Ryo Harada

A group of nurses huddled together, whispering about the tragic incident that had shocked everyone. Their voices were low, filled with both pity and curiosity.

"Did you hear? The man who fell from the hotel balcony—he was lucky to survive, but the other one..." one of the nurses said, her voice trailing off as she shook her head.

"I can't believe something like that happened. And with a woman involved, too... it's just too much," another nurse added, glancing down the hallway to ensure no one else was listening.

"But isn't it interesting? It's like something out of a drama," one of the nurses commented, hoping to lighten the mood. However, the others didn't really react, leaving her feeling embarrassed.

As they continued their hushed conversation, a woman approached them. Her presence was commanding, and the nurses immediately fell silent when they noticed her. She was wearing an elegant office suit, with an air of authority that made it clear she wasn't to be trifled with. Without a word, she gave them a stern look.

"Stop talking about that incident," she said coldly, her voice leaving no room for argument.

The nurses quickly bowed their heads, muttering apologies before scattering to their duties. The woman watched them go with a sigh, shaking her head as she turned toward a nearby door. She paused before opening it, peeking through the small window, her gaze fixed on the figure lying in the hospital bed.

"President!" she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible. "I didn't expect to see you like this one day, you were proud, charming and elegant but now-" She paused for a minute before calming herself.

"Ryo Harada, President of Harada Corporation, holds a dominant position in both Japanese and international markets, with his company controlling over 30% of shares in every sector."

Her eyes narrowed as she thought of Akemi, the woman who had caused so much disturbance to their company. Akemi had a way of destroying everything she touched, and Ryo was just another casualty in her web of deceit.

Gathering herself, the woman opened the door and stepped inside. The sterile smell of the hospital room hit her immediately, but she ignored it. Ryo lay in the bed, unconscious, his face bruised and bandaged. A doctor was standing by the bed, checking his vitals.

The doctor glanced up as she entered. "Miss Nakamura! His condition is stable for now," he said quietly. "He'll need time to recover, but he's out of immediate danger."

The woman nodded, her expression unreadable. She moved closer to the bed, placing a small bouquet of flowers on the bedside table. "Thank you, doctor," she said softly.

The doctor gave a small nod and excused himself, leaving the room in silence. The woman stood there for a moment, looking at Ryo's still form. Her thoughts were a jumble of anger, pity, and something else she couldn't quite define.

As time passed, Ryo fully recovered within a few months, proving his indomitable will. However, back at the office, the atmosphere remained tense. The recent incident involving Ryo Harada had left everyone unsettled, and the whispers only grew louder with each passing day.

"I heard he's coming back soon," one of the employees said, leaning over a colleague's desk. "They say he's been resting for a few months after everything that happened."

"I wonder what he's like now. That kind of trauma to the head changes a person," another remarked, their voice laced with concern.

Emi, a quiet and observant woman who visited Ryo perviously, stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the entrance. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in her stomach. As the others continued to gossip, a luxury car pulled up to the front of the building, immediately catching her attention.

The car door opened, and Ryo stepped out. His movements were slow, hesitant, as if he was unsure of himself. Emi's eyes widened as she took in his appearance—there was something different about him, something she couldn't quite place.

"He's back," someone whispered, and the room fell silent as they all turned to look at the man who had once been their confident, charismatic boss and still was.

Emi watched him closely, noting the anxious expression on his face. He doesn't seem like the Ryo they knew, she thought, a pang of worry striking her heart. But she quickly pushed the thought aside and stepped forward to greet him.

"Welcome back, President," she said, her voice polite and warm.

Ryo nodded in acknowledgment, but there was a distant look in his eyes, as if he was still lost in the trauma of what had happened. Without another word, he walked past her, leaving the staff to exchange uneasy glances.

***

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, a funeral was taking place. The atmosphere inside the modest temple was heavy with grief and the lingering scent of incense. Soft chants filled the air as monks recited sutras, their voices resonating through the solemn space. 

Akemi's daughter, Anzu, sat kneeling before her father's portrait adorned with white chrysanthemums, tears streaming down her delicate face. Her sobs were heart-wrenching, the sound of a young girl whose world had just been shattered.

To the side, Akemi's parents observed the somber ceremony with pained expressions. They had come to pay their respects, dressed in traditional black mourning attire, but they couldn't ignore the glaring absence of their daughter. The fact that Akemi wasn't there made everything feel even more tragic.

"She should be here," Akemi's father murmured, his voice thick with sorrow as he adjusted the rosary beads in his hands. "Kamiya may not have been perfect, but he was still her husband. And now their daughter is left all alone."

His wife nodded in agreement, her eyes never leaving Anzu's young, trembling form as the girl offered a stick of incense to the altar. "We should take her in," she said softly. "She needs family right now, and with Akemi... well, she can't be trusted to care for her. We can't leave this girl to live under her."

Both of the grandparents came to a decision, but it didn't take long for their decision to be shattered. 

Before they could say more, the sound of sliding doors opening caught their attention. A hush fell over the room as Akemi entered, clad in an elegant but understated black kimono. Her late arrival drew murmurs and disapproving glances from the assembled relatives and friends.

Through the opened door, everyone managed to see a black luxury car parked with several guards waiting for her to come back.

Akemi's parents exchanged a look of disapproval. They had seen their daughter, heard the rumors about what had transpired between Akemi and Kamiya. And now, seeing her arrive so late, their disappointment only deepened.

They also had no idea about Ryo and who he was expect he was a big business man, way bigger than what Kamiya had.

Akemi moved gracefully across the tatami mats toward the altar, her expression unreadable. As she approached, she ignored the judgmental stares and knelt beside her daughter. Anzu looked up at her mother, her eyes red and filled with resentment.

"Why did you come here?" Anzu's voice was barely a whisper, trembling with emotion. "Why did you leave father?"

Akemi didn't answer right away. Instead, she took an incense stick, lit it, and placed it carefully in the urn before the portrait. "I'm here now," she said quietly, but her words rang hollow amidst the quiet sobs and murmured prayers.

Anzu pulled away from her mother, her young face contorted with pain and anger. "I hate you," she spat, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You ruined everything."

Akemi flinched at her daughter's words, but she didn't respond. Instead, she remained kneeling, her thoughts a chaotic mess as the ceremony continued around them. Her parents watched from a short distance away, their disappointment palpable as they observed their daughter, unsure of what to do or say.

As the service concluded and attendees began offering their final respects, Akemi's parents approached her cautiously. "Akemi," her mother began, her voice hesitant yet firm. "We need to talk about Anzu. She shouldn't be alone right now."

Akemi looked up at her parents, her expression strained. "She'll be fine," she said dismissively. "I'll take care of her. I was planning to take her under my care anyway"

Her father frowned, his patience wearing thin. "Taking care of her isn't just about providing money or a place to stay. She needs stability and love, Akemi. She needs to be with people who truly care about her."

Akemi sighed, clearly irritated by the conversation. "I'm her mother," she snapped quietly, mindful of the surrounding mourners. "I know what's best for her."

But as she glanced at Anzu, who was now standing alone before her father's portrait, the reality of the situation seemed to settle over her. For the first time, doubt flickered in her eyes.

Her parents watched her closely, hoping that maybe, just maybe, she would realize the gravity of the situation. But Akemi remained silent, lost in her own thoughts, as the weight of her choices pressed down on her.

As the attendees began to file out, offering consoling words and bows, Akemi stayed behind, her gaze fixed on Kamiya's smiling photograph framed by the soft glow of candlelight. The lingering smoke from the incense curled around her, enveloping her in a haze as she grappled with the consequences of her actions and the uncertain future that lay ahead for her and her daughter.