Chapter 10 – The Sky Lantern Festival
[-Miya-]
The soft rustle of fabric followed me as I moved between tables, carefully balancing a tray of dishes. The restaurant was packed tonight, the air filled with lively chatter and the faint scent of summer festival treats drifting in from outside.
Wearing a yukata felt a little unfamiliar, but the restaurant had arranged it as part of the festival atmosphere, so all the staff were dressed accordingly. The deep blue fabric of my yukata was adorned with delicate white sakura patterns, the obi tied neatly around my waist.
I barely had time to think about how I looked, though—I was far too busy attending to customers.
As I turned to serve another table, the bell at the entrance chimed.
I glanced up instinctively—only to find *him* standing there.
*Kizaki-kun.*
And beside him, his ever-present companion, the sharp-eyed man I had come to know as *Lee Hajun-san*.
Lately, Kizaki-kun and I had spent more time together. It had become somewhat of a routine—eating together at his unit after work, sharing quiet conversations over warm meals.
Tonight was no different. We had already decided that after my shift, we would attend the festival together.
But now that he was here early, standing in the middle of the restaurant, I suddenly felt self-conscious.
I noticed his gaze flicker over me, his usual nonchalant expression in place. But there was something in his eyes—a momentary pause, as if he was seeing me in a different light.
For some reason, my heart skipped a beat.
I quickly turned away, pretending to focus on the order in my hands.
As I busied myself with work, I overheard Hajun-san speaking.
"I'm telling you, Kei, this meeting is important. We can't afford to mess this project up."
"I'm sure you'll handle it just fine," Kizaki-kun replied, his tone as detached as ever.
Hajun-san clicked his tongue. "Tch. So you're really bailing on me? At least tell me **why**."
I glanced toward them just in time to see Kizaki-kun shrug.
"I have other plans," he said simply.
Hajun-san's gaze shifted to me for a brief second before his lips curled into a knowing smirk.
"Ah… I see."
I quickly turned away again, pretending I hadn't heard anything.
A strange warmth spread across my chest.
**Other plans, huh?**
It wasn't much, but knowing that I was the reason Kizaki-kun was skipping an important meeting made my heart feel a little lighter.
- Hajun Lee-
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck as I watched Kei walk off without a care in the world.
That bastard.
We were here to meet the owner of the sauna house we planned to buy, a crucial step in sealing the deal. I had hoped Kei would at least sit through the meeting—he was sharp, calculated, and honestly one of the best when it came to negotiations. His presence alone could sway even the most stubborn business owners.
But instead, he ditched me.
Of course, I wasn't surprised. Lately, I had noticed something different about him. He wasn't as detached as he usually was—there was something, or rather someone, keeping his attention elsewhere.
I glanced toward the restaurant counter, where the woman in the deep blue yukata was moving swiftly between customers.
That girl.
She was the reason.
I had noticed the shift in Kei from the moment I saw them together. The way his gaze lingered on her, the way he excused himself from business matters—he was changing, whether he realized it or not.
"Tch." I shook my head, a smirk tugging at my lips. He really has it bad, doesn't he?
Still, I couldn't blame him.
I stole another glance at the woman—she was beautiful, but it wasn't just that. There was something about her presence that softened Kei in a way I had never seen before.
Letting out a resigned sigh, I pulled out my phone and checked the time.
Fine. If Kei wanted to play the role of a lovestruck fool, I'd handle the damn meeting myself.
After all, I wasn't Lee Hajun for nothing.
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling sharply. Great. Just great.
Not only did Kei ditch me, but now the sauna house owner himself didn't even bother to show up.
Instead, a woman walked in—poised, elegant, and effortlessly beautiful.
Yukino Kirishima.
I immediately recognized her. The daughter of Kirishima Nue, the owner of the sauna house we were looking to acquire. But more than that, she was someone with a name that carried weight in business circles. Her family had strong connections, and if she was here in her father's place, that meant she had enough influence to negotiate on his behalf.
But that wasn't what caught my attention.
She wasn't here just for the deal.
She was here for Kei.
I could see it in her eyes the moment she walked in. That subtle glint of anticipation, the way her gaze scanned the restaurant as if searching for something—or rather, someone.
I sighed internally.
So, this is why she pushed to attend.
