The Imperial Towers, one of the numerous Kemori Enterprise's properties, glowed against the Tokyo skyline, its grand ballroom filled with the city's elite. Glasses clinked, laughter echoed, and business alliances were being forged beneath the dazzling chandeliers.

Yet, amidst the opulence, three men stood apart from the crowd.

The Kurosawa brothers.

Renzō. Haruto. Kaito.

They stood near the bar, nursing their drinks. Their presence commanded attention, their tailored suits doing little to hide the sharpness beneath. The brothers had attended dozens of these events, yet tonight, something was different.

This wasn't just another high-profile gathering, another night of business and politics. Their attention wasn't on the corporate elite—it was on you.

Draped in an attire that exuded elegance and quiet dominance, you were the embodiment of effortless grace, illuminated by the soft glow of the chandeliers.

You were untouchable.

But for Renzō, Haruto, and Kaito, you weren't just the Kemori Corporation's heiress—you were their friend. Someone who had been part of their lives since childhood.

And for the first time, the brothers hesitated to approach you.

Haruto exhaled through his nose, a smirk tugging at his lips as he swirled the champagne in his glass. He thrived on challenges, enjoyed pushing limits. But for the first time in a long while, he hesitated.

Because this wasn't just any woman. It was you. And if he played this wrong, he could lose you entirely.

"She cleans up well," Haruto murmured, taking a slow sip.

Kaito leaned against the bar, scowling at his drink as if it had personally offended him. He was always the first to scoff at ridiculous situations, and this one topped them all. His grip tightened around the glass. He wasn't a fool—he knew how these things worked—but that didn't mean he had to like it.

"She's always been like this. You just never paid attention," Kaito muttered, his usual gruffness lacing his words.

"Oh, I paid attention," Haruto shot back with a self-deprecating smirk. "I just didn't think we'd be here, trying to appreciate it, watching her from the sidelines like a bunch of idiots."

Renzō didn't comment. He simply stood with his arms crossed, his face unreadable, observing you from a distance.

Your friendship had lasted for years. But tonight, something was different—and he knew exactly why.

Their father had called them into a meeting just a few hours earlier, the weight of his words still settling in...