“It’s rare to see you in the office at this hour.”
Hearing a voice from behind, Aoi spun around, startled. Standing there was her senior colleague, Haruka. She held a mug in her hand and wore her usual calm, reassuring smile.
“I thought I’d try waking up early for a change.”
“Good for you. I used to do that too, back when I was new. I loved the quiet of the office in the early morning—it’s such a good time to focus.”
Aoi nodded slightly and turned her attention back to her computer. Her screen displayed a presentation she had prepared. It was her first solo assignment. She had worked hard on it, but something about it still felt incomplete.
“Is that a presentation?”
Haruka peered over her desk and tilted her head. “Mind if I take a look?”
When Aoi gave her permission, Haruka pulled up a chair and examined the screen for a while.
“This is very clear and well-organized, but if you tweak this section here, it’ll be even better.”
Her advice was precise and practical, leaving Aoi impressed.
“I see… You’re right.”
“Also, if you open with a small anecdote, it’ll grab your audience’s attention right away.”
Taking Haruka’s suggestions, Aoi revised her slides. The changes made the presentation feel brighter and more cohesive. She gazed at the screen with satisfaction.
“Mornings are great for this kind of thoughtful work,” Haruka remarked, gazing out the window. Aoi, following her gaze, stepped over to the window herself. The dawn painted the office in a warm orange hue.
“It’s beautiful… I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“Right? Looking at this makes you feel like you can take on anything.”
Aoi felt her heart lighten at Haruka’s words. From the next day, she started getting up a little earlier. Those tranquil morning hours became a special time that gave her strength in her work life.
