After paying the driver, Chloe Grace stepped out of the car and made her way down the sidewalk toward the academy.
"Chloe!" A familiar voice called out in Japanese from ahead.
She looked up abruptly and saw Kyoko waving at her, holding a stack of papers in her hands.
"Chloe, why are you only just arriving? Everyone else has already picked up their final thesis and left." Kyoko reached her side, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild reprimand.
"Oh, uh… I wasn't feeling well, so I got up late." Chloe forced a sheepish smile, but her cheeks flushed against her will. Heaven forbid Kyoko ever found out the real reason for her delay—she'd never hear the end of it.
"What? You've been sick for days, and you're still not better?" Kyoko reached out to feel her forehead. "You don't have a fever."
"Oh, just feeling a little weak… By the way, Kyoko, did you already get your thesis? Are you heading home?" Chloe quickly changed the subject, hoping to divert her attention.
"Yes. Here, this is yours." Kyoko pulled out a neatly bound document from her stack and handed it over. "I noticed you weren't here, and the professor was about to leave, so I took it for you. I was going to call, but then I ran into you just now."
"Wow, Kyoko, you're the best!" Chloe rarely initiated hugs, but this time she did, squeezing her friend gratefully. "Come on, let me treat you to lunch!"
"Lunch?" Kyoko blinked, surprised. She gave Chloe an odd look.
"What? What's with that look?" Chloe checked herself over. There was nothing unusual about her clothes or appearance. Why was Kyoko looking at her like that?
"Chloe, are you living with that Mr. Blaine from the gathering the other night?" Kyoko's blunt question caught her completely off guard.
"Kyoko! Why would you think that?" Had she said something inappropriate while drunk that night?
"It wasn't me who said it—it was Mr. Blaine himself. After you got drunk, he carried you home. When Evan asked him about your relationship, he said you two live together."
"… He really said that?"
"Yes. So tell me, are you two living together or not?" Kyoko suddenly turned serious. "If you two are together, then why did you tell me he was your sister's senior? You even encouraged me to approach him, which was really embarrassing for me."
"Sorry, Kyoko." Chloe sighed, embarrassed. "Honestly, he's the one I told you about before—the person I've always liked."
"What? It's him?!" Kyoko's eyes widened in shock. "No wonder you're so devoted to him, even turning down Evan's pursuit. Mr. Blaine really is impressive—talented and charismatic." She recalled how he had easily brushed off her advances that night, proving he wasn't the type to flirt recklessly.
"You think so too?" Chloe asked, linking her arm through Kyoko's as they walked out of the academy together.
"Chloe, I can't believe you didn't tell me earlier! I'm going to make you pay for this—literally! Since you've landed such an amazing boyfriend, you must be rich enough to treat me to something fancy." Kyoko teased, feigning fierceness.
"Please! Kyoko, it's my own money, okay?" Chloe shot her a sideways glance before laughing. "But fine, I'll treat you. Consider it a celebration." Though she wasn't entirely sure if Blaine reciprocated her feelings, their relationship had certainly taken a turn that made them seem like a couple in love.
"Great! Then I want steamed crab, salt-grilled Pacific saury, and—"
"Chloe!"
A sudden male voice interrupted Kyoko's 'order.' Both girls turned toward the source of the voice simultaneously. Kyoko's sharp intake of breath followed. "Oh my God, Yuto Miyazawa! That's Yuto Miyazawa! Ahhh—Yuto Miyazawa!" Kyoko's voice hit a high-pitched note as she stammered, her excitement overflowing. She looked as though she had just seen a dream materialize before her very eyes.
Chloe glanced at her friend, perplexed. Why was Kyoko reacting so dramatically to Yuto Miyazawa? Was she, like Chloe had been, momentarily dazed by his stunning looks? But Kyoko already knew his name…
"Chloe, what are you doing here?" Yuto leaned out from his car window, his sharply defined features illuminated by the soft winter sunlight.
"Mr. Miyazawa, hello." Chloe released Kyoko's arm and greeted him politely before explaining, "I came to pick up my final thesis."
"Chloe, haven't I told you before? Just call me Yuto." He corrected her once again before turning his gaze to Kyoko. "And who is this lovely young lady? A local?"
"Huh?" Lovely young lady? Was he talking about her? Kyoko froze for two full seconds before a wave of delight surged through her. "Yes! Mr. Miyazawa, I'm Japanese. I go to the same school as Chloe, though we're in different departments." She was practically glowing with excitement, her expression that of a hopeless fangirl. Chloe, on the other hand, was cringing internally, feeling the sudden urge to drag her away before this got any more embarrassing.
But then Yuto spoke again. "Do you two have time to join me for lunch?"
"Lunch? Yes, yes, yes!" Kyoko nodded so rapidly it was as if she feared he'd change his mind. Without waiting for another word, she grabbed Chloe's arm and pulled her toward the car.
"Kyoko, I really don't have time. I need to head back after lunch," Chloe protested. The shop was busy, and she wanted to see if she could help Blaine with something—even something as simple as making coffee.
"Then just let Mr. Miyazawa drop you off after lunch." Kyoko was determined. Having a meal with Yuto Miyazawa, a legendary figure in Japan's fashion and luxury industry, was an opportunity she would never pass up.
"Chloe, if you're worried about Director Blaine, I can call him and explain," Yuto offered. "Besides, I have business at Blayne Cosmetics later this afternoon, so we can go together."
Chloe hesitated before finally nodding and getting into the car with Kyoko.
---
Throughout the entire meal, Kyoko could barely contain her excitement. She had probably gasped 'wow' at least a dozen times, making no secret of how thrilled she was to be dining with Yuto. Chloe, meanwhile, felt utterly mortified.
Fortunately, Yuto didn't appear annoyed or impatient. Instead, he maintained his warm and charming smile throughout, like the gentle radiance of the morning sun.
This, unexpectedly, made Chloe's impression of him even better.