Tokyo, early spring. 🌄 🌞

The city shimmered under the pale morning light, bustling with energy. But in a quiet corner of the Hoshino estate, a girl moved quietly through the halls, unseen and unappreciated.

“Ayaka!” a sharp voice echoed through the corridor.

Ayaka Hoshino turned with practiced grace. Her long, silky black hair swayed gently, and her pale pink eyes—unusual, captivating—met her adoptive mother’s narrowed gaze.

“Yes, Mother?”

“Don’t call me that,” Mrs. Hoshino snapped. “Kaito’s room is a mess. Clean it before breakfast. And don’t be late again.”

Ayaka bowed her head. “Understood.”

Her tone was calm, but inside, she wilted a little more. No matter how much time passed, she was never truly one of them. The Hoshinos had adopted her when she was seven. From the outside, it seemed noble—taking in a parentless girl. But inside the mansion walls, she was nothing more than a servant with a different surname.

Her brother, Kaito, had been the golden son. Handsome, charming in public—but reckless behind closed doors. Gambling, partying, getting into fights. And each time trouble found him, somehow, Ayaka was the scapegoat.

By 8 a.m., Ayaka had already cleaned Kaito’s disaster of a room, made breakfast for the household, and was quietly sitting in the back seat of the Hoshino car as it took her to work. She had recently secured a low-level position at Kurozawa Group, one of Japan’s top conglomerates.

The irony wasn't lost on her: the company was led by Renji Kurozawa, the cold, enigmatic CEO known for building empires with his mind and breaking hearts with his silence.

She’d only seen him once, during orientation. But the moment their eyes met, his gaze lingered. Longer than appropriate. Longer than logical.

It’s just because I look like someone, she told herself.

She’d overheard a whisper among secretaries—Renji once had a fiancée named Hana, a woman who’d died tragically two years ago. No one ever mentioned how she died. No one dared.

But the resemblance… Ayaka had seen a photo in an article once. The similarity was uncanny.

Still, it was none of her business.

Later that morning, in the 47th floor boardroom, Renji Kurozawa stared out the floor-to-ceiling window. A sharp breeze stirred his tailored charcoal suit. Behind him, his assistant, Shun, placed a file on the desk.

“The new intern list,” Shun said. “One of them is named Ayaka Hoshino.”

Renji didn’t move. “I’ve seen her.”

“She looks like…”

“Yes,” Renji interrupted coldly. “Exactly like her.”

He finally turned around, eyes sharp and stormy.

“Keep an eye on her. Discreetly.”

Shun nodded. “Understood.”

Renji sat down, fingers steepled. He didn’t believe in coincidences. The girl had the same eyes. The same sad grace. The same quiet dignity Hana once had. But he’d buried those emotions with her ashes. He had no space for ghosts.

And yet…

That afternoon, Ayaka was carrying documents between departments when a familiar voice growled from behind.

“Well, if it isn’t the charity case.”

Kaito.

He stood in the middle of the lobby, wearing sunglasses, clearly hungover, and not supposed to be there.

Ayaka froze. “What are you doing here?”

Kaito grinned. “Just checking on my baby sister. You know, making sure you're not flirting your way to the top.”

She paled. “Leave, Kaito. You’re going to embarrass me.”

“Oh, you’re already doing a great job of that yourself.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Unless you want everyone here to know about the money I borrowed using your name?”

Her stomach twisted. “You did what?”

He winked. “Oops. Guess I forgot to mention that.”

“Mr. Hoshino,” a deep voice cut in.

They both turned.

Renji Kurozawa stood a few feet away, tall, imposing, and watching with an unreadable expression.

Kaito immediately straightened. “CEO Kurozawa. A pleasure. I was just talking to my sister.”

Renji’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You're trespassing. This is a secured floor. Leave before I have security escort you.”

Kaito hesitated, then scoffed and walked off, muttering curses under his breath.

Ayaka stood frozen, cheeks burning. But Renji didn’t walk away.

Instead, he stepped closer.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

Ayaka blinked. “I… Yes. Thank you, sir.”

He studied her. “You shouldn’t let people like him walk over you.”

“I didn’t… I mean, I wasn’t trying to—”

Renji raised a hand, silencing her panic. His gaze was unreadable, intense.

