Alright, here we go again, this one’s a little long too, so bear with me. Everything you see here, including the images, is completely fictional.

Part 2: Rebuild

The stainless-steel doors of the elevator slid open slowly.

I stepped out into the familiar corridor, the polished floor reflecting the morning light spilling through the office windows. My footsteps were steady, my briefcase hanging comfortably from one hand.

I was wearing a classic, tailored dark navy men's suit, complete with a crisp white dress shirt and a neatly tied navy tie, my old office outfit. Yet the fit of the clothes was very different now: the jacket spread slightly at my hips, and the dress shirt was securely fastened over my breasts or chest.

Instead of my usual ponytail, I now had started wearing a single, neat braid that rested over my shoulder. I could feel its reassuring weight against my chest as I walked. It was more convenient than the ponytail as it kept the strands out of my face, and honestly, I was starting to enjoy styling it.

A month and a half had passed since that terrifying first day back.

Now...It simply marked the beginning of another workday.

I found myself smiling.

Yesterday had probably helped.

Kota and Aoi had dragged me out for a full Sunday in Shibuya. We watched an action movie, then completely lost ourselves in an arcade where Aoi aggressively dominated at the racing games, and ended the night with mountains of food at a bustling Korean barbecue spot. For the first time in a while, I felt like a normal person.

I swiped my ID card and walked into the team cubicle section. Everyone was already at their desks.

"Good morning, Senpai," Rina greeted instantly, as she peeked over her monitor.

"Good morning, Rina," I replied, my voice carrying a cheerful feeling.

"Morning, Akiyama-kun!" chimed Fujimoto-san from across the aisle. At thirty-six, she was the veteran of our administrative team. When I had first returned, the sheer shock of my hair and changed body had left her completely speechless. But that disbelief had lasted exactly one day before her fierce, maternal instincts kicked into overdrive. Since then, she had become my most vocal protector, making sure nobody from other departments gave me a hard time.

"Good morning, Fujimoto-san," I smiled, setting my briefcase down.

Finally, I looked toward the head desk. "Morning, Nakamura-san."

Our thirty-seven-year-old team leader glanced up from his tablet, adjusting his glasses. Nakamura-san was a pillar of quiet support. He had known the details of my incident before I ever stepped foot back in the building. And while seeing me in person had clearly shaken him that first week, he never let it show in his management. He simply supported our team, ensuring I had a stable, respectful environment to rebuild my career.

"Morning, Akiyama," Nakamura-san nodded, his tone steady and reassuring.

As I slipped out of my suit jacket to hang it on the back of my chair, Fujimoto-san leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands with a teasing grin.

"Well, well. Someone is in an awfully good mood for a Monday morning," she observed smoothly. "You're practically glowing, Akiyama-kun. Did you finally go on a date this weekend? Come on, you can tell us."

A sudden, intense heat rushed to my cheeks. "N-No! Nothing like that, Fujimoto-san," I stuttered, instinctively bringing my hands up to defensively wave off the idea. The motion caused my breasts to bounce slightly against the fabric of my shirt; I immediately tried to minimise it by crossing my arms. "I just... I spent the whole day yesterday with some old school friends. We went to an arcade."

"An arcade?" Rina echoed, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"A likely story," Fujimoto-san chuckled, her eyes crinkling warmly. "I'm just teasing you. It's really good to see you smiling so brightly."

"Let the man settle in, Fujimoto," Nakamura-san said, though there was a distinct, amused warmth in his voice. "We have the reports to finalise by Wednesday."

"Yes, Boss," Fujimoto-san playfully saluted, and the team comfortably transitioned back into work mode.

I took my seat, booting up my computer. Without thinking, I smoothed my slacks underneath me and elegantly crossed my legs tightly at the ankles.

About two hours later, the workload of morning emails had been cleared. I leaned back in my chair, rolling my shoulders to ease the pinch of my bra straps. I let out a soft sigh, resting my hands in my lap.

Rina slid her chair slightly toward the partition between us, holding a steaming paper cup of green tea.

"Taking a breather?" she whispered, offering me a small, wrapped matcha candy from her pocket.

"Just a quick one," I smiled, accepting the candy. "Thanks."

"So," she leaned in, whispering. "You really went to an arcade yesterday? Who won?"

"Aoi, without question," I laughed softly, unwrapping the candy. "She is terrifying at Mario Kart. Kota kept trying to beat her, and she practically humiliated him in front of a crowd of middle schoolers."

Rina giggled, taking a sip of her tea. "And what about you?"

"I mostly stuck to the claw machines," I admitted. A fresh wave of bashfulness hit me as I remembered the embarrassingly large Pikachu plushie I had spent way too many yen trying to win. Without realising it, my hand drifted up to my shoulder. My fingers found the touching the end of my long braid, and I subconsciously began to twirl the hairs around my index finger.

"I... well, I might have spent an hour trying to win a stuffed Pikachu," I murmured, ducking my head shyly. "Kota had to literally drag me away from the machine to make our dinner reservation."

Rina watched my fingers playing with the end of my braid. "Did you at least win it?"

"I did. It's sitting on my sofa right now." I paused, a faint smile touching my lips. "And then we went shopping."

"Oh? That sounds dangerous."

"It was. We were in one of the clothing stores..." I rubbed the back of my neck. "...and one of the staff came over. She asked if my boyfriend and I needed any help."

Rina blinked. "...Boyfriend?" "Kota."

There was a second of silence. Then both of us laughed.

"What did you say?" she asked.

"I just told her there'd been a misunderstanding."

"What were you wearing?"

"A loose men's shirt. Light blue. Jeans. My usual loafers." I gently lifted the end of my braid. "And... this."

Rina looked at it for a second, nodding thoughtfully. "The braid. The shirt. Most people probably don't look much further than that."

"I suppose." I found myself still rolling the end of the braid between my fingers. "It didn't really bother me." I looked out toward the large window overlooking the city. "Actually... it felt surprisingly... ordinary."

Rina didn't answer immediately. Instead... she smiled warmly. "I'm glad."

"So am I."

The lunchtime bell echoed softly through the floor. Almost instinctively, chairs rolled back across the office.

Fujimoto stretched with an exaggerated groan. "That's enough Excel for one morning. I'm taking my full forty-five minutes, and not a minute less."

Nakamura didn't even look up from his monitor. "You'll be opening it again in exactly forty-five minutes."

"I know," she sighed dramatically, grabbing her tote bag. "Which is why I'm appreciating them now."

I smiled, shutting down the report I had just finished.

"Ready, Senpai?" Rina asked, stepping over to my desk.

"Yeah. Let's go."

The company cafeteria was exactly as loud and sprawling as I remembered. The smell of curry, grilled fish, and fresh rice filled the air. A month ago, walking into a room this crowded would have sent my mind into panic mode. It was much less frightening now,
There were still glances, of course. Someone always looked twice. I could feel the unavoidable eyes on me, and occasionally, a group of guys from sales would stare openly at my chest before quickly looking away. But I was slowly, painstakingly, getting used to it. Most people looked, then simply went back to eating.

