"CONGRATULATIONS, AYAKA AND MAKOTO!"
The room was filled with applause, a burst of cheers and excitement reverberating around the lavish event space.
Silver streamers fell from the ceiling as bright lights shimmered over the tables full of wine glasses, snacks, and plates of elegant desserts.
The success of the Moonlight Sonata and the rise of Ms. Midnight as a bestselling author had made headlines everywhere.
The publishing house was buzzing with pride and joy.
The crowd gathered around Mr. Takahashi, who was clearly overwhelmed, his eyes glistened as he raised his glass high. "This is a monumental moment for our publishing house! Ayaka, Makoto—thank you for your hard work, your talent. This success is just the beginning!"
The cheers that followed filled the room with an electric energy, but amid the celebration, Ayaka sat on the edge of the room, detached, her fingers lightly gripping her glass of wine.
The clinking of glasses, the chatter of happy voices, and the occasional bursts of laughter from the crowd didn't seem to reach her.
Makoto, glowing with excitement, stood by Mr. Takahashi, accepting congratulations and taking photos with fans and staff alike.
He looked every bit the charismatic figure he was known to be—charming, handsome, and easygoing—but his eyes occasionally flickered toward Ayaka, who was noticeably absent from the conversations around her.
As the crowd continued to celebrate, Makoto raised his glass, his voice loud and clear.
"Before we get too lost in the celebrations..." He said, grinning as he looked around the room. "I'd first like to raise a toast to Mr. Takahashi. You've helped me with my first book signing event and you made me feel like I'm a part of this family, even when I'm not officially tied to this publishing house."
The crowd erupted in applause as they raised their glasses in a collective cheer.
"To Mr. Takahashi!" everyone shouted, their voices a chorus of gratitude.
Ayaka's eyes drifted to the floor as she took a small sip of her wine, staring at the faint ripples of red liquid in her glass. Her heart felt heavy.
It was hard to shake the feeling that something was missing.
She had everything she thought she wanted, yet the absence of Akihiko's presence left a deep, gnawing ache in her chest.
As the celebration continued, Ayaka remained in her quiet corner, removed from the cheers and lighthearted conversation.
She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a familiar presence beside her.
"I figured I'd find you sulking here." Takeshi said as he sat down next to her, casually sipping his drink.
His easygoing demeanor hadn't changed since the last time they met, and Ayaka couldn't help but smile weakly at the sight of him.
"Is that what you think of me now?" Ayaka asked with a faint chuckle, trying to hide the heaviness in her voice. "I guess I can't hide it from you."
Takeshi smirked, setting his glass down on the small table beside them. "No, I didn't think you were sulking. I just know where you go when you're trying to be alone with your thoughts."
Ayaka exhaled softly, her gaze returning to the distant figure of Makoto across the room.
He was still engaging with people, his laughter filling the air as he joked with Mr. Takahashi. It made her feel like an outsider, even though she was part of the celebration.
Takeshi followed her gaze before speaking again, his tone lighter. "This scene almost looks too familiar, doesn't it? The last time we were in a situation like this, your Ice Prince wasn't around to watch you perform."
Ayaka's lips twitched into a faint smile as she closed her eyes briefly. "Yeah... It's like déjà vu all over again." she murmured, the memories of Akihiko flooding her mind unbidden. That sharp, longing ache returned.
Takeshi raised an eyebrow, though his expression softened. "But it's different now, isn't it? There's a new prince with you."
Ayaka blinked, her chest tightening. She forced a small smile, though it felt brittle. "Makoto, right?"
Takeshi nodded, his gaze steady. "He likes you more than you ever knew. But I know you're not blind to that."
Ayaka's lips parted, but before she could speak, Takeshi added, "You've read the book, haven't you?"
Ayaka's heart skipped a beat.
The book.
The one she'd tried to avoid.
The one that spoke of a love so close to her own, a love that was never meant to be.
The one she had buried in her mind, pretending she had no ties to it.
She took a deep breath, her voice soft. "I read it. And it was... really about me, wasn't it?"
Takeshi's gaze softened, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. "I told you so." he said gently.
Ayaka's fingers tightened around her wine glass, her thoughts whirling.
The pain in her chest only deepened, her heart pulling in two directions.
"I can't keep doing this, Takeshi." she said, her voice trembling. "I've tried. I really have. But how can I move on when... when it feels like he's still here? When every part of me is still tied to him?"
