The light of dawn filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, faintly dyeing the white sheets of the penthouse. Aya quietly opened her eyes. Deep within her body, she could still feel a faint trace of last night's heat. (Where...) She stared at the ceiling with a hazy mind. The ceiling was far too high. This wasn't an unfamiliar room. She had been here many times — Rinsuke's room. But this morning was different. There was warmth beside her. When she slowly turned her head, she saw silver hair. Rinsuke was already awake, propped on his elbow, quietly combing through Aya's hair. His fingertips gently grazed her forehead. "[serious]You're awake." His low voice resonated through the quiet room, seeping into every corner. "[sleepy]...Good morning." Her voice was hoarse. Because she had cried so much last night. Rinsuke said nothing, simply pressing a kiss to Aya's forehead. His lips were cold, yet somehow gentle. "[serious]Today, I'll end everything." Rinsuke said it curtly, then picked up his cufflinks from the side table. Aya felt her chest tighten sharply. (It's my fault the company is in such trouble.) "[worried]Um... I'm so sorry for all of this. For causing trouble even for the company—" "[serious]You don't need to apologize." Rinsuke cut her off. He grasped Aya's hand. His grip was much stronger than usual. (It's like he's telling me he won't let go.) The back of Aya's eyes grew hot. After that, the two of them got ready with barely any words exchanged. Aya slipped her arms into a suit borrowed from Rinsuke's closet. Her own clothes were still a crumpled mess from yesterday. "[surprised]Your tie, let me tie it...! Ah..." Her hands trembled, and she couldn't tie it properly. Her fingertips slipped again and again. She knew how to do it in her head, but her hands wouldn't listen because of the tension. (I'm hopeless. On a day like this, what am I even doing?) Rinsuke gave a wry smile. Just at the corners of his mouth, just a little. "[laughing]You really are clumsy." He took the tie from Aya's hands and swiftly tied it himself. The gesture was so refined, and she thought, now more than ever, that he truly was a mature man. But — that wry smile from a moment ago had eased some of the tension in her. It was different from his usual cold expression. A truly small, but definite change was there in Rinsuke this morning. Aya took a deep breath. (Today, we settle this. I have to face it properly, too.) Her resolve hardened, just a little. — The thirty-fifth floor of Sakaki Holdings' headquarters building. The large conference room where the all-hands morning meeting was held was wrapped in an eerie silence. The employees, usually buzzing with noise, were all silent today. The air was heavy, like a taut membrane. Aya stood near the back of the sales department's row. Beside her, her close friend Mayuka stood with a worried expression. And next to her — Kento was there. (Kento-kun... you came.) He said nothing. He simply looked at Aya with his gentle green eyes and gave a small nod. That alone made the depths of her chest grow quietly warm. Rinsuke stood at the podium. He looked over the employees with his usual cold violet eyes. "[serious]We will now begin this emergency all-hands morning meeting." His voice echoed — and at that very moment... With a loud bang, the conference room doors were thrown open. Everyone's gaze instantly converged on the entrance. Two figures appeared, a man and a woman. One was a tall woman with swaying black and red two-tone hair. Her golden eyes shone coldly. Saeki Reika. And the other — an imposing, middle-aged man with neatly smoothed, graying hair. An expensive-looking silk handkerchief peeked from the breast pocket of his suit. It was Saeki Masayoshi himself, chairman of the Saeki Group. The executives stirred restlessly. "[cold]Rinsuke. Good morning. It's a lovely morning, isn't it?" Reika's voice was elegant, yet carried a coldness that reached every corner of the room. As if showing off a prized trophy, she walked slowly before all the employees and stood in front of the podium. "[cold]This is rather sudden, but I've come today to have you make a decision." Reika was smiling. With her beautiful face, she wore a cruel smile. "[cold]That unsightly thief of a cat over there, Aya — fire her immediately, please." The air in the room froze. The blood drained from Aya's entire body. Her fingertips, the ringing in her ears, painted the inside of her head completely white. (She said it. In front of everyone.) Tanabe and Nakayama were looking at Aya with smirks on their faces. It was as if they were saying, serves you right. "[cold]If you can't do that —" Reika glanced at her father. Saeki Masayoshi opened his mouth gravely. "[serious]President Shiraishi. This is a matter of business judgment." He took a step toward the executive seats. "[serious]All transactions between Sakaki Holdings and the Saeki Group will be terminated as of today. We cannot do business, now or ever, with a company that cannot dispose of a single inappropriate employee." A stir spread through the room. The executives exchanged glances. Termination of transactions — that meant twenty percent of Sakaki Holdings' annual revenue would vanish. "[scared]...Ah." A sound escaped her. Her knees trembled violently. (If I get fired, will everything be resolved? If that saves the company —) Aya hung her head. She bit her lip. She would hand in her resignation. That's what she thought. But that was when it happened. "[serious]—Understood." Rinsuke's voice rang out quietly. Everyone in the room held their breath. A triumphant smile spread across Reika's face. However, the next moment — The giant projector set up beside the podium quietly activated. A pale blue light illuminated the screen. "[cold]What...?" What appeared were screenshots of email exchanges. The sender was Saeki Reika. The recipient, Tanabe. 