The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Haruki's apartment, painting the room with soft hues of gold. He stretched lazily on his couch, the events of the previous evening replaying in his mind like a dream. The warmth of Emi's words, the way she leaned on his shoulder, and the sparkle in her eyes stayed with him, filling him with a quiet joy he wasn't used to.
But life, as always, had a way of reminding him that moments like those were fleeting. A knock at the door broke his reverie.
"Haruki, open up! You're going to be late!" The muffled but familiar voice of Yuto, his manager, came through the door.
Haruki groaned. "It's too early for this," he muttered as he rolled off the couch, dragging himself to the door. When he opened it, Yuto stood there, dressed sharply as always, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a stack of papers in the other.
"You're not even dressed!" Yuto exclaimed, exasperated. "Do you have any idea how important today is? This meeting could set up your next big project."
Haruki blinked at him, still half-asleep. "Meeting? What meeting?"
Yuto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The one with the studio executives. They're looking for someone to take on the lead role in Phantom Horizon. You're on the shortlist, and we can't afford to mess this up."
That woke Haruki up. Phantom Horizon was a massive project, a high-budget film with some of the biggest names in the industry attached to it. Landing the lead role would be a career-defining moment, but the weight of it made his chest tighten. He wasn't sure if he was ready for something that big.
"Alright, give me five minutes," he said, shutting the door before Yuto could protest.
Thirty minutes later, Haruki found himself seated in a sleek conference room, surrounded by polished executives and creatives. The energy in the room was tense but focused, and Haruki could feel the weight of every gaze that landed on him.
"Haruki Takeda," one of the producers began, leaning forward with an interested look. "We've been following your work for a while. Your performance in Shadows of Dawn was phenomenal—raw, emotional, and deeply human. We believe you have the range we're looking for in a protagonist for Phantom Horizon."
Haruki shifted in his seat, unsure how to respond. Compliments still felt foreign to him, and he wasn't used to hearing them in such a formal setting.
"Thank you," he said finally, his voice steady. "I've read the script, and it's an incredible story. I'd be honored to bring it to life."
The conversation flowed smoothly from there, with Haruki answering questions about his interpretation of the character and his approach to acting. By the end of the meeting, the producers seemed genuinely impressed.
As he walked out of the building with Yuto, his manager patted him on the back. "You killed it in there," Yuto said with a grin. "I wouldn't be surprised if you get the part."
Haruki smiled faintly, but his thoughts were elsewhere. While he was grateful for the opportunity, a part of him felt a strange disconnect. Acting was his passion, but it was also a demanding world that often left him feeling isolated. He couldn't help but wonder if it would always be this way.
Later that afternoon, Haruki found himself wandering through the park near his apartment. The snow from the previous night still blanketed the ground, but the sun's warmth had begun to melt it, creating a sparkling layer of slush.
He didn't realize where his feet were taking him until he found himself in front of Emi's apartment building. The sight of it brought a smile to his face, and before he could second-guess himself, he pulled out his phone.
Haruki: "Are you home?"
The reply came almost instantly.
Emi: "I am. Why? Miss me already? ;)"
Haruki chuckled, shaking his head.
Haruki: "Maybe. Want to take a walk?"
A few minutes later, Emi emerged from the building, bundled in a cozy coat and scarf. Her cheeks were already pink from the cold, and her smile was as bright as ever.
"You know," she said as they started walking, "most people would take a nap after a big meeting like yours. How did it go, by the way?"
Haruki shrugged, his hands tucked into his pockets. "It went well, I think. They seemed interested."
"I'm not surprised," Emi replied, nudging him playfully. "You're talented, Haruki. It's about time the world noticed."
He glanced at her, her words settling over him like a blanket. "Thanks," he said softly. "That means a lot."
As they walked, the conversation drifted to lighter topics. Emi told him about a book she'd just finished, and Haruki shared a funny story about Yuto's over-the-top antics. They laughed and teased each other, the connection between them growing stronger with each passing moment.
Eventually, they found themselves sitting on a bench overlooking a frozen pond. The sun was starting to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange.
"Hey, Emi," Haruki said suddenly, his voice quiet.
She turned to him, her expression curious. "Yeah?"
"Do you ever think about the future?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"All the time," she replied. "Why?"
"I don't know," he said, his brows furrowing slightly. "I guess I've been thinking about it more lately. Where I'm going, what I want out of life... who I want to share it with."
Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away. "And? Have you figured it out yet?"
Haruki hesitated, then turned to her with a small smile. "Not completely. But I think I'm starting to."
The way he looked at her made her heart skip a beat, but before she could respond, he stood up and stretched.
"Come on," he said, holding out a hand. "It's getting cold. Let's grab some coffee."
Emi took his hand, her chest warm despite the chill in the air. As they walked away, she couldn't help but feel that the horizon Haruki spoke of was one they were meant to face together.