On the day of the trip, the team boarded a private bus to the flower farm, the air filled with excitement. Chiaki and Hana sat at the back, chatting until the soft hum of the engine lulled them into a light sleep. Chiaki's head tilted slightly as she dozed, her face calm and relaxed.
Near the front, Hayato glanced back now and then, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched her. There was something quietly charming about her in that moment—peaceful, unguarded.
A few rows behind him, Elena watched too, her hands clenched into fists. She had picked her seat carefully, hoping to sit close and catch his attention. But his eyes weren't on her—they were on Chiaki. Even in her sleep, Chiaki was drawing him in.
Frustration churned in Elena's chest, jealousy flickering in her eyes as she struggled to hide the bitterness building inside he
When they arrived at the flower farm, the team stepped off the bus, full of excitement as they took in the stunning fields of colorful blooms. Chiaki and Hana quickly got involved, taking photos and jotting down notes as the guide shared details.
The air was thick with the sweet scent of flowers, and Chiaki suddenly paused, caught off guard by a familiar fragrance. Her breath hitched, eyes widening as the scent stirred a long-buried memory. She stared at the flowers, trying to remember why it felt so familiar.
Not far away, Hayato noticed her reaction. His expression softened as he followed her gaze. It was the same flower he had studied during his years in the U.S.—a flower tied to a memory they both shared.
His chest tightened as he watched her. Did she recognize it too? Did she still carry that scent from their past? The thought filled him with a quiet mix of hope and longing, his eyes staying on her as he stood deep in thought.
Elena, standing nearby, noticed the quiet moment between them. Her stomach twisted as she watched Hayato's eyes linger on Chiaki again. Why was it always Chiaki? What made her so special?
The questions stirred irritation and jealousy in Elena. She had worked hard to get close to Hayato—she wasn't about to let Chiaki take that away.
*****
During dinner, Elena finally made her move. She had watched Hayato all evening, waiting for the right moment. While the rest of the team chatted and laughed over the meal, her eyes stayed on him.
As the night wound down, she spoke up. "Hayato, you've been working so hard lately," she said sweetly, offering a gentle smile. "Let me make you some herbal tea—it'll help you relax."
Hayato barely looked at her. "No need," he said simply.
Elena leaned in a little, still smiling. "Come on, I insist. I can send it to your room later."
His tone was flat as he replied, "I'll be fine, Elena."
Her chest tightened with frustration, but she kept her smile in place, hiding the irritation behind it. "Alright. Let me know if you change your mind," she said, her voice still pleasant—but with an edge.
After dinner, the team headed back to the hotel, tired but happy from the day's activities. Chiaki and Hana shared a room, and as soon as they dropped their bags, they collapsed onto the bed, laughter filling the space.
"Chiaki, I can't take it anymore," Hana groaned, arms spread out as she stared at the ceiling. "Ever since I joined the GM's project team, my life's been amazing. I get to see Sohei and work with him. I'm so happy."
Chiaki laughed, eyes shining with amusement. "Then go for it, Hana! Who says girls can't make the first move these days?"
Hana sighed, a dreamy smile on her face. "Nah, just seeing him every day is enough."
Then she suddenly turned to Chiaki, eyes gleaming. "But what about you and the GM? I saw the way he was looking at you today."
Chiaki's face turned red, her heart skipping. "You're imagining things," she said quickly, trying to play it off. "You were too busy watching Sohei to notice anything else."
Hana grinned. "I have super vision!"
Chiaki laughed and tossed a pillow at her, both of them bursting into giggles. But even as they joked, Chiaki couldn't shake the feeling of Hayato's gaze on her throughout the day. The memory left a warm flutter in her chest.
After a brief rest, Chiaki and Hana changed into fresh clothes as they prepared to head downstairs to join the others at the hotel café for dinner. However, as they entered the café and scanned the room, Chiaki noticed that Hayato was nowhere to be seen. A flicker of concern crossed her face as she turned to Sohei, who was seated at a nearby table, casually sipping a cup of coffee. "Where's Hayato?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. Sohei glanced up, his expression calm but carrying a hint of concern.
"He's not feeling well," he replied, setting his cup down. "Said he had a headache and wanted to rest in his room. I was planning to grab some medicine for him later." Chiaki's brows furrowed, her concern deepening as she processed the information.
"I actually brought some medicine with me," she said, her tone thoughtful. "I can give it to you to pass on to him." Sohei considered her offer for a moment, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. "Actually, why don't I just give you his room card?" he suggested, his tone light but carrying a hint of mischief. "I've got some errands to run later, so I won't be able to check on him myself."
Chiaki hesitated, her mind racing as she weighed the implications of his suggestion. But then an idea struck her, and she turned to Hana, who was standing beside her, looking slightly confused. "In that case, could you take Hana with you?" Chiaki asked, her tone casual but carrying a subtle urgency. "She wanted to buy souvenirs for her family." Hana's head snapped toward her, her eyes widening in surprise. "Wait, what?" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly.
Sohei, however, seemed unfazed by the sudden turn of events. "Sure," he said, handing Chiaki the key before turning to Hana with a warm smile. "Let's go. I know a good place for souvenirs." Hana looked between Chiaki and Sohei, her expression a mix of disbelief and betrayal.
"You're not coming with us?" she asked, her tone accusatory. Chiaki offered an innocent smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sorry, Hana. I have something else to take care of." Hana narrowed her eyes, her suspicion growing. "You're so suspicious right now," she said, her voice low but filled with playful accusations. Chiaki playfully nudged her, her tone light but firm. "Go on, have fun."
Still unconvinced, Hana huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Fine. But you better spill everything later," she said, her tone carrying a warning. With that, she reluctantly followed Sohei out of the café, leaving Chiaki standing there with Hayato's room key in her hand, her heart pounding with a mix of nervousness and determination.
Chiaki took a deep breath and walked toward the elevators, her steps steady though her thoughts were anything but calm. The key in her hand felt heavy, a clear reminder of what she was about to do.
As she waited for the elevator, memories from the day flashed through her mind—Hayato's lingering gaze in the flower fields, her worry when she heard he wasn't feeling well, and the confusing emotions that had stirred since he came back into her life.
The doors slid open, and she stepped in. Her reflection stared back at her from the mirrored walls as she pressed the button to his floor. Her heart pounded as the elevator began to rise, the quiet hum doing little to settle the storm inside her.
As the lift doors opened on his floor, Chiaki took another deep breath, her fingers tightening around the key as she stepped out into the hallway. The corridor was quiet, the soft carpet muffling her footsteps as she made her way to his room.