Kozue Shirakawa's hands were trembling. They'd been shaking ever since she woke up at 6 AM. A 1K apartment in Kyodo, Setagaya Ward. Last night, she'd read Yuto Setogawa's message over and over. Each time she read it, something pulsed violently deep in her chest. 30 million yen. Six months. Her grandmother's facility fees. She'd decided. She would go. Kozue stood before the mirror. A navy suit. The same as always. But today was different. Today, her life might change. The thought made even the ordinary navy suit, even her ordinary self, seem special. She took a deep breath. Chiyoda Ward, Marunouchi. Setogawa Park Tower. A massive 38-story building. Morning sunlight streamed through the windows, reflecting off the glass in a dazzling glimmer. The moment Kozue stepped into the first-floor lobby, she caught her breath. Marble floors. Ceilings that seemed to stretch to infinity. A giant fountain stood at the center, its water sounds echoing pleasantly. The security gate read "Card Key + Facial Recognition." (Is this... really the same Japan?) She knew both worlds—the dim apartment in Kyodo, Setagaya, and the aging office building of Marutomi Trading. Because she knew both, the overwhelming luxury of this space sank into her bones. She approached the reception desk. The female receptionist looked up. "I'm Kozue Shirakawa. I'm here to see Mr. Setogawa..." She could feel herself choosing her words carefully. The fear that she might say something wrong. "Of course. Thank you for waiting. Please, this way." She was guided to a private elevator. When the button was pressed, it rose smoothly. Her reflection appeared in the elevator mirror. Black hair to her shoulders. Deep brown eyes. An expression slightly strained with tension. A silver hairpin behind her left ear. The same as always. And yet, reflected in this space, she looked somehow out of place. (It's okay... it's okay.) She whispered it to herself, over and over. The 37th floor. The elevator stopped. The doors opened. Standing there was Yuto Setogawa. For a moment, Kozue forgot to breathe. The impression from when they'd met at the café yesterday hadn't changed. No—rather, Yuto standing on this high floor seemed to shine even brighter. A dark navy suit. Even the careless bedhead in his hair seemed somehow mystical. Deep amber eyes gazed at her. "Thank you for coming, Ms. Shirakawa." His voice was calm. Polite, but never forced. There was something genuine about it—a kindness that seemed to seep through. "Yes... thank you." Formal language. Polite phrasing. That was Kozue's pattern. Yuto's executive office was larger than she'd imagined. From the floor-to-ceiling windows, Tokyo's cityscape spread out in full view. Buildings, highways, distant greenery. From this height, the entire city seemed to rest in the palm of a hand. On the desk, writing instruments were arranged in perfect order. Several framed pieces hung on the walls. "Please, sit." She sat in the chair. High-quality leather. A sinking sensation as she settled in. Yuto sat across from her. The distance was roughly one meter. The same as at the café. But in this office space, the weight of that distance felt different. Right after Kozue sat, the door was knocked. "Excuse me." A voice sounded, and the door opened. A man entered. Around thirty years old. Black-rimmed glasses. Hair cut short and dark. But it was his gaze that was different. Sharp. Calculated. The moment his eyes swept over Kozue, that gaze seemed to appraise her entire being—a sharpness that weighed and measured. What radiated from his entire body was coldness. A mechanical perfection with all unnecessary emotion stripped away. "I'm Shoichi Hinata." Just one sentence. Less an introduction than a declaration of presence. "Shoichi Hinata, Mr. Setogawa's secretary. I'll explain today's contract details." The words were polite, but they weren't directed at Kozue—they sounded like a report to Yuto. Hinata placed a thick stack of documents on the desk. Smoothly. The sound was minimal; every movement eliminated waste. "Fake engagement period: 6 months. Compensation: 30 million yen. Residence: La Cresta Minami-Azabu, 18th floor, 2LDK, Minato Ward. Monthly rent 650,000 yen, covered by Mr. Setogawa. Clothing expenses, entertainment expenses, meal costs—all covered by the group. Etiquette training for high society required. Mandatory attendance at the Tsushima Association blood-relation approval examination." He explained in a flat tone. A presentation. Mechanical, perfect, emotionless. Kozue's hands clenched beneath the desk. "Please review the contract." The documents were placed before her. Text. Difficult terminology. Legal jargon. Kozue's brain struggled to process it all. But she couldn't understand. Did such a complex world exist? Were contracts really this detailed? "If you