Cracks in the Facade

The words "I'm not leaving you, sweetheart" echoed in my mind, but the doubt lingered, like a persistent itch I couldn't scratch. Hange's arm around me seemed to tighten, as if he sensed my unease, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was holding back. His eyes, still distant, seemed to be gazing at something beyond me, something I couldn't see. As we sat there, the silence between us grew thicker, like a fog that refused to lift. I shifted, trying to get comfortable, but my body felt like lead, weighed down by the uncertainty that threatened to consume me. The fluorescent lights above seemed to hum in sync with my racing thoughts, casting an eerie glow over the room. Suddenly, Hange's phone buzzed, shattering the silence. He hesitated, his hand hovering over the device, before finally picking it up. As he glanced at the screen, his expression turned grim. "I have to take this," he said, his voice low and serious. I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. As he stood up, his arm slipped away from me, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable. He walked to the other side of the room, his voice low and urgent as he spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line. I watched him, trying to read his body language, but he was a master of hiding his emotions. His back was to me, and I could only see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands clenched into fists. The room seemed to grow darker, the shadows cast by the furniture twisting into menacing shapes. As I waited for him to finish his conversation, my mind began to wander. What was he hiding from me? What secrets was he keeping? The questions swirled in my head, making me feel dizzy and disoriented. When Hange finally ended his call, he turned to me, his expression guarded. "I have to go out for a bit," he said, his voice neutral. My heart sank. "Where?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Hange hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before finally settling on mine. "I have some business to attend to," he said, his voice vague. I felt a surge of frustration. "What kind of business?" I pressed, trying to keep my tone light. Hange's expression turned serious, his eyes flashing with warning. "Just... things I need to take care of," he said, his voice firm. I nodded, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. I knew better than to push him when he was like this. But as he walked towards me, his eyes locked on mine, and I saw something there, something that made my heart skip a beat. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of fear, a flicker of uncertainty that made me wonder if he was in over his head. But it was gone before I could grasp it, replaced by a mask of calm determination. "Come with me," he said, his voice low and husky. I hesitated, unsure of what to do. But something in his eyes made me trust him, made me want to follow him into the unknown. I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest, and took his hand. As we walked out of the room, I felt a sense of trepidation. What lay ahead? And what secrets was Hange hiding from me? I didn't know, but I was determined to find out.