Chapter 10: Too much coffe!

it was already midweek. The deadline was getting closer and closer.

Over the past few days, Kei had barely slept at all. He walked over to the coffee machine and grabbed another cup.

His fifth of the day.

The project simulations kept coming back negative, and at night he stayed up trying to find a solution. During the day, on top of working, he also did his best to make Rin feel comfortable.

She was doing really well in Tokyo. She was settling in and she often told her cousin there was no need for him to always act as her guide.

Rin herself had noticed that lately, he wasn’t sleeping at all.

Kei didn’t want Hana to get fired after all the effort she had put in. At the same time, for some reason he couldn’t quite explain, he felt a strange sense of rivalry with Sora.

Hana noticed something was off about him that morning. He seemed really tense.

Kei sat back down at his computer and started analyzing data again.

Hana picked up her tea and quietly stood behind him, watching without disturbing him.

Her old friend was so absorbed in his work that he didn’t even notice her.

“There’s something I’m missing!” Kei shouted, throwing his hands up and clasping them behind his head.

The sudden movement caught Hana off guard, she didn’t had time to step back and he hit her cup of tea head-on.

Some of it splashed onto Kei, the rest all over his computer.

“What the hell… Hana, be more careful!” He snapped, his voice rising sharply.

Kei immediately tried to wipe everything down, and Hana rushed to help him.

“Aargh, just leave it. I’ve got it!”

Hana stepped back, clearly upset.

“I’m so sorry, Kei… I didn’t mean to…” Her hands trembled slightly.

“This thing won’t even turn on anymore!” He grabbed the laptop and shoved it into his bag.

Hearing the commotion, Sora burst into the meeting room, flinging the door open as usual.

“Kei, I’m really sorry. Tell me what I can do to help,” Hana said, stepping closer to him.

“It’s fine. I’ll handle it. I’m going home.I’ve got a backup of the data on another computer.”

Without saying anything else, he walked out and left.

Sora looked at Hana, puzzled. He had never seen Kei act like that out of nowhere.

“What happened?” he asked.

“He looked exhausted… and really tense. I wanted to understand why, so I stood behind him to watch…”

Hana grabbed a tissue and started wiping the wet table.

“But then I spilled the tea, and it got on Kei… and his computer…”

She stared at her hands, guilt washing over her.

“I-I’m so stupid… I always mess things up.”

“It was just an accident. Kei’s not the type to leave himself without a backup plan. It’ll all work out,” Sora said, stepping in to help clean up.

Sora realized Kei must have been trying to solve the market data issue. The silence during their meeting at the park had already told him things weren’t going as planned. In the end, the hardest part had been entrusted to him.

And yet, Kei didn’t seem like the type to worry about things like this.

Was he doing all of this just so Hana wouldn’t worry?

“Let’s call it a day. I’ll take care of the rest,” Sora said with a calm smile.

“But i…”

“It’s okay. We need rest. We have to stick together until the end.”

Hana nodded. She gathered her things, and before leaving, she gave Sora a gentle smile.

“Thanks… see you tomorrow.”

…

As soon as he got home, Kei collapsed onto the couch.

…

When he woke up, it was almost dinner time.

He sat up, trying to gather his thoughts.

The effects of sleep deprivation felt almost like being drunk.

“I’m such an idiot…” he muttered out loud.

“Ohh cousin, you’re still alive? I was about to call emergency services.”

Rin said, laughing as she walked out of the kitchen.

“You had some calls. Try answering them and come eat. Dinner’s ready.”

She looked at him with concern, knowing he had been pushing himself too hard lately.

[PHONE]
(2 missed calls from Sora)
(1 missed call from Hana)

[Group Chat]

Playboy: Let’s work till the very end. The result will be amazing ;p

Hana: We’ll do a great job!
…
Kei: I’m really sorry about how I acted today. I’ll make it up to you!

[Chat with Hana]

Kei: I’m sorry about what happened today. I moved suddenly and hit you, it’s all my fault.
…
Hana: I’m the one who should apologize. I shouldn’t have been standing behind you like a statue.

Kei: Let’s do great work again tomorrow. Good night!

Hana: Night!

Kei set his phone down on the coffee table.

“These kinds of mistakes aren’t like me… I’ll make it up to them.”

He got up and headed to the kitchen.

It was time to get his strength back.