Actually, There’s Someone at Your Workplace Who Likes You ~ I’m Being Transferred to a Sales Office Filled With Only Beautiful Women!? - Chapter 44: I'm Really Sorry, Ruka, It Wasn't on Purpose

As I reached for the popcorn, my hand accidentally grasped Ruka’s instead—she had already extended her hand towards the popcorn before me.

—Oh, crap!

I hurriedly lifted my gaze to look at Ruka.

She had her mouth slightly open, eyes wide in surprise, her beautiful double-lidded eyes staring at me with a tense expression.

I quickly pulled my hand away and apologized.

“Ah, s-sorry!”

“Ah, no… it’s okay…”

My voice had come out louder than I intended, and the guys from the couples sitting nearby shot me sharp glares. I gave them a slight bow in apology.

Ruka remained frozen, still staring at me.

This was bad.

She probably thought I was some kind of pervert now.

Oh, man, what should I do?

I had to apologize again.

Since I couldn’t raise my voice in the theater, I leaned closer to whisper near Ruka’s ear.

“I’m really sorry, Ruka. I swear I didn’t do it on purpose—I was just reaching for the popcorn…”

“Hya…”

As I whispered, my breath must have tickled her ear because she flinched slightly, her shoulders tensing up.

…Oh no.

This just made things even worse.

Grabbing her hand was an accident—I could probably be forgiven for that.

But whispering so close to her ear…

Even though I was panicking, that definitely came across as something really inappropriate.

I was doomed.

When the movie ended, I’d have to grovel and apologize properly.

Thinking that, I kept bowing my head to Ruka over and over again.

Watching me, Ruka’s face twitched slightly, but she mouthed, “It’s okay.”

“Seriously, I’m really sorry!”

Once the movie ended and we stepped into the lobby, I pressed my palms together in front of my face and bowed at a 90-degree angle.

“It’s really okay, so please, lift your head.”

Hearing that, I hesitantly raised my head, and Ruka smiled at me.

She was probably just being considerate because I was her senior.

“I really didn’t mean to, but I ended up grabbing your hand… and then whispering so close to your ear. That must’ve been disgusting, right?”

“Ah, no… it felt nice.”

“…Huh?”

“…Huh?”

At Ruka’s unexpected words, I froze.

Then, as if realizing what she had just said, Ruka froze too.

We stared at each other for a few seconds in complete silence.

Then, Ruka’s face rapidly turned bright red, her eyes darting around in panic.

“Ah, no, o-of course, I was just joking!”

“Ah… r-right, just a joke. Haha…”

“Haha…”

Ruka forced a smile, clearly embarrassed, her ears turning bright red.

Even though she must be dying of embarrassment, she still made a joke just to ease my guilt… Ruka really was something else.

“Thanks, Ruka. I want to make it up to you somehow…”

“Make it up… to me?”

“Yeah. For accidentally holding your hand and whispering in your ear.”

“R-Rinta-senpai… Please don’t keep bringing it up… It’s embarrassing just remembering it…”

“O-oh… right…”

Damn. I made her feel awkward again.

I was so flustered I ended up saying things I didn’t need to.

But Ruka…

She looked like she was smiling a little. Maybe she was just that embarrassed.

“As an apology… How about I treat you to some sweets? Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“S… sweets?”

“Yeah. How about it?”

“I love them!”

“…Huh?”

“Yes! I love sweet things!”

Ruka looked straight into my eyes, her gaze sparkling as she said “I love them!”

For a second, I almost misunderstood and thought she was talking about me.

Whoa, whoa.

That would have been an insane misunderstanding.

But…

When a beautiful girl like Ruka looked you in the eye and said “I love it,” even if it was about sweets, it still could make your heart race.

—Or maybe that was just because I had no resistance to girls?

“Is there a specific place you want to go to?”

“Yes! There’s a fruit tart shop in this mall that I really want to visit!”

“Fruit tart?”

I’d never had one before.

“Yes! It’s a super popular place!”

“Sounds good. Let’s go.”

“Okay!”

Ruka beamed with happiness.

When we entered the shop, an array of colorful fruit tarts was displayed inside a refrigerated showcase.

It looked like a jewelry store, dazzling and elegant, and just looking at it was exciting.

The place was filled with groups of women and couples—there wasn’t a single guy here alone.

I see.

No wonder I’d never been here before.

So, this was the kind of place women loved.

Ruka and I stood side by side, peering into the showcase. But honestly, I had no idea which one to pick.

“Hmm… That one looks delicious, but so does this one…”

I glanced to the side and saw Ruka pressing a finger against her lips, her eyes sparkling as she scanned the display.

She usually kept her cool, rarely showing much emotion, but now she looked completely absorbed—almost childlike.

A cool beauty showing this kind of expression was… well, honestly, really cute.

“This one and that one… I can’t decide… Ugh, I’m so torn!”

She looked genuinely troubled. It was kind of adorable, and I found myself smiling.

“Hey, Ruka. Why don’t you just get both? One can be mine.”

“Eh…? C-can I?”

“Of course. I don’t have a preference, so just pick two you like. We can share them later.”

At my words, Ruka’s face lit up with excitement. She happily placed an order for two different fruit tarts.

We also ordered tea, and I carried the tray as we took seats at a two-person table.

On the table sat two beautifully arranged fruit tarts. Ruka gazed at them with a blissful smile.

Seeing her like that was so heartwarming that I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Eh? W-what is it, Rinta-senpai?”

“Ah, nothing… I just thought you looked really happy.”

“Ah, well… I am happy.”

Ruka nodded, her eyes soft with contentment.