The next day, Naoki sat in the classroom with his friends, leaning casually against his desk. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting warm light over the group as they laughed and joked.
"So," Kenta started, his tone playful as he nudged Naoki. "Did you talk to that chick yet?"
Naoki smirked and leaned back in his chair, letting the question hang for a moment before answering. "Actually, yes," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of pride. "I met her yesterday at her office."
The group went silent for a beat before Ryota's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? You met her? Like, in person?"
"Yeah," Naoki replied nonchalantly, though the corners of his mouth curled into a grin.
Kenta's eyes widened. "And? Don't leave us hanging! What's she like? Is she as cool as you said she sounded?"
Naoki chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "She's... different in person. Professional, but also kind. And honestly, I didn't expect her to be..." He trailed off, hesitating.
"To be what?" Ryota pressed, leaning forward eagerly.
"To be so... pretty," Naoki admitted, rubbing the back of his neck as his friends erupted into hoots and cheers.
"Dude, you've got it bad!" Kenta teased, slapping Naoki on the back.
"Shut up," Naoki muttered, though he couldn't stop the smile spreading across his face.
Ryota leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "So, are you going to see her again? Or was this a one-time thing?"
Naoki paused, his gaze drifting toward the window. "I don't know yet. I mean, I want to, but I don't want to make things weird. She's just... different. And I don't want to ruin that."
"Ruin what? Dude, you're already halfway in," Kenta said, rolling his eyes. "Just go for it."
Naoki laughed softly, shaking his head. "We'll see. For now, I'm just taking it slow."
His friends exchanged knowing looks but didn't push further, leaving Naoki to his thoughts.
As Naoki leaned forward on his desk, still laughing with his friends about their teasing, a familiar voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.
"Oh, *Naoki~!* You don't love me anymore?" The voice was playful and theatrical.
Naoki froze for a split second before glancing up to see his classmate and longtime crush, Ayumi Tanaka, standing beside him with a mock pout. She dramatically placed a hand over her heart, pretending to swoon as she leaned closer.
With an exaggerated flourish, Ayumi wrapped her arm around Naoki's shoulders, pretending to faint into him. "How could you betray me like this, Naoki? I thought we had something special!"
Kenta and Ryota burst into laughter, clapping their hands at the scene. "Oh man, Ayumi, you're killing him!" Ryota managed to say between fits of laughter.
Naoki's face turned bright red as he tried to gently push her off. "Cut it out, Ayumi," he muttered, flustered but clearly amused. "What are you even talking about?"
Ayumi straightened up, crossing her arms as she gave him a fake pout. "Don't think I didn't hear you talking about some 'pretty professional woman.' Who is she, hmm? And how could you not tell *me?*"
Naoki scratched the back of his neck, trying to regain his composure as his friends continued to laugh. "It's not like that," he said quickly, avoiding her gaze. "We were just talking about someone I met."
"Someone you met *and* find pretty," Ayumi teased, leaning in with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Naoki, are you cheating on me already?"
"Cheating?" Kenta burst out. "You guys aren't even together!"
Ayumi shot Kenta a playful glare before turning her attention back to Naoki. "Details, Naoki. I want to know everything. Who is this girl?"
Naoki sighed, knowing Ayumi wouldn't let it go. "She's... just someone I called for advice," he said vaguely, trying to downplay it.
"Advice?" Ayumi's eyebrows shot up. "Is she, like, a therapist or something?"
"Something like that," Naoki replied, hoping the conversation would shift topics soon.
But Ayumi wasn't satisfied. She leaned closer, her tone softer but still teasing. "You better not forget who your *real* number one is, Naoki," she said with a wink before stepping away and heading to her seat, leaving Naoki red-faced and his friends howling with laughter.
"She's got you *good,*" Ryota said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.
Naoki groaned, resting his head on the desk. "This is going to be a long day."
As the day went on, Naoki tried his best to focus on his classes, but his friends and Ayumi kept making sly comments whenever they got the chance. During lunch break, they all sat in their usual spot under a large tree in the school courtyard.
Ayumi was seated next to Naoki, still pestering him. "So, are you going to call her again? Or are you going to finally admit you're secretly in love with me?"
Naoki sighed, taking a bite of his sandwich. "I'm not secretly in love with you, Ayumi."
