Arashi stepped out of his room and walked toward the dining area. Ayane was already sitting there, quietly eating breakfast — or at least pretending to. Her cheeks were still slightly red, the same soft blush that refused to fade.
Arashi smiled faintly and sat across from her. "Hey," he said lightly, "come on, give me your number. I'll forward that photo to you. Don't worry — your secret's safe with me."
Ayane froze mid-bite, her chopsticks trembling slightly.
Arashi tilted his head with a teasing grin. "Unless," he added, "you don't trust me. In that case, I can tell you one of my own secrets to make it fair."
Ayane finally looked up, her blush still there but her voice steady this time. "Fine," she said, crossing her arms. "Forward me that photo — and then delete it from your phone. Got it?"
Arashi blinked, a little surprised by her sudden confidence. "Huh? O-okay, sure."
But before he could say anything else, Ayane continued firmly, "And one more thing — burn that paper. I don't want anyone else seeing it."
Arashi raised an eyebrow. "You're really serious about this, huh?"
She gave a small huff, trying to hide the embarrassment behind her tone. "Of course I am! It's… private."
Arashi chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. I'll burn it after breakfast. Promise."
Ayane nodded, but then leaned slightly forward, a faint smirk forming on her lips. "Good. And… since you said you'd tell me one of your secrets—" she paused for effect, "you'd better do that too."
"Wait, both?" Arashi said. "You're really stacking up requests today."
Ayane smiled sweetly, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Oh, and one last thing," she added. "I want something special for dinner tonight. If you don't make it…" she looked away playfully, "…I won't talk to you."
Arashi stared at her for a moment, completely thrown off. Then he sighed dramatically. "You're really something, you know that?"
Ayane just smiled, her blush returning. "You said you'd keep my secret safe. So, prove it."
After breakfast, Arashi kept his word — he forwarded the photo to Ayane, deleted it from his phone, and even burned the page in front of her. "Happy now?" he said with a small smile. Ayane nodded, trying not to show the relief in her expression. "Yes," she said softly.
Later that afternoon, Arashi went out to buy ingredients for dinner — determined to make something "special," just as she'd asked.
Meanwhile, Ayane sat by the window, her thoughts drifting. It's probably a good thing he didn't read that note, she thought. If he had… staying under the same roof might've become really awkward.
But at the same time, another thought tugged at her heart. Still… part of me wishes he had read it. At least then, he would've known how I truly feel.
She sighed quietly and leaned back in her chair, lost in thought. And what could his secret be, anyway?
Just then, Miyu came to her mind — cheerful, straightforward Miyu, the girl who had somehow become close to her in just a single day. Without thinking twice, Ayane picked up her phone and called her.
Within seconds, Miyu's bright voice filled the line. "Ayane! What's up?"
Ayane hesitated for a second, then decided to tell her everything — from the note, to Arashi finding it, to his reaction that morning.
Miyu listened silently for a while, then burst out laughing. "Wait— you actually gave him random numbers as a love confession?" she said between giggles. "Ayane, you're adorable, but girl, if I were Arashi, I'd have done the exact same thing! Anyone would think it's some Wi-Fi password or secret code!"
Ayane pouted. "The numbers weren't random — they were a number-to-letter cipher."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Miyu said teasingly. "But seriously, next time, skip the spy-movie stuff and just confess properly."
"Ugh… you make it sound so easy," Ayane sighed.
"Hold up," Miyu said suddenly. "Let's add Hina to the call — she'll have ideas too."
Moments later, the call beeped, and Hina's calm, mature voice joined in. "What's going on?"
Ayane explained everything again, her face heating up as she reached the part about the note.
When she finished, Hina chuckled softly. "I get what you were trying to do, Ayane," she said kindly. "But yeah… I think Miyu's right. A code like that can easily backfire."
"Then what should I do now?" Ayane asked quietly.
Hina thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright, listen carefully. I'll give you five tips — follow these, and maybe next time things will go your way."
Hina's tips for Ayane:
Number 1: "If you like someone, show it in small, honest ways. Don't make him solve a puzzle to understand your feelings."
Number 2: "Don't force a confession — make memories instead. Talk, laugh, help him — let the feelings grow naturally."
Number 4: "Drop subtle hints through compliments or gestures. If he's smart enough, he'll connect the dots."
Number 5: "Ask about his life, his fears, his past. If you make him comfortable, he might share things he hides from everyone else."
