In that fleeting second, Emi swept her gaze over Haruki, measuring him from head to toe. Her heart skipped a beat, though she'd never admit it. So... this is my first driver. He's undeniably handsome, but why does he keep smiling like that? It's irritating.
With a sharp flick of her hair, Emi marched toward the car, her heels clicking against the pavement. She leaned in, pinning Haruki with a frosty glare. "Ten minutes," she snapped, her voice cold and demanding. "Get me to school in exactly ten minutes."
Haruki didn't flinch. He simply offered a respectful bow, that calm, effortless smile never leaving his face. "As you wish, Miss Emi."
Emi yanked the door open and slumped into the leather interior, her face contorted in a scowl. What is his problem? Does he have a muscle spasm that keeps him smiling at everything?
As Haruki settled into the driver's seat, he adjusted the mirror, catching a glimpse of her stubborn expression. "If you don't mind me asking... which high school are we heading to?"
Emi's fuse blew instantly. "Are you serious? Did my grandfather not tell you anything? Do you even know who I am?"
Haruki chuckled softly, scratching the back of his head in a classically shy gesture. "He told me I could ask you directly. Besides, looking at that uniform... you're a student at The Starlight Student High, aren't you?"
Emi's eyes narrowed. "You know about my school?"
"I do," Haruki replied, his voice dropping an octave as he pulled the car into the street. "I studied there for a long time. I'm a second-year student myself now, just at a different institution."
Emi turned her gaze to the window, watching the city blur past. "Fine. Just drive. And remember—ten minutes. Not a second more."
Haruki focused, his hands steady on the wheel. Through the rearview mirror, he saw the flicker of anxiety behind Emi's "Ice Queen" facade. He said nothing, respecting the silence. Exactly nine minutes and fifty seconds later, the car glided to a halt at the school gates.
Without a word, Emi stepped out.
"Miss Emi," Haruki called out. "When should I return? Will you be staying for overtime today?"
Emi stopped, her back to him, her voice like ice. "3:30 PM."
As she disappeared into the building, Haruki gripped the steering wheel tight, a small, knowing smile on his lips. "Alright. Time for me to head to my own classes."
The school day felt like an eternity. During lunch, Emi's best friend, Susuhi, noticed her distant gaze. "Emi, what's up? You've been a ghost all morning. You didn't even say hi in class."
Emi sighed, a long, weary sound. "It's nothing, Susuhi. Just family matters. I don't want to drag you into it."
Susuhi patted her shoulder. "I won't pry, but don't stay miserable. I miss the fire in my best friend!"
Emi forced a hollow smile. "Fine, I'll try."
Susuhi leaned in, her expression turning serious. "By the way... I saw you getting out of that car. Do you have any idea who your driver is?"
Emi shrugged. "Just a guy Grandpa hired. Why?"
"Emi! That's Haruki Sora!" Susuhi's eyes were wide. "He used to be the legendary Top Ranker of this school! The number one student!"
Emi froze. "What? If he was so famous, why is he a chauffeur now?"
Susuhi looked down, her voice tinged with sadness. "He lost his parents. He was left completely alone. He was too poor to afford the tuition here, so he had to drop out. He's a fallen genius."
Emi regained her cold composure. "Oh. Poor guy. But at the end of the day... he's still just a driver."
"How can you be so cold?" Susuhi snapped. "He was the crush of every girl in this school! I'd marry him in a heartbeat if I could!"
Emi stood up abruptly. "Then you're a fool, Susuhi. And besides, you can't marry my driver without my permission."
Susuhi smirked. "Oh? Do you want him for yourself?"
Emi's cheeks burned a violent crimson. "Shut up! I hate men! I will never get married, not in a million years!"
"Good," Susuhi giggled. "Then you won't mind if I try to win his heart, right?"
Emi felt a strange, uncomfortable knot in her chest. "Whatever. But as long as he's my driver, you stay away from him."
The afternoon meeting for the Student Council dragged on. By the time Emi finished, she was exhausted. She checked her watch and gasped. 3:45 PM!
She sprinted to the gate, her face red with shame. Haruki was leaning against the car, waiting patiently. Emi slid into the back seat, breathless. Haruki said nothing, he just started the engine.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Emi snapped. "You could at least say 'Good Evening'."
Haruki glanced at her through the mirror, his eyes serious. "You looked stressed, Miss Emi. I didn't want to disturb you. I'm sorry if I offended you."
Emi looked at her lap. "I was late. I broke my own schedule. You must think I'm unreliable."
Haruki smiled—a genuine, warm smile. "I am your driver. My job is to wait for you and keep you safe. Your delay doesn't change my duty."
Emi looked away, a tiny, almost invisible smile touching her lips. He really is a fool, she thought.
Back at the Kaminari Estate, as Haruki prepared to leave, Kenzo intercepted him.
"Haruki, wait!" Kenzo called out. Haruki bowed respectfully. "Thank you for looking after Emi. Ask for any reward you like."
Haruki shook his head. "Sir, you gave me a roof and a chance when I was at my lowest. I don't need a reward. My only goal is to graduate with top marks and become a man worthy of your kindness. That is the only gift I want."
Kenzo looked at him with immense pride. "I wish you were my own blood, Haruki. You are a rare soul." He then pointed to the luxury car. "If you won't take money, take this. From today, this car is yours. Use it to drive Emi, and for your own life."
"Sir, this is too much—"
"I won't hear a 'no', Haruki. If you refuse, I'll be offended."
Haruki smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Sir Kenzo. I won't let you down."
That night at dinner, the air was thick with tension. Kenzo tried to cheer up little Yuki by promising a trip to the amusement park. Then, he turned to Emi. "Emi, is Haruki alright? If you don't like him, I can change the driver."
Emi nearly choked, her face turning crimson. "No! No, Grandpa! There's... there's no need to change him."
Kenzo chuckled. "I knew it. Everyone who meets Haruki falls for his charm."
"I haven't fallen for anyone!" Emi shouted, running to her room in a flurry of embarrassment.
Izumi, the aunt, let out a cynical sneer. "Children these days... falling in love so young and ruining their futures."
Amaya defended her daughter softly. "It's not like that, Auntie. Emi doesn't love anyone."
"Her face says otherwise," Izumi countered, her eyes sharp.
"Silence, Izumi!" Kenzo slammed his hand on the table. The glasses rattled. "Control your tongue. There are children here."
"Or what, Brother?" Izumi stood up, her voice full of spite. "If Jiro, Tatsuya, and I weren't here, who would even run your precious company?"
Kenzo let out a cold, sharp laugh. "The company was doing perfectly fine before you three crawled back to me. You squandered the fortune our father, Mr. Hong, left you on vanity and waste. You came to me because you had nothing left. Do not forget who's roof you are living under, and whose bread you are eating."
The silence that followed was deafening. Jiro and Tatsuya looked away in shame, while Izumi turned pale with rage. One by one, they left the table in bitter silence.
Kenzo turned to Amaya, Yuki, and Hana with a gentle smile. "Ignore them. Enjoy your meal."
"Dad... don't you think you were a bit too harsh?" Amaya asked softly.
"Sometimes," Kenzo said, "people need to be reminded of their place. But I still love them, despite their flaws. They are family."
Amaya smiled. "You're a good man, Dad. I see my mother in you every day."
The next morning, a delivery arrived. Amaya's ex-husband had sent over her belongings. She smiled, thinking it was a clean break—until she found a letter tucked inside.
As she read the first few lines, her face drained of all color. The paper slipped from her trembling fingers and hit the floor.
"No..." she whispered, her eyes wide with terror. "You really are a monster."