Chapter 7

Several hours later, the recording was finally done. It had taken Amaya countless takes before Ray managed to mix a version she was satisfied with. By the time they wrapped up, it was already 6:50.

With only ten minutes left in his booking, Ray knew there wasn't much else he could do. Synthesizing the instruments would take far longer than that. So, he packed up, slipped the studio card from the door reader, and made his way to the reception desk.

The receptionist had changed with the shift, and Ray wordlessly handed the new clerk the card. Then, stepping out of the studio, he started toward the parking lot, only to be halted when a black car pulled up abruptly in front of him.

Ray tensed, ready to defend himself, until the window slid down... and Amaya's familiar face appeared.

"Get in," she said, tilting her head toward the back seat.

Ray frowned. "Why?"

"Because I'm hungry," she replied matter-of-factly.

Ray stared at her, deadpan. "I'm a sound engineer, not a chef."

Before he could turn away, her manager leaned over from the driver's seat. "Just get in, Ray. Trust me, you'll want to come. If she starts drinking, I'm the one who has to deal with her."

"Don't listen to him," Amaya interrupted, shoving her manager back into his seat. "Just get in."

Realizing resistance was pointless, Ray exhaled sharply and opened the door, sliding into the backseat. "Fine. But you're dropping me back here later. I still need to pick up my dad's car."

"Alright," the manager said with a quick nod, then glanced at Amaya. "So, where to?"

"To Izakaya Ramen Atelier," she answered without looking back, her gaze fixed on the passing streetlights outside the window.

***

They arrived at the location after a few minutes of quiet in the car. When they stepped out, Ray adjusted his backpack and stared at the building.

"Well, this sure brings back memories, huh?" Amaya said softly, gazing up at the sign.

"It's not exactly the same," Ray replied, his tone neutral. "Looks like they renovated it." The walls were clean, the sign illuminated with new lights, and the faint smell of broth drifted out every time the doors opened.

The passenger-side window rolled down. Her manager leaned out, smiling. "Hey, I'm needed somewhere else. Is it alright if I leave you two here?"

Ray opened his mouth to answer, but Amaya covered it with her hand before he could speak. "It's fine. I'll call you once we're done eating," she answered to her manager.

"Alright then. Don't get into trouble," her manager chuckled before rolling the window up and driving away.

Ray shot her a flat look, and she tilted her head. "What?"

"You know," he started as they walked toward the entrance, "he's probably just as hungry as you. You could've let him eat first."

Amaya smirked faintly. "He'll survive."

Inside, the restaurant was warm and lively, but it had changed. Wooden beams lined the walls, soft lights hung from the ceiling, and the faint hum of conversation filled the air. Ray looked around, almost as if he was searching for something familiar, while Amaya's expression softened with nostalgia.

A cheerful employee approached. "Good evening! Would you prefer a dining hall table or a private room for two?"

"A private room?" Ray raised a brow. He'd never heard of such a thing in a ramen shop.

The employee nodded. "Yes, we're currently testing it out."

"We'll take it," Amaya said without hesitation.

Ray didn't argue. He simply followed as they were led upstairs, where small rooms lined the corridor, each one with a sliding door. The staff member stopped at an open one.

"Here you go. You can order using this." The employee handed them a sleek tablet. "Your selections will be sent straight to the kitchen, and we'll deliver your food once it's ready."

Ray took the tablet from the employee, who gave them a polite bow before leaving. Amaya gestured toward the door with a small smile.

Ray looked up, confused. "What are you doing?"

"Boys first," Amaya said, closing her eyes dramatically and leaning halfway into the room as if inviting him in.

Ray blinked. "Isn't it supposed to be ladies first?"

She opened one eye, a sly grin tugging at her lips. "If you insist, thank you."

Ray froze. "Wait-"

Before he could react, Amaya strode in with a smug look of victory.

Ray stared after her, dumbfounded. "I cannot believe you made me say that."

She slid into her seat. "Now... let's order first." Then, her playful tone faded, replaced by something quieter, more serious. "Before we talk."

Ray exhaled slowly, tapping the screen of the tablet. "Fine..."

Amaya leaned slightly forward, eyeing the screen. "Can I look first? I'm starving."

"Should've grabbed it faster," Ray said flatly, selecting his order and placing it in the queue before handing the tablet over.

