Chapter 23. The Words We Deny

After dinner, the writers were called to the conference room for an important announcement.

The air was filled with excitement and chatter as Ayaka walked briskly through the hallway.

Her heels tapped rhythmically against the polished marble floor, a sound that matched the confident yet slightly tired demeanor she carried after a long day.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, a familiar voice rang out, full of excitement.

"Ms. Midnight! It's been a while!"

Before Ayaka could turn, someone clung to her arm with a giggle.

"Yuriko!" Ayaka exclaimed, her usual composed expression softening as she turned and hugged the cheery girl tightly.

"I missed you a lot! We only ever see each other during these book signing tours!" she pouted playfully, her lips curling into a small frown.

"I know, right?!" Yuriko said, her voice bubbly and bright. "We're catching up a lot later, no excuses!"

Ayaka laughed and nodded as the two made their way to the conference room, their steps quickened by the anticipation buzzing in the air.

The room was already packed with writers by the time they arrived.

The hum of conversation filled the space, mixing with the occasional rustle of papers and the clink of coffee cups.

Ayaka scanned the room with sharp, calculating eyes, looking for empty seats while mentally noting the familiar faces around her.

"Hmmm... there's Celeste Nocturne… over there is Lyra Heart… Mr. Anonymous... Lilith Frost… and Ghostman..." she murmured under her breath, ticking off the names of the authors she recognized.

But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't find an empty seat.

"There!" Yuriko exclaimed, pointing to two chairs at the far end of the room.

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Ayaka's wrist and dragged her through the crowd.

As they approached the seats, a familiar, smug voice greeted them.

"Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Midnight and Sylvana Winter—together again this year."

Ayaka and Yuriko froze in place, their expressions instantly souring. The ash-brown-haired man with striking brown eyes was leaning casually in the chair next to theirs, a teasing smirk plastered across his face.

"Azrael Emberlight..." they both said in unison, their voices dripping with irritation.

"No wonder these seats weren't taken..." Ayaka said, her tone sharp and unimpressed as she sank into her chair.

Takeshi Mori—better known as Azrael Emberlight—grinned, leaning back with an air of arrogance. "You're already in a bad mood? Can't blame you. I heard Mr. Takahashi gave you an impossible task, and you're struggling. Maybe you're not as great as everyone thinks you are, Ms. Midnight!"

His laugh was loud and mocking, earning a few glances from nearby writers.

"That's a low blow, Takeshi!" Yuriko snapped, her cheeks puffing out in anger as she leaned forward to defend her friend.

"Let him bark." Ayaka said coolly, a small, mischievous smile forming on her lips. "That's why guys like him rarely get new projects these days."

Takeshi's smirk faltered for a split second before he leaned in, his voice laced with mock offense. "Excuse me? Maybe you're forgetting something—I'm Takeshi Mori, the King of Celestial Fantasies! This year, I'll prove I'm better than you, Ms. Midnight!"

"Oh, really?" Ayaka replied with a smirk of her own, tilting her head as she crossed her arms. "You can try, but I wouldn't bet on it."

"You two, stop it!" Yuriko exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "This is supposed to be a fun event where we all come together as writers. Can't you act like adults for once?"

"Fine…" Ayaka and Takeshi muttered in unison, though the tension between them was still palpable.

------

The chatter in the room quieted as Mr. Takahashi stepped up to the microphone at the front of the room. His commanding presence immediately silenced any lingering conversations.

"Good evening, everyone." he began, his voice calm and steady. "As you all know, the Book Signing Tour begins next week. This time, we're doing things a little differently. Instead of traveling outside of Tokyo, we'll be visiting various hospitals across the city."

A collective murmur spread through the room as Takahashi pressed a button, revealing the list of hospitals on the screen behind him:

Shinjuku West Medical Center

Tokyo Bay Health Center

Kiyokawa General Hospital

Nagisa Coastal Hospital

Seijiro Memorial Hospital

Tokyo General Hospital

Tokyo Medical Center

Ayaka's eyes widened slightly as she read the final name on the list: Tokyo Medical Center. Her heart skipped a beat, and a wave of memories washed over her—memories of Akihiko.

"He's never been to one of my book signings before…" she whispered under her breath, her gaze momentarily distant as her mind wandered.

"Since there are 28 of you..." Takahashi continued, "You'll be divided into seven groups of four. Rehearsals and preparations will begin tomorrow. As usual, each group will perform a talent on the final day of the tour at the hospital they rotate to last. Choose your talents wisely—this time, the performances will be broadcasted online."

A ripple of excitement and nervous energy passed through the room.

"Without further ado, here are the groups. First group: Lilith Frost, Mr. Anonymous, Raven Nightshade, and Ghostman..."

As the names continued, Ayaka listened intently, her brow furrowing when Yuriko's name was called in another group.

"Oh no!" Yuriko whispered, her voice filled with disappointment. "We're not in the same group this time!"

"Sucks for you." Takeshi said, smirking at Yuriko before turning to Ayaka.

"And it sucks for me." Ayaka said with a grin, cutting him off. "Because it means there's a high chance we would be in the same group."

Takeshi glared at her, his fist clenching in frustration as Takahashi's voice boomed in the background.

"Last group: Nyx Everfall, Azrael Emberlight, Orion Solace, and Ms. Midnight."

"That's it for today's announcement!" Daiki said, stepping back from the microphone. "Preparations will begin tomorrow at 8 a.m. You're dismissed."

-------

Back in their quarters, Ayaka was sitting cross-legged on her bed, her laptop balanced on her knees as she typed furiously.

Her focus was interrupted when Yuriko sat beside her, hugging a pillow.

"I really wanted to be in your group, Ayaka." Yuriko said with a pout.

