Chapter 12: (v.2) Beneath the Silence

Episode 12: Beneath the Silence

The days after their conversation in the break room have left Rukasu feeling… off. There’s something about Ayane’s words that keeps replaying in his mind. “One day at a time.” It sounds simple enough, but the weight of it sits heavily with him. He’s not used to taking things slowly, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. But there’s also the weight of something else—something deeper.

His mother’s death. Yuki’s letter. His father’s disappearance.

It’s been years since Rukasu lost his mom. He was just a kid at the time, too young to understand why she had to go, but old enough to feel the impact. Rukasu's father—Kazuo Okami—had always been a shadow in their lives, distant even before his wife’s death. But after that, Kazuo disappeared completely, leaving Rukasu and Yuki to fend for themselves.

Yuki, his sister, was the one who kept them together. She took care of him in ways that felt too much for someone so young. There was always a pressure on her to fill the role of both mother and sister, a role Rukasu never fully understood but felt deeply. Yuki's letters to him before her death were always about one thing: keeping him from shutting himself off. She never wanted him to push away the people who cared about him.

But Rukasu couldn’t help it. That’s what he did best. He shut people out.

It’s this history that makes him look at Ayane now with a mix of hesitation and longing. Ayane is a reminder of those days with Yuki, before everything fell apart. And the more he spends time with her, the more the past threatens to break through the walls he’s built around himself.

At work, things are… complicated. Haruto continues to keep to himself, but there's a growing sense that something's not quite right. Kyohi, ever the curious one, seems to notice it too. She’s been watching Haruto with an intensity that borders on suspicious.

One afternoon, as Rukasu walks past the break room, he overhears a conversation between Kyohi and Haruto. Their voices are low, but he catches a few words.

Kyohi: laughing softly "So, what's your deal? You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Haruto: hesitant "I don’t really talk about… personal stuff."

Kyohi: teasing "Yeah, you’re a real mystery, huh? All quiet and brooding. The office definitely needs a little more chaos."

Haruto: pauses, then glances over at her "I’m not looking for chaos. I just… don’t want to get caught up in something I can’t control."

The words hang in the air, and Rukasu frowns. It’s not like he knows much about Haruto, but there's something in his tone—something guarded—that feels oddly familiar. It’s a feeling Rukasu knows well, but for a different reason.

Later that afternoon, as Rukasu steps outside for a quick break, Ayane approaches him. Her expression is softer today, like she’s not trying so hard to hide what’s going on beneath the surface.

Ayane: gently "You okay? You’ve been a little quiet lately."

Rukasu: shrugging "Just thinking. About things."

Ayane: nodding "I get it. Things aren’t exactly… easy between us. But I’m here, Rukasu. I’m not going anywhere."

It’s the same line she’s said before, but today, something in her voice makes it feel more real. Rukasu looks at her, unsure of how to respond. He’s been running for so long, running from his memories, his past, from the aching gap left by his mother and sister. He’s never truly allowed himself to stop and just breathe.

Rukasu: quietly "You keep saying that. But I don’t know if I can trust that. I don’t know if I can trust myself."

Ayane: gently "You don’t have to trust everything right away. Trust doesn’t happen overnight. But I’m not leaving unless you ask me to."

There’s a long pause between them, and Rukasu feels the weight of the silence. It’s not just about Ayane anymore. It’s about him—his walls, his fear of getting hurt again, his hesitation to let someone in. He can’t seem to shake the feeling that the closer he gets to Ayane, the more it’s all going to come crashing down.

But for the first time in a while, he doesn’t feel like running.

Rukasu: quietly "I’m not asking you to leave. I just… need time."

Ayane: nodding "Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere."

The words hang between them, but this time, there’s no pressure. It’s not a promise of anything, just a recognition that sometimes, taking things slowly is enough.

As Rukasu heads back inside, he’s interrupted by Haruto, who’s standing by the door. The guy’s expression is unreadable, like he’s trying to figure out what to say.

Haruto: hesitant "Hey, uh… can I talk to you for a second?"

Rukasu: looking at him, raising an eyebrow "About what?"

Haruto: shifting uncomfortably "I don’t know if you know this, but I’ve been kind of keeping to myself lately. And, well, I just… don’t want to be that guy who’s always in the background."

Rukasu: pauses, still not entirely sure where this is going "Okay…?"

Haruto: takes a breath "I’ve been through my own stuff. And I get what it’s like to feel like you don’t belong, or that you’re just another face in the crowd. But if you ever want to talk—about anything—I’m here."

It’s strange, hearing that from someone who barely speaks, but there’s sincerity in his voice. Rukasu nods, unsure of how to respond, but grateful in a strange way.

Rukasu: gruffly "I’ll keep that in mind, man."

As Haruto walks away, Rukasu can’t help but think about what Kyohi said earlier about the quiet ones. Maybe Haruto isn’t so different from him after all. Maybe they’re both just looking for a way to stop running.

But there’s something else on Rukasu’s mind now—something more pressing. Ayane’s words echo in his head, and for the first time, he wonders if maybe it’s time to take a risk. Not for her, not for anyone else—just for himself.