Every step was a delicate dance as Kaito carefully balanced an armful of food containers, each brimming with irresistible aromas. The scent of freshly steamed rice mingled with the rich aroma of teriyaki sauce, making his mouth water uncontrollably. But the thought of facing his colleagues, especially Satoshi, dampened his appetite. With a determined focus, he took small, cautious steps, shifting his weight ever so slightly to keep the containers steady and avoid any mishaps. His heart raced with nervousness as he approached his workplace, wondering what kind of reception he would receive from his coworkers.

As Kaito pushed open the glass doors of the office building, he was immediately welcomed by the familiar sights and sounds of his workplace. The fluorescent lights hummed above him as he made his way down the hallway to the break room. As he entered, he was greeted by the warm chatter of his coworkers, their voices blending together in a symphony of conversation. In one corner, Satoshi sat with a self-satisfied smirk on his face, engrossed in his phone. Kaito pulled out a chair at the large round table in the center of the room and carefully placed the containers of food he had brought onto its surface, grateful for the chance to finally set down the heavy load he had been carrying.

"About time," Satoshi remarked with a smirk, exchanging a knowing wink with the other workers. "We were starting to think you got lost."

Kaito mustered a feeble grin and gave a slight nod, pushing down the building frustration within him. He hoped to slip away unnoticed, but Satoshi had more to say.

"Hey, Kaito, why don't you join us? Have a seat," Satoshi said, his tone laced with mockery.

Kaito didn't have a chance to respond before Satoshi "inadvertently" knocked over a container, causing its contents to spill all over Kaito. The sound of laughter from the nearby break room seemed to echo in Kaito's ears as he stood there, feeling humiliated and covered in food. He tried his best to brush off the incident and quietly excused himself to go clean up.

The remaining hours of the day crept by, each moment dragging as Kaito was stuck working in his filthy attire. The odor and stains served as continuous reminders of the degradation he had experienced. When his shift thankfully came to an end, he quickly gathered his belongings, eager to put the torment behind him.

As Kaito made his way towards the exit, the smug figure of Satoshi suddenly appeared before him, blocking his path. A mocking smirk played across his lips as he taunted, "Leaving so soon, Kaito? Better watch your step this time, wouldn't want to trip and fall again." With a cruel push, Satoshi sent Kaito stumbling backwards, his ankle twisting painfully as he crashed to the ground. The cold tile floor jolted through his body as he lay there in agony, while Satoshi's laughter echoed in the empty hallway.

With a painful limp and tears blurring his vision, Kaito emerged from the dilapidated building. The streets were shrouded in darkness, the frigid air stinging his exposed skin. Each step was torturously slow, his ankle screaming in protest with every movement. As he walked, tears streamed down his face, mixing with the rain that had started to fall. His heart felt heavy and burdened, weighed down by the events of the day. It was as if the city itself shared in his desolation, its once bustling streets now silent and empty.

As he neared home, he decided to take a shortcut through a narrow alleyway. The shadows loomed large, and the faint glimmer of distant streetlights offered little illumination. Kaito's thoughts were a whirlwind, but something among the rubble caught his attention. A glint of white stood out against the darkness, piquing his curiosity.

Kaito took slow, cautious steps towards the body on the ground. As he got closer, he saw white trousers and a loose long-sleeved sweater, along with a baseball cap resting on the person's chest. It was the same clothing as the mysterious stranger he had come across earlier.

"Hey, can you hear me?" Kaito asked, his voice trembling with concern. There was no response from the figure, and panic began to creep in.

With trembling hands, Kaito carefully reached out and gently pressed his fingers to the person's neck, his heart racing with fear and hope. Slowly, he felt a slight throb beneath his touch, a faint but steady beat that brought tears of relief to his eyes. "Thank goodness," he whispered, grateful for this small sign of life amidst the chaos and uncertainty.

Kaito looked around the empty alley, desperately searching for someone to lend a hand. When he realized he was alone and had no other options, he made a decision: he would help the stranger by himself. Despite his sprained ankle slowing him down, Kaito pushed through the pain and lifted the stranger onto his shoulder. The weight of the injured person and the events of the day weighed heavily on him as he slowly made his way back to his apartment. Every step was a struggle, but it was also a testament to Kaito's determination and empathy.