The Maruze Foods sales administration department was wrapped in the same afternoon air as always. Autumn light streamed through the window, casting white shadows across the documents on the desk. Kirihara Runa sat before her computer, inputting order data. Her fingers struck the keyboard mechanically. The motion was pure habit—her heart was somewhere else entirely. A penthouse in Shirokane. Tokyo glittering with night lights. That man's profile. (No, this won't do...) The moment that thought crossed her mind, a voice called from the neighboring desk. "Ru-chan, you've been acting weird lately, haven't you?" Chestnut-colored medium-length hair peeked around the corner of the desk. Pale hazel-brown eyes looked directly at Runa. A smile that seemed impossible for someone only twenty-four—warm and intimate. Yet in those eyes lay genuine concern. "Did something happen?" Runa lifted her face as if fleeing that gaze. Her hand unconsciously touched the star-shaped scar beneath her left collarbone. A sign of tension. "I'm fine. I'm just a little tired, that's all." Her voice was small. A cautious tone, as if testing the other's reaction. But Chisa wasn't satisfied with that answer. Instead, she pulled Runa's chair toward her own and leaned in close. "Don't lie to me. Something's definitely going on. You've been spacing out constantly, and whenever you take a call, you get all fidgety." Chisa's observation was accurate. Every time Runa received an email or LINE message from Shunya, her heart would leap violently. She'd been trying to hide it from her coworkers, but Chisa's eyes missed nothing. "That's not..." "There you go, changing the subject. Something's definitely up." Chisa gazed at Runa with a full smile. Her expression was both mischievous and genuinely concerned. "Could it be... romance?" At those words, Runa's face turned crimson. The blood drained from her face, then in an instant, heat flooded her entire body. Her heart pounded audibly. She felt the blood flow all the way to her fingertips, and her vision wavered slightly. "N-no, that's not it!" Her voice had risen. If anything, that reaction only proved she was hiding something. Chisa laughed softly and gave Runa's shoulder a light tap. "I knew it. Who is it? Someone from work? Or from a mixer?" "Come on, Chisa..." "I'll keep pressing until you tell me. This is the love of friendship." It was around that time that lunch break was approaching. The two of them decided to head to a café near the office. In a corner booth of the café after lunch, the two sat facing each other. Steam rose from the coffee cups. Chisa stirred her coffee with a spoon while watching Runa intently. "For you to blush like this, Ru-chan... it's been since the track meet in high school." Those words brought Runa back to her past. In high school, when her father collapsed, it was Chisa alone who knew and supported her through it. Ever since then, Chisa had been Runa's closest friend. "It's... complicated." Runa couldn't tell her about the contract marriage. There was a confidentiality agreement. But this feeling that tightened her chest—she desperately wanted to tell someone about it. "Complicated..." Chisa sipped her coffee while observing Runa's expression carefully. "But there are things you can talk about, right? Like 'I like this person' or 'I'm anxious.'" At those words, something stirred in Runa's heart. She really did want to talk about it. She wanted someone to understand these feelings. But how could she explain? "If you ever want to talk, I'll listen. You don't have to force yourself to say anything, but don't forget—you can always talk to me." That kindness made Runa's chest ache. When evening came, a message arrived on her phone. From Shunya. 'Tonight, let's have dinner together. 21:00, at the restaurant "Luciel."' Runa read that message over and over. Again and again. Shunya had never said anything like this before. When she returned to Residence Platine Shirokane, Runa hurried to change. A deep purple one-piece dress. She gathered her hair and applied light makeup. The sight of herself heading to a luxury restaurant felt like looking at a stranger. The restaurant "Luciel" was on an upper floor of a high-rise building in Roppongi. The Tokyo night view visible through the windows glittered like a jewelry box. A table with white tablecloth. Candlelight flickered gently. Shunya was already seated at the table. Black suit. White shirt. His face bore not his usual expressionless mask, but something different. "You came." Those words alone made Runa's heart tremble greatly. "I apologize for any inconvenience." "It's no inconvenience. Rather, I'm glad to see you." At those words, Runa's face flushed. Shunya's eyes looked directly at her. In that gaze was none of the coldness of a company president—something else dwelled there instead. As dinner progressed, Shunya gradually drew closer to Runa. Awkwardly, but unmistakably. "Recently, work has been busy, and I haven't been able to give you much attention. I'm sorry." "No, I understand that work is important." "But time with you is important too." Those words made Runa's heart beat violently. This was beyond the scope of their contract. At least, that's what Runa felt. They continued their conversation. About work. About hobbies. And about Runa's family. Shunya listened to her quietly. He added comments occasionally, but mostly played the listener. "When I'm with you, strangely enough, I feel at peace." The moment Runa heard that whisper, her heart leaped. (What is he saying...?) That's what she thought—just then. A smartphone rang. Shunya's smartphone. His expression lost its softness for a moment. When he checked the screen, his face hardened. It was a call from Saya. "May I take this?" "Yes..." Shunya held the phone to his ear. "Hello?" For a while, Saya's voice came through. Shunya's expression grew rigid, then shifted into something complicated. "Understood. I'm heading there now." When the call ended, Shunya looked at the table. Runa sat across from him, watching him quietly. "I'm sorry. An urgent matter has come up. Go ahead and head home." Those words carried a cold, businesslike tone. The warmth from moments before had completely vanished. "Understood." Even as she said it, Runa's heart sank. They'd missed each other again. She'd thought it was such a good moment. She'd thought their hearts had truly connected. Shunya arranged a taxi for her. Toward Runa, he maintained the distance of a contract partner as always. In the taxi, Runa gazed out the window. Tokyo's night lights sparkled brilliantly. But that beauty didn't reach her heart. She got out of the car at the entrance of Residence Platine Shirokane. Looking up at the sky, a full moon hung there. A beautiful moon. But Runa's heart couldn't receive that beauty. "Even though it's just a contract..." She whispered softly. Those words reached no one's ears. They were spoken only to her own heart. When she returned to the apartment, Runa sat on the sofa. She didn't turn on the television—just gazed out at the night view. Shunya still hadn't come home. She traced the star-shaped scar beneath her left collarbone. That sensation felt like it symbolized the pain in her heart. (I've fallen in love with him.) Finally, Runa admitted it. Even though it was a contract, she shouldn't have feelings. She shouldn't have fallen in love. But it was too late. Already, this man's existence had become part of her daily life. That night, Shunya didn't come home.