The next morning, Oki entered the office building with her usual brisk energy, her bag swinging slightly as she walked toward the attendance sheet at the reception desk. The soft buzz of employees chatting in the lobby mixed with the distant hum of the air conditioning. She scanned the list quickly, pen poised, before pausing.

  “Huh, this is weird. Kichiro-san and Ashi were here early today? They usually show up after me. What’s up with this sudden change?” she murmured to herself, scribbling her signature.

  After signing, Oki made her way to the elevators. She was focused on her phone, typing out a quick text, when she turned a corner and— bam—she bumped straight into one of the cleaning staff.

  “Ow!” Oki winced, rubbing her forehead as her vision swam for a moment.

  The staff member, an newly young man with a sack of trash slung over his back, looked equally startled. “Oh no! I’m so sorry, ma’am. I didn’t see you coming,” he said, bowing deeply in apology.

  “Watch where you’re going, sir,” Oki said, rubbing the spot on her forehead where their heads had collided.

  “I will, I will. Please forgive me,” the man replied, bowing again before shuffling off, muttering apologies under his breath.

  Oki sighed and adjusted her bag. “No, no yaou don't apolozige, I was aslo in my phone, just be more careful next time,” she muttered as she entered the elevator.

  As the doors slid shut, she blinked rapidly, noticing her eyes itching. A small tear slid down her cheek, and she rubbed at her eyes with her sleeve. “Huh, must’ve gotten some dust in my eyes. This building seriously needs better ventilation.”

  The elevator dinged, signaling her floor. Oki stepped out and headed toward her department. The familiar sound of clacking keyboards and low conversation filled the air. But as soon as she stepped into the room, she felt all eyes on her.

  Ashi spotted her first, her face lighting up with a mix of relief and worry. She rushed over, her heels clicking loudly against the tiled floor, and threw her arms around Oki.

  “Huh? Ashi, what are you—?” Oki stammered, startled by the sudden embrace.

  “Why did you come to the office today?” Ashi said, holding Oki tightly. Her voice was thick with emotion. “You should’ve stayed home and rested!”

  “What? But why?” Oki asked, confused as she gently tried to pry Ashi off her.

  “You don’t have to work so hard! The work isn’t going anywhere. We can manage it for you. I know you’re a hard worker, but in situations like this, you need to take it easy,” Ashi said, stepping back but still holding Oki by the shoulders.

  “Yeah,” Haari chimed in, walking over with a serious expression. “We know how big of a shock Cocru’s death must’ve been for you. Losing your best friend like that... And after everything else you’ve been through—the accident that took your father, your mother’s illness... Anyone would break under that kind of pressure. But don’t worry, Habi-san. Even if you feel like you’re alone, we’re here for you. You can rely on us.”

  Oki’s confusion deepened. She blinked at them, her mouth slightly open as she tried to process their words. “Wait, wait, hold on a second! My father died in an accident? My mother is ill ? And... who’s Cocru?”

  Ashi’s face softened, her brows knitting together in concern. “I know it’s a lot to bear, and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. When so much happens at once, it’s hard for the brain to even process it. That’s why you need to rest, Habi-san. We’ll take care of everything at work.”

  “Wait, what?” Oki asked, her voice rising slightly as she stared at both of them in disbelief.

  “And who the heck is this Cocru you’re talking about?” she added, glancing between Haari and Ashi, her frustration growing.

  “Cocru,” Ashi said gently. “He’s your pet. The one who passed away in midnight.”

  Oki stared at her blankly for a moment before crossing her arms. “I don’t have a pet.”

  Haari furrowed his brow, exchanging a confused glance with Ashi. “But Rafta told us... He said you lost your pet, Cocru, and he also told us about your father’s accident and your mother’s illness.”

  “Rafta said all that?” Oki’s expression darkened as anger flared in her chest. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “My father is alive and well, thank you very much. And my mother? She’s perfectly fine—she’s probably at home right now, watching her morning dramas on TV. And Cocru? I have no idea who or what that even is!”

  Ashi and Haari froze, their faces pale with shock.

  Oki slammed her bag down on her desk, her eyes blazing. “Rafta told you all this? Oh, he’s so dead. RAFTAAAA!”

  Meanwhile, in his apartment, Rafta sneezed loudly as he lounged on the couch in his pajamas. He rubbed his nose, glancing up at the ceiling.

  “Huh. Who the heck is cursing me this early in the morning?” he muttered, grabbing a blanket and settling back into his cushions. “Well, whoever it is, sorry bro, but today’s my day off. Not my problem.”

  The next morning.

  Rafta strolled in leisurely, a grin plastered on his face as if he hadn’t just taken the previous day off and caused a storm of misunderstandings.

  As soon as he stepped through the office doors, a blur of motion shot toward him. It was Oki, her fist aimed straight at his face.

  “Whoa!” Rafta yelped, narrowly dodging to the side. Her fist whizzed past his head, and he stumbled back in shock. “Hey, what’s this first thing in the morning?! Are you trying to kill me?”

  “You dare make fun of my family, you dumass?!” Oki growled, her eyes blazing with fury as she lunged at him again, swinging her fist.

  Rafta ducked and sidestepped her attack, holding his hands up defensively. “Huh? What are you even talking about? What did I do to your family?!”

  “You said my father is dead, my mother is in the last stages of cancer, and you invented some random pet named Cocru! Who the hell is Cocru?!” Oki snapped, her punches relentless. “I took the day off because my cousine came by to visit us, not because of some nonsense like that!”

  “Oh, that?” Rafta scratched the back of his head sheepishly, still dodging her attacks. “You didn’t tell me why you were skipping work, so I… may have made up a little story as an excuse for you. You’re welcome!”

