Are You The One Jo Togame?

Chapter 1 - You Are Late Again

I sigh deeply, frustrated by the work piled up in my cabin long after my shift should have ended.

"This is my daily struggle, "I muttered to myself, closing my laptop with a disappointed sigh. 

The flood of emails, pending PPT, and constant pings from colleagues had left my head spinning.

Glancing at my phone, I gasped in realization. "Oh no, I completely forgot—it's Ayato's birthday." I saw a series of texts from him.

Ayato: Where are you?

Ayato: Ruby, I've been waiting here for the last 45 minutes.

Ayato: Why do you do this all the time?

Ayato: Answer your damn phone!

Ayato: Looks like I'll have to get used to this.

Ayato: Get here ASAP. I'm waiting.

"Darn it! He told me to meet him at the bar at 9:00 PM," I muttered, checking the time—it was already 10:00 PM. "No wonder my phone's been blowing up. Why am I so absent-minded lately?" I groan loudly.

Quickly dialing his number, I wait anxiously for him to answer.

Ayato: "Uh, so you finally decide to return my calls and messages. What's wrong with you? I've been waiting here for an hour..."

I held the phone away from my ear as he continued to express his frustration.

Ruby: "I'm so sorry, Ayato. I won't make excuses this time."

Ayato interrupted sharply.

Ayato: "Yeah, you better not. This happens way too often."

Ruby: "I know, I know! I'm sorry. I'll be there in no time. Please wait for me."

Ayato disconnected without saying another word.

Rushing to finish up, I felt guilty about making him wait yet again. "He has incredible patience with me," I thought.

"I shouldn't take advantage, especially since he's my only friend.

"Reflecting on my introverted nature, I wondered, "How did I end up in a field that requires so much interaction? Ugh, the things we do for money."

"And I can't forget Ayato's gift," I reminded myself, holding it in my hand. Hurrying to the elevator, I double-checked the address of the bar. "Huh, it's a new place. I wonder why he chose a bar known for the Shishitoren Gang. Well, as long as it's decent and has good food, that's all that matters to me."

Stepping into the lift, I head to the bar with a mix of urgency and regret, hoping to make it up to Ayato for yet another instance of my forgetfulness.