“Your eyes,” he murmured.

She tilted her head. “Sir?”

“Nothing.” He turned away. “Return to your department.”

Ayaka bowed quickly and escaped, her heart pounding. Why is the CEO paying attention to me?

And yet, across the hall, Renji lingered. That face haunted him.

But Hana had never looked that afraid. That broken.

And for the first time in two years, Renji’s heart stirred. Not from memory. But from something frighteningly real.

End of Episode 1

Ayaka sat at her desk in the general affairs department, her fingers trembling slightly above the keyboard. She hadn’t even taken a breath since the incident with Renji Kurozawa. The CEO. Speaking to her. Protecting her.

Not because I’m special, she reminded herself. He just doesn’t tolerate intruders.

But his eyes had softened. For a moment, Ayaka had seen something in him that shook her.

Pain.

Not rage or annoyance, but a deep, quiet pain. Like something inside him was still bleeding.

She glanced at the reflective glass beside her and studied her face. Her classmates in school had once whispered that she looked like a porcelain doll—elegant, beautiful, too fragile to be real.

But behind the soft eyes and graceful face, she felt… hollow.

“I heard the CEO talked to you today,” said Minako, the secretary beside her, leaning in curiously. “What happened?”

“Oh, nothing important,” Ayaka replied quickly. “Just a brief conversation.”

Minako narrowed her eyes. “He never talks to interns. Ever. Not unless it’s to fire them.”

Ayaka gave a nervous smile. “I guess I’m lucky then.”

But she knew it wasn’t luck. It was the resemblance. To a woman who no longer lived.

---

Meanwhile, Renji Kurozawa sat alone in his office, the blinds partially closed against the evening light. He stared at a photograph on his desk. Hana. Her smile was gentle, the same delicate curve as Ayaka’s.

But the more he thought about it… Hana had been bold, lively, quick to laugh.

Ayaka was like silence given form.

Why does that make me want to see her again?

There was a knock at the door.

“Enter.”

Shun stepped in, tablet in hand. “You have the preliminary report on Ayaka Hoshino.”

Renji’s eyes sharpened. “Go on.”

“She’s 22, graduated top of her class in business administration. Adopted by the Hoshino family at seven. Her brother, Kaito Hoshino, has a record of gambling and debt. He’s used her name to secure loans multiple times. Quiet girl. No disciplinary issues. But… consistently overlooked.”

Renji tapped the table with his fingers. “No protection from her family?”

“None. In fact, all evidence points to her being used as a shield for her brother’s irresponsibility.”

Renji closed his eyes for a moment, thinking.

“Move her to my floor. I want her working under my direct supervision.”

Shun blinked. “Sir, that might raise suspicion…”

“Then don’t make it obvious. Create a project. Say it’s a restructuring initiative. And tell her manager she was handpicked for her performance.”

“Yes, sir.”

---

The next morning, Ayaka was called unexpectedly to the 47th floor. The elevator ride alone made her dizzy—this was the top floor. Only directors and Renji Kurozawa himself worked here.

When the doors opened, she hesitated.

A woman in a sleek skirt suit smiled at her. “Ayaka Hoshino? This way, please.”

Confused and nervous, Ayaka followed. She was led into a spacious, elegant corner office. Not Renji’s office—but close. A temporary work area had been set up just beside it.

“I… I think there’s been a mistake,” Ayaka said. “I wasn’t supposed to be—”

“No mistake,” Renji’s voice cut in as he entered the room.

She turned quickly, bowing. “S-Sir.”

He looked at her, calm and unreadable.

“You’ve been transferred. Starting today, you’re assisting me directly on Project Sora.”

“Project Sora?”

“A confidential expansion initiative. Your skills have been noted.”

Ayaka didn’t know what to say. Her heart pounded in her chest. Skills? No one had ever acknowledged her abilities before.

“I… I’m honored,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

He nodded. “We’ll start with a briefing. Follow me.”

---

Over the next few days, Ayaka’s life transformed. Her tasks were challenging—organizing data, managing client files, preparing presentations—but she gave it her all. Renji barely spoke beyond work, but he watched her. Always.

At first, she thought it was just curiosity. But something in his gaze grew heavier by the day.

One evening, as the office lights dimmed and the city glowed outside the windows, Renji approached her desk.