Number 6: "Sometimes waiting too long makes love fade into confusion. When you feel the time is right, speak your heart clearly — even if it's scary."
Just as the three girls were about to end the call, Hina suddenly said, "Wait! Before we hang up — let's all go to the beach together. Remember? We planned that with Arashi too. So, either tomorrow or the day after, everyone get ready, okay?"
Both Ayane and Miyu immediately agreed. "Sounds perfect!"
As the call ended, Ayane felt surprisingly lighter — the tension in her chest slowly fading away. So we're going to the beach… she thought with a small smile. That means I'll get a chance to spend more time with him.
Her mind echoed with Hina's advice. She nodded to herself. Yeah… I'll do that.
Just then, the door opened — Arashi had returned, holding grocery bags in both hands. He went straight to the kitchen, humming softly.
Ayane followed him curiously. "You're already starting dinner?" she asked. "It's still pretty early, you know."
Arashi placed the bags on the counter and smiled. "Yeah, but if I start now, it'll finish by night. I've got a lot to make."
Ayane tilted her head. "Like what?"
He smirked. "That's a secret."
Ayane paused for a second — then remembered Hina's words again. A playful smile curved on her lips. "Then I'll help you today," she said. "With cooking."
Arashi blinked in surprise. "Huh? You? Cooking?"
She crossed her arms. "Yes, me. And while I'm helping, you're going to tell me your secret."
Arashi laughed nervously. "Wait, that whole secret thing was just a joke!"
Before he could say another word, Ayane picked up a knife from the counter, pointed it toward him (carefully but dramatically), and said in mock seriousness, "Don't play dumb. You will tell me. Now talk."
Arashi raised his hands in surrender, laughing. "O-okay, okay! Fine! I'll tell you!"
Ayane lowered the knife, still smiling victoriously. "Good. Now tell me — what should I do first, Chef?"
Arashi opened one of the grocery bags and started lining up ingredients on the counter. "Alright," he said, rolling up his sleeves. "Since you're helping, I'll give you an important task."
Ayane's eyes lit up. "Important? What is it?"
He smiled teasingly. "You'll be in charge of cutting the vegetables — carefully. "He handed her a cutting board, a knife, and a few carrots. "Just slice them thin, like this," he said, demonstrating a few quick, neat cuts.
Ayane nodded with determination. "Got it! Leave it to me!"
Two seconds later—Thud! Thud! Thud!
Her knife hit the board with completely uneven cuts — thick on one side, paper-thin on the other. Arashi glanced over his shoulder and froze. "…Ayane, that carrot's dying a painful death."
She pouted. "Hey! I'm trying, okay?"
He walked over, trying not to laugh. "You're supposed to cut them, not crush them."
But Ayane only glared playfully. "No! I said I'm going to help, so I'll do it!"
Arashi sighed, half amused, half worried. "You're going to lose a finger if you keep going like that."
"I won't!" she said stubbornly, focusing even harder.
Her hands trembled a bit, but she kept trying, her face scrunched up in concentration. Every slice looked different, but she didn't stop.
"Alright, alright," he finally said with a grin. "Fine, keep going. Just… don't turn the kitchen into a battlefield."
Ayane smiled proudly. "Hmph. I'll show you! When I'm done, you'll be begging me to cook again."
"Yeah," Arashi chuckled, turning back to the stove. "I'll believe that when I see it."
Ayane was still attacking the vegetables, struggling to cut them evenly when she suddenly looked up. "Hey, tell me your secret," she said, half focused on the knife. "It'll give me motivation to keep going."
Arashi looked up from the stove, raising an eyebrow. "A secret?"
"Yeah," she said, flashing a grin. "Any secret. Something about your crush, something stupid, or maybe…" she smirked, "…who your dream girl is."
That last phrase made him pause for a moment. He looked at her quietly, then turned back to the pan, stirring slowly. "My dream girl, huh…" he muttered under his breath.
Ayane tilted her head. "Yeah, come on. Don't act mysterious now."
He let out a small sigh. "Alright," he said finally. "But don't laugh. And don't tell anyone. It'll sound weird — hard to believe, even."
Ayane nodded, curious now. "I promise. Tell me."
Arashi leaned slightly against the counter, his voice calm but distant. "There's… this girl," he began. "I see her in my dreams. I don't know who she is, but after every month when I close my eyes she is there."
Ayane blinked. "In your dreams?"
