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Chapter 25 – The Taste of Memories
The main event came to an end, and soft applause echoed through the grand hall. The lights dimmed slightly, replaced by the gentle glow of chandeliers above as waiters rolled in silver trays of food. The air filled with the aroma of roasted herbs, spices, and rich sauces.
Guests began to take their assigned seats for dinner, and the Horikita family found theirs — not far from the main table, where Ayanokoji, Arisu Sakayanagi, and Ryuuen sat together.
Suzune quietly took her seat beside her brother and glanced toward Ayanokoji's table. He sat there calmly, wearing his signature expression — unreadable, emotionless, yet somehow commanding the attention of the entire room without saying a word. His presence alone made everyone quieter, more careful in how they moved or spoke.
As the dishes were served, Arisu Sakayanagi walked past the Horikita family's table, her elegant smile never fading. Her every movement carried grace and confidence, her cane tapping lightly against the marble floor. She paused beside Suzune and leaned slightly, her tone soft but filled with meaning.
> "You should try the steak," she said. "It's made by one of Ayanokoji's private chefs. Even Michelin-star restaurants pale in comparison."
Before Suzune could reply, Arisu straightened up, smiled, and continued walking toward her table beside Ayanokoji.
Suzune blinked, her curiosity piqued. She picked up her knife and fork, cutting a small piece of the steak and bringing it to her lips.
The moment the flavor hit her tongue, her eyes widened slightly.
It was… perfect. Tender, rich, and balanced — the kind of taste that could only come from years of patience, precision, and passion.
Her family noticed too. Her father and mother exchanged surprised glances, and even Manabu — who was normally composed — seemed impressed.
> "This flavor… it's extraordinary," her father murmured.
"Indeed," Manabu said quietly. "You can taste the skill."
Suzune remained silent, chewing slowly as if trying to understand why this particular dish made her heart race for no reason. A strange warmth filled her chest — nostalgic, yet unexplainable.
From the main table, Ayanokoji's calm eyes briefly lifted. He glanced toward the Horikita family's table just as Suzune took her second bite. For the first time in a long while, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
> She reacted the same way…
Just like Yukino did back then.
Arisu noticed the change immediately. Sitting beside him, she watched quietly — the rare, fleeting smile that crossed Ayanokoji's face.
> So he's finally showing emotions again, she thought, smiling faintly. Yukino… your reflection truly lives within Suzune Horikita.
She looked toward Suzune — the way she moved, the way she gently touched her hair before taking another bite, the soft glimmer in her eyes.
Everything reminded Arisu of her — of Yukino Yukinoshita, the girl who once captivated Ayanokoji's heart and could even defeat Arisu in everything, from academics to strategy… and affection.
> Yukino's long hair… her calm composure… even the way she expressed silent gratitude through her eyes. Suzune resembles her completely.
Arisu turned her gaze back to Ayanokoji, whose expression softened as he quietly whispered something under his breath that only she could hear.
> "You did well, Arisu."
She smiled knowingly.
> "Of course. I only said what needed to be said."
Because in truth, there was no private chef.
Ayanokoji had cooked the steak himself.
Back in the kitchen earlier, he had dismissed the chefs and prepared the dish with precision — the same recipe he once learned years ago, when he decided to cook for Yukino because she loved steak more than anything.
He'd failed countless times before, but for her, he had kept learning until he perfected it.
Now, seeing Suzune's expression — the exact same spark of surprise and delight — made something within his cold heart flicker.
> It's the same look. The same reaction.
Suzune Horikita… are you the one who can make me feel again?
Arisu's eyes softened as she watched him. She didn't need to hear his thoughts to know.
> He's falling for her.
As the dinner continued, the hall buzzed with laughter, conversation, and clinking glasses. But at one table near the back, Suzune silently ate, her thoughts drifting somewhere else — not on the crowd, not on the wealth, but on the taste of the dish and the strange warmth it carried.
She glanced up for just a moment and caught Ayanokoji's gaze across the room.
For a split second, the world around them seemed to fade — the noise, the lights, the people — everything disappeared.
Neither of them spoke, but that brief connection was enough.
Ayanokoji looked away first, hiding his faint smile behind his wine glass.
Suzune lowered her eyes, her heart beating just a little faster.
Arisu, noticing their silent exchange, closed her eyes and thought softly to herself:
> Yukino… I think he's finally found his reason to smile again.
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