Dinner finally came to a close, the lively chatter and laughter slowly fading as everyone prepared to make their way home.
Kei, with a swift and practiced motion, settled the bill, his card glinting under the warm overhead lights as he slid it across the table.
The group filed out of the busy restaurant, where the waiter stood outside, beaming with a bright smile and holding out the gleaming car keys belonging to both Ayaka's brothers and Akihiko.
"This restaurant is incredibly generous!" Ayaka exclaimed, her voice filled with childlike wonder.
Her eyes widened with delight as she took in the sight of three gleaming vehicles idling gracefully at the curb, their polished surfaces glinting in the soft glow of the streetlights.
"They're even bringing our cars to the front so we don't have to trek to the parking lot!"
However, the moment was tinged with disappointment as Kai, her eldest brother, climbed into his sleek, dark sedan.
With a rumble of the engine, he offered an apologetic smile. "I'm really sorry, sis, but I can't drive you back home tonight." he said, his voice laced with urgency.
"I need to rush back to the university to finish up some paperwork." And with that, he swiftly pulled away, tires screeching lightly against the asphalt, leaving Ayaka standing on the curb, a faint frown settling on her lips.
"It's alright! Kei can take me home, and he should be ready…" she started to say, glancing expectantly at Kei, but before she could complete her sentence, Kai had already vanished into the night, merging into the shadows.
Kei was engrossed in a critical phone call as he slipped into the driver's seat of his car. "Sorry, Ayaka, but I can't take you home either." he said, his tone already half-absorbed by the conversation on the other end.
"The hospital just called, and I need to make some urgent arrangements for the hospital's president's arrival." His gaze was fixed intently on his phone screen, the glow illuminating his face.
"Oh… okay, I'll just call a cab." Ayaka replied, her voice steady and composed, masking the slight disappointment that fluttered within her.
Just as she was about to pull out her phone, Akihiko stepped forward, his presence grounding and reassuring.
"I'll take you home." he offered, a hint of determination in his voice.
Ayaka instinctively shook her head, a wave of independence surging through her. "No, it's alright! I can manage!" she insisted, her voice firm.
Akihiko remained resolute, his expression a mix of concern and sincerity. "It's getting late, and your brother would worry even more if you took a cab." he pointed out, his tone gentle yet unwavering.
Kei, catching the exchange, nodded in agreement. "Ayaka, he's right. I'll feel much more relieved if Dr. Nakamura drives you home. You know the way to Ayaka's apartment complex, right?"
"Ah, yes, I'm familiar with the route; I've been there before." Akihiko confirmed, stealing a glance at her, his eyes reflecting a hint of determination.
"Anyway, I need to dash. Just text both me and Kai as soon as you get home safe." Kei said, revving the engine and quickly speeding away, leaving Ayaka standing there, a mixture of gratefulness and reluctance coursing through her.
With a gentle demeanor, Akihiko moved around and opened the front door for her. "Thank you..." Ayaka said softly, her cheeks warming as she settled into the plush passenger seat.
Akihiko closed the door with care, a small smile playing on his lips before he got behind the steering wheel.
As the car glided through the starry night, a thick silence enveloped them, broken only by the soft crunch of tires over the asphalt.
The ambient sounds of the city faded away, and after several minutes, Akihiko unexpectedly veered into the driveway of a luxurious boutique, its polished windows gleaming enticingly, adorned with dazzling displays of elegant clothing.
"A woman's dress shop?" Ayaka wondered aloud, her curiosity ignited as she peered out at the shopfront.
"Why are we stopping here? Are you buying gifts for your girlfriend? Your mother? Or some relative?"
Akihiko took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
"For starters, Ms. Yamamoto, I don't have a girlfriend. My mother passed away long ago, and I'm not particularly close to any relatives." he explained, his voice smooth yet laced with unspoken emotions.
He stepped out of the car and walked around to open Ayaka's door.
Taken aback by his candor, Ayaka's voice softened as she replied, "Oh, I... I see."
"Secondly, we're here to buy clothes for you." he stated firmly, a resolute look etching itself onto his features, catching Ayaka completely off guard.
"You don't have to do that—" she began to protest, but he gently placed a finger over her lips, quieting her with a calming gesture.
"Just let me buy you clothes. I don't like it when I ruin other people's belongings." he said, his tone resolute yet kind, as he gestured for her to follow him into the boutique.
Inside the shop, Ayaka's eyes sparkled like stars, captivated by the vibrant displays of fabric and color that surrounded her.
