There's no such thing as an airtight wall.
Before the meeting even ended, word of Tetsu Fuyukawa's clash with Deputy Director Yamanaka had spread like wildfire through the company.
As quitting time approached, gossip-hungry employees found excuses to linger in the break room, sneaking glances at the meeting room door, hoping to catch more juicy details.
At 4:43 p.m., the door swung open. Department 4's core staff, dressed in suits and white shirts, filed out with stern expressions, their dress shoes clicking against the tiled corridor.
"The vibe is so tense. The rumors must be true!"
"No way they're fake—who'd dare spread something like that? But why hasn't Yamanaka come out yet? Is he still in there arguing with Section Chief Fuyukawa?"
"Haha, he's probably too embarrassed to show his face! He got humiliated big time. Honestly, I don't think Fuyukawa stands much of a chance, but I'm rooting for him. Yamanaka's such a jerk. I'm not even in his team, but last time I ran into him in the bathroom, he told me to unclog the toilet! Said it'd 'save the company some expenses.' Total power trip. He just loves bossing people around!"
"Shh, keep it down! He's a veteran. If he hears you, you're screwed. Still… I think Fuyukawa's in over his head. Over 70,000 units sold? For a niche, low-budget project?"
"Yeah, it's rough! Oh—look, Yamanaka's coming out!"
Under the sneaky gazes of the break room crowd, Yamanaka stormed out, his face dark with anger, clutching his briefcase. His naturally tanned skin, paired with that gaudy gold suit, radiated a "stay away" aura. Trailing behind him was his lanky subordinate, his gaunt face twisted in a scowl, glaring at passing employees. If he caught even a hint of defiance in their eyes, he let loose a tirade of insults.
His shouting echoed down the corridor. It was the classic move of a humiliated boss taking it out on underlings—a pathetic display, but no one dared challenge them in that moment.
"Ugh, what a bunch of cowards! Too scared to confront Section Chief Fuyukawa, so they lash out at us regular folks!"
"Serves them right for getting chewed out by Fuyukawa. Spineless bullies!"
"Yeah, but… why hasn't Fuyukawa come out yet?"
The break room crew craned their necks, curiously eyeing the meeting room door. Even as the secretary, Yuzuka Ura, emerged with a stack of files and closed the door behind her, Tetsu was nowhere to be seen.
Is Section Chief Fuyukawa still talking with Director Miyano?
The girls in the break room exchanged glances.
They weren't wrong—Tetsu did have business with Miyako Miyano, but the scene wasn't quite what they imagined.
...
"You did great today. So, how should your big sister reward you—ah!"
In the long-table meeting room, Miyako sauntered down from the head seat, her curvy hips swaying in her tight skirt. She leaned close to Tetsu, her dark hair brushing her smooth, pale neck as she whispered in his ear, her eyes gleaming with excitement. But before she could finish, Tetsu pulled her into his lap.
Their lips locked fiercely.
"Mmph—!"
Miyako's eyes widened in surprise, and she squirmed instinctively.
"Be good," Tetsu murmured, his voice low.
"Mmm…"
God, he's getting bolder!
What does he take me for?!
Feeling his arms tighten around her waist, her breathing grew labored. Miyako shot him an annoyed glare, but as the saying goes, her body betrayed her words. As Tetsu's grip intensified, her tension melted away. Her arms slid up to wrap around his neck, and her misty eyes fluttered shut.
The room grew quiet, filled only with the sound of their heated breaths.
After a long moment, their lips parted.
"You bit my lip," Miyako complained, her voice soft.
One hand resting on her back, the other casually on her stocking-clad thigh, Tetsu smirked at the flushed beauty in his arms. He gave her thigh a playful squeeze. "That desperate, huh?"
"Nngh— Tch, who's the desperate one here?! I'm only rewarding you because you did so well today! Don't think you can just do whatever you want with me!"
Blushing furiously, Miyako let out a small whimper at the squeeze but quickly wrinkled her nose and shoved his chest. She stood, smoothing out her wrinkled skirt and tucking her slightly messy hair behind her shoulder. Changing the subject, she said, "You really held your own today and shut him down, but…"
"I know, I know. It all comes down to results," Tetsu cut in. Under her half-shy, half-annoyed gaze, he adjusted his position, pulled a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it.
Honestly, the meeting hadn't stressed him out too much. Everything went as planned. But arguing with a lowlife like Yamanaka was annoying in itself.
He exhaled a plume of smoke, rolled up his shirt sleeves, grabbed an ashtray from the table, and flicked the ash. "Seventy thousand units isn't a big deal."
"Not a big deal? Tch, cocky as ever!"
Miyako crossed her arms under her ample chest, her sharp eyes rolling. "Sure, 70,000 units is nothing for a big IP or a high-budget project. But what do you have? A measly 100 million yen budget, a niche genre, and you're a rookie who's never made a game before!"
Tetsu raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Small?"
"…"
Definitely not small. More like… massive.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Miyako's fox-like eyes, but her face stayed cool and haughty as she glared at him. "Ugh, you filthy guy! Stop with the dirty talk, or I'll dock your pay! Also…"
Her expression turned serious. "You may have put Yamanaka in his place today, but he knows what failure means for him. He won't resort to anything illegal or stop you from making the game, but if the sales tank after launch, he'll come back swinging—harder than today."
At this meeting, Yamanaka had fired his shots, but Miyako was still on the rise. Aside from her loyalists, no one dared back him up. Still, Yamanaka was a 30-year NTsoft veteran.
He might be a jerk to newbies, but the world doesn't reward the kind or punish the cruel. The hardest-working grunts often get the least, while sleazy bosses like Yamanaka, who bully subordinates, are masters at kissing up to the right people.
Yamanaka had connections within NTsoft. To use them, he needed an opening—a reason for his allies to step in. That reason hinged on the outcome of this bet.
Tetsu understood this perfectly. Glancing at the clock, he stubbed out his cigarette, stood, and adjusted his suit. "Got it. Alright, I'm heading out."
Miyako smirked playfully. "Go on, but keep your eyes on work. Don't spend all your time flirting with your female subordinates."
"…"