The drive back to his sanctuary was far from peaceful. Haruki gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white, as Kenzo's ultimatum echoed in his mind like a relentless drumbeat.
"To lead the Kaminari Clan, you must marry Emi."
The weight of those words threatened to shatter his focus. Haruki took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing himself to look at the road. He finally reached his modest yet beautiful home—a three-room haven with a small, clean kitchen and memories carved into the walls. This house was the final relic of his parents, and to Haruki, it was worth more than any palace.
Standing before the bathroom mirror, he splashed cold water on his face, staring at his reflection.
"Marriage... it's not a game," he whispered to the silence. "We are worlds apart. How could we ever...?"
He let out a dry, cynical laugh. "No. I don't need Kenzo's fortune. I won't marry Emi just for power." He remembered the way Emi's face had flushed crimson before she bolted to her room. She probably hated the idea even more than he did.
As he lay on his bed, the moonlight washing over his face, he stared at the ceiling. Kenzo had given him three days. Three days to decide the fate of his life.
Meanwhile, in the Kaminari Mansion, Emi lay in the dark, tears tracing silent paths down her cheeks.
"Never," she muttered, wiping her eyes with a flare of defiance. "Grandpa, how could you even think of this? A car driver? The Kaminari family doesn't need a chauffeur to lead them."
She turned over, her heart heavy. What does Haruki think? Does he actually want this... or does he see me as just another job? She reached for her phone, tempted to text him, but her pride won. She slammed the phone down and closed her eyes, trying to outrun her own thoughts.
The next morning, Amaya entered Emi's room as she was preparing for school.
"Emi, my princess," Amaya said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Think carefully before you answer Grandpa. A man like Haruki... you won't find another like him in this entire world."
Emi tossed her hair, her "Ice Queen" armor firmly back in place. "Where are Hana and Yuki? Aren't you taking them to school?"
Amaya sighed, moving toward the door. "I'm leaving now. Just... remember. You have three days."
Emi marched outside, only to freeze at the sight of the car. Hana was clinging to Haruki's arm, looking up at him with shimmering, mischievous eyes. Haruki looked utterly terrified, standing stiff as a board.
"Miss Hana, please," Haruki stammered. "I don't think this is appropriate..."
"A girl in love does what she wants!" Hana chirped. "Why don't we go on a beautiful date after school?"
Before Haruki could answer, Emi lunged forward, ripping Hana away from him. "Go. To. The. Car. Now," Emi hissed, her voice low and dangerous.
Hana pouted, stomping toward the back seat. "You don't even respect him, Emi! Why won't you let me love him?"
The air in the car was radioactive. Throughout the drive, neither Emi nor Haruki spoke a word. Emi stared out the window, and Haruki focused on the road with mechanical precision.
As they reached the school gates, Emi paused before exiting. "Don't get any bright ideas," she snapped, her voice dripping with attitude.
Haruki didn't even turn his head. "As you wish, Miss Emi."
The Starlight Student High was a whirlwind of activity as students prepared for the upcoming Festival. As Vice President, Emi was buried under responsibilities—decorating classrooms, setting up the 'Ghost Room,' and organizing costumes. But her mind was a fog.
She was stitching a costume when a hand touched her arm. She jumped, nearly dropping her needle.
It was Honsume, the Student Council President. He was the definition of 'Prince Charming'—brilliant, kind, and devastatingly handsome.
"Emi, are you okay?" he asked with a gentle smile.
"Ah! President Honsume!" Emi stood up quickly, trying to hide her flustered state. "I'm fine, just... finishing up."
"You look exhausted. Go home," Honsume said, glancing out the window. "I'll handle the rest. I know your driver arrives at 3:30."
He leaned against the desk, his gaze softening. "That's what I admire about you, Emi. You're fierce and stubborn, but your heart is so incredibly soft."
Emi felt her cheeks heat up. "Thank you, President."
Honsume took a step closer, his eyes locked onto hers. "Emi... if I asked you on a date, what would you say?"
Emi's heart hammered. "But... you're so famous in school..."
"So?" Honsume laughed. "I only have eyes for one girl. And that girl is you."
Emi gasped, her breath catching. "What? Me?"
Honsume burst out laughing and headed for the door. "Just a joke! Don't take it seriously!"
Emi stood there, stunned. A small smile played on her lips as she watched him go. At least that was just a joke, she thought.
At 3:30 PM sharp, she slid into Haruki's car. The silence lasted only five minutes before Emi broke it, her voice sharp. "So? Have you thought about last night? I want your answer. Now."
Haruki kept his eyes on the road. He didn't even glance at the mirror. "I took your advice from this morning, Miss Emi. I'm not living in any 'delusions.' I refuse the marriage."
The finality in his voice hit Emi like a physical blow. Suddenly, her heart raced—not with anger, but with a crushing, suffocating sense of loss. Why does it hurt? I should be happy!
The emotional pressure was too much. Emi's vision blurred, and she slumped against the seat, unconscious.
Haruki caught her reflection in the mirror and panicked. He screeched to a halt, cold sweat breaking on his brow. "Miss Emi? Emi!"
He rushed her to the hospital. The doctor's diagnosis was simple: "Extreme emotional stress and exhaustion. She's physically fragile; she can't handle such intense pressure."
Haruki sat by her bedside, watching her pale face. "You really are weak, Miss Emi. You faint over the smallest things."
Thirty minutes later, Emi groaned and opened her eyes. "Where... where am I?"
"The hospital," Haruki said, standing up. "You fainted again. If you're okay, we should go. Sir Kenzo will be worried."
Emi looked at her hands, her voice small and filled with despair. "So... you're really not going to marry me? I'm right, aren't I?"
Haruki paused, then looked at her with a bright, warm smile. "Actually... I changed my mind. I'll marry you."
Emi's world transformed. The sterile hospital room felt like a paradise. Her heart soared, peaceful and certain. She stood up, looking deep into his eyes. "Say that... say that again."
Haruki let out a playful laugh. "It was a joke! Let's go home."
In an instant, the paradise shattered into a nightmare. The humiliation burned hotter than any anger she had ever felt. Without a word, Emi marched out of the room, her eyes stinging with fresh tears.
How could you? Why would you play with me like that? She sat in the back of the car, sobbing silently into her hands. Fine. If you think this is a joke, then it's over. I don't want to marry you either!