By the time Rina and I paid for our trays, Fujimoto was already waving from a corner booth. "Over here!"

We slid into the booth across from her, and our conversation flowed easily. Fujimoto did most of the talking, complaining affectionately about her children's lunchbox demands, while Rina and I listened and laughed.

As we ate, I found myself slipping into habits that had recently become unavoidable. When my thick, heavy braid threatened to slip forward into my soup, I caught it gracefully with my fingers, sweeping it over my shoulder. Simultaneously, I used my other hand to subtly adjust the collar of my shirt; the underwire of my bra had shifted slightly against my ribs. A moment later, I caught a loose strand of hair near my cheek and tucked it behind my ear.

I didn't notice myself doing any of it. To me, it was just normal now. But when I looked up, Fujimoto was watching me. She didn't say anything, but simply nodded her head and smiled. To them, these little habits had simply become part of who I was.

When lunch wrapped up, Fujimoto stood first, waving us off to go catch up with the ladies from accounting. Rina and I carried our empty trays to the return rack near the entrance.

"Wait right here for a second," Rina said, checking her watch. "I just need to run to the restroom before we go back up."

"Sure, take your time," I nodded, leaning lightly against the wall, watching people come and go.

Five minutes passed. Then ten.

I started worrying a bit. The corridor outside the cafeteria was emptying out. Fearing she might have felt unwell, I stepped back into the adjacent hallway that connected to the restrooms and small, glass-walled conference rooms.

As I approached the adjoining corridor that connected to several meeting rooms, I heard familiar voices. I slowed my pace, stopping just before I turned the corner.

I recognised Rina's voice immediately. But she wasn't alone. She was talking to three women from the marketing department, younger hires who had joined the company while I was away.

I couldn't see them properly from where I stood. Only the edge of the conference room wall separated us.

“You haven't had lunch with us in weeks, Rina," one of the women laughed.

"We were starting to think we'd offended you."

"Or maybe you've just found better company," another voice chimed in. "...That Akiyama guy?"

"...Haruto," Rina corrected quietly. Her voice was uncharacteristically tight.

"Right. Haruto." The girl snorted. "Honestly... I still can't get used to looking at him. I mean, what even is he?"

I gasped. I pressed my back flat against the wall.

"Did you see him this morning?" the first girl continued, her voice dropping into a loud, gossipy whisper. "The way his suit jacket stretches... my God. I thought the buttons were going to give up. I've never seen someone wear a men's suit over breasts that big. It's so weird."

"He wears a bra too," the third girl added. "I noticed the outline through his shirt. I felt embarrassed just looking."

Someone clicked her tongue. "If you're going to wear a bra... then just wear women's clothes. What are you trying to prove?"

"And that hair! He just walks in with that stupid princess hair. I honestly thought he was some woman from another department the first time."
They laughed. As though they were discussing the weather.

"You know what I don't understand?" the main girl sighed. "If he wants to look like a woman, why cling to being a man? It's like he's trying to have both. Pick one already."

"I think he likes the attention."

"Seriously. No one accidentally grows their hair down to their ass. He could cut it tomorrow if he wanted. He doesn't. So maybe... he enjoys everyone staring."

The words sting. My chest tightened until I couldn't breathe. I felt loss for air. Without noticing, my hand had found the end of my braid, squeezing it so hard my knuckles turned white.

Therapy had taught me these moments would come.

That not everyone would understand.

That some people would always reduce another human being into something they could laugh about.
Knowing that...

Didn't make hearing it any easier.

"...Maybe..."

For one brief second...

"...maybe I really do look ridiculous."

The thought appeared before I could stop it.

"NO."

Rina's voice cut through the hallway. It was clear, firm, and sounded possessed. I had never heard her shouting like that before.
The laughter stopped immediately.

"No?" one of the girls echoed, sounding taken aback.

"No." I heard Rina take a step forward. "You don't get to talk about him like that."

"Oh, come on, Rina. We're just joking around."

"You called him a freak. You laughed at his body. You mocked his hair, and you questioned why he dresses the way he does. You think that's a joke?" Rina's voice didn't rise to a yell, but it sounded well with conviction. "Tell me. If tomorrow you lost your hair because of an illness, and people laughed every time you walked into the office... would that be funny?"

None of them answered.

"If your body was altered in a way you never chose, and strangers whispered every time you passed... would that be funny?"
Silence.

"You've only known him for a month," Rina continued, her voice trembling slightly. "I knew him before he left. I watched someone I cared about vanish little by little over phone calls until he stopped sounding like himself. You have absolutely no idea the kind of living hell he was put through, and instead of showing an ounce of empathy, you stand here gossiping like high school bullies."

"We... we didn't know," one of the girls stammered defensively.

"No. You didn't," Rina agreed sharply. "He is one of the strongest people I've ever met. He comes into work every single day knowing people like you are going to stare and whisper. He treats everyone with respect. And somehow, he still has more kindness in his heart than anyone making fun of him."

The hallway was dead silent.

Then, one of the girls muttered weakly, "...Still. I just think he's... strange."

Rina didn't miss a beat.

"I don't."

She paused. When she spoke again, all the anger was gone.

"I think he's beautiful."

Hidden behind the wall, my entire body went still. My heart skipped some beats.

"I like his kindness," Rina said quietly, but loud enough for them to hear. "I like how gentle he is. I like how hard he tries every single day. And yes... I even like his long hair."

"I like him. Exactly as he is. So keep your opinions to yourselves."

I squeezed my eyes shut, my hands flying up to cover my mouth to keep myself from gasping. I couldn't stop blushing.

For the first time in a very, very long time... I have felt something like this.

Rina.

The corridor fell silent.

None of the three women said another word. Yuka looked away first. Mio muttered something under her breath, and before I could say anything else, the three of them sped away, sprinting where they came from.

Their footsteps faded. Only then did the pressure finally leave my body.

I let out a long, shaky breath I'd been holding.

The adrenaline slowly began to drain away, leaving my knees feeling kind of weak. I leaned my shoulder against the cool glass of the conference room, covering my face with both hands."...What did I just do?" I whispered.

"...Idiot."My face felt like it was on fire.

I had actually said it. Out loud. In the middle of the company corridor to three coworkers who did nothing but gossip.

I like him. Exactly as he is.

AHHHH!

I squeezed my eyes shut, pressing my cool hands to my burning cheeks, desperately trying to steady my racing heart.

Why had I said that? No... the real question was, why had I said it so easily?

A helpless, slightly hysterical laugh escaped me. "...Well. They deserved it.”

I stayed there for another minute, letting my heartbeat gradually settle. Calming myself, I couldn't walk back to the cafeteria looking like this. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself away from the wall and began smoothing down my skirt.

"Rina?"I was stunned, spinning around.

Walking toward me from the opposite end of the corridor was Haruto-senpai. He was holding his phone loosely in one hand, as though nothing unusual had happened. His expression looked calm, with polite composure, exactly the way he always looked when talking to clients.

