Chapter 56: Volume 1, - 56: The Night She Chose Him Back
The evening air carried the sharp, damp chill of early spring, softened by the faint, sweet scent of cherry blossoms drifting from the park near the canal. Pink petals littered the wet asphalt, caught in the yellow halos of streetlamps along the main avenue.
Ren stood near the quiet plaza outside the station, his hands tucked into the pockets of his dark wool coat. Dropping his resignation letter onto Takashi Endo’s desk at QuickMart the morning before had cut away an invisible tether. He was still tired, and his remaining shifts through the tenth were still on the schedule, but his mind no longer felt trapped in an endless loop of shift calculations. He felt anchored, present, and surprisingly light.
A soft rush of footfalls drew his attention toward the station exit. Suzune came down the steps, wrapping a light knitted scarf tighter around her neck against the wind. She had spent the afternoon at Akiyama Bakery, finishing the weekend inventory and helping her mother clear the evening display cases before slipping away.
When she saw him, her tired posture lifted instantly into a genuine, bright smile.
"Sorry I made you wait," she said as she reached him, her breath catching slightly in the cool air. "Mum insisted on repacking three separate supply crates before letting me leave."
"You didn’t keep me waiting long," Ren said. He looked at her face. The warm flush in her cheeks from walking briskly, the stray chestnut strands catching the evening breeze and felt an easy, unforced warmth settle over him. He stepped closer, looking directly into her amber eyes. "You look beautiful tonight, Suzune."
Suzune blinked, her breath hitching softly. A deeper flush crept up her neck, though a pleased, teasing smile touched her lips. "Where did that come from? You’re usually much more reserved."
"I resigned from QuickMart yesterday," Ren said simply.
Her amber eyes widened. "Ren... really?"
"My last shift is the tenth," he said, offering a small, genuine laugh. "I think my brain finally realised I don’t have to report to Endo after next week."
"That’s..." She reached out, placing her gloved hand against his arm, her eyes shining with pride. "That’s huge, Ren. That’s incredible."
"I wanted to celebrate properly tonight," Ren said, turning and gesturing across the quiet plaza toward where his Toyota Crown sat parked under a streetlamp, its paint polished and gleaming in the damp night air. "I made a reservation for us."
Suzune looked from the sleek car back to Ren, her smile softening into something fond and slightly amused. "A reservation? You’ve been planning this?"
"A little," he admitted, walking beside her to the passenger side and holding the door open. "Get in out of the cold."
The engine hummed quietly as Ren navigated out of the station plaza and onto the main road toward the canal district. Inside the warm cabin of the Crown, the soft amber dashboard lights illuminated Suzune’s side profile. She leaned her head back against the leather seat, letting out a quiet sigh of lingering fatigue that slowly gave way to relaxed comfort.
"Where are we going?" she asked, turning to look at him as he shifted smoothly between lanes.
"L’Alliance," Ren said, keeping his eyes on the road with a slight, confident smile. "It’s an upscale French restaurant in Kagurazaka. Fumie mentioned it a few weeks ago when we were reviewing client dinner expenses. She said the dining room is beautiful, but the atmosphere isn’t stiff."
Suzune sat up straight, her eyes widening slightly in sudden alarm. "L’Alliance? Ren, isn’t that a high-end place? I’m wearing my work cardigan and a plain skirt! I was at the bakery three hours ago!"
"You look completely fine," Ren said gently, glancing at her with an easy grin. "Look at me. I’m wearing a plain sweater under my coat. I didn’t put on a suit either."
"That’s different, you look sleek," Suzune protested, smoothing her skirt with her hands, a nervous, breathless laugh escaping her lips. "Ren, is this going to be ridiculously expensive? We shouldn’t be spending thousands of yen just because you gave notice!"
"It’s not that kind of place," Ren assured her calmly. "I checked the menu online before reserving. Their Sunday spring course is fifteen thousand yen per person. It’s expensive, yes, but it’s well within what KBS can cover for a personal celebration. I wanted us to sit somewhere nice, eat real food, and not look at a clock for two hours."
