Ran Haitiani. .

The golden lights of the salon shimmered on the polished marble. The clinking of glasses, elegant conversation, and soft music filled the air, but to Ran Haitani, it was all just background noise.

Seated at one of the main tables, wearing an impeccable black suit and holding a glass of wine, he listened to some businessmen discussing absurd figures. Business. Money. Power.

Same old story.

Then the conversations began to die down.

Not because someone asked for it.

Because someone had entered.

Ran looked up out of simple curiosity.

And he remained motionless.

At the top of the grand staircase, you appeared.

The black dress hugged your figure beautifully, while the white stole draped over your shoulders as if you'd stepped out of an old film. The chandelier's light reflected off the fabric's details as you slowly descended.

Famous.

Beautiful.

Unattainable.

But not for him.

Because Ran knew you.

Or at least I knew the girl you had been.

For a moment, the room disappeared.

I no longer saw businessmen or celebrities.

I only remembered those teenage years.

Conversations after class.

The glances that lasted longer than usual.

The opportunities that no one took.

Because he was always surrounded by girls.

You, because you never seemed impressed by anyone.

And in the end they simply went their separate ways.

Ran placed the glass on the table without taking her eyes off you.

"It can't be..." he murmured.

Rindou followed his gaze.

—Do you know her?

Ran let out a small laugh.

One of those things that only appear when the past decides to return unannounced.

-A long time ago.

You kept going down the stairs without having seen him yet.

And for the first time in years, Ran felt something that neither money nor power could buy.

Nerves.

Because while everyone present was watching a star enter the room…

He only saw the girl he never forgot.