Chapter 30. The Silence Between Us

"It's already been six days, and Kazumi is still avoiding me. This has to end today!"

Ayaka exhaled sharply, her fingers gripping the edge of the table as her eyes lingered on the familiar figure across the room.

Even in the bustling hospital, where voices blended into a chaotic symphony of urgency, Kazumi stood out.

His dark hair was slightly tousled, the usual sharpness in his gaze replaced by an unreadable mask of detachment.

She watched as he moved efficiently, issuing quiet orders to his team, his presence as commanding as ever. But never once—not once—did his eyes drift toward her.

Ayaka slumped forward, resting her forehead on the table. The dull ache in her chest hadn't subsided since the day he started ignoring her.

A page flipped beside her.

"Ayaka, you do realize this hospital is overflowing with patients, right?" Akami's voice was matter-of-fact as she skimmed through her book, barely lifting her gaze.

"You should eat while you can. We won't have any breaks later."

Ayaka groaned softly. She knew Akami was right.

The day ahead would be exhausting. Still, her appetite felt nonexistent.

She forced herself to sit up, reaching for the pre-packed bento beside her.

The flavors were familiar—warm rice, sweet tamagoyaki, lightly seasoned fish—but everything tasted muted, as if her senses had dulled.

Her eyes wandered again.

Shota and Takeshi stood near the nurses' station, chatting animatedly with a small group of hospital staff.

A few nurses giggled at something Takeshi said, their eyes sparkling with admiration.

Ayaka sighed. "They always seem so full of energy."

She wished she could borrow even a fraction of it.

Slipping her hand into her pocket, she pulled out her phone, tapping the screen instinctively.

But instead of the usual notification from Akihiko—his teasing messages or random updates—her inbox was silent.

A strange feeling crept into her chest.

Akihiko never missed a day. Even when he was busy, he always sent at least a single message.

Her fingers hovered over the screen before she locked her phone and placed it back on the table.

"He's probably busy..." she told herself, though the words rang hollow.

------

"Alright! Break's over! Writers, please take your designated seats!"

The facilitator's voice rang through the room, snapping Ayaka out of her thoughts. She pushed back her chair, smoothing the wrinkles from her blouse as she stood.

Her gaze immediately flickered toward Kazumi.

He was still there. Still focused on his work.

A breath of relief escaped her lips. "At least he's still here… I might actually be able to talk to him later."

With newfound determination, she made her way toward the signing table, adjusting the stack of books before her.

The event had officially begun, and the first person in line caught her attention.

He wasn't a doctor. He didn't look like a patient, either.

He stood tall, exuding a presence that commanded attention without even trying. His golden-blonde hair caught the overhead lights, each strand shimmering like silk.

It wasn't just the color that stood out, but the way it effortlessly framed his strikingly symmetrical face—sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and a confident smirk that could disarm anyone in seconds.

And then there were his eyes—piercing green, vivid and alive, holding a mischievous glint as if he was always in on some untold joke.

The nurses near the front of the room began whispering among themselves, their eyes subtly drifting toward him.

He was the kind of man who naturally attracted attention, effortlessly magnetic in the way he carried himself.

Ayaka studied him, her brows furrowing slightly. "He seems familiar…"

Before she could place him, his lips curled into a dazzling grin.

"Ms. Midnight!" he greeted enthusiastically, his voice smooth yet bursting with energy.

"I finally made it! I swear, I've been trying to catch you at every stop on this tour, but by the time I arrive, you're already gone!"

Ayaka blinked. And then it clicked.

"Oh! I remember now!" She leaned forward, her expression brightening. "I've seen you all the time in my book signing events. I even told myself maybe I won't see you this time since our target audience are people in the hospital."

His laughter was warm, effortlessly charming. "Well I've finally caught up to you! Today is a lucky day!"

There was something about his presence—his confidence, the easy way he spoke—that made the air around them feel lighter.

"Thank you so much for always supporting me." Ayaka said genuinely, picking up her pen.

His green eyes softened. "No, thank you. Your books have been a huge part of my life. I can't tell you how much I look forward to your stories. They've… helped me through a lot."

For a moment, Ayaka was caught off guard. She felt an unexpected warmth bloom in her chest.

