The hallway on the seventh floor of Higashi Engineering Corporation stretched long and polished, the gleam of the floor mirroring the overhead lights. Glass panels lined one side, revealing meeting rooms and partitioned offices, their interiors bathed in the cool glow of morning light. The murmur of conversation, the distant buzz of a printer, and the rhythmic tapping of heels echoed softly through the corridor were a familiar orchestra of a company beginning another busy day.
Hasegawa walked with an easy, almost languid pace, a tablet tucked securely under his left arm while his right hand rested in his pocket. His shirt cuffs were rolled just slightly back, his tie a perfect knot against his crisp white shirt. Though his outward appearance radiated calm professionalism, his mind was already sifting through any possible procurement question from Ando-san, the Procurement Deputy Manager.
And then, without warning, her figure appeared ahead.
Uehara Sora.
She walked toward him from the opposite end, her beige skirt swaying slightly with each careful step, her blouse soft and feminine, and her light brown hair half-tied back neatly.
As always, her smile was warm, the kind that lit up her eyes when she spoke.
"Good morning, Hasegawa-san," Sora greeted, her voice sweet and polite, accompanied by a slight, graceful bow.
Hasegawa's lips curved into a faint smile, the one he wore easily when walking the office floor. He returned the bow, just enough to match her courtesy.
"Good morning, Uehara-san."
Their eyes met only briefly—no lingering, no sign of personal familiarity—just the poised exchange of two coworkers crossing paths.
He continued on without slowing.
But after only a few steps, he heard it.
"Hasegawa-san…"
Soft. Hesitant.
He paused mid-step, a barely noticeable break in his stride, before slowly turning his head over his shoulder. Sora stood a few meters behind, her fingers nervously clutching the small folder she carried, her expression uncertain.
She took a step closer, then another, until they stood just within private speaking distance in the open hallway. No one around them—just white, cold walls.
"Hasegawa-san," Sora began again, her voice lowered so only he could hear. "Is… is there something wrong?" She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes flicking up briefly before dropping again. "It's just… it's been a while since you replied to my messages. And you haven't come by."
There was a fragile vulnerability in the way she said it, like she was balancing carefully between wanting to ask and fearing the answer.
Hasegawa let out a small chuckle, light but quiet, the kind that softened the sharpness of his otherwise composed face.
"What are you talking about, Uehara-san?" he replied, tilting his head slightly with a touch of amusement. "We just talked on the phone earlier, remember?"
For a moment, Sora's lips pressed together, her brow creasing faintly. "That phone call… was about work," she said softly, her voice almost disappearing at the end.
Hasegawa gave a small nod, as though thoughtfully agreeing.
"That's true. Lately, it feels like we can't escape work, can we? It eats up everything—even our personal time." He spoke with an easy calm, his eyes holding hers just long enough to seem genuine, though his expression remained unreadable beneath the practiced layers of his professional mask.
Without missing a beat, he smoothly shifted gears, his posture straightening slightly.
"By the way, Uehara-san… is Tohma-san in his office? I need to talk to him about the payment terms. Morikita-san's making a fuss over it again."
There was a flicker in Sora's face—a smile, gentle but thin, a smile that barely concealed the shadow of sadness behind it.
She tucked her folder closer to her chest. "Yes… he's in."
"Oh, great! Thanks," Hasegawa said, his voice light.
But just as he turned to leave, he leaned the slightest bit closer, lowering his voice in a near-whisper that only she could catch.
"I know you miss me." His lips tugged into a faint grin, one that flickered like a trick of light. "I'll find some time for you. Promise."
Sora's breath caught for a second, but before she could form a reply, Hasegawa was already walking away, his steps unhurried, the sound of his polished shoes blending back into the rhythm of the hallway.
She stood there for a moment longer, shoulders drawn in slightly, watching his retreating figure. Her fingers tightened just briefly on the edge of the folder she held, and a soft sigh slipped from her lips.