The room was shrouded in darkness, save for the faint glimmer of city lights filtering through the half-drawn curtains.
Ayaka lay motionless on her bed, her body heavy, her eyes stinging and swollen from hours of silent tears.
The ceiling above her blurred and sharpened in turns as her vision wavered, the shadows playing tricks on her already tired mind.
Her throat felt dry, constricted from all the crying, but she forced herself to whisper into the still air, almost as if speaking could tether her thoughts back to something solid.
"Should I... Should I go to the gaming cafe today?" The words came out hollow, brittle, floating in the emptiness of her room.
But as quickly as the thought surfaced, another unwelcome memory intruded—clear as day despite the darkness.
She saw Akihiko again, standing beside her in the soft, neon glow of the cafe, his silver hair catching the light, his cool blue eyes always unreadable, always a step away.
She remembered the faint smirk on his lips, the way he'd leaned close to quietly tease her, how effortlessly he took up space in her world.
Her stomach twisted painfully.
"Never mind..." she murmured, tightening her grip around the pillow clutched to her chest as though it could offer protection.
Her voice cracked, a bitter laugh laced beneath it. "That cold, infuriating Ice Prince... He won't stop haunting me, will he?"
Her eyes drifted toward the window. Beyond the glass, the city pulsed with life—streets glittering like constellations, cars weaving like restless fireflies.
The lights danced, indifferently, while she remained frozen, her heart aching in a way she couldn't seem to escape.
A fresh wave of frustration surged inside her, mingling with exhaustion and something deeper, more fragile.
She swallowed hard, blinking back more tears that threatened to spill.
"It hurts..." Ayaka whispered brokenly, her gaze tracing the endless skyline. "But why... Why can't I hate him? Why can't I be angry?"
Her voice trembled into nothingness, swallowed by the quiet hum of the city beyond her window.
And then, unable to hold it in any longer, she let out a long, shuddering sigh, like a last-ditch effort to expel the tightness coiling in her chest.
But the ache lingered, sharp and persistent, as though every memory of Akihiko was stitched too deeply into her skin to tear free.
The night outside glittered on, uncaring.
But inside, Ayaka lay there, curled beneath the weight of all the words left unsaid, the emotions clawing at her throat, the stubborn, impossible hope she couldn't quite smother—no matter how much it hurt.
------
The sudden chime of the doorbell sliced through the heavy silence of Ayaka's apartment, jolting her from her spiraling thoughts.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she glanced toward the door, confusion knitting her brow.
"Who could that be at this hour?" she murmured to herself, rising from the couch and padding softly across the room.
As she reached for the doorknob, a pang of realization struck her—she had told Kei she would be staying at a friend's house tonight.
Panic fluttered in her chest, but it was too late to retreat.
She turned the knob and pulled the door open.
There, standing in the dimly lit hallway, was Akihiko.
His presence was imposing, his blue eyes piercing through the shadows to lock onto hers.
"Liar." he said, the single word laced with quiet intensity.
Ayaka's breath caught in her throat, her mind scrambling for an explanation.
'Crap!' she thought, her body freezing under his unwavering gaze. "I-I'm just picking up my things." she stammered, the excuse sounding flimsy even to her own ears.
She crossed her arms defensively, shifting her gaze to the side to avoid his penetrating stare. "I'm leaving soon. You should go too." she added as much coldness into her tone as she could muster.
Akihiko stepped closer, the heat of his body radiating toward her, making the small space between them feel charged.
His voice softened, threading through his words. "You should've at least tried harder if you wanted me to stay away."
Her pulse thundered in her ears, drowning out rational thought.
She opened her mouth to protest, to say anything that might diffuse the tension, but the words died on her lips.
He stood there, unyielding, his gaze daring her to continue the charade.
Frustration and fear twisted inside her, and she lashed out, her voice rising. "Don't give me that look! Go home now!"
With a swift motion, she slammed the door shut, the sound echoing through the apartment.
She leaned against the door, her breath coming in shallow gasps, her heart racing as she tried to steady herself.
