The Red String Between Us Part II: Frayed Threads

第2章 Treading Carefully

Late March had arrived, and Hokkaido's streets were finally shedding the last remnants of winter snow. In the office, the quiet hum of activity was punctuated by the occasional laughter and clatter of keyboards—a normal rhythm, yet for Eden, every sound felt heightened. The Employee Appreciation Gala was only weeks away, most of the company focused on logistics.

Kenji had been in and out of the office throughout the week, his presence familiar but unobtrusive. Their interactions were careful, measured—brief touches on the arm in passing, shared glances across conference tables, whispered words in corners that no one else noticed. Every moment carried the thrill of secrecy and the weight of potential consequence.

"Eden," Kenji said one afternoon as she returned from a meeting with the finance team, "have you thought about your guests for the Gala?"

She paused, smoothing the edge of her blazer. "I was planning to invite my parents. They've always supported me, and I want them there for this." Her tone was steady, but her pulse quickened slightly at the thought of merging her personal life with this high-profile company event.

Kenji nodded, leaning casually against the edge of her desk. "Good. You should. Just... be aware that my parents will be attending as well." His expression was calm, but there was a subtle weight behind his words. "They hold shares in AG. My siblings will be there as well, and Mia's family. She'll also be receiving a tenure pin—she's been with the company for five years, and despite her family connections, she worked her way up from Customer Service to IT and now Executive Assistant." I respect the path she's taken, Eden felt a kinship.

Eden blinked, taking in the magnitude. "So... it's going to be a full house," she murmured. "No hiding in the crowd this time."

"No," Kenji replied quietly, his gaze meeting hers for a brief second before flicking to a report on her desk. "But that doesn't mean we can't find small moments for ourselves."

She exhaled softly, nodding. It was true—they could share little moments, stolen seconds, but the scrutiny of family and company leadership meant boundaries remained firm. Even so, the thought of walking into the Gala together, aware of the thread between them but unseen by everyone else, sent a thrill through her chest.

For the rest of the afternoon, Eden and Mia worked side by side, coordinating schedules, and reviewing charts. Eden's mind, however, drifted often to the memory of their secret Valentine's Day evening. A quiet night at Kenji's house, tucked away from prying eyes, had reminded her that intimacy could exist beyond what the public could see—a lesson she would carry into the Gala.