After setting aside the materials needed for gear upgrades, the rest of the loot was liquidated. The payout was staggering—over 50,000 yen per person.
Sinon and Benkei were the most visibly thrilled by the windfall. Shana, of course, didn't need the money; Shizuka and Nyangoro came from wealthy backgrounds; and Ikoma, hailing from a long line of doctors, had never known financial struggle. Pitohui was a celebrity, and M pulled a substantial salary. Even Rosalia earned a high wage at Soleil. The economic gap between Sinon/Benkei and the rest of the group was currently a vast canyon.
The two began excitedly debating how to spend their "bonus," though to their credit, they weren't the type to let a little extra cash make them lazy at their part-time jobs.
By the time the inventory management was finished, it was nearly 10:00 PM. The group decided to call it a night, though several members—Pitohui, M, Sinon, Nyangoro, and Benkei—planned to linger in the base's lounge. Ikoma headed to the garage to start the Humvee modifications. Shizuka, wanting to spend some rare quiet time with her parents, logged out immediately.
Rosalia was preparing for her commute home from the office when Shana suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, Kitten. Are you heading home from the office at this hour? Did you drive to work today?"
"No, I took the train," Rosalia replied.
"...Is your place close to Soleil?"
"Um... about thirty minutes by train, then another thirty on foot. Why?" She looked at him, puzzled by the sudden interest.
"Hmm. Well, I'm actually at 'Sleeping Forest' right now. Things are reaching a climax on this end, so I've been staying late. I only logged in from here today to test the line stability. Since everyone's wrapping up, I'll drive you home. I'm not comfortable with you wandering around this late by yourself."
Rosalia felt her heart skip a beat.
(A sudden, high-tier lucky event appeared! Thank you, God!)
She didn't hesitate to accept. She promised to wait for him in front of the HQ.
Ten minutes later, a very restless "Bara"—as she was known at the office—stood in front of the Soleil headquarters.
She had touched up her makeup to perfection. She stood there, checking her watch and glancing down the street with an expression that screamed to the world: "I am waiting for a man!"
Within Soleil, Bara was famous for her iron-clad professionalism and a total lack of romantic scandals. This was a side of her no one had ever seen. Consequently, when a stray employee glancing out the window spotted her, the news spread through the building like a wildfire in a dry forest.
Soon, every window with a view of the entrance was packed with spectators.
"Look, it's true! It's Bara-san!"
"That look on her face... is she actually on a date?"
"No way. Not our 'Ice Queen' Bara-oneesama."
"Are you kidding? Look at her—she's checked her mirror three times in the last minute!"
(Hmm? Is someone watching me?)
Bara turned around, sensing a dozen pairs of eyes, but the windows were dark and the employees moved fast.
(Must be my imagination.)
She checked her watch again. He should be here any minute. She began to imagine herself in the passenger seat next to Hachiman. Her face flushed; she pressed her hands to her cheeks and began to fidget and sway, let out a tiny, high-pitched squeal of excitement.
""""""""""OOOOH!""""""""""
The gallery of employees erupted in a collective, hushed roar.
Just then, Yoshiteru happened to be walking down the hall. Hearing the commotion, he peeked into the room. Seeing his colleagues huddled at the glass and pointing outside, he moved to the window and looked down. He saw Bara in all her fidgeting glory.
"Whoa... that is a rare sight indeed..."
Even Yoshiteru, who worked closely with her, had never seen her like this. But he knew exactly who was capable of reducing her to such a state.
(Is she waiting for Hachiman...?!)
Realizing the situation was turning into a public spectacle, Yoshiteru slipped out of the room and called her.
"Oh, a call from Zaimokuza-san... Hello? Is something wrong?"
"Is something wrong?! It's a madhouse up here! The windows! Look at the windows!"
"The windows?"
Bara followed his advice and tilted her head back to look up at the building.
"Wh—?!"
The windows were lined with the silhouettes of her coworkers, stacked shoulder to shoulder. A few of them even had the gall to wave at her.
"You finally noticed," Yoshiteru's voice sighed over the phone.
"W-what is this? What's going on up there?!"
