During the summer season, a name was written on a piece of paper... a man's name: Haru.
"Sorry, but we can't accept you."
The words landed, and Haru simply nodded. He turned and stepped out into the sweltering heat.
"8... 12... 17... not a single one accepted me."
He muttered, staring at the sky, letting the warmth of the sun press down on him-until the smell of barbecue pulled him back. He paused, sniffing the air for a moment.
"That'll be 3 yuan."
The old man's voice broke his thoughts. Haru handed over the money-his last coin.
-
Moonlight streamed through the window of his apartment as he collapsed onto the couch, slowly slipping toward sleep.
"How tiring... Should I keep applying, or just stay like this? I make enough... just enough to live."
The alarm dragged him back to consciousness. He showered, then ate the leftovers waiting in the fridge.
-
The scanner beeped endlessly.
"Finally... I can sit for a moment."
He rubbed his shoulders, exhaustion weighing on him, when the staff room door creaked open. He looked up.
A slender woman appeared, holding a few boxes, smiling at him.
"You're doing well."
Her voice pulled him into motion. Haru hurried to take the boxes, and together, section by section, they restacked the shelves-less and empty ones first.
"Say~ do you want a girlfriend?"
She nudged him playfully, waiting for a reaction.
"Why did you ask?"
His shoulders slumped slightly, and he looked away.
"I can't have a girlfriend... my income barely covers me."
After hearing his words, she gently turned his face toward her, softening her expression into a heartwarming smile.
"It's okay. I'm here for you..."
Her words hung between them in a moment of silence. His face flushed pink, but he steadied himself and shook his head.
"Stop it, Yue."
He quickly grabbed the empty boxes and carried them into the staff room, preparing for the incoming customers.
Yue giggled at how flustered he looked, then followed him to help at the counter.
By the time they clocked out at 10 p.m., Haru had finished cleaning the store. As he walked past the door, he was shocked to see Yue waiting for him.
"Why are you shocked? Did you see a ghost?"
Yue giggled, and his face froze like he'd just had a heart attack.
"Damn it, Yue."
He exhaled in relief.
"Why did you wait for me? This is... new."
He waited for her response.
"You know... we've been together for three years now, but
only inside the store as coworkers. So why don't we spend some time together off the shift?"
Haru paused, considering her words, then nodded.
"That sounds good... s-sure. Let's go. Where do you want to go?"
He asked, nervously fidgeting.
"Anywhere the wind takes us... it's my first time too."
She seemed nervous, but more composed than him.
The smell of oil and steam thickened as they walked. Then the warm sweetness of steamed buns cut through it, stopping Yue mid-step.
Her head snapped toward the source.
"Look-steamed buns!"
Her voice lifted, already moving.
"Come on, hurry."
She caught Haru by the wrist and pulled him along, her grip impatient and warm, weaving them toward the small stall where steam curled into the night
"Four buns, please."
Yue leaned forward over the counter, eyes fixed on the rising steam, lips parted just enough to give her away.
The old woman nodded and began preparing the order.
Haru watched from the side, a small smile slipping out before he noticed.
"Your favorite, or are you just hungry?"
he said. She turned to him, almost bouncing on her heels.
Her eyes lit up.
"It is-my favorite!"
Something in her face held longer than it should have.
Haru's breath stalled. Warmth crept up his neck, his heartbeat slipping out of sync.
"Hey... hey."
Yue's voice cut through the haze.
"W-what?"
The word came out clumsy, unfinished.
"You were spacing out"
she said, brows knitting slightly.
"What were you thinking about?"
He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.
"N-nothing serious."
She nodded, though her eyes lingered on him a moment longer before turning back to the stall.
Time passed in small footsteps and shared stops-stores, stalls, laughter blending with the noise of the street.
Eventually, they settled onto a bench by the river. Fewer
people passed here. The air was quieter, cooler.
"Thank you for spending time with me."
Yue leaned back, arms resting against the bench. When she looked at him, her smile was soft, unguarded.
Haru felt his face heat up again.
