The sky revealed a looming storm as dark clouds gathered. Yuto, dressed casually, kept glancing at his watch anxiously while waiting for Hara.
Yuto was still contemplating whether he should attend the dinner with Hara. Mr. Tanaka wasn't someone he felt the need to be close with. However, if he chose not to attend this dinner, he was unsure of what his 'father' might do in response. The consequences of disobeying were far from simple; the last time he had defied him, he had his money confiscated, leaving him to wander the streets for several days. The extent of control Mr. Tanaka had over his life was staggering. Yuto couldn't even fathom the possibilities of what his 'father' might do if he didn't show up this time.
"Yuto," Hara's voice called out as she appeared.
"Let's go," he simply said, opening the door for her.
As they drove towards Mr. Tanaka's mansion, the tension in the air was palpable. Yuto's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his thoughts consumed by the impending encounter. Hara, seated beside him, could feel his unease and offered a comforting smile, a silent show of support.
As they arrived at the opulent residence, the grandeur of the mansion was undeniable. Yuto parked the car, and they both stepped out. The stormy weather seemed to mirror Yuto's inner turmoil. Hara quietly followed closely behind him, silently admiring the grand mansion while also feeling concerned for Yuto.
The front door swung open, revealing Mr. Tanaka, who was dressed in an expensive suit that matched his lavish surroundings. A rehearsed smile adorned his face, but his eyes held a cunning glint that Hara could sense from a distance. Beside him stood Yuto's stepmother, her appearance equally polished but with an insincerity that Hara could detect.
"Yuto, my boy!" Mr. Tanaka's tone was overly friendly, as if trying to mask his ulterior motives.
"Father, it's been a while," Yuto replied, his voice respectful yet distant.
Hara observed the exchange, sensing the tension that lay beneath the surface. She knew that Yuto was trying his best to navigate the situation while maintaining his composure.
"And this must be Hara," Mr. Tanaka turned his attention to her, his smile widening.
"Yes, pleasure to meet you again," Hara replied politely, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
As they entered the mansion, the atmosphere grew more stifling. The decor was luxurious, but it lacked the warmth and sincerity that a home should have. The conversation at the dinner table revolved around business and social niceties, but there was an underlying tension that couldn't be ignored.
Yuto's stepmother, sitting across from Hara, observed her with a scrutinizing gaze that made Hara uncomfortable. She could feel the woman's judgment and disapproval, even though they had just met.
The storm outside seemed to intensify, the rain pelting against the windows, mirroring the discomfort and unease within the mansion.
"So—" Mr. Tanaka lowered his spoon.
"When are you going to have a child?" Mr. Tanaka asked casually.
Yuto, in the midst of trying to enjoy his meal, choked in surprise.
'Wow, getting right to the point,' Hara thought, her jaw metaphorically dropping even though she maintained her composure on the outside.
Yuto cleared his throat and exchanged a brief glance with Hara, his eyes wide with surprise. Hara's smile faltered slightly, sensing the underlying tension in Mr. Tanaka's question.
"Well," Yuto began cautiously, "that's quite a personal question, father."
Mr. Tanaka's lips curled into a sly smile as he leaned in, his eyes fixed on them. "Oh, don't be so coy. I'm just curious when you're going to give your poor parents the joy of being grandparents."
Hara's brow furrowed, and she exchanged a puzzled look with Yuto. The comment seemed unnecessarily pointed, and Mr. Tanaka's tone bordered on mocking.
"Mr. Tanaka, that's really a decision for us to make," Hara responded, her voice steady despite her growing discomfort.
Mr. Tanaka chuckled in a way that sent shivers down their spines. "Of course, of course. But you know, time isn't on your side. Don't want to leave it too late and regret it, now do you?"
Yuto's grip on his fork tightened, his patience wearing thin. "We're aware of the considerations, father. We'll make the choices that are best for us."
Mr. Tanaka leaned back, his gaze piercing. "Just offering some friendly advice, that's all. After all, I'd hate to see you miss out on the joys of parenthood."
Hara forced a smile, struggling to maintain her composure. She couldn't shake the feeling that Mr. Tanaka was intentionally trying to undermine their confidence and choices.
As the conversation continued, Yuto and Hara exchanged uneasy glances, the atmosphere tense and uncomfortable. They finished the meal with a sense of relief, vowing silently to limit their interactions with Mr. Tanaka in the future, his true nature having revealed itself in that unsettling exchange.
Yuto's stepmother attempted to engage Hara in conversation, asking about her background and interests. Hara responded politely, though she could sense the woman's curiosity was driven by more than just small talk.
Yuto excused himself from the table, his need for a moment of respite evident. Hara watched him leave, her concern for him growing stronger. The pressure he was under was evident, and she wished there was more she could do to support him.
Alone at the table with Yuto's stepmother, Hara felt the woman's gaze fixated on her. The scrutiny was unsettling, and Hara couldn't shake the feeling that there was something calculating about the woman's demeanor.
Hara forced a smile, trying to appear friendly despite the awkwardness of the situation.
"By any chance—" Yuto's stepmother began, her tone hesitating.
