That morning, gentle sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains and fell across Takahashi's face, making him frown slightly.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Chihiro—leaning against the wall, arms crossed, calmly watching him as if she had been standing there for quite some time.
Chihiro:
"You're awake? You should get dressed already."
Her voice was light, yet it was enough to make Takahashi jolt and flush bright red. Flustered, he gathered his clothes, hurriedly pulling on his shirt and fumbling with the buttons as he muttered,
Takahashi:
"Um… about last night… I-I might've… gone a bit too far…"
Chihiro let out a soft laugh—not teasing, but gentle, as though everything had gone exactly as she expected.
Chihiro:
"I get it, I get it. You're worried, right? Afraid that we got… too close last night, and now you don't know how to feel?"
Takahashi's eyes widened, his face burning.
He didn't know how to answer.
Seeing his reaction, Chihiro continued, her voice calm, as if to ease the tension knotting his chest.
Chihiro:
"Don't blame yourself. I was the one who took the initiative. And I'm not the kind of person who does things without thinking."
She smiled, her gaze softening unexpectedly.
Chihiro:
"You just need to know one thing… I don't regret it."
Takahashi fell silent.
Inside his chest, hundreds of thoughts and emotions tangled together—confusion, gratitude, and a vague anxiety he couldn't quite put into words.
He glanced at the clock.
7:32 a.m.
Takahashi shot upright.
Takahashi:
"Crap… I'm going to be late!"
He hurriedly put back on the clothes from yesterday, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
Chihiro:
"Take care on your way."
The words were as light as the wind, yet they made Takahashi hesitate mid-step.
He turned around—
But Chihiro was simply standing there, leaning against the wall, wearing a faintly sad smile he couldn't understand.
And Chihiro…
When the door closed, she remained where she was, her hands slowly clenching together.
"…Maybe that was the last time I'll ever see him."
The thought echoed only within her heart.
---
Scene Change
Takahashi rushed into the office, slightly staggering. His hair was a mess, his shirt still not properly straightened.
Naomi:
"Eh?! Boss, you're late today! You're usually here early!"
Takahashi waved it off.
Takahashi:
"I just… overslept."
He didn't dare explain further, burying himself in paperwork as if it could drown out the chaos in his head.
---
Lunchtime
Takahashi opened his bag and reached into the small pocket for his wallet—
…only to find a white bento box neatly placed inside.
On top was a small sticky note, written in round, gentle handwriting:
"Make sure you eat properly."
Takahashi froze.
His throat tightened almost instantly.
He opened the lid.
Golden rolled omelet. Lightly seasoned grilled fish. Vegetables arranged with careful precision.
Every detail spoke of quiet thoughtfulness.
Takahashi bit his lip, lowering his head.
A single tear fell beside the bento box.
Takahashi (whispering):
"…So this is… what food made by a girl tastes like."
All his life, he had eaten out.
A warm lunch like this—he had never known it before.
He ate slowly, as if afraid that if he rushed, the warmth would disappear.
When he finished, he pulled out his phone, wanting to send Chihiro a message—even a simple thank-you would do.
But—
Takahashi:
"Wait…
No way.
DAMN IT! I never asked for her number!!"
The entire office stared as he jumped up like a madman.
He didn't care.
---
That Afternoon
Takahashi ran to the diner where they had met. His breathing was ragged as his eyes desperately searched for a familiar figure.
The owner spoke up:
"You're looking for Chihiro? She asked for time off starting yesterday. Said she was moving to another area. I don't know where she went either…"
Takahashi thanked her automatically and rushed out of the diner.
There was only one place left in his mind.
Chihiro's old apartment.
He ran through the streets, the chill of late afternoon cutting against his face—but it wasn't enough to slow him down.
Takahashi:
"Chihiro!!"
He stood in front of her room.
The door was slightly open. Unlocked.
Inside—
Nothing.
No furniture.
No trace of the soft scent he had caught just the night before.
Nothing that proved she had been there at all.
Only a cold, empty space.
Takahashi sank to the tiled floor, his hands clenched tightly.
Takahashi:
"…Where did you go…?"
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
In the darkness behind his eyelids, gentle moments replayed—
her faint smile, her calm voice, her slightly sad eyes, and the warmth of the lunchbox from earlier that day.
The sense of loss tightened painfully around his chest.
Slowly standing, Takahashi turned and walked away, his steps heavy, as if dragging the emptiness in his heart behind him.
And then, a light rain began to fall.
---
That evening, Takahashi dragged himself back to his apartment complex, his mood heavy as stone.
He couldn't focus on anything all day—the image of Chihiro's empty room looping endlessly in his mind.
Takahashi (sighing):
"Where… where are you now…?"
The hallway was quiet, bathed in dim yellow light that only deepened the loneliness.
He inserted his key into the lock and was about to turn it when—
Click.
The exact same sound came from the neighboring door at the same time.
Takahashi:
"Huh?"
He turned his head.
Standing there, her hand resting on the doorknob next door—
was Chihiro.
Both of them stared at each other as if they'd just seen a ghost.
Chihiro:
"Ehhhh…?"
Takahashi & Chihiro (together):
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?!?!?!"
---
End of Chapter 3