The next morning, Fuyuhiko was summoned to his father's office. The message came through with an urgency that left no room for delay. As he made his way to the office, he could feel the weight of the previous night's events hanging over him, a gnawing tension that only grew with each step.

When he entered the office, the atmosphere was thick with anger. Mr Kuzuryu sat behind his large mahogany desk, his face a stormy mask of frustration. The usually calm and collected patriarch was seething, his anger palpable even before Fuyuhiko had fully crossed the threshold.

"Sit down, Fuyuhiko." Mr Kuzuryu said sharply, his voice cold and controlled, but with an undercurrent of menace.

Fuyuhiko complied, sliding into the chair opposite his father, his face a carefully constructed mask of neutrality. He knew this was coming, and there was little he could say to defend himself. The incident from the previous night had clearly reached his father's ears, and Mr Kuzuryu was not known for his patience when it came to family matters.

"I've just received a full account of last night's events." Mr Kuzuryu began, his tone icy. "From what I understand, you allowed Hannah to leave the manor late at night by herself. And not only that, but she ended up in a situation that could have been dangerous."

Fuyuhiko kept his gaze fixed firmly on the desk, his knuckles white as he clenched his hands. "Yes, sir."

"You're aware of the risks involved with her being out alone, especially given her status and the potential threats from outside parties?" Mr Kuzuryu continued, his voice rising in intensity. "The Togami heir's safety is paramount. You were entrusted with her protection while her father and clan are away!"

Fuyuhiko shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to find a way to defend himself. "Father, I did try to keep Hannah in the manor. She was being stubborn and refused to listen to me. I even warned her about the risks. And last night, Peko and I took care of her, made sure she was safe and dry."

He hoped his attempt at justification would soften his father's stance, but Mr Kuzuryu's expression remained icy, his patience clearly running thin.

"I don't care about your excuses." Mr Kuzuryu snapped, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "The fact remains that you allowed her to leave the manor under your watch. The consequences of that are serious, and the fact that you're making excuses only shows how little you understand the gravity of the situation."

Fuyuhiko nodded, his silence betraying the weight of his guilt. He knew he had made a mistake, and there was no use trying to deflect blame or make excuses. "I understand."

Mr Kuzuryu leaned forward, his eyes boring into Fuyuhiko's. "Understand? This isn't just about understanding. This is about consequences! You jeopardized not only Hannah's safety but also the standing and reputation of the Kuzuryu family. You've made us look incompetent-!"

Before Fuyuhiko could respond, Mr Kuzuryu stood abruptly, his anger boiling over. In a swift, harsh motion, he slapped Fuyuhiko across the face. The sound echoed in the room, leaving Fuyuhiko stunned.

His head whipped to the side from the force, his cheek stinging from the impact. He stared at his father, wide-eyed and silent, the shock evident on his face. He had never expected such a severe reaction.

Mr Kuzuryu's gaze was cold and unyielding. "Do not think that you can defend yourself with feeble justifications." he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Your failure to protect Hannah has put us all at risk. The next time you fail, it won't just be a slap."

Fuyuhiko touched his stinging cheek, the shock slowly fading into a deep, burning shame. His mouth was dry, and he struggled to form words, the weight of his father's anger settling heavily on him. He knew better than to argue further. His father's discipline was always harsh, but this was more than he had anticipated.

"I understand, sir." Fuyuhiko said finally, his voice steady despite the sting of his cheek. "I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."

Mr Kuzuryu's eyes softened slightly, but only marginally. "See that you do. Your position and our family's reputation are on the line. Make amends and prove that you can handle your responsibilities."

With that, the man sat back down, his posture rigid and authoritative. Fuyuhiko gave a curt nod, still reeling from the slap, and turned to leave the office, the weight of his father's anger and the consequences of his actions heavy on his shoulders.

As Fuyuhiko left his father's office, he was met by Peko, who had been waiting outside. She stepped forward, concern etched on her face. "Young master, are you-"

But before she could finish, Fuyuhiko cut her off, his frustration bubbling over. "Not now, Peko! Just... not now."

Without waiting for a response, he stormed down the hallway, his footsteps echoing with each angry stride. The bruise on his face was already starting to show, a darkening mark against his pale skin. It throbbed with each step, a painful reminder of the harsh reprimand he had just endured.

Peko watched him go, her expression a mix of worry and resignation. She knew better than to press him further in his current state. Instead, she made a mental note to check on Hannah and ensure she was recovering properly, even as Fuyuhiko disappeared around the corner.

Fuyuhiko reached his office, slamming the door behind him as he entered. The room, usually a place of order and control, seemed more like a refuge now. He needed to distract himself from the gnawing frustration and the stinging reminder of his father's anger.

