The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 57

TRIGGER WARNING: MENTIONS OF SU*CIDE

CONTINUE AT YOUR OUR DISCRESION

The R&D team continued their work in the bustling Kagayaki Industries facility. Blaze, focused on her tasks, noticed the inquisitive glances from her colleagues. After a while, one of them, a young engineer named Alex, couldn't contain their curiosity.

"Hey, Blaze, everything okay with Matsu?" Alex asked, a concerned look on their face.

Blaze looked up from her work, offering a small smile. "Yeah, we just had to deal with a situation involving one of Matsu's old mentors. It's a bit heavy, but we handled it."

Alex nodded, "Good to know you guys are okay. But, um, why does Matsu look so down?"

Blaze sighed, realizing that the team deserved some insight into Matsu's mindset. "He's going through some personal stuff right now. He tends to take responsibility for things, even when it's not his fault. It's a boss thing, you know? He sees our failures as his own, even when we mess up."

The team exchanged glances, understanding the weight that leadership often carried. Sarah, another team member, chimed in, "He does that a lot, doesn't he? I mean, we appreciate the responsibility he takes, but sometimes it feels like he burdens himself too much."

Blaze nodded in agreement, "Exactly. It's his way of showing he cares, but we need to remind him that he's not alone in this. We're a team, and we share both successes and failures. It's a learning process for all of us."

As they continued their work, the R&D team reflected on the dynamics of their unique leader and the bonds that tied them together. They silently acknowledged the importance of supporting each other, especially in times when burdens seemed too heavy for one person to bear alone.

A few hours later, Blaze finished her tasks for the day, bidding farewell to her colleagues as she left the R&D department. With determination, she made her way to Matsu's office, knocking on the door before entering.

"Hey, Matsu, you ready to head out?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes.

Matsu glanced up from his paperwork, offering a tired smile. "Not yet, Blaze. Got a few more papers to finish up. You can head out without me if you want, or... you could take advantage of your new overnight room privileges."

Blaze raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, you're finally giving me the green light to snoop around?"

Matsu chuckled, "Well, consider it a thank-you for today. But don't break anything or mess up the order. It took me years to organize that chaos."

Blaze grinned, "Got it, boss. I'll make sure everything is exactly where you left it."

As Blaze left the office, Matsu returned to his paperwork, the weight of his responsibilities evident in his tired gaze. The day had been emotionally taxing, and he couldn't shake off the burden he placed on himself. Yet, he found solace in knowing Blaze had his back, even if it meant giving her a glimpse into his personal space.

Then she walked over to the overnight room and used the keycard to get in. As Blaze perused Matsu's overnight room, her eyes fell upon familiar items – the love letters from Calie and Marie, the group photo with friends, and a nostalgic image of Matsu, Calie, and Marie from their younger years. The room held echoes of Matsu's past and the bonds he cherished.

However, a misplaced journal caught her attention. The cover bore the title "Journey Log," hinting at the time Matsu spent exploring the world. As Blaze flipped through the pages, she discovered detailed accounts of his adventures and the challenges he faced.