Chapter 11: Silent Threads of a Fragile Morning

That night, Wakasa didn’t sleep like a student.

He worked like someone standing on the edge of something far bigger than a part-time job.

His desk was lit only by a small lamp, papers scattered like quiet chaos. Charts. Notes. Ideas. His first project for the company wasn’t just an assignment—it felt like a test he couldn’t afford to fail.

“…If I get this right,” he murmured under his breath, eyes narrowing slightly, “I won’t just be working here.”

A pause.

“I’ll belong here.”

The words didn’t sound hopeful. They sounded necessary.

Outside, the world kept sleeping.

Inside, Wakasa kept building.

Morning — A House That Moves Too Fast

Dawn didn’t arrive gently. It rushed in like always.

Shoes were missing. Bags were half-zipped. Time was already late before anyone even checked the clock.

Ren stumbled out first, rubbing his eyes like he was personally offended by existence.

“Why is morning always so violent…” he muttered.

Liz sat on the table edge, already chewing bread like she was negotiating with time itself.

Wakasa, however, was different.

Fully dressed. Calm. Already leaving.

He adjusted his bag strap.

“I’m going,” he said simply.

Their mother blinked. “So early?”

Wakasa nodded once.

“Need to submit the first draft.”

There was something in his voice now. Not just responsibility—direction.

And for the first time, even Unikawa looked… relieved.

“Good,” his father said quietly. “At least someone in this house listens to time.”

Wakasa paused for half a second.

A small, rare softness crossed his face.

“…I think you finally listened too, Dad.”

Unikawa raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet.

And then wakasa left.

After getting ready,they were about to leave when Ren suddenly pointed at the table.

“Why is there an extra lunchbox? Did we get promoted to luxury household?”

Liz leaned in, curious.

“Oh? Mama? Is this for me? I got bonus food today?”

Ren immediately protested.

“No, witch— that’s mine.”

Silence.

Everyone turned slowly.

Ren froze.

“…I mean— NOT witch. I said— I said rich— no— I mean—”

Unikawa raised a brow.

Ren corrected himself immediately.

“Not witch, Dad. I said— um— B… like… blessing? Not witch. Definitely not witch.”

Liz smirked.

“Too late. You’ve been spiritually reported.”

Their mother sighed.

“It’s Wakasa’s lunch. He forgot it.”

Liz’s eyes lit up slightly.

“Then we’ll take it to him.”

Ren nodded. “Yeah, before he starts surviving on corporate air again.”

Unikawa stood slowly.

“I’ll go with you.”

Liz blinked. “You will?”

He nodded.

“I want to see where he works.”

A pause.

Then softer—

“…just for peace of mind.”

The streets stretched wide as they walked.

Liz talked. Ren complained. Unikawa stayed quiet more than usual.

But then, a guy from ren's school saw him. Ren stared at his father for a moment before saying "I'll go with him,you can take Liz there." 

Unikawa just nodded and they kept walking there. 

When they reached the building—

Liz stopped.

“…Wow.”

Her eyes lifted.

A massive glass tower cut into the sky like it didn’t belong in their world.

“I can’t believe Wakasa got a job here…” she whispered. “Just like that?”

Unikawa’s expression tightened for a fraction of a second.

“…He didn’t get it for nothing,” he muttered.

Liz looked at him.

“What does that mean?”

But he didn’t answer.

"I'll take the lunchbox to their reception so they'll take it to him." 

Liz said before walking into that building.

Unikawa was already watching something else.

The arrival.

A sleek black car stopped near the entrance.

Not loud. Not dramatic.

Just… final.

Unikawa’s eyes sharpened.

“…no.”

The door opened.

A man stepped out.

Same man from the karaoke night.

Same calm presence.

Same controlled smile. 

Uniwaka walked towards the car.

“Ah,” that man said politely. “We meet again.”

Unikawa nodded stiffly.

“…Mr. Silva.”

His name was Silva.

Silva adjusted his cufflinks.

“I hope yesterday didn’t cause you unnecessary stress.”

Unikawa replied carefully.

“I hope things don’t go out of control.”

A pause.

Silva’s smile didn’t move.

“That depends on many people.”

He glanced briefly at the building.

“And fewer mistakes.”

Unikawa nodded before walking back towards his stop where Liz left him. 

Then silva walked in the building.

Inside Collision — Liz Meets the Unknown

Liz was leaving the building just as Silva entered.

No collision was dramatic.

It was worse.

It was accidental.

She bumped into him slightly.

“Ah— sorry—”

Silva stepped aside immediately.

No reaction.

No recognition.

Just distance.

“I apologize,” he said calmly.

And continued walking.

But Liz stopped for a second.

Something about his presence stayed behind like cold air.

“…that smell,” she murmured faintly.

Same cologne.

Same strange familiarity she couldn’t place.

Then she shook it off.

Outside...

She rejoined her father.

Her eyes were bright again.

“Papa, did you see that man?”

Unikawa nodded slowly.

Liz smiled slightly.

“He looked… powerful.”

A beat.

Then softly, almost like a promise to herself:

“I’ll be like that someday.”

Unikawa didn’t answer immediately.

Then quietly—

“Money isn’t everything.”

Liz tilted her head.

But didn’t argue.

Inside the Office — Wakasa’s Pressure Rising

Wakasa stared at the lunchbox placed on his desk.

“…who brought this?”

A worker woman bowed slightly.

“I was asked to deliver it.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“mhm...ok?”

She hesitated.

“alright, sir.”

Silence.

She left quickly.

Wakasa leaned back.

“…this company is too clean to be this suspicious.”

Just tension.

 

The room was colder than usual.

Wakasa sat quietly.

Observing his work for upcoming meeting. 

Then in another room,Silva entered. The mangar and his assistant Fred,the same guy who made wakasa suspicious. 

"Good morning,sir. The projects are ready. Shall we go to the meeting room? 

Silva nodded,that polite smile was gone that he had while talking to Liz's father.

Then,in the meeting room. The employees and colleagues were seated. 

Then—

The door opened.

Silva entered first.

Followed by the manager.

And Fred.

Wakasa’s eyes locked on Fred for half a second longer than necessary.

Fred looked away immediately.

Wakasa looked at Silva and thought"he might be the boss... But he didn't give a good vibe" 

Silva sat at the head of the table like it was already decided long ago.

He didn’t introduce himself.

He didn’t need to.

Just one sentence.

Just one glance at wakasa. 

Silva spoke. 

“Start.”

The room obeyed.

Wakasa felt it immediately.

This wasn’t a meeting.

This was positioning.

Silva’s gaze finally landed on him.

Not curious.

Not impressed.

Measured.

Like he was confirming something already known.

Wakasa thought:

“…this man is not here to evaluate me.”

A pause.

“…he’s here to see how I react.”

Silva spoke again, calm and precise.

“Present your work.”

And the room went silent.

End of Chapter 11: Silent Threads of a Fragile Morning

To be continued.