Takeshi sighed, his expression shifting to something more serious.
He leaned closer, his gaze penetrating, as if searching for the truth in her eyes.
"You're not the only one who's suffered, Ayaka." he said quietly.
"You know, we've watched you for months now—watching you hold everything in, trying to put on a brave face for everyone else. But I can see it. I can see how much you miss him. And I'm not just talking about Akihiko. I'm talking about you. You're still holding onto something that's already gone. And I get it. I do. It's hard to let go of a love like that."
Ayaka blinked back tears, her vision blurring.
She could feel the weight of his words sinking in, each one more painful than the last.
Her hands trembled as she wiped her eyes quickly, trying to regain some control.
"Why… why does it hurt so much, Takeshi?" she whispered, her voice cracking. "Why can't I let him go?"
Takeshi's face softened even further as he moved closer to her.
His voice became gentler, though there was a firm resolve in it. "Because you can't choose who you love, Ayaka. You never get to choose. And sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the person you love doesn't love you the same way. Or they can't be with you the way you want them to be."
Ayaka's breath hitched in her throat, the weight of his words feeling like a heavy anchor pulling her deeper into the sea of her emotions.
"I've tried, Takeshi. I've tried to move on. But it's like I'm stuck." she admitted, her voice raw with vulnerability.
"Makoto is great. He's kind, and he makes me laugh. But… it's not him. It's not Akihiko. And I don't know if I'll ever stop feeling this way."
Takeshi's eyes softened even more as he moved closer to her. His voice was quiet but filled with sincerity. "Have you given up on looking for him? Because I haven't."
Ayaka's breath caught in her throat.
The question, simple yet cutting, felt like a knife twisting in her chest.
She swallowed hard, her tears threatening to fall as her body trembled with emotion.
She tried to speak, but her voice failed her, leaving only a fragile, painful sob.
"No..." she whispered, the word barely audible through the overwhelming tide of grief that crashed over her.
"I haven't given up… I don't think I ever will. I keep telling myself I should let go, that maybe he's never coming back. But every part of me—everything I am—still hopes he'll return. That somehow, he'll find his way back to me."
Her shoulders shook as she collapsed into her hands, tears streaming freely now, no longer hidden behind the walls she had built.
The vulnerability in her was raw, her heart laid bare in front of Takeshi.
The pain of loss, the helplessness of longing, all spilled out of her, not contained or even unstoppable.
Takeshi reached out, his hand resting gently on her shoulder, his touch steady and warm. "It's okay to feel that way." he murmured.
"It's okay to hold onto that hope. But don't let it destroy you. You deserve peace, Ayaka."
Ayaka's sobs grew heavier, her body shaking as the full force of her grief poured out.
She didn't know how long they sat there—maybe minutes, maybe hours—only that for the first time in so long, she let herself feel everything she had been holding inside.
She didn't have to be strong anymore. Not with Takeshi there.
When Ayaka had cried herself dry, Takeshi stood up, his hand briefly brushing her back as he spoke, his voice soft but filled with sincerity. "Remember, Ayaka… No matter how long it takes, you can still choose a future. A future where you find happiness again. But it starts with letting yourself heal."
Ayaka blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears from falling.
But she couldn't.
Not anymore.
Not when everything inside of her was unraveling.
Takeshi gave her a soft smile before walking away, leaving Ayaka alone with her thoughts. "Wipe off your tears, the radiant prince is approaching."
Makoto's voice called out softly as he approached her from across the room, his eyes scanning her face with concern.
"Are you alright?"
Ayaka wiped her face quickly, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. It's just allergies." She laughed weakly. "Shall we go outside for some fresh air?"
Makoto, ever the gentleman, didn't push. "Of course. Let's get some air."
They stepped outside, the night cool against their skin as the party continued inside.
Ayaka leaned against the railing, gazing at the city lights below, and Makoto stood beside her, his presence steady and warm.
"You don't have to pretend with me." Makoto said quietly, his voice soft yet insistent.
"I'm not pretending." Ayaka replied, but even she could hear the lie in her own voice.
Makoto didn't respond, but his hand brushed against hers lightly, the warmth from his touch seeping into her, pulling her back from the edge of her emotions.
"Makoto..." She whispered.
"Why did you like me...?"