After finishing their meal, the group stepped out of the restaurant into the gentle embrace of dusk. The sky was painted in soft gradients of orange, pink, and violet, casting a warm glow over the parking lot.
A light breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine from a nearby garden, mixing with the lingering aroma of grilled food from the restaurant.
"I'm so full!" Ayaka exclaimed, stretching her arms above her head. The fading sunlight kissed her skin, making her appear even more radiant.
"Same here..." Yuki groaned, stifling a yawn. "But I still have to drag myself back to the office. Work never ends."
"Good thing it's my day off~" Keiko chirped with a triumphant grin, slipping her hands into her jacket pockets.
"I can head home and sleep the whole night away."
Yuki glared at her playfully. "Yeah, yeah, Keiko. Don't rub it in."
Ayaka chuckled softly as she glanced at her watch, her golden-brown eyes reflecting the hues of the twilight. "Well, let's all head home now. Dr. Nakamura probably needs to get to the hospital soon anyway."
Kazumi seized the moment. Stepping closer to Ayaka, he offered with an easy smile, "How about I take you home, Ayaka?"
Ayaka turned toward him, her lips parting to respond, but before she could utter a word, another voice cut in—deeper, firmer, and unyielding.
"I'll take her home." Akihiko declared, his sapphire-blue eyes locking onto Kazumi with a force that made him pause.
The soft glow of the setting sun seemed to make his gaze even more striking, like shards of polished ice with an underlying fire.
Kazumi frowned, his confident demeanor faltering slightly. "Don't you have work?" he countered, trying to regain his footing.
Akihiko's expression remained calm, but there was an edge to his voice when he replied, "I left something at home."
Kazumi's frustration bubbled closer to the surface. "And what does that have to do with Ayaka?" he snapped, his irritation slipping through.
Akihiko didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stepped forward, his presence almost magnetic. Reaching out, he gently but firmly took Ayaka's hand.
The warmth of his touch made her eyes widen in surprise, a faint blush blooming across her cheeks.
"We live next to each other." Akihiko said evenly, his tone final. His gaze flickered to Ayaka for a brief moment, softening in a way that was barely perceptible, before turning back to Kazumi with a look that could have cut stone.
Without giving anyone time to react, Akihiko began walking toward his car, his long strides purposeful and sure. Ayaka stumbled slightly at first, caught off guard, but quickly fell into step beside him.
"B-bye, guys! See you next time!" she called over her shoulder, her free hand waving awkwardly. Her voice was light, but her expression betrayed a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
Keiko and Yuki stood frozen, their gazes trailing after the pair in stunned silence.
"Did I hear that right?" Yuki finally asked, her voice breaking the stillness.
"I don't think I misheard either..." Keiko murmured, her eyes still wide.
Yuki let out a low whistle. "He's like those brooding, possessive male leads in dramas—the ones with mysterious blue eyes and a serious intensity that makes you swoon."
Meanwhile, Kazumi remained rooted in place, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His jaw ticked as he watched Akihiko guide Ayaka to his sleek, black Aston Martin DB11 parked under a glowing lamppost. The car was a vision of luxury, its gleaming curves reflecting the colors of the dusk.
Akihiko opened the passenger door for Ayaka with a smooth, almost reverent motion. She hesitated for a brief moment before climbing inside, casting a fleeting glance toward the group before the door closed with a soft click.
The car's engine roared to life, a low, throaty growl that turned heads in the parking lot.
"Wow, that's an Aston Martin!" a passerby whispered, their voice filled with awe. "That's got to cost a fortune!"
As the car glided past them, its glossy exterior catching the last rays of sunlight, Kazumi's eyes remained fixed on it. His chest tightened with a mix of jealousy and frustration, his gaze burning as he watched Ayaka disappear into the distance with Akihiko.
The quiet hum of the engine faded, leaving Kazumi standing in the golden hues of dusk, his fists trembling at his sides.
-----
The car hummed softly as it cruised along the quiet streets, the dusky glow of the evening casting a warm hue across the dashboard.
Akihiko's sharp blue eyes remained focused on the road, his hands steady on the wheel, but his attention wavered.
