???? ??? || Ni-ki ?

VIII

He wasn’t sure if he liked that or not.

The office emptied out slowly, people trickling away until only a few remained.

Riki sat at his desk, pretending to go through some files while sneaking glances toward the clock.

Natsumi had asked him to meet her in the resting room. Alone.

The moment she made the request, alarms went off in his head. Why? What does she want?

The whole thing felt suspicious. He even went as far as entertaining the most absurd possibilities.

Is she a pervert?

Does she have a secret personality she hides behind that kind, senior-like act?

What if she tries to do something weird—.

He shook his head, shutting down the ridiculous thoughts. He was overthinking.

But battling his suspicions, he knew he couldn’t refuse. She had taken care of him, his fake, clumsy, “autistic” self, without any complaints.

Avoiding this meeting would only seem unnatural.

So when the time came, he made his way to the resting room, hands shoved into his pockets, keeping his expression carefully neutral.

When he entered, she was already there, sitting comfortably on one of the couches. She smiled upon seeing him. “You came.”

“Couldn’t exactly run away, could I?” he muttered, closing the door behind him.

She chuckled softly. “Relax, I didn’t call you here to interrogate you.”

He hesitated before settling on the opposite couch, leaning back casually. “Then? What’s this about?”

She studied him for a moment, her usual warmth unwavering. “I wanted to talk about you.”

His fingers twitched slightly. “Me?”

“You act clumsy,” she said simply.

“You make mistakes, bump into things, hesitate when people talk to you. It bothers some of the others, but I just can’t believe that’s the real you.”

He remained silent, maintaining his blank expression.

“You see…” Natsumi continued, leaning forward slightly.

“The first time I saw you, I had a very different image of you. I thought you're someone who's skilled, like someone who knew what they were doing. But then, here at work, it’s like you’re holding yourself back. I wanted to ask—do you have some kind of trauma? Something stopping you from excelling?”

Riki blinked.

What?

He expected a hundred different things. A confession, an attempt to corner him, jump on him, maybe even some sneaky questions about his past.

But not this.

Not someone genuinely trying to understand him.

He forced a light chuckle. “You sure are straightforward, Senior.”

“I just want to help,” she admitted, voice sincere.

“If people make you nervous, if you’re scared of something, you don’t have to be. I’ve got your back.”

For the first time in a long while, he was caught off guard.

They had met one day ago.

One.

And yet, she was this understanding?

This girl is…different.

But, of course, he had to keep his act intact. He couldn’t slip now.

So he let out a small sigh and made up something on the spot. “I used to be… different. More confident, I guess. But things happened, and I figured it was easier to keep my head down.”

Natsumi nodded, not prying further. “Well, I won’t force you to tell me everything, but just know that if you ever need someone, I’m here.”

She’s way too nice for her own good.

Wanting to steer the conversation away from himself, he tilted his head. “Since we’re talking about this stuff…what do you think about that guy? Phantom?”

Natsumi blinked at the sudden question. “Phantom?”

“Yeah, the errand guy everyone was talking about today.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “I think he’s kind.”

He raised a brow. “That’s it?”

She shrugged. “I’ve always seen him help others. That’s all that matters to me.”

Her words replayed in his mind even as he left the room.

As he walked down the dimly lit streets, he found himself questioning something strange.

Why did I suddenly feel like asking about myself?

He never cared about public opinion before. He had never been the type to seek approval.

And yet, for some reason…

What happened to me?