Toshiya stood by the door, his posture rigid and professional, as the marriage discussions unfolded. In front of him, she and Ryuji sat side by side, while on the other side of the table sat Daiki Okuma, her fiancé. Toshiya knew she was against this arrangement—he had heard her crying in her room countless times. It pained him to know her heartache, but her feelings, and his own, were irrelevant. This marriage was a matter of duty, a decision made for the prosperity of the Tenshima clan, and Toshiya would never betray the clan.

For three years, Toshiya had harbored feelings for her, but his loyalty to the Tenshima family outweighed all personal desires. Every fiber of his being ached to comfort her, to tell her everything would be alright, but he could not. His duty demanded restraint. His loyalty demanded sacrifice. If remaining professional meant watching the woman who haunted his thoughts be given to another, then so be it. Toshiya would endure.

“Let us begin working on the preparations for the party. After all, two months will pass in the blink of an eye,” Ryuji said with a smile, rising from his chair.

“Certainly. I’ll be in contact,” Daiki replied, standing as well. He shook hands with the older man and bowed respectfully.

Once both Daiki and Ryuji left the office, Toshiya's eyes fell on her.

"We should head back to your quarters. It's getting late." Toshiya said.