Chapter 11 : Is it over?

It was already past 8 p.m., and a deathly silence hung over the hallways of the Aoyama Group.

All the offices were empty except for the meeting room.

“WE DID IT!”

Aoyama Sora shot up from his recliner and threw his arms in the air in victory.

Across the table, Kei leaned back, almost lying flat against the chair, and cleaned his glasses.
He didn’t usually wear them, but after days of staring at a screen nonstop, they’d become necessary.

Hana, who had been practically collapsed on the table just moments before, pushed herself up and stretched.
“Finally… I couldn’t take it anymore,” Sora said, settling back into his chair.
“I’m completely exhausted. Let’s just hope this is good enough.”

“It’ll be fine. Obviously.”

A loud stomach growl echoed from Hana’s direction.

Kei stood up and started packing his things into his backpack.

“And now,” he said with a faint smile, glancing at her, “I’d say it’s time we grab something to eat.”

Hana covered her face, crossing her arms on the table.

“Come on, come on. Sora’s paying for everything!”

He dashed to the door, throwing on his white jacket and pushing his sunglasses up onto his head.

Kei watched them for a moment.

“I’ll cover it,” he said. “I owe you after the mess I made the other day. I’m really sorry.”
He gave a small bow.

“It’s fine, Kei. We were all under pressure. What matters is we’ll make the deadline,” Sora replied.

Hana walked over and gently placed a hand on Kei’s shoulder.
“In that case, I already know the perfect spot,” Sora said with a sly grin.

The three of them left the now-deserted building.

…

The place was quiet, one of those tucked-away spots down a side street.

The food was amazing, and the beer was craft-brewed. Sora said he came here whenever he needed some peace. He knew the owners: an older man with white hair, still deeply tied to tradition, and his wife a small, kind woman who was as blunt as she was warm.

They ordered some appetizers and three beers.

“To finishing this project,” Sora said, raising his mug toward the others.

“Assuming it actually gets approved…” Kei replied dryly.

“I swear I’m gonna drown you, you human popsicle.”

“It float, actually. But I appreciate the enthusiasm.”

Hana burst out laughing, watching the two of them bicker like kids.

“You know…” she said.

They both stopped to listen.

“In the end, I’m really glad I got to work on this project with you. You’re not just coworkers.
I found two people I can rely on two friends. So… thank you.”

Without realizing it, Hana rested her hand over Kei’s.

Sora noticed the small gesture. He grabbed his mug and downed what was left in one gulp.

With foam still on his lips, he ordered another round for everyone.

“This calls for a proper celebration. We’re all going to my beach villa!”

“Thanks, but I don’t think I can..” Kei started, only to be cut off immediately.

“Of course you can bring your cousin too, Kei. Not a problem at all.”

“I was actually thinking of visiting my parents…” Hana said, hesitating. “I’ll need to think about it. But thanks for the invite.”
Last time hadn’t exactly gone well.

“It’ll be different this time, Hana-chan. Just us three and Rin. No huge parties or anything.”

“Let’s figure it out after we send the project to the big company. Depending on their response, we might even have to cancel any vacation plans,” Kei said, trying to bring everyone back down to earth.

A brief silence fell over the table.

Just then the owner’s wife, around sixty, arrived with three fresh mugs of beer.

What’s with the gloomy faces, kids? Relax a little, will you?” she said, giving Sora a firm pat on the shoulder hard enough to jolt him.

“Yes ma’am!” Sora replied, snapping into a mock military stance.

Kei reached for his beer and noticed Hana doing the exact same thing.

A flashback flickered through his mind, leaving him momentarily dazed.

He glanced back at Hana and shifted slightly.

She noticed and her face instantly turned bright red.

“This time your shoes are safe, I SWEAR !!”