Chapter 12. A Full Course of Emotions

The atmosphere in the small office was thick with anticipation. Across from her, Daiki Takahashi, her editor, adjusted his glasses with a deliberate calm that only added to her anxiety.

His brow was furrowed in concentration as he read through the pages of her manuscript, his pen occasionally tapping against the desk.

The minutes stretched unbearably long, and Ayaka felt like she might implode from the suspense. Her palms were clammy.

Finally, Daiki closed the notebook with a soft *thud* and set it down on the desk in front of him.

He cleared his throat dramatically, sitting back in his chair as he crossed his arms. "Ms. Yamamoto...." he began, his voice carrying an air of seriousness that made Ayaka's stomach churn. "Your first chapter is…"

Ayaka leaned forward, her heart pounding. "Is what?!" she demanded, her voice cracking slightly under the weight of her nerves. "Just tell me already, Mr. Takahashi!"

Without warning, Daiki burst out laughing, a booming, hearty sound that echoed through the room. "HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

He stood up from his chair so abruptly that Ayaka flinched. "IT'S WONDERFUL! I LIKE IT! I LIKE IT!"

He clapped his hands together before leaning over to give Ayaka an enthusiastic pat on the back, the force of it nearly knocking her forward.

Ayaka blinked, her mind struggling to process his words. "W-wonderful?" she stammered, still rooted in disbelief.

"You're not joking, are you?"

"Of course not!" Daiki exclaimed, his grin stretching from ear to ear.

"I knew you had it in you, Yamamoto! This first chapter—it's engaging, it's fresh, and most importantly, it's you. You've nailed it!"

Ayaka remained frozen for a moment, her brain catching up with the flood of relief and joy washing over her.

Her lips trembled as a wide smile broke across her face, and she clutched her notebook to her chest as if it were a treasure.

"I... I did it..." she whispered, the words barely audible. Then, louder, "I DID IT!"

Daiki laughed again, this time with genuine pride.

"That's the spirit! I never doubted you, not for a single second." He gave her another hearty pat on the back, the gesture filled with encouragement.

Ayaka finally found her voice, though it was thick with emotion. "Thank you, Mr. Takahashi! I was so worried you wouldn't like it. I rewrote that chapter so many times, and I—"

Daiki held up a hand to stop her. "Relax, Ms.Yamamoto. You've done well, but don't let this success go to your head just yet. There's still an entire novel to write."

She nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Of course! I'll do my best to keep up the momentum."

Daiki leaned back in his chair, his grin softening into something more thoughtful. "Keep pushing yourself, keep refining your voice, and most importantly—stay true to your story."

His words settled over her like a warm blanket, and for the first time in a long while, Ayaka felt a surge of confidence she hadn't known she was capable of.

"I won't let you down!" she promised, her voice steady and determined.

"You better not." Daiki said with a wink. "Now go home, celebrate a little, and get ready for chapter two. The next meeting won't be so easy."

Ayaka laughed, standing up and gathering her things. "Understood, Mr. Takahashi. Thank you again!"

The moment Ayaka stepped out of Daiki's office, Kazumi was already waiting for her, pacing nervously back and forth.

As she caught sight of him, she took a deep breath, steadying herself. Kazumi's sharp eyes noticed her hesitation and lit up with concern.

"How did it go?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and a trace of worry.

A beat passed, and then Ayaka's face broke into a wide, radiant grin. "He liked it… HE LIKED IT!" she exclaimed, her excitement bursting forth like a tidal wave. She leapt into the air, unable to contain her joy.

Kazumi's face lit up in an instant. "REALLY?! I'm so happy for you! I knew you could do it!" He joined her in celebration, jumping alongside her with an enthusiasm that mirrored her own.

"This calls for a celebration! How about I treat you to a nice meal as a reward?" he added, his genuine smile glowing with pride.

Ayaka clapped her hands together, her joy palpable. "I'd love that! Writing this first chapter stressed me out so much—I need to unwind!"

Her face brightened even more as an idea popped into her head. "How about I call Yuki and Keiko too? They'd love to celebrate!"

"That's a great idea!" Kazumi agreed with a laugh, then wagged a teasing finger.

"But just so you know, you're the only one I'm treating. Okay?"

"Fine, fine~!" Ayaka replied playfully, rolling her eyes with a laugh.

As Kazumi reached over to pat her on the back, his expression softened, pride brimming in his voice. "I still can't get over it. You've still got it, Ayaka! A talented writer through and through!"

Ayaka blushed at the compliment, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Actually… this wasn't the original plot..." she admitted, her tone becoming serious.

"Dr. Nakamura made a huge suggestion that changed everything—" She froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she whipped out her phone.

"I have to call him!" she blurted, her fingers flying across the screen.

