Chapter 32. Hushed Reverie

Evening had finally settled in, wrapping the city in a quiet embrace.

The company quarters were dimly lit, the occasional creak of a bed or the soft hum of the air conditioner breaking the stillness.

Ayaka tiptoed into her shared room, moving like a trained ninja to avoid waking her sleeping roommates.

After the long day of rehearsals, her body ached, her feet throbbed, and all she wanted to do was sink into the comfort of her bed and disappear into sleep. 

Tomorrow was a big day—their special performance for the book signing event at Tokyo Medical Center.

Despite rehearsing until she was practically sleepwalking, a nervous excitement buzzed in her veins.

After all, she wasn't just performing for the event. She knew he would be there. 

Ayaka plopped onto her bed with an exaggerated groan, dramatically flinging her arm over her forehead.

Just as she started to drift off, her phone vibrated against the nightstand.

The sound sent a jolt of energy through her, and she practically lunged for it. 

Her lips curled into a knowing smile as she saw the name flashing on the screen. 

Akihiko.

Finally. 

She had been waiting for this all day—not that she'd admit it.

But the moment she opened the message, her excitement immediately turned into a pout. 

'Just because I haven't been texting you doesn't mean you can slack off and ignore my requests. Where's my update on the latest chapter?'

Ayaka groaned dramatically, rolling onto her stomach and kicking her feet in frustration.

"He barely texted today and when he did, it was this? Not a simple 'how are you?' or even a 'good luck for tomorrow?' Nope. Just they typically Ice Prince Akihiko checking in like a strict editor."

Muttering under her breath, she quickly typed out a reply. 

Oh? Not busy anymore, perhaps? Is that why you're suddenly bugging me?'

The response was almost instant. 

'Or maybe you were waiting for my message. That was fast. Did you miss me?'

Ayaka scoffed. "The audacity..." Yet her cheeks were bright red.

She got back to her senses, propped herself up on her elbows, narrowing her eyes at the screen. "Ugh, he's so full of himself!" she muttered, though she couldn't stop the amused grin tugging at her lips. 

'Why would I wait for your message when all you do is torment me?'

To emphasize her point, she attached a dramatic sticker of a tiny character flailing around in distress. 

Another vibration. 

'I call it 'motivation.' You should be thanking me.' 

Ayaka nearly dropped her phone. "Was he serious?!"

'Oh yes, thank you so much, O Mighty Akihiko, for your endless support. I feel so incredibly blessed to have you breathing down my neck like an overbearing editor.'

There was a pause. Then— 

'You're welcome. It's nice to see you finally acknowledging my importance.'

Her mouth fell open. 

"Oh my gosh, this man!" she whisper-shouted into her pillow before huffing out another reply. 

'I take it back. You're the worst.'

A few seconds later, her screen lit up again with a sticker—one of an unbothered chibi Akihiko sipping tea. 

She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. He was so annoying, so difficult to read, so—

Her phone buzzed again. 

'I look forward to your performance tomorrow. Get some rest. Good night.'

Ayaka blinked. 

It was short. Simple. Nothing overly sweet, nothing dramatic.

But for some reason, the warmth in her chest grew.

The Ice Prince could be cold, but sometimes… just sometimes, he knew exactly what to say. 

She hesitated before typing her next message. 

'Good night, Ice Prince.'

She hovered over the send button before quickly adding a sticker of a tiny penguin wrapped in a blanket. Satisfied, she pressed send and hugged her phone to her chest. 

Sleep slowly began to claim her, and with it, the last thought on her mind was whether Akihiko would actually admit he was looking forward to seeing her perform. 

With a small, knowing smile, she finally drifted off to sleep.

------

The next day, the moment finally arrived. The atmosphere at Tokyo Medical Center was electrifying, filled with the excited buzz of fans who had gathered for the book signing event.

The spacious hall was packed with people, the air brimming with enthusiasm and chatter.

Everywhere, there were eager faces, some clutching freshly bought copies of their favorite author's books, others holding well-worn books marked with sticky notes—clear signs of devoted readers hoping to have their favorite pages signed. 

