I Was Abandoned by My Fiancé and Betrayed by My Best Friend—A Story from Rock Bottom - Chapter 32

That night.

Sitting at my desk in my room.

Still carrying a bit of the day’s fatigue, I tapped on my smartphone screen.

There it was – the newly exchanged SNS account with Kiryū-san.

But the chat history remained blank.

…I have to send something.

Several days had passed since then.

I kept thinking that, but my fingers remained frozen.

Should I just send a work report?

But that would just be business communication.

—Still, not sending anything at all didn’t feel right either.

(What should I do? I have to send something…)

Then, suddenly, words floated into my mind.

It was such a strange sensation.

This might work.

After hesitating for a moment, I typed with trembling fingers.

“Thank you for helping me during the meeting today. I’m sorry I couldn’t express myself properly back then.”

Yeah, this should be fine.

I tapped send.

—Will he reply…?

My heart pounded so hard it hurt as I watched the screen.

Then, right after.

Ping, a sound chimed.

“I should be the one thanking you. Your words saved the situation.”

A short reply.

Yet, warmth spread through the depths of my chest.

I gathered my courage and continued.

“Um, may I ask for some advice?”

“What is it?”

“As your secretary, I want to be more helpful. But honestly, I’m unsure whether I should speak up during meetings and business negotiations.”

I regretted sending it immediately.

Was the content too heavy?

But the reply came quickly.

“I don’t always have the right answers either. It’s natural to be uncertain.”

Then, another ping sounded.

“For now, you’re doing fine. Your input has always been helpful. Like during yesterday’s business negotiation too. I’m grateful.”

It felt like I could hear his voice through the screen.

—To be encouraged like this…

Summoning my courage, I tried sending a slightly more casual message.

My typing fingers sped up.

And sent.

“Thank you. But Kiryū-san, you’re usually so strict. It’s a bit rare to see you being kind like today.”

Read.

—A few seconds later.

“You might be right. But right now, I naturally end up like this with you.”

I accidentally let my phone slip onto the desk.

(W-what is this!? Isn’t that cheating!?)

Then, another message came from Kiryū-san.

“Sorry. I can’t help but want your answer from the other day.”

That message made my mind go completely blank.

After a moment, thoughts surfaced.

(R-right. I’ve kept him waiting…)

I moved my fingers and tapped send.

“Understood. Would tomorrow be alright?”

Read.

Then, a reply came back.

“Yeah. Tomorrow night, in this chat – is that fine?”

I typed and sent.

“Yes. That works for me.”

Of course, in person would be better, but this way I can think about what to say.

We exchanged farewells and ended the conversation.

Bathed in the screen’s light, my heart remained warm throughout.

“I have to give him a proper answer…”

Though it was mostly about work, it was our first exchange in the [private] realm.

The afterglow didn’t fade until I fell asleep.