--Saturday, July 4, 2172
After the tour, the group finally arrived at the showroom, which was a spacious and beautifully decorated hall featuring a modeling runway and chairs for guests. A large number of people were already gathered in the venue, their faces showing varying degrees of concern as they whispered among themselves, trying to gain some clarity.
With great familiarity, Yumiko stepped onto the runway, closely followed by the new CEO, Kai, and Keiko. She took a step forward, and after observing the expressions of her employees, she clapped her hands a couple of times. The clapping managed to silence all the whispers in the room instantly. In the almost stifling silence that followed, Yumiko began to speak in a calm voice.
"Hello, everyone. I know the past few days have been confusing for all of you. Some of you have heard rumors, and many of you are worried about the future of Ayanami Mode. But today, I'm here to make several important announcements. First, Ayanami Mode will not cease operations. We will continue working with full force.
"Secondly, we are fully aware that there have been reductions in materials, delays in payroll, and even some of you are still owed part of your salaries. But that will no longer happen. Over the next few days, everyone will receive the money owed to them, and the quality of our garments will never be compromised again."
Yumiko's words caused the expressions of the vast majority of those present to visibly relax, turning into smiles. At that moment, Yumiko continued speaking in a calm tone.
"Additionally, the company will undergo several important structural changes, one of which is that, starting now, I will be the new president of Ayanami Mode. Hado Haruto is no longer part of the company and is prohibited from entering any Ayanami Mode facilities."
Yumiko's announcement triggered a new wave of murmurs, which quickly died down with another clap from the beautiful blue-haired woman, who continued speaking in a calm and professional tone.
"Likewise, the company will welcome new shareholders who will join the board of directors and provide full support for the new projects we will undertake, which you'll hear about in the future. Therefore, allow me to introduce Saito Kai and Yaoyorozu Keiko, two of the new shareholders who will be involved in the technological restructuring of the company."
Keiko and Kai nodded to the employees, who looked on with surprised and curious expressions. At that moment, Yumiko announced with a serious tone.
"Many of you might recognize them, and from now on, they will be heavily involved in the decision-making of the board. Their words will carry the same weight as mine in this company. So, I expect you to treat them with the respect they deserve."
As the employees below processed the series of announcements, Yumiko gestured to Kaito to step forward. She then announced in a serious voice.
"In addition to the above, although I will be the new president, Ayanami Mode will also welcome a new CEO. His name is Kaito Moriyama, and from now on, he will oversee the operations of Ayanami Mode while I focus on the overall artistic and strategic aspects of the company."
"Hello, everyone. I'll be looking after all of you from now on." Kaito gave a simple bow and greeted in a calm and formal voice, while the employees exchanged looks of disbelief. At that moment, Yumiko announced in a calm voice as she looked at Reina below.
"Now, I'll leave you with Moriyama-san to explain some of his new strategies. Meanwhile, I need the models to head to the workshop where Reina will help them dress in the new collection, as they will be modeling it for the board after this meeting."
After Reina nodded and walked toward where the models were gathered, Yumiko stepped back and left the runway to Kaito while she descended from it with Keiko and Kai. After exiting the runway through the back, which was directly connected to the design workshop previously used by Yumiko, she guided them back to the presidential office.
"…Now I'm in for a flood of press calls about my divorce… How annoying…" While hugging Kai's left arm, Yumiko commented in a somewhat tired voice. Keiko, hugging Kai's other arm, leaned her head slightly and commented in a calm voice.
"It was going to happen sooner or later. Don't overthink it."
"That's true." Yumiko nodded with a hint of resignation, at which point Kai commented in a calm voice.
"If you want, I can set up a filter to block all press calls."
"Hmm… I like the sound of that…" After considering it for a few seconds, Yumiko shook her head and looked at Kai with a smile, then commented cheerfully.
"But let's leave it as is. We can take advantage of the tabloid drama."
"Want to use them to announce your new collection?" Keiko asked with a smirk, to which Yumiko nodded and replied in a playful tone.
"Fufu, we're on an austerity plan. We have to make the most of our resources."
While Keiko laughed amusedly, Yumiko turned to look at Kai and asked cheerfully while pointing at the completely empty main hall of the administrative floor, since everyone was in the showroom.
"What do you think of Ayanami Mode, Kai? Do you feel like you could come work here from time to time?"
"It's a nice place. It's just a bit far from home, and there aren't good spots to set up a 'travel point' nearby." Kai commented calmly, which prompted Yumiko to respond in a slightly disappointed voice.
"So, I won't get to enjoy commuting with my Kai to work?"
"You could always semi-retire like me and only come to the office occasionally. Your work is more creative anyway, and you'll have more assistants to help you." Keiko commented with a small smile, trying to win back her 'retired colleague,' which caused Yumiko to reflect deeply. At that moment, Kai commented with a smile.
"I can build a workshop for you at home so you can work comfortably. You also have your office near home so strangers don't intrude on our privacy."
