Chapter 11: A Cold Quest

"I've made so many mistakesI've let people downBut I'm still learningI'm still growing"好不容易 by 告五人

❥

Takuya finished his first day's filming in the hotel office and headed out before the rest of the cast. The crew received their thanks, while Takuya moved towards the lobby. He spotted Sho's manager standing amidst hotel staff near the glass entrance, and his curiosity drew him closer, with Manna trailing after him.

Takuya's voice cut through the quiet murmurs of the lobby, "Manager-san." His words startled Sho's manager, who quickly spun around with a surprised.

"Ah, Kusakawa-kun!" But the initial greeting was fleeting, replaced by a subtle shift in their expression as a furrow crept between their brows.

Drawn in by the hushed conversation and curious about the gathering, Takuya spoke up. "I'm just curious about what's going on here," Takuya admitted, his voice polite yet filled with a hint of intrigue. "Anyone you're expecting? Or did Sho get you stuck with, perhaps for food delivery or something?"

"No, actually," the manager said, a sigh escaping his lips. The hotel staff stood behind him, their faces etched with concern. Looking back and forth between Takuya and the staff, he revealed, "Nishigaki-kun...he's gone. He left about an hour ago."

"Wait, what?" Takuya frowned, his gaze flitting between the manager and the hotel staff. "This isn't right. I was told he went sightseeing with you, and now that you're here, I assumed he'd already returned."

"We did indeed return earlier," the manager explained. "Our plan was to visit the flea market, and we needed additional heat packs. Nishigaki-kun preferred to wait for me outside the hotel, enjoying the snow, while I went up to my room to get them. Unfortunately, when I came back, he wasn't here anymore. I do have his phone with me, however." He reached into his pocket and displayed Sho's phone to Takuya.

"Is there any update on Sho's whereabouts?"

"Following Mr. Nishigaki's reported disappearance, we've been conducting a comprehensive search within the hotel grounds and surrounding area for the past 45 minutes. Additionally, we've informed the local police who are currently assisting us with an on-foot patrol covering the walkable areas within reach at this time, but regrettably, no information regarding Mr. Nishigaki's whereabouts has been identified yet." One of the hotel staff members, wearing a name tag that revealed them to be the manager, explained.

Though the fear threatened to engulf him, Takuya forced himself to remain calm, aware of the tense atmosphere surrounding him. "I see," he acknowledged, ssuppressing the tremor in his hand by clenching his fist. "I need immediate assistance. Any chance you can assign two or three of your crew to help me look around for Sho real quick?"

"But, Kusakawa-kun, with all due respect, I must first outline the actions already taken-"

"Please!" Takuya cut in, rising his voice a notch to push past the manager's objection. This time, frustration got the better of him, and he blurted out, "I need to do something about this. Sho is my partner, and he doesn't have any more heat packs. He can't handle the cold well." he explained, his voice gentler now, as he laid out his reasons.

Without hesitation, the hotel manager instructed two staff members to assist Takuya in a thorough search of the hotel grounds for Sho.

Witnessing the raw desperation in Takuya's eyes, Manna knew any attempt at dissuasion would be futile. Manna chose to support him. She silently gestured to Sho's manager, urging him to remain calm and to contact her and to inform her of any updates. The manager, getting the message loud and clear, gave her a firm nod.

Drawn by the sudden flurry of activity, Okazaki and Takahashi, coming back from their filming duties, made their way towards the group. By the time they reached them, Takuya already making a hasty exit before they could even say hi.

"Excuse me," Okazaki addressed the manager politely. "Could you tell me what's happening? Is Kuskaawa-kun on his way somewhere?"

"I must confirm," the manager acknowledged hesitantly. "We've been unable to locate Nishigaki-kun."

"Eh? He's missing? But the sun is setting soon..." Takahashi said, his voice laced with concern.

"Perhaps it would be best if we all gathered in the lobby while we wait for further updates," the manager proposed, seeking to maintain order.

While they waited in the lobby for updates, Takahashi and Okazaki used the opportunity to gather more information about the situation. Their conversation continued for about half an hour until Okazaki's gaze shifted towards the entrance, where the front doors were swinging open.

"Nishigaki-kun!" Okazaki Sae called out, her tone laced with a mix of relief and surprise as she saw Sho walk in.

Spotting the familiar faces, Sho offered a friendly hello. "Good work, everyone! Did you wrap up filming already? That's quicker than I thought."

"Indeed, Kusakawa-kun's ability to deliver outstanding performances in minimal takes is commendable," Okazaki said, momentarily brushing off the earlier panic. Her eyes scanned Sho from head to toe, taking in his overall state. While Takuya had mentioned his sensitivity to the cold, Sho appeared fine physically. Nevertheless, her gaze kept returning to his hand, a subtle hint of unease flickering in her eyes.

The manager's voice, laced with a touch of surprise, reverberated through the room, momentarily silencing the simmering tension. "Nishigaki-kun!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening as they landed on the plastic bag in Sho's hand. "That's the pop-up dessert market bag, isn't it? That wasn't part of the plan!"

