Chapter 13: Balancing Stars: A Journey of Two Hearts

**Echoes of the Past**

**Five Years Earlier**

The corporate world was a whirlwind of new faces and fresh beginnings. Among the newest recruits at the company were Oki Habi and Rafta Densi. Their contrasting personalities would set the stage for a dynamic that would evolve in unexpected ways.

**Day One**

The office buzzed with the excitement of new hires. Oki Habi arrived early, radiating professionalism.

Rafta Densi strolled in casually. He plopped down at his desk, cluttered with coffee cups and stray papers. He barely glanced at the onboarding materials, choosing instead to chat with colleagues.

“Hey, Habi-san,” Rafta said, leaning over her desk with a grin. “Settling in okay? This place seems pretty lively.”

Oki looked up, her expression cool but polite. “Good morning, Densi-san. I’m here to work. I suggest focusing on the tasks at hand if you want to make a good impression.”

Rafta chuckled, unfazed. “I’m just getting the lay of the land. It’s all about finding the right balance, right?”

As weeks turned into months, the contrast between Oki’s dedication and Rafta’s laid-back approach became increasingly evident. Oki quickly earned admiration for her work ethic, often staying late to ensure every detail was perfect. Her colleagues frequently praised her diligence.

Rafta, on the other hand, spent more time socializing than working. He formed friendships easily, often seen chatting in the break room or hanging out with different groups. His work was done at the last minute, but his charm and humor made him a popular figure.

**One Year Later**

By the time a year had passed, Oki and Rafta were working together on various projects. Their contrasting styles led to tension but also created a dynamic that allowed them to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

**One evening, after wrapping up a particularly challenging project, Rafta turned to Oki with a grin.**

“Hey, Habi-san, I’m heading out for a drink. Wanna join me?”

Oki, engrossed in her reports, looked up with a sigh. “I’ve still got work to finish, Densi-san. I’m sorry, but I can’t join you.”

“Come on, the work is done for the day. If you keep working non-stop, you’ll end up burnt out, and then you won’t be able to manage anything. A small break won’t hurt,” Rafta urged.

Oki hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, fine. I could use a break.”

**At the bar, Rafta and Oki chatted about their usual activities and shared more personal stories. Afterward, they found themselves sitting on a hill a little further from the city area. The sky was clear and full of stars.**

“Wow, look at the stars, Densi-san. They’re so beautiful,” Oki said, her voice filled with awe.

“Yeah, they really are,” Rafta agreed, glancing at the sky.

“Oki said, “Densi-san, do you ever wonder what’s above the stars?”

Rafta looked puzzled. “Not really. What do you think is up there?”

“People say there are realms above the stars, home to celestial beings and divine entities,” Oki explained.

“Really?” Rafta asked, intrigued.

“Yeah, that’s what the old timers used to say,” Oki replied with a thoughtful smile.

Rafta looked over at Oki, who was gazing up at the stars. “The stars are beautiful, aren’t they?”

At first, Oki didn’t catch the deeper meaning behind Rafta’s words. She looked at him, puzzled. “Densi-san?”

Rafta took a deep breath, his usual casual demeanor replaced with sincerity. “I’m not joking around. Over the past year, I’ve realized how much I value you—not just as a colleague but as a person. I’m asking if you’d consider being my girlfriend.”

Oki’s eyes widened in surprise. Known for her serious, almost aloof demeanor at work, Rafta’s confession caught her completely off guard. “Are you serious? I didn’t expect this from you.”

“Yes,” Rafta said, his hands slightly trembling. “I know it might be a surprise, but I really care about you. So, what do you think?”

Oki’s heart raced as she processed his words. “I’ve never had anyone take me seriously like this before. I don’t know what to say right now.”

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“No need to panic. Take your time. Nobody’s forcing you. It’s your decision,” Rafta said gently.

As they walked home in silence, Rafta seemed to revert to his usual self, but Oki was lost in thought, trying to figure out how to respond to his confession. The streets felt unusually quiet, amplifying the weight of the moment.

“Densi-san,” Oki said, hesitating and struggling to find the right words.

“Huh? Don’t worry about what I said. Take your time. You don’t have to reply to me now,” Rafta said.

“I’ll accept your proposal,” Oki said, overflowing with embarrassment and turning red.

“What?” Rafta was surprised.

“But let’s keep it private for now,” Oki added, still embarrassed.

“Yes!” Rafta exclaimed, jumping with excitement.

“Okay, let’s go home, Oki,” Rafta said, trying to steer the conversation forward.

“But what about my reply? We’re keeping it a secret, right?” Oki asked, but Rafta seemed lost in his own excitement.

“Densi-san,” Oki called out.

“No, you can’t call me that anymore,” Rafta said with a grin.

“Eh?” Oki was confused.

“Call me by my first name, Rafta. We’re boyfriend and girlfriend now, so use my first name,” Rafta insisted.

“What?” Oki was taken aback.

“Call me, Rafta,” he said.

“Oki, I’ll try it tomorrow,” Oki said, her face turning red.

“Call me right now,” Rafta urged.

“What?” Oki said, shocked.

“I want to hear it,” Rafta said.

“But I’m not used to it. I’ll try calling you tomorrow,” Oki said, feeling uneasy.

