The Memoirs of a Broken Doll

In contrast to the Shinomiya family, the Minamoto Corporation was celebrating. The atmosphere no longer smelled of stress, but of victory. Mio, the rookie girl who had arrived trembling a few months ago, had beaten Seraphine Laurent, an international model, at her own game. And she had done so with a last-minute improvised haircut that was already trending on all social media in Japan.

In the midst of the celebration, Kaguya approached her protégé. “ You were too reckless. ” said Kaguya, a glass in her hand, but her eyes shining with pride. “ Taking those scissors at the last second... it was very risky. A risky decision that could have cost you your career. “ Mio looked down, blushing. ” I'm sorry, Miss Kaguya.“, ” Don't apologize. “ Kaguya interrupted, smiling. ” It was brilliant. It was something I would have done too. You have my instincts, little one. "

Mio, embarrassed by the compliment, told her it was no big deal, that she had only acted on impulse. Unexpectedly, Kaguya put her glass down on a table and hugged Mio. It wasn't the stiff hug of a boss, but a warm, enveloping one. She gently placed Mio's face on her chest to give her peace. It was a sweet, motherly hug that left everyone present silent, seeing the heart of the businesswoman Kaguya for the first time.

Hours later, in the early morning. Silence had reclaimed the building. Almost everyone was asleep on the couches in the break room or on the floor, overcome by exhaustion and alcohol.

But one of the few people who wasn't asleep was Kaguya.

She was sitting in an armchair, the dim light of the city streaming in through the windows. Mio was sleeping on the sofa next to her, hugging a cushion. Kaguya glanced at her from time to time, a protective smile softening her sharp features.

Kaguya sighed softly and returned to her personal tablet. She checked her messages. Most were work-related: congratulations from partners, interview requests, stock charts on the rise. But as she scrolled down, she found a forgotten message. It was from her youngest daughter, Tomoko. She hadn't been able to read it earlier due to the madness of the fashion show.

Kaguya opened the message. But to her surprise, it wasn't just text. It was a photo of a drawing made by hand with crayons. In the drawing, with childlike strokes but full of affection, there were two figures: a little girl and a tall boy with a kind smile. Underneath the drawing was a short message:

" Mom, tomorrow is my older brother Tomoki's birthday. I made him this as a gift.

I hope that one day I can see him again to give it to him. I miss him so much. "

Kaguya's thoughts stopped. Tomoki's birthday... It was tomorrow. She looked at the drawing. She looked at the smile drawn on her son's face, the son she herself had cast out for not being strong enough. The son who was now missing, and probably hating her.

In the silence of the office, Kaguya shed a few tears. Tears that were silent. She bit her lip to keep from making a sound, pressing the tablet against her chest. The memory of her son hurt. I'm an idiot, she thought. I won the company, but I lost my family.

Kaguya looked at Mio, sleeping innocently beside her. I won't make the same mistake, Kaguya promised herself, wiping her tears away furiously. I'll do things right with Mio and Tomoko. I'll protect this girl like I couldn't protect him.

Even so, no matter how hard she tried not to make a sound, the slight tremor of her breathing woke Mio. The pink-haired girl opened her eyes, still somewhat sleepy. She sat up and saw her boss. “ Miss Kaguya? ” she asked in a tired voice. “ Why are you crying? Did something bad happen? ”

Kaguya jumped. She quickly locked her tablet and wiped her eyes, regaining her usual composure in a second. “ It's nothing, dear. ” Kaguya lied, forcing a smile. “ I just... had a nightmare. The stress of the fashion show, I guess. But don't worry, everything's fine. We won thanks to you, and that's what matters. ”

Kaguya stood up and approached Mio, gently stroking her head, messing up her new short hair. “ Go to sleep, dear. Everything is fine. ” Mio, feeling the warmth of her hand, believed her. She responded with a sleepy smile. “ All right, Lady Kaguya. Rest well. ”

Both girls got up in the dim light. They left the party room behind and walked down the hallway toward the building's private rooms to sleep peacefully, unaware that while Kaguya was crying over her lost son's birthday, Tomoki was somewhere in that same city.