The Return of the Prodigal Son

Mio was in one of the building's private break rooms, completely isolated from the world. She didn't have her phone, there was no television, and the blinds were drawn. She was practically in a bubble of silence, oblivious to the horror that was destroying her reputation outside. Tanaka did a good job of keeping her distracted, bringing her old fashion magazines and snacks and assuring her that Kaguya just wanted her to rest after all the excitement. But it wasn't enough. Mio was beginning to suspect that something was wrong. She noticed Tanaka's hands shaking every time he was around. She thought it was just her imagination, a product of stress, but her instincts told her that the sky was falling.

Meanwhile, at the Shinomiya family mansion, the atmosphere was festive. Ryōma was reclining in his armchair with a glass of red wine in his hand, celebrating. On the giant screen in front of him, the stock market charts showed red lines: Kaguya's company's shares were plummeting. At the same time, on a monitor next to him, thousands of comments on social media were discrediting Mio: Dirty, Liar, low-class woman. “ Look how they're falling apart. ” said Ryōma, taking a long sip. “ They thought they could play in our league. ”

Next to Ryoma stood Seraphine, also holding a glass, smiling. “ The Bunny has returned to her burrow. ” she laughed. “ Not even her new haircut will save her from being a social object. ” The two were laughing at their triumph. Both had achieved victory over their rivals. Ryōma had destroyed Kaguya and regained control over Ren, while Seraphine had humiliated the girl who dared to challenge her. They believed the war was finally over.

However, at the Minamoto Corporation, chaos reigned supreme.

Absolutely everyone was working flat out.

Computer technicians and engineers were trying to trace the source of the publication. Lawyers were on the phone to investors trying to prevent them from withdrawing their capital. The public relations department was drafting statements that seemed useless in the face of the wave of hatred.

Even Kaguya was working with three phones at once while suffering from an excruciating migraine.

They were losing.

For the first time in years, she felt like she was drowning. Then, in the midst of despair, a flash of memory struck her. She remembered that photo she had confiscated from her daughter Tomoko long ago, when the girl was playing spies. Could it be...?

Kaguya abruptly hung up the phone. She hurried as quickly as she could to her personal files and searched through a folder that was tucked away at the back of her belongings, locked away. She took out a physical photograph and placed it on the desk, next to the tablet displaying the leaked photo from the scandal. They were almost identical in angle and context. Kaguya looked at the photo carefully. Now that she knew the truth, now that she had seen Ren at the fashion show... the pieces fell into place. Kaguya's jaw tightened. “ It's him. ” she whispered. “ The boy in the photo... it was always Ren Shinomiya. ”

Kaguya was quite surprised by that confirmation.

It meant that Ren and Mio had known each other long before the gala. It meant that their connection was real. But her surprise turned to helplessness. “ What good does it do me to know this now? ” she said bitterly to herself. “ If I say it's true, I'll confirm the scandal. If I say it's a lie, they'll destroy us with evidence. Damn it, I have no way to fight back. ”

She was about to take the photo when the door to her office burst open. Kaguya looked up in surprise, ready to scold whoever it was.

It was Tanaka. But Tanaka didn't have her usual composure. She was agitated, disheveled, her eyes wide open, as if she had seen a ghost. “ Miss Kaguya! ” Tanaka gasped. “ He's here! Young Tomoki is back! ”

Kaguya froze at the news. “ What did you say, Tanaka? ” she asked, her voice choked with emotion. “ That's impossible. ” She could never believe that her son, the same son she cried for at night, would return under such circumstances, in the midst of the company's worst incident. Kaguya didn't know if it was a good time to bring up the subject, or if she was hallucinating due to stress.

She was about to give Tanaka an order, perhaps to ask him not to joke about it, when a figure entered the office, passing by the assistant.

 He wasn't wearing a chef's uniform, but rather a perfectly tailored black suit that gave him an air of authority that Kaguya didn't remember. But the look... that determined and kind look was unmistakable.

The young man stood in front of the desk, looking at the woman who had banished him years ago. There was a silence that seemed to last an eternity.

Finally, he spoke.

“ Hello, Mother... ” said Tomoki, in a deep, calm voice. “ It's been a long time, don't you think? ”

Kaguya froze in place, unable to breathe or look away as the prodigal son returned, not to ask for forgiveness, but to take command of the war.