Aiko's scream was abruptly silenced as a strong hand clamped over her mouth, yanking her backward into the darkness of the estate's outer gardens. The world around her blurred, her vision clouded by fear and the dim light of the moon. She struggled against the iron grip of her assailant, kicking and twisting her body in a desperate attempt to break free.The cold night air stung her skin as she was dragged further into the shadows, the sounds of the estate fading into a distant hum. Panic surged through her veins. She thrashed harder, trying to claw at the hand that held her, but the grip was unyielding. Aiko could feel her strength waning, her breaths coming in short, frantic gasps.Her thoughts raced, a chaotic jumble of fear and desperation. Who is this? What do they want? She knew she had to get away, had to alert the others, but her vision was beginning to blur, her mind growing foggy from the lack of oxygen.Just when she thought she might lose consciousness, she heard it—a voice shouting her name, cutting through the thick haze of fear like a blade."Aiko!"It was Erik.A surge of adrenaline coursed through her at the sound of his voice. Aiko renewed her struggle, using the last of her strength to twist and shove against her attacker. The sudden movement must have caught them off guard because their grip loosened just enough for her to wrench free.She stumbled forward, gasping for air, and turned to see Erik barreling toward them, his face contorted with a mixture of rage and fear. The moonlight glinted off his sharp features, casting a dangerous shadow over his normally calm blue eyes. He was like a force of nature, unstoppable and fierce, and Aiko felt a surge of relief mixed with a strange, protective instinct."You!" Erik shouted, his voice a low, menacing growl that sent a chill down Aiko's spine. "Get away from her!"The assailant hesitated for a split second, clearly weighing their chances against the ferocity of the man charging at them. In that moment of indecision, Erik reached them and tackled the attacker to the ground with a thud that echoed through the night.Aiko stumbled back, her heart hammering in her chest as she watched Erik pin the man to the ground with an intensity she had never seen before. Erik's hands were like iron as he held the attacker down, his face inches from theirs, his voice low and deadly serious."Who sent you?" Erik demanded, his voice cold as ice. "Why are you here?"The man beneath him writhed and squirmed, but Erik's grip was unrelenting. "I don't know!" the attacker gasped, his voice high-pitched and panicked. "I was just paid to grab her! I don't know anything else, I swear!"Erik's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. "I don't believe you. Who are you working for?"The attacker whimpered, his resistance fading as Erik's presence loomed over him. "Please! It was just a job! I'm telling the truth!"Seeing the fear in the man's eyes, Aiko realized that they weren't going to get any more information from him. She stepped forward, placing a hand on Erik's shoulder, her touch gentle but firm."Erik, it's okay," she said softly, trying to steady her own racing heart. "Let him go. He doesn't know anything."Erik hesitated, his muscles tense as he considered her words. She could see the conflict in his eyes—the desire to protect her, to make sure she was safe, warring with the darker urge to punish the man who had dared to threaten her. For a moment, she wasn't sure which side would win.But then Erik looked at her, really looked at her, and his expression softened just a fraction. He released the attacker, standing up slowly and pulling Aiko protectively behind him. "Get out of here," he ordered, his voice still sharp and commanding. "And don't come back. If I see you again, you won't get off this easy."The man scrambled to his feet, his face pale and his body trembling. He didn't need to be told twice—he took off into the night without a backward glance, disappearing into the darkness.Erik watched him go, his body still tense, every muscle coiled like a spring ready to snap. Aiko could feel the energy radiating off him, a mix of anger, fear, and something else—something deeper, more primal."Erik," she whispered, her voice shaky but filled with gratitude. "Thank you. I... I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come."Erik turned to her, his eyes softening as they met hers. "I couldn't let them take you," he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Aiko."Aiko felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, a mix of relief and overwhelming emotion. "I know. And I'm so grateful for you, Erik. You've been my protector through all of this."Before Erik could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, and Aiko turned to see her father, Haruto, coming toward them with several guards in tow."Aiko! Erik! What's going on?" Haruto demanded, his face a mask of concern and anger.Aiko quickly explained what had transpired, her voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. As she spoke, Haruto's expression darkened, his eyes flicking to Erik with a mixture of suspicion and concern.When she finished, Haruto turned to Erik, his voice hard. "Erik, I need a word with you. Alone."Aiko started to protest, but Erik gave her a reassuring look, silently asking her to trust him. "It's okay, Aiko. I'll be right back."Aiko watched them go, her heart heavy with worry. She knew her father was protective, but she also knew Erik. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change—something big.As Erik followed Haruto into the shadows of the courtyard, Aiko took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Whatever was coming, she would face it head-on, just like she always had.But for the first time in a long time, she wasn't facing it alone.As they stopped under a cherry blossom tree. Walking into the pavilion nearby, the moonlight casting shadows across their faces, Haruto turned to face Erik, his expression stern."Erik, I want to know what your intentions are with my daughter," Haruto said bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest. "You've been a great help to us, and for that, I'm grateful. But Aiko's been through enough, and I won't have her heart broken by someone who isn't serious."Erik met Haruto's gaze head-on, his expression calm but intense. "I understand your concern, sir. And I want you to know that I care about Aiko more than anything. She's... she's the most incredible person I've ever met. I would never do anything to hurt her."Haruto studied him for a long moment, his eyes searching Erik's face for any hint of deceit. "I don't know your past, Erik? You're a foreigner, a man with secrets. Can you really promise that you'll stay by her side, that you won't run when things get tough?"Erik's jaw tightened, and for a moment, a shadow passed over his features. "I won't lie to you, Mr. Takamura. I have a past, and it's not something I'm proud of. But I've made my choices, and I want to protect Aiko. I'm here for her, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect her."Haruto nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I