A few days had passed since that night. Tōma's words were still lodged in her chest. "Be careful of Kirishima Renji." That was all he'd said before leaving the dining room. No explanation. No reason given. Yukari couldn't chase after him. Couldn't ask him to clarify. Since that evening, the Shimoka mansion's dining table had returned to its usual silence. Tōma still turned through his morning documents as always. Yukari still cradled her coffee cup in both hands. On the surface, nothing had changed. But something had shifted inside her chest. She'd been rereading the message that had arrived days ago—countless times now. *"Would you have time for dinner? I'd like to discuss some business matters. —Kirishima Renji"* The phrasing was polite. No pressure. Just a single sentence, yet it left room for choice. She couldn't find grounds to refuse. Kirishima Renji was a management consultant who worked with the Ichijō Group. Refusing to meet with someone who had legitimate business c