By just living one’s life, sadness accumulates here and there, be it in the blankets hung out in the sun to dry, the toothbrushes in the bathroom, and the phone history logs. - 5 Centimeters Per Second, Makoto Shinkai, 2007

5:30 am

Joohyun wakes up. Makes her first coffee for the day. Glances at Se-young, still asleep. Bids her goodbye a good 45 mins. later. When Se-young kisses her cheek when the former goes to leave for work herself, Joohyun tries to smile. But she can't. 

10 am

Joohyun walks past the department where Seulgi works with Joy. She finally smiles when she sees the young artist, head bowed down as she works, her full attention on what she's doing. She tries to pretend it doesn't hurt when Seulgi never looks up to give her a small glance, the way she used to, the way she always did, 270 days ago.

12:30 noon

Joohyun scans the cafeteria. She sees Seulgi. But Seulgi never sees her. Not anymore.

3pm

She goes to the pantry for coffee. On her way back, she steals another glance at the young woman. Seulgi just never looks up. Her heart just breaks a little more knowing why she doesn't.

8pm

She's back home. Se-young tells her about her day, asks about hers. Joohyun answers with the usal 'fine.'

300 days have passed.

This has been her life for almost a year. Perfunctory. Predictable. Routine.

Safe. 

She's not entirely lonely.

But she's not also happy.