A furious glint burned in Koizumi Akako's wine-red eyes.
She glared at the man standing in front of her—immaculately dressed, exuding charm that made him irresistible to women. Especially when she noticed the bouquet of roses in his hand, her teeth clenched with resentment.
This man… didn't even react after taking her first kiss!
One day, two days, three days… now almost two months had passed!
After that day, Koizumi Akako had waited for a message, any message. An apology. A meeting request. But this man acted as if he'd died—not a word.
As if nothing had happened. As if he didn't care at all.
And to make matters worse, in recent weeks, Koizumi Akako had seen him everywhere—TV channels, magazines, newspapers.
Whether solving high-profile cases as a famous detective or being lauded as a top-tier mystery novelist, his face was everywhere. That gentle smile had bewitched countless women.
To the proud Koizumi Akako, this was the ultimate insult.
She had even stuffed multiple letters into his detective agency's mailbox. She refused to believe someone as brilliant as him wouldn't recognize they were from her. And yet… he still hadn't responded.
With resentment piling higher and higher, Koizumi Akako finally made her move—on this full moon night, she appeared at his doorstep.
"Long time no see, Akako-san."
"So you still remember me?"
Her voice was ice, and a smirk tugged at her lips.
Hayashi Yoshiki looked at her in silence.
After two or three seconds, Akako's smile faded. Her tone grew sharper.
"Of course. If you knew how to apologize, I wouldn't have had to come here myself… And now, you're standing there in the middle of the night with roses—off to charm another woman?"
Hayashi Yoshiki lowered his eyes slightly.
"Ah… yes. I suppose I do owe you one."
"You're right. I'm about to go on a date."
Koizumi Akako's expression turned ice-cold.
She raised her hand—and a flame suddenly ignited in her palm.
This was no illusion or parlor trick. It was real, high-temperature fire.
"I told you before—'This isn't over,' remember?"
"I wasn't joking. You'll pay for toying with a witch!"
The red flame in her hand flared and launched toward Hayashi Yoshiki.
The blaze reflected in his eyes, and the intense heat scorched the air around him.
Just as the flame closed in, Koizumi Akako clenched her fist—and the fire vanished in an instant. The heat lingered.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
"I'm sorry, Akako-san."
He simply smiled. A flawless, composed smile.
"Tch. You think a half-hearted apology means anything now?"
Flames lit her palm once more.
But Hayashi Yoshiki remained unfazed.
"Actually… since that day, I haven't stopped thinking about you."
"Whether I'm eating, falling asleep, or working, your face keeps coming back to me. And every time… my heart races."
"Even now—seeing you here—it's happening again."
His expression didn't change. His voice remained gentle.
Koizumi Akako sneered.
But the next thing he said made her freeze.
"To be honest, it's very troubling."
"Why would I suddenly like you?"
He looked her directly in the eyes. Calm. Direct. Serious.
"I can't make sense of it. I always need a reason to like someone. And while, yes, you are very cute, Akako—that alone shouldn't be enough."
"So I don't understand it. I can't accept it. It's… irrational."
Koizumi Akako's eyes widened.
He was asking why he liked her?
To someone as proudly narcissistic as Akako, those words felt like a dagger to the chest.
Then Hayashi Yoshiki stepped closer.
Subconsciously, she backed away.
"I started wondering—maybe something strange is going on."
"Maybe it began… after I ate that chocolate you gave me."
"I don't see any other explanation."
His calm gaze made her panic. Desperate, she pointed at the bouquet of roses.
"Then—what's with the flowers!?"
"I'm trying to change how I feel. That's why I'm doing my best to like other women."
Koizumi Akako was stunned.
A man—bewitched into loving her—was now actively fighting it?
Did he think liking her was some kind of curse to be cured?
Everyone else was begging for her attention!
Anger, shame, and rejection all surged within her. She stared at his face—the man who was so talented, so unique. Even under the effect of magic, he was still trying to resist.
Damn you, Hayashi Yoshiki!!!
I won't stop until you admit that you love me!!
Yet under Hayashi Yoshiki's steady gaze, she forced a smile.
"You're spouting nonsense. Why would anyone need a reason to fall in love?"
"It's natural for boys to like me. I mean, look at me… I'm gorgeous! Hehe. And since you're being nice—I'll take these roses!"
She quickly snatched the bouquet from him.
"This is the first time a guy has ever given me flowers. I love them!"
Then, before he could reply, she bolted from the courtyard and disappeared into the night.
Hayashi Yoshiki stood there in silence.
She really is easy to deal with.