'I want you to apply pressure on the employee named Aya, to the level of business interference. Fabricate mistakes and isolate her within the company. The compensation will be generous.' Tanabe's face turned deathly pale. "[surprised]Wh-what is this...!" The screen switched again. This time, it was transmission logs of fabricated emails spread within the company to slander Aya. The source IP address belonged to a tablet device personally owned by Saeki Reika. And then — photos of Aya at the club "Noir Étoile" and the hotel "Arcadia Bay." Bank transfer statements from Saeki Reika to the investigation agency that took those photos. Evidence was carved onto the screen, one piece after another. She could see the blood draining from Reika's face. Rinsuke quietly opened his mouth. His voice was as cold as ever, but every single word reached every corner of the room with perfect clarity. "[serious]All of this was done under the direction of Saeki Reika-san." The executives gasped. "[serious]Systematic business interference against an employee of our company, defamation, and attempted blackmail. We are considering filing criminal charges." "[angry]Wh-what are you saying—!" Reika's voice cracked for the first time. Rinsuke continued without pause. "[serious]Furthermore — my engagement to Saeki Reika-san is hereby annulled as of today." The stir grew louder. "[serious]I will personally bear the full amount of the penalty fee. Not a single yen of burden will fall on Sakaki Holdings." "[serious]B-but, President, that is far too—" One of the executives stood up. Rinsuke stopped him with a single hand. "[serious]Additionally, I myself broke the company's unwritten rules and engaged in a special relationship with a subordinate. As responsibility for this, I will forfeit my entire compensation for the next fiscal term." The room fell completely silent, as if a bucket of water had been thrown over it. Rinsuke was forfeiting his entire compensation —. The weight of that statement pressed down on the heart of every single employee. (Rinsuke-san... to go that far.) Tears spilled from Aya's eyes. Then, the senior managing director rose from the executive seats. "[serious]President Shiraishi's management skills have been proven over this past year. The scale of transactions with the Saeki Group will shrink, but there will be no problem for the time being. We resolve this by unanimous consent." The other executives nodded one after another. Saeki Masayoshi's face twisted as if he had bitten into a bitter bug. Rinsuke took a deep breath. Then — he turned his gaze toward Aya. His cold violet eyes captured Aya directly. "[serious]She — Aya — is a person necessary to Sakaki Holdings." His voice resounded. "[serious]And — she is someone precious to me." Aya's name was spoken from his mouth, officially, in front of all the employees. Her vision warped completely, blurred by tears. Mayuka, sobbing loudly in the audience seats, shouted "The best!" Beside her, Kento smiled quietly and offered a small applause. The next moment — "[angry]Don't screw with meeeee!!" Reika's shrill scream tore through the room. She had completely lost her composure, and with her heels clicking sharply, she tried to close in on Rinsuke. Saeki Masayoshi silently took his daughter's arm. "[angry]Let go, Father! Your company is finished anyway! Remember this, you filthy thief of a cat!!" Reika pointed at Aya and spat out the words. Her face was hideously distorted, with not even a trace of her former beauty left. And then — as she was leaving. She brought her mouth close to Rinsuke's ear. But her voice was deliberately loud enough for those around to hear. "[whispers]Shiraishi Rinsuke... I wonder if that's really your name. Hmm, Rinsuke?" Rinsuke's expression, for just a moment — truly just a moment — stiffened. Only Aya did not miss that subtle change. Leaving behind a single peal of mocking laughter, Reika departed the conference room with her father. The heavy doors slammed shut. Silence returned. "[serious]The morning meeting is concluded. Tanabe, Nakayama — come to the senior managing director's office later." Tanabe and Nakayama stood rooted to the spot, their faces pale. Rinsuke stepped down from the podium. Step by step, he walked toward Aya. The employees parted to make way. He stood before her. "[crying]...Um, thank you, very much. But, I'm sorry. This is all, all my fault—" Her voice wouldn't come out properly through the tears. Rinsuke said nothing. He simply held Aya. Right in the middle of everyone's gaze. "[whispers]I won't let go anymore." A low voice whispered in her ear. Aya buried her face in Rinsuke's chest and cried out loud. She couldn't believe she was the same person as that OL with zero self-esteem who had fled to the bathroom and cried that time. Now, I am — openly held in his arms, in front of everyone. — Christmas Eve night. The city of Tokyo sparkled with countless illuminations. Rinsuke's penthouse. The night view spreading across the entire window glittered like an overturned jewelry box. Aya sat on the sofa, gazing at that light. Rinsuke sat down beside her. And then, just as he had that morning, he quietly combed through her hair. "[serious]You're the first." Rinsuke said it quietly. "[surprised]...Huh?" "[serious]The first person I've ever wanted to protect." His voice was as quiet as the light of the night view, yet it held a definite warmth. Aya buried her face against the chest of Rinsuke's shirt. "[gentle]...I'm not scared anymore." Rinsuke's hand lifted Aya's chin. Slowly, he kissed her. Then, he placed his hands on the shoulders of Aya's cardigan and, with the night view as a backdrop, slowly slid it off. "[whispers]I want you to call me by my name... Rinsuke." When Aya pleaded, Rinsuke's violet eyes wavered, just a little. "[whispers]...Aya." Her own name, called for the first time. At the warmth of that voice, tears welled in Aya's eyes. Rinsuk