The Tears

Mio, Kaguya, and Tanaka were in an exclusive haute couture house, closed just for them.

They were in the final fitting. Kaguya had rejected the traditional white. “You're not ordinary, Mio. You're unique,” Tanaka had said. So they were dressing Mio in a spectacular wedding dress, a pale pink color. The silk and tulle fabric seemed to float around her body, perfectly complementing her short hair and highlighting the depth of her reddish eyes. She looked like a cherry blossom in full spring bloom.

When the fitting room curtain opened and Mio stepped out, time seemed to stand still for Kaguya and Tanaka, who were left breathless.

The girl who once served hamburgers was gone. Standing before them was a princess. “ Unbelievable... ” whispered Tanaka.

The girls looked happy, or at least they appeared to be.

Mio looked at herself in the mirror. Her mind was in an internal battle, trying to cheer herself up. " You look good, Mio. You can do this. It's for Tomoki. It's for Miss Kaguya. Smile. Don't think about him anymore. Don't think about Ren. You're strong,” she told herself in her mind. “ You're beautiful. ”

Her thoughts were interrupted by Kaguya's voice. “ Tanaka” said the president without taking her eyes off Mio. “ Give us a moment alone, please. Go check the car. ” Tanaka nodded, understanding that this was a private moment.

When they were alone, Kaguya approached Mio. With gentle hands, she smoothed a crease in her dress and adjusted the diamond necklace around her neck. “ You look beautiful, Mio. ” Kaguya said, but her voice had an unusual tremor to it. " I never thought my son would come home... let alone come home just to protect a girl. To protect you. “ Mio smiled shyly. ” I was surprised too, Miss Kaguya. Tomoki is very noble. "

Kaguya looked into her eyes with maternal intensity. “ You know... I always wanted to see Tomoko grow up, but with you... I feel like I'm seeing the eldest daughter I never had. I love my little Tomoko, but you... you've filled a void in this company and in my life that I didn't know I had. ” Mio felt her cheeks getting redder and redder. She was flattered by the words. “ I don't deserve those words, Miss Kaguya. ” Mio replied humbly. “ On the contrary, I am the one who should be thanking you. You took me off the streets. You gave me a chance when no one else believed in me. ”

There was a second of silence. Kaguya took advantage of that silence because, behind the mask she wore, something inside her was breaking at that moment. 

Just as Mio was about to speak again, she saw Kaguya's eyes fill with tears. “ Miss Kaguya... ” Before she could react, the legs of the most powerful woman in Shibuya gave way.

Kaguya fell to her knees in front of Mio, hiding her face in her hands. “ Forgive me...!” Kaguya sobbed. Her voice was broken, filled with accumulated guilt. " Forgive me, Mio. “.

” Kaguya-san! “ Mio tried to crouch down, but her dress made it difficult. ” You don't deserve this! “ cried Kaguya, refusing to lift her face. ” I got you into this mess. I used you only for my own personal gain... At first... at first I only saw you as another tool. A pretty face to sell products. I had no idea I would come to love you so much! "

“ And now... I'm forcing you into a loveless marriage to save you from my enemies. I've hurt you and Tomoki so much. He doesn't deserve to have given up his dreams. I'm a bad person, but above all, I'm a terrible mother. ”

Mio stood frozen for a moment, looking at the invincible woman lying broken at her feet. But Mio felt no resentment. Her heart, big and kind, had no room for hatred. With difficulty, she knelt beside her, not caring if she wrinkled her expensive dress. “ Don't say that. ” Mio said gently, taking Kaguya's hands and pulling them away from her face. " Look at me.“ Kaguya looked up. ” You're not a bad person. You defended me when the world attacked me. You gave me a home. “ Mio smiled at her, and a single tear rolled down her own cheek. ” I lost my mom a long time ago... but you've been like the mother I never had. And I'm deeply grateful for that. "

Kaguya couldn't take it anymore. She threw herself into Mio's arms, hugging her tightly, clinging to her as if she were her salvation. She let it all out. She cried more than she had cried in years. Even the strongest people cry; that much was clear in that room.

Mio returned the hug, stroking Kaguya's back, comforting her silently. It was a unique moment. They looked like mother and daughter, united not by blood, but by love.

Several minutes passed before Kaguya stopped crying. She pulled away, wiped her tears, and took a deep breath, feeling a little better.

But the peace was short-lived.

Kaguya's personal phone rang. Kaguya stood up, regaining some of her composure, and answered. “ Hello? ” It was one of her trusted reporters. His voice sounded agitated. “ Ms. Minamoto... we have a serious problem. The Shinomiya family has just released a press statement. ”

“ What have they done now? ” Kaguya asked, clenching her jaw. “ They've revealed a surprise wedding. Ren Shinomiya is getting married at the same time as you. At the Crystal Chapel of the Imperial Hotel. They want to overshadow your event. ” 

The sentimental moment vanished. Kaguya felt rage rising to her head. She clenched the phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. “ That rat... ” Kaguya thought with hatred. “ Ryōma is capable of forcing his son into marriage just to try to humiliate us. He wants to ruin Mio's special day. ”

She was about to scream, to launch a counterattack, but then she turned around. She saw Mio.

Mio was looking at herself in the mirror again, adjusting her dress, with a calm smile, oblivious to the news. She looked peaceful. Kaguya swallowed her hatred. “ No... Not today. Ren Shinomiya could marry whoever he wanted. But she wasn't going to let Ryōma steal Mio's smile a second sooner than necessary. "

“ It doesn't matter ” Kaguya said to the reporter, her voice cold and sharp. “ Let them have their circus. This moment is for Mio and Tomoki, not for that stupid corporate war. I don't want anyone to mention this to the bride. Understood? ”

She hung up the phone without waiting for a response. She took a deep breath, smoothed her suit, and turned to Mio with her proudest smile, hiding the storm inside. “ Mio, dear. " Kaguya said, extending her hand. “ We have to go back and finish all the wedding preparations. ”