Chapter 13 : The journalist

Friday mornings at Namilab were rarely peaceful. Papers rustled, people shouted about deadlines, printers jammed out of pure spite—but today, Ayase noticed something even stranger than the usual chaos.
Kana was smiling at her phone.
Smiling.At 8:12 a.m.Without caffeine.
Ayase slowed down, suspicious. “Kana… why do you look like you just won the lottery?”
Kana jumped, hiding her phone behind her back. “Ayase! Don’t sneak up on people!”
“You were glowing,” Ayase countered. “I had to investigate. Who is he?”
Kana puffed up proudly for exactly three seconds before melting into a dreamy sigh. “His name is Kota, Kota Tsurugi . He’s a journalist. And we’re going on a lunch date today.”
Ayase blinked. “A journalist? Since when?”
“3 days,” Kana said with sparkles in her voice. “We matched online. He writes lifestyle pieces. He’s interesting, polite, and he asked me out in full sentences. Like a gentleman!”
Ayase smiled, relieved for her friend. Until—
“What does he write about exactly?” she asked.
“Oh, you know… culture, business, people.” Kana shrugged. “The usual.”
Ayase nodded, though a tiny seed of worry rooted itself in her chest. Journalists sometimes hovered too close to celebrity-related projects.
She hoped this Tsurugi wasn’t the curious type.
By lunchtime, Ayase was exhausted after hours of reading, editing, and rewriting scripts. She remained responsible for ensuring every beat, every emotional cue, every line aligned with the project’s strict vision.
When the shoot paused for lighting adjustments, Ayase retreated to the small office cafeteria to eat in peace.
That lasted a full ten seconds before Kana burst in.
“Ayase!”
Ayase dropped her chopsticks. “What happened? You were only gone for an hour.”
Kana slid into the seat across from her, face flushed. “Kota is perfect. So sweet. So respectful. But he asked something weird.”
Ayase tensed. “What exactly?”
Kana lowered her voice dramatically. “He asked about Project Eclipse.”
A cold wave ran through Ayase.
“What did you tell him?”
“Nothing! I pretended not to know what he was talking about. But Ayase how did he even hear about it?!”
“Someone must be leaking hints,” Ayase murmured. “Maybe from outside our team.”
Kana groaned. “This is ruining my romantic moment! Why can’t I have one normal boyfriend?”
Ayase placed her hand on Kana’s. “You can. Just… be careful. Don’t tell him anything.”
Kana sighed dramatically. “Fine, boss.”
Ayase managed a smile, but her stomach twisted.
---
Afternoon filming resumed. Ayase stayed at her desk, reviewing notes on the emotional progression of the shoot. Takeshi, who’d been managing Ren and smoothing over several minor crises on set, wandered into her section carrying a half-empty iced coffee.
He threw himself into the chair beside her. “Ayase. Tell me you have chocolate.”
“No,” she said, “and before you ask: no, I didn’t hide the director’s stress-ball either.”
Takeshi groaned. “Damn. I need sugar. And sanity.”
Ayase inhaled. “I need your advice.”
He paused mid–self-pity.
“What happened?”
Ayase lowered her voice. “Kana’s new boyfriend is a journalist. He asked her about Project Eclipse during their first date.”
Takeshi froze. The iced coffee straw stopped moving.Then:
“Oh hell no.”
Ayase nodded grimly.
Takeshi leaned in. “Was it casual curiosity or shark-level investigation?”
“He said he heard whispers about a ‘big confidential project involving a major actor’ and wanted confirmation.”
Takeshi cursed under his breath. “That’s not casual. That’s someone fishing for intel.”
“I thought so too.”
He rubbed his temples. “Okay. Don’t panic. Yet. I’ll run a background check on him.”
Ayase blinked. “That sounds illegal.” She then snorted. “Thank you. Just… Kana is really excited. I don’t want her hurt.”
Takeshi softened. “I know. I’ll tread lightly.”
Later in the afternoon, while Ayase handled internal documents, she received a message notification.
Kana:Emergency. Break room. Now.
Ayase rushed over.
Kana was pacing like a frantic cat. “Ayase— Kota is here!”
“What?”
“He came to return my bracelet! I must have dropped it in his car earlier!”
Ayase stiffened. “Here? In the building?”
“He’s waiting inside,” Kana whispered dramatically. “And he wants to say hi to you!”
Ayase exhaled. “Okay. Let’s stay calm. Just act normal.”
Kana grabbed her hand. “Please don’t interrogate him like a police officer! He’ll think you hate him!”
Before Ayase could reply, the break-room door opened.
A man stepped in—tall, clean-cut, with gentle features and soft black hair. A faintly apologetic smile lit his face.
Kota.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said. “I came to return Kana’s bracelet. She left it in my car.”
Kana sighed dreamily.
Ayase bowed politely. “Thank you for bringing it. That was thoughtful.”
He smiled warmly. “I wanted to make a good impression. Kana speaks so highly of you.”
Ayase’s polite expression remained unchanged, but she observed every detail—his gaze, his posture, the subtle sweep of his eyes toward her ID badge.
“Your agency must be very busy these days,” Kota said casually.
Kana flinched.Ayase didn’t.
“We handle many clients,” Ayase replied smoothly.
“Well, of course,” Kota chuckled. “A journalist has to try, right?”
Ayase didn’t blink.Neither did he.
The air grew tight.
Kana clapped her hands suddenly. “Okay! We should go! Right, Kota?”
He nodded, smiling. “Of course.”
He bowed slightly to Ayase before stepping out. “Nice meeting you.”
As soon as he left, Kana turned to her.
“Please don’t kill my relationship.”
Ayase sighed heavily. “I won’t kill it. But I won’t let him ruin our project either.”
---
The sun had long set when the day finally ended. Ayase cleaned up her desk, stretching her aching shoulders. Most staff had already left. The building was quiet and shadowy, the distant hum of equipment echoing through the hallways.
She left the office, stepping into the cool night air outside. The city lights reflected on the glass windows behind her.
“Tough day?”
Ayase nearly jumped—but it was only Takeshi, leaning against a parked car, sipping yet another drink.
“What are you still doing here?” she asked.
“Waiting for you.”
Ayase frowned. “Why?”
“Because I found something,” Takeshi said, his expression serious. “About Kota Tsurugi.”
Ayase felt her heart drop.
Takeshi lowered his voice. “He’s not just a lifestyle journalist. He’s freelanced for investigative columns. And he’s written about celebrity scandals before.”
Ayase inhaled sharply.
“He’s digging,” 
Ayase continued. “And he’s using Kana to get closer.”
Takeshi closed his eyes, trying to think. “Does Kana know?”
“Not yet. And I don’t want to crush her excitement. But I need to handle this carefully.”
---Later that night, lying in bed, Ayase stared at the ceiling.
Kana was falling fast.
The project’s secrecy was at risk.
Ayase exhaled quietly.
She had to be ready.
End of chapter 13