On the other side, Akihiko remained still, his expression unreadable.
The barrier between them felt both fragile and insurmountable, a testament to the unspoken turmoil that churned beneath the surface of their strained connection.
------
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting soft, golden hues across Ayaka's apartment.
After a restless night, she craved the comfort of a warm cup of coffee to soothe her frazzled nerves.
Determined to face the day, she smoothed her hair, took a steadying breath, and approached the door.
As she turned the knob and pulled the door open, her heart lurched.
There, standing as if he had been sculpted from the very shadows, was Akihiko. His presence was both unexpected and unsettling, his posture relaxed yet exuding an air of unwavering determination.
"Good morning." he greeted, his voice a rich baritone that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
Ayaka's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and irritation flashing across her face. Without uttering a word, she slammed the door shut, the sound reverberating through the hallway.
Leaning against the door, she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Doesn't he have a life?" she muttered under her breath, anger and confusion warring within her.
Hours slipped by, the clock's ticking amplifying the silence that enveloped her apartment.
The desire for fresh air and a change of scenery gnawed at her, and she resolved to venture out once more.
With cautious steps, she approached the door, her heart pounding a familiar rhythm of anxiety.
As she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat.
Akihiko remained, his steadfast presence a testament to his resolve.
His eyes, a deep cerulean, bore into hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
"Do you want to talk now?" he inquired, his tone calm yet edged with an emotion she couldn't quite place.
A surge of frustration welled up within her. Without deigning to reply, she shut the door with a force that rattled the frame.
"He's still here!" she exclaimed to the empty room, feeling the walls close in around her, the space that once offered solace now a confining cage.
The afternoon sun cast elongated shadows across the floor as time dragged on.
Desperation gnawed at her, compelling her to press her ear against the cool surface of the door, straining to catch any hint of his departure.
Muffled sounds seeped through—a one-sided conversation, his voice a low murmur. "He's so persistent..." she whispered, a mix of exasperation and reluctant admiration threading through her words.
"Alright, I'll be there." Akihiko's voice resonated clearly, followed by the definitive click of his phone snapping shut.
A heavy silence ensued, punctuated only by the distant hum of city life.
Moments later, the faint echo of his footsteps retreated down the corridor.
Ayaka released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, relief washing over her in a soothing wave.
Cautiously, she approached the door once more, her hand trembling as she grasped the handle.
Easing it open, she peered into the hallway, her gaze darting left and right. The emptiness greeted her like an old friend.
"The coast is clear, I guess..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Seizing the opportunity, she slipped out, the door clicking shut behind her.
Her footsteps echoed softly as she made her way to the elevator, each step a tentative embrace of newfound freedom.
Emerging from the building, Ayaka inhaled deeply, the crisp air filling her lungs and invigorating her spirit.
She strolled toward the nearby park, the gentle rustling of leaves and distant chirping of birds providing a soothing soundtrack to her thoughts.
Unbeknownst to her, Akihiko's car remained parked discreetly nearby, his gaze following her every movement as she crossed the street.
His expression was inscrutable, a tempest of emotions swirling beneath his composed exterior.
With a resigned sigh, he started the engine, the car's hum blending seamlessly with the urban symphony.
As he navigated the bustling streets, his mind replayed the events of the past hours, each moment etched into his memory with painful clarity.
------
Arriving at the hospital, Akihiko parked and sat in silence for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
The sterile scent of antiseptic greeted him as he entered, the stark lighting casting sharp shadows along the corridors.
"Dr. Nakamura!" Kei waved at him with a smile.
Akihiko turned around and greeted Kei as well. "It's nice to see you back Dr. Yamamoto." He smiled.
"Thank you for taking care of my sister Dr. but there's something I want to ask you." Kei replied, his tone turned serious.
"What is it Dr. Yamamoto?" Akihiko asked with his usual cold tone.
"Let's go to my office." Kei replied, shortly and started walking.
Akihiko just nodded and went along, though there was tension in the atmosphere.