Mai walked down the snowy streets passing by her old office in Shibuya. She directed her gaze skyward staring at the windows of what use to be the SPR. The windows looked down on her blankly, empty and dark. How long had it been? Months. Not a year yet. It had been so sudden. Just yesterday, it seemed, they had been driving to another job. She remembered the scenery clearly. It was a beautiful lake surrounded by a forest. Suddenly, Naru pulled to the side of the road. He stepped out and stood at the edge of the road staring at the lake. She called to him, and for a moment nothing happened. He turned around and stepped back into the vehicle. He cut across the street in a violent u- turn. She asked him why.
"I think…" he began. The pause was endless, and it seemed to Mai to represent the uncertainty that she was now surrounded by. Everything seemed suspended, paused in the middle of its motion. She had gone to the office the following day and found it locked. In the mailbox there was a brief note telling her not to bother coming back.
She had a new job now. She was an assistant at coffee shop. The shop was located just one block away from the old office. Everyday as she walked there she found herself looking up to the office windows. She wished for a light.
She hadn't met with any of the others since that incident either. Twice she swore she had seen Bou- san and Ayako on the other side of the street. She had desperately run through the traffic, but lost sight of them in the crowd.
Another day passed. Lightless windows. Another and another. The days seemed to melt into one another and become indistinguishable. Then there was a light. The blinds had been turned and a golden light poured into the street. Mai stood below watching in awe. She turned and ran up the stairs almost slipping on half melted snow. She ran down the hallway and stopped at the door. The door was slightly ajar. She placed her hand on it and pushed slowly, her heart beating rapidly. She walked inside. The furniture was all as it had been months ago. Only dustier. She felt a sense of euphoria. Naru was back.
As she turned she caught sight of a black coat and a head of dark hair. Thrilled she began to run her arm outstretched, mouth half- open about to call his name. The word caught in her mouth as the man turned. His face was not beautiful but rather mediocre. He had small black eyes that watched her nervously. He was not Naru.
"Miss, we are cleaning out this office. Nobody should be in here right now."
"Oh." The sound escaped her mouth. She stood there stupidly. She felt unable to breathe. The man shot her a look.
She walked out into the hallway. She felt faint and leaned against the wall. There was nothing left to wait for. No more uncertainty. Once again everything was in motion. It was over. All over.