Akira Takashima

Ren was about to return home when a thought stopped him. "What if... I ask Naoki? He wanted to tell him about the gift and why his logic had completely failed." But he quickly dismissed the idea. Naoki would scold him for approaching a "normal" girl and risking his safety. 

" My father? Dead first " thought Ren.

He was thinking about what to do when he saw something that made his blood run cold. A car. Parked in front of the mansion. It didn't belong to his parents or the staff. The make, the model... his analytical mind gave him an instant answer.

WAS IT THE TAKASHIMA INDUSTRY?

A slight but noticeable look of surprise and concern broke through his icy mask. "Naoki, wait for me here!" Ren ran off, leaving his bodyguard behind. His analytical thoughts were on the verge of collapse. " They scheduled the wedding? So soon? Why today? "

He burst into his father's office, opening the door forcefully without knocking. " Ren! " his mother's voice scolded him instantly. " Behave yourself! You can't come in like that, be respectful! "

But Ren barely heard her. Amidst the confusion, his gaze fell on a third person. A girl his age was sitting elegantly in front of her father. She had vibrant red hair, cut impeccably to her neck, and striking purple eyes. Her skin was pale, and her beauty was so perfect that she almost seemed to glow.

She was the suitor, Akira Takashima.

Ren didn't flinch; it was as if he had been expecting this. His analytical mind hadn't failed him, causing him to ignore her completely and fix his gaze on his father, a gesture that visibly offended and upset the girl. " Father. What does this mean? ", " It means it's time, Ren. " Ryōma said calmly. " May I introduce you to your fiancée, Miss Akira Takashima. "

Akira stood up and bowed slightly. " It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Shinomiya-san. Although I must say, your face seems... familiar. As if I've seen you before, somewhere else. "

" My son is going through a... rebellious phase. " Ryōma interrupted, giving Ren a look that was a direct threat. " A phase he will leave behind after the engagement." Ren just said. " That's fine. " But as he said it, he looked away toward the floor.

 No one seemed to notice that small gesture. But Ren did. He felt a chill. That wasn't normal for him.

Akira smiled politely. "I'll take my leave now. I'm glad to see you again, Ren. I hope the agreement can be fulfilled. That way, I'll be able to fulfill my part of the bargain, Mr. Shinomiya."

When he left, all his father said was, " Don't ruin it. It took me a lot to get this ring. Now get out. "

Ren left the office completely confused. Akira's words echoed in his head. "Acquaintance"? "Again"? Maybe he knew him from ECLIPSE... or could it be... that they already knew each other from before?

Meanwhile, at Happy Burger, the situation wasn't all sunshine and rainbows either.

Mio and Tomoki had had their first argument. It turns out that Tomoki, with genuine concern, told "Mio that she shouldn't drink so many energy drinks. Mio, those drinks are going to hurt you in the long run."

Mio took it as a direct threat to her habits, which caused her to become defensive. " I'm fine! I can take care of myself!"  

This resulted in them not speaking to each other for most of the shift, working in an icy silence.

Kenji and Sara, as expected, seized the moment to narrate. " ...and the tension is palpable at the counter. " whispered Kenji from the fryer. " That's right, Kenji. Team Tomoki has made a fatal mistake by attacking Mio's power source, the 'Nexus' drink. A brave move, but a foolish one. Mio counterattacks with a passive-aggressive barrage of napkins thrown at his face. The crowd goes wild! Who will win this battle of pride? Don't change the story if you've come this far."

After the tension calmed down thanks to Tomoki apologizing moments earlier, he noticed something. " Hey, Mio... look at that corner. A person wearing a long trench coat, hat, and sunglasses is sitting there, hiding suspiciously."  

" Oh. " Mio said without much emotion, but his comment instantly reminded Ren. " He's probably the person who's been leaving the notes. "

"Did he come to see me again?", she thought, and to her surprise, her heart fluttered a little. ¡Great! Finally, I'll have the chance to apologize for yelling at you!

" No. " Tomoki said with a serious expression. " This one looks different. His clothes, his behavior... he's not the same guy. "

Mio miró fijamente al desconocido. Tomoki Tenía razón, no se parecía en nada a la ropa que usaria Ren. 

While Mio and Tomoki were thinking about what to do with that guy, the last thing they saw was the unmistakable flash of a camera before the guy ran out of the place.

"Hey! PERVERT!" Kenji shouted. Kenji and Sara ran after him, armed with a spatula and a bar of soap.

Mio sighed, feeling strangely disappointed that it wasn't Ren, but another stranger.

But when she looked at Tomoki, she noticed that he had a serious expression on his face, a very serious one. It was a cold expression that Mio had never seen on him before. "That face... is a little scary" she thought. 

Realizing that Mio was looking at him, Tomoki changed his expression back to normal. "Don't worry." he said with his usual friendly smile. " Whatever happens, I'll protect you and everyone else. "

Mio blushed a little, but a question lingered in her mind. Who could this new stranger be? Was he another stalker?