The clock on the hallway wall read 4:47 p.m.— almost time for Sasaki Shimizu to head home. He stood just outside the massive glass building of SnS Corporation, wiping at the sweat that beaded across his face.
His cleaning jumpsuit hung loose around his waist, leaving only a thin white T-shirt clinging to his chest. Despite never setting foot in a gym, years of hard labor had carved his body into lean muscle— an unspoken strength that men envied and women noticed, though Sasaki himself rarely gave it a thought.
A bandana kept his medium-length hair out of his eyes, but it did little against the blazing afternoon sun. He raised a hand, squinting. "Hot today," he muttered under his breath.
The hallways inside had already been scrubbed to a shine; all that remained was his boss's office. Sasaki lingered, waiting for the man to leave.
He was used to waiting. He was used to swallowing pride.
Sasaki Shimizu was a janitor at SnS Corporation —a name whispered with respect in the advertising world. Yet people like him were invisible. To most, a man in stained gloves and worn shoes was nothing worth a second glance. Sasaki never let it weigh him down, though. What mattered was providing for the one person he loved most.
"Sasaki!" a voice barked from behind. "The boss is done. He wants his office cleaned."
"Yes, sir. Right away."
He moved quickly toward the stairwell. The elevators were forbidden to him —his boss had made sure of that. So Sasaki climbed, two steps at a time, reaching the top floor in minutes. Still, when he entered, the man scowled.
"Late again! Why do I always have to wait for you?"
"I'm sorry, sir." Sasaki bowed, absorbing the tirade in silence.
But nothing could dent his spirit today. Not insults. Not disdain.
Because waiting in his pocket was the proof of three years of sacrifice. A small velvet box holding a diamond ring —modest, but bought with every coin he could scrape together. At last, he had something worthy to give his wife.
When the office was spotless, Sasaki hurried through the streets, heart pounding. Thoughts of Rina lit his way.
As he neared their home, the muffled thump of music spilled from inside. He smiled. Of course —she must have arranged a surprise party for their anniversary.
He opened the door. A flash of light blinded him, followed by a cloth yanked over his eyes.
"Rina-chan?" he laughed nervously. "What's going on?"
A woman's voice— too playful, too sharp— spoke behind him. "Today's a special day, Sasaki. So tell us…what amazing gift did you get your wife?"
Sasaki stiffened. That wasn't Rina. It was Sakura— her closest friend, and someone who had never hidden her dislike for him. Still, he played along.
"I… I bought her a ring."
Fingers slipped into his pocket, pulling out the box. A hand guided his own, cool and slender.
"Then put it on your wife," Sakura teased.
Sasaki smiled and slid the ring onto the waiting finger. "Happy anniversary, Rina-chan."
"Aww," Sakura cooed, voice dripping with mockery. "Now for the kiss."
Something soft and round smashed against his face. Laughter exploded around him as the taste of sugar and cream filled his mouth.
Jerking the blindfold off, Sasaki saw Sakura and two unfamiliar women doubled over with laughter. But Rina was nowhere in sight.
Sakura waggled her hand, the ring glittering briefly before she ripped it off and flung it at him.
"Pathetic. This little trinket? Rina wouldn't even look at it."
One of the other women feigned pity. "Sakura, that was cruel. Look at his clothes —he's covered in cake."
"Who cares?" Sakura sneered. "He's a janitor. Dirt is his second skin."
Heat flushed Sasaki's face, though not from shame. He clenched his fists. "Where is Rina-chan?"
Sakura's lips curled into a knowing smile. "In the bedroom."
Her tone pricked at him, but Sasaki pushed past and strode down the hall. He was halfway to the door when he froze.
Through the wood came sounds that hollowed his chest.
"Yes—don't stop. Harder!"
"Oh god, yes!"
A man's groan. His wife's breathless cries.
The ring he had sacrificed everything for weighed heavy in his palm. And in that moment, Sasaki's world shattered.