Ayaka stirred awake as the clock ticked past 10 p.m., her senses immediately captivated by a mouthwatering aroma wafting from the kitchen.
The tantalizing scent of something savory pulled her from the comfort of her bed, her curiosity piqued.
With her hair slightly tousled, she padded softly through the dimly lit apartment, her bare feet making the faintest whispers against the wooden floor.
Reaching the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks, her lips parting in astonishment. There, amidst the glow of warm light, stood Akihiko.
He was clad in her frilly, pastel-colored apron, the ruffles a sharp contrast to his broad shoulders and confident stance.
The sight was equal parts amusing and endearing—this man, so effortlessly exuding masculinity, now looked utterly domestic and unintentionally adorable.
A giggle escaped Ayaka's lips before she could stop herself. The sound made Akihiko glance up from the stove, his dark eyes locking onto hers. The mischievous glint in her gaze deepened as she burst into laughter, clutching her sides.
"Oh, so you do know how to laugh." Akihiko teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.
His tone was warm, yet it carried an undertone of teasing satisfaction. "I was starting to think you were permanently grumpy."
Ayaka's laughter faltered, her cheeks blooming a deep shade of pink.
She cleared her throat, trying to maintain her composure as she avoided his piercing gaze. "W-well, it's your fault for always annoying me! You drive me crazy half the time."
Akihiko chuckled, low and rich, as he turned back to his task.
The sound sent a strange flutter through Ayaka's chest. "Sure, sure. Blame me all you want." he said smoothly, lifting a pot of steaming miso soup and setting it on the table.
"Now, sit. Eat. We've got a lot to talk about afterward."
Reluctantly, Ayaka moved to the table, her stomach growling softly as the aroma intensified.
Akihiko set a bowl of soup in front of her, accompanied by a plate of vibrant stir-fried vegetables.
The way he moved—calm, deliberate, and oddly intimate—made her pulse quicken.
As she took her first bite, her eyes widened in surprise.
The rich, savory broth warmed her from the inside out, and the vegetables were perfectly seasoned, their flavors dancing on her tongue. "Mmm~ This is… amazing!" she murmured, barely pausing between bites. "You're surprisingly good at this."
Akihiko leaned back in his chair, watching her with an unreadable expression, his arms crossed casually over his chest.
"I'm glad you liked it." he said, his deep voice tinged with amusement.
His gaze lingered on her face, following every movement of her lips as she savored his cooking.
It wasn't until Ayaka glanced up and caught him staring that she paused, chopsticks frozen mid-air. "Aren't you going to eat?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Akihiko's lips curved into a slow, devilish grin. "I'm just thinking about the punishment I've prepared for you." he said, his tone dropping to a velvety murmur.
Ayaka's eyes widened, her hand tightening around her chopsticks. "P-punishment?!" she stammered, her pulse quickening.
His grin deepened as he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "You've been quite the rebel lately..." he said smoothly, his voice carrying an edge of playful menace.
"Who knows what I might do if you keep testing the terms of our contract?"
Ayaka's face burned, her mind racing. "Y-you didn't poison this, did you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced nervously at her half-empty bowl.
Akihiko chuckled, the sound low but enticing. "Let's just say you'll find out soon enough… if you keep disobeying me." His gaze, intense and smoldering, sent a shiver down her spine.
Ayaka gulped, setting her chopsticks down carefully as her heart thudded in her chest. The room seemed to close in, the air thick with unspoken tension as Akihiko's smirk lingered. In that moment, she wasn't sure if she should be more terrified—or intrigued.
------
After savoring the last bites of their dinner and tidying up the dishes, Akihiko and Ayaka strolled into the living room.
The soft hum of the air conditioner blended with the faint scent of jasmine from a nearby candle, casting a tranquil yet intimate atmosphere.
A blank sheet of paper and a pen rested on the coffee table, waiting to capture the ideas swirling in Akihiko's mind.
He sank into the couch, his shirt slightly unbuttoned after their meal, exuding a casual charm that Ayaka tried not to notice.
Picking up the pen, he twirled it between his fingers. "Let me share the plot I've been working on." he said, his voice smooth and inviting.
Ayaka curled up on the opposite end of the couch, hugging a pillow to her chest. "I'm all ears." she replied, her tone light, though her eyes betrayed her genuine curiosity.
Akihiko leaned forward, his focus sharpening. "The story follows two classmates who were once in the same high school. The male lead is a prodigy—a brilliant genius whose intelligence and charisma make him the center of attention. He's untouchable, admired, but distant."
