Chapter 1 Introduction
The Higurashi Family
The morning sun bathed the Higurashi estate in a golden glow, its light streaming through the tall windows of their elegant Aoyama home. The fusion of sleek, modern architecture and traditional Japanese elements gave the house an air of understated luxury, a testament to the family's success and impeccable taste. Inside, the day was already well underway.
In the sunlit courtyard, Kagura Higurashi moved gracefully through her morning yoga routine. Her retired supermodel poise hadn't faded in the slightest, her every motion a study in balance and elegance. Dressed in sleek athletic wear, her black hair pulled back in a loose braid, she exuded an air of effortless control. With her schedule meticulously planned, Kagura mentally ticked off the day's priorities: Shippo's school drop-off, a charity event meeting in the afternoon, and ensuring everything was perfect for the family dinner that evening.
Inside, Naraku Higurashi sat at his mahogany desk in the private study dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, flipping through reports with practiced ease. The CEO of one of Japan's most successful pharmaceutical companies, he commanded attention in every room he entered, whether in the boardroom or his own home. His mornings were typically filled with high-stakes phone calls and critical decisions, yet he never allowed his work to overshadow his role as a father.
Down the hall, Kagome Higurashi was already deep into her studies. The eldest child of the Higurashi family, she balanced her rigorous medical education with helping her father in his business dealings, a feat that required equal parts discipline and determination. Dressed in a crisp blouse and slacks, her dark hair swept into a practical ponytail, Kagome sat at the dining table with her laptop open to spreadsheets and her medical textbooks spread out in front of her. The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from her cup as she made notes, her blue-black eyes flicking between pages with a sharp focus that had earned her admiration in every field she pursued.
Meanwhile, Shippo, the youngest and most spirited member of the Higurashi family, was a whirlwind of energy. His small frame zipped through the house as he searched for his missing backpack, a streak of laughter trailing behind him. Shippo, with his boundless curiosity and knack for mischief, ensured the estate never stayed too quiet. He eventually burst into the dining room, his black hair tousled and his uniform slightly askew. "Kagome! Have you seen my math book? I swear it disappeared overnight!"
Kagome glanced up from her laptop, her calm expression barely hiding her amusement. "It's under the couch, Shippo. Again."
With a dramatic sigh, Shippo darted off to retrieve it. His antics earned a fond smile from Kagura, who entered the room carrying a tray of fresh pastries. "Shippo, one day you'll learn to keep track of your things," she teased, setting the tray on the table.
"I have a system!" Shippo called back, his voice muffled as he crouched to reach under the couch. "It just doesn't always work."
By the time the family gathered for breakfast, the dining room was alive with chatter. Naraku sipped his coffee with a knowing smirk as Shippo animatedly recounted his latest schoolyard adventures. Kagura expertly balanced encouraging her son and reminding him to chew with his mouth closed, while Kagome chimed in with her usual blend of humor and wisdom.
"Are you prepared for your meeting today?" Kagura asked Naraku, passing him the butter dish.
"As always," Naraku replied smoothly, his tone casual but confident. "And you, Kagome? Any breakthroughs in your research?"
"Not yet, but I'm making progress," Kagome replied, her voice steady with determination. "And after class, I have a call with one of the pharmaceutical teams."
Shippo looked up, his cheeks puffed with food. "How come Kagome gets to do all the cool stuff? I wanna work with Dad, too!"
Naraku raised an eyebrow, his expression equal parts stern and amused. "Finish elementary school first, Shippo. Then we'll talk."
The conversation continued until the clock chimed, signaling the start of the day's individual pursuits. Kagura helped Shippo adjust his tie before ushering him out the door for school in her Mercedes. Naraku departed shortly after, his chauffeur waiting at the front drive to take him to his corporate headquarters. Kagome packed her laptop and notes, slipping on her blazer before heading to her university.
The Taisho Family
The Taisho estate stood as a symbol of power and refinement, a sprawling mansion nestled on the outskirts of Tokyo. Surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens and shaded by centuries-old cherry trees, the estate exuded timeless elegance. Despite its grandeur, it was a place of warmth and subtle charm—a home as much as a fortress for one of Japan's wealthiest families.
The morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Taisho residence, casting a golden hue on the polished wooden floors. In the sleek, modern kitchen, Inukimi Taisho moved with practiced ease, slicing fresh fruit while the aroma of miso soup and rice filled the air. Though she had retired from her prestigious career as a lawyer, Inukimi still took on select cases, more for her own amusement than necessity. This morning, however, her focus was on preparing breakfast for her family—a rare occasion when she wasn't delegating the task to the household staff.
"Mom, can I skip the rice today?" Inuyasha's voice rang out as he bounded into the kitchen, still wearing his pajamas. His tousled hair and easy grin gave him a carefree, boyish charm, but his mother's sharp gaze quickly zeroed in on his wrinkled shirt.
"Not a chance," Inukimi replied smoothly, her silver hair catching the light as she turned to face him. "And change into your uniform, Inuyasha. Breakfast is in ten minutes, not ten hours."
Inuyasha groaned but didn't argue. He snagged a piece of melon from the counter and disappeared toward his room, leaving his mother shaking her head with a faint smile.
At the dining table, Toga Taisho was already engrossed in his tablet, skimming through the latest tech reports and financial updates. Dressed in a crisp shirt and slacks, he radiated authority and focus, his salt-and-pepper hair adding to his distinguished appearance. As the CEO of several leading tech companies, Toga's mornings were typically packed with back-to-back meetings, but he always made time for breakfast with his family.
