Three days since accepting the contract. The entrance lobby of Shirogane Tower was more overwhelming than anything Runa had imagined. Thirty-eight stories above ground, three below. The marble floor reflected light like a mirror, and the twelve-meter-high atrium radiated a majesty like that of a palace. Geometric designer lighting hung from the ceiling, casting uniform illumination that denied any sense of season. The moment Runa passed through the glass automatic doors, her breathing became shallow. (I really came here...) Something pulsed faintly deep in her chest. This was a different world from the dark six-mat room in Akabane. A security guard spoke to her. A middle-aged man in a navy uniform. His name tag read "Guardian Systems." "May I help you?" "Ah, I'm here for Shirogane Group..." Runa held out the IC card she'd been given. Her hand trembled slightly. The guard read it and checked something on his smartphone. "Understood. I'll escort you to the 38th floor. The executive elevator is this way." The elevator hall split into two elevators. One was standard, leading to the business floors. The other had a silver door with "Executive Only" written on it. The guard led Runa to the latter. Inside the elevator, everything exuded luxury. Marble. Mirror-lined walls. Operation so silent it was almost soundless. Only a few buttons. When Runa touched the button for the 38th floor, the elevator began its ascent without a word. Her face reflected in the mirror. A beige blouse. A navy skirt. Shoes she'd bought during job hunting. Her hair was tied back in a single knot, held with a white clip. Ordinary. The kind of outfit that drew no particular attention at Maruse Foods' office. Completely ordinary. But. Here. (I don't belong here...) She couldn't stop thinking it. Below her left collarbone was a star-shaped scar. A burn from spilled hot water when she was young. Without thinking, her hand moved to that spot. The numbers climbed. 10th floor, 20th floor, 30th floor— The elevator stopped. 38th floor. The doors opened. It was another world. A hallway carpeted in luxury. On both sides, large paintings hung like oil masterpieces. Through the windows, Tokyo Bay spread out in full view. Skytree and Rainbow Bridge both visible at once. Runa's feet stopped. "This way." A woman who appeared to be a secretary emerged from the secretary's office door. Long chestnut-colored straight hair. Narrow gray eyes. A small bruise mark on her neck. At least 170 centimeters tall, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. Saya Himuro. Runa remembered that name. She'd seen it in a news article about Shirogane Group: "Executive Secretary: Saya Himuro." Saya's gaze swept over Runa from top to bottom. That look was appraising, cold. "The president is waiting." The words were polite, but there was something provocative in the inflection. Runa swallowed hard. They arrived at the president's office. A heavy black wooden door. Saya knocked and opened it without waiting for a response. "Runa Kirihara." And then Runa saw him. Shunya Shirogane. Black, neatly trimmed short hair. Sharp, cold chestnut eyes. A face too refined to look 27 or 28. A dark navy suit that immediately revealed its high-quality tailoring. A pale blue shirt. A burgundy tie. Everything in perfect harmony. A small mole at the corner of his mouth. In the president's office—roughly eighty square meters—with Tokyo Bay spread across the entire window, he sat at his desk. (He's really here...) Runa's heart jumped once, hard. Shunya looked at her without any emotion. His gaze pierced through her with the same indifference as if he were reviewing a document. "Please, sit." The words were flat. Short, to the point. Runa quietly took a seat. Saya stood beside Shunya. That position was less like a bodyguard and more like an owner. Shunya spread documents across his desk. A contract. Runa understood immediately what it was. "Let me confirm once more. Runa Kirihara, age 26, currently employed at Maruse Foods." It wasn't a question—it was confirmation. Runa nodded slightly. "Marriage duration: two years. Total compensation: 30 million yen. Equivalent to 1.25 million yen per month." Shunya kept his eyes on the document and continued. "Confidentiality clause. During the marriage, disclosure of private matters to third parties is prohibited. Violation will result in a penalty." "I understand." "Fidelity clause. Infidelity during the marriage is prohibited." Saya smiled faintly. That smile was close to mockery. Runa's skin prickled. "Social obligation. You will accompany me to social events related to Shirogane Group." "Yes..." Runa's voice grew even smaller. Shunya looked at her. For the first time, his gaze was directed at her directly. "You will conduct yourself as my wife. Nothing more, nothing less. You understand?" Cold. Those words were ice-cold. (I'm really doing this...) Runa's breath caught. She wanted to say something back. But the words wouldn't come. Because. She'd never been in an environment like this. Never seen a man like this. Never seen a woman like this. "Um, I have a question..." Even Runa was surprised she'd said it. Saya's eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "Why... was I chosen?" The face she'd seen in the elevator mirror. A completely ordinary office worker. Ordinary looks, ordinary education, ordinary background. Why would the president of a top-tier company like Shirogane Group choose someone like her? Shunya didn't move. "That is not included in the contract." With that single sentence, Runa's question was dismissed. Saya laughed coldly. "You only need to follow the contract. There's no need for you to know the reason." Those words carried poison. Runa felt her chest tighten. (This woman... she has feelings for Shunya...) The moment that realization hit her, Runa felt a certain unease. Saya's gaze contained not mere professional sentiment, but clear hostility. Shunya turned the page of the document. "Starting tomorrow, we begin cohabitation. Residence Platine Shirogane, 32nd floor. Movers will handle your belongings. Organize your personal items tonight and have them ready for transfer." "Yes..." Runa was asked to sign. She placed pen to contract and wrote her name. Her handwriting was smaller than usual, trembling. The moment she finished signing, Shunya stood. "Then the contract is complete." With that, Shunya extended his hand to Runa. That hand was cold. Really cold. A hand with no body heat. They shook hands. Shunya's eyes met Runa's directly. There was no emotion there—only the confirmation of a contractor. "Nice to meet you, Runa." The moment he said her name, Runa's heart jumped. It might have been mere social courtesy. But he had said her name. That fact alone shook her heart. "Nice to meet you too..." Runa withdrew her trembling hand. During the elevator descent, Runa held back tears. Her face reflected in the elevator mirror had gone pale. (Can I really do this...) When Runa left Shirogane Tower, the Roppongi streets spread before her. Nine at night. Neon signs glowed brilliantly. A far cry from the downtown streets of Akabane—a glamorous, cold city. Runa stood alone in the midst of it. Starting tomorrow. A luxury apartment in Shirogane. Would that become her place? Three days ago, Runa had sent an email saying "I accept." There was no going back now.