Chapter 3. Who Invited Mr. Coffee Spiller to Dinner?!

A week had whisked by in a frenzied blur, and Ayaka found herself ensnared in a chaotic sea of crumpled papers, half-empty coffee cups, and open books that had taken over her once-organized writing desk.

Despite this familiar whirlwind of creativity, she sat frozen, staring hopelessly at the blank page of her new novel's draft.

"What am I going to do?" she muttered under her breath, the desperation in her voice barely above a whisper.

"This has to be finished in a month! I've binge-watched every drama that Keiko, Yuki, and Kazumi suggested, yet I'm still stuck…" Frustration washed over her like a tidal wave, buzzing in her veins as the weight of creativity felt more elusive than ever, leaving behind an empty chasm.

Just then, her phone buzzed, pulling her from her creative paralysis. A message from her brother, Kei, lit up the screen.

"Hello?" she answered reluctantly, her voice flat, devoid of the warmth and energy that typically colored her conversations.

"Hey, sis! Just a quick reminder about dinner tonight. Kai's on his way to pick you up." Kei said, his tone bright and buoyant, brimming with brotherly enthusiasm.

"Oh, that's tonight?" Ayaka replied, her mind racing to catch up, suddenly jolted out of her stupor by the realization that hit her like a splash of cold water.

Kei's exasperation was palpable as he facepalmed. "Just be ready by 5! And don't forget, the restaurant requires formal wear." With that, he hung up, leaving Ayaka swirling in a whirlwind of panic.

In a whirlwind of urgency, her phone vibrated again. It was Kai's text—he'd be here in just 30 minutes. She glanced frantically at the clock—4 PM.

"What?! Already?!" Ayaka exclaimed, her heart racing. "I haven't even showered!"

Tossing her creative frustrations aside, she dove headfirst into a whirlwind of frantic preparation. Dashing to the bathroom, she barely had time to wash her hair and apply a quick touch of makeup, just enough to accentuate her features.

With deft fingers, she styled her hair into soft waves that framed her face beautifully and slipped into a stunning off-shoulder dress that shimmered like starlight—its daring slit flattering her figure with an infusion of confidence. Just as she completed her look, a call from Kai announced his arrival outside.

Heading out, she noticed something unusual—the grand apartment next door, once a tantalizing glimpse into a world of luxury, was now shrouded in mystery.

"Finally! Someone must have moved in. I'll finally have a neighbor!" she mused, her curiosity crackling with excitement.

But who could afford such opulence? The place was easily twice the size of her already lavish apartment and came with a price tag that made her heart flutter uneasily.

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Outside, she spotted Kai leaning against his sleek black car, looking dashing in a tailored suit that fit him perfectly. Yet even his charming presence couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in her mind.

"You're unusually quiet today. What's on your mind?" Kai asked, tilting his head, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"I think the apartment next to mine finally got rented or sold..." she shared, excitement creeping back into her voice as visions of new neighborly encounters danced in her head.

"Really? That place? That must've cost a fortune! It's probably someone incredibly wealthy!" Kai replied, awe evident in his voice.

Their short drive buzzed with snippets of conversation about their week, and soon they arrived at the restaurant Soleil et Lune, famed for its lavish ambiance and exquisite cuisine that promised an unforgettable evening.

As they walked in, the hostess greeted them with polished professionalism, guiding them through a sea of elegantly arranged tables adorned with flickering candles and lush floral centerpieces.

Ayaka's eyes widened as they approached their table, where a familiar figure sat draped in a sleek black suit: her brother Kei, deep in animated conversation with a striking man.

His silver hair shimmered under the warm golden lights, and as he turned, his blue mesmerizing eyes locked onto Ayaka's with an intensity that sent a thrill coursing through her.

"YOU?!"

They blurted out simultaneously, shock electrifying the air as Ayaka and the enigmatic man gaped at each other, disbelief painting their expressions.

Kei blinked in confusion, darting between them. "You two know each other?" he asked, astonished by this unexpected twist.

"Yeah, he spilled coffee all over me last week!" Ayaka exclaimed, indignation flooding back as that fateful encounter flashed through her mind.

The man lowered his chin, the slight furrow in his brow betraying the veneer of calm he projected. "I deeply apologize; I had an emergency and didn't see you in front of me." he said, his voice crisp and as cold as the winter air outside.

Ayaka's eyes narrowed, instantly sharpening as she retorted with fierce defiance. "Your apology, Mr. Ice Prince, won't magically erase the coffee stains from my favorite cardigan." she shot back, her tone brimming with challenge as if she were bracing herself for a duel.

At that moment, an epiphany sparked within her. 'Wait, shouldn't I be trying to charm him? After all, he could be my muse for the male character I'm developing...' her mind raced with possibilities that flickered like stars in the night sky.

