Chapter 185: Center of the Storm ( 185 )

Words : 1288 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Chapter 185: Center of the Storm ( 185 ) Fujiwara stood at a distance, watching the scene with a tightening jaw. Kyouko, radiant and quiet, was now completely surrounded by powerful men—each one leaning just a little too close, voices too smooth, eyes too interested. And not one of them belonged to him. She’s mine, he thought coldly. Not for these old, leering fools. He forced a smile, composed himself, and began walking slowly toward her. Polished steps. Hands behind his back. Measured. Controlling the moment. As he passed Satoshi, the older man caught his eye. Satoshi smirked—and gave a subtle nod. The plan’s working. Fujiwara stepped into the circle. He cleared his throat. "Ahem." The voices lowered. He glanced around at the men, then looked directly at Kyouko—his tone proud and possessive. "She’s my special guest tonight." A pause. The men exchanged looks. One of them smiled faintly. "Oh... good to know." But they didn’t move. They didn’t care. "Where do you live, beautiful?" "How about you join me for dinner after this event?" "She can’t go with you, she’s already promised to me tonight—" "Oi! How dare you claim she’s yours, old man?" "Huh!? You looking for a fight?" A subtle crack was forming in the circle. Polite smiles turning stiff. Male egos quietly flaring beneath designer suits. Kyouko stood still, nerves prickling beneath her skin, her hands trembling slightly at her sides. She wasn’t used to being the center of chaos. Especially not like this. And Fujiwara. His smile twitched. Eyes narrowed. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Fujiwara stepped closer, hand extended toward Kyouko. A polished smile on his face. But before his fingers could reach her. Every man surrounding them followed suit. One after another, hands extended. Their voices layered over each other, smooth at first—then increasingly desperate. "Choose me, beautiful~ I’ll buy you a house and a car—anything you want." "Come with me tonight—I’ll give you freedom, luxury, whatever you desire." "These guys are all liars. I’m the one you can trust. I’m the best choice you have." "No, no—choose me. Don’t waste your beauty on men who’ll forget you in a week." "Money, jewels, vacations—just say the word." Kyouko took a step back, hands clutched gently at her front, her breath tightening behind the mask. Eyes wide. Heart pounding. She couldn’t even answer. Couldn’t break the moment without shattering something in the room. Across the ballroom. Satomi watched it all. Still smiling. Still composed. But inside—her pride cracked with every word they threw at her mother. That woman is old! I’m the younger one! The better choice! Why aren’t they extending their hands to me!? She had done everything right. The best dress. The perfect makeup. The posture. The charm. And yet... Every man in power had their eyes fixed on the woman she thought was long past her prime. Her mother. Across the room, near one of the tall windows. Kazuma and Haruki were speaking quietly when the raised voices began to echo. A cluster forming. Male voices layered with ambition and flattery. Tension just beneath the surface. Haruki’s smile faded as his eyes shifted toward the crowd. And then— He saw her. Kyouko. Surrounded. Pressed in from all sides. Her eyes wide behind her mask. Her posture tight. "Kyouko..." Kazuma paused mid-sentence, catching the change in Haruki’s expression. He turned. Saw the scene. Saw the center of it. He understood immediately. They said nothing more. Together, the two men walked. Calm. Unhurried. But with a focus that cut clean through the noise. As they neared, the crowd didn’t notice at first. Until Kazuma stepped forward and raised his voice—clear, composed, with just enough command to hush the chaos. "Kyouko-san." She looked up, startled. Relieved. "Come." A quiet invitation with the full weight of power behind it. The room shifted. Several men paused. Eyes darted to Kazuma’s face. Then to Haruki, standing beside him—his gaze steady, unreadable. Two men. One from Takahashi. One from Yamashita. And both were looking at her. Kyouko gave a small, graceful nod to the surrounding men. She bowed politely—elegant and composed even in retreat. "I’m very sorry... please excuse me." With those soft words, she stepped away. She walked beside Kazuma and Haruki, her movements fluid as the crowd silently parted for them. Not a single word was exchanged between the three. The power dynamic had already spoken for them. But just as they moved further— Satomi spotted them. Her eyes locked onto Haruki, and her lips curved into a proud smile. "Haruki~!" Her voice carried—sweet and sharp. Heads turned again. She rushed forward, heels clicking across the polished floor. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Haruki’s, clinging close, pressing against him. Then, with a falsely sweet laugh, she turned to the onlookers and declared brightly: "He’s my husband." There it was. A show. A declaration. A mark of possession. The moment hung awkwardly. "Satomi~" Haruki said with a gentle smile, his tone calm and steady. "Go on and enjoy the dinner." Satomi blinked. "Okay~" "I’ll be with the Takahashi Group representative for a while," he added casually. Her eyes lit up. "Oh? Mister Kazuma, right? Yes, we met briefly before. When we were finalizing the contract." Kazuma gave a polite nod, cool as always. "Yes.." "Good," Haruki continued smoothly. "Now enjoy your evening, alright? I have some business matters to discuss with Kazuma-san over there." He gestured toward a quiet corner near the bar—just enough distance from the crowd. Satomi leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "But what about Mom?" she whispered. Haruki leaned in as well, lowering his tone to match hers. "It seems like... Mister Kazuma may be a little interested in Kyouko-san," he whispered, eyes calm. "A personal interest, maybe." Satomi blinked, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Really?" she murmured. Haruki nodded just faintly, lowering his voice even further. "I figured... maybe it’s best to let them talk. Could benefit everyone, right?" He smiled again—gently, reassuringly. Satomi hesitated... then slowly nodded. "Okay then~ I’ll just mingle." She let go of his arm and turned away, posture relaxed. And Haruki... slowly turned back to Kyouko, who had remained quiet all along. As Satomi drifted away, several elegantly dressed women—wives of politicians, corporate directors, and high-society influencers—began to gravitate toward her. Whispers like perfume followed her: "She’s married to Yamashita’s golden boy, isn’t she?" "What a catch..." "She must be powerful to attend beside Fujiwara himself." Satomi soaked it in with practiced smiles, her ego soothed. Meanwhile, in a quieter corner of the ballroom. Kazuma turned toward Kyouko, voice lowered and expression tight with concern. "Kyouko-san... you shouldn’t have come." Kyouko gave a small sigh and looked away, folding her hands neatly. "Kazuma... you know how it is. When my husband insists... and Satomi as well..." Her voice remained soft. Calm. "I couldn’t say no." Then, after a brief pause, her eyes lifted—gentler. "Besides... Haruki-kun is here." Kazuma exhaled, a faint mix of understanding and frustration. "Ugh... Kyouko-san..." She smiled faintly. "Now, now. Enough of that. How’s Father?" Kazuma’s gaze softened. "He’s well. Actually... he told me to come." "To check if you’d attend." Kyouko blinked. Kazuma continued. "He figured Satoshi would try to drag you into something like this sooner or later." Just then, Haruki began walking back toward them—calm, unreadable, hands in his pockets. Kyouko gently nudged Kazuma with her elbow. "Don’t you dare tell him about Father." Kazuma smirked. "I won’t." "I don’t want Haruki to know yet. Not because I want to keep secrets... I just..." Her voice lowered. "...don’t want Satoshi to know." Kazuma’s tone turned quiet and respectful. "I know, Nee-san. Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe." She gave him a grateful look. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 185: Center of the Storm ( 185 )

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