The early morning air felt oddly tense in the Ashford estate.
Lady Celestia Ashford stood before the window of her guest suite, the curtains drawn back to reveal a pale sky above Tokyo. Her silver hair fell like silk down her back, perfectly brushed. Her piercing blue eyes, the mirror of Marina's, remained fixed on the distant skyline.
"They've grown reckless," she muttered, sipping a glass of imported white tea. "Ashford playing matchmaker like this. Public confessions. Boys from middle-class homes."
Behind her, her assistant bowed low. "The car is ready, Lady Celestia. Your daughter awaits."
Meanwhile, Izumi sat at his desk, trying and failing to concentrate on his homework.
His phone buzzed: [Message from Marina: "Mother's here."]
He froze.
His pencil dropped. A cold chill crept down his back. Her mother—the one from America?
Hana peeked into his room. "You okay? You look like you saw a ghost."
Izumi groaned, dropping his head to the desk. "Not a ghost. Something scarier. Her mom."
Hana gasped. "You mean the rich, super-intimidating, possible ice queen from overseas?! THIS IS SO EXCITING!"
"Sigh ~You didn't know what it means."
At school, the tension reached critical mass.
"Hey, did you hear? Marina's mom is in Japan!"
"Didn't she confess publicly last week? You think they're gonna get married?"
"No way her mom's gonna approve of a dude like Izumi."
Even Niko stood on a chair in the anime club room, holding a dramatic pose. "This is it! The villainess arc! The cold mother from America vs. the humble love interest from the sticks! A CLASSIC!"
"can you stop Niko?"
"It will be a disaster of YOURS!"
Izumi groaned again.
That afternoon, Marina stood beside him under the sakura trees outside the school gate. The petals fluttered quietly, the mood awkward.
She wasn't wearing her usual bold expression. Instead, she looked conflicted—almost fragile.
"She wants to see me," Marina said, looking away. "I haven't spoken to her in person for two years."
Izumi looked down. "And me? What am I supposed to do?"
She glanced at him, then smiled faintly. "Just be you. I don't think she'll like you, but… I do. That should be enough."
He reached out slowly and held her hand. "If she doesn't like me, then I'll just have to show her why you do."
Marina blinked, her cheeks pink. "That… was kind of cool."
"I've been practicing."
That night, a knock came at the door of Izumi's house. A black-suited driver stood outside, holding an envelope.
It was sealed with the Ashford family crest.
Izumi's mother opened it, and her expression turned serious.
She read aloud: "Mr. Izumi. You are cordially invited to a private dinner at the Ashford residence. Lady Celestia requests your presence… alone."
Everyone went silent.
Hana's eyes sparkled. "THIS IS JUST LIKE A DATING SIM."
Izumi nearly passed out.