nock. The teacher's worried tone underscored the urgency of the doctor's appointment and the inevitable cost of the plaster cast. Pick

g to Mr. John's meticulously printed timetable, the other staff had long since departed. The silence felt diffe

f a modern sculpture, a glint of metal on his expansive mahogany desk caught her eye. It was a small, silver-framed photo

ster as she gently t

ievous smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. His features... a jolt, sharp and unexpected,

e Pacific hotel man she had bee

ore as a kid? Her brow furrowed in concentrati

jump. The almost silent click of the closing elevator doors. A pr

ic rhythm against her ribs. She snatched up her duster, her movements jerky, and pretended to be meticulously polis

dle began to

ored suit, but his tie was gone, and the top button of his shirt was undone, lending him a slightly le

whisper of a memory he couldn't quite grasp. He found himself momentarily tempted to ask her outright, to break the sterile formality and inquire who exactly she was.

he hospital that afternoon, a sudden and worrying turn that had thrown his meticulously ordered world in

ence amplifying the fran

nervous nod, her vo

. Tanaka. "Just f

er, hoping she appeared like a dil

that was almost imperceptible, he moved further into the room, his attention shifting to the papers on his desk. He s

w and methodical, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible. H

nce stretched, broken only by the rustle of paper an

vacuum cleaner, its presence near his desk a necessary part of her routine. As she

utmost care, she subtly angled the photograph, just enough t

idn't hear Jian Tanaka's ch

hing wrong, Ms.

cool and measured, held

turning to face him, the vacuum cleaner clutched awkwardly in her

her cheeks flushing. "Just... m

down at the silver frame, then back at

his voice low and deliberate

Tell the truth? She had no id

she opted for a carefu

. closely. I just noti

silver frame. "It's a picture from when I was younger," he sai

boy. Looking so much like William. The echo was undeniable,

apers, a weariness settling around his eyes. He glanced up as Aiko quietly opened

late. Where

question. "Oh, I... I take the bus, Mr. Ta

before responding to her," It's no trouble. My driver can drop you at your j

r. Tanaka. I a

in beside her, the plush leather seats enveloping them in a cocoon of quiet luxury. Another identical limousine follo

the quiet hum of the engine. Jian Tanaka seemed lost in his own thoughts, occasionally glancing out at th

cleared h

. "You mentioned you take the bus. It must be...

Mr. Ta

gh the hotel where I run shifts during the da

c, wasn't it?"

Did he remember? His exp

nst Jian's arm. A jolt, subtle but undeniable, passed between them. She quickly drew her hand back, a flush creeping up her neck. Jian,

felt different now, charge

htly to reveal a glimpse of her thigh. She quickly adjusted it, a wave of self-consciousness washing over h

oat again, breakin

here very efficiently, Ms. A

ou, Mr.

to have the focus shi

tand?" he asked, the que

htly. "Yes, Mr. Tanaka. I

asked it. "A demanding age, I imagine. "Is everything... alright with

school today. Hurt his arm again. "We need to get him to the doctor

pocket and pulled out a big, leather bag sitting next to him. He extracted a thic

d, his voice sur

der it... a small gesture." His eyes held a fleeting moment of g

hock and gratitude. It was more than she would have earned in a month, before

if it makes you more comfortabl

ed up in A

ion on his face. "Indeed." He seemed about to say s

a," Aiko said softly, pointing

Please be careful getting home." There was a curtness to his to

a. For the ride." Their eyes

the weight of the money in

its two silent escorts, Aiko stood on the sidewalk, a strange mix of grat