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Chapter 7 — Recognition at Last
Suzune stood in front of her brother's office, taking a deep breath before knocking lightly on the door.
"Come in," came the curt voice of Manabu Horikita, CEO of the struggling company.
She stepped inside, holding the email carefully in her hands. Manabu looked up from his desk, eyes narrowing as he studied her.
"What do you want, Suzune?" he asked sharply. "I don't have time right now."
"Big brother," Suzune began, her voice steady despite her racing heart, "I got a meeting with Mr. Ayanokoji."
Manabu's head snapped up. "What? Suzune! This is not the time for jokes! You know our condition — we're on the verge of bankruptcy! And you're joking about this?"
Without hesitation, Suzune held out the email, sliding it across his desk. "Look for yourself."
Manabu picked up the tablet and scanned the message. His eyes widened, jaw tightening. The usual cold, composed expression faltered as he read the confirmation of the meeting.
"How… how did you do this?" he asked, astonished.
"I don't know," Suzune admitted, shrugging slightly. "I don't understand why he agreed either. But he did."
Manabu leaned back in his chair, a rare smile breaking across his face. "This… this is a big deal, Suzune. You've done something incredible."
Suzune blinked in surprise.
Manabu stood, walking around the desk, and opened his arms. "I'm proud of you, Suzune."
Before she could respond, he pulled her into a firm hug. "If Mr. Ayanokoji says yes at the meeting, we'll be saved from bankruptcy. You might have just saved the family."
Suzune nodded, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in years.
Manabu stepped back, still smiling. "Let's go home early today. We'll talk as a family about what we should do next."
Suzune's lips curved into a small smile.
"And… our parents will be proud of you, too," Manabu added softly.
Suzune's eyes glimmered with determination and hope as she nodded again. For the first time in a long while, she felt that maybe her efforts — and her courage — could make a real difference.
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