Morning at the Apartment Complex
Morning at the apartment complex passed in its usual quiet rhythm.
The steady sound of running water echoed softly from a bathroom.
The faint clink of a toothbrush tapping against a sink.
In two neighboring apartments, two different people were preparing for the same destination—without realizing it.
And then, as the doors opened at nearly the same moment—
"…!"
"…Ah—"
They came face to face in the narrow hallway.
Takahashi froze for half a second before instinctively pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, as if that alone could hide his flustered expression.
"G-good… good morning!"
His voice came out slightly higher than usual.
Chihiro stopped in her tracks, her gaze wavering for just a moment. She turned her face away and cleared her throat softly.
"…Good morning."
The reply was short and restrained—
yet the tips of her ears had already turned red without her noticing.
They locked their doors at the same time.
They walked toward the elevator side by side.
No words followed.
But the silence between them was no longer uncomfortable—
it felt more like a small, ordinary hesitation, the kind shared by people still unsure of how close they were allowed to stand.
---
On the Morning Train
Rush hour.
The train was crowded, yet somehow, two empty seats remained—right next to each other.
Takahashi sat stiffly upright, hands neatly placed on his thighs.
Chihiro stared intently at her phone, pretending to be completely absorbed in whatever was on the screen.
"..."
—Should I say something…?
—Today is her first day, after all…
After taking a few deep breaths, Takahashi finally opened his mouth—
"Chihiro, today—"
"Ehhh~?"
Chihiro didn't lift her eyes from her phone, but her voice softened in an oddly teasing way.
"If you're a senior manager, you shouldn't casually start conversations with a new employee during work hours, you know?"
She tilted her head slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Isn't that right, Manager~~~~?"
"…!"
Takahashi stiffened for a full three seconds.
"…I'm sorry."
He turned his gaze toward the train window, letting out a quiet sigh.
Chihiro's smile widened just a little—yet her eyes softened, losing their playful edge.
Ten minutes later, the train arrived at their stop.
They stepped off together, still maintaining just enough distance—
like an unspoken agreement neither of them dared to break.
---
Morning – Seiko Corporation
Chihiro stood in front of the door labeled Marketing & Communications.
She took a deep breath.
—It's fine… it's just the first day…
Yet the hand gripping her bag strap trembled slightly.
The glass door slid open automatically.
Cool air brushed against her skin, carrying with it the faint scent of coffee.
The space inside was wide and open.
Sunlight poured in through large windows, illuminating rows of desks.
Keyboards clacked in steady rhythms, printers hummed, and somewhere nearby, voices discussed campaign deadlines for the coming week.
A busy world—
one that felt unfamiliar.
For a moment, Chihiro felt like she had stepped into a place where everyone else already belonged…
and she was the only newcomer.
"Chihiro-san, please follow me."
Hana, the team leader, turned back with a warm smile.
"Y-yes!"
"This is Aki, in charge of content."
"This is Kenta, our designer."
"And this is Yumi, campaign management."
Each of them had a different presence.
Each of them moved at a different pace.
Chihiro bowed deeply.
"N-nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you!"
Aki smiled brightly. "Don't be so nervous. Everyone's like that on their first day."
Kenta nodded. "If you don't understand something, just ask."
Those simple words eased the tension in Chihiro's shoulders—just a little.
---
Her First Desk
Chihiro's desk sat near the window.
A computer, a notebook, and a small nameplate were already prepared.
Chihiro Mizuno – Marketing & Communications
She stared at it for a few seconds.
—From today on… I'm really starting over.
Aki pulled up a chair beside her.
"Just read through the company materials and past campaigns this morning. Take your time getting used to things."
"Yes!"
Chihiro powered on the computer.
On her first login attempt, she mistyped the password.
"…!"
An error message appeared.
Her face flushed.
"Oh, you need to add @seiko at the end."
Kenta's voice came from behind her.
"Th-thank you!"
It was a small thing.
But it made her realize—
she wasn't alone here.
---
At the Same Time – Takahashi's Office
The door was shut.
Takahashi sat at his desk, documents spread out before him.
Yet his eyes kept drifting toward the clock.
09:15
—She should be settling into her department around now…
He shook his head and lightly tapped his cheek.
"Focus."
An hour later.
10:58
—I wonder if she's keeping up…
He stood up—
CLACK!
Naomi appeared, carrying a stack of documents tall enough to hide half her face.
"Boss—! Can you help me with these?"
"…Put them on the desk."
THUD.
Takahashi stared at the pile, screaming internally—
while keeping his expression perfectly composed.
---
Lunch Break – Marketing Department
The lunch chime echoed throughout the office.
TING—
Chihiro flinched slightly and lifted her head from the screen.
She glanced at the clock and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"…Finally."
The morning had passed faster than she expected.
Her hands still trembled slightly when typing, but with everyone's help, she had managed to finish her assigned tasks.
She stood up and adjusted her skirt.
Her gaze drifted across the office as coworkers began chatting and standing up in groups.
She hesitated.
—Should I eat alone…?
Just then—
"Chihiro!"
A woman's voice called out.
She turned to see Aoi, a friendly senior colleague, smiling warmly.
"Have you had lunch yet? If not, come with us!"
"Eh…?"
Before she could respond, another voice joined in.
"Yeah, it's your first day. Let's eat together!"
"The cafeteria's karaage is really good today."
Chihiro bowed slightly, gripping her bag strap.
"Um… if it's not a bother…"
Aoi waved her hand dismissively.
"Of course not. Let's go!"
---
Company Cafeteria
Takahashi entered, tray in hand, scanning the room for an empty seat.
Then—
"Takahashi-san!"
Aoi waved enthusiastically.
"Come eat with us!"
There were seven people at the table.
And only one empty seat—
Right next to Chihiro.
She kept her head down, focused on her food, but her ears had already turned red.
"…Then, excuse me."
He sat down.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
Aoi grinned mischievously.
"Is it just me, or does the cafeteria feel… unusually warm today?"
Chihiro lightly nudged the table leg.
Takahashi cleared his throat.
What should have been an ordinary lunch—
became a memory neither of them would forget for a long time.
The atmosphere slowly grew lively.
Aoi chatted about office gossip, Kenta complained about deadlines while eating, and laughter mixed with the clatter of trays.
After his initial awkwardness, Takahashi relaxed a little.
He listened quietly, occasionally nodding—his gaze unconsciously drifting toward Chihiro.
Then he froze.
"…Huh?"
His eyes landed on the tray in front of her.
Curry rice, a soft-boiled egg, and karaage.
Exactly the same as his.
Not just similar.
Identical.
Aoi noticed first. She tilted her head, comparing the trays, eyes widening.
"Wait—"
She pointed.
"You two… ordered the same thing?"
Takahashi & Chihiro:
"...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
---
End of Chapter 5
---