Later that day, the atmosphere in the office grew tense as more calls came in. It seemed like every caller was becoming more intense, and some were crossing boundaries. Haruka, who had been listening to her own series of calls, noticed a pattern forming—a surge of inappropriate, unsettling calls.
Yuto, who had been handling a particularly uncomfortable caller, looked visibly shaken as he ended the call. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest. Haruka could tell something was off. She glanced over at him, but before she could ask, another call came in for him.
The call was even worse. The caller was persistent and creepy, making suggestive comments that crossed a line. Yuto's expression darkened as he dealt with the situation, his voice calm but with an edge of authority that he hadn't used before.
Haruka watched from her desk, heart racing. She could see how hard Yuto was trying to keep the situation under control, but it was clear this was more than just a random inappropriate call—it felt like something deeper, more troubling.
She quickly stood up, her instincts kicking in. As Yuto ended the call with a firm "I'm ending this now," he shot a glance toward Haruka. She could see the tension in his face, and without saying a word, she walked over to his desk.
"Yuto," Haruka said softly, her voice filled with concern, "You okay?"
Yuto nodded, though his expression was far from reassuring. "I'm fine, Haruka. But these calls are starting to get out of hand. I don't know what's going on, but I feel like we're being targeted."
Haruka frowned. "It's definitely not normal. Maybe it's time to escalate this."
As if on cue, Takumi walked over, sensing the shift in the office's energy. He had been observing the situation from a distance and now stood next to them, his expression serious. "What's going on?" he asked, his eyes flicking between Haruka and Yuto.
Yuto explained briefly, his voice calm but urgent. "I've been getting calls that feel off—creepy, inappropriate. And it's not just me. Haruka mentioned it, too. These are more than just isolated incidents. Someone's targeting us."
Takumi's brows furrowed. "That's not good. We can't let this go on."
Haruka nodded in agreement. "We need to call the authorities. This isn't just about uncomfortable calls anymore. It's a serious issue."
Takumi sighed, his hands going to his hips. "Alright. I'll contact the higher-ups, and we'll get this handled. We can't afford to let this escalate." He turned to Yuto and Haruka. "You two, stay on your toes. If you get any more calls like that, don't hesitate to end them immediately and let me know."
Yuto nodded. "I'll be extra cautious."
Haruka gave Takumi a small, determined nod. "We'll handle it. But we need to act fast before things get worse."
After Takumi left to make the necessary calls, Haruka and Yuto continued their work, but the weight of the situation hung over them.
The calls were coming in with alarming frequency, and they knew it was only a matter of time before something more serious happened.
Hours passed, and the calls kept coming—most of them normal, but there were still the odd ones that made them both shiver. Then, as the sun began to set, the final call of the day came in for Yuto.
It was another creepy one, with the caller making threats. Haruka was standing by, her hand hovering over the phone to dial Takumi or the authorities if things took a turn.
But this time, Yuto didn't hesitate. He ended the call with a firm "I'm reporting this," and immediately stood up, walking to Takumi's office. Haruka followed closely behind, her mind racing.
Takumi was on the phone, but when he saw them walk in, he quickly hung up and stood to meet them.
"Everything okay?" Takumi asked, his voice low.
Yuto shook his head. "It's getting worse. I think we need to act now before something bad happens."
Haruka spoke up, her voice steady. "I agree. We should file a report, have everything documented. These calls need to be tracked, and we need to make sure we're protected."
Takumi's face hardened. "I'll handle it. Don't worry. You two just focus on staying safe."
After a brief pause, Yuto spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "Thanks, Takumi."
As the three of them stood in the office, the weight of the situation seemed to settle over them. They were no longer just handling simple calls—they were dealing with someone who was crossing dangerous lines.
And they knew it was only a matter of time before things escalated further. But with Takumi's leadership and their combined determination, they were ready to face whatever came next.
Yuto looked at Takumi, clearly exhausted from the intense and unsettling calls he had been dealing with all day. His eyes were slightly bloodshot, and his shoulders were tense from the strain. He opened his mouth to protest, but Takumi gave him a reassuring look.
"Yuto, you've done more than enough today. Why don't you take a break? I'll handle your calls for the rest of the day," Takumi insisted, his tone gentle but firm.