His gaze flicked to Ayaka, who sat beside him, her face softly illuminated by the passing streetlights as she stared out of the window.
The silence lingered, and Akihiko finally broke it, his voice deep and smooth. "Did you have fun?" he asked, glancing at her briefly before returning his gaze to the road. "Have you finally rested your mind?"
Ayaka turned her head to him, a playful smile curling her lips. "Yep! I did! Even though you and Kazumi kept fighting!" she teased, her giggle light and infectious.
A small, genuine smile tugged at Akihiko's lips, a rare sight that made Ayaka's heart flutter. As they approached a red light, he slowed the car to a stop.
"Good..." he said, his tone shifting to something more mischievous, his smile turning into a sly smirk. "Now you've got all the energy to work on chapters two and three."
Ayaka blinked, her brows furrowing. "A-again?" she asked, thinking she might have misheard him.
The light turned green, and Akihiko smoothly pressed the accelerator, the car gliding forward.
For a moment, he didn't respond, his expression unreadable as he focused on making a turn.
Soon, they arrived at their apartment complex, and Akihiko pulled infront of the building. Turning off the engine, he finally looked at her, his teasing grin still in place.
"I said..." he began, his tone low and playful, "Go finish chapters two and three. And I want an update on every paragraph you write."
"W-what?!" Ayaka exclaimed, sitting upright and staring at him in disbelief. "Every paragraph? Are you kidding me? That's absurd!"
Unbothered by her protest, Akihiko leaned back in his seat, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "I'm not kidding. I want updates daily." he said smoothly, his voice laced with mock seriousness.
"T-tch!" Ayaka huffed, her cheeks puffing slightly in frustration. "And here I thought you were softening up, treating me gently at the restaurant!"
Akihiko's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "That's just how a boyfriend should act when someone's planning a move on his girl." he said coldly, his voice carrying a possessive edge. "Take notes. You might want to use that in the story."
Ayaka's mind reeled. 'So it was all an act?' she thought, trying to quell the strange disappointment rising in her chest. 'I almost fell for it! He's good!'
"You really know how to torment people!" she shot back, sticking her tongue out at him before opening the car door to make her escape. "That's why the title Ice Prince suits you perfectly!"
Akihiko chuckled softly and stepped out of the car, shutting the door with a deliberate click.
Before Ayaka could make it far, he reached her in a few long strides. His hand caught her wrist, spinning her around as he pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"H-hey!" Ayaka stammered, her breath hitching as her palms pressed lightly against his chest.
Akihiko leaned down, his face just inches from hers. His piercing blue eyes bore into hers, and Ayaka felt her heart pound wildly in her chest.
Slowly, he lifted her chin with his fingers, his lips inching closer. Ayaka froze, her face turning crimson, and she instinctively shut her eyes.
But instead of a kiss, his lips brushed against her ear, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "Do you prefer me this way?" he whispered, his voice velvety and teasing, "Or the gentle way? Or… would you rather be selfish and have both?"
Ayaka's eyes shot open as he pulled back, his signature grin firmly in place. Her cheeks burned as she stumbled over her words. "W-what are you even talking about?" she stammered, turning her face away to hide her embarrassment.
Akihiko let out a low chuckle and placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently. "You did well today." he said, his voice softening, the playful edge replaced by something more genuine. "I just wanted to say that when it's just the two of us."
Ayaka's lips parted, but before she could respond, Akihiko stepped back, his usual stoic demeanor returning. "I'll get to work now." he added casually, heading back to his car.
"W-wait!" Ayaka blurted. "I thought you left something at home?"
Akihiko paused, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk. "I lied." He slipped into the driver's seat, the engine roaring to life as he drove off, leaving her standing there, flustered and stunned.
Ayaka touched her head where his hand had ruffled her hair, her heart racing. 'No! He's evil! He's just tormenting me!' She told herself, lightly slapping her cheeks to shake off the warm feeling bubbling inside her.
"Rest and work! Rest and work!" she chanted under her breath as she hurried into the apartment building, trying—and failing—to keep her mind off the teasing, enigmatic man who had once again left her completely undone.