Sesshoumaru, the eldest of the Taisho siblings, entered the room with his usual air of calm composure. Tall and impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, Sesshoumaru had inherited his father's keen business acumen and commanding presence. Though he ran his own successful engineering firm, he often collaborated with Toga on cutting-edge projects.
"Good morning," Sesshoumaru greeted, his voice cool but polite as he took his seat at the table. His gold eyes flicked toward the head of the table, where his father sat. "The prototype presentation for the new chipset has been rescheduled to Friday. I'll forward you the updated specs later today."
"Perfect," Toga replied, nodding. "I'll review them before our next investor meeting."
Meanwhile, the youngest Taisho, Kanna, wandered into the room clutching a large book on astronomy. Barely six years old, Kanna's curiosity was boundless, and she often surprised her family with the depth of her questions. Her delicate features and serene demeanor made her seem far older than her years.
"Good morning, Papa," she said softly, climbing into her chair. "Did you know that the rings of Saturn are made mostly of ice and rock? I read it in my new book."
Toga chuckled, setting his tablet aside. "Is that so? Maybe you can teach me a few things over breakfast."
Kanna nodded solemnly, already flipping to the page she wanted to show him.
By the time breakfast was served, Inuyasha had returned, now dressed in his high school uniform, though his tie hung loose around his neck. "Mom, do I really need to wear this every day? It's not like the teachers care if the tie's perfect."
"Your teachers might not, but I do," Inukimi replied, raising an eyebrow as she handed him a bowl of rice. "And so will your future employers."
Sesshoumaru glanced at his younger brother with a faint smirk. "It wouldn't hurt to start practicing now, Inuyasha. Presentation matters, even if you're only halfway competent."
"Halfway?" Inuyasha shot back, narrowing his eyes. "I'll show you competent when I beat you at basketball this weekend."
"Assuming you can keep up," Sesshoumaru replied coolly, his tone dripping with amused condescension.
"Boys," Toga interrupted, though his tone was light. "Save the competition for the court. And Inuyasha, listen to your mother about the tie."
As the family settled into their meal, the conversation turned to their plans for the day. Toga outlined a meeting with a major investor, Sesshoumaru mentioned a site visit to one of his factories, and Inuyasha muttered something about a big game after school. Kanna, ever inquisitive, asked if she could visit the science museum over the weekend.
"We'll see," Inukimi said, smiling at her youngest. "If you finish all your homework, we might make it a family outing."
After breakfast, the family dispersed to tackle their respective responsibilities. Toga and Sesshoumaru left for their offices, their sleek black cars waiting in the driveway. Inuyasha grabbed his sports bag and skateboard, heading out with a wave, while Kanna lingered in the study with her book, already lost in another world of knowledge.
Kagome Higurashi pulled her coat tightly around her as she stepped out of the university building, the crisp afternoon air making her wish she'd remembered to grab a scarf. Her shift at the hospital was looming, but not before she indulged in her one true vice—coffee. The rich, comforting aroma of freshly brewed espresso was her sanctuary, and today she was determined to snag her favorite caramel macchiato before diving into rounds.
The tiny café near the hospital was bustling as usual, filled with students, professionals, and the occasional tourist who had stumbled upon the gem. Kagome stepped inside, the warmth enveloping her immediately as the bell above the door jingled. She joined the line, pulling out her phone to check her messages.
Unbeknownst to her, Sesshoumaru Taisho, freshly emerged from a meeting at his downtown office, was also heading for his own caffeine fix. His tailored suit and sharp gaze stood out in the casual crowd, as did his slightly annoyed expression as he glanced at his watch. The meeting had run late, and he hadn't eaten since breakfast. Coffee, he decided, would have to suffice until dinner.
As fate would have it, the line moved quickly, and Sesshoumaru stepped up to the counter just as Kagome approached from the opposite direction, her eyes still glued to her phone.
"Caramel macchiato, please," Kagome said absentmindedly, simultaneously bumping into Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru turned, his golden eyes narrowing as he steadied himself. "Excuse me," he said, his tone crisp and formal.
Kagome looked up, startled. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there."
"Clearly," Sesshoumaru replied, arching a brow.
Kagome blinked, her initial embarrassment quickly giving way to indignation. "Well, maybe you shouldn't stand so close to the counter if you don't want people bumping into you."
Sesshoumaru's lips twitched, not quite a smile but almost. "Perhaps you shouldn't walk while distracted. Isn't that dangerous for someone in scrubs? I'd hate to think you'd trip over a patient."
Kagome's eyes narrowed. "I assure you, I'm perfectly capable of multitasking."
The barista, sensing the brewing tension, called out, "Caramel macchiato for Kagome!"
Snapping her attention away from his smug expression, Kagome stepped forward, snatched her drink, and muttered a curt thank-you. She made a beeline for the door, "Ridiculous".
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, watching her go. "Interesting," he murmured under his breath as the barista handed him his plain black coffee.
As Kagome exited the café, she couldn't help but glance back through the window. There he was, already stirring his coffee with precise movements, his expression unreadable.
She had no idea she'd just crossed paths with one of Japan's most prominent business moguls—or that their paths would cross again, in ways far less ordinary.
Sesshoumaru, for his part, took a sip of his coffee and found himself oddly amused. A rarity for him. The woman in scrubs with the sharp tongue and caramel macchiato had made an impression.