"Senpai!" I squeaked, my voice cracking slightly.

I quickly cleared my throat. "I…I'm sorry, I was just finishing up."

"I was looking for you," he said with a worried smile.

"You were taking a little longer than usual, so I thought maybe the queue was bad. I got a little worried."

"...Ah." My mind immediately began racing.

Did he... No. He couldn't have. Could he?"

I... ran into some people," I replied, trying to keep my voice perfectly steady. "They held me up for a minute."

"I see." He nodded naturally. "...Everything okay?"

"Yes." Far too quickly. "...Everything's well and fine."

"...Good. Ready to head up?"

"Yes! Yes, of course," I nodded quickly, falling into step beside him.

Thank god, I thought, a massive wave of relief washing over me. He didn't hear anything. He just got here.

We walked toward the elevators in silence. It was a comfortable, normal silence, but as we stepped into the steel cab and the doors slid shut, the bright overhead lighting caught his face. I stole a quick sideways glance at him.

My relief instantly faded.

His eyes were slightly red, the edges just a bit puffy, as if he had been aggressively rubbing them.

He looked exactly like someone who had blinked a few too many times and spent the last minute desperately trying to compose himself.

Oh no. He wasn't composed at all. He was faking it. He had heard everything. My face started getting warm all over again. I stared rigidly at the elevator floor numbers ticking upward, my mind screaming in panic. I didn't say a word, and neither did he, completely sealing us in the most awkward silence of my entire life.

Haruto

I couldn't let her see me like this. The moment I heard footsteps moving away, I finally let myself breathe. I stayed hidden behind the conference room wall for another few seconds, my heart beating far too fast."...Get yourself together," I whispered to myself.

My face was warm with an uncontrollable blush; embarrassing tears of overwhelming relief and shyness had welled in my eyes.

If she rounded the corner and saw me pressed against the wall, clutching my chest like a maiden, I would have absolutely died on the spot. I rubbed my eyes furiously with the back of my hand, smoothed out my white shirt and took some deep, slow breaths to calm myself.

Once I felt I was mostly back to normal, I walked a little farther down the corridor before turning back, just enough to make it look as though I had been searching for her.

Then I called her name. When I told her I had just come looking for her because I was worried, pure panic crossed her face for the briefest moment before she hid it with relief. The act was perfect. But it only lasted until we got into the elevator. In the confined space, the silence between us was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I nervously adjusted my heavy braid, pulling it over my shoulder and gripping the end with trembling fingers. I couldn't help it; I stole a glance at her. Rina was staring rigidly up at the floor indicator. But out of the corner of her eye, she looked at me. She saw my red eyes.

I watched the exact second the realisation hit her. Her polite smile completely shattered, her dark eyes widening in horror before she quickly looked away, her cheeks red.

She knows, I realised, my stomach feeling a bit sick. She knows that I heard her.

The elevator pinged, the doors opening to our department floor. We both rushed out, avoiding eye contact. When we returned to the team cubicle, Fujimoto-san looked up immediately.

She frowned. Then she looked at me. Then at Rina. Then back to me."...Okay," Fujimoto-san drawled slowly.

Neither of us answered.

She rolled her chair back, resting her hands on her hips, and narrowed her eyes.

"Alright, what happened? What is going on with you two?"

"N-Nothing, Fujimoto-san!" Rina blurted out instantly.

"Everything is completely normal," I added in a rush, my voice sounding higher than usual.

We stopped. Looked at each other. Then immediately looked away again.

Fujimoto-san slowly folded her arms. Looking at us with an amused smile. "...That was suspicious."

"It wasn't," I replied.

"Not suspicious at all," Rina added.

"Mm-hm." Fujimoto-san nodded with seriousness.

"So nothing happened. And that's why neither of you can make eye contact, and you both look extremely flushed. Understood."

"We're just focused on the Audit!" Rina defended.

Nakamura-san didn't even look up from his monitor. "Fujimoto."

"Hm?"

"Leave them alone.

"I'm just curious."

"So am I." Nakamura turned another page in his report.

"But they'll tell us when they're ready."

I blinked. "But...There's nothing to tell."

"Of course," Nakamura replied normally with a smile.

Fujimoto-san leaned toward Rina with a mischievous grin. "I'll ask again tomorrow."

"You'll get the same answer."

"We'll see."I couldn't help smiling.

The conversation drifted naturally back toward work, thankfully, because I wasn't sure how much longer either of us could survive being tense.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a heavy workload. Reports. Meetings. Phone calls. Every time I reached across the partition to hand her a document, our fingers would brush, and we would both violently retract our hands, apologising in rapid, hushed whispers.

Every now and then, I'd look up. Rina would already be looking. The moment our eyes met, she'd immediately return to her monitor. A few minutes later, I'd do exactly the same thing. My heart was a constant mess.

I found myself repeatedly crossing my legs tighter, adjusting my posture, and subconsciously tugging at the sides of my jacket just to give my nervous hands something to do.

By the time the clock struck five-thirty, we packed our bags in record time, exchanged a painfully awkward goodbye at the elevators, and I practically fled to the train station.

When I reached my apartment that evening, the exhaustion finally got me.

"I'm home."

"Welcome back," Mom answered from the kitchen.

"Dinner's almost ready."

"I'll get changed first.

"Back in my room, I loosened my tie, carefully folded my suit onto the chair, and unhooked the tight band of my bra, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. Finally, I reached back and untied my braid. Thick, heavy black hair slipped over my shoulders and down my back in one motion.

For a while, I simply stood in front of the vanity mirror in my T-shirt and lounge pants. I wasn't really looking at myself. Just... thinking.

I think he's beautiful.

I closed my eyes. "...Beautiful..."

The word still felt strange. No one had ever looked at me that way before. I remembered the certainty in Rina's voice. The anger. The way she had defended me. For the last t year, my altered body had been a source of sheer terror and shame. I had accepted it because I had to, but the idea that anyone could look at this confusing, delicate version of Haruto Akiyama and feel genuine affection had seemed impossible.

She hadn't pitied me. She hadn't apologised for me. She had simply stood beside me. A smile spread across my face.

"...She's incredible," I whispered to the empty room.

I reached up, absentmindedly gathering my hair over one shoulder, running my fingers slowly through the length.

For the first time in years, when I looked into the mirror, the first thing I remembered wasn't the nightmare. It was someone's voice. I like him. Exactly as he is. And somehow, that single sentence stayed with me, keeping my heart warm long after the apartment had gone quiet.

Days passed, then weeks

Before either of us realised it, the suffocating awkwardness that followed the hallway incident had settled into something much gentler. Not gone, exactly, but softened around the edges. The embarrassed silences gradually became comfortable ones. The stolen glances became smiles.

Life settled into a pleasant, almost domestic rhythm. Every morning, I arrived just before nine. And almost every morning, Rina was already there, standing by the coffee machine, waiting. Two coffees. Neither of us had to ask anymore.