He sank into his chair, taking a deep breath before turning his attention to the stack of paperwork on his desk. He rifled through the documents, his fingers moving with a practiced efficiency as he attempted to bury himself in the mundane tasks. The steady rhythm of sorting through files and making notes provided a temporary escape from the swirling emotions and the throbbing pain in his cheek.

Hours ticked by as Fuyuhiko worked in silence, his mind focused solely on the tasks at hand. The office lights cast a harsh glow over his face, but he paid them no mind, determined to push through the day's challenges. The distraction of work was a welcome relief from the intensity of his father's reprimand and the weight of his own failures.

Despite the growing pile of completed tasks, a part of Fuyuhiko remained unsettled. The bruise on his face was a constant reminder of his mistake and his father's disappointment. He knew he had to make things right, not just for the Kuzuryu family but for himself. He needed to prove that he could handle the responsibilities placed upon him and restore the confidence his father had in him.

There was a gentle knock on Fuyuhiko's office door, and he responded tersely, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and Hannah stepped into the room. She looked exhausted, but her eyes were sharp as they took in the sight of Fuyuhiko. She immediately noticed the bruise forming on his face, a dark, angry mark against his skin.

"What- what happened to your face?" Hannah asked, her voice betraying a hint of genuine concern despite her efforts to keep it neutral. Her eyes widened slightly, and she took a hesitant step closer.

Fuyuhiko looked up from his paperwork, his irritation briefly replaced by a flicker of surprise at her question. He quickly brushed it off, trying to maintain his usual aloof demeanor. "It's nothing. Just a minor issue," he said dismissively, turning his attention back to his work. "What do you want?"

Hannah hesitated, clearly troubled by his response. She could see the bruise was not just a minor issue and felt a pang of guilt. "I came to apologize for last night." she said, her voice softer now. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble..."

Fuyuhiko's eyes narrowed as he tried to mask his frustration. "It's not just about last night, Hannah. You put yourself in danger and made a mess of things. And now, I'm dealing with the fallout."

Hannah winced, but she stepped further into the room, her gaze fixed on him. "I know. I'm sorry. I should have listened to you. I just... I didn't realize how much trouble I was causing."

Fuyuhiko exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. "It's not just about you listening to me. It's about responsibility and understanding the risks involved. You can't just ignore them and expect everything to be fine."

Hannah nodded, her eyes downcast. "I get it. I'll try to be more careful in the future. And... I'm sorry for how I acted- I didn't mean to put you in such a difficult position."

Fuyuhiko's expression softened slightly, though his annoyance was still palpable. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again," he said gruffly. "And don't think that just apologizing is going to fix everything."

Hannah took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying as she walked over to Fuyuhiko's desk. Before he could react, she gently wrapped her arms around him in a soft, apologetic hug. The touch was light, almost hesitant, but it conveyed a sincerity that words alone couldn't.

Fuyuhiko tensed instantly, his body stiffening at the unexpected contact. He was caught off guard, his mind racing to process the unfamiliar gesture. His irritation and frustration were momentarily pushed aside as he tried to make sense of Hannah's actions. The warmth of her embrace was a stark contrast to the cold, hard reality he had been dealing with.

For a moment, he could only sit there, stunned and somewhat bewildered by the uncharacteristic display of affection.

Hannah held the hug for a few seconds before pulling away, her expression softening into a gentle smile.

"I really am sorry, Fuyuhiko.." she said quietly, her voice carrying a note of genuine guilt, a touch of sincerity in her eyes. "I appreciate everything you've done."

Fuyuhiko blinked, his expression a mixture of surprise and confusion. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words. The hug, so contrary to his usual interactions with Hannah, left him momentarily speechless.

Hannah gave him one last, reassuring look before walking towards the door. She opened it carefully and stepped out, gently closing it behind her with a soft click.

The sudden silence that followed was almost deafening. Fuyuhiko stared at the door, his mind still reeling from the unexpected display of affection. The warmth of Hannah's embrace and her soft smile replayed in his mind, leaving him baffled and slightly unsettled. The encounter had been so different from their usual interactions that he found himself at a loss.

He reached up to touch the bruise on his face, his thoughts still tangled from the unexpected moment. Despite his irritation and the trouble she had caused, Hannah's gesture had introduced a new dynamic to their relationship, one that Fuyuhiko was not quite prepared to fully understand yet. He shook his head, trying to refocus on his work, but the impact of the brief, warm contact lingered, adding a new layer of complexity to his thoughts. For now, though, he was left to process the unexpected encounter and its impact on his turbulent day.