The next afternoon, I was organizing documents in the company's meeting room. Sunlight filtered gently through the windows, warming the stack of papers in my hands. That was when my eyes fell on a small wooden box sitting quietly on the table near Nise-san's seat.
"...What's that?"
"Hm? Oh, this?" she said, turning her gaze to the box.
Carefully, she opened the lid. Inside were two tiny rings made of delicate, hand-blown glass. They sparkled faintly under the afternoon light, flawed but beautiful in their own way.
"They're actually failed pieces. Back when I was really into handmade wedding items, I tried glassblowing once."
"Really? That's a bit unexpected. You seem so skillful I thought you'd be good at that too."
She chuckled softly. "Not at all. One of them even broke halfway through… But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to throw them away."
Her eyes narrowed gently, as though gazing at something far beyond the rings.
"...So they're a memory too, aren't they?"
"Yeah… but not a particularly happy one."
I looked at the rings again. Though imperfect, they held a certain charm, like silent witnesses to a forgotten moment.
"But if you still keep them like this… doesn't that mean they have some kind of meaning for you?"
She paused, then gave a faint smile. "...You say serious things at the weirdest times, you know that?"
With a quiet laugh, she closed the box once again, her fingers lingering on the lid as if sealing away something fragile and personal.
＊＊＊
That evening, we accompanied a client couple to visit one of the potential wedding venues. As we stepped out of the car, the building before us looked plain, almost too simple. But once we stepped inside—.
"Wow…" Sara-san gasped softly.
The main hall opened into a warm, spacious room. Sunlight from the setting sun filtered through the tall windows, casting golden rays that danced on the floor.
"From the outside, it might seem ordinary. But inside, especially during this season, the afternoon light makes everything look so radiant," I said, hoping my words sounded as genuine as I felt.
"You're right… It's beautiful." Her eyes sparkled with delight.
"Since your theme was 'a wedding filled with smiles,' we thought this place would be a good fit. So we made it one of the options."
"Thank you, Arita-san. I think… I'd like to choose this place."
"Thank you so much!" I bowed politely, hiding the slight flutter of joy in my chest.
At that moment, I caught Nise-san giving me a small nod from behind. Just that one gesture… was enough to make me feel a little more confident in myself.
＊＊＊
On the way home, the streets were quiet. The sky had turned a soft navy blue, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of blooming evening primrose.
"...Your presentation was good today, Arita-kun," Nise-san said quietly beside me.
"Really? I'm glad to hear that…"
"You have a unique perspective. But it resonated well with the client. It reached them, I think."
"I'm… happy to hear that."
We walked in silence for a few steps, the sound of our footsteps echoing slightly on the pavement. Then, she slowed her pace just a bit.
"...Arita-kun. If you were in love with someone… what would you do?"
"Eh?"
"Would you be honest about your feelings and tell them?"
I paused for a moment, startled by the unexpected question.
"...I think I would. Even if I were scared, I'd still want to tell them."
"Why?"
"Because if I didn't say it… I'd probably regret it. Even if I got rejected, I think just expressing it has its own meaning."
"...Fufu. You're so straightforward, aren't you?"
"Am I?"
"You are. Meanwhile, I… might still be too afraid to speak my own feelings."
Her voice trembled ever so slightly as we walked, but her gaze remained forward steady, like someone taking one small step toward something unknown.
＊＊＊
That night, after I returned home, I dropped my bag on the couch and collapsed onto it with a sigh. My phone buzzed beside me. A message from an old college friend lit up the screen.
『Oi, Kazuki! Are you seriously working at a wedding company?! Totally doesn't suit you, man!』
I laughed to myself. Honestly, I had thought the same thing when I first got the job. I mean, me? Surrounded by veils, flowers, and emotional vows? It felt like walking into a foreign world. But now…
I glanced at my hand, remembering the warm light of the venue earlier, the satisfied smile on Sara-san's face, and the way Nise-san's quiet nod had made my chest feel a little fuller.
This job isn't just about flowers and ceremonies, but It's about feelings. It's a job that touches people's hearts And I… I want to keep feeling that. Especially beside Nise-san.
＊＊＊
The next morning, I found myself arriving early at the office. The air still held the crispness of dawn, and the streets were quieter than usual.
I sat at my desk, sipping on a warm cup of coffee, when I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. The wooden box was still there. I glanced toward Nise-san's desk, She hadn't arrived yet. For a moment, I hesitated. But then I stood up and gently approached the box again.
I didn't open it. I just looked at it, Two imperfect rings… handmade and unfinished. Yet they were carefully kept, like something precious. I could almost hear her words again.
"…I couldn't bring myself to throw them away."
Maybe she was still holding onto more than just glass. Maybe… she was waiting for someone to help her take that next step forward.
＊＊＊
That day, during our lunch break, I found her on the rooftop garden of our building, quietly sipping tea. The wind played gently with her hair, and for a moment, she looked almost unreachable.
"Nise-san," I said, approaching slowly.
"Hm? What is it?"
"I was thinking about what you said yesterday. About… being afraid to voice your feelings."
Her eyes widened just slightly. "You don't have to say anything now. But… I hope you find the right moment. Because even if it hurts… sometimes, honesty is the only way to move forward."
She looked at me, truly looked at me. And then, with a smile far softer than usual, she nodded.
"Thank you, Arita-kun."
Maybe she hadn't taken that step yet, But she was thinking about it And so was I.