"Do you still remember me?" she asked, her expression hopeful.
Hara nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable under the scrutiny of Yuto's stepmother. "Well, yes, of course," she replied, her words slightly forced. Yuto's stepmother's raised eyebrow indicated her skepticism.
"We met when you invited me for tea," Hara continued, a hint of confusion in her voice. Yuto's stepmother seemed momentarily relieved, her tense demeanor softening for a moment before she regained her composure.
"Oh yeah?" Yuto's stepmother asked, her tone still carrying a trace of doubt.
"Ok then," she said in a dismissive manner. Hara's confusion deepened as she tried to make sense of the interaction, but she decided not to dwell on it too much.
'Maybe it's just another one of her tactics,' Hara thought, her intuition guiding her to brush off the puzzling encounter and move forward.
As the dinner drew to a close, Yuto returned to the table, his expression composed but weary. The tension in the air was palpable, and the storm outside had subsided, leaving an eerie calm in its wake.
"Thank you for the dinner," Yuto's voice held a note of formality as he addressed his 'father.'
"Of course, my boy. It was a pleasure having you both here," Mr. Tanaka replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
As Yuto and Hara made their way back to the car, a sense of relief washed over them. The weight of the evening had taken its toll, and they were both eager to leave the mansion behind.
As they drove away, the storm had passed, leaving a clear sky in its wake. The journey back was quieter, the events of the evening still fresh in their minds.
"Thank you for being there," Yuto's voice was soft, filled with gratitude.
Hara returned his smile, her presence a reminder that he wasn't alone in facing the challenges that lay ahead.
Collapsing onto the bed, Hara sighed heavily, feeling utterly exhausted from the weight of nearly everything. Her head throbbed with the intensity of her emotions, the fatigue of the day taking its toll. Today, she had managed to avoid falling asleep in the car. The struggle to stay awake and alert had been real, and she took a moment to appreciate her small victory amidst her exhaustion. Closing her eyes and listening to the soothing rhythm of raindrops outside, she eventually drifted into sleep.
However, her peace was abruptly shattered as she jolted awake in darkness. A tight grip enveloped her hands, and as she turned, she came face to face with her own doppelgänger, an eerie mirror image of herself named 'Hara', who fixed her with a piercing glare.
"Get out," the doppelgänger hissed with a voice that sent shivers down her spine.
Hara shot up in her bed, beads of sweat dotting her forehead. Her breathing was heavy, and her heart raced as she struggled to shake off the lingering fear from the unsettling dream.
Shaken by the vividness of the dream, Hara sat in her bed, trying to calm her racing heart. The darkness of her room felt suffocating for a moment, as if the lingering presence of her dream self was still watching her.
She reached for the glass of water on her nightstand and took a sip, the cool liquid helping to soothe her parched throat. Gradually, the rational part of her mind began to reassert itself. It was just a dream, she reminded herself. A creation of her subconscious mind, fueled by her exhaustion and stress.
With a sigh, Hara swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, her legs slightly wobbly from the lingering fear. She padded over to the window and pulled back the curtains, allowing the soft glow of streetlights to illuminate her room. The rain had subsided, leaving behind dampness and a sense of serenity in the air.
After spending some time relaxing and collecting her thoughts, Hara decided to leave her room. As she stepped out into the hallway, she noticed that the door of the room across from hers was slightly ajar. Curiosity piqued, she approached the door, peering inside to find that the room appeared to be empty.
"Yuto?" she called out instinctively, though her voice carried a hint of uncertainty. Stepping cautiously into the room, she took a quick look around, confirming that it was indeed vacant.
A sense of bewilderment crept over her. "Where did he go this late?" she wondered to herself, her brows furrowing in thought. It was unusual for Yuto to be out at such an hour, especially without leaving her a message or letting her know his plans.
The silence of the empty room seemed to echo her questions, leaving her to ponder various possibilities. Did he receive an urgent call? Was there something he needed to take care of? Her mind raced with speculations as she considered the potential reasons behind his absence.
In that moment, the sound of footsteps on the stairs drew Hara's attention. As she turned, her eyes widened in surprise to see Yuto ascending the stairs. The shock on his face mirrored her own, a clear indication that he hadn't expected to run into her either. But what caught her off guard even more was the sight of Yuto, covered in blood though seemingly uninjured.
"Hara?" Yuto's voice trembled, his expression a mix of astonishment and concern as he took in her presence. His gaze flickered to the room she had just come out of, his confusion deepening.
"Yuto, what happened?" Hara's voice quivered with a mix of worry and disbelief, her eyes locked onto the blood-stained figure before her. Her mind raced to piece together the puzzle, wondering how Yuto could be in such a state without visible injuries.
He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's not what it looks like," he finally managed to say, his voice strained. The words held a weight of explanation yet left Hara even more bewildered.
A thousand questions swirled in her mind, and she stepped closer to him, her heart pounding. "Yuto, you're covered in blood. What happened? Are you hurt?"
Yuto's lips formed a tense line, his gaze searching hers. "I'm not hurt, Hara. I... I'll explain everything, but let's go to your room first."
