C3 Three Days of Grace

"I will not only pay off your family's one billion yen debt. If you agree, I will also finance the entire construction of this animal shelter until it becomes a reality. Wasn't that your greatest dream?"

Sousuke lifted a small diary of mine that he had taken from my bag, looking at me with a faint smile.

"Give it back! You have no right to read someone else's diary without permission...!"

I immediately stood up and reached for it, trying to snatch my diary back from his hand.

However, with astonishing speed, Sousuke wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me off balance before seating me directly on his lap.

"Kyahh... L-Let me go...!"

I struggled desperately, twisting and resisting against the grip of his arms that held my body firmly in place.

"Struggle as much as you want, Reika. But you already know... you'll never be able to escape from my grasp."

Sousuke curled his lips into a cynical smile, staring straight into my eyes with an overwhelming aura of absolute dominance.

"Y-Your condition... is completely unreasonable...!"

I pressed both hands against his broad chest, still desperately trying to get off his lap.

"Then tell me... is being hunted by loan sharks any more reasonable? Within a matter of weeks, they'll drag you away, sell your body to some filthy brothel. Or they'll carve out your organs one by one if you fail to repay that debt."

Sousuke said calmly, yet every word pierced straight through me.

I fell completely silent as tears began streaming down my cheeks. Memories of the loan sharks' brutal threats and relentless harassment from just a few days ago instantly left me paralyzed with fear.

"I'm not that cruel. I'll give you three days to think... and decide your future."

Sousuke smiled faintly, watching me as I gradually ran out of words.

"Th... Three days...?"

I looked straight into his golden eyes, finally giving up my struggle. Only three days to decide whether I should surrender my entire life, or surrender myself to the loan sharks.

Hearing my softened voice, Sousuke slowly loosened his firm embrace around my waist, giving me just enough room to move.

"Yes, three days. Think carefully about your future. You may leave now. My driver outside will take you back to your apartment in Katsushika. I'll be waiting... exactly three days from now."

Sousuke whispered softly beside my ear. A mysterious smile lingered on his lips as he leaned back into his chair once more, gently swirling the whisky in his glass, allowing me to walk out of the room.

***

January 21, 2015, 03:57

Katsushika District, Apartment:

After the silent ride home in the yakuza clan's luxurious car, I finally arrived at my tiny apartment. My body was still trembling violently from shock and exhaustion as I curled up on my thin bed, hugging Zoro tightly against my chest.

"Mhh... Zoro... What do you think?"

I whispered hoarsely, burying my face in the warm fur of my black Persian cat.

"Meoww..."

Zoro looked up at me, her clear, round eyes seeming to sense the deep anxiety pounding within my heart.

"If... we accept his offer... would that be the best path left for us, Zoro?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks once again as I imagined the crushing weight of the one billion yen debt and the terrifying threats of the loan sharks if I refused Sousuke Hayama's offer. All I could do was hold Zoro even tighter, searching for the smallest shred of comfort in the midst of the storm that had become my life.

"Meeoww~"

Zoro purred softly, gently rubbing her tiny nose against my tear-stained cheek.

***

January 21, 2015, 16:27

Roppongi District, Yuki Spa:

I had just finished my shift at Yuki Spa. Now, I was sitting inside my late father's old car, parked on the side of the street, opening the courier delivery app while taking advantage of the spare time to rest for a while.

I quietly murmured to myself as I ate bite after bite of my now-cold boxed lunch, trying to regain a little energy before heading back out to work on the streets again.

Suddenly, the phone resting on the dashboard vibrated sharply. A new delivery request had come in, but this one felt different from the usual orders. It was a pickup request from one of the most luxurious and prestigious beauty spas in the Ginza district.

"Isn't this... a spa for high society and celebrities?"

My eyes widened as I stared at the French name displayed on the screen. The spa was called 'L'Étoile De Beauté,' a place nicknamed 'The Secret Palace of Modern Nobility.' It was famous for serving only the jet-set elite, members of the imperial family, and top celebrities, with treatment fees comparable to the price of an entire car. Without a second thought, I immediately accepted the request and steered my old car toward the destination after seeing the exceptionally high delivery fee.

***

January 21, 2015, 4:58 PM

Ginza District, Luxury Building:

Upon arriving in Ginza, I parked my late father's old car in the basement parking area, surrounded by rows of luxury sports cars and elegant sedans. As soon as I stepped inside and entered the elevator heading toward L'Étoile De Beauté Spa, my overly modest appearance immediately made me the center of attention among the upper-class guests.

"Mhh... Good afternoon..."

I whispered so softly as I stepped into the spacious elevator, choosing to stand in the farthest corner to make myself as invisible as possible, quietly staring at the backs of the three upper-class women standing proudly in front of me.

