After the company trip, the perfume project officially kicked off, and the team was buzzing with energy as they settled into their new roles. The office was a hive of activity, with everyone setting up their workstations, preparing scent samples, and finalizing their research strategies.
Hana was thrilled—this was the kind of hands-on experience she had always dreamed of, a chance to dive deep into the creative process and contribute to something meaningful. But something felt different ever since she got back from the trip. She couldn't stop thinking about Sohei. Not in a serious way—or so she told herself. It was just that after spending the night talking to him at the hotel, seeing him so relaxed and open, she felt closer to him in a way she hadn't anticipated. It was dangerous, though, because Sohei was still Sohei—casual, easygoing, and completely unaware of what he was doing to her heart. And, as always, he didn't seem bothered at all, his carefree demeanor only adding to her internal turmoil.
The project required cross-department collaboration, which meant bringing in a few employees from other teams to contribute their expertise. Hana was excited when she heard that Shun—a colleague from her same department—would be joining the team. She hadn't seen him in a while, and the thought of working with him again brought a smile to her face.
When he walked into the office that morning, she couldn't help but wave him over, her excitement evident. "Hana! Long time no see!" Shun greeted her with a warm smile, his kind eyes and easygoing presence immediately putting her at ease. He looked exactly the same—friendly, approachable, and with the same genuine warmth that had made him one of the few people she genuinely got along with in her old department. They immediately fell into easy conversation, reminiscing about old projects and catching up on each other's lives, their laughter filling the air as they slipped back into the comfortable dynamic they had always shared.
Sohei, who had just walked into the office, stopped in his tracks when he saw them. His brows furrowed as he watched Hana smile up at some guy he didn't recognize, her expression bright and animated in a way he hadn't seen before. There was something about the way she laughed, the way she leaned in slightly as she talked to him, that made his chest tighten in a way he couldn't quite explain.
"Who's that?" he muttered under his breath, his tone low but carrying a hint of something that made Chiaki, standing beside him, glance at him with amusement. "That's Shun," she said, her voice casual but her eyes sharp as she studied Sohei's reaction. "Our colleague from the Marketing Department." Sohei's jaw tightened, his gaze lingering on the pair as they continued their conversation, completely unaware of his presence. He wasn't sure why—but he didn't like it. There was a strange, unfamiliar feeling stirring in his chest, one he couldn't quite name but didn't want to examine too closely.
Chiaki, noticing the tension in his expression, couldn't help but smirk. "You okay?" she asked, her tone light but her eyes filled with knowing amusement. Sohei glanced at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he shrugged, his tone casual but his words carrying a hint of something deeper. "Yeah, fine," he said, though the way his gaze flickered back to Hana and Shun betrayed his true feelings. Chiaki didn't press him, but the knowing smile on her face said it all.
As Sohei walked away, his mind still preoccupied with the sight of Hana and Shun, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over him. It was a feeling he wasn't used to, one that left him restless and distracted, and he wasn't sure what to do about it. But one thing was clear—something had shifted, and he wasn't sure he was ready to face what it meant.
Over the next few days, Sohei started picking up on little things—small details that stuck with him more than they should. Hana was always with Shun—testing fragrances, reviewing reports, talking about strategies. They looked like a perfect team, easy and natural together.
Sohei noticed how Hana laughed a bit too easily at Shun's jokes, her eyes crinkling as her whole face lit up. How Shun leaned in too closely when he spoke, his voice low, his smile warm—like they shared secrets. And Hana didn't seem to mind. She smiled back, just as warmly.
Every time Sohei passed by, he saw them together, heads close, laughing. And every time, it bothered him more. That quiet frustration started to build, and he couldn't figure out how to make it stop.
At first, he told himself it was nothing. Hana was friendly with everyone, after all. She had always been warm and approachable, the kind of person who could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them feel at ease. It was just work, he reasoned.
But the way Shun looked at her—like she was the only person in the room—that wasn't just work. And it was pissing him off. Sohei tried to ignore it, to focus on his own tasks and push the growing unease to the back of his mind. But it was impossible, especially when the sound of Hana's laughter reached his ears, pulling his attention away from whatever he was doing and drawing his gaze to her like a magnet.
That afternoon, Sohei was reviewing scent formulas at his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to focus on the task at hand. But then he heard it—laughter, bright and unrestrained, coming from across the room. He turned his head, his eyes narrowing as he saw Hana and Shun laughing together at her desk. Shun said something, his voice low and teasing, and Hana playfully smacked his arm, her laughter ringing out like music.
Sohei's fingers tightened around his pen. Why was she touching Shun? And why did it get to him so much?
Before he could think it through, he was already on his feet, moving toward them without a word, his face unreadable but his steps firm and deliberate.
"Hana," he said, his voice cutting through their conversation. She turned, surprised, her smile fading slightly as she looked up at him. "Oh! Sohei—" she started, but he didn't let her finish.
"We need to talk," he said, his tone firm but carrying an edge that made her blink in confusion. "Uh, we're in the middle of—" she began, gesturing to the papers spread out on her desk, but Sohei shook his head. "It can wait," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Shun raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering between Sohei and Hana, but he took the hint. "I'll catch you later, Hana," he said, his tone light but his expression thoughtful as he walked away.
As soon as Shun was out of sight, Hana crossed her arms, her brow furrowing as she looked up at Sohei. "What's your problem?" she asked, her voice sharp but her eyes filled with curiosity. Sohei let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to find the right words. "Nothing," he muttered, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed his true feelings. "Liar," Hana shot back, her tone teasing but her gaze piercing. "You've been acting weird all day." Sohei hesitated, his jaw tightening as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. But then, before he could stop himself, the question spilled out— "Are you interested in him?"
Hana stared at him, her eyes widening in surprise. "What?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Sohei looked away, his jaw tight and his expression unreadable. "Shun. Are you interested in him?" he repeated, his voice low but carrying a weight that made Hana's heart skip a beat. She wasn't expecting that. A slow realization settled over her as she studied Sohei—the way he refused to meet her gaze, the tension in his shoulders, the sharp edge to his voice. Her heart skipped, a strange thrill running through her as the pieces fell into place. Sohei wasn't just annoyed. He wasn't just frustrated. He was jealous. The thought sent a rush of warmth through her, her cheeks flushing as she stepped closer, her voice softer this time. "Sohei…"
He tensed, his eyes flickering to hers for a brief moment before he looked away again. "What?" he asked, his tone defensive but his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability that made Hana's chest ache. She searched his face, her smile softening as she realized the truth.
"…Are you jealous?" she asked, her voice teasing but her eyes filled with a quiet hope that she couldn't quite hide. Sohei's entire body stiffened, his heartbeat skipping as her words hit him like a punch to the gut. For the first time in his life, he was completely speechless, his lips parting slightly as if he wanted to say something—but the words never came. His silence spoke louder than anything else, the tension between them crackling like electricity as Hana's teasing smile faltered for just a second.
Her breath caught, her fingers curling slightly at her sides as she let out a soft giggle, though it was a little shakier than before. He might not have said it aloud, but she knew. And maybe, just maybe… he was starting to realize it too.