The morning sun streamed through the window as Izumi scrubbed the living room floor for the third time.
"You're going to erase the carpet at this rate," Hana commented dryly, sipping juice from a straw while perched on the sofa like a smug cat.
"This has to be perfect," Izumi muttered, dragging the vacuum across the same spot again. "She's coming here. Here. Our house. What if she thinks it's small?"
"It is small. Compared to a mansion." Hana grinned. "But hey, if she dumps you over this, I'll punch her in the kneecaps."
"Not helpful!"
Their mother was in the kitchen, frying tempura at record speed. "Do you think I should add lobster to the menu? Billionaire girls probably eat that every day, right?"
"Dear," their father said from behind a newspaper, "don't forget to ask her about her intentions. And her credit score."
"She's not applying for a loan!" Izumi shouted.
Hana spun dramatically on the couch. "BREAKING NEWS: Chaos erupts in the Ayonama household as Ashford Royalty descends!"
The doorbell rang.
Everything froze.
Izumi's heart skipped a beat for a momat. He rushed to the door and opened it—and immediately forgot how to breathe.
Marina stood there in a light pastel cardigan over a simple white blouse and pleated skirt. Her hair was tied in a loose side braid. She held a box of chocolates wrapped in silk ribbon.
"H-Hi, Izumi."
He blinked. "You… you look…"
"Different?" she offered.
He nodded dumbly.
"Is that a good thing?"
"…Y-yeah. I mean—yes. Definitely. You look really… cute."
Her cheeks turned faintly pink. "Thank you."
Inside, Hana screamed.
"Marina-chan detected in casual wear! This is not a drill!"
As Marina stepped inside, Hana leapt forward with a toy mic.
"Lady Marina, I have questions! First—what made you fall for my idiot brother?! Second—how rich are you, like on a scale of 1 to dragon hoard? And third—are you gonna marry him or what?!"
"HANA!" Izumi turned beet red.
Marina simply laughed and crouched a bit to meet Hana's eyes. "Nice to meet you, Hana-chan."
Hana froze. "Sh-she used 'chan'… She's the real deal."
Their mom came out, wiping her hands on her apron. "Welcome, Marina-chan. Please, make yourself at home."
"Thank you very much," Marina said with a respectful bow, presenting the gift.
Dinner was warm, loud, and slightly chaotic.
Marina sat beside Izumi, calm and elegant, though occasionally nudging him playfully under the table. His mother watched with curious eyes, while his father asked questions like a secret agent doing background checks.
"So… Marina-san, what do your parents think of all this?"
Marina's smile didn't falter. "They are still… processing. But I'm certain things will be okay. I'll make sure of it."
She spoke with grace but avoided the topic of Celestia and Ashford's dramatic plans. Izumi noticed, but didn't press her.
She complimented the food, listened intently to the stories, and even joked with Hana about anime.
Eventually, as the dishes were cleared, Izumi quietly gestured toward the small balcony outside his room.
"Want to… get some air?"
Marina nodded.
Outside, the night sky stretched above them, glittering with stars.
"This feels nice," she murmured. "Real."
Izumi leaned on the railing. "Yeah. It's not a mansion view, but…"
She turned to him. "I don't care about that."
He looked at her, her hair catching the starlight. "Thanks for coming."
"Thanks for letting me."
There was a pause.
Then—quietly—he reached out and took her hand.
Their fingers intertwined.
No crowd
No applause.
Just two hearts, beating side by side.
Marina smiled.
"So… boyfriend," she whispered.
He blushed. "Y-yeah?"
She leaned in slightly. "Don't let go too easily, okay?"
"I won't."
They two begin to laugh softly
Thana is watching them behind the door and click a photo of them.
She is Happy about her big idiot brother.
---
[Meanwhile…]
At Haneda Airport, a private jet touched down.
Lady Celestia Ashford stepped into the cool night air. Her silver hair flowed elegantly behind her as she walked with deliberate grace.
Her assistant struggled to keep up.
"Where to first, ma'am?"
She paused, staring toward the distant city lights.
"…It's time I spoke with my daughter."
Her eyes narrowed.
"…And the boy who confessed." by looking at her mobile.
To be continued...