Ayaka smirked, her lips quirking upward. "Oh? Sounds suspiciously familiar. Did you base him on yourself?"
His grin was equal parts playful and self-assured. "Maybe. I was a little popular." he admitted, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Her mind flickered back to a moment she'd never confessed to him—a visit to her brother at the hospital when whispers about the 'devastatingly handsome new surgeon' filled the corridors.
Nurses speculated about his relationship status, and Ayaka had found herself listening just a little too intently. Shaking the memory away, she teased, "Go on, Mr. Popular."
Akihiko chuckled, leaning back, the sofa creaking softly under his weight. "One day, the male lead meets the female lead at a grocery store. She's standing in line at the register when he realizes he's forgotten his wallet. She steps in and pays for his items without hesitation. When he turns to thank her, he's stunned—it's his classmate."
"Smooth move." Ayaka said with a knowing grin.
"Let me guess—he doesn't forget her after that."
"Not even close." Akihiko admitted. "The next day, he surprises everyone by approaching her in class—something he never does—and hands her the money. But here's the twist: that was their last conversation in high school."
Ayaka tilted her head, intrigued. "What happened?"
Akihiko's voice softened, his tone thoughtful. "The male lead has a rule—he doesn't talk to girls unless absolutely necessary. Every time he does, they misunderstand his intentions, thinking he's interested in them romantically. He learned to avoid the drama."
"Additionally, they were paired together for a school project but the male lead backed out and told the teacher infront of everyone in class that he'd rather work alone than in pair. Although he only said this because he was embarrassed about the grocery incident. The female lead was very offended and snapped as she said to the teacher she doesn't need him to finish the school project. The tension was escalating so the teacher just decided to allow them."
Ayaka's gaze flicked to him, her lips parting slightly as her curiosity deepened. "Well... Couldn't blame the female lead for snapping, I'd be offended as well."
"Exactly." Akihiko replied, his voice dropping a notch, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Their lives take different paths after graduation but years later, they find themselves working at the same prestigious gaming company. Both are top performers, and their boss pairs them for a high-stakes project. It's the first time they've spoken since high school."
Ayaka's fingers tightened around the pillow she was holding. The tension in the story mirrored something unspoken between them. "So, they're forced to work together despite their history?"
"Right..." Akihiko said, his eyes darkening as he leaned in slightly, the space between them shrinking.
"She's reluctant, but he's ready to break every rule he once had. And as they collaborate, the walls they built start to crumble. Slowly, desire replaces distance."
Ayaka felt her pulse quicken. The way he described the dynamic felt far too personal, too raw. She swallowed hard, her voice coming out softer than she intended. "It sounds... intense."
Akihiko didn't break his gaze. "That's the point." His words lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.
For a moment, they stared at each other, the room crackling with an energy neither dared to address.
Finally, Ayaka cleared her throat, breaking the spell. "I think the story could use more conflict..." she said, forcing her tone to stay steady.
"What if their unresolved history creates tension in the workplace? Like, maybe she refuses the project initially, but he surprises her by insisting they work together."
"I like that." Akihiko murmured, his voice low and appreciative.
He watched her carefully, his gaze tracing the curve of her cheek, the way her lips parted in thought. "And what if—during a late-night brainstorming session—they finally confront their past?"
Ayaka's breath hitched, her imagination running wild.
She could almost feel the weight of his presence beside her, the heat of his body radiating as he leaned closer. "That would definitely raise the stakes." she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I agree." he said, his eyes locked on hers. The corners of his mouth tugged into a smirk. "Now, about your punishment…"
Her heart leapt. 'He didn't forget!' She laughed nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're still on about that?"
"Of course." His expression turned devilish.
"Your punishment is to write the first chapter tonight. I'm staying right here until it's done."
Her mouth fell open. "You're kidding."
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" he said, his tone cool and commanding.
Before she could protest, he grabbed her wrist gently but firmly and pulled her toward her desk.
The touch of his fingers on her skin sent a jolt through her, making her hyper-aware of how close he was.
"Fine." she huffed, plopping into her chair. "But don't expect miracles."
Akihiko smirked, settling into a chair beside her. "Don't worry. I won't take my eyes off you."
As she began typing, he leaned back and pretended to read a book from her shelf.
Yet every so often, she felt his gaze on her, heavy and unrelenting.
When she glanced at him, his smirk deepened, as if he knew exactly how he was affecting her.
"Stop staring!" Ayaka snapped, her cheeks flushing.
"I'm just making sure you're working." he replied smoothly. But the flicker of a smile on his lips told her otherwise.