Letter of Feelings

The night before, Miyo spent hours trying to find the words that were stuck in her chest. She wrote the words multiple times. She would think, scribble something, stare at it, crumple it, and repeat the process until she was satisfied.

Miyo's trash can overflowed to the point that her floor began to welcome its contents.

But she couldn't stop. It had to be perfect. For the first time in Miyo's life, she developed feelings for someone, and she was determined to make sure she did this right.

She continued writing late into the night until her hand cramped, but she finally was able to find the words to express the feelings within her heart.

-

Though she was determined last night, now that she was at work seeing the man that made her heart flutter, she wasn't sure she could go through with giving him the letter of her feelings.

"Miyo, do you have plans today?" The man from the desk next to hers asked.

Miyo looked up from her work, her brown hair falling out of place slightly. "Huh? Uh... No. W-Why do you ask Shinichi?"

Shinichi rolled his chair closer, brushing the strand of Miyo's hair back behind her ear. "I need to go shopping, want to come with me? It's always more fun when we shop together."

Shopping with Shinichi? That would be better than giving him the letter at work. "Sure, sounds good."

Shinichi's smile reached his eyes. "Okay, I'll wait for you after work."

-

Miyo stared at the clock on the wall, watching the agonizingly slow tick of the time passing. Her leg bounced up and down relentlessly as she waited for the clock to indicate the work day was done.

"Sanada-san, can you make copies of these before you leave today?" Miyo's boss dropped a massive stack of papers on her desk.

"Huh?" She looked between the clock and Shinichi. "I..."

Before Miyo could reply, her boss was already out of the office with a lazy wave.

"He never changes, does he?" Shinichi sighed and turned to Miyo. "Don't worry, I'll help you."

-

As Miyo and Shinichi made copies, Shinichi got a phone call.

Shinichi looked at the caller before turning to Miyo. "Sorry, I have to take this."

"Go ahead, the copies will be done soon so I'll meet you after."

Shinichi offered a thumbs up as he walked off answering his call.

-

Miyo finished up the copies as anxiety filled her chest. Maybe I shouldn't tell him... No... I decided I would, so I should go through with it. Besides... He invited me out today. It must be a sign that this is the right thing to do... Right...?

Miyo placed the copies on her boss's desk and packed up for the day, gently placing her carefully crafted letter in her purse.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Miyo, are you almost done or do you need help?" Shinichi asked from the other end of the line.

"Oh no, I'm done."

"Great. Can you do me a favor? I left my bag in the office; do you mind grabbing it for me? I'll buy you a coffee in return."

Miyo looked around Shinichi's desk. "Yeah, I'll bring it."

"Thanks. I'm waiting for you in the lobby whenever you're ready."

"Sounds good. I'm on my way now."

Once the phone call ended, Miyo quickly grabbed Shinichi's bag and swiftly headed towards the elevators to go to the lobby.

In her rush to meet Shinichi, when Miyo turned the corner towards the elevators, she collided with someone who was in as much of a rush as her.

The impact caused her to lose her balance and fall over. Papers flew upwards between the two of them and both hers and Shinichi's bag hit the floor with a heavy thud.

The person she collided with was in no better of a position. His stack of reports settled messily on the floor beside him.

"I'm so sorry." Miyo blurted. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Tsk." The man was clearly frustrated as he quickly gathered the papers on the floor. "Clearly."

Miyo started collecting papers to help, but the man's voice stopped her. "No need. These need to be in a certain order." He ran a hand through his blonde hair, with a tense exhale. "Please grab your stuff and go."

Miyo hesitated. "But-"

"It's fine." He interrupted quickly. He then took a deep breath, trying to soften his tone. "Let me take care of it."

"Okay..." Miyo reluctantly withdrew her hand from the papers and picked up hers and Shinichi's bags. When she got up, she lowered her head. "I'm sorry again..."

The man on the floor didn't look up nor respond, too focused with the papers.

Miyo hesitantly made her way to the elevators, though it didn't sit right with her to leave, she also didn't want to cause more harm than good.

She entered the elevator and as the doors closed, she watched the man desperately organize the papers, wishing she could be of more help.

-

As the elevator doors opened to the lobby, Shinchi was there to greet her.

"Hey-" Shinichi started but stopped when he noticed Miyo's face. "What's wrong?"

Miyo sighed. "I ran into someone upstairs and made them drop all their stuff... I tried to help, but he wouldn't let me."

"Hmm. Maybe he just wanted to handle it himself." Shinichi said. "Don't feel bad. You offered to help and that's enough."

"I guess..."

Shinichi smirked. "Would cake with your coffee cheer you up?"

Miyo smiled shyly. "You know me so well..."

-

Miyo accompanied Shinichi on his shopping errands around the mall, and once he was finished, they went to a cozy cafe for cake and coffee.

Miyo nervously sipped her coffee, watching Shinichi relax as he chatted casually about things she couldn't hear. She was too preoccupied with the thought that this was the perfect moment she wanted for her confession.

She took a deep breath as she reached into her purse, only to freeze with dread.

Panic quickly settled in her chest.

She checked again and again. Looking through every compartment, every pocket, even in her wallet.

Her letter wasn't there.

What? I was sure I put it in here... Where could it be?

Shinichi raised an eyebrow at her frantic behavior. "Everything okay?"

No. No, everything is not okay... What do I do?