Kazumi's smile faltered. His expression stiffened, his shoulders tensing as he realized who she was dialing.

Meanwhile, on the other end, a groggy Akihiko answered in a low, sleepy tone. "H-hello?"

"Dr. Nakamura!" Ayaka exclaimed, only to gasp when she realized she'd likely woken him. "Oh no, I'm so sorry for disturbing your sleep. I just got too excited!"

"It's alright..." Akihiko replied softly, his voice warm despite the interruption. "What's going on?"

"I just wanted to tell you the news—" Ayaka's voice bubbled over with enthusiasm. "The editor-in-chief loved it! The plot, the characters, everything!"

Akihiko blinked, his drowsiness evaporating as he sat up in bed. "He did? That's wonderful." he said, his voice tinged with pride.

A soft chuckle escaped him. "I told you it was brilliant."

Ayaka beamed. "We're going out to celebrate! Kazumi's treating me to dinner, and I'm inviting Yuki and Keiko too. Would you like to join us before your shift at the hospital?"

Kazumi, who had been standing silently by her side, clenched his fists, his stomach twisting. His heart sank as Akihiko replied.

"Sure." Akihiko said, his tone casual but warm.

"Great! I'll send you the address. Get ready!" Ayaka chirped before ending the call. She turned to Kazumi, her smile brighter than the afternoon sun.

Kazumi smiled back but he felt his chest tighten. He couldn't say no since he saw Ayaka's eyes brightened when Akihiko said yes, and all Kazumi wants is to see Ayaka happy.

------

The restaurant buzzed with a lively hum of chatter and the clinking of cutlery, but at Ayaka's table, a quiet, charged tension brewed just beneath the surface.

Ayaka sat in the center of the long table, her radiant smile glowing under the warm lighting.

On her left sat Akihiko, his posture effortlessly composed yet commanding, while on her right was Kazumi, whose easygoing demeanor faltered every time his eyes darted toward the doctor.

Keiko and Yuki exchanged subtle glances from across the table.

Though they said nothing, their sharp eyes picked up on the invisible battle waging between Akihiko and Kazumi, a tension Ayaka—engrossed in recounting her success—remained blissfully unaware of.

"I still can't believe the editor loved it so much!" Ayaka said, her eyes sparkling as she gestured animatedly.

"Honestly, I was so nervous going in, but then he started praising the pacing and the twists—"

"Well, you shouldn't have doubted yourself." Akihiko interjected smoothly, leaning slightly toward her.

His deep voice carried a confidence that drew Ayaka's attention. "Your writing is exceptional. All you needed was a little guidance to the plot."

Kazumi stiffened at Akihiko's words, the corners of his mouth tightening. "Ayaka didn't need a guidance, she's been an amazing writer since I've known her. Isn't that right, Ayaka?"

Ayaka laughed, a soft, melodic sound that seemed to ease the edge in the air, at least for her. "Oh, stop it, both of you!"

Yuki raised an eyebrow at Keiko, who suppressed a knowing smirk. Kazumi and Akihiko, however, seemed far too focused on Ayaka to notice the silent exchange.

Akihiko picked up his glass of water, his movements deliberate as he turned to Kazumi. "I know she's talented, that's why I'm her number one fan." He glared at Kazumi while taking a sip.

Kazumi's smile didn't waver, though his grip on his fork tightened. "Yeah right, Doctor... Who can't even attend her book signing evens." he replied evenly, emphasizing the title.

"Supporting her does not limit to attending book signing events." Akihiko casually replied, leaning back in his chair with an air of calm confidence.

His tone was light, almost teasing, but the sharp undertone didn't go unnoticed.

He swirled the water in his glass before continuing, his eyes flickering toward Kazumi. "It's about being there through the creative process—offering advice, refining ideas, ensuring she reaches her fullest potential. That kind of support makes a real difference, wouldn't you agree?"

Kazumi's eyes narrowed slightly, the friendly facade slipping for just a moment before he recovered with a strained smile.

He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table and clasping his hands together. "Oh, I absolutely agree!" he said, his voice tinged with mock sincerity.

"But sometimes, the best kind of support isn't about refining or changing anything. It's about believing in her completely—without feeling the need to meddle or take credit for her success."

Akihiko arched an eyebrow, his lips curving into a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Meddling? That's an interesting choice of words." he replied smoothly, his gaze now firmly locked on Kazumi.

"I'd call it collaboration. After all, she did say my suggestions played a significant role in shaping her latest work."

Kazumi let out a short laugh, shaking his head as if Akihiko's comment was too absurd to dignify. "Suggestions are one thing, but Ayaka's brilliance is entirely her own. Let's not pretend that anyone can take credit for her natural talent."

Ayaka, sitting between them, blinked in confusion, her gaze darting back and forth as if watching a tennis match. "Um... I think you're both overthinking this a little..." she said, laughing nervously.