"It's not that big a deal," Sho said with a light laugh. "I kind of assumed you were coming along, so I kept walking without realizing you weren't following until I hit the end."

"Took you long enough!" Okazaki said with mild amusement.

Confusion veiled Sho's features as he tilted his head, processing Okazaki's words. Then, a realization dawned on him as his eyes darted around the room. "Wait, where's Takuya-kun?" he asked.

"I have just communicated with Manna-san," the manager stated. "They have been informed of your return to the hotel. We can wait for them here until they arrive."

♡

Five minutes into his search for Sho, Takuya stumbled upon a nearby dessert market. Seeing it as a potential avenue for finding his friend, he decided to explore the bustling stalls, his eyes scanning every face in anticipation of spotting Sho. His focus was so intense that he nearly bumped into other marketgoers as he navigated the crowded space.

Approximately ten minutes into his exploration, Takuya noticed two interesting details of the dessert market. Firstly, he noticed that everyone seemed to be walking in the same direction, towards a specific point. A sign nearby confirmed this, indicating the direction of the exit. Secondly, despite the wintry weather, the market offered a surprising variety of his favorite snacks, including milkshakes.

"There's a chance he came here," Takuya murmured to himself, remembering how Sho always knew what Takuya wanted and made it happen. He spun around to share his theory with Manna, only to find her already missing in action.

"Kusakawa-kun!" Manna's voice reached him from behind. "Do you know where the exit is? I think we should head back to the hotel now." Takuya was a bit too far off, so Manna needed to crank up the volume to get the info across.

"Let's head towards the end of the market," Takuya suggested. "Any news about Sho yet?" He abruptly shifted the conversation, bringing the most crucial concern back into focus.

"Your partner is back, and he's at the hotel!" Manna announced. She set off at a brisk pace, pulling Takuya along as she headed towards the end.

♡

Takahashi Hikaru's gaze sharpened as she spotted familiar figures approaching the doorway. "There they are," she whispered, her eyes glued to Takuya and the others as they crossed the threshold and entered the warmth of the hotel.

Unable to contain his enthusiasm, Sho broke into a small jog, closing the distance between himself and Takuya. "Great job today!" he greeted with a beaming smile.

Takuya held Sho's gaze for a beat. His attention then drifted downward, drawn to something Sho had in his grasp.

Sensing Takuya's curiosity about the plastic bag, Sho explained, "Oh, this is something I-"

In a sudden and unexpected move, Takuya struck Sho's right cheek with the open palm of his hand. The slap echoed through the room, leaving everyone speechless and stunned. Sho's head snapped to the side, the force of the blow leaving a crimson mark on his cheek. Takuya, however, just stared at Sho, his face blank as a wall.

Sho's manager offered no defense in response to Takuya's action, his only reaction a silent shake of his head. It was as if he acknowledged the validity of Takuya's feelings without needing to voice his own opinion.

Confusion marred Sho's features as he faced Takuya. His brow furrowed, he sputtered, "Wait, what-"

Takuya ignored Sho's outburst, his gaze flitting to Manna. "Manna-san," he stated, "I need a private room for tonight. Could you please also retrieve my bag from my previous room? I'll wait on the sofa over there." Though his voice remained steady, his actions spoke of a raging storm within. He needed some time alone to sort things out. The slap felt wrong, but the feelings behind it were real. Sho's return was a relief, but accepting his partner's recent behavior wouldn't be easy.

The air, thick with unspoken emotions, crackled as Takuya turned to leave. Before he could take a single stride, a hand, trembling with a mixture of hope and fear, snagged his. "You're not going anywhere until we talk," he demanded.

"Later," Takuya stated simply, his voice laced with weariness. "We need to talk, but not now. I'm drowning, and I need to come up for air before we can even begin." He gently withdrew his hand, hoping his unspoken plea for space would be heard.

Sho's grip on Takuya's hand loosened reluctantly. He then handed the plastic bag to Manna, his face etched with a mixture of sadness and resignation.

"Please understand his perspective," Manna said softly, placing a hand on Sho's shoulder. "Perhaps some reflection is needed." Her voice was gentle but firm, indicating her support for Takuya while acknowledging the need for Sho to consider his own actions.

♡

Standing outside Takuya's door, Manna witnessed a rare moment of vulnerability. Though his demeanor remained reserved, a flicker of gratitude crossed his face as he expressed his thanks for the private room.

"Thanks for all the help today, Manna-san. I'm gonna need some space to clear my head. Please, take some time for yourself." He turned away, his shoulders slumping slightly, his posture subtly conveying his need for isolation.

Manna paused, a sigh escaping her lips. "Have you considered speaking with Nishigaki-kun?" she asked, her voice laced with concern."He's probably super messed up right now."

Takuya fell silent for a moment, absorbing Manna's words before responding. "His disappearance wasn't easy for me either," he admitted. "The thought of him out there, alone and shivering, was a constant ache in my chest."

"Making him feel miserable might seem satisfying right now," Manna warned, "but it will only escalate the situation and ultimately damage your relationship."

