Readers discretion is advised: Mentions of violence.
Time went on.
As Hara got up from bed, she couldn't help but feel a growing concern about her unusual sleeping patterns. Her usual sleep duration grew longer and longer, even though she felt like she had enough rest. As morning arrived, Hara awakened and ran her fingers through her long hair, glancing at the clock on the wall.
It was 8 am.
Upon seeing the time, Hara's eyebrows furrowed with worry. She realized that she had slept for a whopping 12 hours, far more than her usual sleep duration. Her head throbbed mildly, and her throat felt unusually dry. Something felt off with her body. Acting swiftly, she rose from her position, feeling a slight greasiness from the sweat accumulated during the night.
Despite the refreshing cold water during her shower, Hara couldn't shake off the drowsiness and found herself letting out a yawn. This annoyed her further, as she was hoping the shower would wake her up. Determined to fight the drowsiness, she decided to take action. After finishing her shower, Hara made herself two cups of coffee to help combat the overwhelming sleepiness.
As she took a sip of her coffee, Hara's mind wandered, and she became lost in thought while gazing around the familiar interior of the kitchen.
Memories from her past began to flood in – her life as an artist, the cherished moments with her family, the bond with her friends, and even memories from her childhood. Each memory brought both bitterness and nostalgia.
Caught up in her reverie, Hara reached for her cellphone, it was still 'Hara's cellphone, a device she had kept for the past 7 years. As she held it in her hands, she finally decided to make a call.
The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present, from executives to managers and employees. Yuto, with a gloomy and fierce expression, seemed ready to erupt in anger at any moment. The project they had been working on was on the verge of failure due to management issues, resulting a sharp drop to the business stock.
Suddenly, a loud ringtone echoed through the room, breaking the intense silence. Yuto's demeanor changed instantly as he glanced at his phone, surprising everyone with the sudden shift in his expression. Curiosity piqued, they all watched as Yuto took a moment to answer the call.
"Hello," he greeted in a friendly tone.
The voice on the other end was Hara's, and Yuto's face softened as he listened to her. The room's occupants raised their eyebrows, catching bits of the conversation, and some couldn't help but silently cheering at the change in Yuto's demeanor.
"I'm going out to the store today," Hara informed him.
"Do you want me to take you?" Yuto asked, displaying concern. Those who overheard this snippet of their conversation couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.
"No, I just wanted to tell you, I don't want to bother your work" Hara replied.
"I'm going now," she added cheerfully.
"Oh, okay," Yuto responded gently.
As the call ended, the room fell silent once more, with everyone waiting in anticipation, wondering if Yuto would continue with the meeting. "We'll continue with the meeting," Yuto said as he put away his phone, his anger dissipating in an instant. The tension in the room seemed to ease as everyone present felt relieved. They silently thanked the person who had called Yuto in that critical moment, recognizing the positive effect it had on his mood and their current situation.
With a renewed sense of focus, Yuto led the discussion, addressing the management problems head-on. As they delved into the issues and brainstormed solutions, the atmosphere gradually shifted from cold and intense to one of collaboration and determination.
Hara tied her long hair into a ponytail, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. Despite feeling a bit sleepy, she couldn't help but smile as she gathered her belongings and prepared to leave. Their house was conveniently located near the city, so she opted to walk rather than take any transportation. As she stepped outside, the trees lining the street provided a comforting shade from the hot sun. The sweet melody of birdsong filled the air, adding more pleasantness to her walk along the peaceful sidewalk. Hara enjoyed the view and the simple joys of the moment, making her morning stroll a delightful experience.
Walking into the mall, Hara couldn't help but notice the glances from other people around her. However, she was determined not to let it bother her as she was used to it. Embracing the sense of freedom and that came with being alone, she decided to focus on enjoying herself.
Hara strolled through the aisles of shops, taking her time to browse through various items that caught her eye. She took the opportunity to explore without any time constraints or obligations, savoring the joy of shopping at her own pace.
She continued her solo adventure in the mall, Hara even treated herself to a delicious meal at a restaurant. Savoring each bite, she felt a sense of fulfillment and happiness in being able to savor the moment.