"N-no problem."
She giggled, light and quick.
"You look adorable right now."
He ducked his head, mortified. Her laughter lingered between them, then slowly faded into the sound of water moving past the bank.
"Thank you, Haru"
she said more quietly.
"I really appreciate tonight."
A faint pink brushed her cheeks.
"You're welcome"
he replied.
"And... I'm always here if you need someone."
He smiled-easy, real.
Yue froze for half a second. It was the first time she'd seen that expression on him, and it tugged something loose in her chest. She smiled back.
"Oh-by the way,"
she said, checking her phone.
"It's already midnight."
-
"Yeah,"
he said.
"We should head home. We have work tomorrow."
She gathered the bags from their feet.
"I'll walk you home, It's not safe to go alone."
Haru added.
She nodded, smiling.
-
When the taxi stopped in front of her apartment, Haru stepped out first and stayed by the curb.
"Have a good night,"
he said, lifting a hand.
"Take care,"
Yue replied.
"And thank you for bringing me home."
She waved once more before turning toward the entrance.
Haru stood there until her figure disappeared inside..
-
After she disappeared into the building, Haru headed home.
Cold night air slipped through the open window, stirring the thin curtains. His room greeted him the same way it always did-quiet, empty, unmoved. He dropped onto the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight.
"What's happening to me?"
The words left him barely louder than a breath.
"When- no. How did she..."
His chest tightened before the thought could finish. His
heartbeat sped up, uneven. He let out a low groan and covered his eyes with his arm.
"If this is real... I don't want to ruin what we already have."
He rolled onto his side, pulling the body pillow close, gripping it like it might anchor him. The feeling refused to settle. With a sharp exhale, he forced his mind elsewhere and reached for his wallet.
He opened it. Stared.
"This is barely enough for two days."
The leather snapped shut.
Yue's voice surfaced uninvited. Girlfriend...
He let himself fall flat onto the bed.
"Impossible for me."
The ceiling blurred as he stared at it. The thought lingered, heavy and familiar. Whatever he was, whatever his life looked like-his money had always been enough for only one thing. Just enough for himself to get by.
-
Time slipped past him.
Haru jolted awake and grabbed his phone. The screen burned his eyes. Ten minutes late.
He was out of bed instantly-shower rushed, movements sloppy, heart already pounding as he ran out the door.
-
By the time he reached the store, Yue was already at the counter, calmly handling a line of customers. When she noticed him, she lifted two fingers in a small wave, her expression easy, unbothered. Guilt twisted in his chest.
He slipped into the staff room, changed quickly, and threw himself into work-restocking half-empty shelves, helping with customers, staying busy enough not to think.
When the last customer left, the store finally quieted.
"I'm sorry I'm late," he said."I-"
"It's okay, Haru."
Yue cut him off gently.
"I can handle the store."
"Bu-"
She reached up and squeezed his cheeks between her fingers.
"I told you, it's really okay. Don't worry."
Her smile left no room for argument. She disappeared into the staff room and returned moments later with a couple of instant noodles.
"Let's eat."
Haru nodded. She poured hot water into the cups, steam rising between them. He watched her without realizing it-every small movement, every familiar gesture.
"Hey! Haru!"
Her voice pulled him back.
"O-oh- s-sorry."
The words tumbled out wrong. He looked distant, unsettled.
"What's on your mind?" she asked.
He hesitated.
"This is the second time you've spaced out like that,"
she continued softly.
"Tell me what's wrong."
She took his hand. Her grip was warm, steady.
"I... I think I'm just mentally exhausted," he said.
Yue frowned, clearly unconvinced.
"You can tell me," she said.
"I'm here."
She leaned closer and pressed her palm to his forehead,
checking him.
"You're not sick... are you really okay?"
His body froze at her touch. His breath caught. For a second, everything else disappeared.
He swallowed, gathered what courage he had left, and forced the words out in one breath.
"Yue, actually, I want to tell you someth-"
The door to the store swung open.
Both of them turned at the sound.