Ayaka sat at the signing table, her usual composed and cheerful demeanor intact—at least on the surface.

She smiled, nodded, and exchanged pleasantries with every fan who stepped forward, her hands moving swiftly as she signed each book.

But despite her efforts to stay present, her mind was elsewhere. 

Her eyes flickered restlessly over the crowd every few seconds, searching, scanning, hoping. 

"Where is he?"

She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to push away the thought. It wasn't like she expected him to come. Well—maybe she did, just a little.

But Akihiko wasn't exactly the type to attend something like this. He didn't seem interested in books, much less in book signings. And yet, here she was, looking for him, as if willing him to appear. 

"Ms. Midnight, are you okay?" 

The voice snapped her out of her thoughts. A young fan stood before her, their head tilted in concern. 

"Huh?" Ayaka blinked, realizing she had been holding the book in her hands without signing it. 

She quickly put on her best smile. "Oh! I'm fine, I'm fine~!"

She let out a small laugh, smoothly signing her name before handing the book back. "Here you go! Thank you so much for coming!" 

The fan beamed and walked off, but Ayaka barely noticed. Her thoughts were too tangled up elsewhere. 

"He's not here...?" she muttered under her breath, her smile faltering for just a second. 

The hours dragged on. The line of fans never seemed to end, the same cycle repeating—smile, sign, small talk, repeat. Ayaka loved meeting her readers, truly, but today her mind was clouded, distant. 

Then, at last, a voice rang out over the speakers. 

"Alright! Let's take an hour break! Those performing, use this time to prepare!" the facilitator announced. 

A wave of relief washed over Ayaka as she put her pen down and stretched her arms.

She had been sitting for so long that her shoulders ached, but instead of focusing on that, she took the opportunity to scan the room one last time. 

Nothing. No familiar silver hair. No piercing blue eyes. 

"Am I really expecting him to watch me...?" 

She exhaled through her nose, shaking her head at herself. "Don't be silly, Ayaka. He's probably working right now. You know how he is."

Just as she was about to turn away— 

"HEY!" 

A heavy hand smacked down on her shoulder. 

"AHHHH!!!" 

Ayaka shrieked, practically jumping out of her seat. She spun around, wide-eyed, to find a grinning Takeshi standing there, looking far too pleased with himself. 

"Takeshi!" she groaned, clutching her chest.

"Can you stop greeting me like that?! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" 

Takeshi just laughed, completely unfazed by her reaction. "It's your fault for being so easy to scare!" he teased, crossing his arms. 

Ayaka huffed, shaking off the lingering adrenaline in her veins.

Before she could fully recover, Takeshi suddenly draped his arm over her shoulders and gave them a reassuring squeeze. 

"Come on, we're about to start practicing!" he said, his usual energy never waning. 

Ayaka hesitated. Her nerves, which she had been trying to suppress all morning, started creeping back up. 

Sensing her hesitation, Takeshi gave her a more serious look. "Listen, Ayaka." He gripped her shoulders slightly, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"You can do this, alright? If you forget the tune, just follow Shota. You don't need a perfect voice. No one's expecting you to be a professional singer. Just have fun with it. We believe in you." 

Ayaka's lips parted slightly. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. 

Takeshi had always been like this—loud, energetic, sometimes insufferable—but when it mattered, he always knew the right words to say. 

She swallowed, then gave a small nod. "O-Okay... I'll do my best." 

"That's the spirit!" Takeshi grinned and clapped her on the back, nearly knocking the air out of her. "Now let's go practice!" 

As they headed toward the stage, the sounds of the bustling book signing event faded into the background. Ayaka took a deep breath, steadying herself. 

Whether or not he was watching, she had a performance to give.

------

The lights dimmed slightly, casting a warm glow over the stage as the master of ceremonies stepped forward, microphone in hand.

The energy in the room was electric, anticipation crackling in the air like a prelude to something unforgettable.

