Something I Like

Akari awoke early the following morning. The silence tempted something within her to check her phone.

She sat herself at the table by the window and checked her news feed, coming across hundreds of articles circulating about her and the press conference:

Akari Ito's Shocking Reveal

Star Entangled in Criminal Scandal 

Who is Akari Really? And What is She Hiding?

Fans Rally in Support as Investigation Takes Place

Each article seemed louder than the last. She couldn't believe that such an uproar took place from what she said, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was the right thing to do.

She clicked on her agency's site to find their official statement on the matter:

We will cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and urge those with any information to do the same. We will also pursue legal action against any parties that are involved in misconduct and defamation against our artist Akari Ito.

She exhaled slowly. It was reassuring in a distant way, but the storm of unease within her didn't settle.

She continued scrolling but there were no articles about any updates regarding the investigation. How long does an investigation normally take...? Do we stay here the whole time...? When will all of this be over...?

She aimlessly scrolled her phone, pulling her into a spiral of articles and comments she didn't even intend to look at:

Poor Akari, I can't believe someone would want to hurt her.

She lied to us for so long, why would I support her after this?

What a heartbreaking story, I'll always be on her side.

Can't believe I was a fan of a criminal. How shameful.

She got the karma that was coming to her.

One headline merged into another, each statement sharper than the last. She didn't mean to click any of them. She didn't mean to keep reading. And yet, she fell deeper, letting each jab sink in. A small traitorous part of her started to believe the hateful words, that maybe she did deserve this after so many years of running and hiding. The thought lodged in her throat, heavy and twisted, making it difficult to breathe.

Her thumb hovered over another comment when the screen suddenly vanished from her sight.

A hand had slipped in from behind, gentle but firm, plucking the phone from her grasp. Akari turned her head around to find Jun behind her. He had entered her room without a sound, as if he had known she was sinking and needed someone to pull her out.

Jun looked at the phone, brows drawn together into an expression she couldn't quite understand - somewhere between anger and concern. "You didn't do anything wrong. You know that don't you?"

Akari's eyes lowered. "I know..." Doubt haunted her words. "But I can't seem to shake the feeling that I brought this all on myself..."

Jun lowered himself beside her, close enough that she could feel the warmth from him. "You did everything you could in the situation you were given. No one else has the right to judge that."

"Jun..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, thin and fragile. "Do you think I can ever live a normal life after all this...?"

Jun didn't hesitate. "If that's what you want." He reached out, letting his hand rest firmly on hers. "Then, I'll make sure of it."

Her eyes met his. There was no exaggeration in his voice, no empty promise in his eyes, no doubt in his hold from his hand. Just a quiet resolve that Akari couldn't ignore. 

She exhaled slowly. "But... I don't even know what normal is anymore..."

Jun's thumb traced a slow reassuring line along the back of her hand. "Then we can figure it out together."

"Together...?" Akari muttered under her breath. The word feeling so foreign yet hopeful.

Jun smiled as he stood, unaware of what she said. "I owe you a trip around the lake. What do you say?" 

Akari blinked, taken aback by the shift. 

His smile softened when he noticed her hesitation. "I brought you here to relax." He offered her his hand. "Fresh air might help with that."

"You're right..." She smiled softly as she took his hand and got up. "The lake sounds nice."

-

Akari walked beside Jun, hands tucked into her coat pockets. The cold morning air brought a slight chill even under the layers of clothes - it tinged her cheeks and nose a faint pink. A thin mist hovered over the lake, drifting lazily as the early light pushed through it.

Their footsteps made a soft rhythm on the path. Hers light and graceful. His measured and steady, as if he were matching her pace.

Jun glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Cold?"

"A little." She admitted.

He nudged himself a bit closer to her. Not touching her, but close enough for his warmth to radiate through the space between them. It was subtle but deliberate.

"I know you don't want this incident to ruin your celebrity career, but is there anything else you want to do in your life?" Jun asked cautiously.

Akari let a cloud of breath escape her lips. "I never really thought about it..."

"Maybe it's time you start." He said a little too casually. 

Akari stopped walking. "I don't know where to begin..."

Jun stopped a few steps in front of her after noticing the absence of her footsteps. "You can take it slow. There's no rush." His breath fogged slightly in front of him. "Is there something you like?"

"Something I like?"

A breeze rustled through the trees, pushing Akari's hair across her cheek. Before she could react, Jun leaned forward, reached out gently, and tucked the strand behind her ear. The motion was brief, almost absentminded. 

He cleared his throat awkwardly, as if realizing too late what he had done. "Sorry."

"It's okay..." She murmured, hoping he couldn't hear how her heart raced.

"Shall we continue?" Jun said as he turned back towards the path.

Akari nodded and fell into pace beside him again.

As they continued along the path of the lake, Akari found herself oddly aware of every small detail - the sound of his footsteps matching hers, the faint warmth from how close he was, the way he would glance at her from time to time as if he were checking on her.

Akari's gaze fell onto Jun, lingering longer than she intended. He walked with his hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, eyes fixed somewhere across the shimmering lake - unaware of her staring. 

Something welled up in her chest. Something she had tried to deny. To pretend wasn't there. To ignore. But the feeling wouldn't go away like she thought it would.

Something I like...

Her breath caught as she tore her gaze away, cheeks reddening not just from the cold anymore. 

Jun noticed her sudden movement, brow furrowed with concern. "You okay?"

Akari swallowed, forcing her voice steady. "Yeah... I'm fine..." But she couldn't deny how the feeling settled inside of her - warm, heavy, and frightening all at once.