The perfume project had reached its most critical phase, and the team had been working tirelessly, staying late almost every night to finalize product designs and ensure every detail was perfected. The usually lively atmosphere had given way to exhaustion, the once-bustling office now filled with the quiet hum of keyboards and the occasional murmur of conversation.
Leaning back in her chair, Hana stretched her arms above her head, letting out a groan as her muscles protested the long hours spent hunched over her desk.
"I'm starving," she muttered, her voice carrying a hint of frustration as she rubbed her temple. Beside her, Chiaki chuckled, shaking her head as she glanced up from her own work. "You and your bottomless stomach," she teased, her tone light but her eyes filled with amusement. "Hey, thinking about perfume all day burns a lot of energy," Hana huffed, her tone defensive but her lips curving into a small smile.
Before Chiaki could respond, the office door swung open, drawing everyone's attention. To their surprise, Karina walked in, balancing several takeout bags in her arms with the ease of someone who was used to commanding attention. "I figured you all would be working late," she said casually, her voice carrying a hint of warmth as she placed the food on the table. "So, I brought dinner."
For a moment, the room fell silent, a few team members exchanging glances as they processed the unexpected kindness. Even Hana was a little shocked, her eyes widening as she stared at the spread of food. Sohei, on the other hand, remained completely indifferent, barely sparing Karina a glance as he continued to focus on his work. He had been quiet all evening, his mood noticeably off ever since Hana had teased him about being jealous of Shun. She hadn't expected him to react as strongly as he did—he hadn't denied it, but he hadn't exactly admitted it either. And now, she couldn't stop thinking about it.
As the team began setting up dinner, unpacking containers of rice, grilled meats, and soup, the lights above them suddenly flickered. The room was plunged into darkness, the sudden shift leaving everyone momentarily disoriented. A few startled gasps filled the air, the sound of chairs scraping against the floor as people tried to adjust to the sudden lack of light.
"Oh my God," Hana blurted, clutching the edge of the table as her heart raced. "What just happened?"
"Relax," Sohei's voice cut through the dark, calm and unbothered. "Probably just a power trip." A few seconds later, dim emergency lights flickered on, casting a soft, hazy glow over the room. Hana shivered slightly, her nerves still on edge. She wasn't exactly scared, but the sudden shift in the atmosphere made her uneasy. The lack of visibility, the unfamiliar hush that had settled over the usually buzzing office—it was unsettling.
Then, she felt it. A warm hand brushed against her arm, the sudden contact making her breath hitch. "Hey," Sohei's voice was closer than she expected, his tone soft and steady. She turned her head sharply, barely making out his silhouette in the dim light. When did he get so close?
"You okay?" he asked, his voice quieter now, as if they were the only two people in the room. Hana swallowed, her heart pounding as she nodded.
"Y-Yeah. Just got a shock." A low chuckle rumbled from him, and she felt his presence lean in slightly. "Figured. You screamed pretty loud." Hana gasped, her cheeks flushing as she swatted at his arm.
"I did NOT scream!" "You kinda did," he teased, his tone light but his words carrying a hint of amusement that made her stomach flutter.
"I hate you," she muttered, though there was no real bite to her words. "You like me," he shot back effortlessly, his voice low and teasing. Her breath caught, her heart skipping a beat as his words hung in the air. He had said it so casually, so naturally, but somehow, it didn't feel like a joke. Before she could even come up with a proper retort, the lights flickered back on, the sudden brightness making her blink.
Sohei took a small step back, acting like nothing had happened. But Hana couldn't ignore the lingering warmth where his hand had touched her, the memory of his closeness sending a shiver down her spine.
By the time the team finished for the night, the exhaustion was undeniable, but Hana was eager to finally head home. She was sorting through some papers at her desk when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "Hana." She turned, blinking up at him. "Yeah?" Sohei stood before her, hands stuffed casually into his pockets, his expression unreadable. There was something different in his eyes, something that made her pulse quicken before he even spoke.