"Everyone has been 'observing' the legendary, rare sight of the blushing Rose. It's the talk of the night."
"Me?!"
"Just get out of there before the Boss notices! Run!"
"I—I understand! Thanks, Zaimokuza-san!"
Bara hung up, but she was paralyzed by indecision.
(Wh-wh-what do I do?! Hachiman is coming to get me, I can't just leave! But if I stay here, I'm basically a zoo exhibit! Ugh...)
Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Startled, she snapped at the person without looking.
"Who is it? I'm a bit busy right now, so if you have business, can it wait?!"
"...Jeez. Did some urgent work come in at the last second, Kitten?"
"H-Hachiman!"
Standing there was Hachiman, carrying several large convenience store bags in both hands. The employees in the windows went wild.
"It's the Next President! Bara-san's date is the successor!"
"Well, if it's him, no wonder she's like that!"
"I want to talk to the Next President too!"
Within Soleil, the internal announcement had already been made: Hachiman would be taking over as the next CEO. His popularity was already astronomical, thanks to the Medycuboid acquisition and the massive bonuses that had followed. The fact that he frequently visited and actually bothered to learn people's names and struggles only added to his legend.
Hachiman noticed the commotion in the windows and tilted his head. "Hey, Kitten. What are they all doing?"
"U-um... well..."
"Hmm? Something hard to say?"
"N-no... they're just... watching me wait for you, I think..."
"Huh?" Hachiman let out a snort and then started laughing loudly. Bara, turning redder by the second, gave him a sulky poke in the back.
"Hachiman! Don't laugh so much!"
"Alright, alright, sorry. Hang on a second."
Hachiman set the bags on the ground and beckoned to the people watching from the second-floor windows.
"Look! He's calling us!"
"He picked us! Move it, move it!"
"Hurry! Don't keep him waiting!"
The employees charged out of the room. Word spread, and soon, almost everyone still in the building—barring Zaimokuza, Argo, and Haruno—had gathered in front of Hachiman.
"Why are there so many of you...?" Hachiman muttered, though he held out the bags. "I brought some snacks. Can someone from each department step forward and take a share?"
""""""""""Thank you very much!""""""""""
As the representatives took the food, they used the opportunity to bombard Hachiman with chatter. Rosalia, playing the considerate subordinate, stepped back to let them have their moment, but she kept her ears sharp.
"Next President! Are you going out on a date with Bara-san now?"
(He won't say it, but... he could say it, couldn't he? Come on, Hachiman! Have some courage! Please!)
"Hmm? Oh, no," Hachiman replied casually. "Bara's been working incredibly hard on some projects I gave her. I felt bad that it kept her here until this hour, and since I was in the neighborhood, I figured the least I could do was drive her home."
"Oh, so that's how it is!"
(Ugh... it's the truth, but it's SO the truth! I wanted just a little bit of vanity!)
"Next President, thank you for the special bonus!"
"Oh? Did you guys get one? Good for you. But I didn't have anything to do with that, so don't thank me."
"Are you kidding? It's all thanks to the Medycuboid!"
(That's right! It's all thanks to Hachiman. At least they understand that much. Good kids.)
"Well, I'm just glad I could be of use," Hachiman said modestly.
(Of course, we're going to make so much profit from it that the bonuses are basically pocket change,) Rosalia thought.
Suddenly, one of the female employees shouted, "Next President! Please marry me!"
"Me too!"
"Me three!"
Rosalia stared in shock. (Wh-what?! Even as a joke, they can say things I'd never dare to... Is this the power of youth?!)
Rosalia's eyes narrowed into a cold, sharp glare as she stared at the younger women.
"Whoa, watch out," Hachiman teased. "The Scary Oneesan is watching, so let's keep the jokes to a minimum."
(Scary Oneesan? Is the Boss here? Wait... Hachiman? Why are you looking at me?)
"S-sorry, Bara-san! It was a joke! Just a joke!" the girls squeaked.
(Eh? EH?)
"Bara-san is angry! Fall back! Fall back!"
Someone gave the command, and the crowd took a synchronized step backward. The teamwork and spirit of the Soleil employees was, if nothing else, impressive.
"W-was my face really that scary?"