"Aw, you're no fun." She pouted before stealing a fry from his plate.
Kenta leaned in, smirking. "So, what's the deal with this chick, though? Is she older? Is she hot?"
Naoki rolled his eyes. "She's just... someone I talked to for advice, okay? Why are you all so obsessed with this?"
"Because it's weird!" Ryota chimed in. "You're always so casual about girls, but now you're meeting someone from a hotline? That's next-level, man."
Ayumi narrowed her eyes in mock seriousness. "Wait... is she your *type?*"
Naoki hesitated for a moment, which didn't go unnoticed. Ayumi gasped dramatically, slapping his arm. "Oh my god, she *is,* isn't she?"
"Can you all just drop it?" Naoki groaned, looking genuinely exasperated now.
Ayumi grinned mischievously. "Fine, fine. I'll stop—for now. But seriously, Naoki, if she breaks your heart, you know who to call, right?"
"Not you," he muttered under his breath, earning a playful slap on the shoulder.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Ayumi lingered behind for a moment as the others headed back to class.
"Hey," she said softly, her teasing tone gone. "All jokes aside, if you like her, go for it. Just don't get hurt, okay?"
Naoki glanced at her, surprised by the sudden sincerity. "Thanks, Ayumi," he said, offering a small smile.
She gave him a playful nudge. "Don't make me regret being nice to you," she said with a wink before heading off.
Naoki stood there for a moment, watching her go, before shaking his head and heading back to class. But as much as he tried to focus, Haruka's face kept popping into his mind.
Ayumi froze mid-step, turning around with a confused expression. Her head tilted slightly, her glossy hair catching the sunlight as she faced Naoki. That simple gesture made his heart skip a beat, but he didn't back down. He took a deep breath, his voice cracking slightly as he called out again.
"Ayumi, wait!"
She stopped completely, waiting for him to speak. Naoki clenched his fists, summoning every ounce of courage he had. "Ayumi, I don't secretly like you because I really like you—like, literally!" he shouted, his cheeks flushed. His classmates who overheard their conversation fell silent, their chatter replaced by wide-eyed stares.
Naoki paused, gulping as his voice softened. "But… you didn't seem interested. That's why I called the hotline—to get over you. And that's where I met Haruka," he added, his voice trembling with honesty.
For a moment, the world felt like it stood still. Ayumi blinked, her expression unreadable as she absorbed his words. Naoki's pulse raced, his face burning with the weight of his confession. He fully expected her to laugh, to tease him, or to dismiss his feelings altogether.
But instead, Ayumi tilted her head again, her lips curving into a small smile. "So… let me get this straight," she began, stepping closer to him. "You called a hotline because you liked me, but you thought I wasn't interested. And in the process, you met someone else?"
"Yeah," Naoki admitted, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "I didn't think you'd ever… you know, feel the same way. And Haruka, she just… she listened. She helped me make sense of everything."
Ayumi stared at him, her smile widening. Then, out of nowhere, she started laughing. It wasn't a mocking laugh—it was warm and light, almost amused. "You're such an idiot, Naoki."
His eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
Ayumi wiped at her eyes, her laughter subsiding as she looked at him fondly. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to grow a backbone and say something like this? I thought you'd never figure it out!"
Naoki's jaw dropped. "You… you were waiting for me? You… like me too?"
"Obviously," Ayumi said, rolling her eyes, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks. "Why else do you think I've been sticking around you, teasing you, hanging out with you all the time?"
Naoki blinked, completely dumbfounded. "I thought you were just being nice!"
"Wow," Ayumi said with a smirk, crossing her arms. "You really are dense, aren't you?"
Before Naoki could respond, she grabbed his hand, pulling him closer. "But, hey… better late than never," she added, her voice softening.
Naoki's heart swelled, his face breaking into a wide grin. "So… what now?"
"Now," Ayumi said, squeezing his hand, "we go to class, because you just made a scene in front of everyone, and we'll have plenty of time to talk about this later."
As she led him back to the classroom, Naoki couldn't stop smiling. Haruka's advice had given him the push he needed, and now, everything felt like it was falling into place.
As Naoki followed Ayumi back to the classroom, his mind buzzed with excitement and relief. *I can't believe this actually happened. Ayumi likes me back?* His heart raced, still riding the high of his confession and her unexpected response.
