"Hey, Kaito, congratulations!" Takuya exclaimed, slapping him playfully on the back. They are both 45 years old, and his friend had a youthful grin that radiated excitement. "You sold a new property! Damn, you've knocked our quota out of the park! That hefty bonus is yours!"
Just then, Mori chimed in, flipping her blonde hair back as she leaned closer. She's one of his workmates as well. "Kaito, you're such a workaholic! Do you even take a break? Though I guess the cash flow makes it worthwhile! What's pushing you so hard, huh?"
He hurriedly stuffed papers and his laptop into his bag, brow furrowing in focus. "Mina's in college now, and her tuition is through the roof. All I want is to see her graduate. That's the best future I can give her."
Mori's eyes sparkled with admiration as she leaned in. "If I ever get a boyfriend, I hope he's just like you, Kaito! You're such a responsible dad, always putting your daughter first!"
Takuya chuckled, nudging Kaito's shoulder playfully. "Why search for someone else when you have Kaito right here? A single father who doesn't have any distractions! No girlfriend, no flings!"
Kaito felt his face heat up, glancing awkwardly at Mori. "What are you talking about? Mori is only a few years older than Mina! She's practically family to us! Almost like our daughters,"
Mori pouted, dabbing her lipstick with a smirk. "Right, right, right! You say that every time, Kaito! Even if I were the last woman on earth, you'd still put Mina above all! Well, she's your only daughter,"
Kaito's thoughts drifted as he processed her words. She was right; since Mina arrived and her mother left, everything had shifted. At 27, his carefree life had transformed into a daily devotion toward his daughter. And he never regrets it.
He wasn't a perfect father, he knew that deep down. His work consumed him, all for her bright future. Yet every day, he tried to show her how much he cared. In this world that felt heavy, he'd do anything for Mina. Sacrificing everything for her filled him with a sense of purpose that made it all worthwhile.
If it weren't for his daughter, the shadows of this cruel world would have swallowed Kaito long ago. He might have surrendered to despair, but his daughter painted his life with hope and joy. All he wished for was her happiness and well-being until she built her own family.
As the clock struck, ringing out the end of the workday, Kaito and a group of coworkers filtered out of the building. Takuya threw an arm around Kaito's shoulder with a grin. "Let's grab some drinks, guys! It's Friday, and it's been too long since we last had some fun. What do you say, Kaito?"
He grimaced, shaking his head at the suggestion. He wasn't a fan of alcohol, rarely indulging in such vices. Still, he sometimes joined in, wishing to avoid the label of unsociable; it was rare for him to partake in outings like this.
"Oh... I'm not so sure. Mina's coming back from university, and if I'm not there, there won't be any dinner ready," he replied earnestly, concern creeping into his voice as he thought of his daughter.
"Oh, come on! Your daughter won't starve!" Takuya insisted, his voice lighthearted. "You probably have food at home, or she can just grab something from a convenience store. She can manage without you. This is just to blow off some steam!"
Mori nodded, chiming in with a smile. "Exactly, Kaito! I can't even remember the last time we all got together. If you're really concerned about Mina, just call her and let her know you'll be home late. I'm sure she won't mind at all."
With a resigned sigh, he relented. "Alright, you two are ganging up on me. What choice do I really have?" he chuckled softly, shaking his head in defeat.
His friends, energized, called out to more coworkers, drawing them into their plans. As they strolled toward the KTV bar, Kaito repeatedly glanced at his phone, his fingers hovering over his daughter's number.
After several rings, silence met him. Worry gnawed at his stomach.
Takuya noticed the tension on Kaito's face. "You okay? Something wrong?" he inquired, brow furrowing in concern.
He nodded, the worry palpable in his voice. "Mina isn't picking up my call."
"She might be on her way, probably at the train station," Takuya reassured him, sensing his anxiety. "It's Friday, tons of people are heading home. Don't stress too much. Just leave her a voice message."
Listening, Mori bobs her head, "Your daughter will definitely call when she gets home. She knows that she has a protective dad!"
Kaito inhaled deeply, attempting to steady himself. It wasn't the first time Mina hadn't answered, but tonight felt different. An uneasy feeling twisted inside him, an inexplicable anxiety. Was he being paranoid, or was exhaustion from work finally catching up with him?
A few minutes later, they rolled up to a bustling KTV bar several kilometers away from the office. Bright lights flashed and lively music spilled out, welcoming the Friday night crowd. Takuya enthusiastically ordered a mountain of drinks and plates of easy-to-eat seafood. Their female coworkers formed a line for karaoke, voices blending into the celebration.
"You worry too much about your daughter! I'm sure she's okay!" Takuya urged, leaning closer to Kaito. "Come on, just drink your liquor," he whispered, their voices nearly drowned by the thumping music.
Kaito gulped down his drink, feeling the warmth and burn travel down his throat. He had already polished off a few bottles, allowing himself to relax a bit more than usual.
"I don't know! I just had this feeling, like something bad's looming," Kaito leaned in closer to Takuya to be heard over the loud music. "I don't want to overreact, but I hope I'm wrong."
Neon lights flickered around them, and Takuya's face grew serious. "You're not overreacting. Sometimes we sense when things aren't right. I understand. If it's weighing on you, head home early and try calling Mina again. I'm sorry for dragging you here," he suggested, his tone clearer now.
Kaito punched in Mina's number once more, but as before, there was silence. Each breath felt like a weight pressing on his chest, anxiety coiling tighter around him.
"I'm heading to the bathroom. Need a quick break," His friend joked, rising from his seat with a laugh.
Kaito nodded absentmindedly, overlooked by their drunken coworkers who were caught up in the karaoke. He slid into Takuya's seat, leaning against the glass panel to gaze at the lively street below.
As he listened to the upbeat songs, his gaze drifted outside, where he caught sight of a familiar figure walking along the sidewalk. His brows knitted together as he focused intently on the girl approaching.
"Wait... is that Mina?" he breathed, whispering to himself in disbelief.
Blinking through the slight haze from the drinks, he rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his vision. After all, Mina wasn't the only girl wearing that uniform.
As she neared the KTV bar, Kaito's heart raced as realization struck—it was his daughter! Long brown hair, pale skin, the same familiar build... and the black shoulder bag he had given her. There was no mistaking it—this was his beloved daughter!
But what was she doing here? This place buzzed with working adults enjoying their night. His initial worry slipped away, replaced by a smile as he stood up. He would go outside and bring her home. The sense of joy surged back.
Hurriedly, he made his way to the exit. Mori caught his movement and turned around, her eyes wide with surprise. "Kaito, where are you going? Are you leaving already?" she asked, curiosity evident in her tone.
He beamed at her. "I saw Mina outside. I'm going to catch her up."
Without waiting for a response, Kaito dashed out of the KTV bar. The street bustled with people, and he quickly spotted Mina ahead, urging him to nearly sprint to catch up.
But he froze, eyes narrowing as a guy approached his daughter. The man stood tall and thin, with a tan complexion and an unusually stylish outfit. He rested a hand on Mina's waist, and they walked side by side, sharing an intimacy that sent his heart racing.
Kaito swallowed hard, wrestling with his instincts. He didn't want to judge based on looks, he was never like that. But something about this guy felt wrong from the get-go. Alarm bells blared in his mind, warning him that this person could spell trouble for his daughter.
His heart raced, pounding loudly in his chest. Was this why Mina hadn't answered his calls? Was she dating someone without telling him? Why had she hidden this from him? He wasn't a strict father—just protective—never forbidding her from dating.
"Mina, sweetheart... what are you doing?" he whispered to himself, following them at a cautious distance.