have any questions about the contents, I'm prepared to answer them." Kozue looked up. Hinata remained expressionless. The pupils behind his glasses were ice-cold. "Ah, um..." A pause. A habit of Kozue's when nervous. "Very well. I'll continue with the explanation." Without waiting for her question, Hinata continued. It conveyed the sense that this was already decided. "The Tsushima Association examination is scheduled for the third Saturday of next month. The location is Tsurushokaku in Bancho. The examiners are the eight family heads of the Tsushima Association. Everything about whether you're truly suitable as Mr. Setogawa's spouse will be evaluated." Kozue's fingertips went cold. Evaluation. Appraisal. Assessment. "Should you fail the examination, the contract becomes void." Ah, I see. Kozue understood. The 30 million yen was only hers if she passed the examination. In other words, she was being tested. Right now. In this very moment. By this man, Hinata. That's why his gaze was so cold. There was no emotion in it. Only one question: "Will this woman really be acceptable?" "Do you have any questions...?" Then Yuto spoke quietly. "Hinata. What's your doubt?" A direct question. Kozue felt the weight of those words. Yuto had sensed Hinata's cold gaze. Hinata's eyes turned to Kozue for just a moment. Then he spoke. "Are you truly certain this woman is suitable? She comes from an ordinary family with no knowledge of high society customs. I don't believe she'll pass the Tsushima Association examination. In fact, the likelihood of failure is high. If that happens, it will affect the group's credibility." Kozue's chest was gripped. It was a fair assessment. She'd thought about it herself countless times. Was she enough? Did she truly deserve to enter this world and be evaluated? The answer was no. Kozue understood painfully well that she was out of place. "It will be fine, Hinata." Yuto's voice rang out quietly. "Ms. Shirakawa has a sincerity that no one else possesses. That's what's needed. What high society demands isn't pedigree or knowledge—it's 'authenticity.' Not manufactured elegance, but genuine sincerity. Ms. Shirakawa has that." Kozue looked up. Yuto was gazing at her. Strong will burned in his eyes. Hinata said nothing after hearing Yuto's words. His gaze remained on Kozue. It was still cold, still measuring something. "Understood. I'll proceed with the contract." A pen was placed before Kozue. A black ballpoint pen. It looked expensive. "Please sign in the signature field. Did you bring your seal?" Kozue shook her head. "No, I... didn't." "I see. Then we'll arrange a seal from the group." Kozue gripped the pen. Her hand was shaking. Her grandmother. The facility fees. 35,000 yen per month. That weight transmitted itself as the weight of the pen. She looked down at the contract. Difficult terminology lined up. But the important parts reached her heart. Six months. Fake engagement. 30 million yen compensation. (It's okay. I'm in this world. Yes, maybe I'm out of place. But...) Kozue moved the pen across the paper. "Kozue Shirakawa." She wrote her own name. Over and over, in every signature field. Every designated place. "Thank you." Taking the documents from Kozue, Hinata reviewed them without expression. Then he bowed to Yuto. "The contract is now in effect." Yuto nodded. Kozue couldn't read the meaning in his expression. Relief? Confirmation? Or something more complex? On the way back. She descended in the elevator to the first floor. Out into the lobby. The marble floors, the fountain, the security gate. Everything was the same as when she'd come up. But Kozue's heart was in an entirely different world. That's when it happened. "Ms. Shirakawa." She turned at the voice. Hinata was standing there. "There's something else I need to tell you." Kozue stopped. Hinata guided her to a corner of the lobby. A place away from prying eyes. "There's something I want to say to you, Ms. Shirakawa." His tone had shifted slightly. The ice-cold harshness remained. But something else seemed to mix in—a faint sensation of another emotion. "Mr. Setogawa is too kind. I still don't believe you'll truly succeed in this world." Kozue took in those words. "However..." Hinata's gaze flickered away for just a moment. "If you're serious, then I will cooperate. To protect Mr. Setogawa." Kozue was startled. Was this... a threat? Or a promise? Hinata's gaze remained cold. But deep within it, Kozue caught a glimpse of something—a profound loyalty to Yuto. And perhaps... a faint expectation directed at her. "I'll do my best." Kozue bowed deeply. In that moment, Hinata's lips moved slightly. Was he smiling? Or expressing some other emotion? Kozue couldn't tell. "I'm looking forward to it." In the cold air of the lobby, Kozue took her first step into her new life.