The rain had finally stopped, leaving the world drenched and glistening under the fresh kiss of sunlight.
Golden beams spilled through the kitchen window, scattering light across the countertops.
But inside, the warmth of the morning sun couldn't quite thaw the tension brewing over steaming mugs of coffee.
Kei sat at the kitchen table, his fingers wrapped around a ceramic mug, eyes distant as he sipped.
Across from him, Kai leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his own cup resting in one hand.
"What do you think of Akihiko?" Kai asked after a beat of silence, his tone casual but carrying a weight beneath. "Are you giving him another chance?"
Kei didn't look up right away.
He took another sip, the aroma of dark roast filling the air. "It's not for me to decide." he said calmly. "It's Ayaka's decision."
Kai nodded slowly, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "After hearing his side, I actually felt relieved."
Kei finally raised an eyebrow. "Relieved? Why?"
Kai let out a small, dry chuckle, staring into the swirl of his coffee. "Because all this time, I thought he abandoned Ayaka because he stopped caring about her. That he just… walked away. But the truth is, he left because he was scared. Scared of what we'd think once we found out that our parents' car had collided with his in that accident."
Kei's face sobered. "Yeah… Who wouldn't be? Honestly, if I were him, I don't think I could've shown my face again. But he came back. That takes guts."
A faint smile tugged at Kai's lips. "Guess even cold guys have someone they'd melt for."
Kei let out a short laugh. "He must've gone completely insane watching that interview with you and Miura back then."
Kai laughed too, the mood momentarily lightened. "Agreed."
Suddenly Kai glanced at his watch, eyes widening. "Oh crap—I'm gonna be late for work. I'm heading out."
"Alright. I'll wait for them to wake up. I'm planning to bring Akihiko back to Tokyo Medical Center today. Dr. Sato wants to talk to him." Kei said, already scrolling through messages on his phone.
"Good. Just don't let them kill each other while I'm gone." Kai added half-jokingly, grabbing his coat and heading for the door.
------
An hour passed before the quiet hum of the house was broken by the sound of two doors clicking open at the same time.
On opposite ends of the hallway, both Akihiko and Ayaka stepped out of their rooms—only to freeze mid-step when their eyes met.
Ayaka blinked in surprise. "Are you… copying me?"
Akihiko gave her a lazy smirk, brushing past her with that signature nonchalance. "As if."
Just as she was about to shoot back a retort, he paused, turned on his heel, and let his sharp gaze fall to her feet.
"Oh, by the way." he said smoothly, "I don't go out in mismatched slippers."
Ayaka frowned and looked down—one slipper was pink, the other gray.
Her face turned red as steam. "Ugh! He's infuriating! I forgot how infuriating he is!" She spun on her heel and slammed her door shut with a loud *bang* "The Ice Prince is really back!"
A little while later, she stomped downstairs, her steps sharp and determined.
Her slippers were now perfectly matched.
Akihiko, seated at the table reading a newspaper like some kind of old-school aristocrat, barely glanced up.
Ayaka walked past him with a sarcastic toss of her hair. "Same-colored slippers now. Do you still have a problem?"
Akihiko looked over the paper, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. "Not at all. Go eat."
She plopped into the seat across from him, muttering under her breath as she reached for her breakfast.
Between bites, her eyes kept flicking toward him—his perfectly pressed shirt, the casual confidence in the way he read, the way the light caught the edge of his silver hair.
Akihiko caught her looking.
Without lowering the paper, he said dryly, "I'm going to melt."
Ayaka nearly choked. "Wh-who said I was staring?!"
But before she could defend herself further, the doorbell rang.
Akihiko stood up smoothly and headed toward the door.
Ayaka froze mid-chew.
'Oh no. The plush! The anime plush! It looked like him! The seller said the box is see-through!'
Panic surged through her like lightning.
She bolted from her chair. "W-wait! I'll get it!"
But it was too late.
Akihiko opened the door.
And standing on the other side wasn't a delivery person.
It was Makoto.
Makoto's eyes widened at the sight of Akihiko inside Ayaka's apartment, standing just behind the doorframe like he belonged there.
The two men locked eyes.
Tension crackled in the air.
Ayaka skidded to a halt beside them and her face fell when she saw who it was. "Makoto! Uh—you're here early!"
"I came to take you to work." Makoto said gently, his smile strained. "We have a media interview today, remember?"
Ayaka blinked. "Wait… That's today?"
Makoto chuckled softly. "I had a feeling you didn't read the rescheduled memo. That's why I came early."
Akihiko remained silent, but the cold stare he shot Makoto was loud enough to chill the air between them.