Client meetings slowly returned to my schedule. The first few were nerve-racking; I was quite aware of every curious glance. But once the meeting actually began, something familiar took over. I stopped thinking about myself and focused on the client, the numbers, the solutions. By the time we left the room, I almost forgot how anxious I had been walking in.

Outside, Nakamura-san gave me a single nod. "Good work."

That was all. But coming from him, it felt like receiving an award.

Rina

Watching Haruto-senpai work still amazed me.

The quiet, hesitant man who blushed whenever someone complimented his hair completely disappeared once a client sat across from him. His posture straightened. His voice became calm and confident. He answered difficult questions without hesitation and smiled at exactly the right moments.

Every time I watched him, I remembered why everyone had spoken so highly of him before he left. The assignment had completely changed his body, but it hadn't touched his brilliance. If anything, seeing both sides of him only made me admire him more.

By the middle of the second week, the feelings between us felt as heavy. We were so close, yet neither of us had dared to cross the line.

Late Thursday afternoon, the office had quieted down. Nakamura-san had asked us to retrieve a series of archived physical contracts from the supply room down the hall.

The archive room was small, dimly lit, and lined with towering metal shelving units. We were working in comfortable proximity, the scent of old paper mixing in the air.

Senpai crouched down to check a heavy cardboard box on the bottom shelf. As he stood back up, he didn't realize how close he was to the exposed metal framework.

Snag.

He winced, his head jerking back slightly. The end of his thick braid had caught squarely on a jagged metal bracket. He reached back quickly, trying to free it, but his clumsy, panicked pull only made it worse. The small black elastic snapped with a sharp pop, and the braid immediately began to unravel.

"Ow, wait..." he murmured, setting his files down and blindly trying to untangle the mess behind his back.

"Hold still, Senpai," I said softly, stepping directly into his space. "You're going to pull it out."

He froze instantly, his hands dropping to his sides.

I reached out, but hesitated with my hands hovering just an inch over his hair. I knew exactly how he guarded his physical boundaries now. He only ever let himself or his mother manage his hair. Letting someone else touch it; it was a terrifying vulnerability.

"Is it okay?" I whispered, looking at him.

I saw the nervous flutter of his long eyelashes. But then, very slowly, he gave a tiny, trusting nod, his shoulders relaxing a bit. "Okay."
My heart squeezed. I gently unhooked the tangled strands from the metal bracket, my fingers sinking into his silky hair.

His braid had almost completely come undone now.

When I gently removed the hair tie, the remaining twists loosened all at once.

His midnight-black hair flowed down his back.

It reached almost to his butt.

For a brief second...

I forgot to breathe.

It was even more beautiful loose.

"...Sorry," I murmured before I realised I'd spoken aloud.

"For what?"

"I..."

"...Nothing."

I carefully gathered the hair strands in both hands.

They were unbelievably smooth.

Soft.

Cool against my fingers.

I had expected thick hair to feel heavy.

Instead...

It flowed through my hands like water.

Haruto stood completely still.

I could see the faint pink creeping across the tips of his ears.

"...You're very gentle," he said quietly.

"I don't want to pull."

"My mother says the same thing."

The words slipped out before he seemed to realize it.

He gave an embarrassed laugh.

"...I mean..."

"I've never really let anyone else do this."

That somehow made my heart beat even faster.

I divided the heavy silk into three even sections and began to weave them together. When I reached the end, I pulled a spare hair tie from my own wrist and secured the braid perfectly over his shoulder.

"There," I breathed out, my voice inexplicably thick. "Good as new."

Haruto

The lingering warmth of her fingers against my scalp left me completely breathless. I turned around to face her, the heavy braid settling securely against my breasts.

"Thank you, Rina," I whispered. I felt incredibly exposed, yet safer than I had in years.

She offered a cute, brilliant smile. "Anytime, Senpai. Now... I think the previous year files are on the top shelf."

She turned away, stepping up to the towering shelf. She stood on her tiptoes, reaching her arms up toward a heavy, grey binder just out of reach.

But as she shifted her weight to push the binder free, the heel of her shoe caught violently on the frayed edge of the carpeted floor mat.
She gasped, losing her balance completely and tumbling backwards.

"Rina!"

Reflexively. I lunged forward, catching her securely around the waist before she could hit the floor. But in my panic, I had completely misjudged my own balance. I had forgotten that my body was different now. The momentum of her fall was too much.

I hit the carpeted floor with a thud, the breath rushing out of my lungs.

A split second later, Rina landed directly on top of me.

We both froze. The world seemed to stop spinning.

Rina was completely draped over my torso. Her face was inches from mine, her wide, dark eyes locked onto my own. But the problem was exactly where she had landed. Her breasts were pressed perfectly against mine, burying directly into my heavy breasts, cushioned securely by the cream lace of my bra beneath my dress shirt.

The intimate, incredibly tactile sensation sent a shiver through my entire body. My hands, which had been holding her waist, instinctively slid up to lightly and delicately grip her shoulders, and my face was constantly blushing. I squeezed my eyes shut, completely overwhelmed by the physical closeness and the undeniable reality of my feminine body yielding beneath hers.

Rina

I pushed myself up slightly, supporting my weight on my forearms, though I didn't pull away. Haruto-senpai opened his eyes slowly, to find my face just as red as his.

For a long moment, I just stared at him. My gaze dropped briefly to where our breasts were pressed together, before fluttering back up to his eyes.

A tiny, slightly wicked smile broke through my panic. I couldn't resist. The tension was too much, and his flustered, shy expression was too much for me to ignore.

"Careful, Senpai," I whispered. "Catching me like that... people might think you're actually falling for me."

Haruto

My brain short-circuited completely after listening to her.

The heat of the moment, the scent of her perfume, her hands in my hair, and the truth that I had been holding back for weeks ignored every logic I had left.

"I am," I blurted out.

The teasing smile instantly vanished from Rina's lips, replaced by wide-eyed shock.

"I do," I continued, my voice in a panicked rush. I was completely unable to stop the confession from slipping out. "I really like you, Rina."
Absolute silence hit the tiny archive room.

The realization of what I had just said hit me with the force of a freight train. Oh my god. I just said it. I just confessed while lying on the floor.
I let go of her shoulders and immediately slapped both of my hands over my furiously burning face, trying to curl inward to hide from the absolute disaster I had just created.

"Senpai..." Rina breathed out, her voice trembling with an emotion I was too terrified to look at.

Before she could say another word, I got a call on my smartphone.

I stood up and took the call.

"Akiyama." Nakamura-san’s steady, professional voice clipped through the receiver, the audio bleeding just enough in the quiet room that she could likely hear his tone. "I need both of you at my desk immediately.”

"W-We'll be right there, Nakamura-san!" I replied, my voice pitching embarrassingly high.

I didn't dare look at Rina. If I looked at her, I knew I would completely disintegrate. I aggressively smoothed down the wrinkles in my suit jacket, tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, and speed-walked out of the archive room. Rina was right on my heels, and though I couldn't see her face, the flustered, uneven rhythm of her footsteps told me she was just as panicked as I was.

