The long dining table inside the Kamihara mansion stretched like something out of a European royal court, polished to a mirror sheen. Crystal chandeliers above flickered gently, casting warm golden light across the ornate dishes now being served.
Izumi sat at the far left. Marina sat beside him, posture straight, face tense. Across from them sat Ashford Kamihara—cheerful as always, spinning a wine glass(grape juice) in his hand. And at the head of the table, where a king or queen might sit in a fantasy novel, sat Lady Celestia Kamihara.
She hadn't said a word since sitting in the dinner table.
Izumi shifted awkwardly in his seat, trying not to fidget. The room was too quiet. Even the maids serving the food seemed to float like ghosts, careful not to disturb the atmosphere.
He reached for his napkin. "U-Um… the salmon looks really good."
No response.
Marina cleared her throat. "I-It's French style. Cooked in white cream."
"Oh, I see. Looks expensive."
A small snort came from Ashford. "Well, of course it is. Would you expect cup ramen at the Kamihara estate?"
Celestia's eyes narrowed slightly, but she still hadn't touched her food.
"…I would've been fine with cup ramen," Izumi muttered, trying to lighten the mood.
Ashford chuckled.
Marina gave him a small nudge with her elbow. "You're not helping."
"I'm trying my best, okay?" he whispered back.
Lady Celestia finally lifted her fork. The silver utensil barely made a sound as she cut a bite of salmon.
"So," she said at last, her voice smooth and chillingly elegant. "You are the boy."
Izumi swallowed a chunk of mashed potato. "Um, yes, ma'am. I'm… that boy."
"You confessed publicly at a party. Bold."
Izumi blinked. "I… I didn't plan to! It just sort of… happened…"
Marina stared down at her plate, cheeks pink. Her fingers tensed under the table.
Ashford smirked. "Come now, Celestia. The kid had guts. You would've fainted at that age if someone made a speech like that for you."
She raised an eyebrow. "I was not seventeen when I became a Kamihara."
"Exactly my point."
The couple's banter was strangely… sharp and polished. Like watching two fencing champions sparring with invisible blades.
Izumi tried to interject. "I really didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just… I care about Marina. A lot."
Celestia stared at him for a long second.
"You care," she repeated. "And yet you involve her in something so dramatic, without understanding the weight of her family name."
Marina flinched.
Izumi looked up, more firmly this time. "I know I'm not from the same world. I'm just some high schooler from a normal house. But I didn't fall in love with the Kamihara name."
His voice didn't crack. He didn't stutter.
"I fell in love with Marina."
The table fell quiet again. Even Ashford paused.
Marina's shoulders relaxed—just slightly.
Celestia finally set her fork down.
"Hm."
That was all she said. But she didn't look angry. Not pleased either. Just… thoughtful.
Ashford leaned back in his chair, smiling like he'd just seen a great plot twist.
"Well then!" he said, clapping his hands once. "I suppose the appetizer's done! Time for the main course—grilled sea bass with lemon butter and awkward tension!"
"…Dad," Marina groaned.
Celestia sighed. "Some things never change."
Ashford grinned wider. "You married me anyway."
Celestia turned her eyes toward him. "That was before I knew you were this dramatic."
Izumi was pretty sure she was joking.
…Pretty sure.
---
Later in the meal, after some painfully polite conversation and Marina whispering apologies to Izumi every few minutes, they made it to dessert—chocolate mousse and fresh strawberries.
Izumi glanced at Marina and noticed she was barely eating.
He leaned closer. "You okay?"
She nodded. "I'm just… surprised. Mom's being nicer than I expected."
"She's terrifying."
"She's nervous."
"Wait—your mom gets nervous?"
"She hasn't seen me in person in over a year."
"…That's messed up."
"She's complicated."
Izumi smiled slightly. "So are you."
"Shut up."
---
By the time the plates were cleared, the mood had softened. Ashford leaned back with his wine glass (grape juice) again, talking about how good the mousse was and how the chef should get a raise. Celestia even asked Marina a gentle question about school.
The cold queen was thawing. Slowly. Carefully.
Izumi felt like he'd passed the first level of a very difficult video game.
---
Outside the dining room, the maids whispered among themselves.
"He's brave," one said.
"Lady Marina looked happy," another noted.
"I thought he was going to faint at the start."
"He kind of reminds me of Ashford, back in the day."
"Except less annoying."
Everyone nodded.
---
And far off, from the top balcony where the stars shimmered, Ashford stood with a wineglass (empty), looking down at the garden.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"…He didn't run away. Good."
He closed his eyes and chuckled.
"Guess it's time to prepare the next test."
---
To Be Continued…