The intimate moment didn't last long. As work hours began, the sound of footsteps grew louder in the hallway. Sayoko, covering her mouth, hurried to the bathroom, while a refreshed Tetsu Fuyukawa started his day. Truth be told, there wasn't much work left to do today.
Over the past week, he'd not only finalized the cast but also submitted budgets, equipment lists, and schedules to Miyano Mitei.
With little to do, he dove back into refining the script for Surrounded by Beauties.
When you focus on something, time flies. But while Tetsu could lose himself in the script, the rest of NTsoft's staff, including Sayoko, were on edge.
"I wonder how this company meeting will turn out," Sayoko said, clutching her teacup and glancing nervously at the corridor outside. Today was the monthly company meeting, where all six department heads, including Miyano Mitei, were reporting to the major shareholders on the top floor. Everyone knew Miyano was pushing for company reforms.
Aunt Nogi sighed. "Whatever the outcome, our Division 4 will still be under a lot of pressure in the short term. Those shareholders won't budge without solid results. Miyano's ideas are great, but getting their support requires hard proof. I think she's being too hasty."
Sayoko sipped her goji berry tea, pursing her lips. "But what choice does she have? Our division used to focus on fighting games, but arcades are all about pachinko now, and side-scrolling fighters are lukewarm at best. If she doesn't push for the ARPG genre, even with funding, we'd have nowhere to grow."
Nogi sighed again. "You're right. But Miyano's new here. She was a star at her old company, but at NTsoft, she hasn't yet delivered a hit game to prove herself to her new colleagues and bosses. It's hard to win people over like this… Oh! Good morning, Director Miyano!"
Mid-gossip, the office door swung open, and Miyano Mitei strode in, dressed in a sharp OL uniform.
The director herself had arrived!
Nogi froze. Not just her—Sayoko and Kawaguchi shot to their feet, bowing in greeting.
Japanese companies have a strict hierarchy, but management usually puts on a friendly face with lower-level staff. Not today.
Miyano Mitei stormed in, her sharp heels clicking loudly, her already icy face now frosted over with a chilling expression.
The room grew cold. Nogi bowed lower, and Kawaguchi's legs trembled like a gazelle spotting a leopard. Miyano's piercing gaze swept over them, lingering briefly on Sayoko's gentle face, before she marched straight to the office partition.
"Come with me."
"?"
Tetsu, standing by the window with an iPad reviewing the script, blinked in surprise. From Miyano's frosty demeanor, he could tell the morning's meeting had gone poorly for the ambitious director.
What does this woman want with me now?
Setting down the tablet, Tetsu's mind raced, but he didn't ask questions. He gave a worried Sayoko a reassuring look and followed Miyano out of the office.
"Good morning, Director!"
"Ohayo, Director Miyano!"
"Great work, Director Miyano!"
Miyano's presence was undeniably intimidating.
In the hallway, regular employees and even section chiefs pressed themselves against the walls, hands at their sides, bowing respectfully. Miyano didn't so much as glance at them, her heels clicking as she swayed forward with purpose.
It was quite a scene. But aside from bowing to Miyano, the employees were also sneaking curious glances at Tetsu trailing behind her.
Some envied his glamorous, black-rose-like boss. Others gloated, wondering if he was in trouble—Miyano's temper was infamous, after all. As the two stepped into the elevator, whispers started to spread.
---
Tetsu didn't care much for the gossip. Watching the elevator numbers tick downward, he raised an eyebrow. "Not going to your office?"
No response. Miyano just crossed her arms under her chest, her face still icy.
She's clearly upset but still trying to play it cool.
It was obvious she'd taken a hit at the meeting. Since he had no other morning tasks, Tetsu didn't press and followed her out of the building to the parking lot.
---
"Narumi Judo Dojo?"
Stepping out of the passenger seat of Miyano's red convertible Porsche 718 in Akihabara, Tetsu ignored the envious stares from passersby and maid-cafe flyer girls. He eyed the traditional dojo sign and raised an eyebrow. "Hey, my contract with the company doesn't include fighting."
"Less talking!"
Miyano slammed the car door, shooting him a cold, sultry glare before pulling a duffel bag from the trunk. "Follow me!"
"Bossing me around?" Tetsu's brow twitched, but seeing her sexy yet somehow lonely and weary figure, he sighed and followed.
Though their strong personalities had led to some friction in past meetings, Tetsu genuinely admired her work ethic and boldness.
Taking on half the company like this wasn't a move just anyone could make—especially at a legacy company like NTsoft, where crossing the wrong people could tank your career, not just in the company but in Tokyo's gaming scene. The pressure was immense.
Clearly, Miyano Mitei was a woman with ambition and a driveმო
System: drive to get results. It's obvious she'd taken a hit at the meeting. Since he had no other morning tasks, Tetsu didn't press and followed her out of the building to the parking lot.
---
"Narumi Judo Dojo?"
Stepping out of the passenger seat of Miyano's red convertible Porsche 718 in Akihabara, Tetsu ignored the envious stares from passersby and maid-cafe flyer girls. He eyed the traditional dojo sign and raised an eyebrow. "Hey, my contract with the company doesn't include fighting."
"Less talking!"
Miyano slammed the car door, shooting him a cold, sultry glare before pulling a duffel bag from the trunk. "Follow me!"
"Bossing me around?" Tetsu's brow twitched, but seeing her sexy yet somehow lonely and weary figure, he sighed and followed.
Though their strong personalities had led to some friction in past meetings, Tetsu genuinely admired her work ethic and boldness.
Taking on half the company like this wasn't a move just anyone could make—especially at a legacy company like NTsoft, where crossing the wrong people could tank your career, not just in the company but in Tokyo's gaming scene. The pressure was immense.
Clearly, Miyano Mitei was a woman with ambition and a desire to get things done, a trait Tetsu respected.
Inside the dojo, Miyano was clearly a regular. A sharp female judo instructor greeted them and even had a fresh pair of Muay Thai shorts and underwear ready for Tetsu.
She's really here to fight me?
Holding the clothes, Tetsu's expression was one of resignation. In his past life, he'd been a bit wild in his youth, dabbling in extreme sports like wingsuit flying and training in Muay Thai for a while. His skills were no match for professional fighters who'd trained since childhood, but at 186 cm, taking on a petite powerhouse like Miyano—under 170 cm—would be a breeze.
She's probably stressed and needs to blow off some steam.
Fine, I'll go easy on her. Call it looking out for my frustrated boss.
With those thoughts, Tetsu turned to head to the changing room, but Miyano stopped him. "Don't you dare go easy on me, or I'll fire you!"
"?"
Her threat made Tetsu scowl. "Hey, don't push it. I'm already doing you a favor by—"
"If you win, I'll… let you hold me and kiss me!"
"?"
Tetsu blinked, staring at the still-proud and icy Miyano. Tilting his head, he said, "Why would you think that's a reward? Please, your kissing skills are terrible."
"!!! You're dead!"