When we reached the head desk, Nakamura-san was reviewing a digital calendar on his tablet. Fujimoto-san was leaning against the edge of her cubicle, holding a fresh cup of coffee.

“Akiyama. Rina.”

Both of us looked up.

“Meeting room.”

I exchanged a glance with Rina before standing.

“Did we do something wrong?” she whispered.

“I hope not.”

“You look nervous.”

“So do you.”

“I’m not nervous.”

“You just asked me if we did something wrong.”

“…Fair point.”

I smiled as we followed him.

Fujimoto-san was already inside the meeting room, sitting with a folder open in front of her. She looked up when we entered and immediately gave us a knowing smile.

“Ah. The happy couple has arrived.”

I stopped.

Rina stopped.

Nakamura-san sighed.

“Fujimoto.”

“What?”

“They haven’t even sat down.”

“Exactly. I’m giving them time to prepare.”

Rina’s face immediately turned pink.

“We’re not—”

“I know, I know.”

Fujimoto waved her off, grinning.

“Sit down.”

I tried very hard not to look at Rina as we took our seats.

It wasn’t working.

Nakamura opened the folder.

“We’ve received a new client inquiry. They’ve requested an initial meeting.”

He slid a document toward us.

“Their main office is in Yokohama.”

I looked at the page.

Yokohama.

For a moment, I simply stared at it.

I’d attended plenty of meetings before my assignment.

But those had always been inside our office or nearby.

Nakamura must have noticed the hesitation because he leaned back slightly.

“We don’t have to decide immediately.”

Fujimoto nodded.

“It’s your first external meeting since returning, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“I just want to make sure you’re comfortable with it,” Nakamura said. “If you’d rather wait for another opportunity, that’s perfectly acceptable.”
There was no pressure in his voice.

That helped.

I looked down at the document again.

A month and a half ago, I probably would have said no.

But yesterday…

I’d walked into the cafeteria without thinking twice.

I’d taken the train home alone many times now.

I’d spent an entire weekend outside with Kota and Aoi.

And I felt Rina step just a fraction of an inch closer to my side. I remembered the fierce, unwavering way she had defended me in the hallway. I remembered the strength I had found in myself during the previous meetings.

Maybe I didn’t need to wait until I felt completely ready.

Maybe I’d never feel completely ready.

I looked back at Nakamura.

“I’ll go.”

His expression eased immediately.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“I think it’s time.”

Fujimoto’s smile grew.

“That’s my boy.”

I laughed.

“Please don’t say it like that.”

She chuckled.

Nakamura closed the folder.

“Good.”

Then he looked at me.

“You’ll lead the meeting.”

I blinked.

“Me?”

“You’re the senior on the assignment.”

"Sato, you will go as his support. Manage the documentation and ensure the transition goes smoothly."

"Understood," Rina nodded.

I glanced at her.

She smiled.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let you get lost in Yokohama.”

“I wasn’t worried about getting lost.”

“You were thinking about it.”

“…Maybe a little.”

Fujimoto laughed.

“This is perfect.”

“What is?”

“You two going together!”

She leaned back in her chair.

“Very efficient.”

Rina narrowed her eyes.

“Fujimoto-san…”

“What?”

“You have that look again.”

“What look?”

“The look that means you’re about to say something annoying.”

“I would never.”

Nakamura adjusted his glasses.

“You’ve been doing it for weeks.”

“See?” Fujimoto pointed at him. “Even Nakamura-san agrees.”

“I said nothing about the two of them.”

“You didn’t have to.”

I felt heat rising in my face.

Rina looked equally embarrassed.

Fujimoto looked between us.

“…Definitely something going on.”

“Nothing is going on,” I said.

At exactly the same time, Rina said,

“Nothing.”

We both stopped.

Looked at each other.

Then immediately looked away.

Fujimoto’s grin became unbearable.

“Oh, this is getting better.”

Nakamura closed the folder.

“Enough.”

“Fine.”

She stood.

“But I’m calling it now.”

“What are you calling?”

“Nothing.”

She walked toward the door.

“Absolutely nothing.”

Rina waited until she was gone.

“…She knows.”

I sighed.

“Definitely.”

Nakamura gathered his papers.

“She does.”

I stared at him.

“You’re supposed to be our manager.”

“I am.”

“Then you should stop her.”

He gave me the faintest smile.

“Why?”

I had no answer to that.

Rina quietly laughed beside me.

That evening, I was sitting cross-legged on my bed in a loose T-shirt and lounge pants, my hair completely down around me.

The laptop sat open on my desk.

A video call was already connected.

Kota’s face filled half the screen.

Aoi’s appeared beside him.

They were sitting together.

Far too close together.

I narrowed my eyes.

“So…”

Kota immediately became suspicious.

“What?”

“You two really can’t sit separately anymore?”

Aoi shoved his shoulder.

“Ignore him.”

“I can’t. He’s jealous.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“You’re lonely.”

“I’m not lonely.”

Aoi looked at me.

“He’s definitely lonely.”

I laughed.

“How did I become the third wheel in my own conversation?”

“Because you’re single,” Kota said.

I stared at him.

“…You’re enjoying this.”

“Very much.”

Aoi smiled.

“So, what’s going on?”

I hesitated.

My fingers instinctively found a section of my loose hair and began twisting it around my finger.

“There is…”

I cleared my throat.

“…someone at work.”

Both of them went silent.

Kota slowly leaned toward the camera.

“Someone?”

Aoi’s eyes widened.

“Wait.”

She pointed at me.

“Is this Rina?”

My face immediately became warm.

“…How did you know?”

Aoi burst out laughing.

“I knew it!”

Kota slapped his hand against the table.

“Finally!”

“Why are you both so excited?”

“Because you’ve been talking about her for years.”

“I have not.”

“You absolutely have,” Aoi said.

“You used to mention her every few weeks.”

I looked away.

“…That was different.”

Kota grinned.

“Sure.”

I sighed.

“Can you two be serious for five minutes?”

Aoi straightened.

“Okay.”

Kota nodded solemnly.

“We are now professionals.”

“You aren’t convincing.”

“Tell us.”

I took a breath.

“Things have changed.”

I looked down at my hands.

“She’s been really kind to me.”

I told them about the little things.

The coffee.

The client meetings.

"You like her."

I smiled despite myself. "...Yeah."

Kota leaned back. "Then tell her."

"I... I told her."

The reaction was instantaneous. Kota threw his hands up in a silent cheer, and Aoi let out a triumphant gasp.

"I knew it!" Aoi practically yelled. "I told you, Kota! How did she react? Are you guys dating now?"

"That's the problem," I whimpered, burying my face in my hands. "I didn't plan it. We tripped in the archive room, she landed right on top of my... my chest, and I just blurted it out while I was lying on the floor like a total mess. And right after I said it, our boss called us to his desk. We haven't spoken a single word about it since."

