In business, there are days when distrust must be folded, pressed flat, and tucked neatly beneath a smile. Days when motives are masked behind polished shoes and polite greetings. Days when both sides know exactly what the other wants, and meet anyway, because profit has its own gravity.
Today is one of those days.
Nakahara sits across from Logan Rhodes in the executive office of NSN's Tokyo branch. Logan's assistant, Maria, stands beside him with a tablet in hand, posture impeccable, eyes sharp enough to cut through any pleasantries.
Logan Rhodes smiles, a businessman's smile, warm enough to pass, cold enough to warn. "First of all," he begins, "I appreciate you coming all the way here on short notice, Nakahara-san."
Nakahara returns the smile. "I'm the one asking for a favor, so this much is expected."
