Friday afternoon. The sales department floor on the 12th floor of Solarium Tower felt lighter than usual, perhaps because the weekend was just around the corner. Ayano Rinzaki was organizing proposal materials for Nacht Medical at her desk. These were documents that Kurosawa had instructed her to revise the day before. She'd remade them through an all-nighter and submitted them to Kurosawa's desk at 6 AM yesterday morning. Since then, there had been no response. Ayano couldn't tell whether that was good or bad. "Hey, Ayano-chan." Tanaka, the sales administrative assistant, called out to her from in front of the copy machine. The 28-year-old woman was the type who could chat casually with anyone in the sales department. "Yes?" "Apparently, Manager Kurosawa actually rates you highly." Ayano stopped what she was doing. Rates me? "Huh?" "Yeah. The section chief from the sales management department mentioned it—'That Rinzaki girl under Kurosawa has really been improving lately.' I think it's amazing to get praised by such a strict manager." Tanaka said it with a smile, but Ayano's face clouded over instantly. Kurosawa had never praised her. If anything, she was pointed out to every single day. "This won't do." "That's too naive." "You lack professional awareness." Those were the only words she heard. "But the manager is always strict with me," "That just means he has high expectations for you, right? Manager Kurosawa doesn't say anything to people he doesn't care about." With that, Tanaka returned to her seat. Ayano was left alone. Expectations? Really? Her fingers unconsciously touched the three-braid behind her left ear. It was a nervous habit. (During the day, Manager Kurosawa is really so strict...) That thought occupied Ayano's mind. --- 5 PM. Quitting time arrived. Ayano tidied up her desk and got on the elevator. From Solarium Tower in Toranomon, it was a 15-minute train ride to Ebisu Station. During the ride, Ayano kept thinking about everything that had happened today. If Kurosawa really did rate her, why was he so harsh? She couldn't understand the reason. On the other hand, the messages that arrived every night were always kind. That gap was confusing her heart. She got off at Ebisu Station and walked toward her apartment. She stopped by a convenience store and bought a canned coffee. The young male cashier said "Thank you for your hard work" with a smile, but Ayano just gave a vague nod in return. 8 PM. She arrived at her apartment—"Grand Via Ebisu, Room 303." A small 1K studio. By the window sat a potted plant, her only luxury. Ayano threw herself onto the bed. Even under the shower, Ayano's mind was full of Kurosawa. Was there really an expectation for her beneath that harshness? Or was it just Tanaka's misunderstanding? 10 PM. Ayano lay in bed, gripping her smartphone. She was waiting for a reply from the person she'd been messaging. Some time passed. Then the screen lit up. "You worked hard today too. How was your day?" It was the usual kind tone. Ayano's heart felt a little lighter. And then—gathering her courage, Ayano sent a long message. "There's something I've been worried about at work. I heard my boss rates me highly, but that same boss points out my mistakes strictly every day. I can't believe he really rates me. Does that kind of thing happen?... Sorry. That's a heavy thing to ask about, isn't it?" Right after pressing send, Ayano regretted it. She shouldn't burden the other person with such personal worries. They'd probably find it annoying. Even thinking that, Ayano held her smartphone to her chest. Five minutes passed. A reply came. "It's not heavy at all. If anything, thank you for telling me. I want to really listen to your feelings. A strict boss might actually care about you more than you think. Demanding perfection might be because they want you to grow. But that's not everything. It's also important that you recognize yourself." Ayano's eyes grew moist. This person really was trying to understand her. Kurosawa's harshness and this message's kindness. Two worlds were swaying in Ayano's heart. "Thank you so much. Talking with you makes my heart feel at ease." (reply) She typed it into her smartphone and sent it. And then, gathering just a bit more courage, Ayano sent another message. "...Could we meet someday?" Her fingers were trembling. Right after sending this message, Ayano thought "I've done it now." The other person had been corresponding with her anonymously so far. Meeting might be impossible. Ayano stared at the screen, waiting for a reply. One minute. Two minutes. Five minutes. No reply. Ayano's anxiety grew gradually larger. (I knew it was impossible. Are they angry? Maybe they won't message me anymore after this...) Thinking that, Ayano stared at the ceiling. Then it happened. Her smartphone vibrated. "...Someday, for sure. But for now, just being able to talk like this is enough. Please don't rush. Let's get to know each other slowly, over time." Ayano exhaled deeply. "Someday." That word contained hope. They might be able to meet. That possibility filled Ayano's heart. "I understand. I'm looking forward to it." (reply) She sent that and held her smartphone to her chest. In the dark room, only the light from the LCD screen illuminated her face. Kurosawa's coldness during the day and this person's kindness at night. Ayano continued to sway between two worlds. But tonight, the kindness of the night occupied her entire heart. The next morning, before heading to work, Ayano read the message one more time. "Please don't rush. Let's get to know each other slowly, over time." Reading those words over and over, Ayano headed toward Solarium Tower. (Who could this person be...?) Thinking that, at the same time, Ayano was certain of one thing. She wanted to know more about this person. And someday, she really wanted to meet them. That desire was beginning to move her. But she still didn't realize it. That the two worlds—day and night—were actually one. And that when she discovered that truth, everything would change.