As Hara wandered into a clothing store, she found herself drawn to the men's clothing section, where she suddenly thought of Yuto. As she browsed through the racks, a salesgirl approached her with a friendly smile.
"Are you looking for clothes for someone special?" the salesgirl asked politely, sensing Hara's contemplation on choosing an outfit.
"Yes, actually," Hara replied warmly. "I was just reminded of my husband while browsing through the store."
The salesgirl nodded understandingly. "That's sweet. Is there anything specific you're looking for?"
Hara thought for a moment before replying, "I think he'd look great in a casual shirt or a nice jacket. Something that suits his style, you know?"
The salesgirl nodded again, eager to assist. "Of course! We have a great selection of shirts and jackets over here. Feel free to take your time and let me know if you need any help."
As Hara perused through the various clothing items, she couldn't help but imagine how Yuto would look in each one. She carefully selected a couple of shirts and jackets that she thought would suit his taste.
After making her choices, Hara approached the salesgirl again and asked, "Could you please help me with the sizes?"
The salesgirl happily obliged, measuring the garments and ensuring that Hara had picked the right sizes for Yuto. She even offered some recommendations on colors and styles that she thought would suit him best.
Feeling satisfied with her selections, Hara thanked the salesgirl and made her way to the checkout counter. The sky was turning dark as she moved from store to store in the mall. Despite carrying all the heavy bags, she didn't feel tired, but rather an unusual sense of sleepiness weighed upon her.
As she continued walking on the sidewalk, she noticed a car slowly pulling up beside her. The window rolled down, revealing someone familiar—it was Yuto.
"Have you eaten dinner yet?" Yuto asked, a hint of concern was shown on his face.
Hara's weariness momentarily lifted as she was taken aback by Yuto's unexpected appearance. She hesitated for a moment, but Yuto's reassuring presence encouraged her to accept his offer.
"Come on, I'll take you somewhere," Yuto suggested, extending a helping hand.
Feeling a mix of relief and gratitude, Hara nodded and got into the car with Yuto. It was a small respite from the eerie feeling that had surrounded her earlier. She couldn't help but wonder how Yuto knew she needed a break, but she was thankful for his timely intervention.
Yuto took Hara to a restaurant located in a high-rise building, offering a spectacular view of the city lights below. As they settled in and placed their orders, Hara found herself captivated by the twinkling lights across the city.
Yuto, cutting his meal and taking a bite, looked up to Hara with a curious look. "So, what did you buy today?" he asked.
"I bought a few things from the mall," Hara replied, a smile forming on her lips as she recalled her shopping spree. "There were some new things that caught my eye, so I couldn't resist getting them. I also picked up a couple of books I've been wanting to read for a while."
Taking a moment to sip her drink, she continued, "And, of course, I couldn't leave without buying a little treat for myself. I got this cute bracelet that I've had my eye on for some time now."
As Yuto cut his meal and took a bite, Hara's eyes sparkled with excitement, happy to share her day's adventures with him.
"What about you?" she asked, curious about his day.
"How was your day at work?"
Yuto briefly glanced at Hara and then, with a reassuring smile, he replied, "It's okay."
"That's all you're going to say?" Hara asked, raising her eyebrows in amusement.
"Come on, don't be so vague," she playfully teased. "Tell me more about your day!"
Yuto chuckled at Hara's reaction, realizing he had given a rather brief response.
"Alright, you got me," he said, playfully conceding.
Yuto took a sip of his water before responding, "There was a minor issue at the company, but no need to worry. It has already been resolved."
Hara nodded, feeling relieved by his words. "I'm glad to hear that," she replied.
Hara's eyes lit up as she looked back at Yuto, a realization dawning on her.
"Oh, yeah!" she exclaimed, excitedly recalling her previous thoughts. "I actually bought you some new clothes," she said casually, as if it were the most natural thing.
Her words took Yuto by surprise, and he couldn't help but let out a soft smile at her thoughtfulness.
"You did? That's really thoughtful of you, Hara," he replied gratefully.
"Thank you," he said softly, genuinely appreciating her gesture.
Hara returned Yuto's smile warmly and simply said, "You're welcome."