But then another thought crept in, softening his grin. *I need to talk to Haruka about this. She's the one who helped me sort through all my feelings, and without her, I never would've had the courage to say anything.* He pictured her reaction, imagining her usual calm demeanor breaking into a rare smile. *I'm sure she'll be overjoyed to hear how it turned out.*
As the teacher entered the room and began the lesson, Naoki found it hard to focus, replaying the moment in his head. Though he was thrilled to move forward with Ayumi, he also felt a sense of gratitude toward Haruka, knowing how much her guidance had changed everything for him.
*After school,* he resolved, *I'll call the hotline and hope she's the one who picks up.*
After school, Naoki could hardly contain his excitement. The entire day, he couldn't focus on his classes, his mind constantly drifting to Haruka. He wanted to tell her everything — about Ayumi, about his confession, and about how much he'd grown since he first called the hotline.
As soon as the final bell rang, Naoki grabbed his bag and rushed out of the classroom. His friends called out to him, but he barely heard them. His only goal was to get home and make that call.
Once home, he quickly set down his things and dialed the hotline number. His heart raced in anticipation. *I hope it's her.* He waited through the rings, and soon enough, a voice answered.
"Hello, this is Haruka. How may I help you today?"
Naoki's heart skipped a beat, hearing her familiar voice again. "Haruka, it's me, Naoki."
There was a brief pause on the line. "Naoki? It's nice to hear from you again! How's everything going?"
Naoki could hear the warmth in her voice, and it made him smile. "Well, actually, I have some news. Remember how I called because of my feelings for Ayumi?"
Haruka chuckled softly. "I do remember. How did it go?"
Naoki took a deep breath. "I told her how I felt, and... she likes me too." He could hear Haruka's soft gasp of surprise and then her voice full of excitement. "That's amazing, Naoki! I'm so happy for you!"
Naoki grinned. "Thanks, Haruka. But there's more. I wanted to tell you something else. You helped me so much during that time, and I wouldn't have had the courage to talk to Ayumi if it weren't for you." He paused for a moment, feeling a sense of vulnerability in his words. "You were there for me when I was struggling. I really appreciate everything you did."
Haruka was silent for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice was gentle. "I'm really glad to hear that, Naoki. Helping you was never a problem. I'm just glad you're happy."
Naoki smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He'd finally told her how much her support meant. "I owe you so much. And, uh, I wanted to ask... if you'd like to meet up sometime? I know I came in yesterday and scared you for meeting all of a sudden but this time, I'd love to thank you properly."
Haruka's voice softened, and he could hear the smile in her tone. "I'm glad you feel that way, Naoki. And don't worry about yesterday, it was a little unexpected, but I'm just happy you wanted to meet. I'd love to meet up and talk more."
Naoki's heart fluttered at her response. "Great! How about this weekend? I could take you to that café you mentioned last time, the one with the good coffee."
There was a brief pause before Haruka spoke again. "That sounds wonderful. Let's plan on it."
"Awesome! I'll text you the details," Naoki said, feeling a rush of excitement.
"Looking forward to it," Haruka replied warmly. "Take care, Naoki."
"Take care, Haruka. And thanks again for everything." Naoki hung up the phone, his heart racing. This time, it wasn't just about Ayumi or overcoming his past crush—it was about building a real connection with someone who had genuinely helped him through it all.
He smiled to himself, feeling more confident than ever. This weekend was going to be the start of something new, and he couldn't wait to see where it would lead.
Haruka couldn't stop smiling as she ended the call with Naoki. His news about finally clearing things up with Ayumi and taking a step toward a relationship made her heart flutter with joy. She was genuinely happy for him, feeling all the excitement she had been holding back.
Without even thinking, she turned to Yuto, who was sitting next to her, and began enthusiastically smacking his shoulder. "Naoki and Ayumi are together!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "Ah, I'm so happy for him. My heart!"
Yuto winced, clearly in pain from the repeated smacks. "Haruka, please stop!" he pleaded, raising his hand in defense.
But Haruka couldn't stop herself. Her joy was too overwhelming. "I'm so happy for him, Yuto! They're finally getting together. I can't believe it! My heart, it's just—ah, I can't!"
