That night, the ink was barely dry on the contract, and Ayaka sat at her desk, bathed in the soft glow of her laptop.
The hum of the city outside her apartment window was a distant murmur, but in her little bubble, silence reigned—except for the occasional clatter of her fingers against the keyboard.
Determined to meet the deadline she'd promised, she focused intently on crafting the first chapter of her novel.
The story centered on a high school's most enigmatic figure—a boy every girl admired and every boy loathed.
His cool demeanor, sharp jawline, and piercing gaze made him the subject of endless fascination. But to those who dared to confess their feelings, he was a walking rejection machine.
The girls lined up, hopeful and nervous, only to be met with his icy silence or worse—he'd walk away mid-sentence, leaving their words to hang awkwardly in the air.
Over time, confessions stopped altogether. They relegated themselves to admiring him from the sidelines, whispering about his allure but never daring to approach.
The boys, however, weren't as spellbound. To them, he was arrogant, a silent challenge that ignited tension at every turn.
Fights broke out frequently, and his bruised knuckles and scuffed uniform were as much a part of him as his cold attitude.
The first chapter began with one of these fights. The male lead found himself in the school nurse's office, his lip split, blood staining the edge of his collar.
The nurse was nowhere to be found, but the female lead happened to walk in. She wasn't intimidated by his reputation or his glare; instead, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work treating his injuries.
For him, it was a first—a moment of vulnerability in front of a girl. He didn't know why, but instead of brushing her off, he uttered something unexpected: "Thank you."
Ayaka's fingers froze over the keyboard. Something wasn't clicking. She leaned back in her chair, staring at the screen in frustration. "Wait… Who is the female lead?" she muttered, chewing her lip.
She scrolled through her notes, desperate for inspiration. An hour passed, but her mind was as blank as the page where the female lead's personality should have been. Groaning in frustration, Ayaka grabbed her phone and dialed Yuki.
"Hello?" Yuki's familiar voice was bright despite the late hour.
"Yuki, I need help!" Ayaka blurted.
"I managed to convince Dr. Nakamura to let me use him as inspiration for my male lead, but now I'm completely stuck. I don't even know who the female lead is supposed to be! Any ideas?"
There was a pause on the other end, followed by a thoughtful hum. "Why don't you base her on yourself?"
Ayaka's jaw dropped. "What? Me? That's ridiculous! I don't even have any romantic experience!"
"Exactly!" Yuki countered with a chuckle.
"Think of it this way, you can create the kind of romance *you'd want to experience. Use your own quirks, your strengths, your vulnerabilities. It'll make her feel real."
Ayaka flushed at the suggestion. "That's… embarrassing. No wonder Dr. Nakamura rejected me so many times when I pitched this romance novel..." she mumbled.
"Ayaka!" Yuki said firmly, "This is your project now, and you need to own it. Anyway, it's late, and I've got work tomorrow. Good luck!"
Before Ayaka could protest, the call ended. She sighed, dropping her phone onto the desk. Just as she reached for her laptop, it buzzed again. This time, the screen displayed an unknown number.
"Hello?" she answered, trying not to sound too irritated.
"Good evening." a familiar voice said, smooth and professional.
"This is Akihiko Nakamura. I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Her heart leapt. "N-no, not at all! Um… how did you get my number?"
"I asked your brother." he replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"It seemed inefficient to rely on passing notes through our shared fence. Anyway, I'm tied up at the hospital tonight, but I'll be free tomorrow morning. Can you stop by so I can review the first chapter?"
Ayaka's stomach twisted. 'Review? He thinks it's already finished?!'
"I—uh—sure! Tomorrow morning works!" she stammered, her voice rising an octave.
"Perfect. See you then." Akihiko said before hanging up.
Ayaka stared at her phone in disbelief. Her chest tightened as panic set in. "He didn't even ask if it was done. He just assumed! What kind of perfectionist expects results overnight?!"
But there was no time to dwell on it. She had a chapter to write—and fast.
Setting the phone aside, Ayaka squared her shoulders and placed her hands on the keyboard.
The soft hum of the laptop seemed to echo her determination.
"What kind of romance would I want?" she whispered to herself, her cheeks warming.
Slowly, her fingers began to move, painting her dreams and desires onto the page, weaving life into her characters, and crafting a story she hoped would resonate with readers—and Akihiko.
------
The next morning, the golden light of dawn streamed through Ayaka's window, but it did little to soften the exhaustion etched into her features.
She hadn't slept a wink, the rush of finishing the first chapter overriding any chance of rest. As she stood before the mirror in her modest apartment, her eyes lingered on her reflection.
