The Red String Between Us Part II: Frayed Threads

第1章 New Beginnings, Old Threads

Three months had passed since the Christmas party—the night that had shifted everything. The memory of Kenji's kiss lingered like a quiet pulse beneath Eden's composure, a thread she couldn't sever no matter how many board meetings, investor calls, or late-night strategy sessions filled her days.

Because of their positions, Eden and Kenji had agreed to keep their growing connection a secret over the next few months. They couldn't openly go on dates—not yet, not with the board and the public scrutinizing every move. Even so, they found ways to be close in the quiet spaces no one could see.

On Valentine's Day, rather than an elaborate outing or public display, they spent the evening in privacy. Eden had quietly arrived at Kenji's house, where they settled into the comfort of his living room, blankets and soft pillows strewn across the floor. They watched movies, shared small bites of dessert, and laughed easily, the world outside their doors fading away. By the time the night ended, Kenji had driven her home, the ride filled with the quiet weight of what neither of them could yet say aloud, but both felt intensely.

Hokkaido, now cloaked in late winter snow slowly melting away, felt both familiar and new as Eden returned to her office. Snow melting softly against the windows, Eden sat behind her sleek glass desk, reviewing quarterly reports, her mind cataloging successes and challenges alike. As Interim CEO, she had already proven herself capable—but tonight, the hum of the office felt different, expectant somehow.

One evening, as snow fell softly against her window, a notification chimed on her screen: Invitation—Virtual Meeting with Board Chairman Nakamura.

Eden straightened instinctively, smoothing her blazer before clicking in. His familiar face appeared, calm and deliberate as always, but there was a spark of warmth in his tone tonight.

"Eden," the Chairman of the Board began, "you've exceeded every expectation we set when you stepped into this role. Your leadership has been decisive, measured, and inspiring—not just to the board, but to the company as a whole." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "I would like to formally offer you the position of CEO, effective immediately."

Eden's breath caught. For a moment, her practiced composure slipped, her eyes widening with the magnitude of what he was saying. "I... I don't know what to say," she admitted softly.

"You've already said it," Nakamura replied. "Through your work, your resilience, and your results. This company trusts you." He leaned slightly closer to the camera. "And one more thing—your contributions will be recognized publicly. We are having our annual Employee Appreciation Gala, where I will be presenting you with the AG Excellence Award."

The words hung in the air like a bell toll, firm and undeniable.

When the call ended, Eden leaned back in her chair, the quiet atmosphere of the office wrapping around her. CEO. Permanently. An award in her name. The milestones felt surreal, hard-won victories that she could scarcely believe were hers.

And yet, even as pride filled her chest, a flicker of unease stirred. Behind the strength she projected, behind the titles and accolades, lived the secret she couldn't shake—the balcony, the kiss, and the quiet memory of Valentine's Day, spent tucked away in the safety of his home.

She exhaled slowly, letting the weight of it all settle. It was a new horizon, yes. But whether it was a sunrise or the edge of a storm, Eden couldn't yet tell.

Across the city, somewhere in his own office, Kenji likely felt it too—the pull of the unspoken, the tether that tied them together, fragile yet undeniable. And somewhere beneath her triumph, Eden knew that no amount of titles or awards could silence the thread that stretched between them, red and relentless, waiting for the next moment to snap—or to hold.