Ryo stood at the entrance of the grand ballroom, his eyes sweeping across the room as guests filled in. The dinner party was extravagant, a celebration of his recovery organized by his company.
The luxury of a famous Japanese hotel provided the perfect environment, with the tables covered in fine linens and decorated with intricate ikebana arrangements.
The buffet offered a blend of Japanese and Western cuisine, though the emphasis was clearly on the former—sushi, sashimi, tempura, and other traditional dishes that reminded him of his roots. The soft notes of a koto filled the air, adding a touch of serenity to the bustling event.
As he watched the mingling crowd, a sense of unease gnawed at him. He had always been confident in his ability hablde business meetings like this, but this—this was different. The stakes were higher, the players more dangerous. High-profile guests from powerful companies, old families with deep ties to Japan's business and underworld, and even a few political figures had come to pay their respects. Ryo could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.
"Mr. Harada," a man in an impeccable suit approached him, bowing slightly. "It's an honor to see you back in action. Your recovery has been the talk of the business world."
"Thank you," Ryo replied with a polite smile. "I'm glad to be back."
The man continued, his tone light but his words loaded with implications. "I trust you'll continue to steer the company towards new heights? There's so much potential, especially with the current market trends. I think our partnership will help you a lot."
"That's the plan," Ryo said, maintaining his composed facade. "We're exploring several new opportunities but that doesn't mean we will let down our most trusted people."
As the conversation continued, Ryo felt a sudden coldness against his back. He stiffened, recognizing the familiar sensation of a blade's edge, even if it was a dull one.
"Would've been dead if I was serious, brother," came the quiet voice behind him, a voice Ryo knew all too well.
Ryo's eyes flickered with recognition. He didn't turn, instead keeping his gaze on the man in front of him, who seemed oblivious to the exchange.
"Your reflexes are getting dull, Ryo," the voice continued, this time with a teasing edge.
Ryo sighed inwardly before replying, his voice steady. "I'm a businessman, not a yakuza like you."
The man behind him chuckled softly, the sound filled with both amusement and something darker. "Businessman or not, you're still Harada. Mother expects you to visit soon, so you better come back. Yui is waiting to kill you, so careful you don't meet her."
"Understood," Ryo murmured. The man patted him on the shoulder before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Ryo standing there, feeling the weight of the Harada name pressing down on him.
He didn't even get a chance to use his skill appraisal on this man since, he wasn't able to touch the charm that was in his trouser pocket.
The man who was threatening him with a light tone was none other than his foster brother, Yuto Harada, who is five years older than him, also one of the older brother(Kyodai) in Harada family.
"Mr. Harada, is everything alright?" The man in the suit asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
Ryo forced a smile. "Yes, just lost in thought. Please, continue."
After a few more minutes of conversation, the man finally excused himself, allowing Ryo a moment of respite. He glanced around the room, trying to shake off the lingering unease from his brother's sudden appearance.
Just then, his attention was caught by a figure moving gracefully through the crowd. It was none other than Emi, but tonight she was different. She wasn't in her usual business attire; instead, she was dressed in a stunning evening gown that accentuated her figure in all the right ways.
Her hair was styled elegantly, and her makeup was subtle yet striking. The sight of her took him by surprise, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
As she approached, Emi noticed Ryo's gaze and smiled, though there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "President, are you alright? Did anyone ask anything...difficult?."
Ryo blinked, trying to focus. "I'm fine, Emi. Just… thinking."
Emi tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You sure? You've been zoning out a lot lately. Should I be worried?"
Ryo let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "I was zoning out because I was thinking about how you look… beautiful tonight."
Emi's eyes widened in surprise at the compliment, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. It wasn't like Ryo to be so direct. "Thank you, President. You're looking quite dashing yourself."
Ryo smiled, feeling a warmth he hadn't expected. "It's good to see you here. I wasn't tired talking business with everyone."
"Of course I would come, I can't miss your recovery party." Emi replied with a soft smile.