Her messy bun framed her face perfectly, the stray tendrils giving her an effortless charm that betrayed the sleepless night.
Her snug, cream-colored long-sleeve top paired with a plaid mini skirt showcased her natural grace without overdoing it. She sighed, dabbing concealer under her eyes. "I hope I still look presentable."
Just as she grabbed her bag, her phone buzzed on the counter. A message from Akihiko lit up her screen:
"Buy me a quad-shot ristretto venti Americano with an extra shot of espresso, light splash of steamed oat milk, two pumps of dark chocolate mocha, no sugar, extra hot, topped with a sprinkle of espresso powder from the café nearby. Don't be late."
Her jaw dropped. "What the—?!" she exclaimed, staring at the text as if it were written in ancient script.
"What kind of person orders something this ridiculous?! Is he messing with me?" She muttered a string of complaints under her breath, grabbing her things as she rushed out the door.
------
The café was bustling when she arrived, the line stretching to the entrance. She groaned audibly, her fingers tapping impatiently on her phone. As the minutes dragged on, her irritation simmered.
When she finally reached the counter, she recited the convoluted order, watching the barista's expression shift from polite to baffled.
"C-could you repeat that?" the barista asked, blinking.
Ayaka sighed dramatically and rattled off the order again, biting her tongue to keep from venting her frustration. By the time the drink was in her hands, the clock was mocking her. She was officially late.
Her phone buzzed just as she stepped outside. She swiped to answer, her annoyance spilling over.
"Where are you?" Akihiko's smooth voice came through, laced with mock disapproval. "You're late."
"Well, dear sir, your overly pretentious coffee order threw the barista into existential crisis mode!" Ayaka snapped, clutching the cup like it was the source of all her stress.
There was a low chuckle on the other end of the line, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
"Make sure it's still hot when you get here." Akihiko said, his voice tinged with amusement.
"If not, you'll have to buy me another."
Before she could retort, he hung up, leaving her seething as she jumped into a taxi.
------
The moment she arrived at the hospital, she bolted out of the car and sprinted through the lobby, her skirt swishing around her legs.
Turning a corner, she collided with her brother, Kei, nearly spilling the precious coffee.
"Whoa, slow down! You're going to hurt yourself..." Kei said, steadying her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, no time! Where's Dr. Nakamura's office again?" she panted, her words tumbling out in a rush.
Kei frowned, clearly puzzled by her urgency, but pointed down the hall. "That way."
"Thanks!" she called, already sprinting off before he could ask any questions.
When she reached Akihiko's office, she didn't bother knocking, throwing the door open without thinking. Her breath hitched, and time seemed to slow.
There he was, standing by the window, his scrub top hanging loosely in one hand, his broad chest and toned abdomen on full display.
His skin caught the morning light, every line of muscle and curve of his shoulders accentuated.
Ayaka froze, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out all other sound.
Akihiko turned slowly, clearly amused by her stunned expression.
He didn't move to cover himself, instead raising an eyebrow. "Enjoying the view?" he asked, his deep voice laced with teasing.
"I—I'm sorry!" Ayaka yelped, spinning around so fast she nearly dropped the coffee.
Her face burned a vivid red as she squeezed her eyes shut. "I should have knocked!"
Unbothered, Akihiko slipped on his scrub top with deliberate slowness, clearly enjoying her embarrassment.
When he was fully dressed, he crossed the room, his footsteps unhurried and intentional.
Ayaka felt him standing behind her before she saw him, the heat of his presence setting her nerves on edge.
She stiffened as his voice came low and close to her ear.
"Where's my coffee?" he murmured, the faintest hint of a smirk in his tone.
Her hand shot out, offering him the cup without turning around. "H-here!"
Akihiko accepted it but didn't step back. Instead, he leaned in closer, his breath brushing her ear. "It's rude not to look at someone when they're talking to you."
Ayaka's heart skipped as she felt his fingers lightly graze her cheek, gently tilting her face toward him.
Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his piercing gaze.
His face was inches from hers, his expression unreadable except for the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Y-you're too close!" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Am I?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, the corner of his mouth quirking into a smirk.
Her blush deepened, and in a burst of panic, she shoved him back, clutching her cheeks in a futile attempt to cool the heat radiating from her face.
"C-can we just focus on the first chapter? Please?" she blurted, desperately trying to change the subject.
Akihiko chuckled softly, clearly satisfied with her reaction. "Of course." he said smoothly, taking a deliberate sip of the coffee.
"Though I must say, teasing you is far more entertaining."
Ayaka glared at him, her flustered expression only making his smirk widen. 'This man is sooo testing my patience!' she thought, even as her heart betrayed her with another rapid thud.
