ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇɴᴛʜ.

The founding anniversary party last night turned out like a wedding proposal. The young couple were in the headlines, either in online articles or newspapers. They became instant celebrities since they are considered as the heir and heiress of their respective family generations. It is the weekend and the families of the new couple are having lunch at the Yamamoto Residence's sunflower garden. 

Hikaru is sitting on Sho's lap while playing with Fuyu. The older ones are talking about their businesses until they decide to talk about marriage and family planning. He took his wine glass and had a long sip. He knows that he will graduate soon and if he will pursue his desire to be a well-known painter, he will need more years. Fuyu looked at him and gave him an understanding smile. 

"If ever, we can get engaged, right?" He asked and she nodded while smiling. He gently nuzzled her cheek and she chuckled softly. 

"I'll also need to finish my degree and pursue my career as a doctor." She said in a soft voice. Somehow, she is already feeling sad because she knows his plan on leaving the country after his graduation. 

"When you graduate, I'll take you away from here if you want to. Two more years, right? And then, you'll have an internship." She nodded. 

Time passed by quickly and Sho finally finished his nude painting. The exhibition will be next week and he needs to show his final project to his professor soon or else, he will fail the subject. She is blushing faintly while staring at his painting. Even though he didn't paint her face on it, she can tell that it is her. He hugged her from behind and left a kiss on her cheek. 

"I can feel that they will recognize you more as a painter when they see this." She whispered while trailing the edge of the canvas with her fingertip. 

She just finished taking a shower and is currently wearing his robe to keep her body warm. He already asked the maids to prepare a frame for the painting. He will go to the university tomorrow to submit it. She already forgot about their agreement. She is focusing on their relationship and her studies now. 

"After my graduation, let's go for a vacation." His graduation will be two weeks from now, so she doesn't know what she should feel. She is excited for their vacation together but after that, they will start their long distance relationship. 

"Sho.." She called for him and he turned her around to look at her face. She wanted to cry as her heart was feeling sadder than before. 

"Can I just go with you? Let's live together. I don't think I can stay here for too long without you." Tears fell from her eyes. She smiled faintly and covered her face. She should not cry but she can't imagine herself without him. 

"We can do that but you need to promise to me that you will finish your degree no matter what." He said and she nodded many times. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her tears. 

"First, we need to tell our plans to our families. I know they might disagree with our plans but for your sake, we will follow what their decision will be." She wanted to protest about that but knowing how protective her family is to her, she knows that he is right. 

"I'm no longer a baby. I'm already twenty-two. I can do whatever I want now." She sobbed softly and then, she hugged him tight, burying her face on his chest. 

"Yes, no longer a baby but you're my baby, right?" He hugged her back and he smiled when she nodded. 

Few days had passed and Sho went to the Hasegawa Mansion to talk to Fuyu's grandfather and parents. He told them about their plans on going to other country and living together. At first, they were worried about her studies but he assured them that they have a promise that she will need to finish her degree if she really wants to go with him. Her family gave him their trust and finally let the couple do what they want. He asked for their help about her transferring to an international university where she can continue her degree. 

"I'm excited." She murmured and he saw her smiling widely. He laughed softly and placed a kiss on her forehead. 

"I want to know how to be your wife soon." She felt her cheeks heating up, so she quickly looked away and continued on reading her notes for her examinations next week. 

"My exhibition will be on Monday. You'll go?" He asked and she pouted, shaking her head slowly. It is the start of her examination week. 

"Then, Friday? Last day. Let's have a date after your exams." He smiled and she almost jumped in glee when he said that. 

Little talks while reading and staying at the library with their hands entwined is really making her heart beat so fast. She rested her chin with her arm on the table while watching him getting busy with his sketches. He looked at her but he just smiled, squeezing her hand gently. She got curious about what he was sketching, so she stood up from her seat but he just closed his sketchbook. 

"Hidoi." She mumbled with her puffed cheeks. He looked at his watch and realized that it was already four in the afternoon. 

"I'll drive you home now. I need to go home early." He put his things inside the bag and she also did the same. 

"You'll do some things?" She asked while they were walking in the hallways and he nodded. He needs to work on their papers, especially the small house in France he bought for them. 

He already told her that her grandfather and parents agreed to their plans. They still have a few weeks to spend in Tokyo. He doesn't know what will happen in the future but one thing is sure, he will marry her. He drove her back to her apartment and reminded her about reviewing for her upcoming exams. She smiled sweetly and pecked his lips before getting out of the car. 

On the other side, Gia is on her way to the restaurant. Her father asked her to meet one of the shareholders. They will talk about the future plans of the firm. She is already attending meetings on behalf of her father to train herself as the new CEO. 

She fixed her coat and two restaurant staffs bowed their heads when she arrived. She mentioned her reservation and one of them led her to the table. She raised a brow when she saw Riku there. She almost forgot that his family got the largest construction firm in the country. He was about to get up to pull the chair for her but she did it herself and asked for the menu. 

"Bring it out." Riku said and she narrowed her eyes. He smiled at her and the waiter asked for the menu. 

She sighed deeply and gave the menu back. The waiter left for a while and then, went back with the food Riku ordered for them. She blinked her eyes when she saw her favorite red wine. How did he know? He ordered steak for them and if she wants another food, she can ask for it. She watched the waiter pour the wine to the glasses and she immediately got hers to smell and taste it. She smiled softly while enjoying her wine but realizing that Riku was just in front of her, she composed herself and started cutting the steak. 

"Let's talk about business." She started but he cut her off. She raised a brow and glared at him. He smiled widely instead. 

"Let's talk about us instead." He said and she rolled her eyes before shaking her head. She got a small piece inside her mouth and focused on eating instead. 

"It's been three months since the day I asked you if I can court you." He started but she preferred to keep quiet. 

"From now on, we will see each other more often." He added while cutting his steak. She pretended that she can't hear anything but his presence is actually bothering her that much. 

He is wearing a black office suit and he got his hair undercut. It is her first time seeing him like that, so it is distracting her. She tried to forget what happened between them that time but she's been dreaming about it for weeks already. It was her first and he got it. They both knew that she was sobered when they did it. She is just pretending that she forgot about it. 

"I hope you will not mix your personal feelings with our business, Aoyama-san." She said firmly and he just smirked at her.