Prologue
The Smile Nobody Understood
Ren Takahashi loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt as he approached the office door. Just as he was about to step outside, a voice called from behind him.
“Ren-san!”
Ren turned around. A male employee stood a short distance away, his face bright with relief and gratitude.
“Thank you, Ren-san!”
Ren smiled gently. “It’s all right.”
With that, Ren stepped out of the office.
Behind him, Kaguyama stood still, remembering what Ren had done for him. Earlier, Kaguyama’s mistake had put his job at risk under the company’s competitive ranking system. Ren had transferred enough of his own performance credits to help Kaguyama secure the top position, knowing that doing so would lower his own ranking.
Kaguyama had been saved from losing his job, but Ren had lost his place at the top. Later, Kaguyama stood nervously inside the CEO’s office. The CEO examined the statistics on his desk before looking up at him.
“So, Kaguyama. You made a mistake, but I can see how hard you’ve worked for this company.”
Kaguyama lowered his head, anxiety weighing heavily on him.
“I won’t dismiss you. You may continue working here. However, because of your mistake, you won’t receive this year’s promotion or recognition.”
Kaguyama accepted the decision silently. Keeping his job was already more than he had expected. Then the CEO smiled.
“You know, I think I’ve found another hardworking person in this company.”
He glanced down at the employee rankings.
“Ren Takahashi. He has always performed well, but I wonder why he isn’t at the top this year.”
Kaguyama lowered his gaze, fixing his eyes on the floor. A wave of guilt washed over him because he knew exactly why Ren was no longer in first place. The CEO looked at Kaguyama again.
“Well, I have expectations for both of you. Kaguyama, you’ve been given another chance. Prove that you deserve it.”
He extended his hand. Kaguyama grasped it with both hands and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, sir. I won’t disappoint you.”
The CEO then turned his attention to the annual rankings.
“Since Kaguyama’s mistake has affected this year’s recognition, the Best Employee of the Year award will go to the second-ranked employee.”
The decision was final. Kaguyama wouldn’t receive the award, but he would keep his job. And somewhere outside that office, Ren continued with his day without expecting anyone to thank him.
By the time Ren left the building, the afternoon had faded into evening. He walked along the pavement, watching the city change around him. The sky darkened gradually, birds flew toward their nests, and streetlights began illuminating the roads. Cars moved through the streets as people hurried home.
Ren walked without rushing, his mind quiet.
At the station, he boarded a crowded train. There were no empty seats, so he stood near the door, holding a strap while the train rattled along its tracks. Most passengers were occupied with their phones. Some listened to music, while others glanced around, waiting for their stations.
Then Ren noticed a little boy standing beside his mother. A young woman was selling lollipops to passengers. The boy’s eyes followed the colourful sweets as the seller moved through the carriage. He tugged at his mother’s dress.
“Mom, can I have one?”
His mother barely looked down at him.
“No. You’ll get cavities.”
“But, Mom—”
“I said no.”
She returned to her thoughts, adjusting the shopping bags in her hands. The boy slowly released her dress and lowered his head in disappointment. Ren watched him for a moment before approaching the seller.
“Excuse me. How much is one?”
After paying for a lollipop, he crouched in front of the boy and held it out.
“Here you go.”
The boy stared at him in surprise.
“For me?”
Ren smiled warmly.
“For you. But I want to see a smile first.”
The boy’s face brightened as he accepted the sweet.
“There it is,” Ren said with a soft chuckle.
The seller watched the interaction with a small smile. Ren made sure she had been paid before turning his attention back to the boy. But the boy’s mother soon noticed the lollipop in her son’s hand.
“Didn’t I tell you not to take things from strangers?” she asked.
The child froze, caught between excitement and uncertainty, unsure of what to say. Ren straightened up immediately.
“I’m sorry. I should have asked you first,” he said politely.
The mother looked at him cautiously.
“Children depend on their parents at this age,” Ren continued in a reassuring tone. “They don’t always understand why they can’t have something. Sometimes, they simply ask because they want it.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“I’m not saying parents should give their children everything. You have responsibilities, and you know what’s best for him. But childhood doesn’t last forever.”
Ren glanced at the boy, whose attention had returned to the colourful wrapper in his hands.
“Sometimes, a small wish fulfilled becomes a memory a child carries for years. One day, they grow up and stop asking for the little things they once wanted.”
His expression softened.
“I only wanted him to have a happy moment.”
The mother looked down at her son, seeing the joy on his face. After a quiet moment, her expression softened, and she nodded. Ren smiled.
“May I tell him something?”
She agreed. Ren crouched down once more to meet the boy’s eyes and held out his little finger.
“Make me a promise, okay?” he said gently. “Always listen to your mother, and brush your teeth after you enjoy this sweet. Deal?”
The little boy wrapped his tiny pinky around Ren’s.
“Deal! Thank you, mister!”
Ren chuckled and stood up as the train rolled into his station.
“Bye!” the boy called.
Ren turned and waved before stepping onto the platform. As the train doors closed, he watched it pull away. Then he began walking toward the station exit, a gentle smile settling on his face. His thoughts wandered.
He imagined a little girl running toward him with an innocent smile after making a mess of the living room. He imagined a little boy following his older sister around, only for her to tease him every few minutes. He could almost picture himself pretending to be strict while secretly struggling not to laugh.
A quiet smile spread across his face. Having children of my own someday… He was so absorbed in his imagination that he almost forgot
where he was. Then a thought suddenly brought him back to reality. Wait… Jennifer might be alone right now.
He glanced at his watch. His smile widened with fond anticipation. I should hurry!
Ren quickened his pace, his footsteps echoing against the pavement. Before long, he broke into a run along the quiet residential streets. The roads were almost silent, illuminated by the warm glow of streetlights. The occasional car passed, but otherwise, the neighbourhood seemed peaceful.
As he ran past a high compound wall, he noticed a tree branch extending over it, with a small flower growing at its tip. Without stopping, he reached out, plucked the flower, and held it carefully in his hand. His footsteps grew faster as he continued down the street.
“I’m coming… sweetheart!”
