"Everyone please welcome the newest member to our team!" Mr. Fuji announced as a girl walked out from behind him.
*WOAHH!!!*
All the male office workers cheered in unison, while the female office workers got a bit excited at her appearance. It reminded me of getting a transfer student in school.
However, I remained unfazed and continued fixing the error I had made in my last report, not bothering to look up from my cubicle.
"Hi, I'm Akiyama Akari. It's nice to meet everyone and I hope you take good care of me", Akari revealed as she did a slight bow.
"Why does that name sound so familiar?" I thought as I continued typing.
After everyone had calmed down, Mr. Fuji searched the room before laying his eyes upon me, who even now still hadn't taken interest in the commotion.
I barely glanced up, my focus still on the report. New hires came and went; this one would be no different. But then Mr. Fuji's voice broke through my concentration. "Suzuki, I'd like you to show Akiyama-san around today."
I blinked and looked up, finally registering the presence of the new employee. Standing next to Mr. Fuji was a woman with long, black hair and a confident yet approachable demeanour. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence and warmth.
"This is Akiyama Akari," Mr. Fuji said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "She'll be joining us in the marketing department. Please make her feel welcome."
I stood up, trying to hide my surprise and irritation at being singled out. "Of course, Mr. Fuji," I replied, offering a polite smile to Akiyama-san. "Welcome to the team, Akiyama-san. I'm Suzuki Kei. I'll be helping you get settled in."
"Thank you, Suzuki-san," she replied, her voice calm and clear. There was a warmth in her tone that felt oddly familiar. "I appreciate your help."
We walked towards her new workspace, and I began the usual spiel about company protocols, project management software, and the various teams we collaborated with. She listened attentively, nodding occasionally and asking insightful questions.
"So, Akiyama-san, what brings you to our company?" I asked, trying to make conversation.
"Well, I've always been interested in marketing, and this company's innovative approach really appealed to me," she said. "Plus, I heard the team here is excellent."
"Flattery will get you everywhere," I joked, and she laughed—a light, musical sound that tugged at a memory just out of reach.
As we worked through the morning, I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew her from somewhere. Her mannerisms, her voice, everything seemed so familiar. But every time I tried to pin it down, it slipped away like sand through my fingers.
At lunch, we joined Fukuyama Hirose and Hayase Minori in the break room. Hirose, always the jokester, was in the middle of telling a story that had Minori in stitches.
"Hey, Suzuki-san, over here!" Hirose called out, waving us over. "Come join the fun."
We sat down, and Minori, ever the social butterfly, immediately engaged Akiyama in conversation. "So, Akiyama, we're having a team dinner tonight. It's kind of a tradition to welcome new members. You're coming, right?"
Akiyama smiled. "I'd love to. Thanks, Minori."
Minori beamed. "Great! Kei, you're coming too, right?"
I hesitated, but Akiyama's expectant gaze convinced me. "Yeah, I'll be there."
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of meetings and tasks. Akari settled in quickly, her competence and easygoing nature making her a hit with the team. Still, that nagging sense of familiarity kept gnawing at me.
As the workday ended, we headed to the restaurant for the team dinner. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Hirose was in his element, cracking jokes and keeping everyone entertained. Minori flitted around, making sure everyone was having a good time.
I found myself seated across from Akiyama-san, which only heightened my curiosity. Throughout the dinner, she dropped subtle hints about our past, her eyes twinkling with amusement each time I failed to catch on.
"So, Suzuki-san," she said, looking straight at me with a mischievous smile, "did you ever make any childhood promises?"
I blinked, taken aback by the question. "Childhood promises? I guess so, I don't remember though. Why?"
"Just curious," she replied, her smile widening. "Sometimes, those promises can shape our futures in unexpected ways."
Her words struck a chord, stirring a distant memory. Before I could dwell on it, Hirose leaned in, having overheard our conversation.
"Wait, wait," Hirose said, grinning widely. "Are you two childhood friends or something?"
Minori, catching wind of the conversation, joined in with a gasp. "Oh my gosh, that would be such an amazing coincidence!"
I scratched my head, feeling the pressure of their expectant gazes. "I'm not sure. It's possible. I mean, I did have a close friend when I was younger, but we lost touch."
Akiyama's eyes softened. "Maybe it's fate bringing us back together, then."
Her comment was met with laughter and a chorus of teasing from the others, but there was a sincerity in her eyes that made me pause. Could it really be?
The dinner continued, with everyone sharing stories and getting to know Akiyama better.
"Here's to our newest member, Akiyama-san! Kanpai!" Everyone cheered, clinking glasses.
Despite the lively atmosphere, my mind kept returning to her earlier question. Was it possible that she was the friend I had made a promise to all those years ago? But what was it about again?
As the evening wound down, I walked Akiyama-san to the train station. The city lights cast a warm glow, and the cool night air was refreshing.
"Thanks for showing me around today, Suzuki-san," she said, her tone sincere. "It really means a lot."
"Of course, Akiyama-san. I'm glad to have you on the team," I replied.
She paused, looking at me with a strange intensity. "You really don't remember, do you?"
"Remember what?" I asked.
She sighed, her expression softening. "Kei, it's me. Akiyama Akari, your childhood friend 20 years ago?"
I froze, the name finally hit me like a bolt of lightning. "Akari? But how…?"
She smiled gently. "I recognized you right away this morning. I've been waiting for you to remember."
The memories came flooding back—our trip to Akihabara, the day she moved away. "Akari, I… I can't believe it's you."
"I never forgot our promise, Kei," she said, her eyes glistening with emotion.
I felt a rush of emotions—relief, joy, and a hint of disbelief. "I-I…"
"Life has a funny way of bringing us back to what's important," she said softly.
As we stood there, the world seemed to fade away. In that moment, it was just us, two childhood friends reunited by a promise and a twist of fate.
"I'm so glad you're back, Akari," I said, my voice thick with emotion.
"Me too, Kei," she replied, her smile radiant. "Me too."
As we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways for the night, I couldn't help but feel that this was the start of something truly special. But what was the promise we made all those years ago?