The next morning, Miyako woke up earlier than usual.
For some reason, she had a strange feeling that the day was going to be important.
She had no idea how right she was.
After getting ready, Miyako was sitting at her dining table with a cup of coffee when her phone rang.
It was an official call from RCM.
"Hello?"
"Miyako, we received confirmation regarding the restructuring of the design division."
Miyako straightened immediately.
"What happened?"
"One of the main branches of the design division is being shifted to Japan. The final arrangements haven't been completed yet, but the transfer is expected to happen soon."
Miyako froze.
"Japan?"
"Yes. Since you're the Creative Director and Head of the Design Division, you'll have to oversee the transition."
Miyako didn't answer immediately.
Japan.
The word alone brought back memories she had spent years trying to keep locked away.
Her family.
Her old home.
Her grandparents.
Hikaru.
Eight years had passed.
Eight long years.
She had built a completely different life in New York. She had become independent, successful, and strong.
But Japan was different.
If she returned, especially to the same city...
She knew she would eventually meet her family.
There was no escaping it forever.
Miyako slowly looked out of the window.
"Okay," she finally said. "Send me the complete details. I want to confirm everything before making any announcement."
"Of course."
The call ended.
Miyako remained silent for a few seconds.
Then she whispered,
"So... I guess it's finally time."
She wasn't sure whether she was ready.
But for the first time, she felt that perhaps she could face them.
Not as the little girl who had left Japan crying.
But as Miyako Yukishiro.
The woman she had become.
Still, she wasn't going to tell anyone yet.
Not Reina.
Not Aika.
Not even Hikaru.
First, she wanted to make sure the transfer was actually happening.
Only then would she tell everyone.
---
RCM — Later That Morning
Miyako arrived at the office and immediately got busy.
There were documents to review, designs to approve, meetings to attend, and endless emails waiting for her.
She was walking toward one of the conference rooms when she noticed someone standing outside.
A familiar face.
Actually...
Two familiar faces.
Miyako stopped.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait..."
Inside the meeting room was a man she had never expected to see there.
Haruto Kiyosaki.
Mr. Frog Hero. 😂
Miyako stared at him through the glass door.
"What is he doing here?"
She quickly looked at the document in her hand.
Then she understood.
The contract.
TnF.
She suddenly remembered Reina's boyfriend.
Akira.
The lawyer who had been helping Haruto with the RCM contract.
Miyako's eyes widened even more.
"No way."
She looked at Akira.
Then at Haruto.
Then back at Akira.
"Oh my God..."
She immediately turned around and walked away before either of them noticed her.
Unfortunately...
Haruto noticed her.
He only caught a glimpse of her from behind.
But he knew.
That long hair.
That walk.
There was absolutely no doubt.
His eyes widened.
No.
He stared toward the hallway.
It can't be her.
But somewhere inside, he already knew.
There was no way he could forget that face.
After all, she had made a rather unforgettable impression on him.
Haruto slowly muttered,
"Please... don't let that be her."
Meanwhile, Miyako was walking away with the biggest grin on her face.
So the Frog Hero is actually the client Reina's boyfriend is working for?
She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"This is getting interesting."
---
The meeting continued.
Akira presented the legal documents while Haruto discussed the business proposal.
The RCM executives asked several questions, and Haruto answered confidently.
He was completely different from the embarrassed man Miyako had met at the rafting center.
Professional.
Focused.
Calm.
Miyako happened to pass the conference room again.
She glanced through the glass.
Haruto was speaking seriously during the presentation.
She raised an eyebrow.
"So he can actually behave like a normal human being."
She smiled to herself and continued walking.
Haruto happened to look toward the door at exactly that moment.
He saw her again.
His expression immediately changed.
It's her.
He looked away quickly.
Why is she here?!
He tried to concentrate on the meeting.
But five minutes later...
His mind was still on her.
Maybe she doesn't work here.
Another five minutes.
Maybe she was just visiting.
Another five minutes.
Maybe I should stop thinking about her.
He sighed.
Why am I thinking about this woman so much?!
Akira noticed.
"Haruto?"
"Hm?"
"You okay?"
"I'm perfectly fine."
Akira stared at him.
"You look like you just saw a ghost."
"I didn't."
"Then why are you staring at the door?"
Haruto immediately looked back at the presentation.
"I wasn't."
Akira narrowed his eyes.
"Okay..."
Haruto silently prayed.
Please let that girl not be here.
---
After the Meeting
The contract meeting finally ended successfully.
Akira gathered his documents while Haruto leaned back in his chair.
"That went well," Akira said.
Haruto nodded.
"Yes. RCM seems interested in moving forward."
Akira smiled.
"Good. By the way, I want you to meet someone."
Haruto looked at him.
"Who?"
"A new friend."
Haruto raised an eyebrow.
"Your girlfriend's friend?"
"Yes."
Haruto sighed.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Reina has been talking about her for years."
Haruto stood up.
"Fine."
Akira smiled.
"Let's go."
As they walked through the office, Haruto secretly thought,
As long as it's not her.
