With the perfume launch complete, the special unit was officially disbanded, and everyone returned to their usual departments. The rush—the long nights, the pressure, the energy—was suddenly gone, leaving Hana with a quiet emptiness she hadn't expected.
The fragrance project had been intense, messy, and inspiring, filling her days for months. Now, things were back to normal. No more late-night meetings, no more last-minute tests, and no more built-in excuses to spend extra time with Sohei.
It felt strange—But not everything changed. Sohei had become even more present in her life. Even in different departments, they still found time for each other—grabbing quick ramen after work, walking through quiet streets, sharing small, peaceful moments.
As the weeks passed, Hana settled into her new normal, a calm contentment replacing the hectic pace of the project.
One evening after a late meeting, Hana's phone buzzed with a message from Sohei:
Come over.
She smiled, shaking her head at how casually he always texted. She quickly replied:
That's not how you ask someone to hang out.
A moment later, another buzz. This time, she laughed out loud at his dramatic reply:
Fine. Hana, my very cute girlfriend, will you do me the honor of gracing my apartment with your presence tonight?
Her cheeks warmed, a mix of flustered and fond. She typed: I hate you.
He responded instantly: You love me.
She sighed in defeat. He had her—and he knew it.
I'll be there in an hour, she finally texted back, grabbing her bag and heading out.
Sohei's apartment was familiar now, a place that had become her second home. She'd been there more times than she could count—for takeout nights, lazy weekends, or just a break from everything. Still, each time she stepped inside, her heart gave a small flutter. His scent lingered in the air, and the warm, lived-in feel of the place always made her feel safe.
Tonight was simple: food, a movie, and the comfort of being together after a long day.
When Hana walked in, Sohei was already lounging on the couch in sweatpants and a fitted black T-shirt that hugged his frame a little too well. He glanced up, smirked, and stretched an arm along the back of the couch. "Right on time," he said with a teasing tone. "Thought you'd keep me waiting."
Hana rolled her eyes, dropping her bag by the door and kicking off her shoes. "I should have," she muttered, though her voice was more amused than annoyed.
She walked over and sat beside him, hesitating just a second before leaning into his side. He handed her a bowl of food without a word, and the warmth of his body next to hers made her let out a soft, content sigh.
They ate in comfortable silence, the only sounds coming from the TV and the occasional clink of chopsticks. Now and then, they traded small updates—his long meeting, her annoying spreadsheet. Nothing dramatic. Just easy, simple moments that felt natural and close.
As the movie played, Hana kept sneaking glances at Sohei, her heart full with a quiet warmth she couldn't explain. He sat comfortably beside her, his arm resting over her shoulders, fingers lazily tracing circles on her arm. It was simple, ordinary—but it felt right. Like she was exactly where she belonged.
Before long, sleep began to creep in. The steady pace of the past few weeks had caught up with her, and the warmth of Sohei's body made it even harder to stay awake. Her head slowly rested against his shoulder, her breathing steadying as her eyes drifted shut. The soft sounds of the TV and the calm beat of his heart eased her into a peaceful, much-needed sleep.
"Hana," Sohei murmured, glancing down at her when he noticed her head drooping. "Are you even watching?"
She mumbled something softly, the words unclear as she shifted closer to him, instinctively drawn to his warmth. Her breathing had slowed, her face relaxed and peaceful.
Sohei sighed with quiet amusement and something gentler. He leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Guess that answers that," he whispered.
For a moment, he just sat there, watching her. The usual smirk on his face faded, replaced by something tender. She looked so calm like this, free from the guarded expression she always wore. Seeing her this way made his chest tighten in a way he couldn't quite explain.
Carefully, he adjusted and scooped her up in his arms. Hana stirred, letting out a small sound as she nestled against his chest, her warmth soaking through his shirt. His breath caught—face flushing as his heart raced.
She's asleep, he told himself. Don't be weird. Still, it was hard to think clearly with her this close.
He carried her into his room. As he gently laid her down on the bed, Hana shifted, her fingers curling into his shirt like she didn't want him to leave.
Sohei froze, his heart pounding, suddenly very aware of how close they were. For the first time in a while, he felt nervous—not because he didn't know what to do, but because he realized just how much she mattered to him.
He let out a slow breath, his fingers brushing gently across her cheek. The touch was light, careful, but full of feeling.
"You're going to be the death of me, Hana," he whispered, voice rough with emotion.
He had no plans to cross any lines—he respected Hana too much for that—but damn, she made it hard to think clearly. The way she slept so peacefully, the way her fingers clung to his shirt like she didn't want him to go, the way her warmth reached him even through layers of clothes—it all made his chest ache in a way he couldn't ignore.
After a brief pause, he gently pulled the covers over her and tucked her in. Then he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well," he whispered, voice low and rough as he straightened up.
Just as he turned to leave, he felt a light tug on his wrist.
Hana, still half-asleep, had reached out and gently grabbed his hand. "…Stay?" she mumbled, barely audible, but filled with a vulnerability that stopped him cold.
Sohei froze, his throat suddenly dry. "Hana…" he began softly, unsure.
But she had already shifted, wordlessly making room beside her. She was clearly still half-asleep, her movements slow and drowsy, but the way she reached for him made his resolve falter.
With a quiet sigh, he climbed into bed next to her, moving carefully so he wouldn't wake her. As he settled beside her, the tension in his chest began to ease.
As soon as Sohei lay down, Hana instinctively curled into him—her head resting on his chest, one arm draped across his waist. He froze, breath catching at the warmth of her against him. His arm hovered for a moment before settling around her waist, pulling her closer as he tried to steady his breathing. This is fine, he told himself. Just sleep. That's all.
But as he lay there, feeling her steady breaths and the quiet comfort of her body against his, something hit him hard—something he hadn't expected.
He didn't want to let her go.
He gently tightened his hold, his fingers brushing her back as he exhaled slowly. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, the gesture tender and automatic.
"You're going to ruin me, Hana," he whispered, voice barely audible as he closed his eyes.