Episode 2 Unstable Distance”

Episode 2: “Unstable Distance”

The car ride was quiet.

Not the peaceful kind—

but the kind that pressed against the air, waiting for something to break.

Hoshino Haruki sat by the window, eyes fixed on the passing city lights. Every movement outside reflected faintly against the glass—blurred, distant, controlled.

Across from him, Kurogane Sōma sat perfectly still.

Too still.

“…You’re staring,” Haruki said without looking.

A pause.

“…I am observing.”

“…There is nothing to observe.”

Another pause.

“…incorrect.”

Haruki finally turned his head slightly.

“…explain.”

Sōma didn’t answer immediately.

Because explaining would require honesty.

And honesty was not part of the protocol.

“…potential threats,” he said instead.

Haruki glanced outside.

Empty streets.

Normal traffic.

Nothing unusual.

“…I see.”

(He didn’t.)

Silence returned.

Then—

thud.

Sōma’s shoulder lightly hit the side of the car as it turned.

He froze.

Adjusted.

Sat straighter.

Haruki watched him this time.

“…you lack balance.”

“…temporary.”

“…define temporary.”

“…uncertain.”

A faint pause.

“…you are inefficient.”

“…acknowledged.”

Across them, Meiko Amari let out a soft breath—almost a laugh, but not quite.

“…your assistant is… unique.”

Haruki didn’t respond.

Meiko’s gaze shifted to Sōma.

Sharp. Measuring.

“…how long have you been working under him?”

“…recently assigned.”

“…and yet you act as if you’ve memorized his movements.”

Sōma went still.

Haruki noticed.

“…pattern recognition,” Sōma replied.

“…impressive,” Meiko said softly.

But her eyes didn’t soften.

The car slowed.

“Sir, we’ve arrived,” the driver announced.

The building ahead was quiet.

Too quiet.

Haruki stepped out first.

Sōma followed immediately—

too close.

“…distance,” Haruki muttered.

“…yes.”

(He did not adjust.)

Meiko exited last, heels clicking softly against the pavement.

Her gaze lifted briefly—

then paused.

“…we’re being watched.”

Haruki stopped.

“…location?”

“…uncertain.”

Before the sentence even finished—

Sōma had already moved.

A step forward.

A slight shift of his body.

Positioning himself between Haruki and the open space.

Instinct.

Immediate.

Unthinking.

Haruki noticed that.

“…you reacted before confirmation.”

“…precaution.”

“…you didn’t hesitate.”

Sōma didn’t answer.

Because hesitation—

would have been dangerous.

A faint sound echoed from above.

Metal.

Movement.

Sōma’s gaze flickered upward.

For a brief second—

his eyes sharpened.

Then—

he stepped forward—

and immediately—

slipped slightly on the pavement.

Recovered.

Instantly.

Silence.

Meiko blinked once.

“…is this part of the precaution?” she asked.

“…surface instability.”

“…it’s dry.”

“…optical misjudgment.”

Haruki exhaled slowly.

“…focus.”

“…yes.”

The sound above disappeared.

Whatever presence had been there—

gone.

But Sōma didn’t relax.

Because he could still feel it.

Faint.

Distant.

Watching.

And beneath that—

something else.

A scent.

Subtle.

Warm.

Too close.

His gaze shifted—

just slightly—

toward Haruki.

Silence.

For a moment—

everything narrowed.

The sound of the city faded.

The air shifted.

And all that remained—

was the steady rhythm of a heartbeat.

Don’t.

Sōma’s fingers tightened slightly at his side.

Do not focus.

Haruki stepped forward.

Closer.

“…we’re wasting time.”

Sōma didn’t move.

“…Sōma.”

A pause.

“…yes.”

He stepped back.

Just enough.

Control restored.

Barely.

Meiko watched the exchange in silence.

Her expression unreadable.

…that wasn’t normal.

But she said nothing.

Haruki adjusted his sleeve.

“…stay alert.”

“…always.”

As they entered the building—

Sōma walked half a step behind him.

Too close.

Too aware.

Too controlled.

And for the first time—

Haruki didn’t tell him to move away.

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