[…No… absolutely cannot let Aina find out…]
That thought struck deep into Kaoru Hoshitani’s mind like the sharpest needle, jolting him awake from his brief daze.
In the end, he had forgotten—or rather, in his overwhelming fear, temporarily ignored—the real reason he was afraid of Rika Kawasaki spreading those videos and photographs.
It was never about social ruin or being judged by others.
None of that mattered.
Those strangers’ gazes and whispers—he could hide from them, run from them, pretend not to hear them.
What he truly feared… was Aina finding out.
He could not imagine how he would face her once she learned that he had cheated, that he had been with another woman.
Those eyes of hers, always full of love and trust—what kind of look would they give him then?
That gentle voice that always called him “Kaoru”… what would it say?
The embrace he had relied on for over a decade, the one he believed would last forever—would it still be open to him?
He did not know. And he did not dare to think about it.
So when Rika Kawasaki’s mocking gaze fell on him, and her words—“She’ll soon learn the true face of her beloved boyfriend”—echoed in his ears, Kaoru felt all the strength drain from his body.
His face was filled with despair, his eyes hollow, as he mechanically stepped out from behind Chinatsu Tsukuse.
His legs no longer felt like his own. Each step felt like walking on cotton… or on the edge of a blade.
He did not know where he was going or what he was supposed to do. He only knew that woman was watching him, waiting for him to obediently return to her control.
At that moment—
His hand was suddenly seized.
The touch was warm and soft, yet carried an unquestionable firmness.
Five slender fingers slipped between his, interlocking tightly, steadily holding his cold, trembling hand.
Kaoru froze.
He slowly turned his head and looked at the person holding his hand.
Chinatsu Tsukuse.
The girl tilted her head slightly as she looked at him. Her gray eyes were identical to that yellow-haired woman’s—same color, same shape.
Yet what he felt from them now was completely different.
There was no mockery, no threat, no suffocating pressure.
Only firmness, gentleness, and a strength that made one want to trust… to rely on.
For some reason, under that gaze, Kaoru’s heart—once sinking into despair—began to steady.
“Leave it to me, Mr. Hoshitani.”
Her voice was soft but resolute, each word like reassurance settling into his heart.
“I said I would help you.”
She tightened her grip on his hand slightly, then turned to face Rika Kawasaki again.
Shielding Kaoru behind her, her slender figure now seemed like an unbreakable barrier between him and that terrifying woman.
She met her sister’s nearly murderous glare head-on.
Rika’s eyes burned with anger—at her meddling younger sister, at how she had repeatedly ruined her plans.
If looks could kill, Chinatsu would have been torn apart countless times.
But Chinatsu showed no fear.
She raised her other hand and pointed toward a corner of the ceiling.
There, a dome-shaped surveillance camera hung quietly, its red light blinking steadily.
“Dear sister, Mother’s office has surveillance.”
Her voice carried calm confidence.
“Everything you just said—about videos, photos, threats—has all been recorded.”
She paused, a cold glint flashing in her gray eyes.
“If you don’t turn back now, I won’t just tell Mother—I’ll call the police.”
A faint smile curved her lips, openly threatening.
“By then, you’ll probably only see Mr. Hoshitani’s boyfriend again after you get out of prison.”
At the word “police,” Kaoru’s heart jolted.
Police?
If the police got involved, those videos and photos would be seen. The situation would escalate. Aina would…
Already indecisive by nature, his thoughts tangled further.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something—“Don’t call the police,” or “Let’s think of another way.”
But at that moment, the hand holding his tightened slightly.
The grip was not strong, yet it carried silent reassurance.
Trust me. Don’t worry.
The words at his lips were swallowed back down.
Rika watched the scene before her—her sister shielding the young man, their fingers tightly interlocked. The sight was so irritating she almost wanted to rush forward and tear something apart.
Of course, she knew Chinatsu was bluffing.
Calling the police was not that simple.
If those videos and photos were truly exposed, it would not benefit anyone.
But the problem was—
Because of this unexpected sister, the young man who should have been easy to control had now become troublesome.
She needed to be cautious. She could not act recklessly anymore.
And she had to admit one thing—
Only today did she truly see her sister’s real face.
That obedient, gentle, soft-spoken girl had all been a façade.
Beneath that harmless mask was a far deeper mind than she had imagined.
Rika took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and looked at Kaoru once more.
There was unwillingness, anger, possessiveness—and something chilling—in her gaze.
“I don’t believe you won’t ever be alone.”
With that threat, she turned sharply and strode toward the office door.
Her high heels struck the floor in rapid, heavy beats, like a warning.
The door was flung open—
Then slammed shut.
The loud bang echoed through the office for a long time.
Kaoru stared at the closed door. As that terrifying woman finally disappeared from his sight, the tension holding him together snapped.
His legs lost all strength, and he began to collapse.
But a pair of hands caught his waist just in time.
Warm and steady, they supported him, saving him from falling.
He looked up—
And met Chinatsu’s face, close enough to touch.
Under the afternoon sunlight, her features were especially delicate—straight nose, soft lips, and those gray eyes.
Gone was the sharpness from before. Now, they held only gentleness and concern as she looked at him.
The gaze was too close, too focused.
His heartbeat quickened.
“Mr. Hoshitani, are you alright?”
Her voice was soft with concern.
“Don’t worry. My sister is gone.”
Only then did he snap back to his senses.
Realizing how close they were—close enough to feel each other’s breath—his face flushed slightly. He quickly straightened and stepped back.
Chinatsu calmly withdrew her hand from his waist, as if it had only been a simple, helpful gesture.
But as she pulled back, her hand subtly curled behind her, as if savoring the lingering warmth.
Kaoru did not notice.
He took a few deep breaths to steady himself, then looked at her. His eyes were slightly red, his voice choked.
“I… don’t know how to thank you, Miss Tsukuse…”
He bowed deeply, remaining bent for a long moment.
Without her, he would never have been able to resist that woman.
He might already have been taken somewhere, pinned down, and violated—just like countless times before.
Even the thought made him tremble.
Chinatsu looked at him, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes.
She gently placed a hand on his shoulder and helped him straighten up.
“Mr. Hoshitani, you don’t need to do this.”
Her voice was gentle and sincere.
“I said I would help you, and I will see it through.”
Kaoru stood upright, looking at her, yet the gloom on his face did not fade.
Because, just as Rika had said—
One day, when he was alone, she would catch him again.
And when that happened, facing her even harsher retaliation… how long could he hold out?
A week? A day? Or just an hour?
He did not know how much longer he could endure.
He was not even sure if, next time, he would still have the courage to resist.
His body seemed to remember that woman’s warmth and strength… the sensations that pulled him under… the feeling of being completely overwhelmed…
He looked at Chinatsu.
In his deer-like eyes swirled complicated emotions—beyond gratitude, there was a faint expectation he himself had not yet noticed.
And Chinatsu quietly looked back at him.
Deep within her gray eyes, something was slowly beginning to take shape…