Inside the examination room, Shiori sat beside Miyu, offering her quiet support while they waited for the doctor's results. The room was sterile and silent, save for the faint hum of machinery. Miyu, still lying on the examination bed, looked pale and weary.
"I need to use the restroom for a moment," Shiori said softly as she rose from her seat. "Don't worry, I'll be back Miyu."
Miyu gave a weak nod, her eyes half-closed in fatigue. Shiori stepped out into the hospital corridor, her shoes clicking softly against the tiled floor as she made her way to the restroom.
As she walked, she noticed a woman sitting alone on one of the benches by the wall. Shiori recognized her immediately—the same woman she'd seen crying earlier. Now, however, the woman looked calmer, though the faint traces of sadness lingered in her eyes. Feeling a pang of empathy, Shiori approached her with a gentle demeanor.
"Hi," Shiori began, her voice warm but cautious. "I'm sorry if this is intrusive, but I saw you earlier. Are you okay?"
The woman looked up, startled for a moment, but then managed a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you for asking," she said softly. "I'm here for fertility treatment. Sometimes... it's just hard to go through."
Shiori's expression softened further, her heart aching for the woman. "I understand," she replied sincerely. "I hope you find the strength to get through this. Can I get you some water from the vending machine? You look like you could use a small break."
The woman hesitated before nodding, offering Shiori a faint, grateful smile. "That would be nice. Thank you."
Without a second thought, Shiori turned and walked toward the vending machine at the end of the hallway. As her footsteps faded, the woman's expression changed. She glanced around cautiously, ensuring no one was watching, and then her gaze fell on Shiori's handbag, which had been left on the seat beside her.
In a swift and practiced motion, the woman unzipped the bag and retrieved a document folder inside. Pulling out a set of medical papers, she replaced them with a nearly identical stack she had prepared in advance. Her movements were quick and deliberate, betraying no hesitation.
By the time Shiori returned, holding a bottle of water, the woman was sitting exactly as she had been, her face composed once more.
"Here you go," Shiori said, handing her the bottle.
The woman accepted it with a smile, though her eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Thank you so much," she said. "I'm sorry, but I need to go now. I hope you have a good day."
Shiori returned the smile. "You're welcome. I hope everything goes well for you."
The woman nodded and walked away, leaving Shiori none the wiser. With her handbag slung over her shoulder, Shiori returned to the examination room, completely unaware of the switch that had just taken place.
---
The grand entrance of the charity gala glowed under the soft luminescence of chandeliers, casting a warm yet elegant light over the scene. Yuzuru stood near the doorway with Kenta, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. Outwardly, he appeared composed, but inside, a faint nervousness churned in his chest. He scanned the arriving guests, his eyes flickering toward every figure that came into view.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, Shiori and Miyu arrived. Shiori's appearance was breathtaking-a simple yet elegant evening gown that hugged her figure gracefully, her hair swept into a neat style that framed her radiant face. Under the glittering lights, she seemed to glow, commanding attention without even trying.
Yuzuru froze, his gaze locking onto her. For a moment, it felt as if time had slowed, and the chatter and movement around him blurred into insignificance. He'd seen Shiori countless times before, but tonight was different. There was something about her-an unspoken confidence, a quiet beauty-that struck him deeply, stirring feelings he couldn't quite name.
Kenta nudged him lightly with his elbow, breaking his trance. "Hey," Kenta teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "What's with that look? First time seeing Shiori all dressed up?"
Yuzuru quickly averted his gaze, a faint flush creeping up his neck. "No, it's not that," he mumbled, his voice slightly uneven. "She just... looks different tonight."
Kenta chuckled knowingly but said nothing more, allowing Yuzuru his moment of quiet self-reflection.
As Shiori and Miyu approached, Shiori offered a gentle smile, her eyes briefly meeting Yuzuru's. He returned the gesture, though his response was tinged with awkwardness. The warmth in her gaze sent a wave of unfamiliar emotions surging through him, ones he wasn't prepared to confront.
Miyu, ever observant, caught the subtle exchange and grinned discreetly. "Shall we head inside?" she suggested lightly. "The event's about to start."
With a nod, the group moved toward the entrance, blending into the crowd. Yet even as they entered the opulent hall, adorned with lavish decorations and filled with the hum of elegant conversation, Yuzuru couldn't shake the image of Shiori from his mind.
Her presence lingered with him, her elegance and quiet strength stirring something deeper-something that made him realize he might have been blind to what was right in front of him all along.
The charity gala was alive with the buzz of conversation and the shimmer of luxury. The room was filled with elegantly dressed guests, moving fluidly among the sparkling decorations and the hum of polite exchanges. Shiori, Yuzuru, Kenta, and Miyu stood together, engaged in light conversation. The atmosphere was festive, yet beneath the surface, there was a subtle tension between Shiori and Yuzuru, which neither dared to acknowledge.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Hey, everyone, long time no see. It's good to see you all here," Akarin's voice rang out as she appeared from the crowd, her smile warm and inviting.
Shiori and Miyu smiled back at Akarin, greeting her with open arms. However, Yuzuru's posture stiffened slightly, a flicker of unease crossing his face. Before they could dive deeper into conversation, another figure emerged from the crowd-Ren, Akarin's ex-fiancé.
"Ren..." Akarin's expression faltered for a moment, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of surprise and discomfort. She quickly masked her feelings with a polite smile. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Ren's smile was as calm and composed as ever, but his eyes held a certain intensity. "It's been a while, hasn't it? I didn't think we'd cross paths again so Akarin."
Akarin's shoulders tensed slightly, but she kept her voice steady. "Yes, it has been quite a while."
Ren seemed determined to make the most of this unexpected encounter. His gaze softened as he stepped closer to her, his tone turning more serious. "Akarin, we never really got to finish what we started all those years ago. I was hoping we could talk, maybe finally clear the air. I still want to make things right between us."
Yuzuru, who had been listening intently, furrowed his brow. The tension in the air was palpable, and he could sense Akarin's discomfort. He knew the story-Akarin's decision to leave for America and call off their engagement was deeply tied to the scars of her past, particularly her relationship with Shiori. The sympathy Yuzuru felt for Akarin was evident in his quiet gaze.
Akarin took a slow breath, steadying herself before she spoke again. Her voice was firm yet calm. "Ren, I made that decision years ago. I went to America to start a new chapter in my life, and I've let go of our past. I hope you can understand that."
Ren's face faltered for a moment, his disappointment clear, but he managed to maintain a semblance of a smile. "I understand. I really do. But I hope we can still be friends, at least."
Akarin nodded slightly, offering a polite, almost distant smile. "I hope so too," she said softly, her words carrying the weight of finality. With that, Ren turned and walked away, leaving a mixture of emotions in his wake.
Yuzuru, who had been observing quietly, leaned in slightly, his voice a whisper of concern. "Are you okay?"
Akarin gave him a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it. It's just a part of my past."
Yet, even as she tried to reassure him, Yuzuru could feel the lingering tension in the air. The encounter with Ren had clearly stirred up memories that Akarin had long tried to bury. As they continued through the gala, the weight of what had just transpired hung between them, subtly altering the mood of the evening.