Kota winced in deep, sympathetic pain. "Oof. That is... that is rough, man."

"And to make it worse, Nakamura-san just assigned us to a joint external client meeting in Yokohama next Friday," I continued, nervously twirling a loose strand of hair around my finger. "It's just going to be the two of us. For hours. How do I even look at her? How do I tackle this?"
Kota rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. "Look, man, the hardest part is already over. You put it out there. Just be honest. Tell her you meant what you said, but you don't want to pressure her. Just clear the air."

"Kota's right, but you also need to brace yourself," Aoi added, her tone shifting into that blunt, fiercely protective honesty I loved her for. She looked right at the camera. "Haruto, you have to remember that this isn't a standard situation. It’s going to be different for you than it was for Kota and me."

I lowered my mug. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, look at you," Aoi said gently. "You are gorgeous. You have the body of a goddess, you blush like a maiden, and you have entirely different physical boundaries now because of your conditioning. Navigating romance is going to be incredibly complex for both of you. You have to figure out how you want to be treated, and she has to figure out how to love you the right way. It’s a lot to process."
Her words settled over me, heavy but undeniably true.

"I think that’s exactly why you should take it slowly," Kota said.

I nodded. "That’s what I’m thinking."

"But," Aoi smiled, her eyes softening, "if she defended you against those office harpies the way you told us she did? She’s already halfway there. Don't try to make it into some perfect romance. Just spend time together. Let her know you. And let yourself get to know her too. Just give her the space to process it, and give yourself the grace to be exactly who you are right now."

Kota nodded. "And don’t suddenly start acting like some completely different guy because you think that’s what she wants."

I laughed. "That sounds like advice you should have given yourself."

Aoi immediately looked at him. "Exactly."

Kota froze. "...Why are you bringing that up?"

"Because you were an idiot." "I was nervous." "You brought me flowers and then hid behind a vending machine."

I burst out laughing. "You did what?"

Kota’s face went red. "That was one time."

"That was the worst confession strategy I’ve ever heard," I teased.

Aoi crossed her arms. "It worked." "Unfortunately."

We all laughed. For a few minutes, the conversation became nothing but teasing. It felt good. Normal.
Then Aoi’s expression softened. "Haruto…" "Hm?" "There’s one thing you should remember." She spoke carefully. "Your situation is going to make things different."

I nodded. "I know."

"But different doesn’t mean worse." She squeezed Kota’s hand. "Relationships aren’t supposed to look identical for everyone. You don’t have to know exactly what yours is going to look like yet."

Kota nodded. "Just be honest with her. And don’t decide for her whether you’re worth loving."

That caught me off guard. I looked at him.

He shrugged. "That’s her decision."

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Then I smiled, feeling a tight knot in my chest finally loosen. "...You two have gotten annoyingly wise. Thanks, Aoi. Thanks, Kota. I really needed to hear that."

Aoi laughed. "We’ve had practice." Kota nodded proudly. "Mostly because of me." "Don’t ruin the moment."

We chatted for another half hour about trivial things before finally logging off.

The apartment was quiet again. I set my laptop aside, lay back against my pillow, and stared at the ceiling.

Rina.

Just thinking her name made something warm move through my chest. I still didn’t know what would happen. I didn’t know whether I was ready. I didn’t know whether she would still feel the same after learning everything about me.

But perhaps… I didn’t need to know yet.

For so long, I’d thought my life had to return to the way it was before. The old Haruto. The old body. The old habits. The old life. Now I was beginning to understand that maybe that wasn’t the goal. Maybe I could build something new. Something that belonged to me.

And perhaps… if Rina wanted to be part of that life… I could let her.

I reached up, pulling a section of my hair over my shoulder and letting it fall smoothly through my fingers.

For once, the thought of tomorrow didn't frighten me. It made me curious. It was going to be the day I finally figured out if there was a place for my heart in this new life, too.

Day before the Visit

The afternoon sun was already casting long, golden shadows across the department floor by the time I started packing my briefcase. I neatly stacked the printed meeting agendas for tomorrow into a folder, double-checking that all the client backgrounds were accounted for.

"Leaving early today, Akiyama-kun?" Fujimoto-san asked, peering over her monitor as she took a sip of her afternoon coffee.

"Yes, just by an hour," I replied, clicking my briefcase shut. "Nakamura-san gave me the clear to take the rest of the afternoon off to prepare for tomorrow."

"Good idea. Get some rest tonight," she smiled warmly. "You're going to knock their socks off in Yokohama."

I offered a polite bow of thanks. As I stood up to put my suit jacket on, Rina rolled her chair a bit closer to the edge of our partition.
"Heading out?" she asked softly, her dark eyes looking up at me.

"Yeah. I have to meet my mom at the station," I explained, adjusting my collar so the fabric didn't pinch the straps of my bra. "We have somewhere we need to be this afternoon."

Rina didn't pry. She just offered an understanding nod. "Okay. Have a safe trip. Just to confirm our schedule for tomorrow…we’re meeting at the Shinagawa station ticket gates at 8:30 AM, right? We'll take the Tokaido Line down together."

"8:30 at Shinagawa," I confirmed, a small, involuntary flutter returning to my chest as our eyes met. Since the archive room incident, our interactions had been awkward, yet sweet. "I'll be there."

"See you tomorrow, Senpai," she smiled & said goodbye.

The train ride to the suburbs was quiet. I stood near the doors, watching the dense Tokyo skyline gradually give way to quieter residential neighbourhoods. When I stepped off at the local station, I immediately spotted my mother waiting near the ticket machines. She was wearing a simple dark dress and carrying a wooden bucket and a fresh bouquet of white chrysanthemums.

"Haruto," she smiled as I walked up to her.

"Sorry to make you wait, Mom. Let's go."

We walked side-by-side up the sloping hill toward the cemetery. The late afternoon air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of approaching autumn. We reached the public cemetery.

Carved into the dark, polished granite was my sister's name. Mio Akiyama.

She had been three years younger than me. She was loud, fiercely independent, and endlessly kind. When I was eighteen, a cruel bullying incident at her high school had escalated into a horrific, freak accident. She was gone before I even made it to the hospital.

My mother and I worked in comfortable silence. I rolled up the sleeves of my dress shirt and used the wooden ladle to pour fresh water over the headstone, washing away the dust and fallen leaves, while my mother arranged the chrysanthemums in the stone vases. We lit the incense, the thin trails of fragrant smoke spiralling up into the cool air.

We brought our hands together, closing our eyes in silent prayer.

"She would be twenty-two this year," my mother murmured softly, her eyes still closed. "She always said she wanted to work in fashion."

"She would have been amazing at it," I replied, with a bittersweet smile on my lips.

My mother opened her eyes, turning to look at me.

"I'm going to go wait down by the entrance," she said, "Take your time."

"Thanks, Mom."

I listened to her footsteps fade down the stone path, leaving me alone in the quiet cemetery. A gentle breeze swept through the trees, tugging at the ends of my hair. I let out a long, shaky breath, sinking down to my knees in front of the headstone. I carefully smoothed my slacks underneath me, tucking my legs neatly to the side.

