Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 50 - 45: Cracks, Closeness, and Crimson Shadows

Chapter 50: Chapter 45: Cracks, Closeness, and Crimson Shadows

The rhythm of city life never slowed, not even for newlyweds.

Ren arrived at his company early, the scent of coffee still clinging to his coat, only to pause at the reception.

A familiar voice—soft, lilting, but with that distinct edge—spoke just behind him.

"Good morning, senpai."

He turned sharply.

"Saki...?"

There she stood, her hair tied neatly, her blazer crisp. Her ID badge hung from a red lanyard around her neck.

"I’m interning here now," she said, smiling sweetly. "Surprise."

Ren’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted behind his eyes. She walked ahead, heels tapping with precision. She turned her head slightly to glance back at him.

"You’ll show me around, won’t you?"

Meanwhile, across Tokyo, Aoi stepped out of her sleek BMW 7 Series and walked through the glossy lobby of her office building. People stared—not at her car, but at her. The office was buzzing lately, and not just with quarterly reports.

Whispers followed her as she passed the design division.

"That’s her, right? The one with the fiancé who drives a BMW M5?"

"I saw them once—she’s way out of everyone’s league."

But today, someone didn’t whisper. He spoke.

"Yo, Aoi-san," came the smooth voice of Itsuki Naruse—the heir to Naruse Group, a massive tech conglomerate. Handsome, confident, and annoyingly persistent.

He approached with a smile, holding two coffee cups. "One for you. Triple matcha, no sugar, like always."

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You’ve been watching too much, Naruse-san."

He chuckled, stepping closer. "Or maybe I’m just interested."

Back at Ren’s company, the tension had already begun to thicken.

Saki’s behavior was far too casual. Her desk was assigned three spots down from Ren’s. She had already managed to bump into him at the break room twice, and by lunch, she was sitting across from him, eating curry like it was a date.

"You still remember how I like my curry extra spicy, huh?" she asked with a soft, deliberate smile.

Ren didn’t respond. He was polite, but distant. She noticed.

"That wall between us... it wasn’t there before," she whispered.

"I’m married, Saki," he said plainly.

Saki stared at him for a long second. "I know."

And yet, in her mind, she whispered back, Not for long.

Aoi, too, had her own moment of crisis.

Naruse had begun walking her to the parking lot every evening. Sometimes casually asking about her ring, sometimes dropping lines like, "If I’d met you earlier, I’d have never let you go."

It was flattering. Dangerous.

One day, as they walked, he stopped her.

"Aoi. I know you’re married, but can I be honest?"

She froze.

"You deserve someone who’s there for you. Who’s not always hiding something. Someone who doesn’t make you walk through storms alone."

Her heart skipped.

"I’m not asking you to cheat," he said, stepping closer. "Just think about who makes you feel seen."

Ren sat in his home office that night, reviewing server logs from his startup.

Aoi stood behind him, silent.

"You’ve been quiet," he said.

"You’ve been distant," she replied.

They met eyes.

The silence between them spoke volumes, crackling with the static of miscommunication, pressure, and temptation.

But then, Aoi walked around and sat on his lap.

"Ren," she whispered, cupping his cheek. "Stay with me tonight."

He held her gently, burying his face in her neck. "Always."

Yet, across town, Saki was staring at her laptop screen, her eyes burning.

SEARCH: "how to make a married couple fall apart"

And the rich heir, Naruse, leaned back in his chair, staring at Aoi’s name on his phone, thumb hovering.

To be continued...