The bus stop was a mundane backdrop to my morning routine. The unwelcome presence of Sekuro Ryoko had now disrupted this routine. I watched the minute hand on my watch crawl toward 8:00 am, acutely aware that I had a mere hour to reach the office by 9:00 am. Fortunately, the city bus was my lifeline, a twenty-minute journey that whisked me to my workplace. And there he stood, right beside me, oblivious to the tension I felt simmering beneath my skin. Ryoko, with his tall and lanky frame, was engrossed in texting on his personal phone. The sight of him, so casually absorbed in his device, irked me to no end.

 

We had both taken the same path, fresh out of high school and hailed from the same general area. He had attended West Yokomaki City High, while my roots lay in Northeast Yokomaki City High. In our high school days, our paths had rarely crossed, limited to brief encounters at joint school events. I couldn't help but reminisce about that ill-fated date I had embarked on just before our internship began. It was a mere facade, a way to deflect suspicion about my true feelings for a girl from my neighborhood. That singular outing had been my first and only date with the opposite sex, a fact that still brought a mixture of embarrassment and nostalgia. It was also the day when my lips had brushed against another's for the first and last time, a stolen kiss that had unraveled a whirlwind of rumors.

 

To make matters worse, the news of that encounter had spread like wildfire through the office grapevine. The coworkers' persistent inquiries and amused looks had become a constant source of annoyance. They seemed to relish the notion that I was somehow intertwined with Ryoko's life, fueling the misconception that I was his romantic partner. I couldn't help but seethe with frustration as I remembered the way they had teased and prodded, their words casting a shadow on my professional life. The assumption that I was somehow romantically involved with Ryoko had become a tiresome burden, one that I had to bear every day.

 

In the minutes that ticked away, I couldn't escape the uncomfortable silence that hung between us. The anticipation of the approaching bus was palpable, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this day would be yet another test of my patience. Ryoko continued to type away on his phone, seemingly indifferent to the awkwardness of our shared proximity. At that moment, I couldn't help but wonder how our lives had converged to this point. Two interns, worlds apart in high school, now thrust together in the same workplace, our fates intertwined in a way that neither of us had anticipated. The past, with its fleeting moments and misadventures, still cast a long shadow over our present.

 

I stole a sidelong glance at Ryoko, his profile etched against the backdrop of the bus stop. The irony of our situation was not lost on me. Two individuals who had once barely registered each other's presence were now condemned to navigate the complexities of workplace dynamics together.

 

Seeing the bus approaching in the distance, I braced myself for the day ahead, knowing that our journey to the office was only the beginning of what promised to be yet another eventful day in our ever-entwined lives.

 

The bus pulled up right on schedule, a punctual routine that was as reliable as the sunrise. I stood back slightly, a deliberate move to ensure that Ryoko wouldn't board the bus behind me. The last thing I wanted was for him to have a view of my backside from that particular angle. I could already envision the endless teasing and office gossip that would ensue if he caught even a glimpse. It was a risk I couldn't afford to take.

 

As the bus doors hissed open, some of our co-workers were already seated inside. The fact that Ryoko lived across the hallway from me was like adding fuel to the fire of rumors that had been swirling around us. I didn't acknowledge his presence, nor did he acknowledge mine, as we both made our way onto the bus.

 

We were the last two passengers to board, a scenario that left me with limited seating options. With a quick glance around, it became painfully evident that there was only one vacant pair of seats left, and Ryoko was already making his way towards it. I gritted my teeth in silent frustration as I begrudgingly followed my co-worker to the only available seating.

 

"Ladies first," Ryoko chimed in suddenly, extending his hand toward the empty seat.

 

I rolled my eyes, not in the mood for his chivalry. "No, you can go sit first," I countered, trying to maintain my composure.

 

Ryoko's expression remained calm, his mint-green eyes fixed on me. "Come on, you go. Can't we be nice for once, Jane?" he insisted, his tone almost persuasive.

 

With a reluctant sigh, I gave in to the awkward courtesy and reluctantly took my place by the window. The bus had already begun its regular route, and we settled into our seats. The atmosphere between us was charged with an unspoken tension, a palpable reminder of the office gossip that had plagued us for far too long.

 

Pressed back into the stiff fabric of the transit bus seat, I let my gaze wander aimlessly out the window. The passage of time seemed to stand still. The sprawling vista of Shizuka City unfurled like a meticulously painted canvas, the early morning light casting long shadows among the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. This city, a hub of corporate activity and the place Ryoko and I called our workplace, always had a way of appearing serene from a distance, a stark contrast to the tumultuous start of my day.

