"Don't damage the flowers."
Seiji leaned close to her ear, his voice a low whisper. "These are for decorating the office tomorrow. If they're not beautiful, I'll be displeased."
His warm breath tickled her sensitive ear, and Sakiko's body shivered.
"Yes..."
She bit her lip, forcing the word through clenched teeth.
Having teased Sakiko to his satisfaction, Seiji released her and headed inside.
...
At that moment, Genesis Media's branch office.
The building stood in Shibuya's commercial district, a high-end office tower. Though merely a branch, it served as the media company under Genesis Medical's cosmetic surgery division.
The interior was among the most luxurious in the medical group. Cosmetic surgery was a cash cow, naturally commanding a larger operating budget.
The general manager's office occupied the top floor, featuring two massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire Shibuya crossing.
At this moment, the spacious office bustled with activity.
Several movers in blue uniforms assembled a massive desk.
Rie Nagasaki stood to one side, her critical gaze inspecting everything.
She wore a tailored beige business suit, the hem resting precisely two centimeters above her knees, showcasing well-maintained calves while maintaining professional dignity.
This was the position she'd always dreamed of.
After her previous company went bankrupt, she'd feared losing this privileged life, even worried she couldn't afford her daughter's tuition at that elite girls' school.
The anxiety during that period kept her awake at night. She'd lost clumps of hair.
Then Genesis Group gave her a second chance.
That young President Fujiwara not only retained the original team but overruled objections to promote her to general manager, doubling her salary.
For this, Rie felt nothing but gratitude.
"Manager Nagasaki, are you satisfied with this desk?"
The furniture company's sales manager approached with a warm smile. "This is Italian imported calfskin veneer with a solid wood frame. Per your specifications, we've widened the space under the tabletop."
Rie walked over, running her hand across the black desk.
The texture was smooth and refined, truly top-quality merchandise.
She circled behind and sat down, testing the height.
"Excellent." Rie nodded with satisfaction.
She'd specifically requested the expanded under-desk space.
Traditional desks had such cramped leg room. Every time she sat down in a skirt, she had to be careful about exposure or bumping her legs. And during those long overtime sessions, she couldn't even stretch her legs to relax.
This desk not only had a front panel for privacy, but the space underneath was absurdly generous.
She tested stretching her legs beneath the desk, even swaying them side to side. No obstruction whatsoever.
"It really is spacious."
Rie laughed to the sales manager. "You could even hide someone under here for a game of hide-and-seek."
"Ha ha, you're quite the joker."
The sales manager chuckled along. "But indeed, this design is more ergonomic. If you're tired, you could put a footrest down there, or even a mini-fridge on the side."
"I'll take it."
Rie signed the acceptance form. "Thank you for your work. Please clean up the packaging."
"Understood! Leave it to us!"
The workers quickly tidied the scene and left.
Silence returned to the office.
Rie sat behind her brand-new desk, surveying her domain, allowing herself to daydream about the future.
After a while, she snapped back to reality and pulled out her phone, dialing home.
Ring...
"Hello, Mom?"
Her daughter Soyo's gentle voice came through.
Hearing her daughter, Rie's face softened into a tender smile. "Soyo, Mom might be home very late tonight."
"Working overtime again?"
Soyo's voice carried concern. "Mom, you've been pushing yourself too hard lately. Please take care of yourself!"
"I'm fine, I'm fine."
Rie waved dismissively, though her daughter couldn't see. "President Fujiwara is coming to inspect tomorrow. This is my first major test since taking the position. I absolutely cannot make any mistakes. I need to verify all the materials again and confirm tomorrow's reception procedures."
"President Fujiwara... is that the famous Genesis Group president everyone's been talking about?"
Soyo's voice paused slightly.
"That's right. Though there are some negative rumors about him being ruthless," Rie sighed, "but in my view, he's a very decisive leader. If not for him, I'd still be worrying about finding work. I'm very grateful to him."
"...I see."
Soyo's voice sounded somewhat distant. "Well, you focus on your work, Mom. I'll leave the light on for you tonight."
"Good girl."
After hanging up, Rie took a deep breath.
She rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the neon lights gradually flicker on outside.
For Soyo, for this family, and to repay that president's faith in her.
Tomorrow's work had to be perfect!
Rie stretched her body and threw herself back into her busy preparations.