Suzune looked at his steady hands on the steering wheel, hearing the quiet, grounded tone in his voice. The panic in her eyes softened into a helpless, affectionate warmth. "You really put thought into this, didn’t you?"
"I wanted tonight to be special," Ren said simply.
They pulled into the underground valet area beneath the restaurant’s grand entrance in Kagurazaka. A quiet attendant bowed as Ren stepped out, handing him a receipt stub as Ren instructed him to park the Crown.
When they stepped into the foyer of L’Alliance, Suzune gasped softly. The restaurant opened into a massive, soaring atrium with glass walls, soft glowing chandeliers, and a grand wooden staircase leading down into a carpeted dining room filled with white-linen tables, quiet piano music, and silver ice buckets.
A host in a dark suit stepped forward immediately, offering a polite bow. "Good evening. Welcome to L’Alliance. Do you have a reservation?"
"Kisaragi," Ren said smoothly. "For two at eight o’clock."
"Ah, yes, Kisaragi-san. Right this way, please."
The host took their heavy winter coats, hanging them carefully in the coatroom, before guiding them down the grand stairs. Suzune automatically reached out, her fingers tightening around Ren’s arm as they walked past well-dressed couples and small parties. Ren placed his hand over hers on his arm, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
They were seated at a quiet, spacious corner table framed by a tall indoor palm and a warm, glowing floor lamp. The white tablecloth was crisp, set with heavy silverware, crystal wine glasses, and a small glass vase holding a single pink peony.
Once the host pulled out Suzune’s chair and bowed before stepping away, Suzune leaned forward across the table, her hands flat on the linen, her amber eyes sparkling with a mix of awe and lingering disbelief.
"Ren," she whispered under her breath, looking around at the soaring glass ceiling above them. "This place is incredible. It feels like stepping into a movie."
"It’s nice, isn’t it?" Ren said, picking up the heavy leather-bound menu set before him. "No buzzing heat lamps, no plastic trays."
A sommelier in a charcoal suit approached the table with a quiet, practiced motion, placing two wine lists down. "Good evening. May I start you with a glass of champagne, or would you prefer a quiet aperitif while you review the menu?"
Ren looked across at Suzune. "What do you think? Champagne?"
Suzune flushed slightly, giving a small, nodding smile. "That sounds lovely."
"Two glasses of the house champagne, please," Ren told the sommelier.
"Right away, sir."
When the waiter returned with two flutes of dry, bubbling champagne, Ren raised his glass. The golden liquid caught the warm light of the chandelier overhead.
"To leaving QuickMart," Ren said, his voice quiet and sincere. "And to you, Suzune. For always standing beside me."
Suzune met his eyes, her expression softening completely as she touched her glass to his with a delicate clink. "To your freedom, Ren. You earned every bit of it."
They took a sip, the cold, crisp bubbles effervescent on their tongues. Suzune let out a small, satisfied sigh, setting her glass down.
When the waiter returned to take their food order, Ren looked over the spring menu. "We’ll both have the five-course seasonal menu, please. For the main, I’ll take the roasted duck breast with cherry-port reduction."
"And for the lady?" the waiter asked politely.
Suzune glanced up from her menu. "I’d like the pan-seared sea bass with saffron butter sauce, please."
"Exquisite choices," the waiter noted, taking the menus with a bow. "I will bring your starter shortly: a chilled soup of green asparagus with smoked salmon tartare."
As the waiter glided away, Suzune rested her chin in her hands, watching Ren across the candlelight. The soft lighting accentuated the clean angles of his jaw and the relaxed, confident set of his shoulders.
"Tell me about Endo’s face again," she said, her amber eyes glinting with curious delight. "I want to hear the exact moment you handed him the letter."
Ren laughed quietly, taking a small sip of champagne. "It was completely anti-climactic, honestly. He just looked at the envelope, read it, and complained that nine days was short notice. Then he told me that businesses fail when clients stop paying."