“You work late,” he said.

She smiled faintly. “I don’t mind. I like being useful.”

He tilted his head. “You don’t say that like most people do.”

Ayaka looked at him, unsure how to answer. But he stepped closer.

“You’re always so quiet,” he said. “Like you’re afraid to speak.”

She looked away. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

His voice softened. “Who told you that you were?”

She didn’t answer.

Renji studied her. For the first time, he noticed something Hana never had—this girl hid herself in the silence. Not out of mystery… but out of fear.

“Ayaka,” he said gently, “when you look in the mirror, who do you see?”

She blinked, startled. “What… do you mean?”

“I see someone who doesn’t know her own worth yet.”

He turned and walked away, leaving her stunned, his words echoing in her heart.

For the first time, someone had seen her. Not Hana’s shadow.

Her.

---

End of Episode 2

The days passed with quiet tension, like threads slowly tightening between two hearts. Ayaka settled into her new role, growing sharper with each task, more confident with every completed project. Yet, each time she looked up and found Renji Kurozawa watching her, her breath caught.

It wasn’t like before. His gaze wasn’t cold anymore.

It was searching.

One morning, Renji called her into his office earlier than usual.

“I want you to attend a client dinner with me tonight,” he said without looking up from his computer.

Ayaka blinked. “Me, sir?”

“You’ve done the preparation for the pitch. You know it better than anyone.”

She hesitated. “I’ve never been to a dinner meeting before. I… I’m not sure I’ll know how to act.”

He finally looked at her. “I didn’t choose you to play a role. I chose you because I trust you to be yourself.”

Her heart fluttered in a way she hadn’t expected. She bowed quickly to hide the blush creeping up her neck.

“Yes, sir. I’ll do my best.”

---

Later that evening, Ayaka stood outside the luxury restaurant in a pale blue dress Minako had helped her borrow last-minute. Her long black hair was pinned half-up, small pearl earrings glinting gently under the city lights.

She looked like a woman out of a painting.

Renji’s car pulled up, and the door opened.

He stepped out, dressed in a sleek black suit, his sharp profile catching the fading light.

When his eyes landed on her, he paused.

“Ayaka,” he said after a moment, “you look… different.”

She smiled nervously. “I hope that’s a good thing.”

He offered his arm.

“It is.”

She hesitated—then accepted it.

---

The dinner went smoothly. Ayaka spoke when needed, listened when necessary, and even impressed the client with a few thoughtful insights. Renji didn’t say much, but he watched her every move with quiet pride.

On the ride home, the car was silent for a while.

Then Renji spoke.

“You handled yourself well.”

“Thank you,” she said softly. “It was… less scary than I thought.”

He turned to look at her. “You’re braver than you think, Ayaka.”

She met his gaze—and for a moment, the air between them stilled.

But just then, her phone buzzed.

She glanced down—and her stomach dropped.

Kaito: Bring 500,000 yen. Now. Or I’ll tell them what you’ve been hiding.

Her fingers trembled.

Renji noticed. “Is something wrong?”

She forced a smile. “No. Just… family trouble.”

He didn’t press, but his gaze darkened slightly.

When they arrived at her apartment, she bowed deeply. “Thank you for tonight. I’m truly grateful.”

As she turned to leave, he spoke quietly.

“If you ever need help… ask me.”

She paused—then nodded once, eyes shining with unshed tears.

She didn’t want to cry in front of him.

---

An hour later, Ayaka stood in a shadowed alley behind a seedy bar, clutching an envelope of cash. Kaito stumbled out of the building, eyes bloodshot, reeking of alcohol.

“Well, look who came running,” he slurred, snatching the envelope. “Knew you’d cave.”

“You promised this was the last time,” Ayaka said, her voice shaking.

“Sure, sure. Whatever makes you sleep at night.”

She stared at him. “Why do you do this to me?”

“Because you’re stupid enough to let me.”

She slapped him.

The sound cracked through the air.

Kaito stared at her in stunned silence.

“I’m done protecting you,” Ayaka said, tears sliding down her cheeks. “If you want to destroy yourself, do it alone.”

She turned to leave—only to stop short.

Renji was standing at the alley’s edge.

Watching.

Eyes blazing.

---

End of Episode 3

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