The sound of a high-performance engine echoed down the street just as the afternoon sun dipped low over the Meiyo Tech Tower. Aoi's company was abuzz with post-lunch chatter, people returning from meetings, deadlines pressing in.
Then the sound grew louder.
And stopped directly in front of the building.
Heads turned. A few coworkers peered out the wide glass windows.
A black BMW M5, polished to a mirror sheen, had just pulled up to the curb.
The driver stepped out.
A tall man in a sharp grey jacket and deep-blue shirt, with unshakable calm in his eyes. His hair slightly tousled by the wind, his presence commanding. Effortlessly cool. And very, very serious.
Ren.
People began whispering.
"Who is that?"
"Is he a celebrity?"
"Wait… he looks familiar…"
"Didn't we see him before when Aoi got into that car once…?"
"No way… that's him? Her fiancé?"
As Ren walked through the lobby, the receptionist blinked in surprise and gave a hasty bow.
"Excuse me, sir, do you have an appointment—?"
"I'm here for Aoi Fujiwara," Ren said calmly. "I believe she's on the 14th floor."
The receptionist stared for a second too long, then hastily pressed the elevator button.
The moment Ren stepped in, the buzz across the office floor began spreading like wildfire.
14th floor, Fujiwara's department
Aoi was seated at her desk, reviewing reports, when her phone buzzed.
Ren:
"I'm in the elevator."
She sat up straight. Her heart jumped.
"He's… here?"
Just as she stood, the elevator doors opened with a soft ding.
There he was.
The entire floor fell quiet.
Some stood up.
Naruse, who was at the far end of the office, froze.
Ren walked in slowly, gaze fixed only on one person.
Aoi.
The eyes of the whole floor followed his every step as he crossed straight to her desk.
Then, in full view of everyone, he gently took her hand and pulled her up.
No words spoken yet.
Then he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Missed you," he murmured.
Aoi's face turned red. Her heart thundered in her chest — but it wasn't embarrassment.
It was relief.
Ren wasn't asking.
He was showing everyone exactly who she belonged to.
The whispering intensified.
"Wait, what!?"
"Is that…?"
"He kissed her…!"
"So it's true—she's already engaged?"
"Wait—THAT guy is her fiancé!?"
Naruse's hand clenched around his coffee cup. His jaw ticked.
But Ren turned, his arm now around Aoi's waist.
His eyes found Naruse's across the room.
They didn't blink. They didn't flinch.
Just stared.
The message was silent, but deafening:
Don't.
Aoi barely remembered walking out with Ren. Everything around her had blurred.
Only when they got into the BMW and shut the doors did she breathe out.
"You…" she whispered, still stunned. "You really did that. You came to the office."
Ren reached over and brushed hair behind her ear.
"You've been dealing with something alone," he said softly. "I should've shown up sooner."
She lowered her eyes.
"…Did Lucia tell you?"
He nodded.
Aoi groaned. "I told her not to—"
"She was right to."
Ren reached into his coat and handed her something: a small wooden charm with a hand-carved "R&A" on it.
"For your desk," he said. "In case anyone else needs a reminder."
Aoi's heart overflowed. She pulled him into a tight hug, whispering in his ear:
"…Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed that."