"Kenji! Kenji! Help me here! Take these boxes to my room," Yume called, balancing several shopping bags in her arms.
"Relax, Yume… why so much shopping?" he complained, grabbing two boxes.
"Are you seriously going to criticize me today? It's my birthday! And I only bought what I needed."
"Yeah, I can imagine if you hadn't," he replied with a laugh.
Yume rolled her eyes.
"Ugh… Sayuri should be here helping me. But no… her mom had to take her to that investor meeting in Osaka. I just hope she gets here in time."
"Yume! Hurry up, I don't have all day. I still need to go home and get ready."
Kenji's phone rang.
"Hello… yeah, talk," he answered. "Yeah, I'll go. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
"Where are you going?" Yume asked, suspicious.
"Something came up. I need to go."
"What do you mean? KENJIII!!"
He dropped the boxes at the bedroom door and ran off.
"You can put your stuff away yourself. See you later at the party!"
"Unbelievable…" Yume muttered, crossing her arms.
"Sayuri? Sayuri? Stop staring at your phone and pay attention. This is your future."
"Mom, I am paying attention…" she replied, trying to hide her exhaustion. "But you know I have Yume's birthday today."
"You know I don't support this friendship. If your father were here, he would have already scolded you."
Sayuri sighed, impatient.
"I know… but can we go now, please?"
"We will. Half an hour more. If you promise to pay attention."
"Deal…"
On the train back to Kyoto, Sayuri's body finally gave in to exhaustion. The gentle sway of the tracks made her drowsy.
When they got home, the clock felt like it was racing against her. She had only a few hours and no time to waste. As soon as she walked in, she dropped her bag and ran straight to the shower.
"Hey! Slow down!" her father shouted from the living room.
"Let her," her mother replied. "She's going to a birthday party. She must be late… you know how she is with time."
"I hope she doesn't come back too late," he muttered.
After her shower, Sayuri dried her hair quickly, shaping soft curls at the ends. She sat in front of the mirror and carefully started doing her makeup.
"Better not overdo it…" she murmured to herself. "The mask will cover most of it anyway."
After a few minutes with brushes and warm tones, she finished. When she looked at the clock, her heart jumped.
"Damn… I'm late!"
She rushed to the wardrobe and quickly put on her chosen dress, black with delicate red lace.
"My mask… where is it?"
She searched everywhere until she remembered.
"Oh!"
It was on top of the wardrobe, where she had left it to dry. She picked it up carefully.
It was a mask she had made herself, black lace, golden details, and small red stones that reflected the light in a subtle, elegant way.
Perfect.
She finished with a light peach perfume, took a deep breath… and left the room.
"I'm heading out! See you later!"
"Don't come back too late," her father said seriously. "It's not proper for decent girls to stay out late."
"Take care… and have fun responsibly," her mother added.
Outside, the night was waiting for her.
Yume's party was a spectacle in silver tones. Metallic curtains reflected the light like liquid stars. Chandeliers shimmered with cold crystals, spreading reflections across the entire hall. Every detail, from the tables to the arrangements, carried elegance, perfection… almost untouchable.
And in contrast, the guests, dressed in black and red, like living flames walking through ice.
Sayuri paused at the entrance for a moment. The mix of colors created something hypnotic. And she… was part of it.
Her black dress with red lace fit perfectly into that setting. The dark mask, with golden details and ruby stones, captured the silver light and returned it in warm sparkles. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The room pulsed with laughter, music, footsteps, all wrapped in that silver glow that made the night feel unreal.
"SAYURI!"
Yume appeared, radiant and of course… completely in silver. Her dress looked like it was made of liquid light, reflecting every movement. The delicate silver mask made her look like a queen.
"You look perfect," Yume said, holding her friend's face gently. "Seriously… you stole the show."
Sayuri laughed, shy.
"You're the star today."
"I am. But you came to compete," Yume teased, winking.
Across the room, Kenji noticed first.
"Okay… now the party really started."
Jun turned, without much expectation, but when he saw her, something shifted. Sayuri looked beautiful in his eyes. Even if he denied it, he liked seeing her there. But he quickly looked away, bringing the glass to his lips.
"You look beautiful," Kenji said, taking her hand and kissing it lightly.
"Thank you…"
Sayuri answered, but her attention wasn't there. Her eyes searched for Jun until she found him with another girl, his arm around her waist, completely at ease.
"Come on, let's go over to Jun."
Sayuri, jealous, walked closer.
"Hi, Jun… how are you?"
"Good…" he replied casually, pulling the other girl closer.
Her stomach twisted.
"I'm going to get something to drink," Sayuri said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I'll go with you," Yume said immediately.
"No… stay. It's your birthday. I'll bring something."
"Okay, but don't take too long. I have to greet the guests soon."
At the bar, the silver light reflected on the glasses, making everything feel even colder.
"What can I get you?" the bartender asked.
Sayuri didn't think.
"Something strong."
He smirked.
"Good choice."
Across the room, Jun watched her. Alone at the bar, holding a drink. That wasn't the Sayuri he knew. And that dress… drawing everyone's attention. An uncomfortable feeling grew in his chest, impossible to ignore.
The first drink went down fast. The second even faster.
Sayuri no longer felt the taste. She was drinking too quickly. Each sip burned, but she didn't care. She just wanted to drink.
The noise around her blurred. Laughter, music, voices… everything distant. Like she was inside a bubble. But one thing stayed clear.
Jun.
And that burned more than the alcohol.
"One more," she said, pushing the empty glass forward.
The bartender raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
"I said… one more."
Across the room… Jun had already noticed something was wrong. The way she held the glass. The time between drinks was too short. And Yume wasn't there to help her.
