"Huh... what's going on here?"
When Sakiko arrived at the studio, she immediately saw a figure who shouldn't have been there at this time.
"Why is Soyo here?"
"Well... it's a long story..."
Tetsuya scratched the back of his head, his expression rather conflicted.
"Basically, for a variety of reasons, starting today, Soyo is... um... my 'private consultant'."
"...Eh?"
Sakiko froze on the spot. Soyo, however, rolled her eyes speechlessly at his ambiguous explanation.
"Why do you have to be so vague? Sakiko, here's what actually happened..."
She then explained the partnership between her mother and Tetsuya, as well as the details of the outrageous contract, to Sakiko.
Sakiko's expression gradually shifted from initial shock to thoughtful contemplation.
"Is starting your own business really that difficult...?"
"It might not have been this hard at another time, but recently... [nozAK!]'s expansion has been too aggressive. Establishing a personal brand right now is a considerable risk, not to mention... I'm a designer they're paying special 'attention' to."
Tetsuya explained.
"Without Nagasaki-san's help, it would be very difficult for me to find suitable suppliers on my own, and it would be hard to establish stable sales channels in a short amount of time. So in a sense, this contract is purely one-sided assistance from her—"
"That might not be the case."
Just then, however, Soyo suddenly cut in.
"My mother may be childish and un-adult-like, but she never, ever makes mistakes when it comes to work. That includes this partnership with you. If this were truly just a profitless, one-sided gift, she wouldn't have rushed back to the company to draw up a complete contract on the same day. And as a decision-maker for the company, she would never be so whimsical as to risk the company's reputation on such an important decision. She must have her own considerations."
She looked at Tetsuya and said with a smile.
"I believe that a person who can grow a company to this scale is no fool who acts on impulse. What is your opinion, President?"
"Hiss..."
Hearing this title, Tetsuya felt a strange sense of pleasure mixed with an indescribable shame wash over him, making him subconsciously shake his head.
"Let's not with that title, Nagasaki-san. Let's just act like we usually do."
"How can we do that? We've even signed a contract."
Soyo continued to smile.
"Or is the title 'President' not to your liking? If that's the case... 'Boss,' 'Master,' or 'Master Tetsuya' are also options you can choose from."
"Whoaa..."
Tetsuya couldn't help but let out a cry of anguish upon hearing the subsequent titles.
"No, absolutely not! It's too weird to be called that by my sister's friend!"
"Hah, what a troublesome superior..."
Though she said that, the smile on Soyo's face never faded.
"Then I'll just keep calling you President."
"That's also very problematic!"
Tetsuya said hastily.
"How about this, Nagasaki-san... um... in private, you can just call me by my name, and when there are outsiders, you can call me... you know... President or something..."
"Hmm, I suppose I can do that..."
Soyo put on a slightly troubled expression.
"But if that's the case, you're not allowed to call me 'Nagasaki-san' anymore, either. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a little too strange for a subordinate to call their superior by their first name, while the superior uses a formal address for the subordinate?"
"Superior, subordinate... there's no need to be so concerned about that, is there?"
Tetsuya shook his head.
"Nagasaki-san, you just need to act as you normally do."
"That's what I'm saying... the contract, the contract! We have officially entered into an employment relationship!"
Soyo said, taking out the copy of the contract from her bag that she hadn't yet given to her mother.
"For the sake of my mother's company's reputation, I can't do something so lacking in contractual spirit!"
"Eh..."
For some reason, Soyo seemed to really like the employment relationship established by this contract.
Ever since they left his house, she had been taking the contract out every so often to look at it, then putting it back with a secret smile...
He was finding it harder and harder to understand what girls this age were thinking.
"Alright, alright, I get it. But let's agree on this first: in private, I'll call you by your name, so you can stop calling me President!"
"Okay."
The next moment, Soyo put the hand holding the contract behind her back and looked at Tetsuya with a radiant smile.
"Then give it a try."
"..."
With no other choice, Tetsuya was silent for a long moment before finally speaking with great difficulty.
"...Soyo."
"Mhm, that's right."
Soyo's face lit up with a smile.
"Well then, I look forward to working with you, Tetsuya."
"Sigh... Likewise."
Feeling mentally exhausted, Tetsuya couldn't help but press his forehead.
On the other side, Sakiko, who had been watching the two of them with a dumbfounded expression, finally came to her senses.
"What... are you two doing?"
"Nothing, just making some preparations in advance to facilitate our future work."
Soyo put the document away with a satisfied smile.
"Alright, as much as I'd like to stay longer, I have to deliver this to my mother's company later. I'll see you both tomorrow, Tetsuya, Sakiko."
"Okay..."
"Mhm... see you tomorrow..."
After saying her goodbyes, Soyo immediately made her way to leave the studio.
However, when she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and asked:
"By the way, Tetsuya, are there any coffee beans you particularly like?"
"As for coffee beans, I quite like the Mandheling from the cafe downstairs..."
"Okay, I got it."
Having received her answer, Soyo nodded and then left the studio...
....
"Haaah... how did things turn out like this?"
After Soyo left, Tetsuya couldn't help but rub his face.
"It's just an employment in name only, right? Why is she taking it so seriously...?"
"Soyo..."
On the other side, Sakiko watched Soyo's retreating figure with a thoughtful expression.
"Don't tell me you too..."
"...Sakiko, come over here. I have a few design plans I want you to take a look at."
Tetsuya's call interrupted Sakiko's thoughts.
"The things that have happened these past two days are just too strange. Right now, I just want to make some clothes to relax."
"Mhm, okay."
(That's what he says, but starting today... these "strange" things will probably only happen more and more often.)
She wondered when she, too, would be able to stand by his side as a supporter with as much ease as Soyo.
(You're so lucky, Soyo...)
Sakiko sighed faintly in her heart, then joined Tetsuya to immerse herself in the day's work.