Daiki felt sudden cold sweats running down his neck when his eyes landed on the figure of a guy almost twice his age wearing a well built suit and a velvet tie. The man who seems to have a high stature walked slowly towards his place, making him involuntarily stand up to acknowledge his presence. The people around him followed his gesture and slightly bowed to show utmost respect. This includes Daiki’s best friend, Yamada Ryosuke and his own rival, Chinen Yuri. 

“Good. The three of you are here” The man who just spoke is none other than Takemitzu Takizaki, the honorary chairman and founder of Takizaki Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of automation sensors, vision systems, lasers used in medical research, and digital microscopes. Takizaki Corporation is one of the biggest companies in Japan and two families are currently competing to inherit eighty percent of its shares: Arioka and Chinen. The old man was followed by a young maiden, aged in her late twenties, wearing an elegant dress fit for an heiress. There she was, Miyata Satoko, Takemitzu Takizaki’s only grandchild, also, Yamada Ryosuke’s future wife. 

“It’s nice to see you again, Chairman” Chinen greeted the old man and complimented his high end coat and tie. Yuri also bowed in front of the young girl standing next to Mr Takizaki. Ryosuke felt himself gulp for the nth time after locking eyes with his fiance, Satoko and just wished for the ground to swallow him whole.

Not minding the anxious people beside him, Chinen fixed his own attire before seeing the old man gesturing him to sit down. Noting his rival doing his best to make an impression, Daiki felt himself agitated, his fingers tirelessly tapped on the table and just wished for time to go faster. He cannot go on like this anymore. 

“Both of you are doing well in this company. But as you know, I can only choose one to take over my place as Chairman of Takizaki Corporation. Both of you will present your future agendas for the company in a few weeks’ time and I will then announce who will inherit my shares” Mr Takizaki didn’t waste any time and went straight to his point. He looked at the two young business men in front of him and gave them a firm, yet encouraging facial gesture. It was as if he's challenging the two. “And you…”, this time, his gaze landed on Ryosuke, he looked over his glasses sitting on top of his nose bridge, “You need to be reacquainted with my granddaughter. I will arrange for both of you to see each other every weekend and plan the wedding”. Hearing this, Ryosuke nervously nodded and scratched the back of his head. He could see the subtle smile the girl was giving him, obvious that she’s totally onboard in the whole idea of the arrange marriage. 

“I will look forward to your presentations” Chinen and Daiki looked at each other with doubtful looks, thinking that in a few weeks time, one of them will be the head of the richest company in Japan. The two boys watched as the current Chairman of Takizaki Corporation exited the room, “May the best man win” Chinen extended his arm towards his rival. Daiki, in turn, took his hand and shook it firmly, his eyes buried with worry and insecurities. 

—

“So… that didn’t go well, huh?” Ryosuke clicked his tongue before slumping his bottom half on the sofa inside Daiki’s office. He pulled his red tie loosely to free himself from the suffocating encounter with the Chairman just a few minutes ago. “Dooms day is coming soon!” He mumbled, referring to Daiki’s presentation and his upcoming wedding that he DID NOT agree into. 

“I just want to bury myself alive. Will you help me?” Daiki joked before pouring a glass of water in his cup. He then sat down next to Ryosuke and leaned his head on the back rest of the sofa. “I can’t believe I’m competing for a job I didn't want in the first place. It’s just my family pushing me through all this” Daiki placed the porcelain cup on his forehead, feeling the slight coldness of the water inside. It’s true, Daiki never wanted to be the Chairman of Takizaki Corporation. These past few weeks, all he received from his family are constant nags and pressure to do well and impress the chairman. 

“I’m probably gonna bury myself first. Can you please bring some strawberries at my funeral? I wanna die happy, at least” Ryosuke replied and empathised his friend. He thought on how much he hates the fact that he’s arranged to be married to someone he barely even know and cursed at the thought of his family controlling all of his life decisions, “I wish I can go to a place where no one recognises me”

Daiki chuckled at his remark and just wondered how much of a strawberry freak he is. “Maa, since you want to die before I do, I guess I won’t offer you to come with me” Daiki successfully peaked Ryosuke’s interest when he felt the younger boy lean in. 

“Go where?”

“… like you said, a place where no one recognises us” Daiki smirked after seeing Ryosuke tilt his head in confusion. 

“You’re bluffing. You don't have the guts to go anywhere. You’re not even brave enough to go on holiday without your bodyguard trailing behind you” Ryosuke mocked as if used to Daiki’s silly remarks. He rolled his eyes and turned away from his friend. “… in short, you’re not cool enough”

“Are you gonna mock me or are you gonna listen?”

“Are you actually gonna go somewhere?”

“Yes!”

“Just yesterday, someone mistakenly took you as a 16 year-old girl. It’s a big and scary world out there, Arioka”, Ryosuke continued his teasing which was enough to earn a big whack from the older one. “Ouch”

“Then, I guess I’ll