I Was Abandoned by My Fiancé and Betrayed by My Best Friend—A Story from Rock Bottom - Chapter 37

The afternoon office.

While acting separately from Kiryū-san, I was opening my lunchbox at my desk in the secretarial office.

Since opening my heart to Kiryū-san a few days ago, little by little, we’ve been steadily maintaining our relationship.

We’ve been continuing to exchange feelings through social media as well.

I could say we’re “progressing steadily,” enjoying our time together.

Though it took time, I’m glad we were able to properly put it into words and communicate.

Since then, Kiryū-san’s expression seems to have softened somewhat.

It was just as I was thinking that.

Suddenly remembering something, I went to make copies at the office copier in the corner. On my way back—

I was suddenly called out from behind.

“Udo-san. You seem quite happy lately.”

When I turned around, Senior Natsuko Ohara was standing there.

“Ohara-senpai, is something wrong?”

“Yes, somehow recently, I feel like your atmosphere has changed.”

—S-sharp observation.

Though she wore a soft smile, her eyes seemed to see right through me.

“Eh… Is that so? I’m just the same as always.”

“Just my intuition, but might you and Executive Kiryū be aware of each other? That’s how it looks to me.”

Though said jokingly, it hit the mark.

My heart leaped.

“Th-that’s not true! I’m just doing my best to support him as his secretary.”

I answered while trying hard not to change my expression.

“Is that so? Well, that’s fine then. But if it were true, you should be careful.”

“……”

Leaving behind those matter-of-fact yet somewhat suggestive words, she walked away.

But the feeling of her gaze on my back remained for a while.

◆◆◆

Afternoon.

Together with Kiryū-san, I attended a business meeting with a client.

After serving tea, the client remained smiling throughout as the conversation flowed smoothly.

The meeting concluded without incident.

Together with Kiryū-san, I saw the client off to the entrance.

Just as we were about to return, I felt someone watching me—

(…Ohara-senpai?)

From a window on the upper floor, a female silhouette was looking down at us.

But the figure disappeared almost immediately.

It seemed too coincidental to be accidental.

Perhaps I was being consciously watched.

I need to be careful. If people around us find out, it would be bad.

—One more important matter to be cautious about, beyond work duties, had been added.

◆◆◆

Evening.

Even while doing my usual work, Senior Ohara’s words wouldn’t leave my head.

…I can’t cause trouble for Kiryū-san.

Every time I look at Kiryū-san’s profile, my heart stirs.

“What’s wrong, Udo?”

Kiryū-san called out to me.

“N-no, it’s nothing…”

I averted my gaze from Kiryū-san.

I mustn’t let him notice.

I tried to desperately focus on the document data on my screen, but…

The restlessness in my chest wouldn’t settle, and the day passed like that.

Perhaps being noticed by Senior Ohara was more significant than I thought.

—How does our relationship appear to those around us?

That question weighed heavily on my heart.

Just when I thought we’d made progress, now this.

Should I tell Kiryū-san?

No, causing him trouble wouldn’t be good.

For now, I’ll stay silent and watch how things develop. I resolved in my heart.