Chapter 85: The Aftermath and the "Real" Prize

He did not just "leave." He "stormed out." He "vanished" the moment Fuji "bowed" to Daiki.

Lady Mariko had just... left. She looked bored. She was probably texting.

The event is... a massive success.

The charity has raised millions.

"Daiki-kun! Daiki-kun!" Hiroto is sobbing, hugging Daiki on stage. "That was beautiful! Oscar-worthy! The emotion! The sacrifice! The bromance!"

"Get off me, Sparkles," Daiki grunts, but he is... smiling. A real, tired, happy smile.

Fuji is by the side of the stage, talking to Kenichi. He looks... relieved. He looks... happy.

His plan to throw the match failed spectacularly.

And in failing, it succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.

He did not just placate the public. He allied with their heroes. He defied his father publicly. He showed respect to a commoner.

He did not win the game.

He won the war.

My dad is sobbing with pride. "He respected the game!" he cries to my mom. "Both of them! That is true sportsmanship!"

Toujo is disappointed.

"There was no secret fight scene," he mutters to Rika. "No lasers. No ninja. Just a video game. I rate this climax a 6/10."

"It was perfect, Toujo," Rika sighs, "Now stop eating the centerpieces."

I am not listening.

I am walking.

I am pushing past the 'Penguin Apron Brigade' (who are all crying).

I am walking towards the stage.

Guards try to stop me.

"Isuzu-san, you are not authorized..."

"I am with the Prince," I snarl. (My Bloody Twilight voice is back.)

They hesitate.

Fuji sees me.

"She is with me," he calls out. "Let her through."

The guards part like the Red Sea.

I walk up the stairs to the stage.

Hiroto sees me. "ANGEL! Our heroine! Come to congratulate the victor!"

He shoves the mic in my face.

"Who do you choose, Aoi-chan? The Noble Prince who lost? Or the Passionate King who won?"

"He is an idiot," I say into the mic.

Hiroto gasps.

"Which one?"

I walk past him.

I walk past Daiki.

Daiki is watching me. He is not smirking. He is just... watching.

He looks at peace.

He nods at me. Respect.

I nod back. Respect.

His climax is over. He is good.

I walk right up to Fuji.

He is standing there. Waiting.

His eyes are warm.

"So," I say, loud enough for him to hear. "You are a terrible liar."

"I know," he murmurs.

"And your plans are terrible."

"They are," he agrees.

"You lost. Publicly. To Daiki."

"I did," he smiles.

"You are a complete mess," I say.

"I am," he whispers.

"And...?"

"And... I am pretty sure your father is going to try to have you exiled."

"Probably," he laughs.

I stand on my tiptoes.

The cameras are flashing. Hiroto is hyperventilating. My parents are screaming.

I do not care.

I grab the lapels of his stupid, perfect suit.

"You are my idiot," I whisper.

And I kiss him.

Right there. On the stage.

In front of the world.

It is not a forehead kiss.

It is not a rescue breath.

It is a real kiss.

Bloody Twilight and the Ice Prince.

The cameras explode.

Fuji is stunned. For one second.

And then... he kisses me back.

He wraps his arms around me.

And he does not let go.

"FINALLY!" Hiroto screams, fainting on stage. "THE TRUE ENDING!"

"The real prize," Daiki mutters to himself. He shakes his head. And he walks off the stage. A King. Who knows when to lose.