As Amaya finished reading the letter, only one thought echoed in her mind. Her voice trembled with a mixture of terror and disgust. "You... you truly are a monster."
Recovering her composure with a sharp intake of breath, she tore the letter into tiny, jagged pieces and hurled them into the trash. She turned to a nearby servant, her eyes blazing with a rare fury. "Take all those belongings and throw them into the incinerator. Now!"
She stormed back into the mansion and headed straight for Emi's room. Emi was mid-way through changing into her school uniform when her mother burst in. "Emi! We need to talk. Right now."
Meanwhile, miles away, Haruki checked his watch while steering the luxury sedan through the early morning fog. 7:15 AM. As he pulled into the Kaminari Estate, Amaya emerged with her two younger daughters, Yuki and Hana. Seeing Haruki waiting by the car, she turned to the little ones. "Go and wait in the back car. I need a private word with Emi's driver."
Hana's eyes were glued to Haruki. She walked slowly, looking over her shoulder with a shy, curious smile playing on her lips. Haruki's presence seemed to fascinate her.
Once the children were settled, Amaya approached Haruki. He bowed his head respectfully, the picture of professional decorum. "Good morning, Madam. How can I assist you today?"
Amaya studied him for a moment. His politeness and calm aura were refreshing. A faint smile touched her lips. "You're different... you're nothing like him."
Haruki blinked, a flash of confusion crossing his face. "I'm afraid I don't understand, Madam."
Amaya crossed her arms. "My father told me about you. You're intriguing, Haruki. Tell me... do you know how to fight?"
A slight flush crept onto Haruki's cheeks. He scratched the back of his head, a boyish habit. "I've mastered martial arts, yes. But why do you ask?"
Amaya's expression turned deadly serious. "Emi is stubborn. She lives by her own rules. Listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you."
Just as Amaya finished delivering her instructions, Emi appeared on the porch, her face twisted in a scowl. "Mom! Why aren't you taking Yuki and Hana to school yet? Why are you gossiping with my driver?"
Amaya gave Haruki a meaningful look. "I trust you understand the gravity of the situation."
Haruki bowed again. "I will do my absolute best, Madam."
Amaya ignored Emi's outburst, got into the second car, and drove off. Emi marched toward Haruki, her attitude radiating from her like heat. "I don't care what my mother was saying to you. Now, move. Ten minutes—same as yesterday."
"As you wish, Miss Emi," Haruki replied with that same enigmatic smile.
Halfway to school, as Emi stared blankly out the window, Haruki glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Kidnapping? Is there really a threat against you?"
Emi looked at him through the corner of her eye. "My mother told me this morning. She's worried."
Haruki's brow furrowed. "I don't understand why anyone would target you, but I'm surprised. You don't seem scared at all. You're still going to school like it's a normal day."
Emi let out a dry, bored sigh. "I'd be scared if a real kidnapper showed up. But this is different."
"What do you mean?"
Emi exhaled, her gaze softening for a split second. "I'm telling you this because... well, because I have to trust you. It's my father. He wants to take me back by force. It's a family war, Haruki."
As she finished explaining the messy divorce and her father's obsession with reclaiming his 'property,' the car pulled up to the school gates. Emi leaned forward before exiting. "Keep this to yourself. If a word of this gets out, you're finished."
After she disappeared into the building, Haruki sat frozen, his hands gripping the steering wheel. His mind was a whirlwind of the secrets Emi had just shared.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
A hand knocked on the window. Haruki rolled it down to see a girl in the same uniform, smiling broadly. "I'm Susuhi, Emi's best friend. I've been dying to meet you."
Haruki's expression remained neutral. "Why?"
Susuhi turned toward the gate with a cryptic wink. "When the time is right, I'll tell you. See ya!"
"Strange girl," Haruki muttered, pulling away.
His drive to his own school was erratic. His focus was shattered by Emi's revelation. He nearly collided with another car, his lightning-fast reflexes being the only thing that saved him from a wreck. He pulled over, taking a deep breath. Focus, Haruki. If you don't, you won't be able to keep your promise to Madam Amaya.
Inside the classroom, Emi was a thousand miles away. She stared out the window, ignoring the lecture. Why didn't he say anything? I poured my heart out about my family, and he just sat there. Did I make a mistake trusting him?
Susuhi nudged her sharply. "Emi! Earth to Ice Queen! Where is your head today?"
Emi jumped. "Ah! Nothing... just thinking."
Susuhi smirked. "Thinking about him? Are you finally falling for your driver?"
"SHUT UP!" Emi screamed, standing up so abruptly her chair screeched.
The entire class, including the teacher, froze. Emi's face turned a shade of crimson that rivaled a sunset. She slowly sat back down, burying her face in her hands.
After class, Emi cornered Susuhi. "You did that on purpose. Just you wait until lunch."
Susuhi grinned nervously. "Forgive me, my Queen! I can't take another one of your 'Ice Stares'!"
"Then you're buying me a VIP-level lunch," Emi huffed, crossing her arms. "I want the best."
The day ended with the usual Student Council meetings. As Vice President, Emi was busy planning the upcoming school festival. When she finally made it to the gate, she saw Haruki's car pulling up at exactly 3:30 PM.
She slid into the back seat in silence.
"Good evening, Miss Emi," Haruki said softly. Emi didn't respond, choosing to stare out the window instead.
Haruki went quiet, his eyes turning sharp and focused as he merged into the traffic. Halfway home, his eyes caught something in the mirrors. Two black sedans with tinted windows were weaving through traffic, maintaining a fixed distance behind them.
His jaw tightened. "Miss Emi," he said, his voice dropping into a professional, low tone. "It looks like your father's 'army' has arrived. We're being followed."
Emi's heart hammered against her ribs. She looked back, seeing the menacing cars closing in. "No... I won't go back! Haruki, please! Don't let them take me!"
Haruki's lips curled into a confident, dangerous smile. "Trust me. Fasten your seatbelt, Miss Emi. I'm about to show you why I was hired."
Emi scrambled to click the belt into place, her eyes wide with fear.
"Weren't you the one who said you weren't scared this morning?" Haruki teased, his eyes locked on the road ahead.
"Shut up and just drive! That's an order!" Emi yelled.
Haruki took a deep breath, his hands shifting gears with mechanical precision. "As you wish. Hang on tight... because this car is about to fly."