Chapter 34: Second Bloom of the Rose

As Tsukiko stepped down from the stage, the applause still ringing in her ears, The team approached her with a wide grin. "That was incredible, Dr. Takamura! As expected from my boss," said Souta. Their eyes sparkling with admiration. 

Then, with a teasing smirk, Natalie asked, "By the way… who's Haruki? You never told me about him."

Tsukiko's gaze instinctively flicked toward the back of the room, where she thought she had spotted him. But the crowd had already begun to disperse, and he was nowhere to be seen. Was it just my imagination? she wondered, her chest tightening.

Natalie tilted her head, noticing Tsukiko's distraction. "Are you okay?"

Tsukiko forced a small smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you."

The evening unfolded in celebration, with Tsukiko and her team enjoying a delightful dinner together. Conversations and laughter filled the room, but Tsukiko's mind was elsewhere. 

Haruki had been there—she was sure of it. He had heard her words. And though she couldn't quite understand why he had come, one thing was clear: she couldn't let this moment slip away.

As the group prepared to leave, Tsukiko abruptly stopped walking alongside her teammates. "You all go ahead. I think I left something behind," she said quickly, already turning back toward the hall.

Natalie called after her, "Wait! What did you forget?" But Tsukiko was already gone, leaving them exchanging confused glances.

Her heels clicked against the tiled hallway as she made her way back to the hall, her heart pounding. The once-bustling space was now nearly empty, the hum of conversation replaced by the quiet sounds of staff tidying up. Tsukiko's eyes darted around, scanning every corner, but all she found were cleaners sweeping the floor. The weight of disappointment began to settle in her chest.

Then, a voice broke through the silence. "Looking for me?"

She spun around, her breath catching. There he was—Haruki—leaning casually against the wall, hands in his pockets. His faint smile was as disarming as ever, a blend of quiet confidence and warmth that seemed to ground her in the moment.

"I… didn't know you'd be here," Tsukiko said, her voice softer than she intended.

Haruki shrugged lightly. "Didn't think I'd miss your big moment, did you? You were amazing up there… and beautiful."

Her lips parted in surprise, then curved into a shy smile. "Thank you," she said quietly. 

Haruki tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "You already said that up there." He gestured vaguely toward the now-empty stage. "Made me sound better than I deserve, really."

Tsukiko shook her head. "You deserve more than I could ever say."

A brief silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. Finally, Haruki broke the moment with a chuckle. "You drove here?"

"No, my assistant did," Tsukiko replied. "I was planning to take a taxi home."

Haruki scratched the back of his neck, glancing at her elegant outfit. "Mind riding my bike?" he asked, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

"Bike? Like this?" Tsukiko gestured to her formal dress and heels, arching an eyebrow.

Haruki laughed. "Forget it. I'll call you a taxi." He started to turn away, but Tsukiko reached out, her hand catching the sleeve of his black suit.

"I guess riding a bike doesn't sound so bad," she said softly.

Haruki paused, then smiled at her, his expression gentle. "Don't worry, I'm a good rider." He took her hand lightly, leading her outside. As they walked, Tsukiko joked, "If we crash, I'm blaming you."

Haruki chuckled, the sound low and comforting. "Relax. You'll be fine."

He handed her his jacket to wear over her dress and helped her with the helmet. The ride through the city was exhilarating, the cool night air rushing past them as the urban lights blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors. 

They eventually stopped by a tranquil lakeside, where a few couples strolled hand in hand. Haruki returned with two cups of coffee from a nearby café and handed one to Tsukiko.

"Thanks," she murmured, taking a sip. The warmth of the drink and the serene atmosphere seemed to ease the tension that had built up throughout the evening.

"So, what brought you to the gala?" Tsukiko asked, raising an eyebrow.

Haruki smirked. "You thought you were the only one who got an invitation? Sorry, not sorry."

Tsukiko laughed, shaking her head. "Well, congratulations, Mr. Successful."

Haruki didn't reply immediately. Instead, he watched her, his gaze steady as she took a slow sip of her coffee. Then, with a small smile, he said, "I was here to take photos for the press. And I figured you'd handle the spotlight just fine,"

Tsukiko shook her head, smiling. "Not until I saw you hiding in the back like some kind of stalker."

"Stalker?" Haruki chuckled, leaning back against the bench. "If I were a stalker, you wouldn't have noticed me."

"You're too big to blend in," Tsukiko teased. "Even in a room full of people, you still managed to stand out."

Haruki grinned. "Guess I wanted to make sure you saw me."

Her cheeks warmed at his words, and she quickly looked away. "Well, mission accomplished."

They fell into easy conversation, their banter flowing naturally. But as the night wore on, the mood shifted. Tsukiko's gaze wandered to a nearby family playing by the lake, a pang of nostalgia hitting her chest.