"Of course he did," Suzune said, shaking her head with a soft, amused scoff. "He couldn’t just say congratulations or wish you luck."
The first course arrived. Delicate glass bowls containing a vibrant green asparagus soup topped with a rosette of smoked salmon and edible flowers, served alongside a basket of warm, crusty french sourdough and fresh cultured butter.
"Oh, this is delicious," Suzune murmured after her first spoon of soup. "The flavor is so delicate. My mother would be fascinated by how they balanced the creaminess without making it heavy."
"Try the bread with the butter," Ren suggested, spreading a generous layer over a piece of sourdough. "It’s incredible."
They ate slowly, enjoying every bite without the rushing pressure that had defined their lives for the past three months. Between courses, the sommelier returned, pouring a crisp white Burgundy for Suzune’s fish and a rich, ruby-red Bordeaux for Ren’s duck.
When the main courses arrived, the presentation was immaculate. Ren’s duck was sliced thin, its skin caramelized and deep brown, arranged over a bed of roasted root vegetables and drizzled with a glossy, dark reduction. Suzune’s sea bass sat atop a bed of buttery risotto, surrounded by a vibrant golden sauce.
"Look at this," Suzune said, taking her fork and lifting a flake of delicate white fish. "Ren, this whole meal must be costing over thirty-five thousand yen with the wine!"
"And it’s worth every single yen," Ren said, cutting a piece of duck and dipping it into the port sauce. "Three months ago, I was eating seventy-yen convenience store onigiri for dinner while counting coins for utility bills. Being able to sit here with you, pay for a meal like this, and not worry about my bank account tomorrow... it makes all the late nights worth it."
Suzune looked at him, her heart swelling as she saw the sheer relief and quiet pride in his eyes. She reached across the small table, her fingers gently weaving through his over the white tablecloth.
"I’m so proud of you, Ren," she whispered, her voice thick with genuine emotion. "You worked so hard. Even when it felt impossible, you never gave up."
"I couldn’t have done it alone," Ren said softly, squeezing her fingers in return. "Having you in my life keeps me grounded when everything else felt chaotic."
They finished their main courses in quiet contentment, sharing small bites of each other’s dishes. For dessert, the waiter brought a delicate chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream for Ren, and a warm tarte tatin with caramelized apples for Suzune, alongside two small cups of dark espresso.
When the bill finally arrived in a small, discreet leather book, Ren opened it casually. The total came to ¥38,500. Without a second thought, he slid his corporate credit card into the slot and handed it back to the waiter.
Suzune watched him, a soft, fond smile playing on her lips. "You didn’t even flinch."
"I budgeted for it," Ren grinned, winking at her. "Besides, a celebration isn’t a celebration if you’re agonizing over the receipt."
When they finished their espresso, the waiter returned their coats. Ren helped Suzune into her knitted scarf and coat, his hands resting gently on her shoulders for a moment as she adjusted her collar.
They walked up the grand staircase together and stepped out of the warm restaurant into the crisp, cool night air. The street was quiet, the cobblestones damp from the evening mist, reflecting the yellow glow of the lanterns above the entrance.
The valet brought the Crown around, its headlights cutting through the light fog along the driveway. Ren opened the door for Suzune, waiting until she was safely inside before stepping around to the driver’s seat.
The drive back toward the residential canal district was slow and peaceful. The heater hummed softly, filling the cabin with gentle warmth. Suzune leaned against the passenger door, watching the glowing neon signs of Tokyo blur past the window.
When Ren parked the Crown in his designated spot beneath the dim overhang of his apartment building, he switched off the ignition. The quiet of the night settled over the car.
They stepped out into the cool air. Pink cherry blossom petals drifted down from the trees lining the alleyway, catching in the night breeze.
Ren walked beside her to the building’s entrance, stopping under the soft yellow porch light. He turned to face her, taking her gloved hands in his.
"It’s cold out here," Ren said softly. His gaze dropped to her lips for a second before returning to her amber eyes. The quiet confidence he had carried all evening settled into an intimate, steady warmth. "Come upstairs with me."