Dresses, tops, and accessories beckoned her, each piece more exquisite than the last.
"Pick anything you like," Akihiko encouraged, settling onto a nearby plush sofa, patient and composed as she ventured through the aisles.
Hypnotized by the choices, Ayaka gravitated toward the shirt section.
Just then, her gaze fell upon a hoodie she had been yearning for, the exact one that had eluded her online shopping attempts—perpetually sold out.
"OH, THEY HAVE THIS HERE!!!" she exclaimed, her excitement bursting forth as she held the fabric up to her chest, a wide grin breaking across her face.
"I spilled coffee on your favorite cardigan; are you sure you don't want one?" Akihiko mused, a hint of curiosity piquing his interest as he approached her.
Ayaka shook her head vigorously, her determination unwavering.
"No, I want this one! I've been searching for this online, and it's always out of stock!" she insisted, her voice filled with a childlike joy.
Suddenly, a cheerful saleslady approached, her smile brightening the boutique.
"You should get this for your girlfriend, sir. They're flying off the shelves; in fact, this is our last stock." she chimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she gestured toward the coveted hoodie.
The moment hung in the air, a blend of anticipation and camaraderie enveloping them.
As soon as the saleslady cheerfully referred to Ayaka as Akihiko's girlfriend, a deep shade of crimson crept onto Ayaka's cheeks.
A flustered wave of her hands accompanied her flustered response, her heart racing as she tried to set the record straight. "Oh, you're mistaken! I am not his—"
Before she could fully articulate her thoughts, Akihiko jumped in with a confident tone. "Alright, we'll take it then." he declared, his voice firm as he gestured to the hoodie they had been looking at.
The saleslady's face blossomed into a wide smile, clearly pleased with the decision, and she swiftly took the hoodie while Ayaka remained momentarily taken aback, her mind racing to catch up with the unexpected turn of events.
After completing the transaction, they stepped out of the boutique into the crisp afternoon air.
Ayaka felt a mixture of warmth and embarrassment as she shifted closer to Akihiko, her voice lowered and imbued with genuine gratitude.
"Thanks for the hoodie, Dr. Nakamura... And I apologize for how I acted towards you at the restaurant earlier..." she said shyly, her gaze dropping to her shoes as a small smile tugged at her lips.
Akihiko looked down at her for a brief moment, his cool demeanor intact, but she could see a hint of softness in his eyes.
"No problem, It was my fault anyways." he replied with a casual shrug, though his attention quickly drifted to the bookstore adjacent to them.
The scent of freshly printed pages wafted from the shop, pulling at his curiosity. "Could you wait for a moment? I just want to check something out." he said, already moving toward the door of the car.
Ayaka nodded, a smile breaking through her earlier embarrassment.
"Sure, take your time!" she replied, her voice light and encouraging, as she leaned against the car and watched him walk away.
There was an undercurrent of intrigue bubbling within her; she couldn't help but wonder what had caught his interest in the bookstore, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity as she observed him disappear through the entrance.
Fifteen minutes ticked by like an eternity before Akihiko finally returned, his arms loaded with a stack of well-worn books that immediately sparked a flicker of recognition in Ayaka's eyes.
As he settled them down between their seats, she leaned forward, her eyebrows shooting up in disbelief as she took in the array of covers spread before her.
"Wow, you sure read a lot of books." she remarked, genuinely trying to fathom the depth of his collection.
Akihiko's face lit up, a proud smile crossing his lips as he replied, "These are all by my favorite author. I've been collecting her works for quite some time now—sometimes I even find myself re-reading them, they're just that good."
His enthusiasm was palpable, eyes gleaming with affection for the titles he cherished.
Ayaka's heart raced in rhythm with her thoughts as she scanned the covers—"The Last Candle Flicker... The Echoes of Crimson... Garden of Lies..."
Each title resonated with her, striking a chord deep within.
But what truly stopped her breath in its tracks was noticing her pen name, 'Ms. Midnight.' subtly embossed at the bottom of each cover.
Could it be that Akihiko was a devoted fan, yet he didn't seem to connect the dots that led to her?
Desperate to bridge the gap between them, she asked, "Have you ever had the chance to see Ms. Midnight at her book signing events?" Her voice wavered, a mix of anticipation and vulnerability hanging in the air.
He remained placid, the coolness in his tone unyielding as he replied, "I don't usually attend those events. My job keeps me tied to night shifts most of the time."
His gaze remained fixed on the passing streetlights, each one illuminating the determination in his expression.