Yuto hesitated for a moment, glancing at Haruka, who gave him a supportive nod. She knew how hard Yuto had been trying to keep it together, but the pressure was clearly getting to him. She agreed with Takumi.
"You've earned it, Yuto," Haruka added. "Take some time to relax. We've got this."
Yuto let out a long sigh, the weight of the day finally catching up with him. After a moment, he nodded. "Thanks, both of you. I'll take a quick break," he said quietly, his voice still carrying a hint of exhaustion.
Takumi smiled, offering Yuto a reassuring pat on the back. "Go ahead. We'll handle things here. If anything urgent comes up, you'll be the first to know."
Yuto nodded, his body visibly relaxing as he left the cubicle and made his way to the break room. Haruka watched him go, hoping that he'd be able to clear his mind and recharge.
As Yuto stepped out of the office, Takumi turned his attention back to the calls that had been piling up. He gave Haruka a glance, and she nodded, silently agreeing that they had to be extra careful now.
The threat of the creepy callers loomed over them, and they needed to be prepared for whatever might come next.
Takumi sat down at the desk, took a deep breath, and then reached for the headset. "Alright, let's get this done," he muttered under his breath, settling into the rhythm of the calls.
Haruka stayed close by, her eyes scanning the screens, ready to step in if needed. They would make sure no one else would have to deal with the kind of harassment that Yuto had been enduring.
In the break room, Yuto sank into a chair, trying to steady his breathing. He needed a few minutes to himself—time to process the events of the day.
He knew the calls were becoming dangerous, but he also knew that they were in this together. With Takumi and Haruka at his side, he felt a sense of reassurance, even if he was still shaken by the experiences.
"I'll be alright," he murmured to himself, closing his eyes and leaning back in his chair. "I just need to take a breath."
As Yuto sat in the break room, his thoughts started to clear, but the unsettling nature of the calls still lingered in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
He had seen the same eerie, persistent caller multiple times, each time growing bolder, and it made him wonder what exactly was behind these strange calls.
After a few minutes, Yuto took a deep breath and stood up, deciding he couldn't let the unease take over. He walked back to his cubicle, determined to face whatever came next.
When he arrived, he found Takumi and Haruka both working diligently. The atmosphere was different now—more focused, as if they were ready for anything.
Takumi glanced up from his screen as Yuto approached. "Feeling better?" he asked, offering a small, understanding smile.
"Yeah, I think so," Yuto replied, his voice calmer now. "Thanks for covering for me."
Haruka gave him a reassuring smile. "Of course. We've got your back, always."
Yuto nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over him. As he settled back into his chair, he felt more grounded. But before he could get comfortable, the phone rang again.
He picked up the headset, his hand slightly trembling, but he took a deep breath before answering. "Thank you for calling the hotline. How can I help you today?"
There was a moment of silence before a soft, hesitant voice came through the line.
"Um... Hello? Is this the hotline where people can talk about... love troubles?" the caller asked, her voice unsure.
Yuto glanced at Haruka and Takumi, who were both focused on their own calls. He gave them a subtle nod, signaling that he was fine to handle this call himself.
"Yes, you've reached the right place," Yuto responded gently, trying to keep his voice steady. "How can I help you?"
The caller hesitated again before speaking. "I... I've been in a long-distance relationship for a while now, and things aren't going well. I don't know what to do anymore."
Yuto's expression softened, his previous worries momentarily pushed aside as he focused on the caller's needs. "I'm really sorry to hear that. Distance can be difficult to manage, especially when emotions are involved. Would you like to tell me more about what's going on?"
As the caller began to explain her situation, Yuto listened intently, offering the kind of calm and understanding advice he had been trained to give.
The conversation wasn't as intense or troubling as the earlier calls, but it reminded him of why he had taken this job in the first place—to help people navigate their emotions and find solutions to their relationship struggles.
As the call wrapped up, Yuto felt a small sense of relief. The caller thanked him for his advice, and he hung up with a quiet sigh. It wasn't much, but for a moment, he was reminded of the positive side of the job—the side that gave him purpose.
