With a gentle thud, the door behind her clicked shut. For a moment, Ayaka leaned against it, her breath hazily obscuring the scene. She was unaware that her coat was still covered in snow. This time, something warmer, something bubbling beneath her skin, was the cause of her pink cheeks rather than the cold.
She was grinning. Like a fool.
The shy thank-you, the subtle frown when she asked if he needed anything, and then that playful pout when she teased him about the soup being too salty were all visible to her every time she closed her eyes. His clumsy eating style, the way his eyes widened at the taste, and his hardly noticeable smile when she informed him that she would return the following day.
She tossed her coat over the chair and muttered to herself, "Ayaka Takahashi, what the hell is wrong with you?" "You're not a girl in high school who has a thing for a pop star."
Nevertheless, her fingers haphazardly touched her lips. She had no intention of falling for him. Was she?
She walked to the restroom after shaking her head. She put on a sweatshirt and pulled her damp hair into a loose bun after taking a hot shower. Through her window, the night lights of the city blinked. The snow had ceased. It was quiet and quiet.
The doorbell rang as she was raising the covers.
She scowled. Looked at the time. 11:47 PM.
Once, her heart pounded.
She opened the door and padded barefoot across the floor.
Haruto.
He entered silently, his eyes unreadable and his jaw clenched.
"Haruto?" She asked, perplexed and suddenly uncomfortable, "What—what are you doing here?"
At first, he didn't respond. He simply tossed his coat onto the couch and turned to her, his arms folded.
"I followed you today," he said in a chilly tone.
Ayaka blinked. "What?"
"After work. Once more, I caught you leaving early. That's what you've been doing all week. I followed your cab because I had a feeling."
"You stalked me?" Her eyebrows raised.
"I trailed you. Because I was concerned. And you know what I noticed? Executive Producer Ayaka Takahashi sits next to a homeless man on the snowy ground. Distributing food. Laughing. As if it were a romantic comedy meet-cute."
"That was not your right." She raised her voice.
"No, but I did. Since you're not behaving like yourself. Are you ignoring client calls and skipping meetings in order to spend time with a stranger who lives behind a convenience store?"
Ayaka inhaled, attempting to regain her composure. "You're not understanding."
"Then tell me about it."
"It's not what you think."
"Oh, really?" With simmering rage, Haruto took a step closer. "So what is it? Ayaka, are you really that irritated? That desperate? Do you want him, or did you fall in love with HIM?"
Ayaka's eyes flared. "I want his voice, damn it!"
Silence.
Haruto froze.
He asked slowly, "What did you say?"
Ayaka bit her lip and averted her gaze. Then, with her arms crossed, she faced him completely.
"His voice," she uttered. "I've been looking for that man's voice. It's honest and unvarnished. It strikes a chord within you. He wasn't the reason I went there. However, when I heard him sing..."
She stopped and shook her head, seemingly in a daze. "Haruto, it's flawless. Regarding the In between us project. His tone is worn and full of tales. Something that is impossible to fake."
Haruto ran a hand through his hair, his face now unreadable. "All this time, you're telling me... you've been attempting to persuade a homeless man to feature on our year's biggest album?"
Ayaka gave a nod. "Not just yet. He lacks faith in others. He hardly ever talks about himself. However, I'm succeeding. I simply require a bit more time."
Haruto walked around the room. "What is his name?"
She blinked.
"...I don't know."
He came to a halt. "You don't know his name?"
"We didn't introduce ourselves," she remarked, sounding almost defensive.
He gazed at her as if she were insane. "You're telling me that you don't even know his name, despite feeding him, seeing him daily, and jeopardizing your career?"
Ayaka's chin went up. "I recognize his eyes. I am aware of his silence. I recognize his voice as well. That is more than sufficient."
Slumping onto the couch, Haruto massaged his temples. "This is crazy."
"But it's real."
He looked up at her. She was tall, resolute, and unflappable.
He muttered, "I've never seen you like this before. Not for any artist. Not even when we made Leo's debut."
Ayaka gave a small smile. "Because I didn't feel this way about any of them."
Haruto let out a sigh. "All right. Alright. You only have one chance. Present him with this concept as soon as possible. And, for heaven's sake, find out his name."
"I'll."
Their gazes met. They came to a silent understanding.
Ayaka would follow this voice all the way to the end. And Haruto would stand behind her, whether he liked it or not.
She went to open the door for him.
"Haruto, go home. You have early appointments."
He entered the chilly hallway after muttering that he needed a drink.
He stopped and glanced back just before he left. "Ayaka, are you certain this isn't something else? Are you certain it's only the voice?"
Ayaka remained silent.
Since she wasn't sure.
No anymore.