He closed his eyes, irritated by the scene. But when he saw another guy approaching the bar, that was enough.
He set his glass down and walked toward her. Sayuri lifted the glass again, but before she could drink, a hand grabbed her wrist firmly.
"That's enough."
"Jun… I knew you'd come," she slurred. "Hug me."
She tried to hug him, but he pulled away.
Frustrated, she raised her voice.
"Then let go of my arm."
He didn't. Instead, he took the glass from her hand and set it back on the counter.
"You've had enough."
"So what?" she shot back with a crooked smile. "Since when do you care?"
Silence.
His expression hardened.
"I don't," he said coldly.
She laughed.
"Of course you don't… you make that very clear."
His jaw tightened.
"Then stop acting like I have any responsibility over you."
"I'm not acting like that," she stepped closer. "You're the one who likes to torture me… and kiss me…"
He moved closer, holding her face, breath uneven.
"Stop provoking me."
"Then kiss me…"
He let her go.
She took a shaky breath.
"Forget it…"
Sayuri lifted her face, looking straight into his eyes.
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
"You don't. Damn it, where's Yume? She should be here," he snapped.
She stepped closer.
"I do… I know you kissed me… and you liked it. Now you pretend you don't."
"He did what?"
A surprised voice came from behind.
Kenji.
He was standing there, looking between them.
"Jun… you kissed her? When?"
Jun got irritated, but didn't deny it.
Kenji ran a hand through his hair and let out a short laugh.
"Okay… didn't see that coming."
He looked at Jun.
"And you didn't think you should tell me?"
Jun answered dryly.
"It wasn't anything special worth mentioning."
That hit hard. Sayuri felt it instantly.
Kenji looked between them.
"Okay… clearly I missed an entire chapter."
"There's no story," Jun snapped.
"I think you two need to figure this out," Kenji said.
"There's nothing to figure out," Jun cut in. "She's drunk and talking nonsense."
"I'm not," she said. "I know exactly what I'm doing… and what I want."
She stepped back and walked toward the dance floor. The music was louder, more intense. Sayuri disappeared into the crowd.
Soon, a guy approached her. She didn't refuse. She moved closer. Dancing too close. Like she was trying to prove something.
From afar, Jun watched. He wanted to leave. Prove it didn't matter but he couldn't. Every movement, every smile, every touch from that guy made his head spin.
The glass in his hand cracked slightly.
His blood boiled.
He tried to ignore it but when the guy pulled Sayuri by the waist, that was it.
Jun crossed the crowd.
No hesitation.
He grabbed her arm, spun her, and before she could react, threw her over his shoulder.
"JUN!!" she screamed. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
"Stay quiet," he said firmly, walking.
"PUT ME DOWN!"
She hit his back, struggling.
"I'M NOT A CHILD!"
"Then stop acting like one."
"I HATE YOU!"
"Great," he replied coldly. "That makes my life easier."
People stared. Some laughed. Others whispered.
Jun didn't care.
The cold air hit them as soon as they left the hall. He walked across the stone path without stopping.
"JUN, PUT ME DOWN!"
He finally stopped in a more isolated part of the garden. Without a word, he set her down. Sayuri stepped back immediately, fixing her dress, furious.
"Have you lost your mind?! Who do you think you are?!"
Jun didn't answer right away.
He just looked at her.
Then stepped closer, held her face, and kissed her.
Sayuri froze. Surprised and Confused.
Her heart racing.
He pulled away like nothing happened.
"There," he said coldly. "Satisfied?"
That hurt.
Deep.
"You are…" she pushed him hard. "Unbelievable!"
Tears filled her eyes.
"I never want to…" her voice broke "…hear your voice again."
She took a breath.
"…or feel your scent."
"Sayuri!"
Yume ran toward them. Kenji right behind.
"Are you okay?" he asked, holding her face.
"I am…" she said, trembling.
Yume looked at Jun, her expression turning cold.
"What did you do to her?"
"I didn't do anything."
"Nothing?! You dragged her out like she was an object!"
"I took her out of there," he said. "Before she did something she'd regret."
"Who are you to decide that?! You don't control her!"
Kenji stepped in.
"Okay… can someone explain what's going on?"
"Ask your friend," Yume said, pointing at Jun.
Kenji looked at him.
"Man…?"
Jun looked away.
"It's nothing."
"Oh, it is," Kenji said seriously.
Yume laughed bitterly.
"It really is."
She looked at Jun.
"You like playing with people's feelings."
"I didn't play with anything."
"Kissing someone and acting like it didn't happen is what then?"
Kenji looked at both of them.
And understood.
"Wait… this is about that?"
Silence.
Yume continued.
"You do this to everyone. You use people, get close when you want, then throw them away. Poor traumatized Jun…"
Jun stepped closer.
"Watch what you say."
"Or what?" Yume challenged.
"That's enough," Sayuri said.
Everyone looked at her.
"It's my fault. I drank too much," she said. "This is your party… let's not talk about this anymore."
"Sayuri…"
"Please. Go enjoy your birthday."
Jun looked at her.
"You should listen to me… staying away from me is the best thing you can do."
She swallowed hard.
"I will."
Yume crossed her arms.
Kenji sighed.
"Kenji… take Sayuri home," Yume said firmly.
"Of course… come on."
Sayuri didn't look back.
Not this time.
She walked to the car. Each step heavier than the last, Kenji opened the door for her, for a second… she hesitated but didn't turn back. The door closed, the sound echoed louder than it should have.
Jun stayed there. Still, he ran a hand through his hair.
Frustrated.
Lost.
And for the first time…
Something inside his chest didn't feel like control anymore.