"It's not a competition, you know. You've both supported me in different ways, and I'm so grateful for that! That's why I should be the one treating you both!

"Absolutely not!" Kazumi said immediately, turning to her with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "This is your moment, Ayaka. You deserve to be celebrated."

Akihiko tilted his head slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "I couldn't agree more. Though..." he added, his gaze flicking briefly to Kazumi, "Perhaps next time, I'll host the celebration for her."

Kazumi's jaw clenched, but before he could respond, Ayaka broke in. "That's so kind of you, Dr. Nakamura! But honestly, this place is perfect."

She gestured to the cozy yet stylish restaurant, the warm atmosphere mirroring her happiness. "It's exactly the kind of vibe I needed after such a stressful week."

Keiko cleared her throat, finally breaking her silence. "Ayaka, you're amazing, but... are you seriously not noticing what's happening here?" she asked, her voice tinged with amusement.

Ayaka blinked, tilting her head. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Yuki chuckled quietly. "Never mind, Ayaka. Keiko's just being dramatic!" she said, though her eyes danced with mischief as she glanced at the two men.

Akihiko took the opportunity to lean closer to Ayaka, his voice soft yet confident. "Speaking of stressful weeks, make sure you're taking time to rest. You've worked hard, and you deserve to recharge properly."

Kazumi, not to be outdone, leaned in as well, his shoulder almost brushing hers. "That's what today's for, right? Good food, good company, and no work talk. You deserve to just relax and enjoy yourself."

Keiko raised an eyebrow at Yuki again, her expression practically screaming, *Do you see this?*

Yuki gave the smallest of nods, her lips twitching into a barely concealed smile.

Ayaka, meanwhile, continued to bask in the glow of her success, blissfully unaware of the subtle daggers exchanged between her two companions.

As the waiter arrived with their dishes, the tantalizing aroma of grilled meat, savory sauces, and fresh herbs filled the air.

Ayaka's eyes lit up with excitement, and she clapped her hands together softly. "Wow, everything looks amazing!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Both Akihiko and Kazumi reached for the serving spoons at the same time, their hands brushing briefly over the utensils. They paused, exchanging polite but tight smiles, the tension between them palpable.

"Allow me..." Akihiko said smoothly, his deep voice calm and self-assured. Without waiting for a response, he picked up the spoon and began placing portions of the perfectly cooked beef onto

Ayaka's plate with practiced ease. His movements were deliberate, almost tender, as though every detail mattered when it came to her.

"Here..." he said softly, his gaze meeting hers as he set her plate down in front of her. "I made sure to give you the best pieces."

Ayaka blinked, a faint pink tint rising to her cheeks. "Th-thank you..." she murmured, her voice a little quieter than usual.

There was a softness in the way he handled even this small gesture, and it made her heart skip a beat. She looked down at her plate to hide the growing blush on her face, but her glowing cheeks were hard to miss.

Kazumi, watching from the side, had already lifted a serving spoon for the vegetables, but as his eyes flicked to Ayaka's expression, he froze.

The way her lips parted slightly, her cheeks flushed with a delicate pink, and her eyes shone with a subtle warmth—Kazumi couldn't help but notice the way her attention lingered on Akihiko.

His hand faltered, the spoon clinking lightly against the edge of the serving dish before he set it down. Retreating with a forced smile, Kazumi leaned back in his chair.

Akihiko's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile, his eyes briefly flickering to Kazumi before settling back on Ayaka. "You should try the sauce too." he suggested, picking up the small dish of rich, fragrant gravy.

Leaning slightly closer to her, he poured it over her food with care. "It complements the beef perfectly."

Ayaka glanced up at him, her blush deepening as the soft, low timbre of his voice sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. "Y-you didn't have to go through all this trouble..." she stammered, her hands fidgeting slightly in her lap.

"It's no trouble." Akihiko replied, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race. "You've worked hard, you deserve it."

The words were simple, but the way he said them, with a warmth and intimacy that seemed to seep into her very being, left her momentarily speechless.

She glanced away, her fingers brushing her hair behind her ear in an attempt to collect herself.

Kazumi watched the scene unfold, his jaw tightening as a pang of jealousy twisted in his chest. He forced himself to take a sip of water, masking his frustration with a neutral expression.

Across the table, Keiko arched an eyebrow at Yuki, who returned a knowing smirk.

They didn't need words to communicate their shared observation: Akihiko was winning Ayaka's attention in a way that Kazumi couldn't ignore.

The rest of the table buzzed with light conversation, but Ayaka barely noticed. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, her pulse quickening each time Akihiko's gentle gaze lingered on her.

The food tasted wonderful, but it was the warmth of his attention that truly made her heart feel full.