Amaya smirked faintly but didn't argue. She knew exactly what she wanted and tapped in her choices quickly. Once she pressed "Order," the tablet lit up with a green check mark and displayed a timer: 25 minutes. Amaya stared at it for a moment. Just enough time to finally apologize properly.

The air between them felt tense, almost suffocating. "I... I don't know how to say it without sounding like I'm making an excuse," Amaya began.

Ray didn't answer. He only kept his eyes on her, waiting, wanting her to say everything before he spoke.

"First," she said carefully, "can you tell me what you've heard?"

"The last thing I heard before I ran away, the thing that's been stuck in my head ever since, was..." He shut his eyes, inhaling slowly as if bracing himself. "...you pity me. That you only stuck around because I was your childhood friend. And that you agreed I was unworthy to be the one mixing your music."

Amaya's eyes widened. She remembered it perfectly, her mocking tone, the way she had laughed. The memory made her stomach drop. Her throat tightened until she could barely breathe.

"You know I would've accepted any criticism," Ray continued, his voice trembling, "but those words... they hurt. Knowing that's what my childhood friend thought of me, and finding out like that..." Tears slipped down his cheeks, but he didn't look away from her.

"Ray..." Her voice faltered. She didn't know where to start, but she knew she had to try. "Please believe me when I say this... I-" She swallowed hard, guilt pressing heavy against her chest. "I never meant those words. And I never will."

Ray's jaw clenched. "How can you not mean it when you said it in that tone? How can you say those words while laughing your head off!?" His voice wasn't loud, but the anger in it was sharp enough to cut.

Her eyes brimmed with tears she tried to hold back. "I mean it, Ray..." Her voice cracked. "I never... meant a single word of it."

"Then tell me why you acted like you enjoyed mocking me to others! Explain!" His voice stayed controlled, but the tension in his expression gave him away.

"I was desperate!" she blurted out. "That company was so famous for hiring talented people, when they recruited me, I couldn't think about anything except..." Her voice broke completely as the tears finally fell. "...except the fame I'd get just from joining them."

Ray sat frozen, his chest rising and falling faster. He wanted to respond, but his anger was pulling at him, twisting with something else, something heavier. Finally, his eyes softened, and when he spoke again, it was almost a whisper.

"I knew you were desperate. That's why I was willing to always support your dreams." His lips trembled as he added, "I wanted you to keep that smile on your face. That's the reason I learned how to be a sound engineer in the first place."

Upon hearing Ray's confession, Amaya felt her chest tighten even more as guilt piled on top of guilt.
"I'm sorry, Ray... I know I don't have the right after betraying your efforts and trust, but..." She lifted her gaze, locking eyes with the sadness in his. "I love you."

Ray's eyes widened, shock flickering across his face. "What... did you say?"

Amaya's gaze dropped again, her tears falling freely now. "Yeah... Ever since I saw how dedicated you were in supporting me, I started to have feelings for you. I liked how kind you were to me. I liked how you always knew what to do when I was stressed with my modelling and acting career." She gave a small, trembling smile, knowing these words might mean nothing to him now. "I know it's too late to say it... but I truly love you, Ray."

Silence. Only their quiet sniffles filled the space. Amaya stared at the table, bracing herself for rejection.

"I..." Ray's voice broke the stillness after what felt like forever.

Her heart sank. She shut her eyes, more tears spilling as her chest grew tight.

"I love you as well," Ray said softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Her head snapped up, eyes wide and glistening with disbelief.

"But..." Ray continued, and her heart lurched again. "I don't want to get into a relationship—"

Her breath caught.

"Yet."

She froze, blinking at him before her expression twisted into frustration. "Can you finish your damn sentence in one go?!" She swiped at her cheeks, careful not to smudge her makeup.

Ray chuckled, the sound light in a way she hadn't heard from him in years. "You know, if social media saw you like this, they'd call you a baby."

"And whose fault is that, idiot?" she shot back, but there was no heat in her tone.

They sat together in a comfortable silence, the tension from earlier gone.

Amaya exhaled and leaned back slightly. "Well then... shall we restart as friends before going into a relationship?" She held her hand out for a handshake.

Ray took it, smiling warmly. "I hope our friendship this time will be stronger... I love you, Amaya."