"Good evening, Aihara Mei," said the footman as she entered. "Your reserved seat is at this table." He motioned to the first table by the door. "Thank you very much," said Mei. She had resumed the stoic mask that had characterized the Aihara family for so long, but could not resist clutching at her chest and fondling her only memento that she had of her sister. Mei now headed to the table, where Grandfather was already seated at her right hand, while Udagawa was seated at her left. But as she stepped closer, Mei felt a hand gently rest on her shoulder. It was Shō. "Mei, whatever transpires tonight, I want you to follow your heart. It will lead you to the best outcome for your sake," he said, looking into her eyes. Mei stared at him in surprise. It was quite clear that her father was also in disagreement with the arranged marriage, as his deep-set eyes mirrored her emotion. She bowed her head. "I will, Father. Thank you," she whispered. Making her way to the table, Mei greeted her fiancé. "A good evening to you, Udagawa." "Ah, Aihara Mei! It's a pleasure to see you once again," he replied. "How have you been?" "I have not been in the best of spirits lately," she confessed. "Well, tonight is certainly an excellent time for a turnaround," Udagawa cheerfully replied. "I'm sure we'll have ample time to converse once the meal is over." Mei didn't answer. She was bent on following her heart, as her father had encouraged her to do. While the others at the table were engaged in lively conversation, she ate her meal in silence. At one point in the meal, however, Shō turned to Mei and again their eyes met. Follow your heart, was his message. As the meal concluded, Udagawa motioned her to join him outside. She did so, putting on her coat once again. As they stepped outside, her fiancé was the first to speak. "Something is disturbing your conscience, Mei," he said. "Your body language evidences as much." Mei remained silent. She only turned her eyes toward the soft light of the full moon and recalled her moment with Yuzu at the summer festival. Udagawa laid his hand on her cheek and turned her face towards him. "Don't be afraid to tell me. What ails you, Mei?" he asked. Mei began to breath rapidly in her travail, and her sweat was pouring down her forehead. Her hands were shaking, and her sides began to quiver. "I'd rather not say," she said with a blush. Her fiancé replied with anxiety in his voice, "I won't be at peace unless you tell me what's wrong, Mei. Please tell me now!" The time had come. Mei's emotion could be shackled no longer. She removed her coat to reveal the necklace, which she glanced down at before returning her gaze to Udagawa. His eyes widened as the whole scenario was brought to light. I've hurt both Mei and Yuzu, he said to himself. So was that why Mei begged me not to tell her stepsister about the gathering? At first, Udagawa's face was white as a sheet as the truth hit him. Eventually, however, it regained its color as he spoke in a whisper. "I- I'm- I'm sorry," he stammered, taking Yuzu's ring into his palm. "I was the one who encouraged Yuzu to get these rings in the first place," he confessed. "I didn't know that they were for the two of you. "Yuzu worked a part-time job at my shop in her hometown," he continued in a low, reminiscing whisper. "She said it was because she wanted money to buy a pair of rings for the person she liked. Her friend told me that she sacrificed so much study time and sleep to get them." (Here the tears began to flow down Mei's face.) "She really loves you that much, Mei, and I would be cruelty incarnate if I were to stand in her way. "I promised my parents that I wouldn't shirk my duties anymore," he said, looking into her eyes, "and I think I know what my duty is for you. I have to call our wedding plans off, Mei," Udagawa spoke with a resigned smile. "As much as our families may sharply disagree, I can't marry you without wounding my conscience. "Go back to Yuzu now, and don't let anything get in your way of showing her your love. I give you my blessing, Mei." Mei's tearstained face was now upturned, and she embraced Udagawa tearfully. "Thank you so much for doing it," she said, breaking down once again. "I didn't want to lose Yuzu after everything she's done for me." "My duty is to stand aside and give way to your sister, Mei," he said, cradling her head. "It's the only way I see both of you living happily in the future." "It's just that-" Mei couldn't continue her words for some seconds as she realized the repercussions. "I don't know what Grandfather will say to this..." "I don't know what my parents will say, either," Udagawa replied. "But I'll protect Yuzu when I tell them what happened. And I will also speak to your father about it." "Thank you, Udagawa," replied Mei. "I hope you're not hurt by it." "I'm glad for the two of you," he said. "I'm completely satisfied to play my part in bringing you together, Mei. Don't worry about me anymore." With that, Udagawa hugged her one last time and left the porch. He then returned inside to the party and found Shō. "Well, young man, what happened?" Shō asked. "It's as I thought, Aihara-san," he replied. "Her head tells her to marry me, but her heart is with another's. It hurts me not to see your daughter be happy, so I've chosen the path that is best for her sake." Shō was surprised by this outcome, but he nodded in agreement. "I told her earlier this evening to follow her heart, and I must say you made a very selfless decision to stand aside for her. Thank you, Udagawa." "Thank you, Aihara-san. Mei will need you more than ever, now." "Indeed she will, Udagawa. But the one she needs is her lover, whoever it is." Unfortunately for Mei, the Yuzu she once knew was gone, and in her place was an anguished monster...