Chapter 39. Under Moonlit Games

As the fiery sun dipped below the horizon, casting streaks of crimson and gold across the sky, Ayaka found herself wandering the shoreline alone.

The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing gently against the sand echoed in her ears like a distant lullaby.

The evening breeze toyed with her long hair, sending strands whipping around her face, and her light dress billowed behind her like a fragile sail.

It felt as though she had stepped into the climax of some sweeping romantic film—the kind where time slows, and all that's left is the breathtaking scenery and the ache of something unsaid.

Her eyes were fixed on the glowing horizon, mesmerized by the beauty of the dying day.

So lost was she in the vivid palette of oranges and purples, she didn't notice when she suddenly collided with someone.

Startled, she stumbled back, her heart leaping in her chest.

"Ah—" Both she and the person she'd bumped blinked at each other in shock.

"Kazumi?!" Ayaka gasped.

Kazumi's eyes widened just as much. "What the hell?! YOU?!"

Their voices overlapped, incredulous. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

Kazumi was the first to recover, crossing his arms as he gave a half-smirk. "Isn't it obvious? I'm watching the sunset."

Ayaka straightened up, brushing her dress off. "Well, I'm watching the sunset too! It's a public beach, you know!" she shot back, rolling her eyes, though her heart was still racing from the encounter.

Kazumi glanced out at the sea, the wind tousling his dark hair. "Oh, by the way..." he added offhandedly, "I told Nakamura that you turned me down."

Ayaka froze. "W-what?!" Her voice rose slightly as she snapped her head toward him. "What does that have to do with him?!"

Kazumi chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as if she'd missed something painfully obvious.

He stepped closer, leaned down, and tapped her lightly on the shoulder. "Geez, you're too slow, Ayaka. When will you catch on?"

Before she could demand an explanation, he was already turning away, hands shoved casually in his pockets.

"Oh, and by the way—your prince is here." He tossed a wink over his shoulder, walking off just as another figure came into view.

It was Akihiko.

As the two passed each other, Kazumi paused briefly beside him. Without looking, he murmured just loud enough for Akihiko to hear, "Don't hurt her."

Akihiko's lips quirked into a grin, not offering a response. Kazumi gave a faint smile back before continuing on his way.

Ayaka, still processing what had just happened, quickly approached Akihiko. "Hey... did Kazumi say something weird to you just now?" she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

Akihiko glanced at her casually, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. "Nothing worth repeating." he replied smoothly.

Then, extending his hand toward her, he added, "Come on. Let's watch the sunset together. Shall we?"

Ayaka hesitated, her gaze flickering between his outstretched hand and his unreadable expression.

Without a word, she placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth of his palm against hers. 'My heart... it's pounding so loud...'

Together, they strolled along the shore, fingers intertwined, the evening glow casting a golden hue over everything.

Still, Ayaka couldn't stop wondering. 'We could've watched it without holding hands… so why did he offer his?'

She broke the silence with a soft giggle. "Funny… whether it's sunrise or sunset, it feels like we've always watched them together."

Akihiko glanced at her, his eyes reflecting the fading light. He spoke so quietly she almost missed it. "Maybe… it's more beautiful when I watch it with you."

Ayaka's breath caught in her throat, but before she could respond, he spoke again.

"Ayaka." Akihiko's tone dropped, more serious this time.

"Hm?" She tilted her head curiously.

His gaze stayed on the horizon, but his voice was low, deliberate. "Are you… interested in someone?"

The words hit her like a gust of wind, catching her completely off guard. She froze, heat flaring in her cheeks. "W-what?! W-why are you suddenly asking that?!" she stammered, quickly looking away.

Akihiko didn't budge. He leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them. "I'm serious." he murmured.

Before Ayaka could even think of an answer, a voice called out, breaking the tension like a sudden slap.

"AYAKA—!"

It was Yuki, bounding over to them, wide-eyed. "O-oh, sorry! Did I interrupt something?" she asked, eyes darting between them nervously. "I just wanted to say dinner's ready!"

Ayaka almost sagged in relief, grabbing Yuki's arm quickly. "N-no! You're fine! Let's go!" she exclaimed, practically dragging her away. "Akihiko, come on!"

As she hurried off, Akihiko's expression hardened. He'd seen it—the way she flustered and dodged his question. It was clear now. She was interested in someone.

He followed behind them silently, his thoughts unreadable, as they made their way back to the villa.

Inside, the atmosphere shifted immediately.

"They're here!" Keiko called from the dining area.

"Hurry up! Let's eat already—the game's about to start!" Haruto added, grinning like a child.

"What game?" Hikaru asked through a mouthful of food.

Haruto leaned forward mischievously. "Oh, you know… the same ridiculous game we used to play back in high school."

Sota raised an eyebrow. "We played a lot of ridiculous games back then."

