As the car approached the Never Dying River Library headquarters in Chiyoda Ward, Utaha, resting her cheek on her hand while gazing out the window, finally couldn't hold back her muttering:
"Why did I end up becoming a publishing company president? A 17-year-old taking charge of a major corporation... isn't that just bizarre?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu, who was driving, couldn't help but retort:
"Then what does that make me, an 18-year-old director in a secret organisation? A freak?"
"And let's be honest, wasn't it you who chose to accept this appointment?"
"Starting with a publishing house you're relatively familiar with is basically giving you time to learn the ropes, isn't it?"
Still resting her cheek on her hand and not even glancing at Luo Shu, Utaha countered:
"If you consider having less than two months in the industry and only three meetings with an editor as 'relative familiarity', then I have nothing more to say."
Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh at this:
"I said relatively familiar, and you're still arguing with me?"
With a resigned smile, he added:
"Go on, what's the real reason? Why wait until the last minute to back out?"
Utaha fell silent for a moment before replying:
"...I'm shy."
'Well, that's a solid reason, leaving me speechless...' Luo Shu suppressed a laugh upon hearing her excuse:
"Then just act like you do at school."
"Mhm," Utaha responded quietly in a small voice.
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle:
"Wow, you're already putting on an act."
"I wasn't even looking at you..." Utaha muttered, her face flushing red.
"Anyway, we'll just do as you suggested, right?"
"Don't worry. If the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."
As Luo Shu responded, the car gradually came to a stop in front of the Never Dying River Library building.
After parking, stepping out, opening the passenger door, and handing the keys to the waiting staff, Luo Shu—who had played the role of chauffeur—took Utaha Kasumigaoka's hand and led her out of the car. Together, they entered the main doors of the publishing house's ground floor.
"Welcome, President—!!!" xN
The synchronised greetings and near-90-degree bows from dozens of employees froze Utaha's expression.
Especially the six elderly men at the front, who looked old enough to be her grandfathers, made her deeply uncomfortable.
This scene wasn't something that could be compared to the privacy-invading act of mind-reading, nor even to delivering a speech to the entire school in an auditorium.
At least speeches had scripts—what was she supposed to say here?
"Ahem. Just acknowledge them and walk forward. Someone will guide you." Luo Shu's low murmur was barely audible but reached Utaha's ears with perfect clarity.
Hearing this, the flustered Utaha instinctively grabbed Luo Shu's hand. After a tight squeeze, her nerves settled.
"Mhm!"
After a quiet acknowledgement, Utaha strode forward.
The bowing executives straightened up only after she and Luo Shu had passed, then fell into step a respectful distance behind them.
Suddenly finding herself at the front, Utaha—who had only visited the publishing house a few times and knew nothing beyond the meeting rooms and restrooms—panicked internally.
Her face stiff, she glanced around anxiously before abruptly stopping at the sight of Sonoka Machida at the end of the bowing line.
"Sonoka?"
"Utaha?"
'It really is you...'
Sonoka's mind spun as she processed the last-minute notice to welcome the new president in the lobby.
She had hoped it was just a case of identical names, but no—the new president was Utaha Kasumigaoka herself.
'You've got to be kidding me!!'
Their brief eye contact brought the departing procession of executives to an abrupt halt.
Sidelong glances immediately locked onto Utaha and Sonoka, the unspoken rules of workplace hierarchy beginning to stir.
Before the tension could escalate, Luo Shu cleared his throat and glanced at the gaunt Editor-in-Chief Itō.
Based on Kirika Tachibana's intel, Luo Shu recognised Itō—and since he knew Sonoka was an editor, he naturally knew Itō by association.
As if reading Luo Shu's silent cue, Itō coughed and declared:
"Machida, you lead the way to the office."
"Yes."
Without hesitation, Sonoka stood, displacing Itō's trusted subordinate, and took charge of guiding them.
With Sonoka now leading, Utaha's initial trepidation vanished.
If anything went wrong, she could always throw Sonoka under the bus!
As for why Sonoka and not Luo Shu... well, Utaha simply couldn't bear to sacrifice him.
The procession resumed until they reached the elevators.
Only Utaha, Sonoka, and Luo Shu boarded, while the other executives and mid-to-high-ranking staff hurried up the stairs to ensure they wouldn't keep the president waiting. At once, the crowd disregarded the strange feeling they'd just had and rushed towards the stairs.
Meanwhile, inside the elevator, Sonoka Machida was scrutinising Utaha with an intensity that was almost palpable.
Feeling as if she was being visually violated, Utaha instinctively covered her chest and said with discomfort:
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Utaha-chan, you've kept me in the dark for so long!" Sonoka Machida smiled without warmth as she stared at Utaha.
'The legitimate daughter of a prominent family? The controlling shareholder behind the publishing house? Travelling incognito?'
Various thoughts flashed through Sonoka's mind, yet none provided answers.
The only person who could provide answers, Utaha, had already retreated several steps to hide behind Luo Shu, clearly familiar with Sonoka's temperament and keen to avoid her.
Seeing this, Sonoka had no choice but to shift her gaze to Luo Shu:
"Utaha-chan, who is this?"
"Boyfriend," Luo Shu answered casually.
"Life partner," Utaha affirmed simultaneously.
After speaking, they turned to each other, mutually bewildered.
Why did you have to raise the stakes?