"Yeah," he said, smiling faintly. "We met a few months ago. She's… warm. Peaceful. Whenever I'm struggling, she appears. We talk, we laugh, sometimes we just sit silently under the stars. She listens. She helps me when I can't even help myself. It's like she knows me better than I know myself."
He chuckled softly, looking almost lost in the memory. "I love her soo much."
Ayane's hands froze on the cutting board. Her chest tightened slightly, though she didn't understand why. She forced a small laugh. "So… you're in love with a dream? Really, Arashi?"
He looked at her, confused by the edge in her tone. "It's not like that. It just… feels real, somehow."
Ayane scoffed lightly, hiding her discomfort behind sarcasm. "Arashi, it's just your imagination. Your mind's creating fake things to comfort you. Don't be fooled by it."
He went quiet for a second, watching her. Then he smiled softly, not arguing back. "Maybe," he said, turning back to the stove. "Or maybe dreams are where the real things hide."
Ayane looked away, cutting the vegetables more aggressively this time, muttering, "Dreams aren't real… People are."
Arashi didn't reply — but for a moment, both of them felt that quiet tension hanging in the air.
Ayane hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Okay… Arashi… do you think… if she were real, who could she possibly be?"
Arashi stirred the pan gently, thinking for a second. "I don't know," he said quietly. "I don't know anyone like that in real life."
Ayane leaned a little closer, her voice trembling slightly. "Think about it… just imagine."
Arashi shook his head with a small frown. "No. Doesn't ring a single bell."
Her heart beat faster, and with a voice barely above a whisper, she asked,"…Arashi… there's something I've been wanting to ask you."
Arashi's head immediately snapped toward her. He understood — she was about to ask the question he had been silently expecting. He smiled gently. "Wait… not now. I'm still working. Can it wait?"
But Ayane shook her head stubbornly. "No. I want to ask it now. I'm asking — so listen."
Arashi sighed but gave in. "Alright, alright. You want an answer? Ask it."
As she prepared to speak, a thought flashed through her mind. Wait… Mizuki — the dream girl — her name is different. Her hair is different. She said she prays for me… that I don't find another girl… which is why I'm still single.
Ayane's voice trembled as she finally asked the question she had been holding back for so long. "Do you think… that girl… could be me?"
Arashi looked at her for a long moment, calm but serious. Then, slowly, he spoke, telling her everything with quiet honesty. "No, Ayane… it's not exactly like that. She's not you. But… sometimes, when I think about it… maybe… part of what I feel when I'm with you — that's real. You're not her, but… the way I feel with you… it's something I can hold onto."
Ayane's chest tightened, a mix of relief, jealousy, and hope swirling inside her. She swallowed, trying to hide her emotions, but her eyes betrayed her.
"I see…" she whispered.
Arashi reached over and lightly touched her hand. "You're not my dream girl from the dream… but that doesn't make you any less important to me."
Ayane's lips curved into a small, tentative smile.
Ayane leaned back slightly, her cheeks still pink from the earlier conversation. "Enough for now," she said softly. "Hina said we're going to the beach tomorrow or the day after, so get ready. They even planned it with you, Arashi, remember?"
Arashi nodded with a small smile. "Good."
He returned to the kitchen and began cooking again, focused and calm.
Ayane watched him for a moment, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Okay… now tell me," she said teasingly, "what exactly are you making?"
Arashi leaned against the counter, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, we've got chicken teriyaki, tamagoyaki, yaki udon with vegetables, onigiri, miso soup… and for dessert, a matcha cheesecake."
Ayane's eyes widened. "All that? Wow…"
Hours passed as they worked together, Arashi guiding and Ayane chopping (messily, but with determination). Finally, after a lot of effort and some laughter at her mistakes, everything was ready.
They sat at the table, the warm aroma of the food filling the room. Ayane picked up her chopsticks and took her first bite. Her eyes immediately lit up.
"This… is amazing," she said, genuinely impressed. "Arashi… thank you so much!"
He waved his hand casually. "No problem. Just enjoy it."
They ate together, sharing quiet smiles and the occasional teasing remark. When they finally finished, they cleared up and returned to their own rooms.
As Arashi lay down on his bed, he closed his eyes and whispered softly to himself, Please… come tonight… please let me see you… I really want to meet you.
He sighed, taking a deep breath, then tried to sleep — though his thoughts kept drifting back to her.