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Hara decided not to press Yuto for answers in the hallway. She walked into her room, shutting the door behind her, leaving Yuto no choice but to follow.
Inside the room, Hara's heart still raced with a mixture of concern and understanding. She knew Yuto's nightly routine from the novel she had read, and while it wasn't entirely surprising, witnessing it in real life had sent a shiver down her spine.
"Wait, Hara—," Yuto's voice wavered as he attempted to explain himself, his urgency clear.
When the door opened again, Hara had prepared an emergency kit. Seeing Yuto's face streaked with blood, she knew he might need immediate attention, regardless of the circumstances.
"Follow me," she said firmly, her grip on his hand gentle but determined. Without waiting for a response, she led him towards his room, where she intended to address the situation and ensure he was alright.
"Which part of you is injured?" Hara asked calmly, her focus on preparing the medicine and supplies needed to clean and dress any wounds. Her familiarity with Yuto's nighttime activities didn't diminish her concern for his well-being.
Yuto met her gaze in silence, his expression a mixture of gratitude and something more complex that he couldn't quite put into words. He appreciated her understanding, and yet, he also felt a tinge of guilt for exposing her to this side of his life.
"I'm fine, Hara," he finally replied, his voice soft but sincere. "It's just some superficial cuts. Nothing serious."
Hara's gaze didn't waver as she assessed his state, her eyes flickering over his blood-streaked skin. Despite his reassurance, she knew that even seemingly minor injuries could have an impact. With her attention on him, she continued to clean and dress his wounds, her movements gentle and precise.
As she worked, the room remained filled with a comfortable silence, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Hara, I—" Yuto began, his voice laden with an attempt to convey his thoughts and emotions.
Hara looked up from her task, meeting his gaze with a compassion.
"You don't need to explain," Hara said with a reassuring smile, her tone casual yet understanding. She had already gathered a lot from the situation, and her priority was to let Yuto know that he didn't have to delve into uncomfortable details.
"Just pretend that you didn't see me today," Hara added, her smile softening as she tried to ease any lingering tension. It was her way of letting him know that she accepted him as he was and wouldn't hold this incident against him.
Just as she was about to stand up, Yuto reached out and gently took her hand, giving it a subtle yet comforting squeeze. Hara's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected gesture, and she looked down at their intertwined hands, a warm feeling of connection and support enveloping her.
"But I—" Yuto started to say, but his words were cut off by Hara's yawn.
"Im going to sleep now. Bye," she said with a small smile. She had reassured herself about Yuto's condition and now that her concerns were eased, sleep was calling her.
Yuto glanced down at their hands, his thumb gently tracing over the back of her hand as he considered the question that was on his mind. He suddenly felt the urge to say something bold to her.
"Do you want to sleep here today?" he asked, his voice soft and earnest. The invitation held an unspoken understanding, a way of letting her know that he was there for her as much as she had been for him.
Hara looked into Yuto's eyes, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in her expression. The invitation was unexpected, yet it felt like a natural extension of the connection they had built.
"Thank you," she replied, her voice genuine and warm. "I'd appreciate that."
"But I need to get something in my room first," Hara said, her cheeks tinged with a slight blush. Feeling a rush of flustered emotions, she quickly excused herself and hurried back to her room, her heart racing.
Yuto watched her leave, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He couldn't help but find her reaction endearing. With a bemused smile, he decided to take the opportunity to freshen up before joining her.
In her room, Hara closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her face flushed with embarrassment. She lightly jumped on the spot, a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling within her. She couldn't believe how quickly she had accepted the invitation to sleep in Yuto's room. Her heart beat faster at the thought, and she covered her reddened face with her hands, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
After composing herself, Hara walked over to her dresser and quickly retrieved the few items she needed from her room. As she held them in her hands, she took a moment to steady her nerves. She reminded herself that this was a step forward in their growing connection, and there was no reason to feel embarrassed.
With a newfound sense of confidence, Hara made her way back to Yuto's room. She gently knocked on the door before entering, her smile returning as she saw Yuto getting ready.
"Hey," she said softly, her embarrassment from earlier now replaced with a genuine warmth. "I'm back."
Yuto turned to her with a grin, a towel slung over his shoulder. "Welcome back. Ready to settle in?"
Hara nodded, her smile widening. "Definitely."
As Yuto went to take his shower, Hara took a moment to admire the room. It felt oddly comforting to be here, sharing a space with him in this unique way. She realized that their journey, both within the novel and in their own lives, was taking an unexpected turn.
Once Yuto was done, they both settled into bed once again, the atmosphere now more relaxed. Hara turned to Yuto, her gaze holding a playful glint.
"I promise I won't steal your blanket in the middle of the night," she teased, a mischievous grin on her face.
Yuto chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully. "Good to know. Just don't hog all the pillows either."
As they shared a light-hearted exchange, the tension from earlier seemed to melt away completely. Their laughter filled the room, and the darkness outside seemed less daunting in the company of each other. With a sense of anticipation for what the future held, they both closed their eyes, ready to embrace the comfort of the night and the companionship they had found in each other's presence.