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A/N - I highly recommend that you press play on the video above and let the music run throughout this chapter! :)
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The office buzzed with its usual activity, the air heavy with tension as you surreptitiously navigated the maze of desks and colleagues. A subtle dance of avoidance unfolded, as if the very fabric of your connection with Ranpo had frayed at the edges.
For the past two days, you had carefully orchestrated a delicate game of evasion, sidestepping Ranpo's persistent presence with a practiced finesse. The weight of your unspoken words hung in the air, an invisible barrier that stretched between you, growing with each passing moment.
Ranpo, astute as ever, couldn't help but notice the artful avoidance. His keen eyes tracked your every movement, tracing the calculated steps that skirted around him. A mixture of concern and curiosity etched across his features, a reflection of the intricate web of emotions that wove through your relationship.
Your attempts to shield yourself from Ranpo's reach were not lost on him. The brief glances and sidelong gazes spoke volumes, carrying a silent admission of discomfort and a desire for distance. Yet, beneath the facade of aloofness, a flicker of longing and vulnerability lingered, a subtle plea for understanding.
The office, once a bustling stage for your camaraderie and shared pursuits, now bore witness to the dance of avoidance. Colleagues exchanged furtive glances, their whispers shrouded in intrigue and speculation. The tension grew palpable, weaving its tendrils through the air, infecting the very atmosphere with an undercurrent of unease.
In this intricate ballet of avoidance, you sought refuge in the shadows, avoiding direct eye contact, deflecting conversations, and finding solace in the solitude of your own thoughts. The hallways became a labyrinth of evasion, the cubicles a shield against uncomfortable confrontations.
And yet, despite your best efforts, Ranpo's unwavering presence remained a constant reminder, an undeniable force that tugged at the strings of your heart. He sensed your longing for distance, your inner turmoil laid bare before him. Each glance, each fleeting moment of connection, held a bittersweet tinge, a poignant reminder of the growing chasm between you.
The weight of your unspoken conversations reverberated through the office, casting a subtle shadow over the otherwise bustling atmosphere. It was a symphony of missed opportunities, a duet of emotions left unsaid. Your avoidance, a desperate attempt to protect yourself, only deepened the void, leaving both longing for a resolution, for an honest exchange of words that could bridge the divide.
In the midst of the office's ceaseless hum, the silent dance continued. You, caught between the desire to escape and the yearning for connection, wrestled with your conflicted emotions. The passing days had become an intricate tapestry of evasion, woven with the thread of your uncertainty, your longing for clarity, and the fear of what revelations might emerge.
