Karuizawa City, located in eastern Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is a renowned resort town known for its fresh air and cool climate.
Surrounded by mountains at about 1,000 meters above sea level, its naturally formed climate is beyond doubt—spring brims with greenery, summer is refreshingly cool, autumn is filled with vibrant foliage, and winter blankets the area in thick snow. It's as if the beauty of all four seasons is condensed here, with scenery shifting as the seasons change.
On the outskirts of Karuizawa City lies the newly built Four Seasons Resort Manor, offering a tranquil environment and serene views. From its windows, you can see stunning natural landscapes blending mountains and lakes, catering to large groups and high-ranking officials from prominent families.
Encircled by mountains and water, the morning sunlight shines brightly.
In a three-story Japanese-style wooden villa.
At a family dinner held to strengthen ties between the two families, the Yukinoshita and Yuuki families engage in warm conversation. Snacks served half an hour ago remain untouched on the side.
In hand, sake in white porcelain cups exudes the essence of summer.
"Going forward, may the businesses of both families grow closer, and if they could become more than just relatives, that would be ideal. After all, Kouichirou will inherit the family business in the future, and Haruno's exceptional abilities are more than enough to help him manage the entire company well. They could be called a perfect match."
"Hm, but there's no need to rush this. We should still consider the children's wishes… If they're not compatible, as parents, it wouldn't be right to force them."
"Oh ho ho ho, true… Kids these days love their free love, unlike our time."
"All we can do is help screen potential sons- and daughters-in-law in the future, so they don't choose the wrong partner in a moment of confusion… It's for their own good."
"Exactly. Even though they're adults, in our hearts, they're still clueless kids like before."
The key figures—Yuuki Kyouko and Yukinoshita Saori—smile at each other, gracefully raising their sake cups for a sip.
The atmosphere suddenly quiets, with summer crickets and birdsong outside the window echoing in harmony, as if commanding the entire season.
They exchange glances, silently setting down their sake cups, their eyes gleaming as if valkyries drawing their swords again.
The so-called dinner is just a pretense.
The real goal is an exchange of benefits, securing more advantages from the agreed-upon collaboration.
Beneath the friendly facade of casual chatter, a silent battlefield of words and expressions unfolds, with flashing swords and fleeting shadows.
No blood is shed, but there's no room for retreat or hesitation.
The next moment, the two women, radiating an undeniable aura, focus on each other, slowly parting their red lips that had paused.
"Regarding the construction case we discussed last time…"
"Your company's virtual technology…"
The conversation continues.
Here, the next "war" filled with smoke begins. But the atmosphere at the small table nearby is starkly different—peaceful.
Two middle-aged men exchange glances, their faces showing a strange mix of wry smiles and resignation. They raise their sake cups, nodding respectfully to each other for the umpteenth time.
A fleeting sense of shared plight passes, then is swallowed, turning into a faint, barely visible flush on their faces.
Clear sake flows slowly into the cups, its fragrance intoxicating.
They don't speak, only silently communicating through their eyes about the sorrow of being family heads yet controlled by their wives at this family dinner.
A kind of mutual acknowledgment and camaraderie grows from deep within.
Overall, the atmosphere in the Japanese-style room is quite harmonious.
Suddenly, the paper door slides open.
"Excuse me, would you like the sake refilled?"
Before the men can speak, the two elegant women say in unison: "No need, thank you."
"Very well, enjoy."
The waiter doesn't say much, bowing slightly before quietly closing the paper door.
Glancing at the casual attire of the waiter, Saori frowns slightly, then turns to Kyouko and says:
"Do they hire waiters that young here?"
"No idea, maybe it's just a youthful face."
Kyouko shakes her head, indicating she doesn't care about the issue.
They both dismiss the waiter matter and resume their verbal sparring.
Meanwhile, the middle-aged men continue drinking in silence, as if nothing happened earlier.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Second floor of the wooden villa, Japanese-style room [Spring].
"I'm going to the terrace for some air. Don't follow."
"Who'd want to…"
Kouichirou purses his lips, not sparing a glance at the graceful figure heading to the terrace, focusing instead on his live-streaming screen.
When the streamer pulls off a stunning move, he can't help but clap in admiration, casually donating 50,000 yen.
"Ah, I really want to go home."
Sighing suddenly, Kouichirou mutters, turning off the stream and stretching.
Today, before leaving, his mother had urged him and Haruno to build a good relationship, ideally to win her over, contributing to the family's development and his own future.
And he, for the umpteenth time, ignored it.
For the sake of marrying a seiyuu in the future, Kouichirou always acted obedient in front of his mother but did the opposite, maintaining a surface-level friendship with Haruno.
First, he didn't like women like Haruno—neither cute nor sweet. He didn't want his bright future ruined by her, ending up like his father, controlled by his wife.
Second, Haruno didn't like him either.
Her hypocrisy was clear enough, and now, with no adults watching, she openly showed indifference, as if certain Kouichirou wouldn't snitch to their parents.
After seeing Haruno's true self behind her facade, Kouichirou always thought—aside from forced arrangements like marriage, who'd want to be with her after knowing her real personality?
—No, there was someone.
The third reason: his new friend, gradually becoming a close buddy, his younger friend—Tenkuji Yuu.
He seemed to have some ambiguous, unclear relationship with Haruno.
It wasn't certain if they were dating, but something suspicious was definitely going on between them.
Kouichirou never asked about it—he wasn't that foolish—but from his own observations, Yuu's importance to Haruno was evident in her expressions.
Initially, in the [Spring] room, to avoid awkwardness, he took the initiative to talk to Haruno about topics like stocks and recent markets.
But Haruno responded indifferently and half-heartedly, her formal smile floating on the surface, only growing more irritating.
Feeling annoyed, Kouichirou lost interest in such business-like interactions and casually talked about his good friend Yuu, as if to himself.
Like how his heart was repeatedly hurt by Yuu's relentless rejection over naming issues.
Unexpectedly, before he could finish, Haruno lit up, eagerly pressing for more, her entire demeanor transforming.
At times, hearing something interesting, she'd even clutch her stomach and laugh heartily, her eyes and brows radiating genuine joy and relief…
That bright smile was more beautiful than the summer scenery outside.
Those two didn't have some forbidden relationship?
Even if you gouged out Kouichirou's eyes, he wouldn't believe it.