58

After a few moments of silence, he exhaled deeply. No… he was certain of one thing.

Ashi had been here last night.

And that thought alone left his heart conflicted.

At break time, Haari stood by the railing on the rooftop, sipping from a can. The weather was clear, the city stretching endlessly before him. The fresh air should have been refreshing, but his mind was elsewhere.

Footsteps approached from behind. Haari turned slightly and saw Ashi walking toward him, holding two lunchboxes.

She sat down on a bench at the back while Haari continued looking over the city.

"Kichiro-san," she called.

"Hah?" Haari startled, turning to her.

"Aren't you going to eat your lunch?" Ashi asked, tilting her head.

"Huh? Wha—?" Haari blinked.

"I brought lunch for you. Come and eat," she said, patting the space next to her.

"Ah… okay," Haari mumbled, making his way over. Instead of sitting next to her, he took the bench nearby and opened the lunchbox.

Ashi started eating, but as she glanced at Haari, she noticed him staring at the lunchbox, smiling faintly. At that moment, something long gone seemed to return to him—a warmth he had almost forgotten.

"What's the matter? Aren't you going to eat?" Ashi asked.

Haari snapped out of his daze. "No, I was just thinking…" He paused for a moment before saying, "Thanks for saving my life last night."

Ashi's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She smiled but quickly masked it with a smirk. "Well, now one more left."

"Huh?" Haari looked up. "What are you talking about?"

"My score," Ashi said.

"Score?" Haari repeated, confused.

"Yeah, you saved me twice, and I saved you once. Now, one more and we're even," she said with a playful glint in her eyes.

Haari looked at her for a moment before breaking into laughter. Ashi joined in, their laughter echoing across the rooftop under the clear sky.

Next day as Ashi reached for her lunch box, preparing to head to the rooftop for some much-needed solitude.

Just as she turned toward the door, a voice called out to her.

"Nicawa-san."

Ashi froze for a split second before looking back. Riku stood a few feet away, his usual confident expression unreadable. His deep brown eyes, always sharp, held something different this time—determination.

"Can we talk?" he asked, stepping closer.

Ashi hesitated. "Ahm… I'm kind of busy right now. Maybe later." She forced a small, polite smile, shifting on her feet. "If you'll excuse me—"

As she tried to walk past him, his hand suddenly caught her wrist.

"Nicawa-san," Riku said, his tone firmer now. "I'm still waiting for your reply."

A tense silence stretched between them. The air felt heavier, charged with an unspoken weight.

Ashi exhaled softly, lowering her gaze.

"I'm sorry."

Riku's grip loosened slightly. "Huh…?"

She lifted her head, meeting his expectant gaze. "I know it must've taken a lot for you to say that. I know this wasn't easy for you." Her voice wavered, but only for a moment. "But I can't accept your feelings."

Riku's jaw tightened. "But why?"

Ashi opened her mouth but faltered. Her hands clenched around the hem. "I… I don't know. I just can't."

Something flickered in Riku's eyes—frustration, disbelief. He sucked in a sharp breath, suppressing his emotions.

"Is it because of him?"

Ashi's brows furrowed. "Huh?"

"He's not even worth comparing to me," Riku scoffed, frustration seeping into his voice. "I have money, power, and people who work under me. I run an entire company."

His tone grew colder, laced with condescension. "And what does he have? Nothing. No future, no influence—just a nobody struggling to get by, living day to day like a stray dog, obeying whatever orders are thrown at him. He's beneath me, beneath you. And yet, you still think someone like him could give you the life you deserve?"

His fingers tightened on Ashi wrist, his jaw clenched. "Tell me… why would you even hesitate?"

Ashi blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "Who… who are you even talking about?"

Riku let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Don't act dumb. You know exactly who I mean." his voice dropping into something colder. "Kichiro Haari." He practically spat the name.

Ashi's breath hitched.

Riku scoffed, his frustration spilling over. "That guy—what even is he? A pathetic employee, living paycheck to paycheck? No status, no ambition. Just a weak, insignificant piece of—"

SMACK.

Riku's head snapped to the side as the sharp sting of Ashi's slap echoed through the office. His eyes widened in pure shock.

"Don't you dare talk about him like that." Ashi's voice trembled, but not from fear—no, from anger. "You don't know anything about him. Nothing. You have no idea what kind of person he is."

Riku turned back to face her, his cheek red from the impact. "Ashi—"

But before he could say another word, Ashi cut him off.

"Don't call me by my first name." Her amber eyes burned with an intensity that made even Riku momentarily speechless. "And yes."

She took a deep breath.

"I like him."

Silence.

The weight of her words settled like an immovable truth.

Riku stood frozen, his expression unreadable. He had never expected her to say it outright. Never thought she would be this certain.

But Ashi didn't waver.

She turned on her heel, gripping her lunchbox tightly, and walked away without looking back.
As she get into the elevator, Her heart was still pounding, her palm tingling from the slap she had delivered just moments ago.

Her fingers curled into fists as she exhaled sharply.

I like him.

She had said it. Out loud. Without hesitation.

The weight of those words settled in her chest, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, she felt… lighter. As if something inside her had finally clicked into place.

Ashi stepped onto the rooftop, the cool breeze brushing against her flushed cheeks. Her heart pounded as her gaze landed on Haari, standing near the railing like always, staring off into the distance.

