The silent flower

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

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