Saeko jolted awake from her sleep, reaching out beside her, searching for Sota.
"Where did he go?"
The sudden memory of their night together made her flush and hide under the blanket.
Lucky for her, part of her luggage had been left in this room, where she had originally planned to sleep. She quickly grabbed something to wear and hurried out.
Eventually, I didn't manage to express my feelings. But still… I mean, he clearly wouldn't believe that I only have physical attraction for him, would he?
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of him hurrying toward the reception, then getting caught up in conversation with an elegant, older woman
"Sota Yamada? What a strange name… Not the one I remember giving you," she sighed. As if saying, did you really think you can hide from me for good?
Sota's jaw clenched. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"What's with the attitude?" she asked, her teasing smile never leaving her lips. "Aren't you going to introduce your girlfriend to your mother?"
"What girlfriend?"
"The one you spent last night with… quite heatedly, I might add." She placed a hand to her lips, pretending to be embarrassed.
Sota sneered. "If you came here just for that, I have to disappoint you. It was just a good fuck, nothing more. She's not even worth mentioning," he said. Watching his mother's satisfied reaction, he knew it, even without turning around.
Saeko was standing behind them, hearing every word.
"Oh, my, don't be so heartless with this poor girl," his mother said, trying to sidestep Sota to comfort Saeko.
Sota slowly turned around, making sure to avoid Saeko's gaze.
"That's the truth. No point introducing her to you, mum," he said, blocking her path to Saeko. "Why don't we talk about something more important now that we've run into each other?"
Saeko's heart dropped. She had hoped he might change his words if he knew she could hear him. But no.
She turned away, rushing out without a second glance.
"Aren't you going after her?" his mother asked, not even bothering to hide she was savouring a moment of victory.
"I told you, she's not worth worrying about. There are plenty of other women here," he shot a flirtatious glance at a woman passing by, his tone casual, almost dismissive.
Showing no annoyance, only his hand, hidden behind his back, tightened, his nails digging into his flesh until blood trickled out.
"Let's focus on the matter at hand. What do you want?"
His mother's eyes narrowed. "I just missed my son…"
Sota didn't seem to care. "How about this?" he said, clearly uninterested. "I'll get in touch with you when I'm finished here, so let me enjoy myself for now," his gaze hungrily followed another woman.
Saeko packed her things in haste, not wanting to face anyone else. She wanted to disappear, to be out of sight before anyone had the chance to come looking for her.
She knew there had to be a train station if she walked far enough, so she left the hotel quickly, doing her best to avoid drawing attention.
As she hit the road, a sigh escaped her lips. She reassured herself that she had managed to escape unnoticed.
Then, as if on cue, a familiar motorcycle roared beside her. The sound made her heart skip.
She quickened her pace, but before she could step past, Sota turned in front of her, blocking her way.
"Get on," he said, his voice low and commanding.
Saeko hesitated. "Don't you want to explain yourself first?"
"No," he answered flatly.
"Then I'm not getting on."
"You can hate me all you want," he snapped, "but I'm getting you home. So, get on."
She bit her lip, as if trying to hold back her tears. "Why don't you explain it to me? Tell me it was a misunderstanding, or a lie. Anything…" her voice cracked.
He handed her his helmet without a word, his gaze shifting to the road.
"Hold on properly," he said.
Saeko hesitated for a moment. After climbing onto the bike behind him, she almost instinctively wanted to wrap her arms around him as she used to. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she gripped the back of the bike, deliberately avoiding any contact with him.
The ride felt cruelly long, as if he were driving slower than usual. Saeko couldn't help but stare at his figure, his muscles tense beneath his clothes. Just hours ago, she had been hugging and kissing him, but now, he felt so distant, almost unreachable. At times, she was tempted to reach out, to touch him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't want to feel his body indifferent under her touch. It all felt like an incomprehensible nightmare.
When will I wake up from this?
Finally, he stopped in front of her house, waiting for her to get off.
"Take care," he said, not even glancing at her. Without waiting for a response, he revved the engine and sped off, his motorcycle roaring into the distance.
As soon as Saeko was out of sight, something inside him snapped. His repressed anger bubbled over. He pushed the bike faster, weaving dangerously between cars. His thoughts were a blur, all focused on his rage.
"Do you want to kill yourself?" a man from a vehicle shouted at him.
He had been driving for hours, aimlessly circling Tokyo, just letting it all out. Going without purpose, but before he even realized it, he found himself parked in front of a large, lavish house. The sight of it made his stomach twist.
There was no turning back. He clenched his fists, entering the house.
"Look at that. My son still remembers where his home is," a gentle voice taunted.
His eyes cold as he muttered, "I always keep it in mind. I never shall forget which place to avoid from afar."
"Still holding on to that childish stubbornness?" her mother scoffed. "I guess you'll regret your behaviour once you learn what I want to talk to you about."
I wouldn't be so sure about that…