The street outside the Higashi Engineering Corporation was painted in soft hues of dusk, the amber glow of streetlamps flickering on one by one as the sky dimmed to a bruised purple. The company building loomed tall and sharp behind Daichi as he stepped onto the pavement, one hand shoved deep into the pocket of his black coat, another held a briefcase. His round glasses caught the glint of city lights, his freckled face half-shadowed under the fringe of dark hair.
The air was crisp, the faint scent of car exhaust mingling with the sweetness of blooming street trees. Daichi exhaled, his breath puffing white in the chill, his footsteps steady on the pavement.
Ahead of him, a group of four women walked together, their voices light and giggling as they huddled close in their coats. Their laughter floated back to him, but it wasn't until his steps drew him just a little too close behind them that the words pierced through the background noise.
"I saw Hasegawa-san going to Morikita-san's office again today."
"Well, that's not strange, right? Their departments work together."
"Sure, but… don't you think they're too close? I mean, both are good-looking, they'd make such a hot couple."
"Ha! Better that than imagining Morikita-san sleeping with that old vice president."
"Ugh. Gross!"
A ripple of laughter. Daichi's jaw twitched. His steps slowed faintly, but he didn't stop.
"Hey, what do you think? Is Morikita-san the dominant one or the submissive one?"
"Oh god, don't! I don't even want to imagine the vice president getting fucked by Morikita-san. I'll have nightmares."
Their laughter grew louder, teasing and playful. Daichi's fists clenched inside his pockets. He kept his eyes down, tightening his shoulders, walking silently behind them.
Suddenly—
"Morikita-san!"
The women startled, spinning around to see Hasegawa jogging up, his tall frame effortlessly closing the gap. His tousled brunette hair caught the streetlight, a lazy grin on his lips as usual. But the grin faltered when he saw Daichi right behind the women, his face cold, eyes sharp behind his glasses.
The women froze, eyes wide, their chatter abruptly dying like a candle snuffed out.
Daichi didn't acknowledge them. Without a word, he walked past, brushing by the group as though they were no more than furniture on the street, while Hasegawa quickly matched his pace, falling into step beside him.
"Say, Morikita-san," Hasegawa said lightly, his voice carrying a teasing warmth. "Wanna go grab a drink? Just the two of us."
Daichi's pace didn't change. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his breath hard and fast.
"Hey, come on." Hasegawa gave a half-laugh, watching him carefully. "What's going on? Bad day?"
They crossed under the streetlights, their shadows elongated across the pavement. Daichi's shoulders trembled faintly, his jaw set tight.
"Don't just keep quiet. Tell me."
And then, all at once—
"Shut the hell up, you bastard!!"
Daichi's voice cracked out, loud and fierce, making the air around them snap sharp like a whip. His breath came in ragged gasps, his fists clenched at his sides, body trembling with the effort of holding back. Even the women behind them flinched, their eyes darting nervously as they huddled together, whispering in shock.
Hasegawa blinked, his smile vanishing. He stopped in his tracks, brows knitting slightly as he watched Daichi.
"Morikita-san…" His voice softened, careful. "Are you okay? What's bothering you?"
Daichi's chest heaved, his teeth grit, the muscle along his jaw jumping as he tried to swallow his anger down. His eyes flicked to the side, his face twisting as if trying to shake something off.
"It's… nothing," he managed hoarsely, the words scraping out as he turned away, resuming his walk.
But Hasegawa wasn't letting it go.
A firm hand wrapped around Daichi's arm, pulling him to a stop.
"Wait—" Hasegawa murmured, brows drawn together. "Talk to me. What's going on?"
Daichi yanked his arm free, his breath shaky, eyes glinting faintly behind his glasses.
Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away, his figure stiff, shoulders squared, as if holding himself together with sheer force.
Hasegawa stood there a moment, watching him disappear into the city night, his lips parting slightly in unspoken concern.
Behind them, the women huddled close, whispering frantically, their earlier laughter now replaced by uneasy glances and quiet murmurs.