"ARE YOU READY TO HEAR FROM OUR WRITERS?!" the MC's voice boomed across the hall, sending a ripple of excitement through the audience.

A chorus of cheers erupted. Applause thundered through the space, fans clapping and whistling in excitement. The atmosphere was alive, buzzing with enthusiasm.

"THEN LET'S GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR—DREAMCATCHER'S MELODY!" the MC declared, his voice filled with infectious energy.

The audience roared in response, their excitement reaching a fever pitch as the stage lights shifted, illuminating the performers who stepped into position.

At the center, Shota adjusted the microphone, testing it with a quick tap before speaking.

His voice carried a deep sincerity, his words resonating through the hall.

"This song is dedicated to our heroes—the people who work tirelessly to save lives," he said, pausing to let his words sink in. "To our dear healthcare workers… this is for you."

A wave of murmurs swept through the audience, some people nodding in appreciation, others already visibly moved.

Then, the first notes filled the air.

Takeshi strummed his guitar, a soft but steady rhythm setting the foundation, while Akami's fingers danced across the piano keys, weaving a melody that was both haunting and hopeful.

Shota closed his eyes briefly, drawing in a deep breath before he started to sing.

"To our dear heroes;

You have fought so hard;

So hard, sometimes it leaves scars

Every day, you face a war..."

His voice was smooth yet powerful, carrying the weight of every word. The lyrics weren't just lines in a song; they were a story—a tribute to the silent struggles of those on the frontlines.

Then, Ayaka stepped forward, her voice blending seamlessly into the next verse.

"Through darkness and storms

You sacrifice yourselves

To save a dear life

In need of help..."

Her voice was softer, more delicate, yet laced with emotion that sent shivers down the spines of those listening.

There was something raw in the way she sang, as if she understood—truly understood—the depth of what these words meant.

Shota and Ayaka shared a brief glance, nodding in unison before launching into the chorus together.

Their voices merged into a beautiful harmony, filling every corner of the room.

"Oh angels in white

Come home safe tonight

We wish for your safety

As you save our lives..."

The melody soared, carrying the heartfelt plea to the very people it was dedicated to.

Some audience members had their hands clasped together, moved by the message. Others wiped away quiet tears, overcome with emotion.

"Oh angels in white

You'd do everything to make us better

Even when you have all the time you spare

You gave us gentle and loving care..."

As Ayaka sang, her eyes instinctively roamed the crowd, scanning the faces in the audience. She searched, hoping—no, praying—to catch a glimpse of silver hair and piercing blue eyes.

But he wasn't there.

Her heart clenched slightly, the disappointment settling deep in her chest. 'He really didn't come…?'

She forced herself to push the feeling aside. She had to stay focused. She had to finish the performance.

The final notes of the song faded, leaving behind a heavy silence before the room erupted into thunderous applause.

The cheers were deafening. People stood from their seats, clapping, whistling, and even shouting words of appreciation.

Ayaka smiled, bowing along with the rest of the group, but inside, she felt a dull ache.

Akihiko hadn't come.

As the event wrapped up, the stage lights dimmed, and the facilitators began tidying up.

Ayaka remained standing at the edge of the stage, eyes still scanning the hall even as the crowd began to disperse.

Still… no sign of him.

"Ayaka!"

A burst of energy hit her as Akami suddenly threw her arms around her in an excited hug. "We have to head back to the company for the after-party!" she beamed.

"Good job, everyone!" Takeshi grinned, giving them all a big thumbs-up. "I have to say, that performance was incredible—especially the duet between Shota and Ayaka!"

"Agreed." Shota added, adjusting his glasses with a small, satisfied smile. "It went even better than expected. A solid performance."

Ayaka nodded, offering a small smile in return, but her mind was elsewhere.

As they made their way outside, the van was already waiting for them, the engine humming softly.

But just before climbing in, Ayaka turned one last time, her gaze lingering on the towering building of the hospital.

Still nothing.

No Akihiko. No explanation. No message.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, gripping the edge of her coat tightly before exhaling slowly.

Maybe he never planned to come in the first place.