As the first delicate buds of blossoms dotted the trees across Japan, the school year officially drew to a close, marking the end of Furuse Riu's first year of high school. Yet, while others revelled in the freedom of spring break, the occasion meant little to someone with a pre-planned schedule like her.

Riu now found herself seated at a lavish restaurant table, its surface smooth and crafted from polished wood. She sat straight-backed, dressed in an elegant navy-blue gown, her hair styled into a braided updo, secured with a delicate lace ribbon.

To her left sat her father, and to her right, her mother. Directly across from her was a young man with strikingly handsome features, a smile gracing his lips. Beside him were his own parents, each opulently dressed in expensive clothing.

"Furuse-san, thank you for joining us for dinner this fine evening!"

The middle-aged man seated across from Riu's father clasped his hands and bowed politely. His warm greeting was met with an equally gracious response.

"The pleasure is ours, Okuragi. We couldn't miss this wonderful opportunity," Furuse Goro replied with a soft chuckle, his charm undiminished by age. Riu knew her father was admired by many; to those who met him, he seemed almost like a golden statue, revered and admired.

As the owner of one of Japan's largest private hospitals and a seasoned businessman, Furuse Goro had achieved remarkable success, elevating the family name during his tenure. His demanding career, however, meant that he was often too busy to spend much time with his family.

But that didn't mean she was able to escape his watchful eyes.

"I must say, your daughter is as beautiful as they say! She must have inherited both her mother's beauty and her father's grace!" Okuragi's wife remarked, her gaze fixed on Riu with the intensity of a collector appraising a fine china doll. The scrutiny made Riu uncomfortable, but she maintained a polite smile, determined to uphold her courteous demeanour.

This wasn't merely a family gathering or a gesture of goodwill. Every detail had been meticulously orchestrated by these businessmen, with a calculated plan in place from start to finish.

Riu's mother, Furuse Sana, smiled gracefully, a proud glint in her eyes as she looked at her daughter. "Thank you, Mrs. Okuragi. Riu truly is the precious diamond of our family. It will be a bittersweet day when she goes off to start her own family—my little gem won't be around as much anymore."

Here she goes again. Lying through her teeth.

Mrs. Okuragi chuckled softly and then glanced over at her son. "I feel the same way about my Eichi. He's always been such a sweet and helpful boy. The thought of him becoming a father one day fills me with a mix of joy and sadness."

Riu found the situation almost laughable. The intentions behind the gathering were painfully obvious, making the whole setup feel absurd. She had endured countless dinners like this, where she was introduced to her parents' connections and their children, who, unsurprisingly, were often young men around her age.

"One day, Riu, you'll need to marry someone who will elevate you. He must come from a family that will enhance the Furuse name."

Her father had repeated this since she was young. Back then, she hadn't given it much thought. But now, as she grew older and more aware, it became clear that he was essentially conditioning her to see herself as a tool for the family's ambitions.

It was only upon gaining awareness that Riu decided to rebel. She vowed never to marry someone chosen by her parents—a decision she made long ago. Although she was still young and unable to break free from their control, Riu had resolved to choose her own future, regardless of the consequences.

For now, she decided to go along with their plans to avoid further conflict. Her parents could be particularly harsh when angered. The Okuragi family was highly esteemed, with a flourishing business that added significant prestige to their social standing. 

Riu knew that any misstep could strain her parents' relationship with the Okuragi family, which was something she couldn't afford, especially given the high stakes of these social connections. She would bide her time, keeping her true intentions concealed until she was able to act on her own terms.

After the bland dinner was served and concluded, Riu's father suggested that she and the Okuragi's son take a stroll on the restaurant's terrace to admire the view. It was his subtle way of encouraging them to get to know each other better. Unable to refuse and feeling the gentle pressure from both sets of parents, Riu reluctantly agreed.

"It's quite cold out here."

Eichi gracefully draped his coat over Riu's shoulders with a touch of old-fashioned charm. When she glanced up, his warm smile was unmistakable, yet it left her unmoved.

"Spring has only just started, but the air is still chilly. I hope you don't catch a cold."

With his soft, ash-blonde hair parted to the side and kind hazel eyes, he possessed handsome features and a soft-spoken voice. His demeanour radiated a princely charm, a common trait among the sons of high-class families. It was as though he was performing a role—playing Prince Charming searching for his Princess on a stage, while she was expected to assume the role of the heroine.

It annoyed her.

Riu sighed softly, trying to think up ways to reject his advances without putting her image- or rather, her family's image at risk. Any missteps on her part could reflect poorly on her parents, and she feared their anger would be severe enough to cause significant trouble if she failed to navigate this situation carefully.

As they stepped out onto the terrace, the cool evening breeze offered a brief respite from the stifling atmosphere inside. Eichi's gentle demeanour and earnest attempts at conversation were designed to charm, but Riu remained guarded. She engaged politely, her mind racing for a graceful way to disengage without offending or drawing negative attention.

