The morning light filtered through the company windows as Aiden walked into the office, holding his coffee with a casual air—at least on the surface.
Inside, he was bubbling with emotion.
It's him. It really is him.
Last night's confession—no, that moment—was too raw, too sincere to be anything but the truth. Sion was Shinomi. Aiden had been right all along.
And yet… he hadn't said anything directly. He'd kept the truth buried. Why?
Aiden made his way to Sion's office, masking his anticipation behind a relaxed smile. He knocked twice before peeking in.
"Morning," he said, stepping inside. "Did you call me last night?"
Sion, who was scribbling notes in a file, looked up—startled for a brief moment, but quickly composed himself.
"No," he said shortly. "Must be your imagination. I didn't call anyone."
Aiden blinked, pretending to believe him. "Oh. Weird. I thought I heard something…"
He left without another word, heart racing with a bittersweet thrill. So he remembers. He just won't admit it.
Later that afternoon, Aiden approached again—this time, to test the waters.
"Hey… want to grab lunch today? There's a new curry place down the street."
Sion didn't even look up.
"Can't. I have a meeting."
Aiden frowned but nodded.
It didn't stop there.
Every time Aiden approached him—whether with a casual conversation, a shared snack, or a work-related excuse—Sion always had a reason to walk away.
"Busy right now."
"I have a call."
"There's someone waiting for me."
Excuses. Every time.
It was like a door closing in his face—again and again.
At first, Aiden thought it might be awkwardness from last night. But the longer it went on, the more it felt like Sion was building walls around himself.
Why?
If you remember me… if you still feel something… why are you running away again?
That night, Aiden sat at home on the couch, Miso curled beside him, purring softly. He gently scratched behind the kitten's ears, but his eyes were distant.
Was Sion just angry? Hurt? Or… did he not want to acknowledge the past?
Aiden bit his lower lip, then whispered into the quiet room,
"…How long do I have to keep pretending, Shinomi?"
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