"…You've convinced me! After the launch of this collection and once everything normalizes here, I'll retire!" After a few moments, Yumiko commented in a cheerful and playful voice, which led Keiko to reply in an amused tone.
"Welcome aboard, colleague."
"Fufu."
Yumiko laughed playfully and hugged Kai's arm tighter, feeling incredibly comfortable and happy. Possibly, this was the first time she walked through the facilities of her company feeling so relaxed and full of joy, something that made her see everything in a new light, making everything shine much brighter. To her, everything now was filled with vibrant and varied colors that she might never have been able to appreciate before.
Soon, amidst playful banter, the group entered the presidential office, where they began reviewing documents while joking with each other. This inevitably caused Yumiko to remember the last time she was alone with Keiko and Kai, that ambiguous and exciting moment, especially Keiko's words about 'getting revenge' with a threesome.
Although nothing similar had happened since that day, Keiko's words had a significant impact on her and had kept her thinking ever since. Did she really want to have that kind of relationship with her Kai, Nejire's boyfriend, the boy she watched grow up? It was the question that always lingered in her mind, but no matter how much she tried to play dumb, her endless 'consolation' sessions thinking solely about Kai were a pretty clear answer.
(What better revenge than doing it right here, in this office…?)
With the idea already in her mind, Yumiko couldn't help but wander into strange thoughts as she looked around. Especially at the seat behind the main desk, which that trash used to sit in to try to seem important. At the same time, she recalled what underwear she had put on and how much time they had before they needed to return to the showroom.
(No! What are you thinking, Yumiko?! That's a very dangerous door to open! Even if Nejire might want to experience that thrill, you know a relationship like that is too risky and could destroy the family! Control yourself; fantasies are just fantasies!!!)
With flushed cheeks, Yumiko scolded herself at that moment and continued her work seriously while Keiko glanced at her with a subtle smile on her face. After a while, a soft knock echoed at the door, prompting Yumiko to announce in a calm voice.
"Come in."
"Yumiko-sama, everything is ready for the presentation of the new collection." Soon, Reina entered the office and announced in a professional tone, causing everyone to stop what they were doing while Yumiko commented casually.
"Perfect, then we'll meet with the other executives in the showroom in 5 minutes."
"Understood." Reina bowed and left, and shortly after, Keiko, Yumiko, and Kai headed to the showroom.
…
…
…
"What did you think?"
Once the impromptu fashion show concluded, Yumiko, seated to Kai's right, turned to look at him and Keiko, who was seated to Kai's left, and asked with a small smile. Kai replied with a slight smile.
"I don't know much about fashion, but I feel like it's very good. I have a feeling it will sell well."
"I agree. This collection will generate a lot of buzz. It's excellent, and I want it in my closet. I'll send a list of the dresses I'll reserve later." Keiko commented in a sincere tone, which brought a beautiful smile to Yumiko's face.
"I'm glad you liked it." Yumiko turned to look at Kaito, who was seated in front with the other executives, taking notes in a small agenda, and asked with a smile.
"What do you think of our next collection, Moriyama-san?"
"It's some of the best I've seen in recent years. I'm confident it will be a success both within and outside of Japan." Kaito replied in a serious and sincere tone, which made Yumiko nod. She replied calmly.
"That will be your job, Moriyama-san. This will be the last collection before the company's structural reforms, so I want it to be a success to give an honorable farewell to the old 'Ayanami.'"
"You can be sure this collection will be one of the greatest successes the company has ever seen." Kaito replied in a serious and determined tone, which made Yumiko nod in satisfaction. She stood from her seat and commented in a calm tone.
"Then let's head to the conference room. I want us to socialize a bit and discuss how we'll work during this transition period."
Kaito and the other executives nodded seriously and followed Reina and Yumiko to the conference room. Meanwhile, Kai and Keiko followed behind at a leisurely pace. At that moment, Yumiko tightened her grip on Kai's arm slightly and asked in a calm tone.
"How long do you think it will take to make the changes to the production plant? I have some ideas, but I feel the space is a bit limited…"
"Certainly, though I was thinking that a large part of the appeal of the clothing is the handcrafted details. I don't think it's a good idea to mechanize things too much. We're selling luxury designs, after all." Kai replied in an equally calm tone, which led Keiko to nod in understanding.
"That's true. If we automate too much, we might end up killing the 'soul' of Yumiko's creations… The best approach is to focus on improving the current equipment and optimizing processes without changing them too much…"
"When we get home, we can discuss that part in more detail. For now, let's think about how we'll organize everything related to the hero department. Hero costumes need to combine design and cutting-edge technology, which will complicate things a bit—"
Kai commented with a calm smile, but at that moment, his words were cut off abruptly, and his eyes widened in disbelief. Surprised, Keiko began looking Kai up and down, searching for the reason behind his expression. That's when she saw in his right hand a beautiful black ornamental dagger she recognized instantly: it was the [Will Keeper].
***
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