Yuto tried to hold his composure, but the pain from her relentless smacking was becoming unbearable. "Please, Haruka!" he groaned, shifting away slightly to protect himself from further assault.
Haruka, finally realizing she might have gone overboard, stopped. She took a deep breath, still smiling like she had won the lottery. "Sorry, Yuto," she said, though her grin was still wide. "I just can't contain it! I'm so happy for them!"
As the excitement bubbled down, Haruka's mind wandered for a brief moment. *Good thing I didn't assume Naoki and I were a thing,* she thought, feeling a small sense of relief wash over her. *For a second there, I thought maybe he had feelings for me, but thank goodness, I was wrong. He and Ayumi are a perfect match.*
She let out a contented sigh, her heart still racing with excitement, but this time, it was because she was genuinely happy for Naoki. *He deserves to be happy, and if Ayumi is the one who makes him happy, then that's all that matters.*
Yuto, still rubbing his sore shoulder, gave her a teasing look. "You really got carried away there, huh?"
Haruka chuckled sheepishly, realizing how wild she had been in her excitement. "Yeah, sorry about that. I just… couldn't help it. I'm so happy for them. It's a relief to know Naoki's getting the happiness he deserves."
Yuto shook his head, clearly amused now. "Just try to keep your hands to yourself next time, alright?" he said, his tone light but playful.
Haruka nodded, grinning. "I'll try. But no promises when it comes to Naoki's happiness!"
Yuto sighed dramatically but couldn't help but smile at her infectious joy. "Fine, fine. Just don't turn me into your punching bag next time."
Haruka's eyes sparkled with excitement as she remembered the invitation. "Also, Naoki just invited me for a friendly coffee date this weekend," she said, practically bouncing in her seat. "He'll be telling me all the details on how he confessed to Ayumi! Can you believe it? I'm so excited to hear everything!"
Yuto, who had finally recovered from her enthusiastic shoulder smacking, raised an eyebrow. "A coffee date, huh? Well, that sounds like it could be fun. I mean, if it's just friendly, right?"
Haruka laughed, feeling a little sheepish. "Yeah, definitely just friendly! It's not like that," she said quickly, trying to reassure him. "But I can't wait to hear how he did it. The whole confession thing… I bet it was dramatic!"
Yuto nodded, his teasing grin softening into a smile. "I guess it's good he has someone like you to talk to. You've been helping him out a lot, right?"
Haruka's smile softened as she nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm just glad I could be there for him. I really want him to be happy with Ayumi. He deserves it."
"Well, sounds like you're really looking out for him. Just don't let all that excitement go to your head," Yuto teased, giving her a playful look.
Haruka grinned back. "No promises there, but I'll try. I just want Naoki to be able to tell me everything, you know? All the little details about how it all came together."
Yuto chuckled. "Alright, I get it. Just don't forget to save some excitement for the rest of us, yeah?" he said, giving her a lighthearted nudge.
Haruka laughed, feeling lighter than ever. "Don't worry, Yuto. There's plenty of excitement to go around!"
"Ah, I can't wait for the weekend!" Haruka squealed, practically skipping back to her cubicle, her excitement bubbling over. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about her upcoming coffee date with Naoki. The idea of hearing all the details about his confession to Ayumi made her feel giddy with excitement.
Yuto watched her with a playful smirk, shaking his head. "I've never seen you this excited about something before, Haruka. Hope it's as good as you're imagining."
Haruka turned to him with a bright grin. "Trust me, it will be! I just want to hear all the details—every little thing. Naoki's a great guy, and I know he worked hard to make it right with Ayumi. I'm so happy for him."
Yuto nodded, leaning against the edge of her cubicle. "I'm happy for him too. But don't forget to take a breather. You've got a lot of work to do before that weekend arrives, huh?"
Haruka gave him a playful roll of her eyes. "I know, I know, Yuto. But how can I focus on work when something this exciting is happening? It's Naoki's love life, after all!"
Yuto chuckled, heading back to his own desk. "Fair enough, just don't let it distract you too much. You've still got calls to handle."
Haruka sat back down, feeling like her heart was still racing with excitement. "I won't, I promise," she said to herself, but in the back of her mind, all she could think about was how amazing the weekend would be.
