Later That Day
Kisaki Household
Eri Kisaki had just finished reviewing case files when Ran placed a neatly wrapped box on the table.
"This is from Keith," Ran said brightly. "He made them himself."
Eri paused.
"…From Keith?"
She opened the box.
The scent rose instantly—subtle, refined, comforting.
Eri took one bite.
She froze.
"…This is very good."
Not good for a child.
Just—good.
Professional. Balanced. Clean.
Ran watched her eagerly.
"You like it?"
Eri nodded slowly, a rare softness entering her eyes.
"He's thoughtful," she said quietly.
"…And dangerous."
Ran blinked.
"Dangerous?"
Eri smiled faintly.
"To hearts."
Ran's face turned red.
Suzuki Mansion – Evening
Tomoko Suzuki
Tomoko sat at her desk when Sonoko burst in, holding a box like a treasure.
"Mom! Keith made cookies!"
Tomoko already knew.
She accepted the box calmly and opened it.
One bite.
Her eyes widened—just a fraction.
This level… from a fourteen-year-old?
She took another bite.
Silence followed.
Sonoko leaned forward.
"Well??"
Tomoko closed the lid gently.
"…He is wasting himself," she said calmly.
Sonoko gasped.
"Huh?!"
Tomoko continued, tone controlled.
"A boy like that shouldn't be hidden. Someone should guide him."
She looked away.
Or protect him.
Ayako Suzuki's Room
Ayako sat cross-legged on her bed, reading, when Sonoko shoved a box into her hands.
"Keith made this."
Ayako raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
She tasted one.
Then another.
Then paused.
"…He's unfair," Ayako muttered.
Sonoko blinked.
"Why?"
Ayako looked out the window, cheeks faintly warm.
"Smart. Calm. Kind. And now this?"
She sighed.
"…He doesn't even try."
Sonoko grinned.
"I know, right?"
Ayako didn't smile.
She was already imagining the future.
Somewhere Else – Park
Kudo Shinichi
Shinichi sat on a bench, arms crossed, staring at the ground.
Why did it bother him?
That boy.
Keith Argus Yamamoto.
No bragging.
No showing off.
No interest in his parents.
Yet—
Ran and Sonoko had looked at Keith differently.
Like he mattered.
Shinichi clenched his jaw.
"…Who are you really?" he muttered.
For the first time, curiosity—not logic—pulled at him.
And beneath it—
Jealousy.
Amamiya Group Headquarters – Night
Panic had replaced denial.
"The stock dropped another 12% today!"
"Four more partners pulled out!"
"The banks are tightening again!"
Kazuto's father stared at the screen, face pale.
"This can't be happening…"
Kazuto slammed his hand on the table.
"Just wait for the engagement announcement! Once it's public, confidence will return!"
The board exchanged uneasy glances.
They wanted to believe him.
They needed to.
Outside the glass windows, Tokyo glittered.
Inside—
The Amamiya Group was bleeding out.
And no one in that room realized the truth:
The engagement wasn't a lifeline.
It was a spotlight.
And once it turned on—
There would be nowhere left to hide.