The music in the background shifted, signaling the start of the evening's dance. The lights dimmed slightly, casting a warm, intimate glow over the ballroom. Couples began moving to the center of the room, swaying to the soft, romantic melody.
This event was a truly a mix between eastern and western cultures, which most of the people found intriguing. The old people talked about how the youngsters had been more accepting than them, while young people enjoyed the mix of everything.
Ryo hesitated for a moment before holding out his hand. "Would you care to dance?"
Emi looked at him in surprise again but quickly placed her hand in his. "I'd love to."
As they moved to the dance floor, Ryo felt a strange sense of calm settle over him. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, moving together in perfect sync. For the first time in a long while, Ryo felt at peace, as if he could forget the weight of his responsibilities, even if just for a moment.
"You're unusually quiet tonight," Emi remarked as they danced. "What's on your mind?"
Ryo hesitated, the words of the shrine maiden echoing in his mind once more. "Just… thinking about everything that's happened. How much has changed."
Emi nodded, her expression softening. "It's been a lot, hasn't it? But you're handling it well, Ryo. Better than I expected, honestly."
"Thank you," Ryo replied, his voice tinged with genuine gratitude. "I couldn't have done it without you, Emi. You've been a great support. Would you like to take dinner with me sometimes?"
Emi's eyes widened even further at his words. "Huh? Dinner... do you mean like..."
"Yes! I mean, something like a date. Just you and me." Ryo found it strange how straightforward he was. Normally, he wouldn't have been able to do something like this, but the confidence he had built, combined with a sense of desperation, allowed him to act as if there were no tomorrow.
"I would... I would love to," Emi answered without thinking twice, but then she suddenly went silent, as if she was thinking about something.
They continued to dance, the soft music wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. For a brief moment, it felt like nothing else mattered.
Back at the mansion, Akemi was pacing in her bedroom, frustration boiling over. She had been at another party earlier, but it had done little to ease the irritation that now gnawed at her. The thought of Ryo out there, being celebrated while she was stuck here, filled her with rage. How dare he enjoy himself? How dare he not invite me, his future wife?
"Damn him," she muttered, gripping the edge of her marble table. She had sacrificed so much for this life, yet it felt like everything was slipping through her fingers. She clenched her fists, vowing to regain control, no matter what it took.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of soft footsteps. Akemi turned to see a servant enter the room, bowing deeply. "Madam, is there anything you require?"
Akemi scowled, waving the woman away. "No. Just leave me."
The servant quickly retreated, leaving Akemi alone with her thoughts once more. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. Ryo would regret this. She would make sure of it.
Back at the party, the night continued to unfold. Guests laughed, drank, and indulged in the lavish spread. The music played on, and the dance floor was filled with couples moving to the rhythm. Ryo and Emi remained close, their movements synchronized as they danced together.
"You've really changed, you know," Emi said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ryo glanced down at her, raising an eyebrow. "Have I?"
"Yes," she replied, her gaze meeting his. "You're… different. More… aware. More kind and approachable."
Ryo chuckled softly. "Maybe I've just realized what's really important."
Emi smiled, though a hint of curiosity lingered in her eyes. "And what's that?"
Ryo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked around the room, taking in the sight of the people around him—the guests, the employees, the friends who had come to support him. He thought of his daughter, the life he had left behind, and the future that lay ahead.
"Family and moments like this," he finally said, his voice firm. "What's really important is enjoying the moment."
Emi looked at him, her expression thoughtful. "I think you're right, Ryo. But sometimes… it's easy to forget that."
Ryo nodded, a sense of determination settling over him. "I won't forget. Not anymore."
As the music continued to play, they danced together, lost in their own thoughts. But even as they moved, the seeds of something new were being planted—something that neither of them fully understood yet, but that would change their relationship forever.
At that very moment, back at the mansion, Akemi's fury only deepened when she heard about Ryo dancing with another woman, her mind racing with plans to punish Ryo, no matter the cost.