Ayaka's heart sank slightly. "But surely you've come across her videos online or checked out her forums?" She pressed on, a flicker of disbelief threading through her words.
Akihiko's response was swift and curt. "I don't read forums."
The bluntness of his reply left no room for further discussion, and Ayaka's exasperation bubbled beneath the surface.
"Great, just great..." she mouthed silently to herself, rolling her eyes inwardly.
'Is he spending his free time binge-watching surgeries online?' Her frustration mixed with an odd sense of admiration for his unwavering focus on work.
Yet, in the midst of it all, Akihiko mused aloud, "Although, if I ever had the chance, I would love to have her sign my books. That would mean so much."
His tone shifted slightly, infused with a genuine desire that left Ayaka feeling all drawn to him as they navigated the dimly lit, winding roads together.
"Then it shall be done!" Ayaka declared with infectious excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
The enthusiasm radiated from her, causing Akihiko to glance over at her with a bemused expression, his brow raised in playful skepticism.
"You act like you know her." he chuckled, a hint of intrigue dancing in his eyes as he leaned slightly closer, intrigued by her fervor.
"Oh, we're very close!" she teased, unable to suppress the delighted smile that crept onto her face. Her mind whirled with images of the unexpected conversation that awaited her.
"Do you want to meet her tomorrow?" Her voice was a mixture of sincerity and mischief.
"Haha—very funny, Ms. Yamamoto." Akihiko replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
He leaned back in his seat, and the slight smirk that crept onto his face betrayed his amusement.
"Let's meet at the café where you spilled coffee all over me." Ayaka insisted, her tone shifting to earnestness as she leaned forward.
"I promise she will be there!" The excitement in her voice was palpable, practically electrifying the atmosphere around them.
As they approached Ayaka's apartment building, Akihiko brought the car to a smooth stop, the engine purring softly before falling silent.
He opened the door with a flourish, leaning slightly against the frame, exuding casual confidence.
"If she's not there..." he challenged, extending his hand toward her, "You owe me a cup of coffee." His playful dare hung in the air, eliciting a soft chuckle from Ayaka, her heart racing at the prospect of what was to come.
"It's a deal then!" Ayaka replied, a mischievous smile lighting up her face.
She grasped his hand firmly, feeling the warmth of his palm against hers, and stepped out of the car, a rush of exhilaration surging through her at the moment.
That night, the warm glow of her computer screen cast shadows on the walls of her cozy apartment.
Ayaka sat in front of the blank page, the cursor blinking expectantly as her thoughts raced through her mind like a whirlwind.
"Tomorrow..." she murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper, almost lost in the hum of the night.
"As soon as I reveal to Dr. Nakamura that I am Ms. Midnight, I will sign his book in exchange for being the muse of the love story I'm crafting…" Her determination solidified, and she leaned closer to the screen, her brow furrowing in concentration as if the weight of her aspirations rested solely on her shoulders.
"He's the perfect male lead for my story."
After shaping her thoughts into a concrete plan, her head began to feel heavy as fatigue washed over her like a warm wave.
The day's excitement had taken its toll, and she finally let herself doze off at her desk, confidence in the morning lingering like a soft promise in her dreams.
--------
The next day dawned with a radiant sun casting across the city, illuminating the streets with a cheerful glow.
Ayaka arrived at the café well ahead of Akihiko, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves.
She settled into a cozy little table by the window, its glass pane offering a perfect view of the bustling sidewalk outside.
The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped her, mingling with faint hints of baked goods while the cheerful murmur of conversation filled the air.
Her eyes flitted from one passerby to another, searching for any sign of him.
Then, her heart skipped a beat as she finally spotted him weaving through the crowd.
There he was—an image of effortless charm. Akihiko strode toward her with a confidence that turned heads, a self-assuredness in his demeanor that made him irresistibly captivating.
His hair caught the light, and his attire accentuated his striking features, enhancing the allure he naturally exuded.
As he drew nearer, time seemed to stretch, the vibrant sounds and visuals around Ayaka fading into a distant hum.
The world narrowed down to this singular moment, and when he finally stood before her, she felt a rush of exhilaration.
Rising from her seat, she extended her hand, her smile radiant enough to light up even the cloudiest of days.
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Nakamura. My name is Ayaka Yamamoto, AKA Ms. Midnight." she declared, her voice cheerful and warm.
The surprise that danced across Akihiko's face was palpable; his eyes widened in astonishment, and for a fleeting instant, it felt as if they were the only two souls in the universe, bound together by the spark of their newfound connection.