Broken Dreams

Mio was in one of the highest rooms of the Minamoto corporate tower. She had managed to slip away from Tanaka's watchful eye for a few minutes.

The wind blew strongly at that height, messing up her short hair, but Mio didn't care. She needed air. She needed space to process what her life had become. She leaned on the glass railing, looking out at the immensity of Tokyo. She thought about the decision she had made.

Marriage.

Just then, she heard the sound of the door opening behind her. Her heart raced. For a second, her mind unconsciously and desperately thought it was Ren. She remembered the time she was alone with him on that other balcony, the feel of his touch, the promise in his eyes. Mio turned quickly, his name on the tip of her tongue. “ Ren...? ”

But reality hit her. It wasn't him, it was Tomoki. The young chef was now wearing designer clothes. Tomoki stopped when he saw the disappointment in her eyes, but said nothing. He approached Mio and leaned on the railing beside her.

At first there was silence for several minutes, although it wasn't uncomfortable. They both looked at the horizon, two castaways on the same raft.

Finally, Mio broke the ice, without looking at him. “ Why did you leave, Tomoki? ” she asked softly. “ That day at Happy Burger... you just disappeared. No note. No goodbye... ”

Tomoki sighed. “ It was for your own good, Mio. Maybe at this point the secret doesn't matter anymore, but... I had to get away so I could come back like this. " He glanced at her. ”I'm Kaguya's son. The original heir. “ Mio opened her eyes wide in surprise, though she had already suspected as much. ” I was disinherited years ago. “ Tomoki continued. ” I left because I wanted to follow my own dreams. I wanted to cook, I wanted to make people smile with food. That's why I hated this corporate world. "

Tomoki turned to her, his eyes sad. " But when I met you... when I found out that my mother recruited you and how the Shinomiyas then set their sights on you... I knew I couldn't protect you just by being a cook. " He gripped the railing tightly. “ Ren and his family have only brought you trouble, pain, and humiliation. So I decided to give up my dreams. I put this suit back on and accepted the inheritance I hated... just so I could have enough power to protect you. ”

Mio felt terrible. A lump formed in her throat. The fact that someone as kind as Tomoki had to sacrifice his freedom and his entire life just for her... was something she couldn't bear. “ No... ” Mio whispered, turning to him. " Tomoki, that's not fair. You can't give up your dreams for me. I'm not worth that much. Mio took his hands, desperate. “We can cancel this. I don't care what the news says. I'll manage on my own. ”

Tomoki just smiled at her, but despite that, she could see the sadness in his eyes. “ It's too late, Mio. And I don't regret it. Now my dream is for you to be safe. If the price is my freedom, I'll gladly pay it. ”

Mio looked into his eyes. She saw kindness, loyalty, and above all, a love that she could not reciprocate in the same way. She knew she couldn't convince him. And she knew that, deep down, he was right: without this marriage, Ryōma would destroy her. With nothing more to say, and with a heavy heart, Mio nodded. “ All right.” she finally said. “ I accept. ”

She hadn't accepted because she loved Tomoki as a woman. She said it for his sake, so that his sacrifice would not be in vain, and for her sake, of course.

The next day, the internet and all the media in Japan exploded.

The news became official. The screens in Shibuya, the news programs, and the magazine covers all showed the same image: the official wedding date.

MINAMOTO'S WEDDING! “Heir Tomoki Minamoto and model Mio will marry in an exclusive ceremony this weekend.” “From hamburger joint to altar: The love story that has captivated the nation.”

The narrative had completely changed. No one was talking about the mistress anymore. Now they were talking about Cinderella. Social media was flooded with fan art, messages of support, and speculation about the dress. Tomoki's plan had worked perfectly. The world loved the couple. No one noticed that, in the official photos, the bride's smile didn't reach her eyes.

Japan celebrated love, unaware that on the other side of the city, in a dark mansion, a shinomiya was preparing to throw the best wedding in Japan.