 

The morning sun spilled into the confines of the crowded bus, a low hum of subdued conversations mingled with the monotonous drone of the engine, creating a somber symphony that played in the background of my heightened awareness. Beside me, Ryoko's presence was a reassuring anchor in this sea of unfamiliar faces. As my gaze drifted through the bus, it swept over the visages of the morning commuters, each absorbed in their own world. But among this mosaic of humanity, certain individuals pierced through the ordinariness with an unsettling distinctness – their eyes were not the usual spectrum of browns, neutral greens, and blues. Still, instead, they shimmered in unnatural, vibrant shades like hot pink, lime green, violet, purple, neon blue, orange, and yellow.

 

Each of these anomalously hued individuals seemed to be enshrouded in a faint, quivering aura, casting an otherworldly glow that starkly contrasted with the mundane backdrop of the bus. The colors encircling them throbbed with an almost living intensity, as diverse and intense as the spectrum of a rainbow yet imbued with a sense of foreboding. This ethereal luminescence marked them as something far removed from the realm of the ordinary.

 

The air around me felt charged and heavy, with an almost palpable presence. My heart raced as I surveyed these 'changed' passengers. Their mere existence challenged everything I knew about the world, hinting at secrets and realities that lay hidden beneath the surface of everyday life. Some of them caught my gaze, and their reactions varied strikingly.

 

Ever since I could remember, I'd seen such people. This phenomenon was not new to me; it had been a constant presence since my earliest memories. Everywhere I went, these uniquely hued individuals seemed to blend into the tapestry of daily life yet stood apart in a way that only I seemed to notice. To me, this sight was as much a part of life as the air I breathed. Yet, despite their semblance of normality, something deep within me whispered of the profound difference that set them apart. No one else seemed to notice, but the fear I harbored for these individuals was visceral, an instinctive wariness that urged me to keep my distance.

 

These 'changed' people, as I had come to think of them, exuded an air of ominous mystery. Take Mister Strickland, for instance, with his orange-red hued eyes and an aura that radiated something dark and menacing. His presence alone was enough to set my nerves on edge. Each encounter with him, under the guise of professional necessity, left me feeling like prey cornered by a predator. He was the epitome of a corporate overlord, his interests solely in the bottom line, his interactions with me tinged with an unspoken threat.

 

My heart raced a bit faster every time I encountered them. It wasn't just their appearance that stirred a sense of unease within me; it was something more, a deep-seated feeling that they were fundamentally different. This was a fear that had quietly gnawed at me for as long as I could remember. Whenever possible, I kept my distance, a silent observer of their peculiar existence.

 

A few 'changed' individuals looked away with an air of indifference, their faces betraying no acknowledgment of their unique nature. Their nonchalance only deepened the mystery surrounding them, leaving me to wonder whether they were blissfully ignorant of their peculiarities or if they were masters of disguise, seamlessly blending into the fabric of society while harboring their enigmatic truth.

 

Others offered me a slight, knowing smile – a cryptic, unsettling gesture that seemed to acknowledge my ability to see beyond their façade. This silent communication sent a shiver down my spine, raising more questions than answers. Did they derive some twisted pleasure from my recognition of their difference, or did they see me as a kindred spirit, someone who understood the burdens of a hidden truth?

 

And then there were those who reacted with a look of shock, their widened eyes reflecting a mingling of surprise and perhaps fear. It was as if they had been unmasked, their secret exposed to the one person who could see through their veil. These reactions were the most disconcerting, suggesting that my ability to perceive their true nature was an unintended breach into a world that was meant to remain concealed.

 

My focus shifted back to the window, the city passing by in a blur of colors and movement. I couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation in this crowd of unknowing commuters. The revelation of these 'changed' individuals and their existence among us made the world seem larger, more mysterious, and infinitely more intimidating. This daily commute was a constant reminder of the duality of my world. On the one hand, there was the ordinary routine of everyday life. On the other, there was this hidden reality, a world that existed just beneath the surface, visible only to my eyes.

 

Ryoko, sitting quietly beside me, seemed lost in his own thoughts. I wondered if he had ever noticed anything unusual about our daily commutes if he ever sensed the undercurrent of otherness that flowed beneath the surface of our seemingly mundane world. My orientation towards this hidden reality was a part of me, yet it was a part I rarely shared, even with him.

 

The bus rolled on, each stop bringing new passengers, some ordinary, some 'changed.' My mind was a whirl of thoughts and questions, each glance, each subtle interaction with the 'changed' adding layers to the mystery that surrounded them. Yet, amidst this sea of unknowns, one thing remained certain – my ability to see these individuals was both a gift and a burden, a secret window into a world that most were blind to. 

 

Our stop was nearing closer with each moment as I conditioned myself to step back into the world of the ordinary, the world of my day job and the responsibilities that awaited me. The doors hissed open, and the flow of passengers began anew. I watched as people disembarked, each absorbed in their own thoughts, unaware of the otherworldly spectacle that had just unfolded before my eyes. 

