The Red String Between Us Part II: Frayed Threads

第4章 Anticipation and Intrusion

Kenji sat at his sleek desk in Hokkaido, the muted light of late March filtering through the wide windows. Outside, the last snow of the season clung to rooftops, melting in rivulets that mirrored the careful precision of his thoughts. His mind, however, was far from calm. The latest report from his U.S. CFO outlined staffing shortages in California and an acquisition that would require delicate oversight—oversight that might demand his presence.

The timing pressed on him. Eden's birthday was only weeks away, the excellence gala was weeks away, and he had quietly arranged every detail of a surprise trip to the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort , and a overnight sailing experience both in Okinawa. The thought of missing it tugged at him with an unfamiliar ache. For a man who thrived on control, the uncertainty left him unsteady.

A knock at the door broke the stillness. Kenji looked up, and his composure faltered slightly when he saw Aya framed in the doorway, her practiced smile already set.

"Still working late, I see," she said smoothly, stepping inside without waiting for permission. "You always did push yourself too hard. Must be exhausting."

Kenji's jaw flexed as he straightened, his voice polite but thinner than usual. "Aya. Can I help you?"

She perched on the chair across from him, tilting her head. "Oh, no. I just wanted to check in. I heard you're dealing with U.S. operations again—that can't be easy." Her gaze lingered, searching his face. Then, almost too casually, she added, "And... Eden? Still keeping her close?"

The question landed heavier than he anticipated. For a heartbeat, he looked away toward the window, vulnerability flickering across his features. Eden's name spoken aloud in this office, by someone who knew too much of his past, unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

Before he could answer, his desk phone buzzed, the sharp ring cutting through the tension. Kenji glanced at the screen. Eden.

He pressed the line open, his voice quiet but steady. "Yes?"

"Kenji?" Eden's voice came through, warm but professional. "I just wanted to inform—" She paused, her tone shifting ever so slightly as she picked up on something. "Are you... busy?"

Aya, deliberately slow, let out a soft laugh at something only she found amusing. It carried faintly through the receiver. Eden didn't speak again right away, but the silence on the other end was unmistakably sharp.

Kenji's eyes flickered to Aya, his expression hardening as he turned slightly away from her. "No," he said firmly, voice dropping lower, intended only for Eden. "I'm not busy. What do you need?"

There was another pause. When Eden finally spoke, her tone was measured, though an edge of tension slipped through. "You know what—I was calling with a question about a report, but I think I've got it figured out now," she said quickly, almost rushed.

Kenji, confusion flickering. What report? I haven't sent her anything. He opened his mouth to ask, "What re—"

But she cut him off, her voice brisk, almost too bright. "Thanks, Kenji!"

The line went dead before he could say another word. Kenji sat still for a moment, his hand resting on the receiver. He felt Aya's eyes on him, amused, maybe even smug, but it didn't matter. Eden had heard her. And whether by accident or design, that changed everything.

Kenji's jaw tightened. He hated this—her insinuations, her tone, her casual attempt to probe into his life. Yet he maintained his calm, deliberate demeanor. "Eden is doing well. But I'm not here to discuss her with you. In fact, she's your boss, why don't you go and ask her." His words were smooth, matter of fact, unyielding, leaving no room for manipulation.

Aya laughed lightly, though there was an edge of frustration beneath it. "Always so... precise. I suppose some things never change." She finally straightened, glancing around the office. "Well, I'll leave you to your work, then. Just remember, i'm always here for you." She said as she exited the office. As soon as she left, Kenji exhaled softly.

He looked out the window at the snow-tinged streets of Hokkaido, Kenji allowed a faint, almost imperceptible smile. The Gala, Eden's birthday, the careful dance of secrecy—it was all a delicate balance, and he wouldn't risk a single misstep.