...
Early morning in Tokyo, a thin mist hanging over the city.
The Nagasaki residence, kitchen.
Click.
Soyo Nagasaki slowly fastened the lid on a bento box.
It was a three-tiered container, painted with delicate cherry blossom patterns.
Inside lay the fruits of her early rising, an hour before her usual time:
The first layer held her mother's favorite tamagoyaki and teriyaki black cod. The second contained apple slices carved into rabbit shapes and seasonal strawberries. The third tier featured rice balls with seaweed arranged into smiling faces.
"Perfect!"
Soyo admired her handiwork, that signature gentle smile playing at her lips.
Ever since her father left, the family's finances had nearly collapsed. Her mother Rie had no choice but to don her armor again and battle through the cruel business world.
Soyo saw it all, and it pained her.
To ease her mother's worries, she'd learned to be independent from a young age, even taking on the role of caring for her busy working mother.
But this independence was only surface deep.
In her heart, she desperately craved the care of others.
Mom will be happy when she sees this.
Soyo untied her apron, wiped her hands, and walked toward her mother's room.
Checking the time, it seemed about right.
She gently pushed open the door, ready to wake her mother.
But the room was empty.
The smile on Soyo's face froze for an instant.
She hurried to the living room and found, as expected, a hastily written note on the dining table:
"Soyo, there's an emergency meeting at work. To prepare for the president's inspection, Mom had to go in early to confirm procedures. Breakfast is in the fridge, just heat it up. — Your loving Mom."
The handwriting was messy, clearly written in extreme haste.
Soyo picked up the note, her fingers pressing harder, creasing the edges.
Again... is it?
Ever since joining that company called "Genesis Media," her mother had become even busier.
She'd always been busy before, but never too busy to share breakfast.
"...Honestly."
Soyo sighed softly, smoothed the note, and set it back on the table.
She turned to look at the three-tiered bento on the counter, her expression thoughtful.
In the past, she might have put the bento in the fridge and gone to school alone. But today was different. She'd prepared this specifically to celebrate and encourage her mother's new position.
With that thought, Soyo pulled out her phone and dialed her mother's number.
Ring... ring... ring...
A long wait.
Just when Soyo thought no one would answer, the call connected.
"Hello? Soyo?"
Her mother's somewhat hurried voice came through, the background filled with printer noise and overlapping phone rings.
"Mom, it's me."
Soyo switched to her sweetest, most obedient voice. "I saw your note. Um... I made extra when making the bento, so since you haven't eaten breakfast, how about I bring it to you at lunch?"
"Huh? You made a bento?"
Rie's voice was surprised, then quickly turned to delight. "That would be wonderful! I've been so busy I'm dizzy, no time to go out and eat!"
Hearing her mother's happy voice, some of the gloom in Soyo's eyes faded.
"Okay, I'll be there around noon. Mom, please take care of..."
Beep...
Before she could finish, an abrupt tone cut in from the other end, followed by dead air.
Disconnected?
Soyo blinked, checking her phone screen. It didn't show the other party hanging up. It looked more like... a dead battery?
She tried again.
"The number you have dialed is currently powered off. Please try again later..."
"Dead battery, as expected."
Soyo nodded, unsurprised.
With her mother so busy, forgetting to charge was common. Since they'd already agreed on lunch, she'd just go directly to the office.
...
Genesis Cosmetic Media.
"Quick! Replace these flowers! The president doesn't like lilies. Switch them to red roses!"
"You there, vacuum the carpet again! I don't want to see a single strand of hair!"
Rie paced the office with a walkie-talkie in hand, commanding like a general before battle.
Her business attire was immaculate, her makeup so precise it seemed like a mask. But upon closer inspection, a fine layer of sweat beaded on her forehead.
This was Seiji Fujiwara's first official branch inspection.
For Rie, this was a crucial opportunity to demonstrate her capabilities!
"Manager Nagasaki, your phone..."
Her secretary whispered. "It seems to have shut off automatically. Should I get a charger?"
"No time."
Rie glanced at the wall clock. 9:45.
The motorcade would arrive in fifteen minutes.
She waved dismissively, her tone decisive. "Just toss it in the drawer. Who has time for phones now? Come with me to get in position and welcome President Fujiwara!"
"Yes, ma'am!" The secretary bowed.
...
