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The flush on Kobeni's cheeks hadn't faded. She looked satisfied, breathing unevenly as she rested against Cael's chest.
Up against someone experienced like Cael, Kobeni was still clearly out of her depth.
She had taken the initiative at first, but it didn't take long before she couldn't keep up.
Still, that didn't bother Cael.
He was used to guiding inexperienced partners, and he handled it naturally.
Kobeni wrapped her arms around his waist, lifting her head to meet his eyes. Her lips parted slightly.
"Cael… what are we now?"
Cael smiled, relaxed.
He picked up the two red hairpins that had fallen earlier, gently fixing her messy bangs and securing them back in place.
"You're asking that out loud," he said, amused, "but your actions already answered it. We've kissed, held each other, and I already paid that forty million yen. What do you think we are?"
"Eeh?!"
Her face turned red instantly.
"I-Is this really okay…?"
Cael didn't hesitate. He pulled her closer.
"Of course it is. From now on, you're mine, Kobeni."
Even after hearing that, her thoughts were in chaos.
Asa Mitaka. Reze. Makima.
Those three alone were enough to scare anyone.
Compared to them, she was just an ordinary girl.
If things turned into a conflict… would she even stand a chance?
"But… if Asa and the others find out… they'll be angry, right?" she asked softly.
Cael waved it off like it was nothing.
"Relax. They're reasonable. You're a good girl, Kobeni, they'll accept it."
His confidence didn't seem fake at all.
"And Fami…" he muttered briefly, then dismissed it entirely.
Kobeni forced a small laugh. "O-Okay… that's good…"
Seeing how uneasy she still looked, something stirred in Cael.
A strange urge to protect her.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly.
"Kobeni… I want to take this further."
"Eh?!"
Her face turned bright red again, all the way to her ears.
"That's… too fast! We just agreed on this!"
Cael raised a brow.
"Too fast? We've known each other long enough. You really think I'd mess around and not take responsibility?"
"T-That's not what I meant…"
"So?"
He pressed his lips beside her ear as he spoke in a low growling tone.
"Please, Kobeni. I'm begging."
Her mind was completely scrambled.
Before she could properly think it through, she nodded.
"O-Okay… but… I don't know much, so… don't be rough…"
Cael smirked slightly.
"Don't worry."
He pressed a button, closing the windows and reclining the seats.
Then he leaned in and kissed her again.
…
Half a month later.
Nerima District.
It was a rare day off.
Kobeni's brother, Kotaro Higashiyama, took his fiancée, Kotoha Saionji, to a bridal studio for wedding photos.
Both families were present.
With the massive amount of betrothal money Cael had forced onto them, the Higashiyama family's financial pressure had completely disappeared.
The Saionji family had agreed to the marriage without hesitation.
On the surface, Kobeni's parents still feared Cael.
But deep down, they looked down on him.
They thought he was an idiot.
Treating Kobeni, someone they had always treated like a servant, as if she were something precious.
And that so-called "relationship severance agreement"?
Completely unnecessary in their eyes.
They believed they didn't need her anyway.
Now that the Saionji family was about to rise even higher in status, their son's marriage was secured.
Everything was going their way.
During the shoot, the photographer suggested filming a romantic vlog.
The couple agreed happily.
Time passed.
Backgrounds changed again and again.
After nearly two and a half hours, the shoot was almost done.
Kotaro held Kotoha's hand gently.
"Kotoha, after everything we've been through, we're finally here. I love you."
Kotoha wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Kotaro-kun… I'm so happy to be with you. Let's stay together forever."
Their faces slowly moved closer.
"Cut!"
The photographer suddenly interrupted, waving apologetically.
"Sorry, I just got a message. My mom's about to give birth, I need to go to the hospital right now."
Kotaro frowned, clearly annoyed, but he couldn't argue with that.
Kotoha sighed, a bit irritated. "Couldn't you at least keep track of your mother's due date?"
The photographer laughed awkwardly while packing up.
"It's sudden. She's only seven months pregnant, so it's early. I just hope everything goes well."
He turned to the girl waiting outside and patted her shoulder.
"You're up. Do your best."
Then he rushed out.
A white-haired girl stepped into the studio.
She looked delicate, with unusual eyes that had two faint rings in her pupils. But her hair was messy, and her posture lacked confidence.
Kotaro frowned immediately.
This girl? A photographer?
She didn't look professional at all.
More like someone who'd run away if you raised your voice.
Naoto Higashiyama stared at her, his expression turning strange.
Something about her reminded him of Kobeni.
That same timid presence.
And it annoyed him.
"Oi, hurry it up," Naoto snapped. "We paid for this. Don't waste our time."
"O-Okay…"
The girl quickly moved behind the camera, shrinking into herself, nervously biting her finger.
"I-I'm… the new photographer… s-sorry… it's sudden…"
She hesitated, clearly struggling.
"M-My name…"
She paused.
"J-Just call me… Fami…"
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