Morning arrived with a quiet stillness, the kind that made every sound feel amplified. Yuzuru descended the stairs, his steps soft against the wooden floor, and made his way to the dining table. He expected to find Shiori already seated, her usual reserved presence filling the space. Instead, the table was empty, the chair where she always sat conspicuously unoccupied.
Frowning, Yuzuru glanced toward the kitchen, but there was no sign of her. Something felt off. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to check on her in her room.
He stopped in front of her door, raising his hand to knock.
"Shiori," he called gently. "Are you alright? Why aren't you coming down for breakfast?"
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, a faint voice filtered through the door, soft and strained.
"Yuzuru... I'm fine. Just go to work. Don't bother with me."
The words were dismissive, but something in her tone didn't sit right with him. His frown deepened, and he sighed, leaning closer to the door.
"Shiori, I can tell you're not fine," he said firmly, though his tone remained gentle. "I'm coming in, just to check on you."
Her reply came sharper this time, cutting through the air like a knife.
"Don't come in!" she snapped, her voice tinged with frustration. "Yuzuru, please... just go to work and stay out of my business."
Yuzuru paused, his hand hovering above the doorframe. Her words gave him pause, but the concern in his chest refused to abate. He pressed his palm lightly against the door, trying to catch any subtle sounds from the other side.
"At least let me call a doctor," he offered, his voice soft but insistent. "If you're unwell, I can't just ignore it."
There was a pause, and then Shiori spoke again, her voice lower but no less defensive.
"I don't need a doctor, Yuzuru," she muttered, her frustration laced with vulnerability. "It's just... my period, that's all! This is my issue, so... please, leave me alone."
Yuzuru froze for a moment, caught off guard by her admission. Understanding flickered across his face, but the worry in his chest didn't entirely dissipate. He exhaled slowly, considering his next words carefully.
"Alright," he said finally, his voice steady and sincere. "I'll leave for work. But if you need anything, call me. I'll come back as Shiorin as I can if you need help."
There was a long pause from the other side of the door. When Shiori finally responded, her tone was calmer, though still distant.
"Just go, Yuzuru," she said quietly. "I don't need anything."
He lingered for a moment longer, reluctant to leave but respecting her wishes. With a heavy heart, he turned and walked back down the hallway. His footsteps echoed faintly, slower than usual as his thoughts swirled.
Why did he feel such a strong urge to help her? They were bound by nothing more than a contract, a mere arrangement. And yet, the worry gnawed at him, lingering in his mind even as he grabbed his coat and headed out the door.
The quiet house remained behind him, but his thoughts stayed firmly with Shiori.
---
The bustling energy of the airport surrounded Akarin as she stepped into the arrivals hall, pulling her suitcase behind her. A warm smile lit up her face, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. After years away, she was finally back in Japan, and the thought of reuniting with Yuzuru sent a thrill through her chest.
She murmured to herself, barely containing her enthusiasm, "Finally... I'm back. I can't wait to see Yuzuru again! I hope he still remembers our promise..."
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, interrupting her thoughts. She pulled it out and saw the name Kenta flashing on the screen. A bright grin spread across her face as she answered.
"Oniisan!" she greeted warmly. "Yes, I just landed."
"Akarin!" Kenta's cheerful voice rang through the line. "Welcome home. So, you're in Japan now? Do you need me to pick you up?"
Akarin chuckled softly, shaking her head even though she knew he couldn't see her. "No need, I can manage on my own. But, Oniisan, I have one important request."
"An important request?" Kenta's curiosity was evident. "What is it? Just tell me."
Akarin's tone turned playful, a hint of mischief in her voice. "Don't tell anyone I've arrived, especially Yuzuru. I want to surprise him."
There was a pause, followed by Kenta's amused laugh. "Ah, so you want to surprise your future husband, huh? Alright, I won't say a word."
Her cheeks flushed slightly at his teasing, but she laughed along. "Oniisan, help me out, okay? Invite Yuzuru to lunch later, but don't tell him who'll be there. I want to see his reaction."
"Of course," Kenta agreed easily, his voice filled with amusement. "I'll take care of everything. This will be a fun surprise."
Relief washed over Akarin as her smile widened. "Thank you, Oniisan. I'll head to our parents' house now and get ready. See you later."
"See you, Akarin," Kenta replied. "Don't forget to bring that positive energy of yours when you meet Yuzuru. He's going to be shocked."
Ending the call, Akarin slipped her phone back into her pocket, her heart beating a little faster with anticipation. She took a moment to glance around the bustling airport, savoring the feeling of being home. With a deep breath, she adjusted the grip on her suitcase and strode toward the exit, her mind already filled with images of Yuzuru's face when he saw her.
As the automatic doors slid open, she stepped into the cool air outside, ready to make her grand return.