Ryo's Apartment – 2:07 AM
Ryo Kazuki lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
The gala had ended hours ago, but his mind refused to rest.
Ayaka's words replayed in his head.
"For what it's worth, you make a pretty good fake boyfriend."
That should've meant nothing.
This was a job. Another consultation, another client. He had done this before. Played the perfect boyfriend. Said the right words. Held hands when needed.
So why did this time feel different?
His phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Ayaka Tachibana: Are you awake?
He stared at the message for a moment before replying.
Ryo: What do you think?
Ayaka: …That's not an answer.
Ryo: And yet, here we are.
A pause. Then another message.
Ayaka: Meet me.
Ryo frowned.
Ryo: Now? It's past 2 AM.
Ayaka: Just for a bit. I'll send you the location.
A second later, a pin dropped on his screen.
Ryo sighed, rubbing his temples. He should ignore this. He should go to sleep.
Instead, he grabbed his jacket and keys.
24-Hour Café – 2:34 AM
When Ryo walked into the dimly lit café, he spotted Ayaka immediately.
She sat by the window, stirring a cup of tea absentmindedly. The usual elegance she carried was gone. Her hair was slightly messy, and she was wearing an oversized hoodie over her dress from the gala.
She looked… exhausted.
Ryo slid into the seat across from her.
"You look like hell."
Ayaka huffed a laugh. "Good to see you too."
He leaned back, crossing his arms. "What's going on?"
She was silent for a moment, staring at her tea. Then, in a softer voice, she admitted,
"My mom asked me if I love you."
Ryo blinked. "What?"
Ayaka let out a tired sigh. "She called me after the gala. Said she saw how I looked at you and wanted to know if it was real."
Ryo's expression hardened. "And what did you say?"
Ayaka hesitated.
Then, quietly, "I told her I didn't know."
For some reason, that answer bothered him.
Ryo tapped his fingers on the table. "We agreed on rules."
"I know," Ayaka muttered. "But what do you want me to say? That I love you? That I don't? That this is all a lie?"
She shook her head. "I don't know anymore, Ryo."
That was dangerous.
Ryo exhaled slowly. "We need to end this."
Ayaka's eyes snapped up. "What?"
"This. Us. The fake relationship," Ryo said. "It's getting too complicated."
Ayaka's jaw tightened. "I can't just drop this overnight. My parents are still watching. The media is still talking."
Ryo ran a hand through his hair. This was exactly what he warned her about.
Then, Ayaka added something that made his chest tighten.
"…And I don't think I want to stop yet."
Ryo froze.
She looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Do you?"
Silence.
Ryo knew the right answer. The logical answer.
But when he opened his mouth, the words didn't come out.
And that terrified him.
Love Lab – The Next Day
Aria Valentine immediately noticed something was off.
Ryo had been silent all morning, barely touching his coffee. That never happened.
"You look like you just discovered emotions for the first time," she teased.
Ryo shot her a glare. "Shut up."
Aria smirked, twirling a pen between her fingers. "Let me guess. Ayaka."
Ryo didn't respond.
Aria's grin widened. "Oh, this is getting good."
"Aria."
"Ryo."
He sighed. "It's getting messy."
Aria nodded sagely. "Of course, it is. Because here's the thing, Kazuki—you're not acting anymore."
Ryo clenched his jaw. "That's not true."
Aria tilted her head. "No? Then why didn't you tell her it was over?"
Ryo had no answer for that.
Aria leaned closer, resting her chin on her hand. "I've seen you with dozens of clients, Ryo. You're good at keeping your distance. But with Ayaka?"
She smiled.
"You like her."
Ryo tensed. "No, I don't."
Aria just laughed. "Keep lying to yourself. Let's see how long that lasts."
The Unplanned Date
Later that afternoon, Ayaka texted him.
Ayaka: My mom wants to have dinner with us tonight. She invited my dad too.
Ryo exhaled sharply. He didn't have the energy for this.
Ryo: You sure that's a good idea?
Ayaka: No. But we don't have a choice.
Ryo: …Fine. What time?
The Tachibana Estate – 7:00 PM
Dinner at Ayaka's family home was worse than he expected.
Her mother, Emiko Tachibana, was smiling too much. Her father, Daichi Tachibana, was watching him too closely. And Ayaka? She looked like she was one wrong word away from a meltdown.
"So, Ryo," Daichi said, sipping his wine. "Tell me. How serious are you about my daughter?"
Ryo felt Ayaka tense beside him.
He could lie. Say what they wanted to hear. But before he could answer, Ayaka spoke first.
"He's serious," she said firmly. "And so am I."
Ryo turned to her, surprised.
Emiko beamed. "That's wonderful news!"
Daichi, however, remained skeptical. "You understand that being with my daughter means marrying into the Tachibana family, yes?"
Ryo's breath hitched.
Marriage?
Ayaka was gripping his hand under the table.
Her father wasn't joking. This wasn't just a casual conversation. He was testing them.
Ryo met Daichi's gaze.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't sure how to answer.
End of Chapter 5