Scene 1 – "Strangers in Suits" – Luxury Restaurant, Evening
Location: A high-class, candle-lit restaurant. Velvet booths, gold-rimmed cutlery, soft violin music playing in the background. One private room. Two powerful men. Two teenagers who have never met before… until now.
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Ayaka sat stiffly, her back straight, expression frozen between confusion and disbelief. Her long white hair flowed freely behind her back, soft waves resting gently along her waist. A neat ribbon was tied behind her, giving her a soft, elegant look. The Korean-style bow-back made her look like the perfect political daughter — calm, cute, respectable.
But inside, she was anything but calm.
Her red eyes flicked toward the boy sitting beside her — someone she had never seen in her life until just now.
He looked... too composed.
Hiro Minazuki.
He wore a tailored black suit, posture relaxed yet confident. His black Korean wavy perm framed his cold, unreadable expression. His blue eyes were sharp, quiet, observant. He didn't speak a word. He didn't even glance at her.
Across the table, their fathers smiled over cups of espresso.
"This is the perfect alliance," Hiro's father said calmly.
"Our families gain strength. Our children maintain the peace."
Ayaka's father added,
"They'll marry after graduation. But for now, it stays secret. Not even their classmates can know."
Ayaka's jaw dropped slightly.
"Wait… what?"
Her voice was low, strained, trying not to shout in the luxurious silence.
"You're forcing me to marry someone I literally just met?"
Her father sighed.
"It's not about feelings. It's about duty."
She turned to Hiro.
"Hey—say something, will you?! Aren't you also being dragged into this?"
Finally, Hiro looked at her. Calm. Emotionless.
His voice was quiet, deep.
"Dragged or not… it's already decided."
Ayaka's eyes widened.
"Tch. What kind of robot answer is that?!"
He didn't reply. Just turned his gaze forward again, like he was already used to these games.
Ayaka clenched her fists under the table.
"I'm not going to play happy couple with you. Just so you know."
Still, Hiro didn't argue. Just raised his glass, then spoke again—cold but respectful.
"That's fine. Just keep the secret. That's all I ask."
Ayaka didn't know why, but something about his calmness annoyed her more than yelling ever could.
He didn't care. Not about her, not about the marriage.
She hated that.
But a tiny part of her… was curious.
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