Haruka, who had been watching him closely, gave him a nod of approval. "Nice job. That was a tough call, but you handled it well."
"Thanks," Yuto said, managing a small smile. "It felt... good to help, in a way."
Takumi, still working on his own calls, gave a brief glance over at them and said, "It's not easy, but you're doing the right thing. We're all in this together."
For a moment, the three of them shared a quiet understanding, their shared experiences and struggles making them stronger as a team. Yuto felt a sense of gratitude for his colleagues, and the uncertainty that had been plaguing him earlier seemed to fade just a little.
But as the day wore on, and the clock ticked closer to the end of their shift, the tension still lingered in the air. They were far from being out of danger, especially with the creepy, unsettling calls that had become more frequent.
Yuto couldn't ignore the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them, waiting to push their limits. But he knew, with Takumi and Haruka by his side, they'd be ready for whatever came next.
And so, they continued their work, focusing on their calls, but always keeping an eye on the looming threat.
As the day came to a close, they wrapped up their last few calls, the atmosphere in the office a mixture of relief and quiet tension.
They were all looking forward to heading home, but they knew deep down that the real challenge was only just beginning.
"Alright, everyone. Time to clock out," Takumi announced, breaking the silence.
Yuto and Haruka packed up their things, both feeling the weight of the day but also a sense of accomplishment. As they left the office together, they exchanged quiet words of encouragement.
"Thanks for everything today," Yuto said, his voice sincere.
Haruka smiled at him. "Anytime. We've got your back, remember?"
Takumi, as always, was the last to leave, making sure everything was in order before heading out. As they walked out together, the cool evening air hit them, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere they had just left behind in the office.
But Yuto felt a little lighter, knowing that no matter what, he wasn't alone in this.
The evening air felt refreshing as the trio made their way out of the office building, their steps in sync.
Despite the heavy calls they had faced throughout the day, there was a sense of quiet camaraderie between them, a feeling that they had been through the worst together and emerged stronger.
As they walked down the sidewalk toward the train station, Yuto turned to Haruka and Takumi, his mind still processing everything that had happened. "You know, I really appreciate both of you," Yuto said, his voice sincere. "I honestly don't know what I would have done without your support today."
Haruka smiled warmly at him. "That's what we're here for. No one should face something like this alone. We're all in this together."
Takumi, who had been quiet up until that point, glanced at both of them and nodded. "Exactly. It's not just about helping callers—it's about supporting each other, too. The work can be tough, but we've got each other's backs."
Yuto couldn't help but feel grateful. After everything that had happened over the past few days—especially with the creepy calls and the stress—it was comforting to know that he had people he could count on.
They continued to walk in comfortable silence, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the empty street.
Yuto's mind wandered for a moment, remembering the difficult calls, but then his thoughts shifted.
He recalled the warmth in Haruka's voice during their calls earlier and how she had reassured him when he was feeling overwhelmed.
He quickly glanced over at her, his heart racing for reasons he couldn't quite understand. "Haruka... um, I wanted to ask something," Yuto began, trying to find the right words.
Haruka raised an eyebrow but kept walking. "What's up?"
Yuto hesitated for a moment, then blurted, "I've been meaning to ask—do you think... maybe after work, we could grab some dinner sometime? Just the two of us? I feel like we never really get the chance to talk outside of work."
Haruka paused mid-step, clearly surprised by his question. She glanced over at Takumi for a moment, who seemed lost in his own thoughts and didn't notice what was happening between them.
"I—I didn't mean anything weird by it!" Yuto quickly added, his face flushing with embarrassment. "It's just... I thought it might be nice, you know?"
Haruka blinked, then smiled softly. "I get it. And sure, dinner sounds nice. We can definitely catch up a little more outside of work."
Yuto's heart fluttered at her response, and he couldn't suppress the small grin that appeared on his face. "Great. I'll find a good place, then."
Takumi, who had finally looked up from his thoughts and noticed the exchange, smiled knowingly. "You two go ahead," he said casually. "I've got something to take care of, but you don't need to worry about me."
Haruka and Yuto both glanced at Takumi, a little taken aback. Takumi wasn't usually one to make these kinds of gestures, but it seemed like he understood the moment.
