Chapter 9: Is she?

That day, a pleasant breeze cut through the warmth of the sun, high overhead.

Hana and Sora had already settled at wooden table with matching benches.

A few minutes past the agreed time, Kei showed up, accompanied by a young woman with long black hair tied back in a ponytail.

Sora stood up and reached out to shake her hand.

“I didn’t know Okabe had such refined taste. Nice to meet you, i’m Aoyama Sora.”

“Well, i didn’t know everyone in Tokyo was a playboy.”

She took his hand, gripping it firmly.

“Nice to meet you. My name’s Okabe Rin”

Kei smiled at Sora’s stunned expression.

“She’s my cousin. She’ll be attending university here in Tokyo next semester, So she’s getting to know the city before moving.”

“Nice to meet you,Rin-chan. I’m Hana. Is it okey if i call you like this?”

Hana stood up to introduce herself, all smiles and at ease.

“Of curese, no problem. And thanks for putting up with that boring cousin of mine.”

Rin glanced at Kei and laughed. He shot her annoyed look.

I’m gonna take a walk. Might as well get to know the area a bit better.”

Without waiting for a response, Rin turned and hurried off, almost breaking into a run.

Kei tried to stop her, but it was pointless.

“That girl is way too hyper” Kei mutteredwith a sigh.

“She’s got a point. You Are a grump” Sora shot back.

“You looking for a fight?” Kei stared him down.

“Hey, hey. Cut it out. Stop acting like kids, we’ve got work to do.” Hana said laughing.

…

“We’ve got a solid foundation.” Sora said, analyzing the overall situation.

“We’ve got a logo and the concept’s there. Once we find the right opportunity to break into the market and land our first partnerships, we’ll be set.”

“ I think i’ll need a couple more days to finish the main design.”

Hana paused, her tone turning thoughtful.

“What if they don’t like it in the end? I could lose my job…”

“ Relax, it’ll all work out. Worst case, you can come work at my company.”

Sora winked at her.

Kei kept analyzing data and running simulations. But every result came back negative. He didn’t want to worry Hana unnecessarily, unlike him, she genuinely loved her job. So he stayed silent.

“Mr.Serious over here got nothing to say?” Sora teased.

“I think we’ll wrap up a strong project. We’re in a good place.”

Kei didn’t like lying. Normally, he would’ve answered in a cold, brutally honest tone. So why hadn’t he?

Even he couldn’t understand it.

“Hey! Only I get to mess with my cousin like that!”

The three of them looked around, not seeing Rin.

She raised her voice and waved her arms to get their attention.

She was sitting on a tree branch behind them, her legs swinging freely in the air.

“When did you even get up there?” Sora said stunned and oddly impressed, like an excited kid opening a gift.

“About half an hour ago. You guys were so focused, it was fun just watching you.” She laughed.

“How was your little tour?” Hana asked kindly.

“This place is amazing. Way better than that middle-of-nowhere town i live in. I can’t wait to move here.”

Brimming with excitement, Rin jumped down from the branch.

The whole tree shook, sending leaves fluttering down.

Hana rushed toward her, worried she might get hurt.Kei, on the other hand, stayed completely unfazed. He’d seen his cousin do far more dangerous thinghs.

Sora burst out laughing when he saw Hana leaves tangled in her hair.

She pouted for a moment, scrunching her nose.ò then broke into laughter along with him.

Watching the scene, Kei smiled.

For a brief moment, it felt like they were all kids again. No deadlines, no adult problems, just pure, genuine emotions.