  “Excuse?!” Oki’s fist came dangerously close to his nose, but he ducked just in time. “You call that an excuse? Stay still, you dumbass! I swear, I’ll end you today!”

  Just as Rafta turned to flee, Ashi appeared from behind, her expression a mix of exasperation and determination. Without hesitation, she grabbed Rafta, locking her arms under his. “Got him!”

  “Wha—wait! What are you doing?!” Rafta wriggled in her grip but froze the moment he felt something soft press against his back.

  His face turned a vivid shade of red. “W-Wait… are those… soft pillows on my back?”

  Oki, still fuming, took the opportunity and punched him square in the face. “Don’t you dare make fun of my family again! I’ll kill you next time!”

  Rafta stumbled back, his nose bleeding profusely, but there was still a goofy smile on his face. “Ow… but, totally worth it. hehe”

  Ashi, realizing what Rafta had meant, glanced down and noticed her chest had been pressed against his back the entire time. Her face turned crimson as her jaw dropped in horror. “You… you pervert!”

  Rafta grinned through his bloody nose. “No, no, don’t let me go! It feels like heaven on my back!”

  Ashi, now thoroughly mortified and furious, delivered a solid punch to the back of his head, sending him crashing to the floor. She dusted her hands off and stomped back to her desk, muttering angrily.

  As Rafta lay sprawled on the floor, Haari walked in, taking in the scene with raised eyebrows. " Hey are alright "

  Rafta raised thumb " Totally , worth it "

  “You’re a big pervert, you know that?”

  Rafta sat up slowly, wiping the blood from his nose with a tissue he fished out of his pocket. “Hey, don’t make it sound so bad! You’d say the same thing if you were in my position!”

  “No, I wouldn’t. I don’t want to be in your position,” Haari replied flatly.

  Rafta ignored him, his hands gesturing wildly as he reminisced. “Do you even know how soft they were? They must’ve been this big—no, this big!” He made exaggerated circles with his hands, his expression turning dreamy. “Oh man, I can’t even describe the size. Maybe a G-cup or something?”

  A sudden silence fell over the room.

  Rafta blinked and turned his head, only to see both Oki and Ashi standing behind him, their eyes twitching with unrestrained rage.

  “RAFTA,” Oki said through gritted teeth, cracking her knuckles.

  “DENSI-SAN,” Ashi echoed, fire practically blazing in her eyes.

  “Wait, wait! I was just kidding! Guys, let’s talk about this!” Rafta pleaded, scrambling to his feet.

  They didn’t give him a chance. Both women descended on him, a flurry of punches and kicks raining down as Haari watched from the sidelines, shaking his head.

  “You had that coming,” Haari muttered, walking to his desk.

  When the chaos finally subsided, Rafta lay on the floor again, covered in bruises and groaning in pain. “Totally… worth it,” he mumbled weakly.

  Day passed at their usual speed.

  “Wow, finally it’s done. Oh, it’s almost break time too,” Oki said, stretching and glancing at the clock on the wall. Her shoulders relaxed as she completed her task, ready for a moment of rest.

  “Wanna eat lunch together, Habi-san?” Ashi asked, her voice bright and hopeful as she turned towards Oki, who was still engrossed in her paperwork.

  Without lifting her gaze, Oki shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m heading to the cafeteria.”

  Ashi’s hopeful smile faltered slightly. “We can share my tiffin if you want. I brought enough food with me.”

  “ Thanks but, I'm not hungry today so I just go to cafeteria and grab some drink,” Oki replied, her voice muffled by the rhythmic clacking of keys.

  “Okay, if that’s what you want,” Ashi said, her shoulders drooping slightly as she gathered her things.

  The office was a cacophony of activity, with phones ringing and keyboards clattering. Ashi made her way to the rooftop, escaping the harsh fluorescent lights for the crisp, refreshing air outside.

  “Eh? I didn’t expect you to be here, Kichiro-san,” Ashi said in surprise as she spotted Haari standing by the railing, his gaze lost in the cityscape.

  “Oh! Nicawa-san,” Haari responded, turning with a look of surprise.

  “Where is your lunchbox?” Ashi asked, noticing Haari’s empty hands as she took a seat on a nearby bench, placing her lunchbox on her lap.

  “Lunch?” Haari looked puzzled. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes drifting back to the horizon.

  “Aren’t you here to eat your lunch?” Ashi asked, her eyes darting between Haari and the lunchbox.

  “No,” Haari said, shaking his head. “I usually come here for the fresh air. The rooftop has such a nice breeze compared to the ground level.” He inhaled deeply, the cool air visibly easing his tension as he glanced over at Ashi.

  “Yes, the air is so cold and fresh up here. It feels like we’re in a completely in a different place,” Ashi agreed, setting her lunchbox beside her on the bench.

  “Are you here to eat your lunch?” Haari asked, curiosity evident as he turned to face Ashi more fully.

  “Yeah, Habi-san said she’s going to the cafeteria today, so I came up here to eat my lunch,” Ashi said, gesturing towards her lunchbox with a hopeful expression.

  “Then I should go. Eat your lunch before the break time is over,” Haari said, starting to turn towards the door, concern etched in his features.

  “What about you?” Ashi asked, a frown creasing her forehead.

  “Eh, about me?” Haari replied, glancing back at Ashi.

  “Aren’t you going to eat your lunch?” Ashi asked, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.

  “Oh! I don’t have one,” Haari admitted, his shoulders slumping slightly as he looked away, the cool wind ruffling his hair.

  To be continue....

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