"That is male instinct, not a conscious choice! It's purely a reflex that triggers slightly more often when I'm around you guys. Therefore, I am legally innocent."
Cruz chimed in with a deadpan expression. "Personally, if it would please Hachiman-sama, he is welcome to look at my chest whenever he wishes."
"See?" Rose teased. "The girl has spoken."
Hachiman leaned in and whispered to Rose, "I'm going to report your behavior to Yukino."
Rose did a complete 180-degree turn. "Cruz, we're done with this topic. Teasing Hachiman any further would be unprofessional."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Cruz chirped, oblivious to the threat.
Hachiman silently thanked the heavens for Yukino's terrifying reputation. He felt a slight twinge of guilt for using her name as a shield again, and vowed to be extra nice to her next time they met.
As the three entered the lobby, they noticed a commotion at the reception desk.
"What's going on?" Hachiman asked.
"Looks like a dispute," Rose noted. "The security guards look like they aren't sure whether to intervene."
The guard spotted Rose and looked at her like she was a savior. Rose nodded and stepped forward to handle it. Hachiman watched with a sense of pride; Rose's presence in the company was clearly growing.
"What seems to be the problem?" Rose asked.
According to the guard, the man causing the scene was a student who had failed Soleil's entrance exam this year. He happened to be an acquaintance of the receptionist and was stubbornly demanding to know the specific selection criteria. The receptionist was struggling to handle him because of their personal connection. Furthermore, the hiring manager for that round had been Haruno herself, who was currently absent.
Hachiman peered over Rose's shoulder to look at the receptionist.
"Wait... Orimoto? Is she still in training?"
"Today should be her last day of the internship," Rose replied. "Unlucky for her."
"An acquaintance of Orimoto? So he's from our old school?"
Hachiman looked at the man making the complaint. The strange, rhythmic hand gestures he was making triggered a memory.
"Is that... Tamanawa?"
"You know him?"
"Yeah. Former Student Council President of Kaihin General. He was in the same year as Orimoto."
"Oh boy. This could get messy."
"I'll go see what he's actually babbling about," Hachiman said, slipping behind Tamanawa to listen.
Kaori Orimoto noticed Hachiman, but she seemed determined to handle it herself, not wanting to rely on him too easily during her final training day.
"Listen, Kaori-kun," Tamanawa was saying, his hands weaving through the air. "By bringing me into the fold, the company would achieve a massive synergy effect. I need you to communicate the logistics of my value proposition to the hiring manager."
"Like I said, the manager is out right now," Kaori replied tiredly. "I promise I'll pass on your... 'value proposition,' but I really don't think it's going to change the final consensus."
(Wow, he hasn't changed a bit...) Hachiman thought. He realized talking to Tamanawa was usually a waste of time. (I should probably step in. I hate to rob Orimoto of a growth opportunity, but this guy is a special kind of headache.)
Hachiman tapped Tamanawa on the shoulder. "Yo."
"Who is it? I'm currently having a critical brainstorming session with Kaori-kun... Wait, you... N-no way."
"Yes way. Long time no see, Tamanawa."
"W-why are you here?"
"Because I'm a Department Manager at Soleil." Hachiman pulled out a business card and handed it to him.
"What?! The rumors said you were still a student! How could you be a Manager at a place like this?"
"I wonder." Hachiman leaned in and lowered his voice. "But really, man... why are you so obsessed with joining this specific company? It's not because Orimoto is at the front desk and you desperately wanted to be her colleague, is it? Back at that Christmas event, you did have a certain look in your eye when you looked at her..."
"Wait, WHAT?!" Kaori blurted out.
"What, Orimoto? You didn't notice?"
Kaori shook her head vigorously. Hachiman looked back at Tamanawa, whose face was now a brilliant shade of beet-red.
"Look, it sucks, but our hiring process is stricter than you can imagine," Hachiman said, his tone turning cold but firm. "Orimoto here is one of the elite few who actually made it through that narrow gate. So, why don't you tell her how you really feel, and then head home? I can't guarantee the results, but that's up to you."
Hachiman signaled for the onlookers and staff to clear the lobby. He stood at a distance, acting as a makeshift guard. Kaori and Tamanawa spoke for a few moments, then Kaori gestured for Hachiman to come over.
"What now?"
"Just come here!"
Kaori leaned in close to Hachiman and bowed to Tamanawa. "Tamanawa-kun, I'm flattered by your feelings... but there's someone I already like so much I can't help it. I can't return your feelings. I'm sorry."
"I... I see. Sorry for bothering you at work. Goodbye, Kaori-kun."
"Yeah... goodbye."
Hachiman and Kaori watched in silence as Tamanawa walked out the door.
"Hey," Hachiman muttered. "The person you like isn't me, right? Why'd you pull me into that?"
"...Ah, you caught on? Well, if he wants to jump to conclusions, that's his problem, right?" Kaori said after a brief pause.
"Whatever. It's your last day of training and this happens... You aren't going to quit, are you?"
"Nope! Of course not. Working here is actually fun."
"Good. I'm heading up then. Finish strong."
"Yeah. Thanks for the save. See ya later, Hikigaya... I mean, Mr. Future President."
"Yeah. Later."
As Hachiman walked away, Kaori whispered under her breath, "Jump to conclusions? As if... Honestly, for a guy who's this popular, he's still so dense about these things..."
From behind a nearby pillar, Rose and Cruz were watching the whole scene.
"Office Manager Koneko," Cruz whispered. "That was definitely 'that,' wasn't it?"
"Yeah," Rose sighed. "I was planning on taking you and Minami out for drinks tonight, but I think we should invite her, too."
"Understood. I'll join you. But Office Manager, you have the big battle tomorrow, so please make sure you don't overdrink tonight."
And so, the very first meeting of the "Society of Maidens Resenting Their Overly Popular President" was officially scheduled. In time, this group would grow into a major power bloc within the company.
After regrouping with Rose and Cruz, Hachiman shared a few words with Minami before leaving the three of them to their own devices and departing the headquarters.
Tomorrow was the final day of the war. The time for the decisive battle had finally arrived.
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