"Hey, Mio," I whispered. "It's big brother."

I stared at her name carved into the stone, a heavy lump forming in my throat.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I haven't been here in three years. I couldn't... I couldn't come. "I wasn't well, Mio. I went through something terrible. For a long time, I forgot who I was. I forgot how to fight."

I reached up, pressing my hands against my eyes to stop the tears.

"I don't even know if you'd recognise me right now," I laughed. I let my hands drop, resting them in my lap as I looked at the gravestone.

My eyes drifted toward my braid.

"My hair is longer than yours now."

I smiled faintly.

"My body changed too."

"I know you can't see me."

"But..."

I took a breath.

"I still don't know how to feel about it."

"I was so angry at first. So terrified. But... I'm trying to be better, Mio. I'm trying to live again. The people at the office have been kind. Kota and Aoi are doing great; they're actually dating now. You'd probably tease them mercilessly for taking so long."

I thought of Rina.

I couldn't help smiling.

"There's someone..."

I stopped.

"...I think you would've liked her."

I rubbed the back of my neck.

"She's kind."

"She doesn't treat me like I'm broken."

"She doesn't stare."

"Well..."

I smiled.

"She does look at my hair sometimes."

A quiet laugh.

"But I don't mind."

I looked at Mio's photograph.

"I think..."

I wasn't sure how to finish.

"I think I like her."

Saying it aloud made my chest feel strangely light.

Then another thought followed.

"...I'm scared, though."

I looked at the grave.

"You would've told me to stop overthinking."

I could almost hear her voice.

You're an idiot, Onii-chan.

I smiled.

"...Yeah."

I lowered my head.

"I miss you."

This time, I didn't try to say anything clever.

I just stayed there.

I placed my hand gently against the granite.

"Watch over me tomorrow, okay? I miss you."

I stayed there for a few more minutes, letting the cool wind dry my cheeks. Finally, I stood up, brushed the dust from my knees, and walked back down the hill.

My mother was waiting by the stone archway of the entrance. She linked her arm through mine as we began the walk back to the station.
"Do you feel ready for tomorrow?" she asked.

"I think so," I nodded, subconsciously reaching up to adjust my collar again. "I know the material perfectly. I'm just nervous about being in front of clients looking... like this."

"About that," my mother smiled, a little mischievously. "When we get home, there's a garment bag hanging on the back of your bedroom door."
I blinked in surprise. "A garment bag?"

"I bought you a new suit," she said. "Haruto, I know you take comfort in wearing your old menswear to the office, and I fully support whatever makes you feel safe. But your old suits don't fit your new body properly. The jackets pull across your chest, the shoulders are too broad, and the trousers don't account for your hips."

I ducked my head, my cheeks flushing slightly. She was right.

"Tomorrow is a big day," she continued gently, squeezing my arm. "I had this one tailored specifically for your current measurements. It's still a classic, professional men's suit, but it's adjusted to your new body so you can move comfortably, and more importantly, so you can walk into that room looking confident and intentional. I want you to feel as beautiful and strong on the outside as you are on the inside."

I couldn't argue with that.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She looked at me for a moment.

"You'll look handsome."

I smiled.

"...I hope so."

She reached up and briefly adjusted the collar of my shirt.

"You will."

We continued walking.

After a moment, she added,

"And don't worry about trying to prove anything tomorrow."

I looked at her.

"Just do your job."

I nodded.

"That's what I'm planning to do."

"And if you get nervous?"

"I'll breathe."

"Good."

She smiled.

By the time we reached the Home, the sky had begun turning orange.

Tomorrow was supposed to be just another client meeting.

But somehow, after today...

It felt like more than that.

I had stood in front of Mio's grave and admitted that I was afraid.

I had admitted that I liked someone.

And tomorrow, for the first time since returning, I would step outside the office for something that actually mattered professionally.

Later that night, the black garment bag Mom had bought for me hung from the back of my bedroom door. I touched the dark fabric through the cover, then smiled faintly.

Tomorrow.

Yokohama.

A client meeting.

Rina.

I didn't open the bag. Everything was ready.

I changed into my sleep clothes, turned off the light, and slipped beneath the blankets.

I was tired enough that sleep came quickly.

At first, there was only warmth.

I was standing in the small meeting room at the office, though it didn't look quite like the real one. The lights were softer, the room quieter. Evening sunlight poured through the windows.

Rina stood in front of me.

She was smiling.

"You look nervous."

"I am."

"Tomorrow?"

I nodded.

"You'll be fine."

"You always say that."

"Because you're always worrying."

She laughed.

I smiled.

She stepped closer.

There was no hesitation in her face.

No pity.

No uncertainty.

She reached out and touched my cheek.

Her fingers gently brushed the side of my face.

"I like you, Senpai," she murmured.

Her voice was comforting. She stepped closer, effortlessly closing the distance between us, her hand sliding down to interlock with mine. It felt so incredibly safe. I let my eyes flutter shut, leaning into her soft touch, my heart swelling with overwhelming hope.

I squeezed her hand.

The warmth vanished.

Cold rushed through my fingers.

The smell of her perfume disappeared.

In its place came the sharp smell of antiseptic.

The sunlight went white.

The room stretched.

Metal shelves rose around me.

Boxes.

Files.

A narrow aisle.

An archive room.

My stomach dropped.

I knew this place.

I didn't want to.

But I knew.

Click.

A heel struck the floor.

I looked up.

Rina was gone.

Click.

The sharp, rhythmic sound of a stiletto heel hitting the floor echoed too loudly in the suffocating silence.

Click.

Someone stood at the other end of the aisle.

Long black hair.

A white blouse.

A dark vest.

A skirt.

The same face I'd seen in the mirror more times than I could count.

Hina.

"Oh, Haruto."

Her voice was terrifyingly familiar, high, breathy, and unmistakably hers.

"Why are you still pretending?"

My throat tightened.

"...No."

She tilted her head.

"You remember me."

"I know who you are."

"Do you?"

She took a slow step forward.

Her voice was softer than mine. Higher. Familiar in a way that made my stomach turn.

"You can hide in a men's suit all you want."

"Don't."

"But you can't hide what we are." I clenched my jaw.

Her eyes softened with a twisted, horrific kind of pity. She looked at me not like a monster, but like a wounded animal that just needed to be put out of its misery.

"You're exhausting yourself, Haruto. It's so much easier to just give in."

"No."

"You remember what we did. You remember how quiet your mind finally got when they broke you down."

"Stop."

"You begged them to brush our hair."

A sorrowful smile stretched across her glossy lips.

"You liked wearing the skirts because it meant you didn't have to be strong anymore. You liked being weak."

"I was forced."

"You loved it when they praised you for being such a good, pretty girl. Why go back to fighting?"

I shut my eyes.

"I didn't choose any of it."

Hina's voice softened.

"I know."

That somehow made it worse.

She came closer.

