Chapter 80: The Reunion and the Whisper

This time, we are not in the press pen.

We are walking on a red carpet.

My dad is in his best suit, sweating. My mom is in a dress she bought five years ago, looking terrified.

I am in the most boring, polite, black dress Rika could find. I hate it. (I am still wearing my combat boots. My mom cried. I did not care.)

Daiki is walking in front of us, wearing a suit. It looks wrong. He looks like a penguin.

Hiroto is already inside, schmoozing with the press as the official celebrity host. Toujo and Rika are here... as my dads "junior assistants." (My dad is too nice.) Toujo is also wearing a suit. He keeps trying to do the worm in it.

We enter the main hall. It is insane. It is like a movie. Chandeliers. Gold. And... in the middle of this ancient, royal ballroom...

Are ten stage-lit gaming setups. On a huge stage. With a Jumbotron.

It is the weirdest thing I have ever seen.

The Crown Prince is there, near the stage. He looks like he is sucking on a lemon. Lady Mariko is there. She looks bored.

And then I see him.

Fuji.

He is in his full, white, Imperial suit. The one from the festival. He is perfect. He is smiling his fake smile. He is talking to a politician.

He sees us.

His eyes find mine.

He does not smile. He does not react. His face is ice.

My heart... sinks.

Did I read this wrong? Is this not a plan? Is this... just a trap?

He walks over. The Crown Prince is watching.

"Hanata-san," Fuji says, bowing politely to Daiki. "Thank you for accepting our invitation. Your participation brings great honor to this charity."

"Your Highness," Daiki grunts, bowing back. It looks painful for him.

"Isuzu-kaichou," Fuji says, bowing to my dad. "Your companys support is invaluable. Thank you for coming."

"The honor is all ours, Your Highness!" my dad stammers.

Fuji nods. His eyes slide over me. And my mom. And Toujo.

No recognition. Nothing. He is a stranger.

He is about to turn away. My plan is failing.

My heart is breaking.

This is it. He is gone.

Toujo sees it. He sees my face. He sees Fuji leaving.

Toujo is an idiot. And a hero.

"WHOA!" Toujo yells, flailing his arms. He "trips" on his own (probably untied) shoelace.

He lurches forward.

Right into me.

"TOUJO!" I yell.

I am knocked off balance. In my stupid boots. On a stupid, polished marble floor.

I am falling.

Right in front of everyone.

Right at Fuji.

I am going to tackle the Prince. Again.

I brace for impact.

It does not come.

Strong arms. Instantly.

Fuji.

He did not hesitate. He dropped his Ice Prince act. His reflexes are too fast.

He caught me.

I am flush against his chest. He is holding me up.

My hands are on his shoulders.

It is a hug.

A desperate, accidental, public hug.

The room is silent. The cameras are flashing. The Crown Prince looks like he is about to have an aneurysm.

Fuji does not care.

He is holding me. Tightly.

His face is buried in my hair. For just one second.

I can feel him breathing.

He is shaking. Or I am. I do not know.

He whispers. So low that only I can hear it.

"I missed you, Aoi."

My heart... stops.

"Its working," he whispers, his voice desperate and fast. "He is furious. The press is eating it up. I am going to lose this tournament to Daiki. Publicly. And you... you just have to be ready. Follow my lead."

He pulls back.

He straightens me up.

He is the Ice Prince again.

His face is cold. But his eyes...

His eyes are on fire.

He is my rival. He is back.

He bows politely.

"My apologies, Isuzu-san. Are you alright?"

I am bright red. But I am smirking.

"Perfectly fine... Your Highness."

The war is definitely on.