By the end of the third month, the Katagiri Group officially launched its much-anticipated perfume collection with an elegant press event. Held in a modern, glass-walled venue decorated with flowers and soft lighting, the event was attended by top industry professionals, media, and partners. As excitement filled the air, all attention turned to the man at the center—Hayato.
Dressed in a sharp suit and calm as ever, Hayato took the stage with quiet confidence. "This collection was inspired by the beauty of nature," he said warmly. "Each fragrance captures the feeling of a season, a memory, something deeply personal. We wanted to create scents that feel like home—an extension of who you are."
He went on to explain how the packaging matched this idea—soft shapes, gentle colors, combining comfort and elegance. "This isn't just a new product," he said. "It's the start of a new chapter for our brand."
The audience responded with loud applause, and reporters quickly surrounded him for interviews. Hayato remained poised, answering every question with ease. "The Katagiri Group is committed to quality," he said. "And this collection reflects that."
The response was incredible. The perfume quickly became a bestseller. Social media buzzed, shelves emptied, and glowing reviews poured in. The success was so overwhelming that Mr. Katagiri hosted a special celebration to thank the team behind the project.
At the celebration party, the ballroom buzzed with conversation and laughter. The air carried the scent of fine perfume and champagne, as guests from the industry, colleagues, and close friends gathered to honor the success of the Katagiri Group's new perfume line—a launch that had firmly placed the brand at the top of the market.
Standing at the front of the room, Mr. Katagiri addressed the crowd with pride in his eyes. "Hayato was the heart of this project," he said. "His creativity, dedication, and leadership brought us here. With him guiding the future, I know our brand is in good hands."
The room filled with applause as Hayato stepped forward. Calm and composed, he gave a polite bow before speaking. "Thank you, Father. But this was never a one-man job. I'm proud of the entire team behind me. Their passion made this success possible, and I'll continue doing my part to lead us forward."
In the crowd, Chiaki watched him with quiet pride, her heart full. She understood what this project meant to him—not just as a professional achievement, but something deeply personal. When their eyes met, she saw it clearly: the sincerity, the gratitude, the quiet message he was sending only to her.
Later, on the balcony, Chiaki stood beside Hayato, enjoying the cool air after the warmth of the event. The city lights shimmered in the distance. "You were amazing," she said softly. Hayato turned to her with a small smile. "I'm glad you think so," he said, his voice calm—but there was something more behind it.
"Chiaki," he added, "there's something I need to tell you."
She turned to him, her voice barely a whisper. "What is it?"
Hayato paused, his eyes drifting toward the city lights before he took a deep breath. "The truth is… launching the perfume line wasn't just about business," he said quietly, emotion lacing his voice. Chiaki looked at him, puzzled, waiting for him to go on.
"Do you remember the scent of white lilies?" he asked, his gaze returning to hers.
Chiaki's eyes widened. "White lilies…?" she repeated softly, her voice unsteady.
He nodded, a gentle look in his eyes. "That scent always reminded me of you. It was on your sweaters, in the pages of the books you lent me… even when you weren't around, the scent stayed with me. When I started working with fragrances in America, I realized I'd been searching for it all along."
Chiaki felt her chest tighten, her heart thudding as her eyes filled with tears.
"This wasn't just a product to me," Hayato continued, reaching out to lightly touch her hand. "It was my way of holding onto something I thought I'd lost. That scent… it's you. And even after all these years, it never left me."
Tears slipped down Chiaki's cheeks as she whispered, "You're unbelievable."
Hayato gave a soft laugh. "I've heard that before," he said with a smile—but his eyes held a tenderness that said everything she needed to hear.
Hayato paused, his eyes drifting toward the city lights before he took a deep breath. "The truth is… launching the perfume line wasn't just about business," he said quietly, emotion lacing his voice. Chiaki looked at him, puzzled, waiting for him to go on.
"Do you remember the scent of white lilies?" he asked, his gaze returning to hers.
Chiaki's eyes widened. "White lilies…?" she repeated softly, her voice unsteady.
He nodded, a gentle look in his eyes. "That scent always reminded me of you. It was on your sweaters, in the pages of the books you lent me… even when you weren't around, the scent stayed with me. When I started working with fragrances in America, I realized I'd been searching for it all along."
Chiaki felt her chest tighten, her heart thudding as her eyes filled with tears.
"This wasn't just a product to me," Hayato continued, reaching out to lightly touch her hand. "It was my way of holding onto something I thought I'd lost. That scent… it's you. And even after all these years, it never left me."
Tears slipped down Chiaki's cheeks as she whispered, "You're unbelievable."
Hayato gave a soft laugh. "I've heard that before," he said with a smile—but his eyes held a tenderness that said everything she needed to hear.