Well, too bad for her. The guy she was so eager to meet had just walked out, completely unaware—or more likely, completely uninterested.
Still, I wasn't about to let this meeting go to waste. Kei or not, I had a deal to close.
I put on my best business smile and stood up, extending a hand toward her.
"Kirishima-san," I greeted smoothly. "How have you been, Thank you for coming in your father's place."
She returned the handshake gracefully, but I could see the slight disappointment in her eyes.
"It's a pleasure, Lee-san," she replied with a polite smile. Then, without missing a beat, she added, "But I must admit, I was hoping to see Keizuke-san here as well."
Of course, you were.
I let out a light chuckle, masking my amusement. "Kei's caught up in something important at the moment." *More like someone*. "But don't worry, I'll be handling things today. Shall we begin?"
Yukino hesitated for a fraction of a second, clearly wanting to ask more about Kei. But she quickly composed herself, nodding as she took a seat across from me.
I smirked inwardly.
This just got a lot more interesting.
- Miya Suzuki-
Balancing the tray in my hands, I walked toward the table near the corner, where Hajun-san and a woman I didn't recognize were seated. Their conversation had been nothing more than background noise to me—until I heard a familiar name.
**Keizuke? First name basis?.**
My steps slowed, my grip on the tray tightening slightly.
"It's a pleasure, Lee-san," she replied with a polite smile. Then, without missing a beat, she added, "But I must admit, I was hoping to see Keizuke-san here as well." The gorgeous lady replied to Hajun Lee-san
My fingers unconsciously curled against the fabric of my yukata.
**Who… is she?**
Hajun-san let out a small chuckle. "Kei's caught up in something important at the moment," he replied casually. "But don't worry, I'll be handling things today."
The woman—Kirishima, as Hajun-san had addressed her earlier—paused for a brief second before nodding, though a flicker of disappointment crossed her face.
I swallowed, trying to focus on my task. I was just here to take their order, nothing more.
And yet, a strange feeling sat heavy in my chest.
Why did it matter that she had come here looking for Kizaki-san?
Why did it make me feel… uneasy?
I shook my head slightly. **You're overthinking this, Miya.**
Taking a steady breath, I stepped forward with a practiced smile. "Good evening. May I take your order?"
Hajun's Narration
I leaned back in my chair, observing Kirishima Yukino with mild interest as she gracefully stirred her drink. She was the kind of woman who carried herself with elegance—composed, poised, and undeniably beautiful. But despite all that, it was painfully obvious she wasn't here for business.
She was here for Kei.
"I must admit, I was hoping to see Keizuke-san here as well," she said, her voice carrying a note of anticipation.
I held back a sigh. Of course.
I gave her a casual shrug. "Kei's caught up in something important at the moment. But don't worry, I'll be handling things today."
Yukino's expression faltered ever so slightly before she masked it with a polite smile.
That's when I caught movement from the corner of my eye.
Miya
She had walked up to our table, her yukata neatly arranged, the festival atmosphere buzzing around her. Her face was calm, her lips curved in that usual polite smile she wore while working. But her eyes—those gave her away.
A small shift, a flicker of something unreadable when she heard Yukino mention Kei's name.
Ah. Interesting.
I barely contained the amused snort that threatened to escape me. Instead, I cleared my throat, lifting my drink to hide the smirk tugging at my lips.
Miya glanced at me briefly, her grip tightening slightly on the tray she held.
I knew that look.
Jealousy, huh?
I kept my expression neutral as I turned to her. "Good evening. May I take your order?" she asked, her voice even, professional. But I noticed the way she stood a little too straight, the way her fingers curled just slightly around the tray.
Yukino smiled at her, oblivious to the subtle tension. "I'll have a green tea, please."
I rested my chin on my hand, barely hiding my grin as I looked at Miya. "And I'll have a coffee. No sugar," I said smoothly, watching her reaction closely.
For the first time, Miya's eyes flickered toward me, just for a second, as if realizing I had caught onto something.
She quickly turned away. "Understood. I'll bring your drinks shortly," she said, bowing lightly before walking off.
As soon as she was out of earshot, I let out a quiet chuckle.
Yukino tilted her head, looking at me curiously. "Something amusing?"
"Oh, nothing," I mused, my lips smiled. "Just finding the night a little more entertaining than I expected."
This was getting interesting.