Episode 1

Monday, on the other side of the death march. Word came through that the design had been approved without issue — case closed.

Hayama-san apologised to me with what felt like her forehead practically grinding into the floor, and Usui-san, barely recovered from her cold, spent the whole day looking mortified.

Neither of them was at fault, really. The blame lay with the client for changing course at the last minute, and I bear some responsibility too for not asking for help.

I worked through the email backlog while nibbling on pineapple cake from her souvenir haul.

“Morning, senpai.”

I looked up to find a familiar face at the edge of my vision. We’d seen each other two days ago, and yet somehow it felt like much longer.

“You look like a little squirrel when you’re eating, senpai. It’s adorable.”

Don’t you think? — she turned to the colleague next to her. I watched her.

Hayama-san said something similar once. My hands aren’t that small and my mouth isn’t that wide, so I don’t see what there is to say about it.

“Get back to work. You have to earn your salary.”

I shooed the cheerfully squealing Seriha away and returned to my own work.

Monday mornings are miserable for everyone. Even Hayama-san looked a little less energetic than usual, and the train had been a picture of the walking dead — everyone suffering their way toward the office.

I used to be part of that. Today, somehow, I didn’t feel too bad at all.

◇

Thursday lunch, three days later. I watched Seriha bring spoonfuls of curry to her mouth in the white-themed café interior.

On her large flat plate, an orderly row of colourful vegetables fried to order: aubergine, shishito peppers, pumpkin — and was that baby corn?

This is a popular seasonal item here, only served in summer, so I’d chosen this place because I wanted her to try it.

The temperature outside was higher than last time, but the inside was cool and comfortable. We were in the same seat as before, and yet somehow the view looked different.

“It really is delicious here. And it looks so pretty too — I could see myself becoming a regular.”

She happily spooned up curry and happily sipped her lassi and looked happy about that too. Glad she was pleased.

“The hayashi rice looks good too. Very discerning.”

She was eyeing my plate. I told her, with feeling:

“This place — once you’ve had it, there’s no going back.”

The restaurant is a curry specialist, but occasionally offers hayashi rice as a limited menu item. It’s irregular enough that you can’t plan for it, but on days it appears I always order it without fail.

A place like this could open as a hayashi rice specialist and thrive just as well, I’m sure of it.

“Ooh, I want some — can I have a bite!”

She set down her own spoon and opened her mouth wide, watching me expectantly.

“Um…”

It’s the middle of the day and it’s not especially crowded, but there are other customers. That kind of thing ought to be done somewhere without an audience.

…That’s the wrong framing entirely.

It shouldn’t be done in front of other people at all, under any circumstances. The heat outside must have melted part of my brain.

“Lunchtime’s ticking away~”

I sighed and brought a spoonful to her lips. As petty revenge for her teasing, I heaped it generously.

“—! This is… unbearable!”

Something in her tone felt layered, but I chose not to notice and continued working through my own portion. Well — we shared something I liked, so I’ll call it a win.

“Senpai’s turn! Open up~!”

I don’t think even newly-together couples do this anymore, generally speaking.

Her spoon kept advancing toward my face. I averted my eyes from the pale skin visible below the hem of her cut-and-sew top, and when the familiar taste was placed between my slightly parted lips, something in my face gave way.

◇

After lunch, I made my way to the floor where Tsumugi and Hiiragi-san work. Hayama-san had sent me off with souvenirs, so I wandered the floor with a paper bag in each hand.

I don’t come to this floor often, so I can never remember exactly where they sit.

“Takemi-san? Good afternoon.”

A white blouse under a black summer cardigan — like a princess travelling incognito. She really does stand out.

“Hiiragi-san, good afternoon. I was trying to find your desks, but I’d gotten rather lost. Glad I ran into you.”

“I see. Shiina-san is at her desk too — please come this way.”

I followed her toward the centre of the floor. I’m sure I’ve been here before, but apparently I’d been heading entirely the wrong direction.

“Tsumugi, afternoon.”

“Oh — what are you doing over here?”

“My manager’s been away on a trip. She sent souvenirs, so please share them with Hiiragi-san and the people around you.”

I set the bag by Tsumugi’s desk and looked over the two workspaces.

Hiiragi-san’s desk is exactly like her — not a single unnecessary item, everything immaculate. Tsumugi’s, on the other hand… things everywhere.

Not messy as such, but: perfume, a half-drunk coffee. A large phone. Anime character figures, acrylic standees, colourful items in every direction.

“Oh, nice. The good stuff. Cheers.”

“Tell Hayama-san when you see her. She’ll be overjoyed — possibly fatally.”

“Your manager’s… ah, that… lively person.”

She chose her words with some care. If it had been just the two of us she’d definitely have said something like that noisy one or the gyaru one.

The souvenirs were only part of why I came. Time to get to the point.

“I wanted to apologise for last week. And to you too, Hiiragi-san, for letting you see me in such a state…”

My memory from that night is only about half there — I was barely conscious — but I must have spoken quite sharply.

“Did something happen? I don’t remember.”

She turned to Hiiragi-san as if to recruit her, but Tsumugi’s eyes wandered briefly to the middle distance. She hasn’t forgotten, I’m sure.

“Please don’t worry about it. Your colour really was dreadful that day. I’m relieved to see you looking well now.”

“I truly am sorry… I think I pushed myself a bit too far.”

Tsumugi — well, she’s Tsumugi. But I bowed to Hiiragi-san several times. What a sorry sight I must be.

“Incidentally — a junior colleague of yours seemed very worried about you, so you might want to find a moment to speak with her when you have time.”

“Oh, the one with the big— anyway, she was watching you the whole time you were talking at your desk and when you left too.”

“Shiina-san. Please choose your words more carefully…”

What kind of expression had she been watching with?

“Understood, thank you. I’ll speak to her.”

Something in Tsumugi’s look suggested she had things to say, but it was probably time to head back.

“I’ll get going. Thank you both — for worrying about me, and for putting up with me.”

Tsumugi turned back to her monitor and raised one hand without a word. Hiiragi-san bowed neatly and saw me off. Two people of completely opposite energy who somehow seemed oddly well-matched — I watched them sideways as I headed for the elevator.

Worried. She was worried.

She’d thought she was the one who’d backed me into a corner — so she must have been through a difficult time too.

Get through today and tomorrow and the celebration is waiting. Thinking about what to wear, what to talk about — tomorrow would be here before I knew it.

I wish time would move faster. That thought just came to me.