All eyes around the table turned toward Chihiro at once.
She flinched slightly, the spoon in her hand freezing mid-air. Heat rushed up to her ears, spreading across her cheeks so fast she didn't know where to look anymore.
—What… what am I supposed to say now?
Her mind went completely blank.
Then—
"Hahaha!"
Laughter burst out, shattering the awkward silence like glass.
Takahashi laughed openly, his voice calm and confident, as if the situation had been under his control all along.
"I didn't expect Chihiro-san to use this kind of tactic."
He adjusted his glasses lightly, sharp eyes carrying just the right amount of teasing.
"Ordering the same dish as someone you want to approach—
it's a classic way to make conversations feel more natural."
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Looks like the two of us are… surprisingly compatible."
The entire table froze for a heartbeat.
"W-WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
Takahashi turned calmly, explaining as if he were in a strategy meeting.
"In marketing, creating a sense of similarity helps reduce psychological distance—especially with new clients."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Chihiro.
"That's why assigning her to the Marketing department makes perfect sense."
"…."
Chihiro sat there, her brain completely offline.
But when she looked up and met Takahashi's eyes—
He gave her a quick wink.
Just one. Barely noticeable.
—Ah…
He's helping me.
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
Then—
"…That actually makes sense."
Kenta nodded, resting his chin on his hand.
Aoi chuckled softly. "So it wasn't a coincidence after all. That's pretty subtle."
Yumi looked at Chihiro again, her expression noticeably warmer.
"Thinking about rapport-building on your very first day…
You really do suit marketing."
Chihiro stiffened.
"Ah— I didn't—"
"Don't be so modest."
Aoi waved her hand dismissively.
"In marketing, it's often the smallest details that reach people the most."
Hearing that, Chihiro lowered her head and nodded quietly, accepting the praise while still feeling dazed.
Her chest felt… a little lighter.
---
Afternoon – Back to Work
After lunch, the Marketing department quickly returned to its busy rhythm.
Chihiro followed Hana from reports to presentation slides, from content revisions to short client meetings.
At first, her hands trembled slightly whenever she spoke.
But—
"That idea works."
"We can develop it this way."
"Go on, keep explaining."
Each positive response slowly straightened her posture.
When Chihiro stood in front of the large screen, explaining her proposal, Takahashi sat at the back of the meeting room, fingers interlaced, eyes focused.
No unnecessary expressions.
No biased remarks.
Only when the presentation ended did applause fill the room.
Including his.
He didn't say anything.
But inside—
—She did better than I expected.
No… far better.
---
After Work
As Chihiro gathered her documents, several coworkers passed by, smiling.
"That presentation was solid."
"For a first day, that was impressive."
She bowed repeatedly, gratitude filling her chest.
If it weren't for Hana-san… I'd probably have been a mess.
Outside, rain had started pouring down.
"…Oh no."
Chihiro stood beneath the building's awning, watching heavy raindrops strike the pavement.
I forgot my umbrella.
She didn't pull out her phone.
She just stood there quietly.
One by one, employees left. Their voices faded beyond the glass doors.
The space around her felt emptier.
Chihiro exhaled softly.
My first day… I really did my best.
She had been praised.
She had been acknowledged.
And yet—
for some reason, her heart felt strangely hollow.
Reflections of streetlights stretched across the wet road, blurring her shadow.
She lowered her head, damp strands of hair sticking to her cheek.
Where… do I stand in my life right now?
It wasn't sadness.
Nor exactly loneliness.
Just a quiet, drifting feeling—
like standing among many people, yet not knowing where you belong.
Then—
"Chihiro."
She turned.
Takahashi stood there, holding an umbrella. One shoulder of his suit was already damp.
He took a slow breath.
"Do you want… to walk together?"
She looked at him for a few seconds.
Then nodded.
---
Under the Umbrella
They walked side by side, close enough not to touch—
yet not far enough to feel distant.
Rain tapped steadily against the umbrella.
Silence.
Too long.
Takahashi couldn't stand it anymore.
"…It's really coming down today, huh?"
He smiled awkwardly.
"Yeah."
Just one word.
His heart tightened.
But then—
"Thank you."
Her voice was soft, but clear.
"For… what?" he asked, turning toward her.
"For everything."
He paused, then smiled gently.
"I see."
"Mm."
When they reached the apartment building, Chihiro bowed once more, then slipped inside before he could say anything else.
The door closed.
Takahashi remained there, letting out a quiet breath.
"She must be exhausted today…"
A thought brushed against his heart—
—I want to be closer.
But I can't step forward.
---
On the Other Side of the Door
Warm water flowed down Chihiro's hair in the shower.
Scenes from the day replayed in her mind—
the lunch table, Takahashi's voice, his professional gaze.
"It's strange…
In front of everyone, he feels like a completely different person."
She placed a hand over her chest.
Later, lying on her bed, her body finally relaxed.
Her heartbeat was steady—slow, but unmistakable.
"…Do I really like him?"
The question echoed in the quiet room.
She suddenly snapped back to reality.
"No…
I can't let personal feelings affect my work."
She pulled the blanket up and turned away, forcing herself to sleep.
TING.
Her phone lit up.
Takahashi:
Make sure to keep warm. It's easy to catch a cold on rainy days.
Chihiro stared at the screen for a few seconds.
Then the corner of her lips curved upward.
"…Idiot."
Yet her fingers tightened around the phone just a little more.
---
END – Chapter 7