"Just a little bit," Hachiman said.
(Ah... Hachiman's hand is coming toward me... could it be?)
Hachiman reached out and patted her on the head.
(The Finishing Move! I can't resist the head-pat! I'm powerless!)
Overwhelmed by a mix of joy and embarrassment, Rosalia froze, literal steam practically rising from her head.
""""""""""OOOOH!""""""""""
"A blushing Bara-san... nice."
"As expected of the Next President—the Beast Tamer!"
"I thought she was way scarier, but look at her..."
"Bara-oneesama is like a little kitten!"
At that last comment, Hachiman burst out laughing again. Snapping back to reality, Rosalia began playfully thumping him on the chest, making the crowd roar with laughter.
Yoshiteru, watching the scene from the window, nodded to himself.
"As expected of my friend! There was never any need for someone like me to worry!"
However, the moment the female employees started swarming Hachiman again, his expression flipped.
"Wait... why is it always Hachiman? Why is he so popular with the ladies?! Normies, explode!"
Suddenly, he heard the door to the CEO's office open. Someone had gone inside, and the door was left ajar. A split-second later, Haruno and Argo came charging out of the room at full tilt, heading for the elevator.
"Ugh, we're too late!" Argo panted.
"I don't know, Boss," Haruno replied. "I only just found out myself, so I don't know how long they've been down there."
"Well, thanks for the heads-up. If we make it in time, we're going to tease Hachiman-kun and Bara until they cry!"
Hearing their plan, Yoshiteru frantically dialed Rosalia again.
"Oh, it's Zaimokuza-san again..."
"Again?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah, he's the one who told me everyone was watching earlier."
"I see... I have a bad feeling about this. Answer it."
"Okay."
Rosalia took the call and turned pale. "Wh—?!"
(Eeeek! This is bad! The Boss found out! We have to run!)
Panicking, she completely forgot about the watching crowd and grabbed Hachiman's hand.
""""""""""OOOOH!""""""""""
For the third time that night, the crowd let out a massive cheer.
"H-hey, Kitten, what's up? What did Zaimokuza say?" Hachiman whispered urgently into her ear.
"It's a disaster! The Boss and the Department Manager are coming this way at full speed!"
"Boss and Manager... Haru-nee and Argo? Are you serious?! Right, run for the car!"
"Okay—Eek!"
In her haste, Rosalia's foot slipped. Hachiman caught her just before she hit the pavement.
"You okay?"
"I'm sorry... I think I twisted my ankle."
"Alright. Leave it to me."
"Eh?"
(C-could it be?! The legendary Princess Carry?! Oh God, I'm sorry I tripped, but THANK YOU!)
Rosalia prepared herself mentally for the romantic moment. Hachiman turned to the employees.
"Alright, the Scary People are coming, so I'm out of here! You guys head home too, don't stay too late. See ya!"
"Yes, sir!"
"We have the next two days off, so we're good!"
"Come back soon, Next President!"
"Bara-san, take care of that ankle!"
"Next President, take care of our Bara-san!"
"You got it!" Hachiman shouted back. He reached down and wrapped an arm around Rosalia's waist.
(Wait... Hachiman? That's not where you put your hand for a Princess Carry. That's not it at all—!)
"Hup!"
With a grunt of effort, Hachiman hoisted Rosalia up and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.
(W-WRONG! THIS IS THE WRONG CARRY!)
The employees watched with looks of deep sympathy.
"I was so sure he was going for the Princess Carry."
"The Fireman's Carry?! Unexpected!"
"Bara-san... hang in there."
"Wait... wasn't Bara-san wearing a short skirt today?"
Realizing her skirt was about to betray her, Rosalia shrieked. "H-Hachiman! My skirt! Watch the skirt!"
"Huh? We're almost at the car, just deal with it for a second."
"No! People can see! Everyone can see everything from the front!"
"It's fine. There's no one in front of us. As long as I don't turn around, we're good."
(WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO MEEEEE?!)
Rosalia was unceremoniously dumped into the passenger seat of Hachiman's car, and they peeled out of the lot mere seconds before Haruno and Argo burst onto the sidewalk.
-------------------------------
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