The next day, as Chiaki walked into the office, she could feel something was different. The usually calm and focused employees were filled with a quiet buzz, whispering and stealing excited glances. The energy was especially noticeable among the women, who shared knowing smiles and hushed conversations.
Chiaki, ever the observer, couldn't help but notice the change as she made her way to her desk. "What's all the commotion about?" she asked Hana, her colleague and desk neighbor, as she set her bag down and settled into her chair.
Hana, twirling a pen between her fingers, glanced up with a shrug. "Everyone's excited about the new General Manager starting today," she said casually, a hint of amusement in her tone. "Word is, he's young and ridiculously handsome."
Chiaki raised an eyebrow, smiling. "You don't sound that interested."
Hana leaned in a little, her voice dropping. "That's because I've recently met someone," she admitted, her cheeks lightly blushing.
Chiaki's eyes widened in surprise, a teasing grin spreading across her face. "Really? And this is the first I'm hearing about it?"
Hana waved her hand, trying to play it off, though her smile gave her away. "It's new," she said softly, her voice full of quiet joy.
Chiaki leaned back in her chair, her expression amused. "We're definitely discussing this over lunch," she declared, already looking forward to hearing more about her friend's newfound romance.
Just as Chiaki powered on her laptop and began to focus on her work, a sudden hush fell over the office. The lively chatter dissolved into a tense silence as Elena, their department manager, strode in with purpose, her expression serious and her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. "Everyone, I have an important announcement," she declared, her voice carrying through the room with authority. All eyes turned to her, the air thick with anticipation.
"Our new director has officially joined the company," she said, her tone firm with a touch of excitement. "He'll be visiting each department today to meet everyone, so please be ready."
The announcement stirred quiet murmurs around the room, but Chiaki didn't pay it much attention. She had always focused more on her work than on office talk, and the arrival of a new General Manager didn't seem like something that would affect her directly.
The marketing and sales department was quietly busy when a group of management staff entered, immediately drawing everyone's attention. One by one, employees stood as a show of respect. Chiaki stood too, out of habit, her eyes lifting toward the group—and then she froze.
At the front of the group stood Hayato.
Everything around her seemed to blur. The office noise faded into the background as her heartbeat thundered in her ears. She stared at him—the person she never thought she'd see again. Ten years had passed, and the boy she once knew was gone. In his place was a man—taller, stronger, and more refined. His features were sharper, his presence calm but commanding. The suit he wore fit perfectly, highlighting the quiet confidence he now carried.
But what shook her most wasn't how much he had changed—it was the look in his eyes. Cool, professional, distant. There was no sign of the warmth she used to know.
Their eyes met for a brief second. She saw a flicker of something—recognition, maybe—but it disappeared just as fast. His face turned blank, unreadable. Then, without a word, he moved on, as if she were just another face in the crowd.
A hollow feeling spread in Chiaki's chest, the weight of his indifference settling over her like a heavy stone. She had spent years trying to move on, to push away the memories of their past. But now, in a single moment, it all came flooding back—the laughter, the promises, and the words they never said. And yet, even though he stood just a few feet away, Hayato felt more distant than ever. The boy who once meant everything to her was now a stranger, and that realization left her feeling more alone than she had in years.
"I'm Elena, the marketing manager," Elena said, stepping forward with a polite smile as the management team made their way through the department. She extended her hand to Hayato, her voice calm and professional, though there was a flicker of admiration in her eyes.
"Pleased to meet you," Hayato replied, his voice even, his handshake brief but confident.
Hayato carried himself with calm authority, and his presence naturally drew everyone's attention. Once the introductions ended and the management team moved on, the office buzzed with quiet excitement.
"He's so handsome! He must be the chairman's son!" someone whispered excitedly.
"And so tall! He looks like the perfect boyfriend. Do you think he's single?" another added, starry-eyed.
As the chatter continued, Chiaki kept her eyes down, trying to steady her hands as they hovered over her mouse. Her mind spun. She had imagined this moment so many times—what she'd say if they met again, how he might respond, whether he'd remember her. But now that he was really here, just steps away, she realized she wasn't ready.
Hayato had changed. The boy who once looked at her like she mattered was gone. All she could remember now was the cold way he had treated her before leaving for the U.S.—how he had walked away without saying goodbye, leaving her with questions that had never been answered.
Meanwhile, over in the R&D department, Hayato pulled Sohei aside, his expression serious. "Why didn't you tell me Chiaki works here?" he asked, his voice low but firm.
Sohei blinked, unfazed. "You never asked," he replied simply.
Hayato's jaw tightened. "You should've told me."
Sohei gave him a long look. "She's been here for three years. After graduation, Dad insisted on hiring her—and you know how Chiaki is. She couldn't say no."
Hayato stayed quiet, his mind spinning. Sohei paused, then asked, "You saw her today?"
Hayato nodded slowly. "Just now."
Sohei's expression softened, and he leaned in a little. "She's… different, right?"
Hayato didn't answer right away. Yes, she had changed—but not just on the surface. She looked more mature, with neatly styled hair and light makeup, something he'd never seen her wear before. She was beautiful, even more than he remembered. But there was something else—something that unsettled him. She looked thinner, almost fragile, and her eyes carried a tiredness that hadn't been there before. She seemed worn down in a way that went deeper than appearance.
Sohei sighed, breaking the silence. "I don't get you two," he said, sounding frustrated. "You obviously care about each other, but neither of you said a word for ten years."
Hayato's grip tightened around the file in his hand, his knuckles turning white as he took in his brother's words. Ten years. Not a single word in all that time. And now, Chiaki was in front of him—like a stranger—stirring feelings he thought he had buried. It unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
"I need to get back to my office," he muttered, voice tight, before turning and walking away. His mind was spinning. He knew he'd have to face Chiaki eventually, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon—or like this. Seeing her again, so close yet distant, with that quiet sadness in her eyes that reflected his own, left a heaviness he couldn't shake.