 

But the images of the 'changed' passengers, their varied reactions to my silent recognition of them, lingered in my mind, a puzzle with pieces I had yet to understand. The bus ride, a routine part of my day, had once again left me with more questions than answers, a reminder of the hidden complexities of the world I inhabited. As I prepared to step off the bus, I steeled myself for the day ahead, a day that would undoubtedly be filled with the usual challenges and, perhaps, a few encounters with the extraordinary.

 

The twenty-minute bus ride offered a brief respite, a momentary escape from the complexities of our shared workplace dynamics. I’d come to acknowledge the ‘changed’ as nothing more than a fabrication of my mind. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing the gentle hum of the bus's engine to lull me into a semblance of tranquility. It was a temporary reprieve, a fleeting interlude of calm before the storm of office politics and rumors would once again engulf us.

 

As we embarked on our daily commute, I couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to break free from the shackles of our intertwined fate. The monotony of our interactions, the constant scrutiny of our colleagues, and the ever-present rumors had become a burden that neither of us had asked for.

 

But for now, as the cityscape whizzed by outside the window, I resigned myself to the reality of the situation. There was no escaping the inescapable, and as the bus continued its journey through the heart of Shizuka City, I braced myself for another day of navigating the complex web of emotions and expectations that bound Ryoko and me together.

 

Sitting next to Sekuro Ryoko on the bus made me feel small, and that was no small feat considering I was a towering 5'9. Ryoko, on the other hand, stood tall at a striking 6'5. As the bus rumbled along the city streets, I couldn't help but reflect on the dreams I once had. I used to dream of becoming a model or a singer, and at one point, I even aspired to be part of a rock band. Yet, here I was, unable to escape being roped into modeling gigs for the Giga corporation. This fate seemed to have a particular penchant for pairing me with Ryoko. It was a fact that had only intensified my reputation in the office, but not necessarily in the way I had hoped. Every skirt in the office seemed to have a thing for Ryoko and his two equally attractive friends, the big three hunks. I couldn't help but wonder if I was the only one who wasn't swooning over this mega chad.

 

Shaking off those thoughts, I reminded myself to stay focused. Ryoko was just my neighbor now, nothing more, nothing less.

 

Finally, the bus pulled up to the station, a mere block away from our office building. The bus station was conveniently situated right next to a subway station, and the daily hustle and bustle of commuters was already in full swing. As the bus came to a halt, I realized that being seated at the back meant we had to exit from the second bus door. The doors swung open right next to the subway entrance, almost obstructing our path.

 

Stepping off the bus, we found ourselves caught in the tide of people making their way from the subway. The crowd was dense, and we had to patiently wait for it to thin out before we could navigate our way to work. Amidst the sea of commuters, a sudden jolt from behind sent me stumbling. I was perilously close to falling backward onto the pavement, but before gravity could have its way, Ryoko's strong arms caught me effortlessly. It was like being rescued by a graceful lion. I couldn't help but feel a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude.

 

I attempted to regain my footing and move away from his arms, but the crowd was unrelenting. I was effectively trapped in his embrace, the press of bodies around us leaving me with little room to maneuver. Ryoko's hands found themselves in an unintentional and intimate embrace with certain parts of my anatomy. This situation only added to my discomfort.

 

The city soundscape continued to buzz around us, oblivious to our predicament. I could feel the warmth of Ryoko's body against mine, and the proximity was unnerving. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I struggled to maintain my composure in the midst of the chaotic sidewalk. Ryoko, seemingly unperturbed by the situation, steadied me with a calm and collected demeanor. His mint-green eyes met mine briefly, and I could detect a hint of amusement in their depths. I couldn't help but mutter a sheepish apology under my breath.

 

"No worries, Jane," Ryoko replied, his voice laced with amusement. "It happens to the best of us in this crowded city."

 

I nodded in agreement, attempting to hide my embarrassment behind a thin smile. The crowd around us slowly began to disperse, allowing me to extricate myself from Ryoko's grasp. It was a relief to regain my personal space, and I adjusted the strap of my bag nervously.

 

As we continued our trek towards the office building, I couldn't help but steal a sidelong glance at Ryoko. He had an air of effortless confidence about him, and his striking features drew the attention of passersby. It was no wonder that he had garnered a following among our female colleagues. Yet, beneath the surface, there was more to Ryoko than met the eye. I had seen glimpses of vulnerability in his moments of solitude, a side of him that he rarely revealed to others. The complexities of our relationship, both as neighbors and co-workers, weighed on my mind. I knew that our interactions were often the subject of office gossip. Still, there was a deeper connection between us that transcended the rumors and innuendo. As we reached the entrance of the office building, I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to our intertwined destinies than met the eye. The city had a way of bringing people together, and Ryoko and I were no exception.