🕒 [Evening | Wakayama Streets]
The sun was slowly drowning behind the mountains as Kuje (Haruka Kuzo) lazily walked towards home, his hands buried deep in his pockets.
📱 Ring... Ring...
His phone suddenly buzzed.
Kuje (sighs): "Who's calling now...?"
[Sees the caller ID: "Grandpa Shion"]
Kuje: "Hello... Grandpa? What's up calling at this hour?"
On the other side, a familiar grumpy voice responded—
Shion Kuzo: "Tsk, Haruka, is that how you greet your old man? Not even asking if I'm alive or dead?"
Kuje (deadpan): "Grandpa, skip the drama. Just tell me what you want."
Shion (laughs): "Heh. Tonight. Meet me at the hotel. No excuses."
Kuje: "Location?"
Shion: "You don't need to know."
[Call Disconnects]
Kuje (yelling): "HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THERE, OLD MAN!? DO I DIVE INTO THE OCEAN!?" 🌊📞
Suddenly, a luxury black car (probably worth more than Kuje's entire existence) rolled up beside him.
The door opened, and out stepped Amane, the butler, with his signature apologetic smile.
Amane: "Sir, I apologize, but it seems we've come to pick you up... again."
Kuje (facepalms): "How many times do I have to tell you guys to STOP this?!"
Amane (grins): "As you say, sir. But since we are already here... please, get in."
[Kuje grumbles and enters the car] 🚗💨
🕣 [Night | Traditional Japanese Hotel | VIP Room]
The room was filled with the scent of tatami mats and the glow of soft lanterns.
As Kuje entered, his eyes widened—
Kuje (shocked): "Grandpa, why is Shina here?!"
[Sees Mahiru Shina sitting awkwardly, sipping tea]
Narrator 🎙️: "Mahiru Shina, Kuje's best friend… and also his greatest rival in everything. She's not supposed to be here tonight."
Sitting beside her was an elderly man with a powerful aura.
Narrator 🎙️: "This man is Yamada Shiunjo, the head of the Shiunjo family and the CEO of their massive business empire. Also, Mahiru's grandfather." 🏢👴
Mahiru (glaring): "Why the hell are YOU here, Cockroach Kuje?"
Kuje (smirks): "Oh? Still using the Cockroach nickname, huh? How cute."
Mahiru (snaps): "It's cute because YOU'RE beneath my feet."
Kuje (mock yawns): "Keep talking, second place."
[Their usual verbal war begins] ⚡🔥
Meanwhile, Shion Kuzo and Yamada Shiunjo sat calmly, watching the two like an audience enjoying a comedy show.
Shion (chuckles): "Look at them, Yamada. They get along so well."
Yamada (nods): "Indeed. It's time to finalize the deal then."
Both Kuje and Mahiru suddenly froze.
Kuje & Mahiru (together): "WHAT DEAL?!" 😳😳
Shion & Yamada (grinning): "Your marriage."
Clink! 🥤 —Their juice glasses slipped from their hands, shattering the awkward silence.
Kuje & Mahiru (in unison): "MARRIAGE?!!" 😱💥
—To Be Continued…