The morning in the apartment complex was alive with its usual noise.
Doors creaked open, hurried footsteps echoed down the halls, and the elevator rattled up and down endlessly. Chihiro locked her door, adjusted the strap of her bag, and paused for a moment—
The door to the neighboring apartment remained quietly shut.
"…."
She froze for a heartbeat.
"He should have already left by now…"
A soft breeze drifted along the corridor, making the hairs on her arms stand on end. Shaking off the thought, she turned and stepped into the elevator.
"Stop overthinking. Just go to work!" she whispered to herself.
Seiko Building
Morning The lobby buzzed more than usual. Employees gathered in small groups, chatting about the morning meeting, while the scent of coffee lingered in the air from the pantry.
"Good morning, Chihiro-san~"
Aoi waved cheerfully from across the room.
"Good morning, ma'am," Chihiro replied, smiling faintly.
"I heard the management is attending our meeting today. That's nerve-wracking!"
"…Yes."
Her gaze flickered unconsciously toward the elevator reserved for managers. Takahashi wasn't there.
Marketing & Communications Department
The office was almost full. Projectors were running, documents scattered across desks. Hana stood by the whiteboard, checking the agenda.
"Today, Chihiro, you'll present the market share section."
"W-what?!"
Aki nudged her gently. "Relax. You've got this."
Chihiro took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The Presentation
The first slide appeared: revenue charts, market numbers, competitor analysis.
Her voice trembled slightly at the beginning, but she quickly found her rhythm.
"As you can see, this segment is showing consistent growth—"
She adjusted to the gazes of everyone in the room.
But—
Her eyes involuntarily glanced at the manager's row.
Takahashi's chair was empty.
"…."
Her heart sank slightly.
He… really isn't coming, is he?
"Therefore, we can increase our digital marketing efforts for the next quarter…"
Her voice never wavered. Professional, steady, and surprisingly confident even to herself.
The meeting ended.
"Well done."
"Much better than last time."
"Clear analysis."
Compliments floated around the room. Chihiro bowed repeatedly, cheeks flushing with modesty.
Back at her desk, she picked up her phone.
The familiar chat screen lit up.
"…."
She hesitated for a few seconds before typing.
Chihiro:
Are you taking the day off today?
Her heart pounded faster than usual.
Lunch in the Cafeteria
Chihiro sat with Hana, Aoi, and a few others.
"You did well presenting on your first day."
"Yeah, I was nervous just watching you."
"You really fit in with this department."
Chihiro smiled shyly. "I still have a lot to learn…"
The clinking of trays, quiet chatter, and the smell of hot food created a warm, casual atmosphere.
She ate carefully, listening to stories about recent projects.
"…By the way," Kenta said, chewing a piece of karaage, "I heard Takahashi-san is taking a day off today."
Chihiro froze.
Her chopsticks paused midair for just a second—but enough for her to realize.
Aoi tilted her head.
"Yes, Hana mentioned this morning. Seems he had a pretty high fever and decided to rest for the day."
"Even Boss Takahashi gets sick?" another colleague laughed softly. "He always seems so composed and sharp."
"I heard he worked late last night. Must be the pressure catching up."
The ordinary conversation somehow landed heavily on Chihiro's mind.
She looked down at her meal.
"A fever… I wonder if he's okay at home. Has he eaten anything? Or is he just overworking and falling sick again?"
The thought startled her.
"…Why am I thinking about this?"
She shook her head gently, pulling herself back to the present, and resumed eating.
Yet, the strange, nameless feeling lingered.
She gripped her chopsticks a little tighter.
Aoi glanced at her. "Mizuno-san, are you okay? Doesn't taste right?"
"Ah—no, it's nothing," Chihiro replied, forcing a small smile.
"Just… thinking about something."
She lowered her gaze and continued eating, though her chest felt slightly heavy with emotion.
Takahashi's Apartment
Takahashi lay sprawled across his bed like a lump of cloth.
His hair was messy, glasses slid down his nose, and a fever patch was crooked on his forehead. His pajama collar gaped open, revealing a figure both exhausted and pitiful.
"cough… cough…"
He coughed, pulling the blanket up to his chin.
"…Getting old, huh."
He muttered under his breath but fumbled for his phone. The message from Chihiro still glowed on the screen. He stared at it for a moment, then cracked a faint smile.
"…She'd probably laugh if she knew I'm like this."
Despite his words, his eyes softened.
He typed slowly, his mind spinning:
Takahashi:
Just a slight fever, so I'm taking the day off. I'm fine!
He sent it and exhaled deeply, rolling over—accidentally knocking the thermometer onto the floor.
"…."
He stared at it lying there, silent for a few moments.
"…Never mind."
Then he pulled the blanket over his head again, resembling a child hiding from the world.
Afternoon – Back to Work
After lunch, Chihiro returned to her desk.
She set down her tea, adjusted her chair, and booted up her computer. The lively chatter in the office gradually faded, leaving the familiar rhythm of work.
Her phone buzzed lightly.
Chihiro paused, picking it up.
A message from Takahashi.
Takahashi:
I'm taking the day off. Just a slight fever, nothing serious.