"Thanks, Takumi," Haruka said, her tone warm. "We'll make sure to let you know how it goes."
With that, the two of them parted ways with Takumi as they continued their walk to the restaurant. Yuto felt a little nervous but also excited about the idea of spending time with Haruka outside of work. It felt like the beginning of something new, something beyond just their professional roles.
As they reached the restaurant, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Haruka and Yuto found a table by the window, and as they sat down, Yuto couldn't help but feel a sense of calm. The tension of the workday seemed to melt away, replaced by a newfound ease between them.
"Thanks again, Haruka," Yuto said, his voice quieter now. "I really appreciate you being here for me, especially today."
Haruka smiled at him, her eyes soft. "I'm glad I could help. You're doing great, Yuto. Don't let those calls get to you too much."
Yuto nodded, feeling reassured. They spent the evening talking about everything and nothing, laughing about small things and occasionally falling into comfortable silences.
As the night went on, Yuto realized how easy it was to be around Haruka, how her presence made everything feel lighter.
By the time they finished their meal and headed back outside, the city lights glimmered in the cool night air. Yuto felt a sense of peace he hadn't had in a while, knowing that, at least for now, he had Haruka by his side.
As they walked back to the train station, Haruka turned to him with a thoughtful expression. "You know, Yuto, I'm glad we did this. It's nice to have a break from all the chaos at work. And... I think you've been doing great, really."
Yuto smiled, his heart lighter than it had been in days. "Thanks, Haruka. Honestly, I think you're pretty amazing yourself."
They exchanged a glance, something unspoken passing between them. Neither of them said anything more, but in that moment, Yuto felt a sense of hope—a feeling that maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up for him.
As they approached the train station, Haruka and Yuto fell into a comfortable silence again, the kind that only comes with shared understanding.
Yuto glanced at her, still processing how everything felt so different outside of work. He had never expected that a simple dinner would make him feel this way, but somehow, everything seemed a little clearer now.
"Haruka," Yuto said, breaking the silence. "I... I just want you to know, even though I'm still figuring things out, I really appreciate how patient you've been with me."
Haruka looked over at him, her eyes thoughtful. "Yuto, you've been doing great. And it's not just about work. You're learning and growing, and that's what matters." Her voice was warm, sincere. "You don't need to have everything figured out right away."
Yuto's heart fluttered at her words. She wasn't just talking about work—there was something else in her voice, something that made him wonder if she meant more than what she was saying. But before he could dwell on that thought, the train arrived, its lights bright and inviting.
They boarded the train together, standing side by side in the quiet, bustling space. The night outside the window was dark, and the lights of the city blurred as the train began to move.
Yuto couldn't help but steal glances at Haruka, her profile illuminated by the soft glow of the train's lights. She seemed calm, collected, yet there was an undeniable softness to her that made Yuto feel comfortable in a way he hadn't expected.
"Haruka..." he began again, his voice quieter this time. "Do you think... do you think I'll ever really figure things out? Like, with my life and everything?"
Haruka paused, turning her head slightly to look at him. "You don't need to rush it, Yuto. Life isn't a race. It's okay to take things one step at a time."
Yuto nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. For the first time in a while, he felt like maybe he could trust the process, trust that everything would fall into place eventually. Haruka had a way of making everything feel less overwhelming.
As the train ride continued, they talked about the small things—books they liked, shows they'd been watching, and even some embarrassing moments from their pasts. It felt easy, natural, and Yuto couldn't help but feel a growing sense of warmth whenever Haruka laughed or smiled.
Before long, they reached their stop. The two of them stepped off the train and walked toward their respective apartments, the night air crisp and cool. It was late, and the streets were quieter now, but there was a sense of calm between them, an unspoken understanding.
"Well, I guess this is where we part ways," Haruka said, glancing at him. "Thanks for dinner, Yuto. It was nice."
Yuto felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of the night ending. "Yeah, it was really nice," he said softly. "Maybe we can do this again sometime?"
Haruka smiled, a little spark of something playful in her eyes. "Sure, I'd like that."
They stood there for a moment, both of them unsure of how to end the evening. But in the silence, there was something unspoken, a quiet understanding that neither of them had to voice. It was the kind of moment that felt like the beginning of something, something new and hopeful.