Haruto's grin widened. "Well… tonight, we're bringing back The Test of Courage!" he announced theatrically. "We'll divide into groups of three, and the first team to make it back to the villa wins a prize!"

Kazumi cocked an eyebrow. "Even you're playing?"

"Of course! It's my birthday, after all!" Haruto laughed. "And I have no idea what the prize is—I told the caretaker to handle it!"

He gestured dramatically to a large fishbowl on the table, filled with folded papers. "Now! The fates of your teams lie in here!"

One by one, everyone grabbed a slip of paper, unfolding them at the same time. The groupings were revealed:

Shou, Emi, Keiko

Akihiko, Kazumi, Haruto

Yuki, Ayaka, Hikaru

Sota, Ryuuji, Kaito

There were mixed reactions—some laughs, some groans—but none more noticeable than Akihiko, whose eyes flicked toward Kazumi with thinly veiled displeasure.

Kazumi wasted no time, flashing a grin. "Well, well… looks like we're in the same group, Dr. Nakamura! Too bad Ayaka's not with you. Must be disappointing, huh?" He gave him a teasing nudge.

Akihiko responded coolly without missing a beat. "At least now I know which team will come in last, considering you're in it."

Kazumi bristled, glaring. "W-why, you—!"

Before he could fire back, the caretaker appeared, accompanied by a few staff members, a map in hand.

"Alright, everyone! You've got your teams, yes?" he called out. "Everything's set for tonight's game! There will be checkpoints, puzzles, and people stationed at various points to guide you—or scare you." He smirked. "The first group back wins."

Everyone leaned in as the caretaker laid the map flat, explaining the route they would need to follow, the tasks waiting at each checkpoint, and a few… surprises along the way.

The villa buzzed with excitement, laughter, and just a hint of nervous anticipation.

------

The night air was crisp, and the faint rustling of leaves echoed in the quiet before the storm of excitement.

Beneath the moonlit sky, everyone stood assembled at the villa's entrance, grouped together, holding flashlights and nervous energy.

The caretaker stood front and center, practically vibrating with anticipation. "Alright, everyone! Four checkpoints are scattered through the forest. At each, you'll face a riddle or puzzle. Solve it, get the next map piece, and move on. First team back wins!"

The caretaker added, "Watch out… there may be some scares hidden between checkpoints."

A whistle blew, and the teams dashed into the woods.

First Checkpoint: The Riddle of the Lanterns

Ayaka's group arrived at the first checkpoint where a stand displayed five colored lanterns and a parchment:

Riddle: "Five lanterns burn bright, each a different hue, 

One holds the key that will let you pass through. 

Red tells lies, Blue is sly, 

Green speaks truth, Yellow asks why. 

White gives hints but never clear, 

Choose the right one, or stay stuck here."

Hikaru scratched his head. "This is confusing…"

Ayaka leaned in, thoughtfully. "Green speaks truth. Let's try green."

Sure enough, tucked inside the green lantern was the next map piece.

"Nice one, Ayaka!" Yuki cheered, and they hurried on.

Meanwhile – Akihiko's Group at the First Checkpoint:

Kazumi groaned at the riddle. "What's this nonsense?"

Haruto scratched his head, muttering about trick questions.

Akihiko, calm and analytical, scanned the riddle once, twice, then silently walked over to the green lantern without a word, opening it.

There it was—the next map piece.

Kazumi blinked. "Wait, how'd you know?!"

Akihiko merely shrugged. "The wording was obvious."

Haruto laughed, clapping him on the back. "Nakamura's sharper than he looks!"

Second Checkpoint: The Puzzle of Shadows

Ayaka's group reached a clearing where animal silhouettes danced against a cloth screen.

Puzzle: "Arrange these shadows in the order the sun sees them: 

The flower, the owl, the rooster, the moon, the fox."

Ayaka's brow furrowed. "Rooster at dawn, flower blooming next, fox at dusk, owl at night, moon last."

They arranged them, and the path forward lit up.

Akihiko's Group – Second Checkpoint:

Kazumi was already arguing about the order of the shadows.

Akihiko stood back, arms folded, quietly observing.

Without fanfare, he stepped forward and shifted the cutouts swiftly: rooster, flower, fox, owl, moon.

Checkpoint cleared.

Kazumi grumbled. "Show-off."

Haruto laughed. "Hey, at least he's carrying us!"

The Ghost Costume Scare:

Ayaka's group ventured deeper into the woods, flashlight beams flickering uneasily. The trees seemed to close in, shadows stretching long and thin.

Then—

Out of nowhere, a ghostly figure in a white costume leapt out, shrieking.

Yuki screamed and bolted, dragging Hikaru.

Ayaka, caught off guard, stumbled backward, tripping over roots. Her flashlight dropped, beam spinning wildly as she panicked and ran in the opposite direction, heart pounding.

------

At the next checkpoint, Kazumi and Haruto squabbled about the puzzle.