Before she could formulate a coherent plan, Kei sensed the palpable tension swirling around them as if it were a tangible object choking the air. "How about we all sit down and introduce ourselves properly? That might lighten the mood a bit," he suggested, his voice calm, like a gentle hand soothing an agitated animal.

As they took their seats, the man offered his introduction, straightening his posture as if to convey professionalism. "I'm Akihiko Nakamura, Dr. Kei's colleague. I'm a junior surgeon who just started last month."

His glance met Ayaka's, sincerity radiating from his deep-set eyes. "I genuinely apologize once more for the coffee incident. If you don't mind, I'd like to offer to replace your cardigan."

Instead of immediately responding, Ayaka was about to launch into her retort when Kai chimed in with a light-hearted chuckle. "That's not necessary, Dr. Nakamura. Our little sister just goes through phases when interacting with guys. She's practically allergic to them." he teased, a playful smirk dancing across his lips.

Kei and Kai burst into laughter, their loud mirth echoing in the small space and teasing Ayaka, who sat with her arms crossed, a bored expression creeping onto her features as if she were a discontented cat.

"Laugh all you want, but just wait! The day I get a boyfriend, you two won't find it so funny." Ayaka retorted, a grin breaking through her annoyance, almost like a playful threat hanging in the air between them.

Deciding it was time to shift focus, Kei leaned forward, his enthusiasm palpable. "Now, back to Dr. Nakamura. He's one of my most promising juniors. Just last week, he saved a patient in a way that would have left even the most seasoned surgeons in awe.

"He's extraordinarily talented, and I've been meaning to take him out for dinner to celebrate his incredible feat. Without his quick thinking, that patient might not have pulled through a harrowing episode of massive bleeding."

Ayaka and Kai sat up straighter, their attention sharpened on Akihiko, who appeared to be squirming under the praise. "What I did was nothing compared to what you accomplished, Dr. Yamamoto..." he said, his modesty evident in the way he shifted his gaze.

"Oh, come on! You truly did an exceptional job! That is why dinner is on me!" Kei insisted, giving Akihiko's shoulder a hearty pat of camaraderie.

Yet, at that moment, Kei paused, sipped his wine thoughtfully, and added, "I wanted to introduce you to Ayaka."

Ayaka's eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth hanging slightly open. "Me? Why on Earth me?" she exclaimed, her surprise evident as she pointed at herself in disbelief as if someone had just suggested she skydived into the nearest lake.

"Because you two are the same age." Kei replied, mischief glinting in his eyes as if he were setting a trap he hoped would ensnare them both.

Kai's laughter erupted again, clearly realizing Kei's intentions while Ayaka's expression began to shift from confusion to irritation as she caught on.

"Since when did you become Cupid?" Kai teased, his laughter spilling over as he shot a playful look at their elder brother, who was relishing the moment.

Ayaka frowned, narrowing her eyes at her brothers, as a realization slowly dawned upon her, a sense of annoyance bubbling underneath.

Kei waved his arms animatedly as if trying to clarify himself. "You've got it all wrong! Dr. Nakamura is new here and needs guidance navigating the bustling streets of Tokyo. I'm just asking you to assist him as a friend." he explained, a hint of urgency creeping into his tone.

Ayaka muttered under her breath, "Who'd want to be friends with someone so rude anyway?" the sentiment oozing from her words like venom.

"Hmmm? Did I hear you say something, Ayaka?" Kei asked, a wry smile spreading across his face, well aware that when his sister was frustrated, she could hold a grudge longer than a stubborn child.

"Not! But I can't promise to help him; I'm busy," she replied, dismissively shrugging off her brother's suggestion with an exaggerated nonchalance.

"It's alright, really." Akihiko interjected smoothly, his voice unwavering. "I can manage on my own, I appreciate the offer, though."

"Yeah, he's a grown man, after all." Ayaka added, crossing her arms defiantly, her expression embodying a fierce independence that made it clear she wasn't easily swayed.

Kai took a deep, contemplative sigh as he observed Ayaka and Akihiko sitting across from him. Their eyes were cast downward, unable to meet despite the palpable tension that filled the room.

The flickering candlelight on the table danced in rhythm with the unease, casting shadows over their downturned faces. He could feel the awkwardness hanging in the air, thick as fog, with every second stretching out endlessly.

With a hint of playful mischief in his voice, Kai broke the silence, saying, "This dinner feels like a wild roller coaster ride, doesn't it?" His words hung in the air, inviting a sense of excitement as if he was beckoning them to embrace the tumultuous emotions swirling around them.

The atmosphere buzzed with the potential for unexpected twists and turns, making the evening feel thrillingly unpredictable.