When Truth Emerges

Day 2

As dawn broke, sunshine streamed through the curtains and created a cozy glow in the room where Sushi was curled up in the bed, blushing from shame over what had happened the night before. She looked around and saw that June had vanished from view.

She heard a door open at that moment, and June came out of the restroom, towel-drying his hair and showing off his bare chest. The sight of him made Sushi's heart skip a beat, and she hastily looked away as a wave of awkwardness overcame her.

June saw Sushi and was struck, as always, by the flush that colored her cheeks and the haste with which she had covered her eyes with the blanket. He smiled playfully and walked over to her bedside, his amused eyes sparkling.

His warm breath sent goosebumps down her spine as he muttered, "Am I that hot?" into her ear.

His words caused Sushi's cheeks to flush even more, and she embarrassed herself by peeking out from behind the blanket. She protested, "June, stop teasing me," but her voice was filled with laughter.

June, though, just smiled and softened his stare, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He said, "You're beautiful," in a serious whisper. "And last night was... incredible."

Sushi felt a wave of warmth course through her chest at his words, and she smiled back, shyness vanishing in the warmth of his love. They realized as they stared at one another that their love was greater than any embarrassing time and that they could do anything as a couple.

June went downstairs to the kitchen after leaving Sushi so that she could have some privacy to get dressed and freshen herself. Grinning, he busied himself making breakfast for the two of them while thinking back to the previous night.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Sushi took her time getting ready, her thoughts still swirling with the events of the previous night. As she slipped into fresh clothes that June arranged for her and brushed hair, she couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that lingered in her heart.

When she finally made her way downstairs, the scent of freshly cooked food greeted her, and she found June waiting for her at the dining table, a shy smile playing on his lips.

As they sat across from each other, enjoying their breakfast in companionable silence, their eyes met, and a blush colored their cheeks. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, there was an undeniable sense of intimacy between them, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they shared.

But just as they were lost in their own little world, enjoying each other's company, Sushi's phone suddenly rang, shattering the moment of tranquility. With a frown, she glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was her mother.

Excusing herself from the table, Sushi answered the call, her heart sinking as she listened to her mother's voice on the other end. 

"You left early today, I couldn't find you at home. What's the rush? You could have had breakfast before leaving," her mother chided gently over the phone, her voice tinged with concern.

"I have some work to take care of, Mom. I'll be back this evening," Sushi reassured her mother before excusing herself from the call.

As Sushi ended the call with her mother, June could sense the worry etched on her face. Determined to lighten her mood, he suggested, "Why don't I take you to the office with me?."

Sushi nodded, and together they made their way to June's office. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Huan, who was also there for the initial project discussion.

However, as Huan laid eyes on Sushi, he couldn't help but feel a heartache. She seemed different somehow, as if she had transformed overnight, and the sight left him feeling unsettled.

As they walked together, June couldn't resist the opportunity to make Huan's jealousy more apparent. Taking Sushi's hand in his, he intertwined their fingers, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes. With a playful smile, he glanced over at Huan, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Sushi, though surprised by June's boldness, couldn't suppress a giggle at his antics. Despite the weight of her worries, his lighthearted approach helped to lift her spirits, and she found herself drawn into his playful display.

As they continued on their way, June's hold on Sushi's hand remained firm, a silent declaration of his affection and possessiveness. And though Huan tried to mask his feelings, the sight of them together stirred a sense of longing in his heart, leaving him grappling with emotions he couldn't quite articulate.

After long day and productive discussions about the project, Huan suggested celebrating the beginning of their collaboration with a dinner at a nice restaurant. Sushi hesitated intially, but feeling grateful for the chance to unwind and spend time with June.

As they arrived at the restaurant with the rest of the team, Huan insisted on ordering drinks for everyone. When he offered June a drink, June politely declined, explaining that he would be driving Sushi home later.

But Huan, determined to let loose and celebrate, ignored June's refusal and continued to ply him with drinks throughout the evening. Despite Sushi's growing unease, Huan's jovial demeanor and insistence on having a good time swept her along with the festivities.

As the night wore on and the drinks kept flowing, June and Huan found themselves laughing and joking together, their inhibitions slowly melting away with each sip. In their drunken state, Huan let slip a secret about Sushi that he had sworn to keep, much to her dismay.

"June, do you love Chloe?" Huan asked.

Huan's words cut through the haze of alcohol, piercing the jovial atmosphere like a dagger. His questions hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the table.

"I love her so much, more than anything in the world..",

June's drunken reply, filled with unwavering devotion to Chloe, seemed to echo hollowly in Sushi's ears. She felt a knot tightening in her stomach as Huan pressed on, probing the depths of June's feelings with ruthless precision.

But Huan wasn't finished. His words pierced the tension, raising doubts that lingered in the shadows. "But what if you stop loving her one day?" he pressed, his voice laced with skepticism.

June's laughter rang out, tinged with drunken confidence. "That day will never come as long as I'm alive," he declared, his words laced with certainty. "Tomorrow night, I'll marry her, and we'll live happily ever after."

Huan's response was swift and sharp, his words cutting through the air like a blade. "No, that day will come when you learn the lies she's been feeding you," he insisted, his tone filled with conviction.

Sushi couldn't bear it any longer. "Huan, enough! Stop it," she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.

But Huan pressed on, his words a relentless onslaught. "Chloe, how much longer will you keep pretending?" he challenged, his drunken words slurred but sharp. "One day, you'll have to tell him the truth. And that day might be tomorrow, Sushi."

As the truth hung heavy in the air, Sushi's anger boiled over. But before she could respond, June's chair suddenly gave way, sending him tumbling to the ground in a heap.

Shock rippled through the room as Sushi rushed to June's side, her heart pounding with fear. Amidst the chaos, the truth had emerged, shattering the fragile facade they had all clung to. And as June lay sprawled on the floor, unconscious and vulnerable, Sushi realized that the repercussions of their actions would ripple far beyond this moment, leaving devastation in their wake.

Sushi watched in horror as the night spiraled out of control, despite her best efforts to rein them in, she found herself swept up in the chaos, the weight of her secret hanging heavy in the air. Little did she know that the consequences of their drunken revelry would follow them long after the night had ended.

With a sense of urgency, Sushi managed to lift June's unconscious form and guide him to his home. Despite the weight of his body, she was determined to get him safely inside.

Once inside, Sushi carefully laid June down on his bed, tucking him in with gentle hands. She watched over him for a moment, her heart heavy with worry, before turning to leave.

But as she moved to go, June began to murmur in his sleep, Sushi froze, her breath catching in her throat as she listened to the fragmented words slipping from his lip.

His voice barely audible as he whispered the "Sushi".