Kanata thought refusing that dirty money would end it all. But that was impossible.

The person she’d offended was Falling Cherry City’s most eccentric, vengeful, and ill-tempered figure—and her words were never idle threats.

“Wash up and wait for me tonight.”

No joke. She truly came. Alone. Visiting as a patron.

“One million. I want Kanata Himemiya with me for the night. No matter what happens, don’t you dare interrupt us. Or this shop vanishes from Falling Cherry City’s map by dawn.”

Alessia played the unreasonable customer—but she was nothing like the others. She was filthy rich.

In this district, money meant absolute authority. Such was Kabukicho’s rule: whoever paid the price got exactly what they wanted.

Nozomi was powerless to protect Kanata. She held no influence—just the proprietress of a tiny, unremarkable hostess club, backed by no power. Her survival depended entirely on pleasing patrons and begging their protection.

She never imagined Kanata shared such an ambiguous tie with the Sovereign… or that she’d dragged this unmanageable VIP straight into her shop.

Things had turned dangerously complicated.

“My people checked your place. Fake business license. And with all these trendy new clubs popping up in Kabukicho lately? Business hasn’t been kind to you. Am I wrong?”

Alessia stirred her coffee with a tiny spoon. She’d easily gotten Nozomi’s contact, messaged her, and arranged this meeting.

Not some ordinary café—a high-end spot where one cup cost over a thousand.

Across the table, Nozomi sat stiff and uneasy. Clearly out of place, she kept her eyes down, fingers clutching her dress hem, tension radiating from every inch of her.

*This must be the chasm Father spoke of—between lowly and noble. A gap no lifetime could bridge.*

“Lady Alessia… what would you have me do?”

Nozomi couldn’t even meet her eyes. This girl, nearly a decade younger, carried such crushing authority. Beyond mere presence—innate nobility, regal bearing. Truly beyond comparison for someone like her, a countryside commoner.

Her heart twisted.

No wonder Kanata carried herself with such grace. She was never ordinary.

“You need show nothing. You’re clever. I trust you know what to do.”

Alessia’s smile held quiet meaning.

She’d just handed Nozomi a capsule stamped with Falling Cherry City Pharmaceutical Research Institute’s logo. The message was clear: tonight, someone must swallow it—and react exactly as desired.

Refusal? Like an egg against stone. Nozomi knew the consequences all too well.

“Blame your own kindness. Her affairs were none of your concern—no one controls her. But wrong choices demand a price. One million. It’ll resurrect your shop.”

Alessia finished her coffee, paid, and left with effortless grace.

Nozomi remained alone, staring blankly at a million-yen check and a cold, untouched cup.