"Want to grab dinner?" he asked, his tone casual but his gaze steady as he waited for her response. Hana froze, her brain trying to process his words. "…We just ate some after the blackout," she pointed out, her voice tinged with confusion.
Sohei shrugged, his lips curving into a small smile. "I meant real dinner. Something proper and filling."
She stared at him, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of what was happening. Was he… asking her out? Her heart stuttered, her mouth opening before she could think.
"I—uh—sure." Sohei's lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile, his eyes lighting up in a way that made her stomach flip. "Good. Let's go." And as she grabbed her bag and followed him out of the office, Hana couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, her heart racing as she wondered what the night would bring.
*****
Sohei drove them to a quiet ramen shop, a small, hidden place tucked away in an alley that was lined with paper lanterns glowing softly in the evening light. The shop had a comforting warmth to it, the kind of place that felt like a well-kept secret, with its wooden beams, low-hanging lights, and the rich, savory scent of broth and fresh noodles wafting through the air.
Hana felt instantly at ease as they stepped inside, the cozy atmosphere wrapping around her like a warm blanket. "This place is cute," she murmured, glancing around at the rustic interior, her eyes taking in the small details—the handwritten menu on the wall, the mismatched bowls stacked neatly behind the counter, the faint hum of conversation from the few patrons scattered around the room.
Sohei led her to a small table near the back, his movements casual but his presence commanding in a way that made her heart flutter. "They have the best ramen in the city," he said as they took their seats, his tone confident but his eyes soft as he watched her reaction.
Hana turned to him, curious. "You come here often?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of wonder as she studied him. Sohei rested his arms on the table, his posture relaxed but his gaze steady as he nodded.
"Yeah," he said simply. "It's my go-to when I want good food without dealing with crowds." There was something strangely intimate about that—knowing this was a place where Sohei escaped from the world, a place he had chosen to share with her. Hana felt a warmth spread through her chest, her fingers fidgeting slightly as she tried to process the significance of the moment.
As they waited for their food, she twirled her chopsticks between her fingers, her mind racing as she sneaked a glance at him. "Sohei…" she began, her voice soft but carrying a weight that made him look up. "Hm?" he responded, his tone casual but his eyes sharp as he waited for her to continue.
She hesitated, her heart pounding as she tried to find the right words. "Why did you invite me out?" she asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper. Sohei raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a small smirk. "Do I need a reason?" he countered, his tone light but his gaze steady as he watched her. Hana pursed her lips, her cheeks flushing slightly as she shook her head. "No, but…" she started, her voice trailing off as she struggled to articulate her thoughts.
A small chuckle escaped him as he leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table as he studied her. "You're overthinking again," he said, his tone teasing but his words carrying a hint of fondness that made her stomach flip.
"I am not," she huffed, her voice defensive but her lips twitching into a small smile. He tilted his head, his smirk widening as he said, "Yeah, you are." Then, in a quieter voice, he added, "I just wanted to spend time with you."
Hana's heart skipped, her breath catching in her throat as his words hung in the air. Before she could even process a response, their ramen arrived, the steaming bowls placed in front of them with a quiet efficiency that broke the tension. "Eat," Sohei said, grinning as he handed her a pair of chopsticks, his tone light but his eyes filled with a warmth that made her chest ache. Hana accepted them in a daze, her mind still reeling as she tried to piece together his words. But before she could even take a bite, Sohei leaned over, resting his elbow on the table as he watched her closely, his gaze sharp but his expression soft.
"What?" she asked, her voice wary as she noticed the amused glint in his eyes. "You're blushing," he noted, his smirk widening as he pointed out the obvious. Hana nearly choked on her noodles, her cheeks burning as she tried to come up with a response. "I—it's just hot in here!" she sputtered, fanning her face dramatically in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. Sohei chuckled, his voice laced with amusement as he leaned back in his seat. "Sure," he said, his tone light but his eyes filled with a knowing glint that made her stomach flip.
Hana scowled and took another bite, mostly to avoid talking. Her heart was racing, and she tried to ignore how his gaze lingered on her. He was so annoying—yet somehow, she liked this version of him.