Mizuki Tachibana made her way down the corridor towards her father’s office her heels clicking against the floor, Her side bangs fell low over her right eye, concealing half her face, while the rest of her dark hair cascaded over her shoulder and down the back of her slate-blue, structured corset midi dress. Her posture was immaculate, yet her expression remained carefully blank, the vacant mask of someone who had long since forgotten how to smile
Reaching the double doors of her father's home office, she raised a hand and knocked twice.
"Enter," came her father’s dry, resonant voice from within.“Come in,” he replies.
Mizuki turned the brass handle and stepped inside, letting the heavy door latch shut behind her. She crossed the pristine hardwood floor and stopped a foot away from the glass desk, which was laid out with financial ledgers, acquisition reports, and private correspondence.
“You called for me father?” She clasped her hands behind her back, waiting silently.
For several minutes, Kaito Tachibana did not acknowledge her presence. He continued reading through a stapled dossier, pen in hand, signing off on pages with indifferent precision. The heavy silence of the office stretched thin, broken only by the soft rustle of paper. Finally, he capped his fountain pen, closed the dossier with a decisive thud, and leaned back, steepling his fingers beneath his chin. His eyes, cold and calculating, rested on his daughter.
"Effective immediately, your employment with Tachibana Enterprises is terminated," he said flatly. "Your access security pass has been revoked, and your current projects will be reassigned to someone else by the end of the day.”
Mizuki’s brow furrowed, a rare crack appearing in her composure. "Terminated? Father, on what grounds? Did I do something wrong?” She asked, confused.
“You did nothing wrong this time for once. The reason why you're being relieved of your corporate duties is because your responsibilities lie elsewhere. You're getting married…I've made arrangements for your marriage”
“Marriage?” The word felt heavy and foreign on her tongue. . “ Married to whom?”
“The third son of the Ryuuzaki family, Ren Ryuuzaki. Marrying him will be beneficial for our company and family. He'll be coming by the estate tomorrow evening for dinner and to meet you so make sure you prepare yourself, I've instructed the household staff on your attire for tomorrow and be on your best behavior” Without waiting for a response, he pulled a fresh file from his desk and opened it.
“Father, I have never met Ren Ryuuzaki. I have spent years building my position in this firm, and you expect me to accept a forced union with a complete stranger?”
“I wasn't asking for your permission. I'm telling you that you will be marrying him whether you like it or not as for getting to know him you'll have plenty of time for that tomorrow and after the wedding” he didn't even look up from the paper in front of him.
“But father i-” before she could finish her sentence her father cut her off.
“I'm done having this discussion with you, you can leave and close the door behind you on your way out” he gestured towards the door.
Knowing that further argument was futile and would only invite harsher consequences, Mizuki turned to leave without another word. Yet, just as the door was closing behind her, her father's low voice carried through the remaining crack:
“Worthless, good-for-nothing…”
She closed the door completely, masking the sting, and walked back down the corridor toward her quarters.
Her solitude was short-lived. Soon after, two household attendants arrived to fit her for tomorrow’s dinner outfit. Mizuki sat quietly in her dressing room while the staff pulled various garments for consideration, her mind drifting far from the room.
She barely registered the opening of the door as Mio Hayashi stepped inside. Mio had originally served as Kaito’s personal assistant before being assigned to Mizuki when she joined Tachibana Enterprises, and over the years, their professional relationship had evolved into a quiet friendship.
“You may all leave. I would like a moment with Miss Tachibana,” Mio instructed the staff calmly.
The attendants set down their work and promptly exited, closing the door behind them. Mio turned her attention to Mizuki.
“I’m so sorry... I heard what happened,” Mio said softly, coming to stand before her. “In truth, he announced your departure and the engagement to the staff both at the office and here yesterday.”
Yesterday? So everyone knew before I did, Mizuki thought.
“You know you don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to, right?” Mio asked.
“You and I both know that isn’t true,” Mizuki replied quietly. “You, of all people, know how Father reacts when his plans are challenged.” She turned toward the vanity mirror and handed Mio her hairbrush.
Taking the brush, Mio began running it through Mizuki’s hair with practiced gentleness. “I know, but this goes far beyond his usual demands. Marrying you off to a total stranger is cruel.” Mio paused, her grip tightening on the handle until her knuckles turned white. “I wish there was something I could do to help.”
Mizuki looked up, meeting Mio’s eyes in the mirror’s reflection, her expression softening just enough to reveal the quiet gratitude beneath her guard.
“You don’t need to worry so much. You’ve done more than enough over the years simply by being my friend,” Mizuki said, turning to look up at her directly. “That is all I need.”
“Mizuki...” Mio offered a brief, gentle hug before stepping back. “Is there anything you want to ask me?”
“Like what?” Mizuki asked, confused.
“Like why does your father want this union with the Ryuuzaki family specifically... Don’t you want to know his true motivation?”
“I don’t.” Mizuki stood up and walked over to the wardrobe.
“Why not?” Mio followed closely behind.
“Would knowing his reasons change anything? It wouldn't alter the outcome,” Mizuki said reasonably.
Mio remained silent, unable to offer a counterargument. She knew Mizuki was right; the truth would not grant her freedom.
“Actually, now that I think about it, there is one thing I would like to ask,” Mizuki added.
“Really?” Mio’s face lifted with cautious hope. “What is it?”
Selecting two garments from the wardrobe, Mizuki held them up toward Mio, a subtle smile touching her lips. “Which of these two dresses should I wear tomorrow? The red or the blue?”
Though Mizuki smiled, Mio recognized the composure for what it was: a necessary armor. Beneath the calm exterior, her friend was enduring a quiet devastation and there was nothing she could do to help.