"Same here." Ayaka replied with a soft smile. "But let's make the most of this week, okay?"

"About what Takeshi said earlier…" Yuriko hesitated. "Are you really having a hard time with your new novel?"

Ayaka paused before replying, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "At first, yeah, but I'm getting the hang of it now."

Before Yuriko could respond, Ayaka's phone buzzed on the bedside table. She glanced at the screen: Akihiko

'Update? Now.'

Ayaka sighed, quickly attaching her latest chapter and replying: 'Sent. I'm going to sleep.'

Yuriko yawned, getting up to return to her bed. "Goodnight, Ayaka. Don't stay up too late!"

"Goodnight!" Ayaka replied with a small wave.

Her phone buzzed again. Another message from Akihiko:

'I expect the next chapter to be as good tomorrow. Don't slack off, or I'll come to get you.'

Ayaka clenched her phone, muttering, "Does he think he owns me?!"

She furiously typed back: 'Try if you can. I'm not afraid of you, Mr. Cold Prince.'

Ayaka was just about to drift off to sleep when her phone buzzed again. She groaned, already knowing it was Akihiko.

"Not again..." She whispered, blinking sleepily. Reluctantly, she checked the message:

"Still awake, Ms. Midnight?"

Her fingers hovered over the keys. She should ignore him, she really should, but that would just make him send more messages. With a sigh, she typed back:

"It's late, Akihiko. I need sleep."

Within seconds, her phone rang. The screen lit up with his name. Ayaka grimaced. "Seriously?!" She answered the call in a hushed voice. "What do you want now? It's past midnight."

Akihiko's voice came through, calm and almost smug. "Ah, there you are. Couldn't sleep without hearing my voice, huh?"

Ayaka rolled her eyes, though she could feel her annoyance slipping into exhaustion. "No, not tonight."

He chuckled softly, the sound both teasing and almost affectionate. "You're so determined to act like you're tired. But I know better. You've got a lot on your mind, don't you?"

Ayaka didn't respond immediately. She was too tired, too frustrated. "You just don't know when to quit, do you?" She muttered.

Akihiko paused for a moment, as if contemplating his next words. Then, as if casually asking about the weather, he said, "So… how's Kazumi? I bet he's been keeping you busy. You two are getting along, right?"

Ayaka froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden shift in topic. "Kazumi? What does he have to do with anything?" She replied, trying to sound nonchalant, though she could hear the subtle tension in her own voice.

"Oh, nothing at all." Akihiko's voice was smooth, almost too smooth.

"Just wondering if you're spending more time with him... or maybe someone else from the group?" He added, as though it were a casual afterthought.

Ayaka's stomach twisted, but she quickly shoved the feeling aside. "Why would you care? It's none of your business." She snapped, trying to brush off the question.

But Akihiko wasn't about to let it go. "I'm just curious. You know, you're in a big group of writers now. I bet you've got a lot of admirers."

His voice lowered, a teasing lilt creeping in. "Any of the guys giving you trouble? Maybe someone else has caught your eye?"

Ayaka's eyes widened slightly, her irritation rising, but she wasn't about to let him get under her skin. "What's this? Are you jealous or something?"

Akihiko laughed softly, but there was a flicker of something beneath the surface, something Ayaka couldn't quite place. "Jealous? I told you I never get jealous and please. Why would I be jealous of any guy in your group? I'm just asking, out of curiosity."

Ayaka crossed her arms over her chest, still trying to hold onto her frustration. "Well, stop asking about it then. I'm too sleepy for all of these!"

Akihiko smirked on the other end of the line. "Hmm, I see. So, you're still too focused on that novel of yours, huh? Well, I suppose you're getting it done, at least."

Ayaka rolled her eyes, fighting the sleepiness threatening to take over her body. "I'm trying, okay? It's not easy when people keep bugging me all the time."

Akihiko's voice dropped lower, like he was playing a game. "Oh, I'm not trying to bother you, Ms. Midnight. But I do expect an update tomorrow. The next chapter better be as good as the last. No slacking off."

Ayaka gritted her teeth, trying to keep her tone steady despite the exhaustion weighing down her limbs. "I sent you an update already! What do you want, more from me?!"

Akihiko's response was casual, but there was a hint of teasing in his tone. "Well, yes, actually. I want to know what happens next. I'm curious about how your story unfolds."

She squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to focus. "I told you I'm tired! Just let me sleep. I can't keep writing at this hour!"

There was a pause, and for a moment, Ayaka thought he might finally relent. But then—

"So you're not going to tell me what happens next?" Akihiko's voice was playful, yet the challenge in it was unmistakable.

"Come on, just a little hint? I know you're still thinking about it. You're probably wondering if your characters are going to end up like they should, right?"

Ayaka couldn't hold it in anymore. "I'm trying to sleep!" She hissed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Akihiko chuckled again, clearly enjoying her irritation. "I don't know, Ms. Midnight. You sound pretty wide awake to me. Are you sure you're not just pretending to be annoyed because you want to talk to me?"

Ayaka's chest tightened, but she quickly dismissed the thought. "I don't want to talk to you. I just want to sleep!" She snapped.

He was silent for a moment, as though pretending to consider her words. Then, with that same teasing edge, he said, "Fine, fine. Sleep well, Ayaka. But tomorrow, I expect some answers. I'm not going anywhere."

With that, he ended the call.

Ayaka collapsed back onto her pillow, her mind racing. "I swear, that man... he really knows how to torture me!" She muttered, but despite her irritation, she couldn't help but feel a strange warmth spread through her chest.

Akihiko may have been pushing her buttons, but somehow, it felt like he was doing it for a reason.

She closed her eyes, trying to shake off the thoughts of him and finally let sleep claim her.