10:02 PM
The lights on the top floor office were still on.
Takahashi checked his email one last time, closed the laptop, then leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath. Beyond the glass window, the city had already lit up at some point—streams of light stretching endlessly into the distance.
Just as he stood up, his phone vibrated.
Hana-san.
"…Hello, I'm listening."
Hana's voice on the other end sounded slightly subdued, mixed with the familiar clamor of an izakaya.
> "Takahashi-kun, could I ask you for a favor?"
He paused for a beat.
> "Chihiro… seems to have drunk a bit too much. She's not really sober anymore."
Takahashi frowned, a familiar image immediately surfacing in his mind.
He exhaled softly, his voice gentler.
"Send me the address. I'll be there right away."
---
The izakaya Kogane Sakaba sat on a narrow street, warm yellow light spilling out from behind fabric curtains printed with faded Japanese characters. Laughter and chatter filled the air, mingling with the smell of grilled food and hot sake.
The moment Takahashi stepped inside, he spotted Chihiro.
She was sitting in the middle of the table, cheeks flushed, clutching a small cup with both hands.
> "I'm fiiine~ just… just one more glass~"
"You can't, Chihiro-san!"
Wakari hurriedly grabbed her hand.
"Aoi, hold her on that side!"
"Hana-san said you're not allowed to drink anymore!"
Chihiro tilted her head, her eyes unfocused, no longer able to properly fix on anyone.
> "…I didn't even drink that much…"
Her voice trailed off, drawn out—half pitiful, half amusing.
"Chihiro."
Takahashi's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough.
She blinked several times, taking a moment to recognize the person standing in front of her.
> "…Takahashi-san…?"
She smiled foolishly.
"Hehe… you really came…"
His heart sank slightly.
He knew her alcohol tolerance was bad.
He knew it very well.
And he also knew—if he waited any longer, she wouldn't be able to get home on her own.
When Takahashi bent down to help Chihiro up, she staggered and leaned fully into him.
He clearly felt her warm breath brush against his collar, her hand unconsciously gripping the sleeve of his suit.
For a brief moment, he held his breath.
Cold…?
In a place like this?
Or was it… because she was leaning on someone she shouldn't be?
He took off his jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders, slow and careful.
"Let's go."
---
At another table, Naomi was leaning back against her chair, her face flushed from alcohol.
Takahashi glanced at her, hesitating for a second.
"Naomi, do you want me to call you a taxi?"
Naomi blinked, as if snapping back to herself.
She waved her hand with an awkward smile.
> "No, it's fine."
"I… I can get a taxi myself."
Then she tilted her head toward Chihiro, her voice softening.
> "Please take Chihiro-san home first, Takahashi-senpai."
Kenta, sitting beside her, immediately spoke up.
"Then I'll take Naomi home—"
"No!"
Naomi cut him off, so quickly that even she froze for a moment.
"…I mean… I'm fine."
The atmosphere stalled slightly.
Hana watched the scene in silence, then let out a small sigh and patted Takahashi on the shoulder.
"Please take care of her, Takahashi-kun."
He nodded.
As he guided Chihiro outside, laughter and voices still echoed behind them.
But for Takahashi, in that moment—
all that remained was the faint weight leaning against his arm,
and an unease he couldn't put into words.
---
Seika Heights Apartment – 10:48 PM
The taxi stopped in front of Seika Heights, yellow streetlights reflecting off the slightly wet pavement from the evening rain. Takahashi paid the fare, opened the door, and looked down at Chihiro leaning against the back seat—her hair a little messy, her face flushed from alcohol.
"Chihiro… we're here."
"…Mm…"
She mumbled something unintelligible, her body going limp as he helped her out. Her arms reflexively looped around his neck, her breath brushing against his cheek, making Takahashi freeze for half a second.
"S'cold…"
Her voice was tiny, barely dissolving into the night air.
Takahashi swallowed, instinctively pulling her a little closer, using his body to block the wind. His heartbeat slipped out of rhythm—not because of alcohol, but because that familiar feeling was returning.
---
12th Floor Hallway
The hallway lights glowed softly. As Takahashi supported Chihiro in front of the elevator, he asked,
"Where's your room key?"
Chihiro tilted her head, eyes hazy.
"Huh… what key?"
"…Your apartment key."
She stayed silent for a few seconds, then giggled.
"I dunno… probably hid it somewhere."
"…Seriously."
Takahashi sighed. With no other choice, he crouched slightly.
"Hold on tight."
"Mm~"
Chihiro obediently wrapped her arms around his neck. When he carried her on his back, the familiar weight tightened his chest—worry, helplessness, and a softness he shouldn't have felt.
---
Takahashi's Apartment – Room 1203
The door closed behind them.
Takahashi helped Chihiro sit on the sofa, adjusted her posture so she could lean back safely, then turned toward the kitchen.
"Wait here. I'll get you some water."
He spoke quietly, as if afraid of startling her.
The kitchen door closed behind him.
