The walls of the Takahashi medical foundation shinned brightly. The boardroom scented like disinfectant and coffee. Silver nameplates reflected over the place.The scent of professionalism as it was called by Mr Takahashi the chairman of the foundation. He gave a brief glance at his watch and back to the presentation that was being projected.
Yuu smoothed the edge of his black blazer as his assistant held the door for him. He was late, not enough to offend but enough to make everyone stare. His father's gaze flickered toward him , calm but knowing.
" Mr Takahashi, you always arrive when things get exciting" an older board member said.
Yuu bowed mildly " then I suppose I have good timing sir"
Laughter rippled across the table , polite and brief. Only one person didn't look up.
At the far end of the room stood a man in black suit, back straight and composed. He spoke fiercely as though he was fighting. His words seemed calculated.
" …and as you can see from this projection" he said tapping his tablet, "the foundation's current investment strategy leaves a twenty percent inefficiency gap over the next five years. My firm's restructuring plan focuses on reallocating underperforming assets towards scalable low risk portfolios. In simpler terms, we will make sure your compassion doesn't bankrupt your generosity"
The room hummed with low approval. Yuu froze .
That voice.
He hadn't heard it in nearly eight years but it hadn't changed- steady, deliberate slightly amused at its own intelligence.
Ren.
His hair once messy from wind and late ramen runs was now neatly styled. The same dark eyes like a lake before a storm, deep and calm.
For a moment Yuu forgot how to breathe.
Ren looked up, their eyes met and time stopped.The people, the laughter, the noises all disappeared. Recognition flickered in Ren's gaze and left as quickly as it came . He looked back at his tablet.
"Of course" he continued, "our goal is not to erase your foundation's identity. Compassion and stability can coexist if guided properly."
Yuu forced his attention back to his notes but the words blurred. He heard his father's voice, the board members questions, the clinking of glasses but the world had narrowed down to the quiet space between them.
" Thank you Mr Nakamura, the board will review your proposal." Mr Takahashi said at the end of his presentation.
" Thank you Mr chairman" he said as he took his tablet and headed to his seat.
Yuu clenched his pen. Nakamura. So he still used his surname professionally.
When the room began to empty, Yuu lingered around pretending to be organizing his papers. He could hear Ren fixing his tablet back into its case.
" Ren " he said before he thought about what he had done. " It's been a long day" he added walking towards him.
"Has it ?" Ren said with a smile on his face. Not kind, not cruel but professional.
Then he walked past him as he left behind the scent of his cologne . Yuu stood alone in the glow of the boardroom lights. A smile on his face though it no longer reached his eyes.
The elevator chimmed in the marble corridor . Yuu stepped in first and just as he pressed the button for the lobby, another hand slid between the doors.
Ren.
The door closed with a hush sealing them in glass and chrome. " Still polite" he said as he stood beside him. Yuu laughed under his breath" and you are still dramatic? " Ren's mouth curved, almost " occupational hazard."
For a moment no one spoke,the sound of elevator cable and faint hum of air conditioning filled the silence. From the glass walls they could see the city, a scatter of rooftops and sunlight, the hospitals white wing stretching towards the sky.
Yuu found his voice first, " you didn't you tell me that you would hadle the company's account."
" It came through my department last month" Ren said. " I didn't think it mattered."
" It matters to me" Yuu said calmly but certain.
Ren looked at him steadily as though assessing" you still take everything personally?"
Yuu smiled as he always does when he gets hurt" you make it sound like a flaw"
" In business, it is a big flaw."
" I'm sure this place is not just business " Yuu shifted his gaze to Ren's reflection in the glass. "We treat people not numbers." Yuu added.
" Then maybe you shouldn't be in charge of numbers " Ren said as his jaw tightened.
The elevator chimmed again. The doors opened
to the lobby all marble and afternoon glow. Staff passed by, polite bows, quiet voices.
Ren readjusted his cuffs, " It was nice meeting you again ,Yuu."
" Was it?" the question flew out before realization set in.
Ren hesitated, eyes lowering like a heartbeat , something flickering there - then he turned, " take care."
He walked off leaving Yuu in the elevator as the door shut again.
Yuu exhaled slowly , forcing his shoulders to loosen. The foundation had hired the best. That was what everyone said.
He wondered,not for the first time what it would cost him this time to believe them.
He walked briskly into his car, thoughts of the cold hearted man filled his mind. The other thing on his mind was the fact that he was late during his second board meeting. He wondered if the board members would complain about his tardiness.
Ren's voice still lingered in his head, calm and practiced , every word measured.
The driver asked something , whether to take the expressway and Yuu nodded without listening. His gaze went back to the fading skyline , where the hospital tower stood against the light.
He smiled.Yuu always did but beneath that curve of his lips something small and aching kept whispering that even after these years he wanted to be seen.
Eight years. Or Seven.
" Welcome back" he murmured under his breath , the words meant for no one.
The sun was already beginning to set, soft gold washing over glass and steel.