"I can't wait for your next signing event." he added, his usual excitement returning. "And this time, I'll make sure I'm first in line again!"

Ayaka chuckled, signing his book with a flourish. "I'll look forward to it."

Then, the next person in line stepped forward.

A frail, elderly woman.

Her back was slightly bent with age, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she clutched the book close to her chest.

Deep wrinkles lined her face, each one a testament to years of life and experience.

But despite her aged appearance, her eyes held an undeniable warmth—gentle yet filled with quiet strength.

Ayaka greeted her with a soft smile. "Hello, ma'am. Who should I sign this for?"

The woman's lips curled into a tender smile. "For my granddaughter... Can you actually use her nickname Chi? Her name is Chiharu but she told me once, she wants you and only you to sign her name as Chi because reading your books made her feel like for once, she had a friend by her side..."

Ayaka paused mid-signature, feeling a flutter in her heart. "That's very sweet of her... I'll just use Chi then! Will she be reading it later?"

The woman's gaze lowered slightly as she ran her fingers along the book's cover, almost as if she were caressing something precious. "She… wanted to be here today. But she can't get out of bed."

A lump formed in Ayaka's throat.

The old woman inhaled deeply before continuing. "She's been in and out of the hospital for years now. Your books… they give her something to look forward to. They take her to places she may never get to see."

Ayaka's grip on her pen tightened.

Her stories had always been an escape for herself, but hearing this—knowing her words had given someone else comfort, even in the darkest moments—hit differently.

Carefully, she finished signing the book, then looked up and met the woman's gaze.

"Thank you for sharing that with me. It means more than you know."

The elderly woman's smile trembled, her eyes glistening. "No, dear. Thank you. You've given my granddaughter hope."

Ayaka swallowed the emotions threatening to rise. She gently closed the book and handed it back with both hands.

"Please tell her I'm thinking of her. And if she ever wants to meet me… I'd love to visit." With that, she handed the old lady her contact number at work.

The woman's eyes widened before a tear slipped down her cheek. "That would mean the world to her."

As the elderly woman walked away, Ayaka sat still, pressing a hand to her chest.

This—this—was why she wrote.

Not just for the stories.

But for the people who needed them.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture, looking at the long line of fans still waiting for her.

Ayaka exhaled, rolling her shoulders as she prepared for the next fan. But something inside her had shifted.

That interaction—reminded her why she wrote in the first place.

It wasn't just about telling stories. It was about connecting with people.

She glanced at the long line of fans waiting for her, each of them holding her books with eager anticipation.

A genuine smile tugged at her lips.

"Maybe I should do book signings more often…" she murmured, picking up her pen once more.

This time, her heart felt a little lighter.

------

Hours passed, and the once lively event space began to empty.

The hum of excited conversations faded into the soft rustling of papers being stacked, chairs being pushed back, and crew members working swiftly to pack up the remaining equipment.

The golden glow of the setting sun filtered through the wide hospital windows, casting elongated shadows across the room.

Outside, the sky bled into brilliant shades of orange, pink, and violet, painting a breathtaking contrast against the cold, sterile walls of the hospital.

Ayaka barely noticed.

Her world had narrowed to a singular focus—the man standing across the room.

Kazumi.

"I really need to talk to him..." She whispered.

Even with the noise of the cleanup, the fading chatter, and the facilitator's booming voice cutting through the air, her eyes never left him.

"All of you did a great job today!" the facilitator called out, clapping his hands together.

"Tomorrow marks the final stop of our tour—Tokyo Medical Center! Make sure to bring your A-game because this time… we're broadcasting live!"

A ripple of excitement spread through the team, murmurs of anticipation bubbling among them.

But Ayaka remained still.

Kazumi hadn't reacted at all.

Even as the others exchanged words of encouragement and laughter, he stood alone, his posture rigid, his attention fixed on the tablet in his hands.

The screen illuminated his face in the dimming light, but his expression was unreadable—detached, focused.

Ayaka's heart pounded against her ribs, the weight of six days pressing down on her like an unbearable force.

She had waited long enough, she knew what she needed to do even if it will hurt him.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her strides purposeful.

Slowly, his head lifted, and his eyes—dark, deep, turbulent—finally met hers.

"Kazumi!"