Broken Perfection

Lose Her Again

Finished.

Katsumi closes her laptop and lets out a small yawn, stretching out her arms as she wheeled her chair away from her desk. With doing overtime last week, she was finally able to leave the office before 5:00.

Katsumi didn't have anything planned, but had really needed some alone time. Especially since these days, most of her time goes to the preparations for hers and Keiichi's wedding. "Heading home already Yuriko?" 

A coworker passed by with a small smile, a cup of tea in hand. "Yeah. Just finished a few things up. I'm done for the day, you?"

"Pile left to go. Wanna help?" "I'd rather not today. I need to speak to Keiichi about something tonight." she lied.

Everyone in her office knew about her engagement, and they knew her. Part of the Yuriko family and all.

"Ah yes, if only I had a wife like you. Always read to come home for me. Keiichi's a lucky man."

"Get back to work, Aki." Kat rolled her eyes and chuckled before gathering her belongings. Her limo was waiting for her downstairs, but she had wanted to walk home.

"Bring these home. I'll be walking tonight. Tell my fiance not to wait up." The driver nods and heads off with Kat's stuff as the woman begins to walk the slightly darkened streets. 

Sighing as she ran a hand through her hair, she turned a corner but only to hit a tall, muscular frame. "Watch it." She mumbled and looked up with a sharp look but was surprised to see Homare and Nagisa.

"Katsumi," Nagisa greeted with a smile. "Are you done with work?"

"Finished and ready for next week. What are you two doing here?" 

"I have a day off." the celebrity answered, "Finished shift." Homare said after.

"...Alright. Well, I need to head home, I'll see you guys around." Katsumi was about to wave goodbye when Nagisa stopped her. "Wait! We can walk you home, it's getting kind of dark."

"Thanks, but I'll be fine. I-" "We insist. Come on, Midorikawa."

The doctor silently agreed and followed after the two as Nagisa sparked a small conversation with Yuriko. 

After a few minutes of walking, Nagisa stopped. "Oh, here's my turn. Midorikawa, can you walk her the rest of the way?"

"...Sure," the man nods and bids the celeb goodbye before turning to Yuriko. "Let's go."

As they walked through throngs of pedestrians, Katsumi began to reminisce about the times when they were able to do this with a comfortable silence. But even though it did seem comfortable, it was definitely awkward for the lawyer as she walked alongside the doctor. 

Then, she stopped, causing Homare to turn towards her. "What?" She was squinting at something in a park across the street. It was empty, but she seemed to be curious about something.

Then she turned back to him. "Mind if we take a quick detour?"

~*****~

As they walked down the stone path of the park, Homare was confused as to why Katsumi wanted to come here. It was empty and quiet.

"Oy! What are you doing?" she suddenly stopped him. "You trying to get us caught?"

Homare followed Katsumi into the shadows of a tree and that's when he noticed a couple embracing near the fountain. He didn't recognize the woman.

But the man was definitely someone he had seen before.

Katsumi didn't show any emotion. 

No hurt. Sadness. Pain. Betrayal. Nothing. She was completely blank.

She didn't say anything despite seeing her fiance hugging another woman. It was obvious the man was having an affair when he kissed the lady, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Then he heard her chuckle as she began walking again, into eh opposite direction. Back to home.

"Was that really-?" "Your eyesight isn't that bad, is it, Midorikawa?" she didn't answer or let him finish his obvious question. 

"I already guessed and figured. I do the laundry sometimes, too. I saw his suit and shirts. I smelled the perfume." she laughed quietly, "I saw the pictures in his room when I clean."

"You seem upset about-"

"I'm fine with him having his mistress." she mumbles. "It's just..."

"I wasn't good enough for someone... I couldn't even make them stay faithful."

~*****~

Katsumi was long gone and was asleep, but Homare was still aimlessly wandering the streets, not really having any destination in mind. He was tired and wanted to sleep, but the thoughts of Katsumi and her fiance kept occupying his mind, forcing him to stay awake.

He did love the lawyer. He really did.

But what if she was starting to fall for someone else? She never showed emotion before. Especially about love...

He doesn't know why he just couldn't say it. It was three simple words.

"I love you."

But he couldn't. It wasn't that simple. But he couldn't afford to lose her either.

He couldn't lose her again.

He loved her too much to lose her again.