"Finally, the truth reveals itself…"
Haru knew it from the start, Kyle was a fraud and his confidence was all a ruse to make him step back.
That was why even with his job on the line, he still stood firm, refusing to back down.
He let out a breath of relief, and adjusted his tie. Strangely, although he had won, he didn't feel like a winner.
The staff who had just lost their jobs were devastated, which was a little strange to Haru.
Knowing Kyle, he must have used some sort of devious method to keep them working for him for so long, they were meant to be happy, ecstatic even since they could finally leave.
But isntead, a a cloud of gloom had decended over the cafe.
'Why are they acting this way? Don't tell me Kyle has another devious punishment for them now that he has lost the cafe?'
"Sakura, Akiko, those were your names right? I'll be sure to find an opening for you in—"
"Who do you think you are?"
"I don't need your help—"
The two girls spoke simultaneously, Akiko being first and Sakura second.
Sakura walked over to Kyle and smiled faintly. "We can always open another cafe right? The deal doesn't prevent that—"
Kyle shook his head. "No, we can't open another cafe…"
His words caused Sakura's heart to tremble. He had helped her so much, because of him, her debt was on the road to being cleared and she could actually live decently now.
Although he wasn't exactly doing it for free, his help greatly outweighed whatever she was offering him.
To see him lose his only business, a place he loved so much…
Kyle tapped her shoulders and smiled. "Saku, we can't open another cafe until we have stabilized this one."
"Hmm?"
"Heh?"
"What?"
The room grew silent.
"It seems you still haven't realised what just happened Master Kyle," Haru spat. "You have lost the—"
"You talk too much."
Haru's fists tightened at his sides, his face turning red from rage.
Meanwhile, Kyle placed his hand into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, his expression almost playful.
"Ahh, there you are!"
He smiled as he turned to Tsumi. "I was actually keeping this to brag when we got home, but since your secretary won't stop running his mouth, I decided to pull it out."
Klye placed the paper on the table and slid it towards Tsumi.
She stared at it, looking slightly confused. "What is this?" She asked as she reached for the paper and began unfolding it.
"That? It's just a little something we did some time ago…"
"You really think that little piece of paper will save you? Stop this futile struggle Kyle, it's embarrassing." Haru walked over to Tsumi and peered down, adjusting his glasses.
Although skeptical, Tsumi carefully unfolded the paper and read through the details.
"?!"
'Is this….' She thought as she watched the paper.
"A brand deal?"
"What the hell is this? How is this even possible?!?!" Haru's face contorted in shock, his eyes narrowing as every hair on his body stood still.
What they were seeing was not any ordinary brand deal, it was a deal with the prestigious hero academy, a deal that single handedly multiplied the month's earnings ten times over…
Haru's head felt light as he stumbled back, muttering under his breath.
"If we add that to what they have made… then they will increase last month's earnings…"
He gulped, his throat feeling extremely dry. "They will increase it by 13 times!"
"Thank you for spelling it out for us all, Sherlock, or rather Ex secretary Haru."
"Yesssss!" Overcome with excitement, Sakura jumped into Kyle's arms, her arms wrapped around him as tears of joy rolled down her eyes.
She had thought the brand deal was part of the financial report, that was why she was shocked when Tsumi called the paper a brand deal.
Akiko had hugged him as well, laughing victoriously as they reveled in their moment.
Although Tsumi was trying to keep her calm, impassive look, a small smile appeared on her face.
'He actually signed a deal with U.A?' That was one thing she had never expected to happen.
One good brand deal was all you need to catapult your business to new heights, and it seemed Kyle had already gotten his breakthrough.
'The cafe would only grow from here on out…'
Tsumi's gaze then darkened slightly when she turned her attention elsewhere, the only man who was in a terrible mood.
Haru was kneeling on the floor, his eyes wide, tears rolling down his cheeks as he muttered unintelligible words.
Tsumi felt a pang in her heart when she saw him.
He had worked all his life to get to where he was now, although he had gone out of line, she still felt a little bad for him.
Kyle walked up to Haru and smiled, staring down at his tear soaked face.
"It looks like you have underestimated me, Mr Haru," he said, his tone mocking.
Then his eyes sharpened. "I don't have to remind you what the deal was, do I?"
Haru shook his head, his voice trembling as he spoke. "From this day on, I am no longer a staff member at Miss Kato's company."
He sniffled.
"I'll… I'll… ill tender my resignation in the morning!"
"Hmm? Why will you do that?"
"…?"
Haru's head immediately shot up, his eyes wide as he met Kyle's gaze.
'Is he really going to let me keep my job? Was Miss Kato right? Did I miss judge him?'
"Hehehe…" Kyle chuckled, just before transforming to a full blown laughter.
"You should have seen your face! Oh my goodness, you can't pay for this type of entertainment!"
Haru immediately crawled up to him on his knees. "A-are you saying I can keep my job??"
Kyle stopped and glared down, his voice cold. "No, the deal was that you quit wasn't it?"
Sniffle
Tears began to flow from Haru's eyes once more, then Kyle began to laugh, pointing at his face while tapping his foot on the floor.
Meanwhile, Tsumi had an astonished expression on her face as she watched the scene. 'What are they doing?'
By the time Kyle was done teasing Haru, his eyes had been completely dried of tears and his eye lids were puffy.
Sakura walked up to him and whispered in his ear. "Sir… I think he has had enough…'
Although at this point, everyone knew Kyle had no intention of sticking to the deal, Haru was so gullible that he allowed Kyle mess with him for so long.
"Are you sure?" Kyle asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Sakura nodded.
"Alright then. Haru…"
"Y-y-yes?"
Kyle smiled. "Your going to lose your jo—Owwww!"
Tsumi grabbed his ear and pulled it up, causing them to sting.
"Okay sis, okay, no more teasing!" Kyle sighed, a bit angry that his fun was over.
'I wanted to see what will happen now that he is out of tears.'
The thought of seeing someone cry without having tears fall from their eyes was strangely amusing…
"Anyways… you can keep your job."
He paused, allowing it to sink in.
Haru was slow to react because he had already heard this countless times.
"But it will be on one condition. You will have to work for us as well—"
Although Kyle was not very fond of Haru, he was an excellent worker who had graduated at the top of his class.
Because he had worked so much as Tsumi's secretary, he was not at all lacking when it came to knowing how to run a large corporation.
Kyle's plan was to expand soon and having his help, especially since he was now indebted to him would be invaluable. "For free."
Haru stood up and bowed. "I accept!"
And just like that, Kyle had gained an invaluable worker.
And the best part of it? He didn't have to pay a single dime!