On a rainy morning, a man in his 30s was sitting on a bench, waiting for the bus. As usual, he was deep in thought. He was thinking, "This day will end like always... no fun, nothing interesting."
While lost in thought, he could hear the plush plush sound of kids running through puddles and the soft drops of rain falling from the leaves. In that quiet moment, a pretty woman came and sat beside him—but he didn't notice.
Suddenly, his bus arrived. He got up, stepped inside, and sat down. Only then did he realize—there was someone already sitting beside him. He turned and looked at her face.
The moment he saw her, everything around him seemed to stop. It was as if time had frozen. Then, the blaring horn of the bus brought him back to reality. The bus started moving.
He didn't even turn back to look at her again. He just sighed and said to himself, "Sigh… as usual, she was just another extra in my life. Came for a moment, then gone."
_And the bus moved forward…
_After a short while…
the bus reached its destination.
The gentle hum of the engine faded as the bus came to a slow halt ... Outside the window, the once-blurred view began to sharpen.
The sun blazed over the sleek skyline of Tokyo, its reflection dancing across the glass towers of innovation and ambition. Among them stood the headquarters of Japan Interactive — widely known as the best game development company in the world.
Inside, the air buzzed with quiet intensity. Keyboards clacked, screens flickered with vibrant code, and the hum of creativity filled every corner.
As the bus doors opened with a soft hiss, he stepped out and began walking toward the towering glass building ahead. The morning sun glinted off the pavement as he adjusted the strap of his bag,
his thoughts already drifting to the tasks waiting at his desk inside Japan Interactive."
Suddenly, a firm hand patted his shoulder from behind.
"Hey, Cyan!" a familiar voice called out"
-Cyan slowly turned his head, and as he did, his long black hair shifted sharply, sliding away from his deep, mesmerizing eyes. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze, dark yet beautiful, like still water under moonlight. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke, his voice soft and low-
"Oh... it's you, Sam," he said, almost as if the words were meant only for the wind to hear.
Without waiting for a reply, he turned away again, his footsteps light but steady as he began to walk off,
Sam picked up his pace and caught up, dropping a firm hand on his shoulder. "Yoo," he said with a teasing grin, "why are you always so serious? Is your brain wired for work only or what? Chill out, man. Laugh a little.
Cyan nudged Sam gently and stepped aside."Sam," he said with a small sigh, "I've already enjoyed my youth. I don't have time to waste laughing around anymore. Besides, the team leader said there's a ton of work this week—you know that. And just so you know, she's got her eye on you. Your laziness isn't exactly invisible.
Sam rolled his eyes. "Tsk. Dude, why are you always such a buzzkill?
Cyan started walking forward again, his expression unreadable — as if he'd already had enough of Sam's antics for the day. His steps were calm but purposeful, his long coat trailing slightly behind him with each stride.
Behind him, Sam let out a dramatic sigh and called out.
"Oi, Cyan! Wait for me!"
He jogged a few steps to catch up.
"Let's go in together, buddy! Don't leave me hanging!"
Cyan didn't stop right away, but his pace slowed just enough for Sam to catch up. He didn't turn around — just spoke in a low, resigned voice.
"…You're more exhausting than the job itself."
Sam grinned.
"Yeah, yeah — but you'd be bored without me."
Cyan stepped into the office and made his way to his seat near the corner window — the same desk he'd sat at for the past three years.
He pulled out his chair and sank into it with a soft thud. In front of him stood three sleek, black monitors — all still off.
For a moment, he didn't power them on. Instead, he just stared.
And in that quiet stillness,
his thoughts wandered—
to her.
The girl he had seen for just a moment on the bus.
He could still remember her face — soft, pretty, unfamiliar… yet unforgettable.
And just like that,
he was lost in the memory.
"Cyan.
Oi, Cyan.
Cyaaaan…"
Sam's voice echoed from somewhere nearby, growing louder with each call.
But Cyan didn't hear him.
He was still lost in thought, his gaze unfocused, staring through the reflection on his monitor — still holding onto that fading image of her.
Then, suddenly, Sam's voice cut through. Sharp. Real.
"CYAN!"
Cyan blinked. His body jolted just slightly.
He shook his head—subtle, quick—just enough to clear his thoughts.
Didn't want Sam to notice anything strange.
Turning toward him with a calm face, Cyan replied flatly,
Yes? What do you need now?
Sam leaned in a bit closer, concern etched across his face.
"Bro, I was calling your name over and over. I've never seen you freeze like that before. Did something happen? If something's wrong, talk to me—share with me."
Cyan, in his usual calm and quiet voice, replied without even looking up,
"Sam… nothing happened."
He sighed softly.
"Why don't you start working before the team leader shows up? Turn on your computer. And your desk's a mess—clean it up. You know her temper. Don't get on her nerves first thing in the morning."
Sam clicked his tongue with a small, annoyed "Tsk."
He crossed his arms and turned slightly away.
"Okay, okay. You don't wanna share, fine. No need to lecture me like I'm some kid," he muttered, clearly annoyed.
His expression twisted into a pouty glare, eyebrows furrowed.
"Hmph… I was just worried, you know."
Cyan let out a small chuckle, the kind only someone close enough would even notice.
"Okay, okay," he said gently.
"It's not a big deal… I was just thinking about something I saw this morning. No need to bring it up."
He paused for a second, then added,
"And I was worried about you too, you know."
A rare, faint smile appeared on Cyan's face.
Sam caught it.
His irritation faded in an instant.
Without saying a word, he turned and walked back to his seat
-a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Tak... tak... tak... tak..."
Suddenly, the sharp sound of footsteps echoed through the air, slicing through the noise like a blade.