With a final smile, Haruka waved goodbye and turned to walk to her apartment. Yuto watched her for a moment, his heart racing in a way he hadn't expected. Something was changing, and he couldn't help but wonder where this feeling would lead.
As he walked to his own apartment, Yuto couldn't help but replay the evening in his mind. The way Haruka had looked at him, the way she had made him feel. Maybe he hadn't figured everything out yet, but for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was on the right path.
And as he entered his apartment, he thought about what Haruka had said: life wasn't a race. It was okay to take things one step at a time.
With a contented sigh, Yuto leaned back against his door, the weight of the day lifting off his shoulders. Tomorrow was a new day, and maybe—just maybe—things would start to make sense.
The next morning came quickly, and as Yuto prepared for another day of work, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between him and Haruka.
The way she had smiled at him last night, the warmth in her voice, it all replayed in his mind. It was a strange mix of excitement and uncertainty that had him both eager and nervous to see her again.
Arriving at the office, Yuto found Haruka already at her desk, looking as calm and composed as always. She glanced up when he walked in and gave him a small, knowing smile, and for a moment, Yuto felt like the night before had never ended. It was just them, their quiet connection, still lingering in the air.
"Morning, Yuto," Haruka greeted him casually, as though nothing had changed.
"Morning," Yuto replied, trying to keep his voice steady. He wasn't sure how to act now, with that new feeling between them. The nervous energy in his chest had settled, but it was still there, making everything feel just a little bit different.
As the morning wore on, they fell into their usual rhythm, taking calls and helping customers navigate their complicated love lives. But Yuto couldn't help but notice how easy it was to work alongside Haruka.
There was a quiet understanding between them, a sense of teamwork that made every call feel like something they were facing together.
A few hours into the day, Haruka leaned over to him during a break. "Hey, Yuto," she said, her voice low and thoughtful. "You okay? You seem a little... distracted."
Yuto looked up from his screen, startled out of his thoughts. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking about some stuff."
Haruka raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Stuff?" she asked, her expression soft but curious.
Yuto's heart raced. He wasn't sure if he was ready to talk about what was really on his mind, but there was something in Haruka's gaze that made him want to open up. He took a deep breath, then shrugged. "I don't know, I guess I'm just... trying to figure things out. About myself. About work. About everything."
Haruka smiled at him, and for a moment, Yuto thought he saw something in her eyes—something that said she understood, even if she didn't fully know what he was going through. "It's okay to not have everything figured out," she said gently. "We're all figuring things out, Yuto. One step at a time, right?"
Her words echoed the same sentiment she had shared the night before. One step at a time. And somehow, just hearing her say it again made him feel a little lighter. Maybe he didn't have to have everything figured out today. Maybe he didn't even have to have it figured out tomorrow. But as long as he kept moving forward, kept trying, maybe that would be enough.
"Yeah," Yuto said, the tension in his shoulders easing. "One step at a time."
Haruka's smile widened, and for a moment, everything felt right. The weight of uncertainty seemed a little less heavy, the path ahead a little clearer. With Haruka by his side, maybe it wasn't so scary to face the unknown after all.
As the day went on, the two of them continued to handle calls, helping others with their love dilemmas and offering advice. But now, with that new sense of understanding between them, it felt like they were helping each other too. And with each passing moment, Yuto realized that maybe, just maybe, things were falling into place.
By the end of the day, when they were wrapping up their shifts, Yuto felt a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in a long time. He was still figuring things out, yes, but he wasn't alone in it. Haruka was there, offering her guidance, her friendship, and maybe even something more—if he was ready to see it.
As they walked out of the office together, Yuto felt the familiar flutter in his chest. The night before hadn't just been a one-time thing. It had been the start of something new, something important.
"Haruka," Yuto began as they reached the entrance, his voice quieter now. "Thanks again for last night. And for everything."
Haruka looked at him, her smile gentle and sincere. "Anytime, Yuto. You're not alone in this."
And as they stepped outside into the evening, the weight of their shared words hung in the air, a promise that no matter what came next, they would face it together—one step at a time.
•~• End of 06 •~•