The moonlight fell gently across the Kamihara balcony, casting soft shadows over Marina's long hair as she clutched the edge of the railing. Her expression was quieter now—not cold, not composed, but fragile. Her eyes were drawn to the stars, yet her mind drifted far deeper.
Izumi stood beside her, hands in his pockets, his body turned toward her like he didn't want to miss a single word. His own heart thudded unevenly in his chest. He had promised. He would protect her. But could he truly understand her pain?
"Izumi," Marina began, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I've never told anyone. Not even my father."
He turned, solemn. "You don't have to tell me if it hurts too much."
"No… I want to," she said, forcing a small breath. "Back in elementary school… I used to come home crying almost every day. At first, it was little things. People whispering behind my back. Fake friends who smiled at my face and mocked me the second I turned around."
Izumi remained still. Listening.
"They thought I was lucky. Rich. Pampered. Untouchable. But they hated me for it."
"Marina…"
She continued, voice tightening. "One day, someone shoved me into a puddle. Everyone laughed. I told the teacher, and they said I was too sensitive. That I should learn to take a joke." She clenched the railing. "From that day, I stopped telling anyone. Even when they hid my shoes. Even when they locked me in the bathroom for hours."
Izumi's jaw tightened. He took a step closer.
"I thought… maybe I deserved it. For being born into this life. For being different." Her voice trembled. "Eventually, I stopped reacting. Smiling became a mask. Speaking less became survival. I believed being alone was better than being disappointed."
She turned her face away, embarrassed. "So… if I seem cold sometimes, or hard to read… it's because I had to be."
"I get it," Izumi said softly. "You weren't protecting yourself from others. You were protecting your heart."
There was silence.
Then Marina asked, "And now that you know… do you think I'm pathetic?"
"No," he said instantly. "I think you're brave."
Her eyes widened slightly.
He took her hand—carefully, gently—like it was something precious. "Your past doesn't scare me, Marina. I want to understand you, not fix you. I'm not here to judge. I'm here to walk beside you."
Marina blinked hard, her breath catching. Her heart throbbed with something that felt frighteningly close to hope.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Really."
From behind the door, a faint sniffle echoed.
"Is someone crying?" Marina asked, puzzled.
The balcony door burst open. Niko stood dramatically in a cloak of flower petals. "IT'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL—TRUE LOVE!!"
Anzu yanked him back by the collar. "You promised not to interrupt this time!!"
One of the bodyguards saluted. "Emotional vulnerability phase: complete."
Izumi groaned. "You guys were all listening again?!"
"Like we'd miss the highlight reel," said another guard, scribbling into his notebook.
Marina sighed but chuckled. "This is our life now, huh?"
"Yep," Izumi replied. "Chaos with a dash of romance."
Just then, a sharp knock echoed from the main hall. A maid rushed over to Marina, whispering something in her ear.
Marina's expression dropped.
"What is it?" Izumi asked.
Marina looked stunned. "My father just handed me a formal envelope… from my mother."
Izumi's brow furrowed. "Celestia Kamihara?"
Marina nodded slowly. "She's coming back."
Elsewhere – Tokyo International Airport
Heels clicked across the marble floor as a woman with silver hair and icy blue eyes strode toward the limousine waiting outside. Her designer suit clung to her frame with effortless elegance. Behind her, two assistants scrambled to keep up.
Celestia Kamihara did not smile. Her voice was clipped, commanding.
"So," she said, watching her screen replay the moment of Izumi's public confession, "he made his move."
Her assistant trembled. "Yes, my lady."
She narrowed her eyes. "My husband never learns, does he?"
She paused before entering the car, then looked to the driver. "Take me to the estate."
The door closed. The city lights reflected coldly in her eyes.
"It's time I had a word with my daughter."
Back at Izumi's house, he sat alone at his desk, replaying the evening in his mind.
Just then, Hana peeked through his door, holding her phone.
"Hey, big bro…"
"What is it now?"
She grinned. "You're trending. #PowerCouple. Marina's fan club exploded."
Izumi blushed. "Wha—wait, she has a fan club?!"
"Of course she does. And now you're their king."
He buried his face in his hands.
But as he looked up at the moon from his window, he whispered to himself:
"I'll protect you, Marina. From now on… whatever it takes."