"You don't have to hate me, Haruto."

My eyes opened.

"I am you."

"No."

"You still carry things I learned."

Her gaze dropped briefly toward my hair.

"You still keep it long."

I said nothing.

"You still braid it."

My throat tightened.

"You still reach for things without realising why."

"Stop."

Hina smiled faintly.

"Some parts of me never left."

A second voice came from the darkness behind her.

"She's right."

From the pitch-black shadows at the end of the archive aisle, a towering silhouette emerged. My heart completely stopped.

The Boss.

His face was completely hidden by shadow.

I couldn't see his eyes.

He took one step forward.

"You went home."

"You returned to your office."

"You found your friends."

"And now you've found someone you care about."

His voice remained calm.

"Rina."

My jaw tightened.

"Leave her out of this."

"Why?"

I said nothing.

The Boss stopped.

"You haven't told her."

The words were simple.

"You haven't told her what happened."

"I will."

"When?"

I didn't answer.

Hina leaned in, her freezing breath brushing against my ear.

"Do you really think Rina wants this?" she whispered.

I tried to pull away. I couldn't even flinch.

"She thinks you fought it."

"She understands."

"What if she knew how completely you surrendered?" Hina's eyes widened with innocence.

"What if she met me?"

The Boss stepped forward.

"She will be disgusted."

No."

"She will reject the thing you have become."

Hina laughed. The sound was high and crystalline, echoing off the metal shelves like shattering glass.

Hina whispered:

"You couldn't protect yourself."

"Stop."

"And now you think you can protect Rina? She’ll leave."

"Enough!"

My voice echoed through the archive room.

Silence.

No!

I woke with a gasp.

I sat upright in bed.

For several seconds, I couldn't understand where I was.

Dark room.

Curtains.

Wardrobe.

The garment bag hanging beside the door.

Home.

Safe.

I pressed a hand against my chest and tried to slow my breathing.

One breath.

Another.

The sheets were twisted around my legs.

My hair had come loose during the night and was spread across the pillow and my shoulders.

I looked toward the clock.

4:12 AM.

Too early.

My hands were still shaking.

I rubbed my eyes.

The dream was already beginning to break apart.

But the words remained.

She'll leave.

I looked at my hands.

Without thinking, my fingers moved through my hair.

They gathered the loose strands and tucked them behind my ears.

I froze.

I hadn't decided to do that.

My fingers had simply remembered.

I stared at them in the darkness.

For a moment, I could almost hear Hina's voice again.

Some parts of me never left.

I lowered my hands.

Then I looked toward the suit hanging by the door.

Tomorrow.

Yokohama.

Rina.

I closed my eyes.

"I have to tell her."

My voice was barely audible.

I opened my eyes again.

"I have to."

Because if I really wanted her in my life...

Eventually, she deserved the truth.

Even if I was terrified of what she might see.

Rina

The digital clock above the Shinagawa station ticket gates read 8:10 AM.

I had arrived far earlier than necessary.

The meeting wasn't until later, and I had checked the train schedule at least three times already. Still, I found myself standing near the entrance, one hand resting lightly around the strap of my bag as I watched the station slowly fill with people.

I adjusted my ponytail.

Then checked my reflection in the dark glass of a nearby shop.

My hair was tied neatly, high enough to keep it out of my face. My formal blouse and dark skirt were pressed perfectly, and I'd spent far too long that morning deciding what earrings to wear.

I looked...Fine.

More than fine.

So why was I so nervous?

I really like you, Rina.

His voice from the archive room echoed in my mind on a dizzying loop. We were going to spend the entire day together, travelling to Yokohama. Just the two of us. I gripped the strap of my bag, breathing out a shaky sigh. I just wanted to see him. That was all. At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

The morning commuter rush was a sea of dark suits and briefcases, but the moment he approached from the other side of the entrance, the rest of the world faded into the background.

My breath caught.

Haruto.

He was wearing a new suit, a brand-new, impeccably tailored dark charcoal-grey jacket and matching trousers. It didn't hang loosely on his frame like his old menswear used to. Instead, fitted neatly to his current figure without looking uncomfortable. His white shirt was crisp, his tie perfectly straight.

Instead of his usual heavy braid, his waist-length black hair had been tied into a big yet elegant bun secured tightly at the back of his head. He still looked...Beautiful & feminine, yet he carried himself with a dignity that I had always admired.

His eyes found mine. He smiled.

"Morning, Rina."

"Good morning, Senpai," I breathed out, completely unable to hide the awe in my voice. "I just got here. You... you look amazing. That suit is perfect on you."

"Thank you. My mother helped me pick it out."

“Your mother has good taste."

"My mother will be pleased to hear that."

I smiled.

He paused, looking me over. "And you... you look incredibly pretty today. The ponytail really suits you."

"...Thank you," I stuttered, ducking my head to hide a ridiculous, giddy smile.

There was something almost amusing about how formal we were being with each other. Like two coworkers meeting for the first time. We both knew that wasn't true anymore.

I noticed his eyes a second later.

He looked tired.

Not exhausted.

Just...

Like he hadn't slept properly.

"Senpai," I asked, gentler. "Did you sleep last night?"

"Not very well."

Something in his expression made me want to ask more.

But I remembered his boundaries.

So I simply nodded.

"Then we're getting coffee," I said with a warm smile, pointing toward a nearby café kiosk. "Both of us. I'm not letting our lead negotiator fall asleep on the train."

"I'll try my best."

"That's not reassuring."

"Sorry."

"There," I teased.

"You're already apologising."

He gave me a small, embarrassed smile. "...Old habit."

I bought the coffees, handing him a steaming cup before we made our way through the gates.

Once we boarded the train, we found two empty seats side-by-side by the window. He placed his briefcase by his feet, taking a sip of his coffee as the train lurched forward, leaving the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo behind.

For a while, neither of us spoke. The gentle rocking of the carriage caused our shoulders to brush occasionally, sending little jolts of electricity straight to my chest. I watched his reflection in the dark glass of the window. His face looked calm, but I knew him well enough now to notice the little things.

The way his fingers occasionally tightened around the warm paper cup. The way his gaze stayed fixed outside instead of wandering through the carriage. The way he seemed to be somewhere else entirely.

He was incredibly brave, stepping out into the world like this, wearing a suit that finally fit his body. But as I watched that distant look in his dark eyes, I realised that the ghosts of his three-year absence were still haunting him. Whatever we were facing in Yokohama, he had already decided he was going to carry it alone.

I wasn't going to let him.

I gently shifted my arm, letting my shoulder press softly but firmly against his.

"Senpai."

He looked at me. "Yeah?"

"We'll be fine."

A faint smile appeared on his lips. "I know."

He looked back out the window, his hand tightening slightly around the coffee cup once more. I watched him for another moment, settling in for the ride. I didn't know yet that I was about to hear the story he'd spent three years trying to survive.

The train carried us steadily toward Yokohama.

END PART II

Thank you for reading and sticking with Aftermath — Part 2.