Yuzuha's heart skipped a beat. What is he talking about?
She watched as the chair turned back. A man in a luxurious white suit sat there, his posture composed yet authoritative. His face was sharp, dangerously attractive—strong jawline, sculpted features. Dark brown hair, slightly messy, added to his effortless charm. His piercing green eyes held a calm but charismatic intensity.
"Take a seat," he said smoothly, his deep voice carrying a commanding presence.
Yuzuha hesitated before lowering herself into the chair opposite him. So, he's the CEO… She had heard the rumors—Eiji Yakihoru, a man both feared and admired in the industry. They were right. He was devastatingly handsome.
"I am Eiji Yakihoru. Nice to meet you,"he said, offering a calculated smile.
Yuzuha returned the smile, though a bit nervously. "Nice to meet you too."
Eiji's gaze never wavered. "I know this is your first time meeting me," he remarked, his tone unreadable.
"Yeah," Yuzuha admitted with an awkward chuckle. "I've never seen you before… and I only just learned your name."
Eiji smirked slightly. "You know, I truly appreciate your beauty and skill. Because of your aura alone, our company has reached new heights. When you walk the runway, people don't just look—they admire."
Yuzuha blushed lightly. "Thank you for your appreciation, Eiji-san."
Eiji stood up, his gaze unwavering. "You are my first model—that's why I wanted to meet you first." He extended his hand slightly as if beckoning her forward. "Let's go. We need to meet the other models. They're skilled, but none compare to you."
Yuzuha nodded and followed him. As they walked, she didn't notice Eiji's sharp, observant eyes lingering on her, analyzing every move she made.
The moment they entered the hall, whispers spread like wildfire.
"Oh my god, look at the boss. He's unbelievably handsome."
Yuzuha stood beside him, suddenly feeling small. I'm 5'5" but standing next to him… he must be around 6'4" or 6'5"… His muscular frame makes him seem even larger.
"Good morning, everyone. Nice to meet you all," Eiji's voice resonated through the hall.
"Good morning, Eiji-san!Nice to meet you too,"the models replied in unison.
Eiji's gaze swept over the group. "I know all of you have been working hard. Look at our company—see how it has grown? It's all thanks to dedication, sacrifice, and relentless hard work. And of course…" He paused, his eyes locking onto Yuzuha. "Our famous model. The face of the company, our pride, Yuzuha Hinanijo. Yuzuha-san, would you like to say a few words?"
Yuzuha stepped forward, gathering her confidence. "I have been working here for four years. At first, no one knew me. People thought I was just an ordinary girl. But I always dreamed of becoming a model, so I worked hard. And now, I'm standing here, in my dream place." She smiled, glancing at the audience. "But I couldn't have done it alone. Your support helped me reach this height."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Yuzuha's eyes wandered across the room until they landed on Kenzo Ishido—her secret crush. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. But when she glanced at her so-called friends, she noticed something unexpected—jealousy twisting their faces. Her stomach churned. How can people change so quickly?
Her thoughts were interrupted as Eiji spoke again. "Tonight, there is no work. I have arranged a dinner party. I hope everyone will attend."
Excited murmurs filled the room.
Suddenly, Yuzuha felt a warm touch on her hand. She turned to see Kenzo gently holding her fingers.
"We'll go to the dinner together, agreed?" he asked.
Yuzuha hesitated before nodding slightly. As they walked away, she didn't notice the way Eiji's fingers curled into a fist, his eyes burning with jealousy.
That Night, After Dinner
The grandeur of Eiji's mansion left everyone in awe. The place was nothing short of a palace—luxurious interiors, intricate furnishings, a display of wealth beyond imagination. Yuzuha herself couldn't help but wonder just how rich is he?
Glancing at her watch, she realized it was already 10 PM. I should leave.
She approached Eiji. "Eiji-san, thank you for the dinner. But I should be heading home now."
Eiji looked at her, his expression unreadable. "It's already past 10 PM. It's not safe for a woman to travel alone. I'll arrange a car to take you home."
"There's no need,"Yuzuha replied quickly.
Eiji leaned closer, his voice lowering to a whisper near her ear. His warm breath sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. "You're wrong, Yuzuha-san. I have to think about your safety… After all, you are our hope."
Yuzuha swallowed. "Ah… O-Okay. I'll take the car then."
As she turned to leave, Eiji's eyes never left her. The way her long hair cascaded down her back, the subtle sway of her curves—his gaze followed her every step.
Midnight
After the last guest departed, silence enveloped the house. Eiji made his way to the bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, he exhaled deeply.
Reaching up, he pulled off his dark brown wig, revealing a head of jet-black hair. He turned on the faucet, letting the water run over his face, washing away the layers of deception. A faint scar emerged—running from the corner of his lip down to his jawline. A mark of the past… of something tragic.
Reaching for his green contact lenses, he removed them slowly. His real eyes, an icy glowing blue, stared back at him through the mirror.
A slow, menacing grin spread across his face as he whispered, his voice laced with dark amusement.
"My little fairy, Yuzuha… Do you really think you can escape from the dark shadow?"
He chuckled under his breath before murmuring the name that had long been buried in secrecy.
"I am Dark Shadow aka Dametri Raizaki"