Her pulse quickened as she laid the draft on Akihiko's sleek, polished desk.
Every inch of her felt on edge as his eyes scanned the words she had carefully crafted in the dead of night.
She stood there, slightly to the side, unable to tear her gaze away from him.
The way his lips tightened in concentration, the way his dark eyes flickered with each turn of the page—it was impossible to ignore.
She swallowed hard, feeling a tightening in her chest as the silence stretched on.
The weight of his scrutiny was almost too much, and yet it pulled at her like a magnetic force.
Akihiko didn't speak at first, but she could see the subtle change in his expression as he read.
His jaw flexed, and he leaned back, eyes narrowing as he finished the last page.
With a deliberate slowness, he placed the manuscript down, his gaze lifting to meet hers.
The air between them felt impossibly thick now, charged with something she couldn't quite name.
"So..." he said, his voice low and laced with something unreadable, "Am I really that cold and arrogant in your eyes?"
Ayaka's breath caught in her throat at his directness.
His presence was overpowering, and for a moment, she couldn't find the words. She stood straighter, gathering what was left of her composure.
"Just trust me." she said, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
"The character's personality will develop in later chapters."
Akihiko's lips curled into a subtle smile, but it wasn't kind. It was knowing. "The male lead's personality is too strong." he murmured, his voice almost a purr.
"I get along with my colleagues just fine. Don't make him some arrogant loner."
Her pulse spiked, and her irritation flared. "But it's necessary! It's part of the story!" She took a step forward, her voice rising as she tried to defend her choice.
Akihiko's gaze shifted, and suddenly, the air seemed to thicken around them.
His eyes darkened, his expression shifting to something more dangerous. "Are you arguing with me? We had a deal, didn't we?"
His words lingered in the air, and the way he said her name made her heart race. "You have to do everything I say."
The challenge in his voice made her pulse race, and the closeness of his gaze made her feel as if every breath was too sharp, too quick.
She forced herself to respond. "Fine!" she snapped, trying to maintain some semblance of control, "I'll show you the revised chapter tomorrow."
But Akihiko was already moving. He stood, and in one fluid motion, he was standing just inches away from her, too close for comfort, too close for reason.
"I'm busy tomorrow." he said, his voice a low whisper that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Email it to me instead. I'll send you my address."
Ayaka's breath hitched, her hand frozen on the doorknob.
The air between them crackled with something far more dangerous than simple annoyance. "Alright then." she muttered, but before she could pull away, she couldn't help but add, "At least I won't have to see your face."
"What was that?" Akihiko's eyes flashed with something playful.
He moved so quickly, Ayaka barely had time to react. His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and spinning her back towards him.
Her body pressed against the door with a soft thud, and she gasped as she found herself trapped between the hard surface of the door and the heat of Akihiko's body.
Before she could process what was happening, he was right there—his face so close to hers, his scent filling her senses.
Her breath faltered as his hand slid down to her waist, pulling her in closer, her heart pounding as she felt every inch of him against her.
"W-what are you doing?" she stammered, but the words felt weak against the intensity of the moment.
Akihiko's lips curled into a slow, deliberate smile. "You talk too much, Ms. Yamamoto." he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.
His voice was deep and laced with something unmistakable. "I think I need to teach you how to listen."
Her cheeks flushed hot under the weight of his gaze, her hands pressing against his chest, desperate for some kind of distance, though his proximity was magnetic.
The muscles beneath her fingertips felt hard, sculpted—his body was a literal wall, trapping her against it with a purpose.
"I—just let me go..." she demanded, but her voice quivered with the undeniable desire she couldn't control, a quiet surrender that escaped her in a breath.
Instead of letting her go, Akihiko stepped even closer, his lips brushing near her ear as he whispered, "I've changed my mind. I want the revised draft tonight. Bring it to my apartment before midnight."
Her heart raced in her chest, the audacity of his demand hitting her like a punch to the gut.
She was struggling to think straight, and she couldn't remember if she had ever been this close to anyone in her life. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You're insane!" she managed to get out.
Akihiko chuckled, a deep, rich sound that sent a thrill racing through her body. Slowly, he released her from his grip, but his fingers lingered on her waist, his touch searing through her clothes.
"You'd better hurry." he said, his tone dripping with teasing satisfaction.
"Or I'll assume you can't handle deadlines."
Fuming, Ayaka yanked the door open, her breath still coming fast, her mind a whirl of confusion and desire.
She glanced back at him, her face flushed with frustration and something more. "You're so infuriating!"
Akihiko leaned against the wall with a satisfied smirk, watching her retreat, the tension still hanging thick in the air.
His voice, low and knowing, floated after her. "And yet, here you are, coming back for more."