Chihiro sat still for a while, then slowly lifted her head.
The apartment lighting wasn't too bright. Everything before her felt both familiar and unfamiliar—the neat low table, the bookshelf against the wall, a few small plants near the window.
She tilted her head, her unfocused gaze drifting from one object to another, as if trying to piece them together.
"…His room…"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, as though speaking only to herself.
She lightly touched the sofa cushion, feeling the cool fabric beneath her fingertips. Sitting slightly hunched, her messy hair fell forward, covering half her face, still flushed from alcohol.
After a while, she turned her head toward the kitchen, her eyes reflexively searching for the figure who had just left.
"…Where did he go…?"
She blinked, then let out a soft, silly laugh—an innocent, gentle smile.
"Oh… getting water."
As if remembering, Chihiro nodded to herself, looking both dazed and adorable—so much so that if Takahashi had seen her, he probably would have had to turn away again.
---
When Takahashi returned to the living room—
Chihiro was sitting sideways on the sofa, most of the buttons on her shirt undone. The collar slipped down, revealing pale skin beneath the soft light, her collarbone so delicate it demanded attention.
Takahashi froze.
For a moment, his mind went completely blank, as if all sound in the room had been drained away. The glass of water in his hand suddenly felt much heavier, his fingers tightening reflexively.
No… this isn't something I should be looking at.
"W–wait a second!"
The words burst out faster than his thoughts, carrying a trace of fluster he couldn't hide.
"You need to go to the bathroom first!"
Chihiro tilted her head at him, eyes shining with innocent curiosity.
"Why?"
"…Huh?"
"Haven't you been sneaking looks at me while I change since back then~?"
She smiled mischievously, her drawn-out tone completely unaware of how dangerous those words were.
Takahashi turned his face away instantly, ears burning red.
"Don't say things like that when you're drunk…!"
Thankfully, she'd only taken off her shirt. When Chihiro lifted her hand to remove more, Takahashi immediately stopped her—quick, but still careful.
"That's enough. Go to the bathroom already!"
"…So strict."
Still, after some coaxing, she finally complied.
---
A while later, she came out wearing his oversized sleepwear, her body nearly swallowed by the loose T-shirt. The moment she touched the bed, she collapsed onto it, her breathing evening out.
Takahashi pulled the blanket over her, lowering his voice.
"Sleep on the bed. I'll take the sofa."
He'd barely turned halfway—
"Wait."
"…Huh?"
He turned back.
Chihiro had sat up, her hair spilling over her shoulders. Her face was still flushed, but her eyes were no longer hazy. She looked at him for a long moment, then lightly patted the bed.
"Can you… sleep here with me?"
Her voice wasn't drunken anymore—
it was soft, very soft.
Takahashi stood frozen.
In that moment, he realized—
the image before him was dazzling enough to shatter his reason.
"…If you're okay with it… then I will."
He spoke while swallowing hard.
Chihiro nodded faintly, burrowing deeper under the blanket. They lay back to back, a small gap between them—just enough not to touch, yet close enough to feel each other's warmth.
In the quiet room, only the hum of the air conditioner and their not-quite-synchronized breathing remained.
"…Takahashi-san."
Chihiro's voice was very soft, as if afraid to break the atmosphere.
"Mm?"
"Do you remember high school?"
"The time… when I first met you."
"I still remember it… even now."
Takahashi didn't answer immediately. After a while, he murmured a quiet "Mm."
"You were such a bookworm back then."
Chihiro chuckled softly. "Always reading, never talking to anyone, never paying attention to what was around you."
Takahashi closed his eyes slightly, hazy memories surfacing.
"Back then… no one in class dared to approach you."
Her voice was slow. "Everyone thought you were distant and cold."
She paused.
"But I didn't think so."
Takahashi stiffened slightly.
"I thought you were a good person."
Her voice trembled faintly. "And… really amazing."
"You were always there for me, always comforting me, always putting up with my short temper."
Under the blanket, Chihiro's hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the sheets.
In the darkness, Takahashi opened his eyes, staring at the wall ahead.
"But then…"
Chihiro took a deep breath.
"I was so stupid back then… You were so good to me… and I didn't cherish you at all."
"If now… if just for a moment… you let me go back to that day… I would never—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
The room fell silent.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"I don't even understand what I want anymore!"
"I'm sorry…"
Her voice was so small it almost disappeared.
Takahashi bit his lip.
He turned slightly, propping himself up as if he'd finally gathered the courage to say something that had been stuck for years.
But when he looked over—
Chihiro was already asleep.
Her lashes were closed, her face still faintly flushed from alcohol, her breathing soft and warm.
Takahashi stared for a few seconds, then quietly exhaled.
He lay back down, carefully pulling the blanket up a little higher for her.
"…You've always been like this."
His voice was barely a whisper, meant only for himself.
"Good night, Chihiro-chan."
Outside the window, city lights cast a faint glow into the room.
Within that fragile distance, something had quietly changed—
still unnamed,
but perhaps already past the point of turning back.
END
---