Haruka took a deep breath, pushing aside the thoughts of her upcoming weekend as she answered the next call. "Good afternoon, thank you for calling. How can I help you today?"
The voice on the other end was shaky, a mixture of frustration and sadness. "Hi... um, I'm not really sure how to put this, but… I just feel like I'm stuck in this endless loop of trying to find someone, and nothing ever works out."
Haruka adjusted her headphones, leaning slightly forward as she listened. "I hear you. It sounds like you're feeling really stuck right now. If you'd like, you can tell me more about what's been going on."
The girl sighed deeply. "I'm around your age, but all my friends seem to have partners or at least someone they can talk to. I mean, I even try to meet people online, but it never goes anywhere. And the worst part is that my older sister—she just broke up with her boyfriend, and now there's some other guy practically hovering over her already. And here I am, spending years trying to find someone, and it feels like I'm invisible."
Haruka's heart ached for the girl, the frustration evident in her words. "That sounds really tough. I understand how hard it can be to feel like things are moving quickly for others while you're still trying to figure things out."
The caller paused, sniffing lightly before continuing. "Yeah, and it's not even just about finding someone. It's like, my family keeps asking me why I'm still single, and it makes me feel worse. My older sister seems to always have it together. It's like, how can someone go from being heartbroken to already moving on with someone new so quickly?"
Haruka let the words sink in before speaking, her voice soft and empathetic. "It's really easy to compare ourselves to others, especially when it feels like everything is moving for them while you're still stuck. But remember, everyone's journey is different. Just because your sister seems to be moving on fast doesn't mean that's how things should go for you, too. You have your own path, and it's okay if it takes time."
The caller hesitated, but Haruka could tell she was listening. "I know. It just feels so unfair sometimes."
"It's completely valid to feel that way," Haruka said gently. "And it's okay to feel jealous too. It's human. But what's important is focusing on what makes *you* happy, independent of anyone else's timeline. You don't need to rush into something just because someone else is. Take your time, get to know yourself more, and when the right person comes along, you'll be ready for them."
The caller was quiet for a moment before responding softly, "Thanks, Haruka. I guess I needed to hear that."
Haruka smiled warmly, even though the girl couldn't see it. "You're welcome. You're doing just fine, really. Don't be too hard on yourself."
As the call ended, Haruka sat back in her chair, feeling a little heavy with the weight of the conversation. She understood the girl's pain all too well. The pressure of relationships, whether from family or society, could be overwhelming. And sometimes, it felt like everyone else was moving forward while you were stuck in place. But the girl had been right about one thing—it was okay to feel lost, to feel like things weren't moving. Everyone's path was different.
Haruka glanced at the clock, ready to dive into the next call, but for a moment, she allowed herself to remember what she had learned about love and relationships over the years. She wasn't in a hurry. Just like the girl, her time would come, and she'd be ready for it when it did.
Haruka took a deep breath and shifted her focus back to the next call. As she clicked the button to answer, she reminded herself that she could only help others as much as she helped herself. The next caller was a man in his thirties who seemed confused about a relationship issue, but Haruka found herself thinking about the girl's struggles again. The more she reflected, the more she realized how much her own perspective had evolved over the years.
She'd once been like that girl—feeling like time was slipping by and wondering when things would finally fall into place. Yet, here she was, now with a different mindset, one that had developed through patience and reflection. It wasn't always about rushing into relationships. Sometimes, it was about waiting for the right connection, and when it happened, it would be worth it.
As she finished handling the call, her thoughts wandered to Naoki again. Her smile returned at the thought of meeting him this weekend for coffee. He seemed so different from the other guys she'd encountered in her life—genuine, kind, and patient. Maybe she wasn't in a hurry, but she couldn't deny that there was something exciting about the possibility of getting to know him more.
Her phone buzzed again, snapping her back to the present. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from Naoki, confirming their coffee meet-up for Saturday. Haruka's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly typed back, "Can't wait to see you! I'm excited to hear all about how you confessed to Ayumi."
Just as she sent the message, her colleague, Yuto, popped his head into her cubicle, breaking her focus. He was still looking a bit tired from his day off, but there was a smile on his face. "Hey, you okay? You've been pretty quiet today."
