Nakahara studies the contract carefully. And Logan watches without the slightest hint of impatience, because in his mind, the agreement is already a done deal.
He leans back slightly, watching. "Once it's signed," he says, still looking at Nakahara rather than Maria, "transfer the upfront money, eighteen million yen, to Nakahara-san's account."
"Yes, sir," Maria replies, already preparing the transfer request on her tablet.
The document lies open between them, ink still warm, the numbers now real. The handshake is done, and the terms are set.
Finally, with a steady stroke of his pen, Nakahara signs.
And that, inevitably, is how business proceeds, even between two men who trust each other only in the places where profit overlaps.
Maria finishes arranging the pages, sliding one crisp copy toward Nakahara while keeping the signed original for NSN's archive. She tucks it neatly into a labeled folder, efficient to the last detail.
