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Days go by and you only get closer to him. It seems like there's not a working day that goes by that you don't get to see him. Either be it for lunch break or morning or afternoon snacks or a dinner out with other co-workers is possible too.

You get to know him even more and more and it only adds to your infatuation of him. His handsome face and sometimes very funny comments are mostly what gets your attention. He can be very masculine at times but there are just days that he seems to be on the childlike side of his persona. His facial expressions which are somewhere between cute and sexy. There are times when he stares fiercely mostly when he's thinking hard. His eyes widen much when he's surprised and his lips pout at some remarks he gets critical about. His laugh tingles in your ears every time he does cuz it's almost contagious. He sounds like a child, it's irresistible to listen to. Moments where he laughs out loud are the ones you always look forward to. And his serious face whenever he talks about something or when he talks to you about something. You can never get enough of those speaking eyes looking at you and wish it stays with you forever. And his habit of looking directly at the person speaking is something you really love. He can be a good a listener but still very talkative at the same time. You're too concerned about him now. And your feelings are obviously getting deeper.

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"Kisa-san, are you free after work? Can you accompany me to a jewelry store later? I really need a woman's perspective for a gift," Fumiya asked you during lunch.

"A gift?" Your attention was dragged to that fact.

"Yeah, it's my mom's 50th birthday on weekend. I just want to surprise her with something."

That reason leaves you relieved. For a split moment you thought it was for his girlfriend or anything of the sort. You smile at him and said, "Yeah sure."

"Arigatou."

— 5pm —

You meet Fumiya at the exit. And soon both of you arrive at the jewelry store he picked. Looking around for the suitable gift, you stumble upon some red gems on a set of jewelry.

"I think your mom would like some ruby stones. Older women kinda like those," you told him.

"I do see her wearing earrings with some stones. What do you think would be best?"

"I think this one or that one."

It takes you and him a couple of minutes to decide what to get and when he finally picks the one, he asks you for another one.

"If it's for you, I mean if it's for girls your age, what will you get?" He suddenly asked you.

"Me? I'm really a fan of plain rings. I'd get a couple of those thin tricolor rings right there. But then, that's my preference and it's off my budget so maybe next time. Is it for a cousin?"

You laugh as you continue to look at the jewelries and you don't notice him staring at that tricolor ring.

When he's done picking, you look around as he pays for the pieces. He comes back to you when he's done and you both walk out of the store together.

"Greet your mom happy birthday for me," you told him.

"Hai, domo," he replied. Then gets something from the bag. "This is for you Kisa-san," he told you as he hands you a small bag.

"Watashi? (For me?)" You're surprised that you're a little speechless that you stop walking.

He stops with you and said, "Yeah, for helping me find the perfect gift for my mom."

"No, I can't take that," you politely refused.

"Please, I just really want to thank you. Please take it."

You slowly grab the bag as you look at him. He's staring sincerely at you and it feels too bad to reject his good intentions.

He smiles as you take the bag and open the box inside. You can't hide the grateful look on your face as you see the tricolor ring you mentioned earlier to him.

He smiles as you look up to him and you said, "Arigatou Fumiya-san."

"No problem," he replied simply.

You part ways after having dinner and then went separate ways along the way.

Upon arriving home, a tear falls from your eye. Hugging the gift he has given you, you cry at how hard it has become to hide the truth away from him. You like him so much you feel your heart's gonna blow every-time you're together. You really want to tell him but you can't. If he rejects you, you might really not recover this time. You can't risk it again. This has to be okay for you. To love in silence.

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"Kisa-san, I need your advice."

You're with him again for the afternoon snack. Lately, he's been hanging around more with you. He said you're a lot better companion than the others. Today, he's emitting too much excitement from what he's about to tell you. You can see from his smile, he's both embarrassed and jittery from it.

"Yeah, what for?" You enjoy looking at him. It makes your day all the time.

"You see... there's someone I like."

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— To be continued... —

nantokanarusa 23.08.18