The suit felt stiffer than Izumi had expected. The tie alone was a warzone—first his mother tried to fix it, then Hana made it worse on purpose.
"Wow~ Look at you, all grown up!" Hana teased, bouncing around him like an excited puppy. "Is this how you dress when you're gonna get engaged, big bro?"
"I'm not getting engaged," Izumi grumbled, swatting at her. "It's just a party."
"At a billionaire's mansion. Hosted by the girl who literally has a squad of bodyguards. And who stares at you like a tsundere in denial." She grinned. "Suuuuure, just a party."
"Okay, okay, that's enough," their mother cut in, tugging Izumi's lapels into place. "You look good, honey. Just be polite and stay out of trouble."
Their father stood by the door, arms crossed. "And if they start talking about dowries, run."
"...Dad, please don't make it weirder."
Despite his family's antics, Izumi couldn't shake the nervous flutter in his chest. Something about this party felt... off.
Meanwhile, the Kamihara estate glittered under twilight like a palace from another world. Servants hurried in polished lines, floral arrangements were being finalized, and strings of lights cast a soft glow over the marble courtyard.
Marina stood at the edge of it all, alone in her room.
Her dress shimmered, a pale cascade of silver and lavender. Her gloves were smooth and flawless. And yet, she couldn't stop fidgeting.
"...Stupid gloves," she muttered, tugging them again.
"You look stunning, Lady Marina," the head maid said gently. "He'll be speechless."
Marina didn't answer. Her thoughts were a cyclone: Why did Dad spring this party on her? Why had she invited Izumi? Why was her heart racing every time she imagined him walking through the doors?
She pressed her hands against her cheeks. "I'm not nervous. I'm not. I'm just... mad. Yeah. At Dad."
But she knew that wasn't all of it.
The gates of the Kamihara estate opened without a sound as Izumi stepped through. A black car dropped him off, and the sight before him stole his breath.
Everything shimmered. The lawn was trimmed like a chessboard. Musicians tuned violins on a floating stage over a koi pond. Guests in high fashion were already sipping champagne under a crystal gazebo.
A sharply-dressed butler greeted him.
"Welcome, Master Aoyama. Lady Marina awaits."
As he stepped forward, a familiar figure appeared from behind a column.
"Aoyama."
Izumi blinked. "…Watanabe-san?"
One of Marina's bodyguards stepped forward, looking deadly serious.
"If something weird happens, don't freeze. Act."
"...Okay?"
Another guard shoved something into Izumi's hands. A can of lemon soda.
"She likes this. Bring it to her before dinner."
"...You guys are being way too cryptic."
Then the third, the tallest, leaned in. "This is your boss fight."
Izumi stared. "Why does it sound like you're throwing me into a final dungeon?"
They vanished before he could ask more questions.
And just when he thought he'd seen everything, a gust of sparkles announced Niko's arrival. Dressed in a red-gold gown with a dramatic mask, he twirled beside Izumi like a Disney villain on vacation.
"The Kamihara masquerade of feelings begins," Niko whispered. "A night of masks… of truth… and hidden romance!"
Izumi took a long sip of the lemon soda to calm himself.
He found her near the garden—alone.
Marina turned at the sound of footsteps, and for a moment, everything else stopped.
Her eyes widened slightly. "You… came."
"You invited me, didn't you?"
She looked away, her hands gripping her dress. "I wasn't sure you'd actually show."
"I nearly didn't," he joked. "Your bodyguards made it sound like I was entering a secret mission."
She laughed softly, the sound different than usual. Not sharp. Not cold.
"I'm glad you're here."
There was a moment of silence. Fireflies blinked in the bushes. The scent of lilac drifted in the air.
"Marina," Izumi began, "there's something weird about this party, isn't there?"
She froze, then gave a small, bitter smile. "You noticed too."
He stepped closer. "You're nervous. You never get nervous."
"I'm not—"
"Yes, you are. And I'm not leaving your side tonight."
She opened her mouth, eyes wide, but before she could speak—
"Guests, please proceed to the main ballroom," a voice rang out from the intercom. "The special guests have arrived."
Marina stiffened. Her hand dropped from Izumi's.
"...We should go," she whispered.
He nodded slowly, but not before gently pressing the can of lemon soda into her hand.
The ballroom blazed with crystal lights and classical music. Izumi had never seen so much glitter and elegance in one room. Marina walked beside him, her grip tightening on his sleeve the moment they entered.
Then—
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ashford Kamihara said from the head table, his voice calm, confident. "Thank you for attending the Kamihara family's special evening."
He raised his glass.
"Let us celebrate the engagement… of my daughter—Marina Kamihara."
Izumi blinked.
"...Wait, what?"
Marina turned pale.
A tall, handsome stranger was already stepping forward with a charming smile.
The ballroom burst into applause.
And Izumi felt the world begin to tilt.
To be continued...