It was midnight, and the night was filled with the soothing sounds of insects, creating a tranquil ambiance. Yuto sat on the balcony, enjoying a steaming cup of tea as he gazed at the starry sky above.
Just as he blew on the tea to cool it down, a sudden ringtone broke the stillness of the night. Yuto retrieved his phone and glanced at the caller ID, recognizing the caller but also feeling a sense of resignation.
With a composed yet swift action, he carefully placed the cup back on the table and stepped into his dimly lit room, leaving the peaceful night behind. As he closed the door, he prepared himself for whatever awaited him on the other end of the call.
The house remained silent, and Yuto was certain that Hara was already sound asleep. He brushed off the dust from his black attire, preparing to leave the house.
As he stepped outside, he was greeted by a person dressed similarly in black attire, waiting for him. The man addressed him respectfully, "We've been waiting for you, boss," and opened the car door for him.
Yuto simply nodded in acknowledgment before getting into the car. As the car drove away, leaving the quiet neighborhood behind, the night held secrets only known to those involved.
As they arrived at their destination, Yuto got out of the car and made his way to the building, his steps confident and purposeful.
Inside the old abandoned building, a desperate plea for mercy echoed through the air. "Spare me," the man's voice trembled with fear.
Yuto remained composed as he entered the room. The atmosphere became eerily silent, except for the muffled cries of the man on the floor.
The room was filled with people, each holding weapons, their faces adorned with blood and piercing gazes fixed on the man. As Yuto walked into the room, they all made way for him to approach the terrified individual.
Yuto's calm demeanor seemed to intensify the tension in the room. His expression was stoic, but his eyes held a flicker of something unreadable.
"Please, spare me," the man pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation. "I didn't mean to cross you. I'll do anything you ask, just spare my life."
Yuto remained silent for a moment, considering the man's plea.
Finally, Yuto spoke in a calm but firm tone. "Your actions have consequences," he said. "You knew the risks. I cannot simply overlook what you've done."
The man's eyes filled with fear and regret as he realized the severity of his situation. "I-I'll never do it again, I swear," he stammered. "I'll do anything to make it right."
"Please—"
The man's cries intensified, pleading desperately while bowing before Yuto, almost kissing his shoes in a desperate attempt to beg for his life.
Yuto tilted his head, seemingly contemplating the man's pleas for a moment. Then, without a word, he delivered a swift and forceful kick to the man's stomach, causing him to groan in pain, gasping for breath.
As the man writhed in agony on the floor, Yuto squatted down and grabbed him by the hair, forcing him to look directly into his eyes. Yuto's gaze was unwavering, piercing, and held a sense of authority that sent shivers down the man's spine.
Yuto's expression remained firm and unyielding as he spoke again, demanding the truth from the man.
"Then tell me who's behind all this and where to find him," Yuto said, his voice steady.
"I-I don't know," the man stammered, his sobs becoming more intense.
"I heard the orders from his phone call," he continued, attempting to provide any information he could.
Yuto's hand softened, and he released his grip on the man's hair, taking a deep breath as he stood up again. His composure returned, and he looked at one of the men in the room, giving them a brief instruction.
"Ask him more questions before sending him away," he stated calmly.
The man nodded in acknowledgment, bowing down respectfully, and replied, "Yes, boss."
"Tha- thank you"
Feeling a mix of relief and gratitude, the man who had been on the receiving end of Yuto's questioning expressed his thanks before leaving the room, his sobs fading away as he retreated.
As the car came to a stop in front of his house, the clock now indicating 4 am, Yuto stepped out of the vehicle, ready to retire after a long and eventful night.
"Enjoy your day, boss," the man who had accompanied him throughout the night said with respect.
Yuto nodded in response, a silent acknowledgment of the man's words. With a calm yet weary expression, he made his way into the house, leaving behind the darkness of the night and the weight of his responsibilities.
Inside, the house was quiet and peaceful, offering a much-needed rest after the intense events of the night. With a sense of gratitude, Yuto appreciated the fact that today was a rare day off, a chance to rest and recharge. As exhaustion settled in, he embraced the opportunity to finally get some much-needed sleep.