Looking the Wrong Way

After a breakfast filled with awkward silence and floating glances, Shinichi and Miyo took a walk.

Shinichi sighed. "I haven't been the best of friend to you, have I?"

Miyo avoided his gaze. "W-What do you mean?"

"I should've known you didn't actually like coffee..." He paused before continuing. "What I don't understand is why you kept drinking it if you didn't like it."

She started to fiddle with her sleeves. 

Shinichi noticed. "Were you that worried about offending me?"

"N-No. That's not-" She couldn't bring herself to say anything else. Should I tell him about my feelings...? Her chest tightened painfully. This isn't how I wanted it to be...

"Then why...?"

Miyo stopped walking. The question was simple enough, but her heart was all twisted. 

Say it.

Her heart pounded so loud that in drowned out everything else.

"B-Because..." She swallowed. "I-I liked that it was from you..." 

Her face burned as she forced herself to meet Shinichi's eyes.

Shinichi met her eyes for a moment before his expression softened. "You don't have to force yourself just because it's me. I'd rather give you something you actually like."

Miyo's gaze lowered. "R-Right..." He didn't understand...

Shinichi looked around before closing the gap between them. "Do you mind if I ask you something? I was talking to Akio last-"

"I have to go." The words came out before she could stop them.

Before Shinichi could react, Miyo turned and quickly walked away.

"M-Miyo?!" Shinichi tried to follow her but-

"Please... Don't."

The crack of her voice stopped Shinichi in his tracks as he watched her walk away. Did I miss something..?

-

Miyo didn't stop walking.

She didn't know where she was going, but only that she needed to get away. From Shinichi. From that conversation. From the tightness in her chest that refused to lighten.

Her vision blurred as she turned a corner and collided into someone who's mind was just as clouded as hers.

"Woah-"

A steady hand caught her before she could lose balance.

"Miyo?"

She froze.

Akio.

Why was it him of all people?

He let out a breath that might've been a laugh. "You lose balance a lot, don't you?"

She quickly avoided his gaze as she tried to pull away. "S-Sorry. I wasn't looking where I-"

Akio's gaze sharpened. Something's wrong. 

"Miyo." His voice was softer now.

She stilled. Her chest burned. 

Akio's grip loosened, though he didn't let go. "What happened?"

"I'm fine," she said too quickly.

"You're not good at lying."

Silence settled between them.

Akio studied her. How she wouldn't meet his eyes, how she was so tense against him, how the corners of her eyes were red. She went off with Shinichi earlier. Maybe he told her...

His voice was careful. "Did Shinichi talk to you...?"

Miyo stiffened. 

That was enough of an answer for him.

Akio exhaled quietly. "I'm guessing it didn't go well..."

"H-How did you know?"

"I just figured...."

"Was it that obvious?"

"I mean, I didn't notice either, if that helps."

Miyo blinked. "Notice what?"

Akio froze. "Huh?"

He studied her face for a moment. "What exactly did Shinichi tell you...?"

"Tell me?"

Akio's stomach twisted. He didn't tell her!

"I-I mean, what did you two talk about...?" His voice came out more unsteady than he wanted.

Miyo's eyes lowered. "He didn't understand..."

"Understand?"

"I-I tried." Her voice betrayed her. "To tell him how I feel..."

Akio went silent. Oh... That's what happened. 

He let out a deep breath as he stepped closer, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

Miyo flinched slightly but didn't pull away.

"If this is too much, I'll back off." He hesitated. "But I'm here if you need a moment."

Miyo's breath caught. 

For a moment, she just looked at him. 

Then, almost unconsciously, she leaned in.

Akio stiffened as Miyo rested her head against his shoulder.

"D-Don't look at me." Her voice muffled against him.

When Miyo's shoulders began to shake, Akio hesitated slightly before softly rubbing her back. "I won't."

-

The afternoon was scheduled for the company to hike the nearby trail together. Most of the managers led the way while Honda-san slowly brought up the end.

Shinichi and Kenta stuck together, with Shinichi stealing occasional glances at Miyo, who refused to look his way. 

Sana and Junko walked with Miyo as Akio awkwardly followed behind them.

Sana looked back to Akio. "You know you can walk beside us, right?"

"I know." But he didn't change his pace.

Junko turned to Miyo. "You okay, Miyo? Still tired?"

When Miyo didn't respond, Junko and Sana exchanged worried looks. 

Shinichi stole another glance.

"If you're that worried, go talk to her," Kenta whispered.

Shinichi's gaze returned ahead. "I don't think she wants to talk to me."

"What even happened?"

Shinichi sighed. "I don't really know..."

-

When the hike ended and everyone returned to the campsite, the staff had prepared a feast for them.

Long tables were set under open tents and lights, lined with rice, side dishes, grilled meat, and beer and sake. 

Department heads started the feast off with a typical speech and toast.

As the sun set, the atmosphere became lively with clinking glasses, overlapping conversations, and chaotic laughter.

At some point, someone brought out a karaoke machine.

Junko somehow got roped into a duet with Honda-san, which was pretty painful.

Sana drank far too much and laughed at every little thing with the old men from her department.

Shinichi, unfortunately, was no better.

By the time Kenta noticed, Shinichi was already out cold, leaving Kenta to haul him back to the tent for the night.

Despite the haze in her mind, Miyo found herself amused by the chaos before her as she quietly drank her beer.

Akio was surrounded by drunk colleagues, all asking him to pour them a drink. By the time he got away from the crowd, Miyo was gone.

Akio scanned the area once. Then again. Where did she go?

-

The further she walked, the quieter it became.

The laughter and music faded, replaced by the soft hum of the river.

"What's the matter with me...?" She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding as she lowered herself onto the ground.

Her mind drifted to Shinichi. To the way he smiled. So kind and gentle and so painfully unaware.

She pulled her knees closer to her chest, pressing her head against them. "This is so embarrassing..."

For a while, just the sound of the water filled the space.

Then, footsteps approached, slow and careful.

"So you like this spot too?" Akio's voice broke the silence.

Miyo lifted her head. "What?"

"Nothing." He sat down beside her, handing her a can of beer. "Thinking about today?"

She nodded.

He took a sip of his beer. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why do you like him?"

"Huh?" She blinked, caught off guard. "B-Because..."

"Because?"

Miyo's expression softened. "Because he's always been on my side... Always so kind and patient with me. And..."

He raised an eyebrow. "And?"

She lowered her gaze. "And I thought he understood me..."

He hesitated. "What if he doesn't?"

Miyo's grip tightened on the can. "H-He does." She took a sip. "I-I just haven't been clear enough with him... It's my fault that-"

"It's not your fault." He glanced at her. "You deserve someone who understands, not someone you have to make excuses for."

"B-But I-"

"I understand you." The words came out sharper than he wanted.

"Huh?"

Silence stretched between them.

Akio met her gaze as his voice grew quiet. "Does it have to be him?"

Miyo stared at him, trying to process what he said. "W-What do you mean?"

Akio's eyes drifted to the river. "Don't be so focused on him that you end up looking the wrong way..." 

His voice fell to a whisper. "Don't miss what's in front of you..."

Miyo opened her mouth, but no words came out. What is he saying...?

He took another sip. "Sorry. I said too much."

"You shouldn't say things like that..." She gripped at her chest. "You keep confusing me..."

Akio turned and just looked at her for a moment. 

He exhaled softly. "I didn't mean to..." 

Miyo didn't respond. 

The silence grew.

Akio finished his drink and stood. "Come on. It's late. I'll walk you back."