As the party went on, Mr. and Mrs. Katagiri took center stage to give a heartfelt speech, their presence commanding the attention of all the guests gathered in the beautifully decorated garden.
"Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary," Mr. Katagiri began, his voice warm and filled with gratitude as he wrapped an arm around his wife's waist, his eyes shining with affection.
Mrs. Katagiri smiled brightly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd as she added, "Time flies so quickly. Our two sons have grown into fine young men, and we couldn't be prouder of them. We hope they, too, will find love and start their own families soon," she said with a knowing smile, her words eliciting a wave of cheers and laughter from the guests, particularly the women, who seemed to take her comment as an open invitation to pursue Hayato.
Chiaki, standing near the edge of the crowd, instinctively glanced at Hayato—only to feel her breath hitch as her eyes landed on the slender, elegant woman standing beside him. The woman had long, flowing hair that cascaded over her shoulders, her posture graceful and poised, exuding an air of confidence and sophistication.
Chiaki immediately recognized her.
It was the same woman from ten years ago, the one she had seen at the airport with Hayato when he left for the U.S. Her heart clenched painfully at the sight, a flood of questions rushing through her mind. Had they been together all this time? Were they still together now? The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth, and she quickly looked away, willing herself to ignore the dull ache in her chest that refused to subside. The party, once lively and cheerful, now felt suffocating, the laughter and chatter around her growing distant as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. She needed to leave, to escape the weight of the memories and the questions that threatened to overwhelm her.
Out of politeness, Chiaki approached Mr. and Mrs. Katagiri to say goodbye, but before she could utter a word, Mrs. Katagiri gestured toward a stack of beautifully wrapped presents near the staircase. "Chiaki, since you're here, could you help bring these gifts upstairs?" she asked with a gentle smile, her tone warm and appreciative.
Grateful for the excuse to slip away, Chiaki quickly nodded. "Of course," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. The gift bags were heavier than she had expected, and by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, her arms were already straining under the weight. She set them down momentarily to catch her breath, her hands trembling slightly as she bent down to pick them up again.
Just as she reached for the remaining bags, a strong, steady hand grabbed them before she could, the sudden movement startling her. She turned around—only to find herself face-to-face with Hayato, his tall frame towering over her, his dark eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her heart give a wild thud.
"I'll help," he said simply, his voice low and calm as he lifted the bags with ease, his movements fluid and confident. Chiaki hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with a mix of emotions, before silently nodding and following him up the stairs.
They walked in silence, the weight of their past hanging between them. When they reached Mr. and Mrs. Katagiri's room, Hayato set the bags down carefully in the corner.
Just as Chiaki turned to leave, a familiar voice called from downstairs. "Mr. Katagiri?" It was Elena.
Chiaki froze, her heart pounding. If Elena saw them alone together, she'd definitely start rumors—something Chiaki wanted to avoid at all costs. Acting on instinct, she grabbed Hayato's wrist and pulled him into the nearest room, her grip tight but shaking.
"Chiaki—" Hayato started, confused, but she quickly pressed a hand over his mouth, eyes wide as she silently urged him to stay quiet.
They stood there, barely breathing, as Elena's footsteps paused outside the door, then faded down the hallway. Chiaki finally exhaled and stepped back, only then realizing how close they were—her hand still hovering between them, caught in the moment.
Hayato's eyes met hers, sharp but unreadable, her touch still lingering on his lips. To his surprise, a faint blush rose up his neck, breaking his usual calm for just a moment.
Realizing how close they were, Chiaki's face flushed with embarrassment. She quickly pulled her hand back and stepped away. "S-Sorry," she mumbled.
Hayato flipped on the light, and Chiaki blinked as she looked around—realizing they were in his old bedroom. The same room she had visited countless times as a child. Her eyes went to the wall, where photos from their childhood and high school years still hung. Frozen memories of a time that felt both far away and painfully close.
"You still have these?" she whispered, staring at the photos.
Hayato glanced at them but stayed quiet for a moment. Then he said evenly, "I moved out after I came back. I haven't had time to clear this room."
Chiaki bit her lip, the familiarity and memories hitting her harder than she expected.
Hayato crossed his arms, studying her with a calm but curious look. "So… why did we have to hide?" he asked.
Chiaki hesitated, then answered softly but clearly. "That woman calling you earlier was my manager, Elena. No one at work knows I'm connected to your family. I want to keep it that way."
Hayato's face stayed neutral, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "So… you didn't want her to see you with me?" he asked, his voice calm but edged with something more.
Chiaki looked down, still flustered. "Yes," she said quietly. "I should go now. Please let your parents know I've left."
She turned toward the door, her hand reaching for the handle, but just as she was about to step out, Hayato's voice stopped her.
"Chiaki." She froze, her heart pounding in her chest as she turned back to face him, her eyes searching his for any sign of what he might say next. For a brief second, she thought she heard something softer beneath his composed exterior—something hesitant, something almost longing.
But Hayato simply looked at her, his expression unreadable once more, and after a moment, he said, "…Never mind." Chiaki swallowed hard, her emotions swirling as she quickly stepped out of the room before they could betray her.
Hayato stayed where he was, staring at the door long after Chiaki left. His fingers brushed against his lips, still feeling the warmth of her hand. His ears burned slightly—a rare crack in his usual calm that he quickly tried to hide.
He sighed, ran a hand through his hair, and turned to face the wall. His eyes landed on an old high school photo of the two of them, smiling and carefree.
"Damn it…" he muttered, frustration clear in his voice.
He had waited so long to see her again, but every conversation left him more confused, more unsure of how to close the distance between them. The question hung in the air, heavy and unanswered, as he stood alone in the room filled with memories—back when everything, including them, had felt so much simpler.