see. And what about this relationship? Do you think it's wise, given the current climate? People will talk. They'll judge. Are you ready for that?"Erik didn't hesitate. "I don't care what people think. Aiko and I... we understand each other. We've been through so much together, and I'm not about to let her go because of what some people might say."Haruto was silent for a moment, then sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Alright, Erik. I'm willing to give you a chance. But understand this: if you hurt my daughter, if you break her heart, I will hold you accountable. Do you understand?"Erik nodded, his gaze steady. "I understand, sir. And you have my word—I won't let you down."Haruto nodded, a hint of respect in his eyes. "Good. Now, let's go back to Aiko. We have much to discuss."As they made their way back to the main group, Erik couldn't help but feel a weight lift from his shoulders. He knew he had a long way to go to earn Haruto's full trust, but he was willing to do whatever it took.Meanwhile, Sayuri sat alone in her room, her mind racing with guilt and frustration. She had seen the way Erik held Aiko, the way he looked at her with such intensity and devotion. It made her stomach twist with envy and resentment.She had always felt like she was living in Aiko's shadow, always second best. No matter how hard she tried, she could never measure up. And now, even Erik—the mysterious, dangerous man she had secretly admired—was falling for her perfect sister.Sayuri clenched her fists, tears of anger and frustration welling up in her eyes. Why did everything always go Aiko's way? Why couldn't she have something for herself?As she sat there, stewing in her emotions, she thought back to her childhood. She remembered the way her parents had always praised Aiko, always held her up as the model of what a daughter should be. And she remembered the way they looked at her, the way they seemed to expect less from her, as if she could never be more than a disappointment.Her mother, Hana, had always been kind and loving, but Sayuri could see the worry in her eyes, the concern that Sayuri would never be able to find her place in the world. Her father, Haruto, was stricter, more demanding, always pushing her to be more like Aiko, to live up to the family name.But Sayuri was different. She didn't want to follow in Aiko's footsteps, to be the dutiful daughter who did everything right. She wanted to be free, to live her own life, to make her own choices. And she resented the way everyone seemed to think that Aiko was the only one who mattered.With a bitter sigh, Sayuri wiped away her tears and stood up. She couldn't sit here feeling sorry for herself forever. If she wanted to change things, she would have to take matters into her own hands.Downstairs, Aiko sat in the living room, her mind spinning with everything that had happened. She thought about Erik, about the way he had looked at her, the way he had held her. She thought about Hiroshi and the way he had treated her—how different it had been.With Hiroshi, everything had been about appearances, about maintaining a facade of perfection. He had been charming, polite, always saying the right things, but there had been a coldness to him, a distance that Aiko hadn't realized until it was too late.She remembered the night she had caught Hiroshi with Sayuri, the way her heart had shattered into a million pieces. She had felt so betrayed, so humiliated. And yet, looking back, she realized that she had never truly loved Hiroshi—not in the way she loved Erik.Erik was different. He was intense, passionate, fiercely protective. He didn't care about appearances or what others thought. He cared about her, about who she was, and that made all the difference.Aiko sighed, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She cared for Erik deeply, more than she had ever thought possible. But she also knew that their relationship was complicated, fraught with challenges and uncertainties.She couldn't help but wonder what her life would have been like if she had never met Erik, if she had never left the safe, predictable world she had known with Hiroshi. But then she realized that she didn't want that life, that she couldn't go back to being the person she had been.She was stronger now, more determined, more willing to fight for what she believed in. And she knew that Erik had been a big part of that transformation.As she sat there, lost in thought, Erik and her father reentered the room. Aiko looked up, her eyes searching Erik's face for any sign of what had transpired between them.Haruto cleared his throat, drawing Aiko's attention. "Aiko, Erik and I had a talk. I wanted to make sure he understood the gravity of the situation, the challenges you both will face if you choose to be together."Aiko nodded, her heart racing. "And?"Haruto glanced at Erik, then back at Aiko. "And he's convinced me that he's serious about you, that he's willing to do whatever it takes to support you and this project. But you need to be sure, Aiko. You need to be sure that this is what you want."Aiko looked at Erik, her eyes filled with emotion. "Father, I care about Erik, and I know it won't be easy, but you have nothing to worry about."Haruto sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Alright, Aiko. If this is truly what you want, then I'll support you. But be careful, both of you. The road ahead won't be easy."Erik nodded, his expression serious. "Thank you, sir. I promise I won't let you down."As the tension in the room began to ease, Aiko felt a surge of relief and gratitude. She knew that there were still many challenges ahead, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of hope.Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the estate in a warm, golden glow, Aiko and Erik stood together in the garden. The air was cool and crisp, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air.Aiko turned to Erik, her eyes shining with emotion. "Thank you for standing up for us, Erik. It means more to me than you'll ever know."Erik smiled, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from her face. "I meant what I said, Aiko. I'm here for you, no matter what. We'll face whatever comes together."Aiko's heart swelled with affection, and she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. Erik's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as they shared a tender embrace.For a moment, everything else faded away—the challenges, the uncertainties, the fears. All that mattered was the two of them, standing together in the fading light, ready to face the future.But even as they held each other close, a shadow loomed on the horizon. Sayuri stood at the edge of the garden, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment. She watched them, her heart aching with a mix of anger and longing.She had made a decision, and there was no turning back. She would do whatever it took to take Aiko down, to prove that she was just as capable, just as deserving.As the night settled in and the stars began to twinkle overhead, Sayuri turned and disappeared into the darkness, her mind racing with plans of revenge.