She stared at the screen for a few moments.
"…Then that's good."
Her lips pressed together softly. The worry from earlier melted slightly. At least it wasn't serious…
She locked the screen, placed the phone beside her notebook, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Alright… let's get back to work!"
Her fingers tapped steadily, more confidently than before.
Though her mind still lingered slightly elsewhere, a lightness had returned to her chest.
Before she realized it, the afternoon had already slid into the end of the workday.
Rain was falling again as Chihiro stepped into the lobby.
Heavy droplets splashed against the ground, reflecting the streetlights into little glimmers that danced across the wet pavement.
Chihiro let out a soft "ah", then pulled the small folding umbrella from her bag.
Click.
The umbrella popped open, cutting off her view of the sky. She descended the steps, merging with the crowd of commuters hurrying through the rain.
The patter of raindrops on the umbrella was steady, almost hypnotic.
Chihiro slowed her pace.
…For some reason, Takahashi's face appeared in her mind.
"He said it's just a mild fever…"
She recalled his message from lunchtime.
"But… a man living alone with a fever probably won't bother eating properly…"
Chihiro furrowed her brows.
"No, I'm overthinking it," she told herself, quickening her steps a little.
After all, he was the boss. And… it wasn't really her business.
Yet after only a few steps, she slowed again.
"…But… maybe just stopping by wouldn't hurt."
She bit her lip gently.
"The other day, he gave me a ride home in the rain… I just want to return the favor."
Chihiro gripped the umbrella tightly.
The rain continued, relentless, with no sign of stopping.
She paused in the middle of the path for a moment, letting the people rush past on either side.
"…Alright then—"
She exhaled quietly.
"Just bring some food. Say a few words, then leave. Don't think too much."
Once decided, her steps became steadier, more determined.
The umbrella tilted slightly in the wind, revealing her face—calm, yet with a tiny flicker of hesitation that made it real and human.
---
Evening – A Small Decision
Back home, Chihiro changed clothes and tied her hair up.
The small kitchen was bathed in warm light. A pot of porridge simmered slowly on the stove.
"…It's just helping, nothing more."
She reassured herself.
---
In front of Takahashi's door
The hallway was silent. Warm yellow light spilled onto the floor.
Knock knock.
The door opened.
Chihiro stood there.
Simple coat. Thermal bag in hand. Expression calm, eyes steady.
"…Hello, Takahashi-san."
Takahashi froze.
"…Chihiro?"
He looked her up and down, then glanced at himself—disheveled and bedraggled.
"…Wait, I—"
Chihiro held out the bag in front of him, her voice even:
"I made some porridge. I thought it would be easier for you to eat while you're sick."
No exaggerated emotions. No blushing. No awkwardness.
Just… matter-of-fact, as if she were handing over a document at work.
Takahashi took the bag, his hands trembling slightly—whether from fever or a racing heart, he couldn't tell.
"…Th-thank… you!"
His voice was hoarse.
Chihiro nodded lightly.
"Eat it while it's still warm. Take your medicine on time. Don't work while you're sick."
She turned and left as neatly as she had arrived.
"I'm heading back now."
"…Wait, Chihiro!"
Takahashi called after her, but when she glanced back, he found himself at a loss for words.
"…Ah…" "…No… never mind."
She paused for a second, nodded gently, then the door clicked shut.
The hallway fell silent again.
Takahashi stood there for a moment, then bent down to look at the bag of porridge.
"…Seriously… what the heck…!?"
He set the bag on the table and lifted the lid.
Steam rose, filling the small, cold apartment with a warm, comforting aroma.
He sat down, spoon in hand.
One bite.
Then another.
He didn't speak. Just ate, with full attention, as if afraid to let the moment slip away.
"…Delicious…"
He smiled to himself, a goofy, boyish smile of a man slightly sick but cared for.
---
Inside Chihiro's apartment
The door closed behind her, and her small room returned to its usual quiet.
She leaned against the door, exhaling softly.
For some reason, the image of standing in front of Takahashi's door kept replaying in her mind—followed by the imagined scene inside his apartment.
Clothes scattered everywhere. Papers left haphazardly on the desk. A man living alone… and sick.
Chihiro frowned.
"…I wonder if he even knows how to take care of himself."
She walked a few steps into the room and sat on the edge of her bed.
Her heart skipped a beat.
—Am I caring too much?
—It's just porridge… isn't it?
She bit her lip, staring down at her hands.
Time stretched strangely. Silence lingered, leaving her thoughts tangled and unresolved.
"…Ha…"
Chihiro stood abruptly.
"Just… consider it paying back what he did the other day."
---
Inside Takahashi's apartment
He finished the last spoonful of porridge and set the bowl down.
Leaning back in his chair, he let out a long, satisfied sigh.
"Seriously… this is too much…"
He looked at the empty bowl and smiled foolishly.
Chihiro's porridge… really is the best.
The warmth spread from his stomach to his chest, easing the fatigue that had built up from the mild fever.
Then—
Tap tap.
Takahashi froze.
"…Who's there?"
He got up and opened the door.
As the door swung open—
His pupils constricted.
"Ch—Chihiro...!?"
END
---