But Akihiko paused.

His gaze flickered through the trees. His groupmates were too noisy, too distracted—but something in him prickled.

He glanced back toward the dark trail they'd passed.

Without a word, he silently veered off the path, slipping into the deeper forest.

------

Ayaka slowed, chest heaving, realizing she was lost. Her voice trembled as she called, "Yuki? Matsuda?"

Only the rustle of leaves replied.

Then—the ghost figure reappeared.

Frozen in terror, Ayaka backed away.

Suddenly—

A hand grabbed hers, steady and warm.

"Ayaka."

She looked up—Akihiko, his calm blue eyes meeting hers.

"A-Akihiko…"

He gently pulled her toward him, wrapping his arms around her protectively. "You're alright. It's me."

She felt his heartbeat against her cheek, grounding her panic.

"I noticed you were not with your group." He murmured softly.

Her grip tightened on his jacket. "I was so scared…"

His hand brushed the hair from her face. "Let's go. I've got you."

Without letting go, he led her back through the forest, his presence unwavering.

Meanwhile Yuki and Hikaru reached the third checkpoint, gasping. "Wait… Ayaka's not here!!"

At another point, Kazumi and Haruto paused. "Where the hell is Nakamura?"

Everyone exchanged worried glances as they realized—two people were missing.

One by one, the teams trickled back. Shou, Emi, and Keiko's group came in first, panting but triumphant.

"We won!!!" Keiko cheered, waving the prize—a small golden trophy.

But concern clouded the victory as people glanced around.

"Where's Ayaka? And Akihiko?" Yuki asked nervously.

Just then, two figures appeared through the trees—Akihiko and Ayaka, hand in hand, stepping into the lantern light.

"They're here!" Keiko cried.

Yuki ran to Ayaka. "What happened?!"

Ayaka smiled weakly. "I got separated… Akihiko found me."

Kazumi smirked knowingly. "Hero of the night, huh?"

Akihiko said nothing, but his hand lingered at Ayaka's back, guiding her toward the villa.

Haruto grinned. "Looks like some people had more fun than we did."

Ayaka's heart raced—not from fear anymore, but from something far more dangerous, something she couldn't name yet.

-----

Laughter and chatter echoed through the spacious villa as everyone settled into the cozy living room.

Plates of snacks and drinks were laid out, and the atmosphere was light, buzzing with post-game energy.

Keiko proudly displayed their trophy on the coffee table. "Victory tastes sweet!" she sang, grinning as Emi and Shou high-fived her.

Haruto leaned back, stretching. "Alright, alright, the winners get bragging rights—but seriously, how did Nakamura manage to vanish mid-game and still come back with Ayaka like some prince in a fairytale?"

The others laughed, all eyes turning toward Ayaka and Akihiko, who had quietly taken seats at opposite ends of the room.

Yuki, ever the instigator, leaned toward Ayaka. "Come on, Ayaka! Don't leave us hanging! What happened out there?"

Ayaka's cheeks burned. She waved her hands defensively. "I-I got separated, that's all. Akihiko just… found me."

Kazumi snorted, raising his glass. "Just found you,' huh? Must be nice to have Dr. Ice Prince on speed dial when you're lost."

Akihiko remained perfectly composed, swirling the drink in his hand lazily, saying nothing—though his gaze flickered briefly to Ayaka.

Sota laughed. "Bet you two took your sweet time getting back."

Ayaka fumbled, stammering. "N-no! We just—"

Haruto chuckled. "Say no more. Prince Akihiko to the rescue."

The group roared with laughter again, the teasing relentlessly. Ayaka tried to laugh along, but every time her eyes drifted to Akihiko, her heart thudded faster.

Later That Night...

The party slowly mellowed, people yawning and stretching, wandering off to their rooms one by one.

Ayaka lingered in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water, trying to calm the flutter still stirring in her chest.

"Still awake?"

She froze, glancing up to see Akihiko standing by the doorway, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

"Ah… yeah." she murmured, gripping her glass tighter.

Silence stretched between them for a moment.

Then, Akihiko stepped closer, stopping just a breath away.

"Back there… in the forest." His voice was quiet, low. "Were you really that scared?"

Ayaka swallowed, unable to meet his eyes. "I-I was just surprised. That costume came out of nowhere…"

But before she could ramble further, she felt his fingers lightly brush a strand of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear.

"You didn't have to run so far. I would've found you sooner."

Her breath caught.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed too narrow to just him—his intense gaze, his steady presence.

"I… didn't mean to cause trouble." she whispered, voice small.

He leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a murmur. "Next time, stay close to me."

Ayaka's heart hammered wildly.

Then, as quickly as it came, the moment passed. Akihiko pulled back, his usual calm smile returning.

"Good night, Ayaka."

And with that, he turned, disappearing down the hall, leaving her standing there—blushing furiously, fingers still tingling from where he'd touched her.