Suzuki Mansion – Late Evening
Tomoko Suzuki had just finished the last of her business calls.
As she walked down the corridor toward her room, a sound stopped her steps.
A moan.
Her fingers tightened around the folder in her hand.
Disgust rose instantly—but it wasn't new.
She already knew.
She had known Shiro Suzuki was cheating for a long time now.
Tomoko closed her eyes for a brief moment.
Endure.
Not for him.
For her daughters.
She turned away without another glance and headed toward the one place in the mansion that always made her breathe easier.
Sonoko & Ayako's Room
Laughter drifted out before she even opened the door.
Inside, Sonoko (9) sat cross-legged on the bed, talking animatedly, while Ayako (15) leaned against the headboard, listening with an amused smile.
The moment they saw their mother—
"Mom!"
Both girls rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
The tension in Tomoko's shoulders melted instantly.
This, she thought, is why I endure.
She sat down on the sofa. Ayako settled beside her, and Sonoko climbed straight into her lap like she always had.
"How was your day?" Tomoko asked softly.
"Good!" they answered together.
Sonoko's eyes sparkled.
"Mom! You won't believe what happened yesterday!"
And then she told her everything.
How they followed Keith.
How they saw Harumi Kurosaki laughing and hugging Kazuto Amamiya.
How Keith collapsed.
Tomoko's expression darkened.
She had met Keith many times.
A kind boy.
Polite.
Cheerful.
The type of person who made people feel comfortable without trying.
A child like that… betrayed?
Something unpleasant twisted in her chest.
Sonoko clenched her fists.
"I was so angry! How could she do that to Keith?!"
Ayako nodded sharply.
"That girl is trash."
Then Sonoko leaned closer, lowering her voice dramatically.
"Mom… Keith's eyes are really beautiful. Sapphire blue."
Tomoko blinked.
"Sapphire… blue?"
"Yes! But it's a secret!" Sonoko said quickly.
"Keith told us not to tell anyone!"
Ayako laughed.
"Relax, we won't."
Tomoko smiled faintly—but her mind drifted.
Keith… without glasses…
An image surfaced unbidden.
Her heart skipped.
She looked away slightly, annoyed at herself.
Those eyes… aren't common.
Somewhere, long ago, she had heard a—
A legend.
A family whose bloodline carried sapphire-blue eyes, generation after generation.
She couldn't quite remember…
After some more chatting, Tomoko tucked both girls into bed. Later, she took a long, hot bath, letting the warmth soak into her bones.
That night, she chose to sleep beside her daughters.
Deep Night
The mansion was silent.
Tomoko lay awake.
Thinking.
Thinking.
Then—
Her eyes snapped open.
"…Runcandel."
Her hand trembled.
House Runcandel.
A family whose influence eclipsed even the Suzuki Group.
A name whispered in political halls and military chambers alike.
Sapphire-blue eyes.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"If Keith truly belongs to that family…" she whispered.
Then—
A slow, sharp smile curved her lips.
She saw a path.
A deal.
A future where she could finally free herself and her daughters from Shiro Suzuki.
And another thought followed—cold, satisfied.
"The Kurosaki and Amamiya families…" she murmured.
"They just made enemies they cannot survive."
Not only had they betrayed a gem—
They had thrown it away.
And Tomoko Suzuki…
She looked forward to watching their fall.
Especially because both families were long-time supporters of her husband.
How poetic, she thought calmly.