It's Him

Days passed, but Hana couldn't shake the memory of that moment—the way his dark eyes had crinkled with amusement, the warmth in his voice as he teased her, the effortless charm that had left her flustered and intrigued. She replayed the encounter in her mind, again and again, the details etched into her thoughts like a scene from a movie she couldn't stop rewatching. The way he had taken charge so casually, the way he had smiled at her, the way he had walked away without even telling her his name—it all lingered, a persistent thought that refused to fade. She wondered if she'd ever see him again, half-hoping and half-dreading the possibility. And then, one afternoon, as she stepped out of a conference room after a particularly grueling meeting, her mind still buzzing with notes and action items, she spotted him.

There he was—same dark, slightly messy hair, same confident stride that made him stand out in the hallway. Her breath caught, heart skipping as their eyes met. It had to be him. That posture, that smile, that presence—she couldn't forget it.

She stepped forward, about to call out, to ask the questions that had haunted her. But before she could speak, he turned a corner and vanished, leaving her frozen, words stuck in her throat and heart racing.

Her chest thudded as she stared at the spot he had just been. He worked here? The thought left her stunned. It all made sense now—his confident walk, being here at lunchtime… he had to be part of the company. But who was he? What department? Why hadn't she seen him before?

The questions came fast, but no answers followed—only the memory of his fading figure and the sound of his voice echoing in her mind.

Hana stood still, clutching her meeting notes to her chest, trying to calm her breath. The office buzzed around her, but it all felt distant—like nothing else mattered except the man who had just walked past her. She couldn't shake the feeling that their story wasn't over. Somehow, she knew they'd meet again. And when they did, she wouldn't let the moment slip by. Next time, she'd get his name. Find out who he really was.

*****

A company-wide email had just gone out—an announcement from upper management that grabbed everyone's attention.

Hana, sitting at her desk with a half-finished coffee, clicked on it. The subject line read: Special Project Team Announcement. Her heart started to race as she read.

A special unit was being formed to lead the upcoming perfume development project—a major initiative set to run for three months. It would be led by none other than General Manager Katagiri Hayato, a respected and well-known figure in the company.

Hana's eyes widened as she scrolled down. Her name was on the list. So was Chiaki's.

"Chiaki!" Hana called out, spinning in her chair with excitement. "We've been chosen for the GM's project team!"

Chiaki looked up, surprised, then smiled wide as the news sank in. They exchanged thrilled looks—this was a huge opportunity. Hana felt a rush of pride, not knowing this project would do more than boost her career. It would also bring her face-to-face with the man she hadn't been able to forget.

A few days later, the team moved into a new office. The space buzzed with energy as everyone got settled. Hana was organizing her desk when Chiaki called out, "Hana! I saved a good spot for you and your partner," pointing toward a desk by the window.

Hana turned, smiling—until her eyes landed on the person standing next to Chiaki. Her smile froze. It was him.

There he was.

Sohei.

The man she had spilled coffee on. The man who had bought her a new shirt. The man she hadn't stopped thinking about since that fateful day. And now, he was standing right in front of her, his familiar dark hair and confident demeanor unmistakable. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind screaming, IT'S HIM. 

Memories of their encounter flashed through her mind—the coffee spill, his teasing smile, the way he had casually taken charge of the situation, buying her a new shirt without a second thought. She barely registered Chiaki's words as she introduced them. "Hana, meet Sohei from the R&D department. Sohei, this is my partner, Hana."

Hana forced herself to speak, though her voice came out a little shaky. "N-Nice to meet you!" she said, her cheeks burning as she extended her hand. Sohei chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he shook her hand, his grip firm but warm. "Likewise," he replied, his tone light but carrying a hint of something that made her stomach flip. Her heart refused to settle, pounding so loudly she was sure everyone in the room could hear it. Sohei was here. In the same project team. Working alongside her. And she had no idea what that meant for her.

As the day went on, Hana found it increasingly difficult to focus. Every time Sohei walked by her desk or spoke during a meeting, her attention would inevitably drift to him, her mind replaying their brief but unforgettable encounter. She sat at her desk, her hands gripping the edge as she tried to steady her breathing. At one point, she buried her face in her hands, silently screaming into her palms. How was she supposed to survive this project knowing that the guy she had a ridiculous crush on—the guy who had no idea who she was beyond that one embarrassing moment—was now her colleague? This was going to be a long three months.