He had absolutely no reason to believe it would be her.
There were millions of people in New York.
What were the chances?
Very small.
Right?
---
They reached Miyako's office.
Akira knocked.
"Come in."
He opened the door.
Miyako was sitting at her desk, reviewing some documents.
She looked up.
Her face immediately lit up.
"Akira!"
She stood.
Akira smiled.
"Miyako."
Then he turned around.
"And this is—"
Haruto walked into the room.
He looked at Miyako.
Miyako looked at Haruto.
Silence.
Three seconds.
Four seconds.
Five seconds.
Then—
"You!!!!!!!!!!"
"You!!!!!!!!!!"
They pointed at each other at exactly the same time.
Akira nearly dropped his documents.
Miyako's eyes were wide.
Haruto looked like someone had just ruined his entire day.
"Yes! Me!!!!!!!!!!" Miyako shouted.
"Yes! You!!!!!!!!!!" Haruto replied.
Akira stared at them.
"You..."
He pointed at Miyako.
"...know him?"
Miyako immediately shook her head.
"No!"
At the exact same time, Haruto said,
"No!"
They both stopped.
They looked at each other.
Then back at Akira.
Akira slowly folded his arms.
"Interesting."
Miyako quickly said,
"I don't know him."
Haruto nodded.
"Exactly. I don't know her either."
Akira stared at them.
"Then why did both of you scream 'YOU' the moment you saw each other?"
Silence.
Miyako smiled awkwardly.
"Coincidence?"
Haruto nodded.
"Exactly."
Akira's eyes narrowed.
Liar.
He looked from one to the other.
They definitely know each other.
And judging by their expressions...
Something had clearly happened.
Akira smiled suspiciously.
"Okay."
Miyako looked at him.
"Why are you looking at us like that?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
"No, I'm not."
Haruto sighed.
"Akira, can we just finish whatever this is?"
Akira grinned.
"Sure, Mr. Frog Hero."
Haruto froze.
Miyako's eyes immediately widened.
She burst out laughing.
"YOU TOLD HIM?!"
Akira looked confused.
"Told me what?"
Haruto glared at him.
"Nothing."
Miyako laughed harder.
"Your best friend is a frog!"
Akira looked at Haruto.
"Frog?"
Haruto pointed at Miyako.
"She called me that!"
Akira looked at Miyako.
"Why?"
Miyako smiled innocently.
"Because he fell into the water."
Akira blinked.
"What?"
Haruto groaned.
"Don't ask."
Miyako immediately started explaining the entire rafting incident.
Akira listened.
At first, he was amused.
Then he looked at Haruto.
Then at Miyako.
Then back at Haruto.
"You actually fell into the water?"
Haruto looked offended.
"It was an accident!"
Miyako added,
"And then everyone called him a hero."
Akira laughed.
Haruto glared.
"Stop laughing."
Akira tried to control himself.
"I can't."
Miyako joined him.
Within seconds, both of them were laughing while Haruto stood there regretting every decision that had brought him to RCM.
Finally, Akira managed to speak.
"So..."
He looked between them.
"You two met before yesterday."
Miyako and Haruto exchanged a glance.
Then both answered reluctantly.
"Yes."
Akira smiled.
"I knew it."
Miyako immediately added,
"But we're not friends."
Haruto said,
"Definitely not."
Akira nodded thoughtfully.
"Sure."
Miyako pointed at him.
"Don't make that face."
"What face?"
"That suspicious face."
Akira smiled.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Haruto sighed.
"I already regret meeting both of you."
Miyako smiled.
"Don't worry, Frog Hero. I'll try not to fall into your life again."
Haruto stared at her.
"Please don't."
Akira's eyebrows shot up.
Ohhh... this is going to be interesting.
---
Meanwhile, none of them noticed that someone was standing outside the office.
Reina.
She had just arrived.
And she had heard the last part of the conversation.
She slowly smiled.
"Oh?"
She walked into the room.
"Miyako!"
Miyako's face immediately brightened.
"REINA!"
She rushed toward her best friend and hugged her.
Reina hugged her tightly.
"I finally get to see you in person again!"
Miyako laughed.
"I know! It's been forever!"
Akira smiled at them.
Haruto stood slightly behind him.
Reina finally noticed Haruto.
"Oh, so you're Haruto."
Haruto nodded politely.
"Yes."
Reina smiled.
"I've heard a lot about you."
Haruto smiled back.
"Hopefully good things."
Akira immediately said,
"Mostly."
Haruto glared at him.
Miyako whispered to Reina,
"He's actually worse than you described."
Reina looked at her.
"Already?"
Miyako nodded seriously.
"Already."
Haruto heard it.
"I'm standing right here."
Everyone laughed.
And none of them realized just how complicated this little meeting was going to make their lives.
Because the girl Haruto had desperately hoped never to meet again...
Was actually his best friend's girlfriend's best friend.
And the man Miyako had nicknamed Frog Hero...
Was about to become a very important part of her life.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But their accidental first meeting was only the beginning.