Earlier That Week – KaelTech Headquarters
The contract signing had gone smoothly.
Mirei Asagiri, the famously untouchable president of Asagiri Global, stood up from the table as the final document was stamped and sealed. Her sharp red eyes landed briefly on the woman across from her.
Midori Kael — elegant, composed, and calm.
"You're even more formidable in person," Mirei said with a smirk.
Midori smiled gently. "You're just saying that because we agreed."
"No," Mirei said honestly. "I've admired you for a long time, Senpai. Not just as a CEO... but as a person."
Midori's expression softened. "I appreciate that."
Mirei straightened her coat. "We should talk again. Something not corporate next time."
"Actually…" Midori glanced at her phone. "My husband and I were planning dinner this weekend. You're welcome to join us. He'd be thrilled to meet you."
Mirei raised an eyebrow but didn't decline. "Then I'll come."
---
Saturday Night – Private Restaurant, 8:02 p.m.
The place was small, candlelit, hidden in one of Tokyo's quiet alleys.
Mirei arrived exactly on time. The hostess led her to a private dining room.
Inside, Midori stood and greeted her warmly. Beside her was her husband — a kind-eyed man with a humble smile. And beside him—
A boy.
Slouched slightly. Black formal shirt. Silver tie. Crimson eyes under lazy lids.
Mirei's step faltered.
Aeron.
He blinked at her.
"You—" she started, before catching herself.
Midori noticed her surprise. "Ah, you've met him before?"
"We've crossed paths," Mirei said smoothly, taking her seat across from him. "I didn't know you were her son."
Aeron shrugged. "I didn't know you were her guest."
There was a long silence. Midori poured the wine with practiced grace.
"I wanted you two to meet," she said warmly. "Mirei, this is my son, Aeron. Aeron, this is Mirei Asagiri—president of Asagiri Global and one of the people I respect most."
Mirei raised her glass. "We've already skipped the awkward part, it seems."
Aeron didn't smile, but he lifted his glass in return.
---
Dinner flowed quietly, mostly with Midori and her husband catching up with Mirei about business, life, and the new school Aeron had joined.
Mirei occasionally glanced at him.
He didn't speak much. Ate with perfect manners. Gave short replies.
But he was the same boy from the bar — the same one who wiped down counters like no one was watching and treated her like just another customer.
She couldn't explain why that stayed with her.
Midway through dessert, Midori excused herself to the restroom. Her husband followed with a call from work, promising to return.
That left the two of them alone.
Mirei leaned her elbows on the table. "Still not going to ask me anything?"
"There's nothing I want to know," Aeron replied.
"You're strange."
He looked at her. "You came to my bar twice. You don't like bars. Or people."
"That's true."
"So why?"
"Because," she said, swirling her glass of red wine, "I wanted to see if the way you looked at me was real."
He blinked.
"You looked at me like I wasn't special."
"Because you're not. Not to me."
Her breath caught.
And then she laughed — quietly, but sincerely.
"I can't tell if you're brave, foolish, or broken."
"Maybe all three."
The silence between them was warmer now. Mirei rested her cheek on her hand and stared across the table.
"You're more dangerous than the men who try to seduce me," she said. "Because you don't want anything."
Aeron leaned back slightly. "You'll get bored of me."
"I'm not bored," she whispered.
And she wasn't.
She was intrigued.
---
Later That Night – Back at Home
Ayaka stepped into the hallway as Aeron returned.
She stopped him mid-step.
"You were late."
"Dinner."
"With who?"
He looked her in the eyes. "Mirei."
Her face changed.
That name wasn't just famous — it was threatening.
Ayaka said nothing more. But long after he passed, she remained there.
Still.
Frozen.
And very aware…
that the world around Aeron was starting to pull him in deeper than he realized.