In an instant, every worker turned in shock. Without a word, they rushed back to their seats, the once wild and buzzing workspace falling into a silence so deep, it felt like the vacuum of space…
All the workers, their bodies slightly trembling with frustration and tension, began typing on their keyboards with shaky fingers.
The sound of frantic clicking replaced the silence.
Sam, who had been standing still, slowly lowered his head. A bead of sweat slid down his temple as he sank into his chair, trying not to draw attention
Suddenly, a voice tore through the tense silence—
"SAM!"
It roared like a wild beast, deep and thunderous, shaking the very air in the room.
Sam froze.
The sound hit him like a strike to the chest. His eyes widened, and his hands hovered just above the keyboard, trembling
Sam stood up on shaky legs, his knees nearly buckling beneath him.
He slowly turned toward the voice—and there she was.
Her face was burning with rage.
It wasn't just anger… it was fury
Sam could almost see smoke rising from her head, and in her eyes, it was like flames were boiling, ready to erupt.
But instead of crumbling, Sam raised his chin slightly, forcing a crooked smile.
With a voice dipped in mock flirtation, he said:
"Oh my... our pretty team leader. Did you call me?"
A few gasps echoed from nearby desks.
The air tightened. Even Cyan blinked, not sure if Sam had just signed his death warrant or saved himself with charm.
The team leader's fiery gaze narrowed. Her lips twitched—half snarl, half disbelief
The team leader's voice, though quieter now, was razor-sharp.
"Did you finish the work I gave you last week, Sam?"
Her eyes bore into him.
"Everyone else submitted theirs. But you… didn't."
Her words hit like cold steel.
The room was dead silent again—no one dared to move. Even the clicking of keyboards had stopped.
Sam scratched the back of his head, his flirty smile fading just a little.
Sam's eyes darted nervously around the room, searching for an escape.
Then… they landed on Cyan.
He lowered his voice, adding a layer of sad, almost guilty emotion.
"Sorry, Team Leader," he said quietly.
"I'll submit it by tomorrow. I was helping Cyan with his work… that's why I couldn't finish mine."
Gasps fluttered across the office like whispers.
Cyan slowly turned toward Sam, his eyes half-closed, narrowed in annoyance. That calm face of his twitched just slightly—
He didn't say a word, but the sharp glare he shot at Sam said enough:
"You serious right now?"
As the team leader stared them down, Sam leaned slightly toward Cyan, just out of her line of sight.
He stuck his tongue out playfully, one eye shut in an exaggerated wink.
Then, in a whisper only Cyan could hear, he begged:
"Bro… only you can save me now. Please, Cyan."
His eyes shimmered with fake tears, his lips trembling in an overly dramatic pout.
It was the most ridiculous, desperate performance Cyan had seen all morning.
Cyan let out the faintest sigh through his nose, his glare sharpening just a little more.
His fingers paused above the keyboard as if considering whether Sam was even worth saving
Cyan stared at Sam for a long second, then slowly turned to face the team leader.
Without saying a word, he gave her a calm, silent nod.
She exhaled sharply through her nose, clearly holding back her frustration.
Her voice was firm, laced with warning:
"Fine."
"Finish it before tomorrow."
She paused, eyes narrowing.
"If not… then say goodbye to your Cyan and the rest of your little buddies."
Sam instantly straightened, saluting like a soldier.
"Yes, ma'am! Understood!" he said with fake determination, sweat still running down his face.
Cyan just shook his head and muttered under his breath,
"Idiot"...
Team leader stood at the center of the office, arms folded, her voice calm but carrying weight.
"Everyone, pay attention. I have two announcements."
The chatter died instantly. All eyes turned to her.
She glanced around the room, making sure not a single pair of eyes looked away.
"First — we've been selected to present at the Tokyo Game Summit."
A moment of stunned silence.
"One month from now."
The weight of her words dropped like a thunderclap.
Someone in the back gasped. Sam choked on his coffee.
"W-Wait, the Game Summit? As in the Tokyo Game Summit?!"
Team leader nodded, expression unreadable.
"It's official. We're on the list. Our project will be showcased in front of global publishers, investors, and half the industry."
She took a breath and continued.
"This means we need a working demo, an internal test build, and a polished visual presentation — all done in four weeks."
Sam sank in his chair. "...Can I fake my death now?"
Mai ignored him.
"If you need sleep, schedule it. If you need help, ask for it. If you're planning to slack off..."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Don't."
Cyan sat silently, eyes fixed on his monitor — but a tiny flicker of surprise passed through his expression.
Something serious had just begun
Team leader let the weight of the first announcement settle before continuing.
"And as for the second…" she said, pausing just slightly.
"…we have a new employee joining the team."
That got even more attention than the Game Summit. Chairs squeaked as people leaned forward.
Sam shot up from his chair. 'Whoa! A new employee?! Is it a girl?!'
His eyes sparkled with a suspicious amount of curiosity, practically glowing like a kid unwrapping a new game console.
The entire office stared.
Team leader blinked slowly, her expression unreadable — but there was a brief flicker of pure, exhausted pity in her eyes. The kind you reserve for hopeless causes.
She didn't even answer him.
Instead, she turned her head away with a sigh.
Cyan, without even glancing up, reached over and yanked Sam back down into his seat with a quiet but firm grip.
"Sit." Cyan muttered.
Sam grumbled, defeated.
"C'mon man… I was just asking for the team…"
Team leader cleared her throat and continued like nothing happened…
Team leader turned her head toward the doorway.
"Come in."
All eyes shifted to the door.
Even Cyan, usually unfazed by everything, glanced up — his gaze slow, instinctive.
The door creaked open.
And then—A single elegant heel stepped through the frame. Shiny black leather, with a soft metallic click against the floor…