The women glanced at me through the elevator's mirrored walls. Carrying Hermès handbags and adorned with expensive jewelry, they began whispering among themselves, throwing insulting remarks without the slightest concern for my presence.

"What is that smell? Exhaust fumes and cheap perfume. It's honestly offensive."

One of them whispered while waving her hand in front of her nose, casting a disdainful glance at my slightly worn-out shoes.

"She completely ruins the atmosphere of this building. Why would the management allow someone so shabby and lower-class to ride the same elevator as us?"

Another woman scoffed as she adjusted her Hermès handbag with an arrogant gesture.

"Oh, come on. She's probably just some errand girl or a courier delivering cosmetics. Someone like her could never afford even the cheapest product in this spa for her entire lifetime."

The last woman let out a mocking chuckle, watching me through the reflection in the mirror with a look of smug satisfaction.

I could only lower my head deeply, quietly straightening my slightly messy hair after the long drive. I stood there in silence, swallowing every one of their hurtful remarks as they pierced deeply into my dignity within the confines of the cramped elevator.

***

January 21, 2015, 5:38 PM

Ginza District, Luxury Building:

The elevator chimed as its doors opened on the seventh floor. With awkward steps, I walked a few meters behind the three upper-class women from earlier, quietly following them through the grand glass doors bearing the name L'Étoile De Beauté.

The moment we entered the spa's lobby, filled with the luxurious scent of lavender, the three women squealed with delight. Standing at the center of the white marble hall was the spa's general manager, a remarkably elegant French woman named Elodie.

Elodie stood upright in a perfectly tailored formal suit, her hands folded neatly in front of her with a composed expression, as though she were preparing to welcome an exceptionally important guest.

"Oh, Elodie-san! What an honor to meet you personally in the lobby today!"

One of the women from the elevator greeted her cheerfully, flashing her brightest smile.

"Indeed, I never expected the manager of L'Étoile De Beauté herself to be waiting for our arrival today. The service here truly is second to none!"

Another woman spoke proudly as she adjusted her fur coat, clearly feeling flattered.

"Elodie-san, if you don't mind, could we take a photo together before our treatment begins?"

The last woman eagerly pulled her phone out of her Hermès handbag.

However, to their complete surprise, Elodie did not acknowledge or respond to a single word from the three wealthy women. Instead, her gaze passed right through them and settled directly on me, standing quietly in the back corner. She briskly walked past them and stopped in front of me, offering a respectful bow.

"Good afternoon. Are you Miss Reika Usoshiboh?"

She asked in an exceptionally gentle voice, filled with sincere respect.

"Y-Yes... I'm Reika Usoshiboh. I was assigned to come here to pick up a packa—!"

I immediately lowered my head awkwardly, hurriedly trying to explain that I was only there as a courier for the delivery app.

But before I could finish my sentence, Elodie did not allow me to continue. She turned around and immediately gave swift instructions to her staff.

"The five of you, come here at once! Don't keep Miss Reika waiting any longer!"

Elodie clapped her hands twice, summoning the five finest senior therapists of L'Étoile De Beauté.

Upon hearing her command, the spa's five elite therapists, dressed in their exclusive uniforms, immediately emerged from the inner rooms. They quickly walked over and surrounded my frozen body.

"This way, Miss Reika. Please follow me to your private room."

With a respectful gesture, Elodie guided me toward the thickly carpeted corridor leading to the VVIP rooms.

The three women who had looked down on me earlier could only stand there in silence. Their eyes followed me until I disappeared into the VVIP corridor. For the first time, they realized that the very person they had mocked was receiving treatment beyond anything they themselves had ever experienced.

Inside the VVIP Room:

Within seconds, I was escorted into an enormous treatment room of breathtaking luxury, complete with a marble bathtub and soothing ambient lighting.

"Ah... Um... I think there's been a misunderstanding... I... I'm just a courier...?!"

I spoke in a trembling, panicked voice, trying to convince them that this had to be some kind of mistake in the delivery app's information.

However, the five elite therapists paid no attention to my protests. With movements that were perfectly coordinated, remarkably swift, yet unbelievably gentle, they removed my courier jacket and simple clothes, dressed me in a special silk bathrobe, then carefully guided my stiff body onto a soft treatment bed.

"There has been no mistake at all, Miss Reika. Everything has been prepared exactly according to the special request we received directly from our superior. Today, I will personally oversee your entire treatment."

Elodie smiled reassuringly as she put on a pair of specialized gloves before pouring expensive essential oil into the palms of her hands.

Without wasting another moment, Elodie and the five elite therapists immediately began working with remarkable skill. They gave me a complete treatment from head to toe, from relaxing massages, premium body scrubs and masks, to the spa's most luxurious facial treatment. My body, exhausted from endless days of hard work, was suddenly pampered like that of a noblewoman.