The Surveillance Room
A dimly lit underground chamber hidden deep within Tokyo's financial district is buzzing with activity.
Every inch of the walls is covered with pictures of Mei from childhood snapshots to recent photographs. All updated in real-time from childhood to the present day.
Monitors hum softly, each displaying live feeds of her movements, her life under constant watch.
At the front, a massive screen glows, a timeline of Mei's life stretching across it,
constantly highlighting key events and people.
A man in black stands tall, motionless, staring at the images. Once her friend, now her secret protector, he sits amidst the screens, torn between past loyalties and present duty.
He thinks to himself
"Mei and I are growing further apart... what's happening to our friendship?" His eyes fall upon a childhood photo of them together, smiling and carefree.
His expression turns grim as he whispers
"Her father's plans must be stopped NOW."
Fingers flying across a keyboard, he hacks into Hiro's mainframe, digging for intel on the so-called marriage agreement with the Hashimoto family.
He discovers a shocking detail. What he uncovers makes his stomach twist.
The wedding isn't above love. It's a smokescreen. A distraction hiding a massive business merger between the Hirai and Hashimoto families.
Mei isn't a participant. She is just a pawn in her father's game of power and wealth he's using her to secure a billion-dollar deal. A casualty in her father's pursuit of power and billions.
His eyes narrow as he scrolls through Hiro's emails, each line confirming his worst fears. His jaw tightens in anger.
"Hiro's using Mei like a bargaining chip. Her life, her happiness means nothing to him."
A mix of emotions swirls inside him. A storm of anger and helplessness churns inside him.
He stares at the screen, displaying Mei's location Seoul, South Korea.
His eyes narrow slightly, memories flooding back.
Mei's wedding to Takeru was called off just days ago. Mei's refusal sparks Hiro's fury.
Hiro disowns Mei on the spot, kicking her out of the Hirai household.
He thinks
"Can I still protect Mei without betraying Hiro?"