Tokyo, a traditional-style residence.
The dressing room.
Before a massive floor-length mirror stood a body that could only be described as perfect.
Sakiko Toyokawa.
She looked at the OL uniform on her body, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.
Clearly, this was no ordinary professional attire.
The tailoring was extremely form-fitting, almost punishingly so. The cinched waist constricted her slender figure, and every step made her acutely aware of how the fabric bound her body.
The worst part was the stockings.
Not ordinary sheer black tights, but an ultra-thin material with a subtle pearlescent sheen, catching the light with an almost liquid gleam.
They clung tightly to Sakiko's long legs, outlining every graceful curve in exquisite detail.
"Now put on the glasses."
Seiji's calm voice came from behind.
Sakiko turned resignedly and picked up the gold wire-rimmed glasses from the vanity.
They had no prescription, purely for show.
She slowly put them on, her fingers lightly adjusting the frames.
The girl in the mirror instantly gained an additional layer of allure.
Now she looked just like the sophisticated executive secretaries who frequented the Marunouchi office towers. Cool, intellectual, yet because of those too-tight clothes, exuding an indescribable sensuality.
"Turn around."
Sakiko obediently turned.
Seiji sat on the sofa, newspaper in hand, not looking up, as if merely commanding an actual subordinate.
"Does the outfit fit?" he asked.
"...It fits." Sakiko's voice was flat.
"How does it feel?"
"...Tight."
Seiji looked her up and down, then nodded. "Tight is fine. I like tight."
What kind of comment is that?
Sakiko couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Besides, dressed like this..."
Seiji chuckled softly, his finger tracing down her spine, finally resting at that suggestive small of her back. "It feels better when I tear it off."
Sakiko's breath caught, crimson blooming across her face.
But she bit her lip, suppressing any strange sounds.
Embarrassed? Of course.
But beneath the embarrassment lay a deeper despair. She found herself unsurprised.
Even more shamefully, a flicker of anticipation warmed her core.
"Let's go."
Seiji withdrew his hand as if the teasing had never happened.
He checked his watch.
"Manager Nagasaki is probably eager to show me her work results."
At the mention of "Nagasaki," Sakiko's expression stiffened.
Soyo...
She silently repeated the name in her heart.
I'm sorry, Soyo.
I never expected your mother to be working under Seiji... I hope I don't run into you.
Sakiko lowered her head, picked up the document bag from the table, and followed behind Seiji like a proper secretary, step by step, out of the dressing room.
The car was waiting outside.
...
In front of the Genesis Cosmetic Media branch building.
The black motorcade glided into the reserved parking spaces.
Seiji stepped out, adjusting his cufflinks.
On the other side.
A foot in a black, red-soled high heel emerged, followed by a calf wrapped in those impossibly thin pearlescent stockings.
Sakiko climbed out of the car, but the too-tight skirt made her movements stiff, almost cautious.
She positioned herself half a step behind Seiji, pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses, and held the black briefcase with both hands, her posture rigid and perfect.
In the sunlight, her black business attire clung like a second skin, tracing every curve of her body. That restrained, uniform aesthetic mixed with her elegant pedigree created a dangerously alluring effect.
"Let's go."
Seiji headed for the lobby.
Rie had been waiting with her team.
Seeing Seiji emerge, this woman who'd spent years navigating the business world immediately stepped forward, a respectful smile on her face.
"President, welcome to the inspection."
Rie bowed deeply.
Whoosh!
The executives behind her bowed in unison.
Synchronized, like machines programmed to perform.
"Good work."
Seiji nodded slightly, his gaze bypassing the others to land directly on Rie. "I heard you've redecorated the company?"
"Yes, President."
Rie straightened, her eyes gleaming with the sharp light of a professional woman. "To better serve you and match Genesis Group's image, I made some adjustments. Please, this way."
She led the way, her gaze sweeping briefly.
When it landed on the "secretary" behind Seiji, Rie's movements paused almost imperceptibly.
That's... the Toyokawa heiress?
Despite the glasses, the different hairstyle, and the drastic change in demeanor, Rie recognized that face immediately.
After all, her daughter Soyo had mentioned this "brilliantly radiant" friend many times.
Where was any trace of the girl her daughter had described?
A kept woman... is it?
Recent news about the Toyokawa family's troubles flashed through Rie's mind.
---
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