Takuya turned to Manna, his gaze briefly settling on the object she had placed on the table. It was something Sho had earlier brought, a gift Takuya recognized. Taking a deep breath, he addressed Manna directly, "I need some quiet time to sort through my thoughts. I promise, I'll talk to Sho as soon as I'm in a better frame of mind."

Manna's eyes narrowed. "Are you giving me your word on this?" she demanded, needing a clear commitment.

Takuya confirmed his previous statement with a slight nod.

Manna, satisfied with Takuya's commitment, ended her insistent questioning.

As Manna's footsteps faded away, Takuya sank onto the bed, releasing a pent-up sigh. Exhaustion overtook him, he succumbed to thedepths of sleep until the clock neared midnight.

"Ugh, I overslept," Takuya grumbled, spotting the item from Sho on the table. He picked it up, feeling a touch amused. "Who would sell milkshakes in this weather, anyway? And whoever got this for me must have been crazy - it's practically soup by now! Still, it's not bad," he added with a smile as he took a sip.

Although not physically present on set, Sho's influence fueled Takuya's remarkable performance that day. He nailed each scene in a handful of takes, driven by a desire to reunite with Sho sooner. But this happy reunion never happened because Sho was gone when he got back, which left Takuya feeling pretty down.

A jolt ran through Takuya. The nearness of midnight and the abrupt tap-tap-tap on his door shattered the quiet. He tried to convince himself it was just an echo from another room, draining the milkshake as a distraction, but the second, more insistent knock, sent a wave of caution through him.

Takuya inched closer, his senses on high alert. The peephole offered a distorted view, but the outline was unmistakable. Sho. Takuya unlocked the door with a click and a careful pull, creating a sliver of space between them. He stepped back, maintaining a distance, his eyes searching for any hint of explanation in Sho's face.

"Can we discuss things now?" Sho's voice broke the silence, slightly hesitant. He lingered at the door, noticing the subtle distance Takuya had maintained. Sho met Takuya's gaze directly, leaving the decision in his hands.

The question left Takuya with a crease between his brows. He checked his watch, realizing the night had turned into a new day.

Sho braced himself for the sting of another slap. He looked down as Takuya approached, arm outstretched. However, instead of the expected slap, Takuya's hand landed softly on Sho's cheek, his fingers gently tracing the faintly red mark that lingered there, a silent apology for the pain Sho had endured from the previous action.

Instead of addressing Sho's request, Takuya countered with a question of his own, "Is there any lingering pain?" His eyes, pools of sorrow, reflected the burden of his earlier actions. His attempt to make Sho understand the worry he caused had backfired, and the weight of regret pressed down on him.

"No, it's gone now," Sho said, his blinks measured as he leaned into the touch. He found Takuya's touch kind of calming. "I sincerely regret my carelessness."

"I enjoyed the milkshake," Takuya conceded. "While searching for you in the market, I thought you might be there because of all the desserts I like. But that doesn't excuse your absence without informing your manager," he added, his voice laced with a touch of sternness.

Sho, with a serious nod, owned up to his mistake. He recognized that his actions had caused his concerned partner unnecessary worry. Reflecting on his normally cautious behavior, Sho grappled with the question of why he had acted so impulsively when it mattered most.

"While I'm not angry," Takuya continued, "I was a little disappointed when I couldn't find you after we finished filming today. I got worried because it was cold out and I noticed you didn't have any extra heat packs."

"You got me," Sho agreed, a smile twisting his lips. "I acted thoughtlessly. I didn't want to cause you any worry, but I clearly caused you a lot of stress. Not exactly the best at the whole 'keeping you happy' thing, am I?"

"What are you even saying?" Takuya pleaded with a sigh. "That's not true. You mean the world to me. I haven't always been perfect either. I lost my cool and slapped you." His hand found Sho's cheek again, a gentle caress against the reddened skin. "These cheeks are already getting rosy in this cold weather, and I just made it even more flushed."

"Takuya-kun," Sho's voice, still laced with the warmth of their shared smile, broke through the silence. "shall we return to our shared space?"

Takuya managed a small smile, but his gaze held a hint of sadness as he retracted his arm, a silent rejection. "Not tonight," his voice whispered, carrying the weight of suppressed longing.

The unexpected rejection left Sho disoriented. Had he misinterpreted their moment of reconciliation? "But-" he stammered, his next words caught in his throat.

"Let's call it a night, Sho," Takuya stated gently. "Go back to your room and get some well-deserved rest. It's past your usual bedtime, you know." He checked his watch, confirming the lateness of the hour.

"We are-"

"We've sorted things out," Takuya explained, hoping to ease Sho's worries. "Now, it's important you get some rest, Sho. I need you to take care of your health."

The urge to pull Takuya back, to demand his physical presence as a testament to their reconciliation, tugged at Sho. Yet, recognizing the need for independence, he held back. "Okay. Sleep sounds good." Stepping away, he surrendered to the unknown dawn. "Good night, Takuya-kun."

❥