Why? why are you looking for him " Oki asked.

" I need his sign on this file, but I can't find him anywhere" Ane.

" You can do that later the break end, their no hurry to do that now " Oki.

" Yeah I know but the sooner is better, do you know where is he "

" He usual go on the rooftop during the break you can find him their."

Ane head to rooftop " Thanks Habi-san"

The wind was cooler up here, carrying the faint scent of the city below. Haari stood near the railing, sipping a can of soda, his thoughts lost in the previous night's events.

The sound of approaching footsteps barely registered in his mind until a familiar voice broke the silence.

"You look like someone stole your puppy," Rafta said, coming to stand beside him.

Haari exhaled, not looking away from the streets below. "What are you doing here?"

Rafta shrugged. "The same thing you're doing."

Haari frowned. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Rafta leaned against the railing, arms crossed. "Did you do what I told you?"

Silence.

Haari's grip tightened around the can. "…No. I didn't."

Rafta's gaze sharpened. "Why?"

Haari exhaled, clearly uncomfortable. "I just… couldn't bring myself to do it."

Rafta scoffed. "Liar."

Haari clenched his jaw. His fingers idly tapped against the can.

"You're just standing here, doing nothing, while Riku gets closer to her," Rafta continued. "Are you really going to let this happen?"

Haari didn't respond.

Rafta's voice softened slightly. "You like her, don't you?"

Haari's grip on the can loosened slightly.

"...Does it even matter?" His voice was low, almost lost in the wind. "Who am I to decide what she does or doesn't do? Just because I feel somthing for which I also don't sure about… doesn't mean I get to control who she's with. It's her life, not mine."

His chest tightened.

"She has every right to make her own choices. To be with whoever she wants. I don't own her, I don't wanna become living cage for someone."

But no matter how many times he said it, it didn't make the bitter taste in his mouth go away.

Rafta clicked his tongue in irritation. "So you're just going to stand back and let this happen ?"

Haari groaned, rubbing his face. "I don't know? I don't know what I feel. But whatever it is… more than anything, I respect her. She's my friend. I'll support her no matter what."

Rafta sighed dramatically. "That's so noble of you. Really. But you do realize if you wait too long, you're gonna be the tragic side character in someone else's love story, right?"

Haari narrowed his eyes and shout. "SHUT UP."

Rafta smirked, taking a sip from his own drink. "Fine, fine. Just don't say I didn't warn you when she and Riku start naming their future kids after famous authors."

Silence , Haari has nothing in response

Ane who was standing in the stair heard everything, she tighten her grip around the file she was holding, Riku huh.

Ashi was typing away on her computer, completely immersed in her work, when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Nicawa-san, do you know Nairen ?"

She turned her head to see Riku sitting casually on the chair near her desk, spinning a pen between his fingers.

"Hmm? Who's that?" she asked, her tone absentminded as she continued typing.

Riku immediately sat up straight, his chair screeching slightly against the floor as he stared at Ashi like she had just committed a crime.

"Wait, wait, wait—you're telling me you don't know Nairen Hagashi?"

Ashi blinked at his exaggerated reaction. "Uh… no? First time hearing that name."

Riku's jaw nearly hit the table. "You seriously don't know him?! He's one of the most popular authors out there! He's written so many books, and—" His eyes darted to her desk before he dramatically pointed at it. "That book you brought to the office last week? That was one of his works!"

Ashi tilted her head slightly. "Oh… I never really paid attention to the author's name."

Riku stared at her as if she had just admitted to never drinking water. "You mean to tell me… you read books without even checking who wrote them?!"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "I just read the story. I don't really go into details like that."

Riku groaned, ruffling his hair. "Unbelievable." Then, suddenly, his eyes sparkled with mischief. "Alright then, this is the perfect chance to introduce you to the man behind your book obsession."

Ashi narrowed her eyes, sensing something suspicious. "What do you mean?"

Leaning forward with a smirk, Riku declared, "There's a huge book fair happening soon in Delhi. Tons of authors will be there—including him. How about we go check it out?"

Ashi's eyes widened slightly. "A… book fair?"

"Yep." Riku grinned. "And guess what? There's a brand-new release coming out that day too."

Ashi tapped her fingers lightly against her desk, deep in thought. A book fair… being surrounded by books… possibly meeting the author behind a story she had just started getting into?

Riku watched her closely, his smirk growing. "Come on, you can't tell me you're not at least a little interested."

Ashi hesitated for a moment before asking, "What about the office work?"

Riku waved a hand dismissively. "No need to worry about that. It'll be fine. We're only going for one day—we'll be back before anyone even notices."

She pondered it for a few seconds. She had attended book fairs before, but… this one was different. She wasn't particularly excited about meeting an author.

What excited her was the new release book.

"…Alright," she finally said.

Riku grinned. "That's the spirit."

At evening After Haari done with his work he looked toward Ashi desk only to found it empty she had already left. Then he packed his own things and start heading home.

when he was walking on the road side from distance his eyes caught into something he was shocked. Riku and Ashi was entering in the shop together where he met her last time in the rain they both were laughing. Haari chest felt heavy it start painiing like thousands of needles stabed in his heart at the same time.

He wanna to apolozige to her but he's not getting anychance to intract with her, looking down on the road he walked to his apartment building.

Next day

The office was filled with the soft clatter of keyboards and the occasional ringing of phones. Haari stood in front of the boss's desk as a thick folder was handed to him.

"Could you complete this file?" she asked. "It's an emergency. We need to submit this tomorrow morning."

Haari frowned, flipping through the papers. "But… this is Nicawa-san's work."

"Yeah, but she's on leave today."

Haari blinked. "Huh? Why?"

The boss looked up, slightly surprised. "Huh? I thought she told you."

Haari's brows furrowed. "Told me what?"

"She said she's going to the book fair in Delhi today."

Haari stiffened.

The boss continued casually, flipping through some documents. "Yeah, both Riku and her went to see the book fair together."

Haari's entire body froze. His grip on the file tightened as the boss's words echoed in his head.

"Both Riku and her went to see the book fair in Delhi today."

Both of them.

Together.

The words replayed in his mind like a broken record.

Moments later, Haari sat at his desk, completely still, staring blankly at the document in front of him. His mind, however, was somewhere else entirely.

And then—

A faint voice surfaced in his thoughts.

"If you wait too long… you'll lose both your chance and her."

Rafta's words.

His fingers curled into a fist.

For the first time, an unsettling feeling crept into his chest.

Was he… losing something?

Or rather—

Was he losing someone?

In delhi.

The book fair was buzzing with energy. Rows of stalls stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with books of every genre imaginable. The air was thick with the scent of fresh paper and ink, mixed with the chatter of excited readers and the occasional announcement over the speakers.

Riku and Ashi strolled through the aisles, scanning the tables filled with newly released books.

"There are so many new books here," Ashi murmured, her eyes gleaming as she took in the sight of shelves stacked high with novels.

Riku smirked, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Of course. That's why book fairs exist, Nicawa-san."

Just then, Ashi's gaze landed on a familiar cover. Her eyes widened with excitement.

"Wow! It finally got a new edition! I've been waiting for this book for so long!" she exclaimed, quickly picking up the novel and flipping through the pages.

Riku glanced over at the title and raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you've read this series?"

"Of course!" Ashi nodded enthusiastically. "I love the way the protagonist grows throughout the story. The last book ended on such a huge cliffhanger, and I thought the sequel would never come out!"

Riku chuckled, amused by her excitement. "Well, looks like your patience finally paid off Nicawa-san."

Ashi hugged the book close, smiling. "I have to get this one."

As they continued walking, Riku suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"No way."