Ayaka could feel it radiating off him like frost.
She quickly stepped aside. "W-why don't you come in while I get ready?"
Makoto hesitated, then nodded. "Alright." He walked past Akihiko, his back straight and polite smile in place—but his eyes were watchful.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Kei exited the bathroom, towel-drying his hair. "Akihiko, get ready—I'm taking you to the hospital today. Dr. Sato found out you were back and wanted to talk."
Akihiko emerged from the hallway. "Right now? I don't have any spare clothes. I was going to swing by my apartment first."
"No need." Kei said with a grin. "I already lent you some of mine."
Akihiko gave a polite nod. "Thank you, Dr. Yamamoto. I'll return them later."
Kei rolled his eyes and clapped him on the shoulder. "Drop the formalities. Just call me Kei. Kai said the same thing yesterday—no more 'sirs' or 'doctors' between us."
"I… I'll try." Akihiko said, his voice quiet but grateful.
Just then, Kei spotted Makoto. "Miura! You're here already? Picking up Ayaka?"
Makoto stood and bowed slightly. "Y-yes, sir. I hope I'm not intruding."
"Not at all! Relax. Make yourself at home." Kei turned back to Akihiko. "You can use the downstairs bathroom—Ayaka's still using the one upstairs."
"Got it.." Akihiko replied, already heading down the hallway.
As Kei disappeared into his room to grab his keys, the silence between Makoto and Akihiko settled like a thick fog.
They stood across the room, neither saying a word, nor backing down.
Just eyes—Makoto's steady and composed, Akihiko's sharp and unreadable.
Finally, without breaking the stare, Akihiko turned and headed into the bathroom.
Makoto sat back down, but his grip on his phone tightened slightly.
Ayaka, still upstairs, had no idea that downstairs, two princes were about to collide.
-------
The sound of soft footsteps echoed from upstairs before Ayaka finally emerged from her room.
She looked radiant.
Her hair was loosely curled, falling like silk over her shoulders, framing her delicate face.
She wore a pastel lavender blouse tucked into a cream-colored skirt that swayed gracefully with each step.
The color brought out the natural glow of her skin and made her eyes look even more striking, like moonlight reflected on still water.
A pair of dainty earrings danced subtly with her movements, and her lips were tinted with a soft rose hue.
Makoto stood up instinctively, momentarily caught off guard.
"You look... stunning." he said with a gentle smile, voice lower than usual.
Ayaka blinked.
"Huh? Oh—thanks." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly self-conscious.
Before Makoto could say anything else, a door creaked behind them.
Akihiko stepped out.
He wore a crisp, perfectly tailored black suit that clung to his broad shoulders and lean frame like it was made just for him.
The collar of his white shirt was unbuttoned slightly, revealing just the right hint of his collarbone and throat.
His silver hair, still slightly damp from the shower, looked effortlessly styled, in that maddeningly perfect way.
His sharp blue eyes, framed by long lashes, swept the room with quiet intensity—and then locked onto Ayaka.
In that moment, time seemed too slow.
Makoto froze, stunned at how effortlessly striking Akihiko looked.
But Ayaka—Ayaka forgot to breathe.
Her eyes met his, and something electric surged between them.
His gaze didn't waver. It wasn't just a look.
It was a silent claim, quiet fire behind the cool exterior.
That was the problem with Akihiko—he didn't have to say anything to shake her.
Ayaka's heart skipped as she instinctively looked away.
Makoto clenched his jaw ever so slightly, a polite smile still fixed on his face.
"Akihiko!" Kei's voice suddenly broke the moment he appeared with car keys in hand. "Let's go or we'll be late. Dr. Sato won't be happy if we keep him waiting."
Akihiko blinked once, tearing his gaze away from Ayaka before nodding coolly. "Coming."
He brushed past both Ayaka and Makoto without another word, and Kei gave a casual wave as they both exited.
The door closed behind them, leaving an unexpected silence in their wake.
Makoto let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "...So that's the Ice Prince, huh?"
Ayaka still hasn't moved.
Her fingers gripped the strap of her bag a little too tightly, as if trying to anchor herself back to reality.
The warmth that had started her day suddenly gave way to a nervous chill, the echo of blue eyes lingering in her thoughts.
She turned to Makoto, trying to smile. "S-sorry, what were we talking about again?"
Makoto looked at her quietly for a moment, then smiled back—gentle, steady. "The interview."
But even as he spoke, Ayaka's gaze flickered once more to the door Akihiko had disappeared through—her heart still racing from a single look.