Six years ago
At Tokyo highway - 6:02 PM
The soft purr of the Range Rover's engine hummed beneath them as Tokyo's dazzling skyline flickered past the windows. Ruth had one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting casually on her thigh, her crimson nails tapping an impatient rhythm against the leather. The rain had stopped, and a misty veil lingered over the glowing streets.
"Ian," Ruth began, glancing at him, her tone a little too casual to be innocent, "why don't we go meet my family tonight?"
Ian blinked at her. "What? Tonight?"
"Yeah." She grinned, eyes still on the road. "They already know about you. I talk about you all the time. It's not like you're a stranger."
Ian leaned his head back against the seat, staring up at the ceiling. "Ruth... I don't think it's the right time."
"Why not?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"I mean, come on. They probably won't like me. Look at me - I look like the guy who ghosts girls after two dates, not someone who's... husband material." He reasoned.
Ruth barked a laugh, shaking her head. "That's absurd. You don't know that. And the only way for them to find out what kind of man you really are... is to meet you."
He sighed, rubbing his temple. "I'm just saying -"
"Nope," she cut in cheerfully. "Decision made. You're meeting them. Tonight."
Ian gave her a look. One that said he wasn't totally on board, but also knew better than to argue. Ruth was stubborn, and when she made her mind up, the universe had to bend.
"Fine. I'll do it tonight," he relented. "Besides, I'm getting hungry."
Ruth gave him a side-eye smirk. "Figures. Food's the only thing that motivates you."
"It's sacred. Don't mock the temple of my stomach."
She laughed, flooring the accelerator gently. The Range Rover roared to life, surging forward. Neon lights streaked against the windows as they merged into the heart of Tokyo's luxury district.
Ten minutes later, they pulled up before a towering wrought-iron gate, which opened automatically at their arrival. Ian stared, slack-jawed, as the car wound its way through a long driveway lined with blooming cherry blossom trees. At the end was a mansion - no, a palace. A three-story estate with massive pillars, balconies, glowing lanterns, and manicured gardens that belonged in a museum, not someone's front yard.
Ian sat in silence, his brain short-circuiting.
"This... this is your house?" he muttered.
Ruth beamed proudly. "Yep. Come on. They're waiting."
The front door opened before they reached it. Maids - actual maids - bowed as Ruth entered. Ian instinctively straightened his posture, feeling wildly underdressed in his navy-blue hoodie and sneakers.
At the grand foyer, two figures appeared at the top of the staircase. A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair, and a graceful woman with soft, poised features and deep maroon lipstick.
"Mom. Dad," Ruth called, her voice filled with girlish delight.
The couple descended the stairs together, elegance personified. Ian stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Tachibana," Ian said with humility, his voice calm despite the swarm of nerves inside him.
Christine's eyes sparkled. She turned to Ruth, smiling. "He's very respectful. I like that."
Ruth's grin widened.
"We're glad you came," Marko said, offering his hand. Ian shook it firmly. "You're just in time. Dinner's ready."
As they made their way toward the dining room, a gentle, melodic voice rang from the hallway.
"Mom? Dad? Ruth? I'm home."
Ian turned, curious. A girl appeared from the corridor - a woman in her late teens, maybe twenty at most. She wasn't particularly tall, but there was something radiant about her. A quiet glow. Her long raven-black hair shimmered under the chandelier light. She was barefoot, dressed in a cozy white cardigan and a flowing skirt.
Marko's face lit up. "Ah! Kira, you're home."
He gestured toward Ian. "Come here, sweetheart. Meet your sister's boyfriend, Ian."
Sister? Ian thought. She never mentioned a sister...
Kira's warm expression turned to ice the moment her eyes landed on him. She studied him from head to toe, her gaze clinical, dissecting, skeptical. No smile. No nod.
"Hi," Ian said, extending a hand. "Nice to meet you."
She didn't take it. She simply stared.
"Hmm," Kira muttered.
Ruth stepped in quickly, wrapping an arm around Ian. "Be nice, Kira."
Kira tilted her head. "I'm always nice."
The air grew thick for a moment, the cheerful tone dimming just slightly. But Christine broke it with a warm clap.
"Let's eat!"
Dinner was lavish. Silver trays, crystal glasses, courses upon courses. Ruth chatted animatedly with her parents about their recent trip to Okinawa, while Ian politely answered Marko's curious but kind questions about his career, family, and dreams.
Christine watched him with the gaze of a practiced observer - soft, but probing.
Kira remained mostly silent, picking at her food, her eyes occasionally flicking toward Ian with veiled distrust.
"So, Ian," Christine said, "what do you love most about our daughter?"
Ian blinked. Then smiled genuinely. "Her fire. Her loyalty. The way she takes the world head-on and dares it to fight back."
Ruth's eyes softened. She reached under the table and squeezed his hand.
"And you, Ruth?" Marko asked. "What drew you to Ian?"
Ruth smirked. "He didn't chase me. Everyone else always does. Ian didn't. He looked at me like I was human. Not a prize."
A silence fell - a meaningful one. Even Kira paused.
Marko leaned back, clearly impressed. "You may be more of a man than I expected."
Ian chuckled nervously. "I get that a lot."
Later that night, after dessert, Ian stepped out into the garden for some air. The koi pond shimmered beneath moonlight. A rustle came from behind.
Kira.
She stood quietly, arms folded.
"You don't belong here," she said softly, her voice barely above the breeze.
Ian looked at her, surprised. "Excuse me?"
She stepped closer. "I don't trust you. I've seen men like you. Smiling, polite, gentle - until they get bored. Or worse."
Ian met her eyes. "I'm not here to play games with your sister."
"Then don't hurt her," she whispered. "Because if you do... there won't be a safe place left for you in this world."
She walked away, her figure dissolving into the night like smoke.
Ian exhaled, shaken.
What kind of family had he just stepped into?
And why did it feel like Kira was hiding something far darker beneath that angelic glow?