The Perfect Mask and the Declaration of War

Weeks had passed since Mio had decided to enter this world. Weeks that felt like years to her.

At first, everything went terribly wrong. The question of composure and delicacy was my Achilles heel. Walking in four-inch heels without looking like a duck was torture. She broke two vases (fortunately, replicas), tripped over her own shadow, and, on one occasion, got tangled up in a silk scarf in a way that defied the laws of physics.

But strangely, instead of getting angry with her, the feared Kaguya Minamoto seemed to enjoy her presence. Every time Mio made a panicked face or blurted out a frantic “ I'm sorry! ”, Kaguya smiled. It wasn't a mocking smile, but a smile... almost maternal. It reminded her that beneath all that makeup, there was a genuine heart.

The days passed, and the final day of the exam arrived. The room was silent. Kaguya and a panel of experts watched. Mio stepped out onto the makeshift catwalk. And she was perfect. Her posture was regal. Her gaze, mysterious. She walked with a fluid elegance that left the instructors speechless. She passed the test with a perfect score. She seemed like a completely different woman, an untouchable ice queen.

“ And... time! ” said Kaguya. As soon as she finished her act, the Queen disappeared. Mio's shoulders slumped, her face turned red as a tomato, and she covered her face with her hands. “ Oh, how embarrassing, how embarrassing! ” she squealed, running to hide behind a coat rack. “ I feel like everyone is looking right into my soul! ” Kaguya giggled. The Bunny Girl was ready for her debut.

The weeks passed until the big day arrived. Mio was ready to make her debut in front of the cameras. The set was ready. Lights, cameras, action. With a deep sigh, Mio closed her eyes, summoned all her pain and determination, and stepped onto the set.

For the next few minutes, Mio was not Mio. She was the new face of the Minamoto brand. Every movement, every turn, every glance at the camera was executed with deadly precision. “ Cut! ” shouted the director, ecstatic. “ Magnificent! ”

But as soon as she left the set and the lights went out, the magic was broken. Her legs, which had held the elegance of a goddess, shook violently. “ Ouch... ” she murmured. And she fell to the floor like a sack of potatoes. She was scared, even though it was over. Her heart was racing. Kaguya, who was supervising, immediately came over and helped her up, holding her firmly. “ You did well, sweetheart. ” she whispered, wiping a drop of sweat from her forehead. “ You did perfectly. ”

The recording was edited and uploaded to social media in record time. Chaos on the internet was instantaneous.

It wasn't a wave; it was a tsunami. Within minutes, the video went viral across Japan. Everyone from high school students to high-level executives were asking the same questions: “Who is she?” “Where did she come from?” “She's more beautiful than any idol!” “Forget the Takashimas, look at the girl from Minamoto!”

The new girl from Shibuya outshone all the established models; she was even said to be the freshest face in all of Japan. Her mystery only fueled the fire.

The video was seen by all the wealthy families. Kaguya's phone wouldn't stop ringing. Luxury brands, international magazines, everyone wanted to collaborate with the Minamoto family's new muse. Her debut was a complete success.

But her rise to the top was just beginning, and Mio, trembling in her dressing room while eating a chocolate bar to calm her nerves, had no idea of the storm she had unleashed.

Across town, in a silent and furious mansion, a group of families watched the screen. The Shinomiyas and Takashimas saw no beauty. They saw a threat. They had been overshadowed on their own announcement day. To them, that video wasn't fashion. It was a declaration of war.