Yuzuha's mind was slipping, fragments of her once orderly thoughts dissolving into the void. The world felt heavy, a suffocating cloud of confusion that clung to her like a second skin. She had lost so much—her dog, her land, her first crush Kenzo, and now… Haruto. She had no idea where he was. Was he still breathing? Or was he lost, just like the others, swallowed by the dark abyss of betrayal?
She replayed the words that had come from the unknown number in her mind: "Who in this world can you truly believe?"
A shiver crawled up her spine. Trust? It seemed like a luxury she could no longer afford. Everyone she had ever cared about had worn masks. Kenzo, Aoi… and now Haruto? Was he just another wolf in sheep's clothing? She didn't know. She couldn't know.
"Why? Why does it feel like everyone I trusted is slowly turning into a shadow?"
Her thoughts were tangled, a spider's web of doubt and paranoia, tightening with every passing second. The ache in her mind gnawed at her. Her gaze fell to her reflection in the glass before her. She was a stranger to herself now. The face staring back at her was a hollow shell, empty eyes staring into the abyss.
"But what about me?" She whispered to her reflection. "Am I any different?"
Guilt clawed at her chest. She had killed Aoi. She knew it was wrong, but did it make her a murderer? No. She was no murderer, not like those who hurt others without remorse. Aoi had been a criminal. She had to convince herself of that. She wasn't the villain here—she couldn't be.
Her mind was a whirlwind. The weight of every action, every word, threatened to crush her. She reached for her phone, dialed Eiji.
"Hello, Eiji-san," her voice cracked slightly, though she masked it with an air of calm.
"Yuzuha-san," his voice was soft, almost comforting, "How are you?"
"I'm not okay... mentally. I need to talk,"she murmured, letting her vulnerability seep through. "Can we meet?"
There was a brief pause before he responded. "Of course, Yuzuha. Meet me at Shinjuku at 7 pm. I'll send you the details."
Her heart thudded against her chest. Shinjuku. The most expensive restaurant in Japan. What did he want?
The evening arrived like a storm, swift and relentless. Yuzuha stared at the dresses before her, her mind a warzone of thoughts, too heavy to carry. Why am I even doing this? Her hands hovered over the clothes. My world is falling apart, and I'm choosing a dress?
But then, a quiet voice whispered through her thoughts. "Forget the past. Live in the present."
A dark purple gown caught her eye. Perfect. It was sleek, elegant, just like the life she had once dreamed of. She applied light makeup and styled her hair with delicate care. This was it. The mask she would wear tonight.
The sound of a car engine broke her from her reverie. She descended the stairs, a shock of surprise hitting her as a Lamborghini sat idling in front of her home. Eiji sat in the driver's seat, smiling up at her.
"Good evening, Yuzuha-san,"he greeted, his voice smooth like velvet. He opened the door for her, and she slid into the passenger seat.
"You look adorable, Yuzuha,"he commented, his gaze lingering on her for a moment too long.
Yuzuha flushed, the heat rising in her cheeks. "You look… handsome," she replied, her heart skipping a beat as she glanced at him. His dark purple suit seemed to match the very depths of the night sky.
As they drove, the world outside blurred into nothingness. The car glided smoothly along the road, the silence between them thick with unspoken thoughts.
Shinjuku was alive with a quiet elegance as they entered the restaurant. The atmosphere was serene, almost otherworldly. A dinosaur skeleton loomed in the background, a stark contrast to the soft golden glow of the diamonds embedded in the walls. A waterfall cascaded gently in the corner, its soothing sound mingling with the classical music that filled the air.
"Yuzuha,"Eiji began, his voice low, "I always prefer these types of places. The casual ones? People are… strange."He chuckled lightly, though his eyes never left her. "You know what I mean?"
Yuzuha nodded, unsure if she wanted to acknowledge the meaning behind his words. They sat by the long window, a view of the city sprawling before them like a sea of lights. A waitress arrived, taking their orders.
"I'll have the teriyaki chicken and papaya juice,"Yuzuha said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The waitress blinked. "I'm sorry, those aren't available here."
"What?" Yuzuha's eyes widened in surprise.
Eiji chuckled softly. "It's not unusual in places like this. Try the Ogayu instead. Or Matsutake mushrooms. They're exquisite."
Her eyes wandered over the menu, her jaw dropping at the prices. "Ten million yen…"she whispered.
Eiji laughed, pulling out a sleek black card. "Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."His voice was casual, but there was something in his eyes—a glimmer she couldn't quite place.
Yuzuha hesitated. "I've always paid my own way. I don't accept charity."
"I know," Eiji said, his smile warm, yet there was an undercurrent of something else. "But tonight, let me treat you."
She gave a small nod, her mind still swimming with doubts. What was he really after?
As the evening wore on, Eiji spoke again, his voice soft but piercing. "You know, most girls would fall for me just because I pay their bills, because of my money. But not you, Yuzuha."He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm different. You're different too."
Yuzuha felt an uneasy sensation creeping along her spine. There was a calmness in his voice that unsettled her more than she cared to admit.
Eiji continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Being a CEO at twenty-six isn't easy. It's a lonely path. My parents aren't alive. The world isn't kind to people like me."
Yuzuha nodded, feeling the weight of his words press against her chest. "I'm sorry for your loss," she murmured.
Eiji gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "You don't have to apologize. But there's something you should know, Yuzuha. The truth has a way of clawing its way to the surface. And when it does, it can destroy everything."
Yuzuha's heart skipped. What was he really saying?
As the night drew to a close, they left the restaurant, walking towards the car. Eiji's hand brushed against his pocket, and a small watch fell out, clinking onto the ground. Yuzuha stopped in her tracks. The watch gleamed under the streetlights.
It's Haruto's watch.
Her blood ran cold. What was it doing here?