Seiko Company Office
The rapid clacking of keyboards filled the room like heavy rain. Cold white neon lights shone down over the rows of desks. It was the end of the day—tired, dragging—but carrying a faint sense of release.
Takahashi signed the last stack of documents and leaned back in his chair.
"At long last, I'm done!!"
His voice made a few coworkers lift their heads.
Hana, the cheerful young employee, leaned on the back of his chair with a grin.
"Hey, boss, wanna go drinking with us? You look like a zombie today."
Before he could answer, Naomi chimed in from the next desk:
"Yeah, come on. We rarely finish this early."
Takahashi shrugged in defeat.
"Ugh… all right, all right. I'll go."
Naomi immediately propped her chin on her hand, giving him a sly look.
"Rumor says you're almost 27 and still single, right~?"
"T-that's enough! Let's just go already!"
Takahashi's face turned as red as a ripe tomato.
The entire office burst into laughter, the earlier tension melting into warm chatter.
---
At Seiryu Diner – Chiyoda District
Nighttime Chiyoda was always lively. Neon signs glowed bright, their reflections shimmering on the wet pavement.
Seiryu Diner—famous for great food at friendly prices—was packed with people. The smell of grilled meat, spices, and warm sake drifted through the room, a stark contrast to the cold, sterile office.
The team settled around a long table.
"Order whatever you want. It's on me tonight."
The moment Takahashi said that, the staff shouted in unison:
"Yeaaah!!"
Laughter echoed across the table.
Arashi, already flushed from drinking too fast, pointed at Takahashi.
"So, boss, when are you getting yourself a girlfriend? Hurry up or you'll be single forever!"
A couple of the female coworkers teased him too:
"Wait, don't tell me the boss is still… pure, hmm~?"
Takahashi immediately lowered his head into his dessert bowl as if it were the only escape in the world.
And then—
Soft footsteps approached.
A girl stepped out from the kitchen with a tray of food.
The warm yellow lighting fell across her hair, making it shine like silk. When she lifted her gaze, her gentle brown eyes met Takahashi's.
Time stopped.
Takahashi froze.
"Eh…?"
Her eyes widened in equal surprise. Her lips trembled slightly.
"Taka…hashi?"
"Chi… Chihiro…?"
He choked on his own voice; his heart pounded so loudly it felt audible.
The bustle of the busy diner faded away, leaving only her silhouette.
She—
The girl he secretly admired throughout three years of high school.
The girl he thought he would never see again.
Chihiro blinked once, then smiled gently—a smile he thought he had forgotten, but had only been sleeping in his memory.
"It's been a while."
Just those simple words made heat rush all over his body.
His coworkers exploded instantly:
"WHAT!? Boss, you've been hiding a gorgeous girlfriend!?"
"How could you keep this from us, seriously!?"
"H-she's not my girlfriend! Will you all just shut up!?"
Takahashi yelped frantically.
Chihiro giggled softly—almost as if she were teasing him.
She set the tray down in front of him.
"Here, your order."
Then she turned and walked back toward the kitchen, her long hair swaying behind her.
Takahashi sat in a daze.
For the rest of the night, his heart refused to calm down.
---
On the way home
After dinner, the night wind cooled the lingering heat of alcohol and laughter.
Takahashi had just stepped outside when—
"Wait for me!"
He turned.
Chihiro was hurrying toward him, her light jacket fluttering, her breath forming small white clouds in the cold air.
"Chihiro? You're off work already?"
The streetlight above cast a glow on her face, making it bright and—beautiful enough for Takahashi to swallow hard.
"She's… way prettier than she used to be…"
Noticing his gaze, Chihiro's lips curved mischievously.
"What are you staring at like that?"
"A-ahhem. Nothing."
He turned away, ears burning.
They walked side by side down the quiet street, reminiscing about their school days.
Chihiro laughed every time they recalled his silly mistakes—especially the time he accidentally saw her changing in the clubroom.
"I told you that was an accident!"
Takahashi's face burned with pure embarrassment.
Chihiro was still laughing when she suddenly stopped.
The wind rustled the leaves above them.
She turned to him—her eyes calm, but deep enough to drown in.
"…Are you still a virgin?"
Takahashi froze.
"W-well… I'm not really the dating type…"
"If that's the case… your coworkers are going to tease you forever."
Her voice was gentle—yet carried something else.
"I can deal with it."
He forced a smile, stuffing his hands into his pockets, gaze drifting away.
For some reason, that expression made Chihiro look at him longer.
After a moment, she asked—her tone suddenly serious:
"Takahashi… do you want to become a real man?"
The wind paused.
The night tightened around them.
Takahashi went completely still, eyes widening.
"W-what… what did you just… say…?"
Under the moonlight, Chihiro stood there—familiar yet distant, safe yet dangerously alluring.
And the silence between them seemed ready to break into something neither of them could take back.
---
End of Chapter 1
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