“No,” Rafta sat down in the middle of the road. “I want to hear it now. I’m not moving until you call me by my first name.”

“What?” Oki was surprised. “Don’t be like that. I said I’d try it tomorrow.”

“No, I want to hear it now,” Rafta said firmly.

Despite Oki’s attempts to convince him to go home, Rafta remained steadfast. After an hour of back-and-forth, Oki finally relented.

“Okay, I’ll try it, but I’ll say it only once. Don’t make me repeat it,” Oki said nervously.

“Okay,” Rafta said, clearly excited.

Oki took a deep breath and said softly, “Rafta.”

“What?” Rafta said eagerly.

“I told you I’d say it only once,” Oki said.

“But I didn’t hear you. Your voice was too soft,” Rafta said.

“Don’t lie. You heard me clearly,” Oki said, frustrated.

“No, I didn’t. Your voice was too faint,” Rafta said.

“I said it once, and I’m not saying it again. Stay here if you want. I’m leaving,” Oki said, and started walking away. Halfway home, she glanced back to see if Rafta had left. Her heart raced as she saw him standing close by, holding a light and shining it upward toward his face. Oki jumped in shock and yelled.

“You’re worried about me?” Rafta asked with a grin.

“What are you doing? You scared me to the death!” Oki said, her heart pounding.

“Do I look that frightening with the light?” Rafta asked, still grinning.

“You look terrifying. Anyone could be scared to death,” Oki said.

“Really? But you survived, so that I picked the right girl to be my girlfriend,” Rafta said.

“This isn’t a joke, Rafta,” Oki said, shaking her head.

“Eh? What did you just say?” Rafta asked.

“What?” Oki said.

“I heard you. You called me by my first name,” Rafta said, pleased.

“No, I didn’t,” Oki said, trying to deny it.

“Yes, you did,” Rafta insisted.

“Okay, it’s late. I’m going home now. I was foolish to worry about you,” Oki said, heading for her gate.

“Hey, don’t say that. It hurts my feelings you know,” Rafta said.

“Why are you following me? Isn’t your home in the other direction?” Oki asked.

“It’s not safe for you to walk alone at this hour, so I’m just making sure you get home safely. Your place is just around the corner, right?” Rafta said.

“Thanks. Wait, how did you know where I live?” Oki asked.

“Hehe,” Rafta said with a wink.

In front of Oki’s house:

“Okay, bye. Get some good sleep. Good night,” Rafta said.

Oki tightened her grip on her clothes. “Thanks for escorting me, and be safe on your way home.” Hesitating, she added, “Rafta.”

“What? You said it again,” Rafta said, beaming.

Oki closed her gate, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment.

Over the next few months, Oki found herself frequently watching Rafta, waiting for him to acknowledge their relationship more openly. Her anticipation was mixed with frustration, as Rafta’s casual attitude remained unchanged.

**Six Months Later**

One afternoon, Oki decided to take matters into her own hands. She approached Rafta with a mix of determination and nervousness. “Rafta, can we talk after work?”

Rafta looked up from his screen, noting the serious tone in her voice. “Sure, what’s up?”

Later, as they walked out of the office, Oki took a deep breath. “I was thinking it would be nice if we went out on a date this weekend. Just the two of us.”

Rafta’s face fell, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Actually, I’ve already got plans for this weekend. How about next week? I’ve got something special planned.”

Oki’s face fell, her disappointment clear. “Next week? Why not now? I thought we could spend some time together.”

Rafta, trying to stay upbeat, shrugged. “I promise it’ll be worth the wait. I’ve been planning this for a while. Trust me.”

Oki’s disappointment turned to frustration. “I see. Well, if you think that’s best.”

**The Date**

The week dragged on, and Oki’s mood soured further. When the day of their planned date finally arrived, Rafta was enthusiastic, hoping to make it special. However, his idea of a surprise was a water park visit in the dead of winter.

As they arrived, Oki’s excitement quickly turned to confusion and irritation. “A water park? In winter? Are you kidding me, Rafta?”

Rafta, grinning widely, said, “I know it’s cold, but I remembered how much you love swimming. I thought it would be fun!”

Oki’s face flushed with frustration. “Fun? I’m freezing right now, Rafta. This was not what I had in mind at all.”

As they entered the park, Oki’s irritation grew. The cold water and winter weather made the experience uncomfortable. She tried to make the best of it, but her discomfort was evident. Rafta’s attempts to cheer her up seemed to fall flat.

By the end of the day, Oki’s patience was wearing thin. “This was a huge mistake, Rafta. I’m not sure what you were thinking, but this was not what I expected.”

Rafta looked genuinely remorseful. “I’m really sorry, Oki. I thought I was doing something nice. I didn’t realize it would be this bad.”

As they left the park, Oki’s mood was a mix of anger and disappointment. Rafta’s sincere apology showed his good intentions, but the execution had been poor. Oki knew that despite the rocky start, they had a lot to work through.

Rafta, feeling a mix of regret and determination, promised, “I’ll make it up to you. I’ll plan something that’s just what you want. I promise.”

Oki sighed, acknowledging the effort but still feeling let down. Their journey together had just begun, marked by both moments of frustration and glimpses of understanding. They had much to navigate, but their story was far from over.

To be continue...........