Aurora offered a small smile, then nodded and took a cold compress from the small ice box provided by the hotel. She gently placed it over the swollen area, careful not to hurt Rafael. He winced slightly but didn’t complain. Instead, his hand moved to Aurora’s hair, stroking it softly.For several minutes, they remained silent. Only the sound of the rain and their breathing filled the room. Aurora kept pressing the compress gently, making sure it stayed cold. She replaced the ice a few times and wrapped Rafael’s leg in a warm towel afterward.“Let’s skip going out tomorrow,” Aurora said softly. “You need to rest.”“But we haven’t gone to the Japanese art museum you were so excited about…” Rafael protested gently.Aurora looked at him with a tender smile. “The museum can wait. Your leg can’t. I’d rather see you healthy and walking freely than watch you push yourself like this.”Rafael fell silent, then chuckled quietly. “Since when did you
The night breeze drifted softly through the large restaurant windows, carrying the crisp chill of the base of Mount Fuji. From their window-side seat, the twinkling lights of the small town of Gotemba shimmered in the distance, like silent witnesses to their togetherness. Soft classical music played in the background, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.Aurora sipped her red wine while gazing at Rafael. The man looked unusually calm tonight, even though the cane beside his chair was a quiet reminder that his leg hadn’t fully healed. But that wasn’t what kept Aurora looking at him. It was something in Rafael’s smile a calmness and strength all in one glance that always managed to ease her mind.“You know,” Aurora said softly, setting down her glass. “I think people must be really jealous of me. Having dinner with you in a place this beautiful.”Rafael tilted his head, his smile widening. “Why would they be jealous?”“Because,” Aurora lowered her gaze, fidgeting with the napkin in her lap,
The car slowly stopped in a relatively quiet parking area on one side of Gotemba Premium Outlets. The clear sky, streaked with thin white clouds and the majestic shadow of Mount Fuji in the distance, made the atmosphere feel like a warm dream. Aurora looked out the window, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.“Wow…” she whispered softly as the door opened and the cool air touched her face. “This place is huge.”Rafael, sitting in the driver’s seat, now opened his door and slowly stepped out using his walking stick. His eyes never left Aurora’s amazed face it was like watching a child brought to an amusement park.“Welcome to every tourist’s favorite shopping paradise,” Rafael said with a playful smile. “Didn’t you say you like relaxing walks?”Aurora nodded eagerly. “But I didn’t expect it to be this beautiful. And look at that! Mount Fuji is so clear from here!” She pointed toward the clock tower at the center of the outlet area, standing proudly w
The nearest clinic to the ski area wasn’t very big, but it was comfortable and modern. The staff welcomed Rafael and Aurora warmly, quickly bringing Rafael to the examination room upon seeing the cast on his leg and the slight paleness on his face.Aurora walked beside the rolling bed, holding Rafael’s hand tightly. She kept her head down, saying nothing since they arrived. Guilt weighed heavily in her chest, becoming clearer with every pained movement Rafael made.A middle-aged doctor, wearing a white coat and thin glasses, entered with a calm smile.“Good afternoon. I’m Dr. Yamato. May I take a look at your leg, sir?”Rafael nodded. “Of course. Sorry for the trouble.”Carefully, Dr. Yamato examined Rafael’s cast, then asked him to remove the outer protective layer. When the area around Rafael’s calf was exposed, swelling around the previously injured bone was clearly visible. The reddish color was striking, though not as bad as a serious injury.“Hm,” Dr. Yamato murmured, gently pre
Aurora took a light fall for the third time. She laughed to herself as she tried to get up, brushing the snow off her gloves. Though a bit tired, her face was glowing. She started getting ready to glide down the small hill again, eager to try out the turning technique the instructor had just taught her.From a distance, Rafael, still seated on the observation bench, watched her every move attentively. He smiled, until suddenly, his smile faded and was replaced by a tense expression. His eyes caught a shadow speeding rapidly from the right side of the arena. A teenage boy, seemingly an amateur, had lost control while coming down a bigger slope and was heading straight toward Aurora’s path.“Aurora! Turn! Watch out!” Rafael shouted at the top of his lungs, panic-stricken.But Aurora, only vaguely hearing Rafael’s voice, simply smiled and waved at him. She thought he was just cheering her on. “Yes! I got this!” she replied playfully, lowering her body, ready
Aurora kept humming in delight as she took in the breathtaking view.Rafael chuckled at the sight. “Come on, my turn to take a look.”Aurora immediately stepped aside, and Rafael began peeking into the binoculars. “You’re right. The view is insane… But still, the best view today is you.”Aurora turned quickly and gave him a playful slap on the arm while laughing, “You’re ridiculously romantic!”They both laughed together, and the cold morning air felt warm with their laughter and happiness.Aurora hugged herself as the wind began to blow a little harder. Rafael, standing beside her, reached into his small bag and gently wrapped a scarf around Aurora’s neck.“Don’t catch a cold. I don’t want you coming down with a fever after this,” he said softly.Aurora looked at Rafael, now standing so close to her. “You’ve been carrying this scarf the whole time?” she asked, touched.“Always prepared. Remember, you’re dating a CEO,” Rafael smiled teasingly.Aurora let out a soft laugh, her eyes spa