I like him…

The moment Haari turned to look at her, her face turned crimson, and she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust the lid of her lunchbox.

They sat down to eat as usual, but Haari soon noticed something.

"Nicawa-san," he called out.

Ashi, startled by the sudden address, nearly dropped her chopsticks. "Y-Yes?"

Haari studied her for a moment before speaking. "Is something wrong?"

"Huh? No, why do you ask?" she replied, avoiding his gaze.

"It's just… you're sitting way too far today," he noted, tilting his head slightly. "And you haven't even touched your lunch."

"Oh! Am I?" Ashi let out a nervous chuckle, realizing she had unconsciously distanced herself. "I-I'm sorry!" She quickly began eating at a rushed pace—too rushed.

She coughed.

Haari immediately handed her a water bottle. "Take it easy, Nicawa-san."

Ashi gratefully took it, drinking in small sips. But as she did, Haari's sharp eyes caught something—a faint, reddish mark on her wrist. His expression shifted, growing serious.

"Nicawa-san," he called again, this time with a different tone.

"Hmm?" Ashi looked at him, confused.

His gaze dropped to her wrist. "What's that mark?"

Ashi stiffened. She quickly pulled down her sleeve, hiding it from view. "Oh, this?" Her eyes darted around, scrambling for an excuse. "It's, uh… Yane!"

"Yane?" Haari repeated, skeptical.

"Yeah!" Ashi forced a smile. "We were playing a game, and she grabbed my wrist a little too tight. That's probably how I got the mark."

I'm sorry, Yane… I have no choice. Please be my sacrifice this time.

Haari narrowed his eyes slightly. "You were playing… during work?"

"Yeah! Just to relieve some stress. We usually do these things," she replied, forcing a casual laugh, her eyes shut.

Haari studied her for another moment before sighing. "Okay. But be careful. Don't hurt yourself."

Ashi nodded quickly, her heart still racing—not just from her lie, but from the warmth in Haari's voice.

Little did she know, Haari wasn't fully convinced.

The break had ended, and the office was back to its usual hum of activity. As Ane passed by Haari's desk, he suddenly called out to her.

"Hey, Yane."

"Yeah, bro?" She turned toward him, curious.

Without warning, Haari smacked a file against her head.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Ane yelped, rubbing her head in protest.

Across the room, Ashi froze. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched them, panic creeping up her spine. Oh no… did he find out the truth?

Haari's expression remained serious as he fixed Ane with a questioning stare.

"Why did you hurt Nicawa-san?" he asked, his voice calm yet firm.

"Huh? Hurt?" Ane blinked in confusion before turning toward Ashi, who was frantically signaling her with wide eyes. Just agree! Just go along with it!

"If you're playing games, go easy on her next time," Haari continued. "You left a mark on her wrist."

Ane processed the situation quickly and let out a nervous chuckle. "Oh, uh… right. My bad." She nodded. "I'll be more careful next time."

Haari seemed satisfied with that response and went back to his work. Ane, however, didn't let it slide.

The moment she reached Ashi's desk, she grabbed her wrist, inspecting the faint red mark with sharp eyes.

"What happened? Who did this to you?" Ane demanded.

"It's nothing. No need to worry," Ashi said, trying to pull her hand back, but Ane wasn't letting go.

Ane's expression darkened as realization struck. "Wait… did he do this to you?" Her voice was laced with anger.

Before Ashi could stop her, Ane shot up from her chair. "That bastard. I'll make him pay for this. I'm gonna kick his ass out of this company!"

Ashi quickly grabbed her by the wrist, holding her back. "No need to do that."

"No need?" Ane snapped, looking back at her. "What do you mean no need? He hurt you! He has to pay for what he did!"

Ashi let out a sigh and leaned back in her chair. "I already settled things."

Ane narrowed her eyes. "Settled? How?"

A small smirk played on Ashi's lips. "I smacked him across the face."

Ane's eyes widened. Then, her face lit up with pure delight. "Wait—really?!"

Ashi frowned at her reaction. "Why are you so happy about that?"

Ane clasped her hands together, grinning. "Because you finally did it! That jerk deserved it!"

Ashi shook her head, sighing. "There's no need for you to get all worked up anymore."

Before Ashi could say another word, Ane suddenly lunged at her, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug.

"Nicawa-san, I'm so proud of you!" Ane cheered, practically squeezing the life out of her.

"H-Hey! Get off me!" Ashi protested, struggling against her grip.

Ane only laughed. "Nah, let me have this moment. You finally put that jerk in his place!"

Despite herself, Ashi smiled.

Maybe having a friend like Ane wasn't so bad after all.

A few days later…

Haari yawned loudly as he sat up on his bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Sunday, he thought with a lazy smile. Finally, a day off.

Dragging himself to the kitchen, he poured a cup of chai and settled near the window, soaking in the quiet morning breeze.

Just then, his phone buzzed on the table.

He lazily reached for it, half expecting some random notification, but the screen flashed:

Rafta Calling.

Haari blinked. Rafta? On a Sunday?

He sipped his chai and answered, "Hello?"

But before he could say another word, a rushed voice came through.

"Come to the market in front of the mall."

Click.

Haari stared at the phone.

"…What the hell was that?"

He tried calling back, but Rafta didn't pick up.

Letting out a deep sigh, he finished his chai, threw on a hoodie, and headed out.
I swear, if this guy called me out just to show me a pigeon or something...