Haruka smiled, but this time it wasn't just the thrill of the weekend plans—it was also a deeper, content feeling she hadn't realized was building inside her. "Yeah, just... thinking about things," she said, her voice soft but steady. "But it's all good now."
Yuto nodded, still watching her closely. "Well, I'm glad you're doing okay. I know you've been dealing with some tough calls lately, so... if you ever need to talk, I'm here."
Haruka appreciated his kindness, but there was a part of her that felt lighter now, as if she didn't need to overthink things anymore. She had her work, her friends, and the possibility of something new with Naoki. Everything didn't have to happen all at once, and maybe that was the key.
"Thanks, Yuto," Haruka said, smiling warmly at him. "I'll keep that in mind."
As Yuto left her cubicle to attend to his own work, Haruka's thoughts drifted back to the girl on the phone. She hoped that, in time, the girl would come to realize that love wasn't a race. Everyone's timeline was different, and it was okay to take things one step at a time. As for Haruka, she was in no rush, but for the first time in a while, she felt a spark of excitement for what the future could hold.
The phone rang again, and with a deep breath, Haruka adjusted her headset, ready for the next call. No matter what came next, she knew she was exactly where she needed to be.
Haruka glanced at the clock, noticing it was almost time to clock out. She couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, knowing she would finally be able to relax after a busy day. Just as she started packing up her things, her phone buzzed again—one last call for the day.
She sighed, but with a quick deep breath, she put her headset back on and clicked the button to answer.
"Good evening, thank you for calling. This is Haruka, how can I assist you today?"
A hesitant voice greeted her on the other end. "Uh, hello... Is this the hotline?"
Haruka gave a warm smile, even though the caller couldn't see it. "Yes, you've reached the hotline. What's on your mind?"
The voice on the other end hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I... I don't really know how to explain this. I've been struggling with my feelings. It's kind of silly, but I just don't know what to do anymore."
Haruka's heart softened. She could tell that the caller was wrestling with something personal, and as much as she had her own things on her mind, she focused all her energy on the person in need. "You don't have to explain everything right away. Take your time. I'm here to listen."
For a moment, the line was quiet, and Haruka could hear the caller's slow breath. Then the voice spoke again, this time more clearly. "I've been feeling stuck in my life. I've been alone for a while now, and I don't know how to change it. It's like no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to make real connections. I don't know how to open up to anyone."
Haruka's eyes softened with empathy. She leaned back slightly in her chair, her voice gentle. "You're not alone in feeling that way. It's tough to open up, especially when you feel like you might be pushing people away, or that they won't understand you. But the truth is, the right people will come into your life when the time is right. And sometimes, it starts with taking small steps to connect—whether it's through friends, hobbies, or even reaching out when you feel comfortable. It's okay to be where you are, but it's also okay to take steps to grow and meet new people when you're ready."
The caller fell silent for a while, and Haruka could almost sense their relief. Then, they spoke again, this time sounding a little lighter. "I think I understand now. I've been putting too much pressure on myself to figure everything out all at once. Maybe it's okay to just take things one step at a time."
"Exactly," Haruka replied, her voice soothing. "It's okay to take your time. Things don't have to happen right away. Just remember to be kind to yourself along the way. You've got this."
There was a soft pause before the caller spoke again, this time with a hint of gratitude. "Thank you... I really needed to hear that. I feel a little better now."
Haruka smiled, glad to have helped. "I'm so glad to hear that. And remember, you can always reach out if you need to talk again."
The caller thanked her again before ending the call, leaving Haruka to reflect on how rewarding her work could be. She glanced at the clock and saw it was finally time to leave. Haruka packed up her things, feeling a sense of accomplishment from the call, and a renewed sense of excitement for the weekend to come.
As she walked toward the exit, she sent a quick text to Naoki, confirming their plans for Saturday. "Looking forward to seeing you this weekend. Can't wait to hear all about how things went with Ayumi."
Haruka sighed contentedly as she grabbed her things and headed out. It had been a long day, but helping others, listening to their struggles, and reflecting on her own feelings had made her realize something important: things didn't have to be perfect, but they could always improve with time, effort, and patience.
And with that thought, she closed the door to the office behind her, looking forward to a peaceful evening and an exciting weekend ahead.
•~• End of 08 •~•