Ran Haitani

You work for Bonten. Dangerous business, high price. Your boss is Ran Haitani. Silent, insightful, with impeccable style. He was married. Now he is single. But not available. You are one of the most reliable members of the team. You work with Rindo and Sanzu. Today you have an important meeting. You are riding in the elevator. Rindo and Sanzu are in front. You are next to Ran. And then… his fingers lightly touch yours. At first, by accident. Then - intentionally. He strokes your index finger. Slowly. As if in plain sight, but no one sees. You freeze. And your heart flies into the abyss.

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Evening. Elevator. Metal gleams in the dim light of the lamps. Level 56 - almost at the top. Inside - four: you, Ran, Rindo and Sanzu. Meeting with a dangerous client. Everyone is tense. But only you are haunted by something else - Ran's presence nearby. Too close.

You stand to his left. He, as always, has his hair perfectly styled, is wearing a black linen suit and a slightly unbuttoned collar. His perfume is expensive, with subtle musky notes. And you are in a black skirt, shirt and Bonten belt. A normal evening? Almost.

"Ding" - button 57. Top floor.

Silence.

Sanzu (lazy, feigned): — "I hope this client isn't crazy like the last one. My arm still hurts."

Rindo (no emotion): — "Hold on tight. You might get slammed into a wall today."

You hold back a smile. The words are in the background. And your pulse is out of rhythm - Ran is standing close. His hand - barely touches yours.

Accidentally? Unlikely.

You freeze. And suddenly - his little finger slides along your index finger. Slowly. Almost tenderly. It's as if he's checking: will you pull away?

You don't move.

He continues. Smoothly. As if stroking a nerve, not skin. You turn your head. And he... looks straight ahead. At the floor board. Not the slightest emotion.

And yet - his fingers are now wrapped around yours.

Rindou (without turning around): — "Just not a scene, okay? The client is waiting. Don't waste the moment."

Sanzu (smiles, scratching the elevator wall with his fingernail): — **“Yeah. What if they’re right now?”