Chapter 28. The Hardest Words to Say

"WHAT?!"

Keiko and Yuki shrieked in unison, their voices piercing through the bustling restaurant like an unexpected fire alarm.

Nearby diners paused mid-bite, chopsticks frozen in the air, heads turning toward their table with raised eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Ayaka remained completely unfazed, sipping her drink with the grace of someone discussing the weather.

"Kazumi confessed?! And you—YOU—realized you're in love with Mr. Ice Prince?" Yuki nearly choked on her own words, pointing at Ayaka as if she had just admitted to committing high treason.

Keiko gasped dramatically, smacking the table. "Oh! Oh! I bet Mr. Nakamura already swept Ayaka off her feet when he saved her during that heart-stopping reunion! Talk about a real-life romance novel!"

Yuki folded her arms, nodding sagely. "No wonder Ayaka was being all vague about what happened that night. She was hiding something juicy!"

Keiko clutched Yuki's shoulders. "OF COURSE! It all makes sense now!"

Amid their escalating theatrics, Ayaka finally set her drink down and casually picked up the tongs to grill some meat, her expression unreadable. "Well… maybe I kept denying it because I got used to Akihiko's endless teasing and torment. But still, he's so sweet… He took me to my comfort place when I was feeling down, played games with me all night just to cheer me up… He even got so excited to give me a custom-made cardigan that looked exactly like the old one he accidentally poured coffee on… And those random sticker texts he sends when we're both busy? They always make me smile…"

Her voice softened, and a dreamy smile spread across her face. She was completely lost in the moment, drowning in warm, cherished memories—until—

**SIZZLE.**

Keiko's eyes widened in horror. "Uh… Ayaka? The meat—it's burning."

Ayaka barely registered the words, her dazed smile still in place. "I know! Maybe the love I have for him is as strong as the fire consuming this meat—"

WHOOSH!

The flames shot up, licking dangerously toward the ceiling. Gasps erupted from surrounding tables. A couple at the next table clutched each other in alarm.

A waiter took a hesitant step forward, unsure whether to intervene.

"AHHHH! NOOO! THE FLAMES ARE GETTING HIGHER!" Keiko shrieked, practically leaping out of her chair.

Ayaka finally snapped out of her trance, eyes going comically wide. "AHHHH! YOU'RE RIGHT! WHAT DO I DO?!"

Keiko grabbed the laminated menu and started fanning furiously. "WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING?!"

Diners were now openly staring. Some looked amused, others concerned. A mother shielded her child's eyes, whispering something about "bad influences."

"Ahhh, these two…" Yuki groaned, rubbing her temples. Taking matters into her own hands, she grabbed the pitcher of juice and dumped it over the grill.

**SIZZLE—FIZZLE—POOF!**

The flames hissed and died, leaving behind a pathetic, charred lump that was once meat.

Silence fell over the restaurant.

Ayaka let out a breath of relief, sinking back into her chair. "FINALLY! Crisis averted!"

Keiko flopped onto the table, fanning herself dramatically. "That was intense… I saw my life flash before my eyes."

Realizing how much of a scene they had caused, Yuki stood up and gave the restaurant a polite, deeply apologetic bow. "We sincerely apologize for the noise… and the minor fire hazard. Please continue enjoying your meals."

The crowd slowly returned to their food, though some were still sneaking glances at the chaotic trio.

Yuki sat back down with a sigh, crossing her arms. "You two… are absolutely ridiculous. I swear, neither of you paid attention in science class back in high school, did you?"

Keiko and Ayaka exchanged guilty looks—then burst into laughter.

"Waiter we need more meat here!" Ayaka happily called the waiter as she waved her hand.

Yuki sighed in exasperation. "Unbelievable..."

------

After the chaos of dinner—the fire, the stares, and Yuki's dramatic apology—the trio finally found refuge in the stillness of the night.

They strolled side by side, their footsteps echoing softly against the pavement as the city lights gradually dimmed behind them.

The cool breeze brushed against their faces, carrying with it the faint scent of rain-soaked asphalt and distant blossoms from a nearby garden.

It was the kind of night that felt like it held secrets, the sky a vast, dark canvas speckled with stars that blinked like tiny messengers watching over the world below.

They reached a small park tucked away between tall apartment buildings, its paths dimly lit by flickering lampposts.

The gentle rustle of leaves whispered in the breeze, mingling with the faint hum of distant traffic and the occasional chirp of crickets hidden in the grass.

A soft glow from a lone street lamp spilled over an empty bench, casting long shadows that stretched like quiet echoes of the day's drama. Without a word, they settled onto the bench.

The cool metal pressed against them, grounding them in the moment. The silence wasn't uncomfortable; it was filled with unspoken thoughts, the kind that only close friends could sit with without feeling the need to fill.

Yuki broke the quiet, her voice soft, reflective, yet laced with the familiar bluntness only a best friend could deliver. "You know, I'm really surprised Ayaka finally fell in love with someone."

Ayaka let out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of everything she'd been holding in.

She leaned back, her gaze lifting to the vast sky, her eyes tracing invisible constellations as if searching for answers among the stars. "I didn't expect it either… You know how I always tell you he tortures me with his teasing. But regardless… I miss him every time we don't talk."

Her confession lingered in the air, fragile and real.

Keiko giggled softly, nudging Yuki with her elbow, her grin teasing but warm. "Looks like Ayaka's fallen hopelessly."

Yuki chuckled in agreement, but her laughter faded as she caught the shadow flickering behind Ayaka's eyes.

There was something heavier hidden beneath her usual sarcasm and stubbornness.

Ayaka's smile wavered, replaced by a quiet frown. She stared down at her hands, her fingers fidgeting with the frayed edge of her sleeve.

Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely louder than the breeze. "But the only problem I have is Kazumi."

She paused, taking a shaky breath. "I feel like he's avoiding me after that confession. I just… I can't find the right time to turn him down. I don't want to hurt him."

Yuki sighed, leaning forward, resting her elbows on her knees, her fingers laced together.

Her expression softened, but her voice held steady, like an anchor in a storm. "Ayaka, the truth is… there's never going to be a 'perfect' time. It'll always feel hard because rejecting someone isn't easy. But the longer you wait, the more you're dragging it out for both of you."

Keiko nodded in agreement, her voice gentle but firm. "Imagine if you were in his shoes. Wouldn't you want to know the truth instead of being left to wonder? The uncertainty hurts more than the actual rejection."

Ayaka groaned, slumping forward, burying her face in her hands. "But what if he hates me after?" Her voice was muffled, filled with the kind of fear that comes from not wanting to lose something—or someone—important.

Yuki reached out, resting a reassuring hand on Ayaka's shoulder. "If he's a real friend, he won't hate you. He might feel hurt, sure. His pride might take a hit. But in the long run, he'll respect you for being honest. It's not about avoiding his pain—it's about not leading him on."

Keiko leaned in, her voice softer now, her usual playfulness tempered with sincerity. "You don't have to be harsh. Just be clear and kind. Tell him you value your friendship, but your heart belongs to someone else. Don't sugarcoat it too much, though—that can give false hope."

Ayaka peeked through her fingers, her eyes filled with worry. "What if I say the wrong thing?"

Yuki gave her a small, reassuring smile. "There's no 'perfect' script, Ayaka. Just speak from the heart. That's all anyone can do."

Keiko chimed in with a playful grin. "And maybe… don't confess near an open flame. We've had enough fire-related drama for one night."

Ayaka couldn't help but laugh, the tension in her chest loosening just a little. She wiped at the corner of her eyes, though she wasn't sure if it was from laughter or the emotions bubbling under the surface. Maybe both.

"You guys make it sound so easy..." she whispered, shaking her head.

Yuki leaned back against the bench, gazing up at the stars, her voice soft but filled with warmth. "That's what best friends are for—to make life's messes a little less complicated."

The three of them fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that didn't need to be filled with words.

The park seemed to hold its breath with them, the night sky wrapping around them like a soft blanket.

The distant hum of the city reminded them that life kept moving forward—messy, beautiful, and unpredictable.

And as Ayaka sat there, surrounded by the people who knew her best, she realized something: love wasn't supposed to be neat and tidy.

It was messy and complicated and sometimes overwhelming. But with friends like Yuki and Keiko by her side, she didn't have to face it alone.

"I really love you guys!" Ayaka pulled them both and hugged them.

Keiko and Yuki hugged back as they said in chorus.

"AND WE LOVE YOU TOO!"

-------

Back at her quarters as other writers like Yuriko and Akami were already sleeping peacefully, Ayaka flopped onto her bed with a heavy sigh, the soft mattress barely cushioning the weight pressing down on her chest.

The room was dimly lit, bathed in the pale glow of the moonlight streaming through the half-open curtains.

Shadows danced lazily on the walls, flickering like fragments of her tangled thoughts. The faint hum of the city outside was a distant, muffled heartbeat, steady and indifferent to the storm brewing inside her.

She stared up at the ceiling, her heart racing despite the stillness around her.

Her mind felt like a carousel spinning out of control—flashes of Kazumi's gentle smile, his hesitant eyes during that confession, and then—like a sharp contrast—Akihiko's face.

His teasing smirk, the glint in his piercing blue eyes, the way his voice lingered in her mind like an echo she couldn't shake.

"Why does thinking of Kazumi only make me feel more certain about Akihiko?"

She rolled onto her side, clutching her pillow tightly, her fingers digging into the fabric as if it could somehow ground her.

Her heart thumped louder now—not from confusion, but from clarity.

Each time Kazumi's face floated into her thoughts, it was Akihiko's shadow that loomed larger, bolder, undeniable.

The memories rushed in like a tide she couldn't hold back—his subtle kindness hidden beneath layers of sarcasm, the way he made her laugh even when she didn't want to, how his presence felt like both a challenge and a comfort all at once.

Her chest tightened, and she instinctively brought her hand to her heart, her fingers curling into the fabric of her shirt.

It was like trying to hold onto something fragile and fierce all at once. She knew now. She knew exactly what she had to do.

The realization hit her with the force of a wave crashing against the shore—there was no more room for hesitation.

The fear of hurting Kazumi, the guilt of turning him down—it was all still there, but beneath it was something stronger. The truth. And it was screaming to be set free.

Ayaka shot up from the bed, her eyes blazing with determination. She swung her legs over the edge, her feet hitting the cold floor like punctuation marks to her decision.

"Alright… I'll do it tomorrow!" she declared aloud, her voice slicing through the silence of the room like a sharp blade.

The words echoed back at her, bold and final. She could almost feel the adrenaline surging through her veins, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. This was it.

No more overthinking. No more second-guessing.

She stood up, pacing the room, her fists clenched at her sides as if fueling the fire building inside her. "I can do this. I will do this." She repeated it like a mantra, each word feeding her resolve.

She paused in front of the mirror, catching her reflection—wide-eyed, flushed with emotion, but undeniably fierce. "You've got this, Ayaka..." she whispered to herself, a small, determined smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

The battle wasn't just about rejecting Kazumi. It was about finally choosing herself—her heart, her truth, her happiness. And tomorrow, she was going to face it head-on.

With one final breath, she climbed back into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. But sleep wouldn't come easily tonight. Her heart was too busy racing toward tomorrow.