Suzune looked at him, her gaze clear, warm, and entirely deliberate. She didn’t pull her hands away or look down. Instead, she stepped closer into his space, her hand resting against the front of his coat.
"I was hoping you’d say that," she whispered softly.
Ren’s apartment was quiet when he unlocked the door and stepped aside for Suzune. The room was tidy. The low folding table pushed neatly against the wall, his single desk clear for once, and fresh sheets covering the bed.
Ren hung their coats on the wall hooks. When he turned back around, Suzune was standing close, her scarf already unravelled.
"You’re nervous," she murmured, a gentle note of teasing in her voice.
"A little," Ren admitted, stepping forward until the space between them vanished. He reached up, his fingers lightly brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His chest beat with a sudden, heavy rhythm. "I’ve wanted to bring you here like this for a long time."
Suzune’s amber eyes softened. She reached up, catching his wrist, her thumb tracing the pulse point on his skin. "Then stop overthinking it, Ren."
She pulled him down by the lapels of his shirt, bringing her mouth to his.
The kiss was slow at first, tasting faintly of cold night air and sweet wine, but as Ren wrapped his arms around her waist, the heat between them flared sharply. He pulled her closer, his hands sliding up her back, pressing her against his chest with an eagerness that made his own breath stutter.
Suzune gasped softly into his mouth, leaning into his strength, before gently pressing her palms against his chest to slow the momentum.
"Wait," she whispered, her cheeks hot, her breathing as uneven as his. She rested her forehead against his, giving him a small, affectionate smile. "Just slow down. It’s my first time, Ren. I want to remember it."
Ren paused, his face flushed, his chest heaving. "It’s my first time too."
A brief, surprised laugh escaped her, breaking the remaining tension in the room completely. "I guessed," she admitted, smiling warmly as she slid her fingers through his. "So neither of us knows what we’re doing. That makes it easier."
Ren smiled back, feeling a deep, quiet relief. He stepped into the small bathroom, washing his hands and retrieving the small, unopened foil packet he had bought from a pharmacy weeks ago and kept tucked away in his washbag. When he walked back into the room, the main light was off, leaving only the warm glow of the small desk lamp.
Suzune sat on the edge of the bed, her sweater removed, her shoulders bare in the dim light. Her eyes met his as he sat beside her.
Ren reached out, his hand resting gently on her waist. She leaned into his touch, her breath warm against his shoulder as she guided his hand higher, showing him where she wanted to be touched.
The practical interruption of opening the condom broke some of the remaining tension, especially when Ren fumbled with the wrapper badly enough to make Suzune hide a laugh against his neck.
"Are you alright?" Ren asked softly, his heart hammering in his chest as he hovered above her, searching her eyes in the soft light.
"I’m fine," Suzune whispered, reaching up to frame his face with both hands, pulling him down until their lips met again. "Come here."
When they came together, the hesitation dissolved into a steady, shared rhythm. Ren moved with careful, focused devotion, listening to every soft catch in her throat, adjusting whenever she pulled him closer or shifted beneath him. It was simple, clumsy in its honesty, and entirely theirs.
The quiet of late night settled over the room.
Ren brought two glasses of water from the kitchen sink before they took turns slipping into the small bathroom to wash up and pull on soft T-shirts. Sliding back beneath the blanket together, they pulled the thick duvet up to their chests against the room’s lingering chill.
Ren lay on his back, one arm extended as Suzune rested her head against his shoulder. Her breathing had slowed into a steady rhythm, one hand resting over his ribs, her chestnut hair scattered across his arm.
Then Suzune shifted closer against him, resting her cheek over his heart.
"Are you awake?" she murmured, her voice thick with fatigue.
Ren turned his head slightly, kissing the top of her forehead. "Yeah. I’m here."
"Good," she whispered, her arm tightening around his waist as she drifted back toward sleep.
Ren closed his eyes, pulling the duvet higher over them both. In the small, modest apartment where he had once sat alone calculating interest payments on a crumpled pad of paper, he lay in the dark with her, entirely content.