"Furuse-san, do you recall the Heiko Piano Competition from around four years ago?" Eichi suddenly asked, catching her off guard since their conversation had been entirely unrelated to this topic. "You performed the winning piece, and although you might not remember me, I was also a contestant in that event."

Four years ago...

That was when...

Riu looked down at her hands, which were clasped over the railing of the terrace. They felt cold, and her fingertips were numb.

"...I'm sorry, I don't seem to recall anyone from that time," she said softly.

Eichi shook his head, his smile gentle. "It's alright, I understand. The only time I saw you back then was when you were on stage."

There was a shift in his princely demeanor, and Riu noticed a bittersweet, nostalgic glimmer in his eyes. His smile faded as he cast a solemn gaze over the twilight view.

"Since I was young, I've always loved the piano more than anything," Eichi began, his voice filled with nostalgia. "The Okuragi business creates and sells instruments, so I grew up surrounded by them. But the piano—it's alive. When a musician touches those keys, I can feel their emotions reaching out to me."

He turned to face her, his hazel eyes serious. "At that competition, you played Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C Sharp Minor. I remember thinking it was an unusual choice. Instead of warming the hearts of the audience, it felt..."

"Cold." Riu finished, her eyes unwavering as she spoke, staring out into the distance.

She remembered it vividly. The Heiko Piano competition was just another way her parents sought to show off the Furuse name. She had been assigned a piano instructor since childhood, and the Heiko competition was the largest one she had ever won. And back then, she was no older than twelve.

Most contestants had chosen pieces designed to please the ears of the audience and judges—melodies like Clair de Lune or various Nocturnes. In contrast, Riu had deliberately selected a piece that was intense and somber, often seen as a funeral song. It was a composition that cast everything into darkness, immersing listeners in a chaotic, nightmarish experience. But it was simultaneously beautiful.

Silence pervaded the air for a moment, before Eichi spoke up again. He leaned against the railing, his expression betraying a hint of something sad. 

"You know, back then," Eichi said quietly, almost as if sharing a deeply held secret, "while the audience murmured their disapproval of your choice, I was moved to tears. You played with such raw emotion. Even though you appeared composed, I could feel it. Every time you touched the keys, it was as if I could hear you screaming through the music."

Riu was taken aback by his words. She hadn't anticipated that her chosen piece would reveal her innermost emotions. Given the turmoil she was experiencing at the time, she wasn't in the best emotional state. Perhaps her playing did betray her desperation—after all, it was the only way she knew to express what she was feeling.

She looked up at Eichi, who met her gaze with an earnest smile.

"You connected deeply with that piece, didn't you?" he asked, his tone gentle. "I won't pry into why, but I wanted you to know that I saw you back then. And I'm sure the judges did too, given that they awarded you first place. You were exceptionally moving."

Frankly, the compliment didn't affect her much. She wasn't inclined to accept praise for a performance rooted in her suffering—it wasn't a pleasant memory to relive. But seeing the solemnity in Eichi Okuragi's eyes made her understand that his words came from a place of genuine appreciation, not just an attempt to win her favour.

"...Shall we head back inside, Okuragi-san?" She smiled politely, shifting away from the topic. "It's quite late now. I'm sure our parents are finished with their conversations."

"Ah, yes of course. My apologies for keeping you out here for so long."

The two soon returned to the restaurant, where their parents awaited, ready to leave. Riu felt a sense of relief, knowing she wouldn't have to endure much more of this evening. Despite her initial reservations, her interaction with Eichi turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant.

As they exchanged farewells, Eichi offered her a wan but sincere smile. "It was a pleasure meeting you at last, Miss Furuse. Until next time, then."

As both families departed the restaurant, Riu settled into the car beside her inquisitive mother, who immediately began probing her for thoughts about the Okuragi's son. With a series of questions about her impressions and the evening's events, Riu offered vague responses, choosing instead to sit in thoughtful silence as the car drove away.

I really am miserable, aren't I? She mused quietly, staring out at the cityscape as it unfurled outside the car window. The lampposts blurred into a hazy streak, and in her chest was a feeling of numbness and exhaustion.

As they approached a red light and the car slowed to a stop, Riu's gaze fell on a familiar figure through the supermarket window. Bathed in the bright glow of fluorescent lights, she saw the vibrant shelves and the tall figure of a panda mascot waving goodbye to a child and his mother as they exited the store.

That's right... This is where he works.

Riu's eyes widened as she found herself glued to the window, captivated by the brief moment where she could see him in action. It was the same man in the panda suit who had so unexpectedly brightened her otherwise colourless world.

Kazue carefully removed the head of his costume, revealing his tousled red hair and slanted eyes. He sneezed into his arm, followed by a weary sigh. But as soon as another customer entered the store, he brightened up and quickly donned his mask again, eager to engage with anyone who came by. The sight brought a faint smile to Riu's lips.

I wonder how he would react if it were me who entered the store...

As the light turned green and the car began to move, Kazue vanished from sight. But Riu felt a small sense of fortune for having caught a glimpse of him at all.

I hope this spring break passes by quickly...