Loneliness

Two Weeks Ago

Mia stood outside Aoi and Haru's apartment, leaning against her expensive car, her fingers drumming anxiously against the hood.

This felt weird.

She shouldn't be doing this.

Aoi had been her brother-in-law in her past life. And now she was standing here, about to ask him out? The thought alone made her stomach twist in discomfort. But she forced herself to push past it.

This was necessary. If she wanted Haru's attention, she needed to follow through.

Not long after, Aoi pulled into the driveway, stepping out of his car. He barely spared her a glance as he locked the door behind him.

"If you're waiting for Haru, I hate to tell you he's not here," Aoi said, already turning toward the apartment.

Before he could walk away, Mia quickly stepped in front of him, flashing a bright, practiced smile.

"Actually, I was waiting for you," she said.

Aoi raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"For me? Why?"

"I wanted to ask you out on a date," Mia said, clasping her hands behind her back as if she were nervous.

Aoi let out a dry chuckle. "You're asking me out when it's my brother you like?"

Mia fought the urge to grit her teeth.

"So, you heard our conversation yesterday, huh?" she replied, keeping her voice light.

"You were in my apartment. Hard not to," Aoi said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "And if this is some ploy to make my brother jealous, I wouldn't bother. From what I gathered yesterday, he doesn't like you."

Mia forced herself to giggle. "Mr. Soma, I have no intention of making Haru jealous," she said smoothly. "I've already accepted the fact that he has a girlfriend now."

"Right. So why are you asking me out?"

Mia batted her lashes. "Isn't it obvious? It's because I like you."

Aoi scoffed, shaking his head. He looked exhausted, like he didn't have the energy to entertain whatever game she was playing.

"Listen, although I'm flattered that a young beauty like you is interested, you don't know me," he said bluntly.

"Then let's date so I can get to know you," Mia countered, her voice soft, almost shy.

God, this is humiliating. Mia internally thought internally cringing.

Aoi sighed. She's persistent, I'll give her that.

"Yeah, thanks, but I'll pass," he said. "I don't think my brother would be too thrilled if I dated one of his classmates. And besides, I like older women."

"I'm very mature for my age!" Mia blurted, but Aoi was already walking away, clearly uninterested.

The second he disappeared inside, her fake smile vanished, replaced by a scowl.

She hated this.

Hated having to chase after Aoi when all she wanted was Haru. Hated how awkward it felt, knowing that in her past life, this man had been her brother-in-law.

But she had no choice.

Dating Aoi was just a stepping stone—a way to get Haru's attention. Once Haru saw how incredible she was, how rich, how irresistible, he'd realise what a mistake he'd made.

And when that moment came, Mia would remind him of how good they once were together—how much he had loved her in bed.

There was no way some pathetic, inexperienced virgin like Sakura could ever compete with that.

…

Aoi kicked off his shoes as soon as he entered his apartment, letting out a weary sigh. The silence that greeted him was almost deafening.

With Haru gone, the apartment felt emptier than ever. He had tried going out, hoping to distract himself, but most of his friends were too busy—either helping their wives take care of the kids or planning dates with their girlfriends. Aoi never minded being alone before, but lately, the solitude was beginning to weigh on him.

He made his way to the kitchen, rubbing the back of his neck. He was twenty-four, still unmarried, still without a girlfriend, while everyone around him seemed to be moving forward. Even his younger brother was in a relationship now.

Not that he ever had the time for dating. Being an accountant was exhausting, and by the time he got home from work, he barely had the energy to do anything besides eat and sleep. He had convinced himself for years that he was fine with that. But tonight… tonight, the loneliness gnawed at him more than usual.

He grabbed a bowl, poured in the instant noodles, and added hot water. Steam rose into the air, but the meal felt as unfulfilling as his routine.

It would be nice to have someone, he thought absently. A girlfriend. A wife. Someone waiting for him at home after a long day, greeting him with a warm smile. Someone who would cook for him, share meals with him, instead of this endless cycle of takeout and instant food.

Aoi exhaled through his nose, staring at the bowl as if it held the answer to his thoughts. He had long given up on dating after a few failed relationships. The girls he had dated all left him, saying the same thing—he was too boring and a workaholic—not romantic at all.

Maybe they were right.

Maybe that was just how his life was meant to be.

Alone.

…

For the next few days, Mia persisted, constantly finding ways to ask Aoi out. Every time she approached him, she made sure to smile brightly, her words wrapping around him like an unshakable cloud. She wouldn't take no for an answer, and her persistence began to gnaw at Aoi's patience.

By the fifth day, Aoi was at his breaking point. The endless messages, the unexpected run-ins, the constant nagging—it was all too much.

"Look, if you don't stop following me around like this, I swear I'll report you to the police for stalking," Aoi said, his voice steady but with an edge of frustration. He couldn't help but feel irritated by the relentless pursuit.

Mia, however, didn't flinch. She just grinned that smile of hers—the same one that always made his heart race a little, even if he hated to admit it. "If you'd just agree to go out with me, I wouldn't be doing this in the first place."

Aoi opened his mouth to respond, but the words stuck in his throat. He felt a weight settle deep in his chest. The loneliness he had been ignoring for so long surged, suffocating him. Every day he returned to an empty apartment. All his friends were busy with their families, his little brother was in a relationship, and here he was, twenty-four years old, still single.

For once, Aoi didn't feel the usual resistance to this strange woman in front of him. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to indulge her—just for once. It wasn't like he had anything else going on. The thought of a moment of escape, a break from his routine, was tempting.

"Fine," Aoi muttered, his voice quieter than he intended. "If I go on one date with you—and only one date—will you stop following me around?"

Mia blinked, her eyes lighting up, but there was a flicker of something in her gaze, a glint of calculation. She hadn't expected him to say yes so easily. She wanted more than just one date, but she knew pushing further would only make him say no. So, she took what she could get.

"Okay," Mia agreed quickly, her hand grabbing Aoi's in a quick, sudden motion. She pulled him toward her car with surprising strength. "Let's go."

Aoi stiffened, his mind racing as she led him forward. "What are you doing?" He tried to pull his arm away, confused by how easily he let her take control of the situation.

"Taking you to the movies," Mia said, her tone cheerful, almost too cheerful, as if she hadn't been chasing him down for days.

Aoi hesitated for a second, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in his stomach. "Well," he mumbled, "since I'm the guy, shouldn't we go in my car?"

Mia gave him a nonchalant smile. "Whatever is easiest for you." Her words were innocent enough, but the look in her eyes told a different story. She was pulling him closer, deeper into her game.

Aoi didn't have time to argue. He found himself too lost in the way she looked—her beauty, her charm. For a moment, he forgot his usual distance, the layers of hesitation he had built up over the years. His thoughts jumbled together, but one thing stood out clearly: She really is beautiful.

Aoi's heart skipped a beat.

Wait. Where did that thought even come from?