Ding.
The elevator doors slid open.
Ichigo Ichinose stepped out alongside Fujiwara Akiko
A voice detonated across the lobby.
"STILL THE SAME INSOLENT LITTLE—!"
Executive Director Fujiwara Takeshi stood dead center like a final boss Arms crossed. Veins visible. Displeasure weaponized.
And right in front of him was Suzu. Leaning against the reception counter. Cigarette already lit.
Casually smoking.
Akiko and Ichigo walked towards them"Father? What's going on? Akiko asked softly"
Takeshi's expression softened for exactly 0.3 seconds upon seeing his daughter.
"Nothing, dear," he said calmly."Just educating a certain brat about basic workplace etiquette."
Every employee within a ten-meter radius slowly turned their heads toward Suzu in perfect, synchronized horror.
Suzu glanced over her shoulder, utterly unbothered.
"What?" she said, shrugging. "I didn't do anything wrong."
Ichigo sighed
Here we go…
He stepped forward
"Y-yeah… you didn't," he said to Suzu "I'll apologize in her stead. Really sorry, sir."
Takeshi's icy gaze slid from Suzu… to Ichigo.
Then paused.
"No need," Takeshi said coolly. "We're old acquaintances. I'm painfully familiar with her habits."
Suzu walked a step taking another drag of her cigarette.
"Morning, Uncle. Long time no see."
"…Uncle?!" Ichigo was confused.
Akiko immediately hid her giggle behind her hand. Half the lobby staff suddenly discovered deep, spiritual interest in their shoes.
Takeshi pinched the bridge of his nose so hard it looked medically concerning.
"Put. That. Out," he said slowly."This is not your personal dive bar, Suzu."
Suzu took the slowest, most dramatic final drag known to mankind, then crushed the cigarette into the decorative planter like she was extinguishing a campfire.
"Happy now, Uncle dearest?"
Ichigo leaned toward her.
"Can we just fix the damn system and get the hell out of here?!"
Suzu, dead pan."I would like that too.."
Ichigo spun to Akiko."Please show us the server room. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can—"
"Ichigo Ichinose."
The deep voice stopped him cold.
Ichigo froze mid-turn."…Hi, old man Fujiwara. Been a while."
Takeshi raised an eyebrow."I personally handed you the trophy at last year's national hackathon. And yet you greet me like a stranger?"
Ichigo scratched his cheek, fake innocence set to maximum."I didn't know you owned Fujiwara Inc!"
Everyone on floor instantly shot him a flat look.
"The company is literally named after him. His name is on the building. In fifty-meter-tall letters." everyone thought
Ichigo clicked his tongue."Tch. I just… didn't feel like running into this old geezer, okay?!"
Suzu poked his shoulder repeatedly."You've got actual beef with this old man?"
Akiko cleared her throat, laughing behind her clipboard."Ahem. The person you're both insulting is standing right here."
Ichigo and Suzu slowly lifted their eyes in perfect sync.
Takeshi stared back.
Unimpressed.
"…Oh. Yeah," they said together.
Fujiwara folded his arms,
"I offered you a contract three times, Ichigo," he said."Top salary. Corner office. Anything you wanted."
Takeshi leaned forward, voice dangerously calm.
"And yet… you chose Hoshiyama Inc."
The entire lobby froze. You could hear a pen drop. Somewhere, a stapler whimpered.
Ichigo scratched the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly through the sweat.
"This is exactly why I didn't want to run into you…"
Fujiwara straightened up, the faintest trace of regret in his eyes.
"Well. You've already signed with Hoshiyama. Nothing to be done now, is there?"
His secretary hurried over, tablet in hand.
"Sir, the board meeting starts in five minutes."
Fujiwara nodded. "Coming."
He gave Ichigo one last unreadable look, then turned to leave.
The secretary, unable to contain his curiosity, jogged to keep pace.
"If I may be so bold, sir… one question."
"Go ahead."
"Why have you been so fixated on recruiting Ichinose Ichigo? We're not even a software company."
Takeshi didn't break stride.
"We're not. But every system we run needs software, doesn't it? If we had Ichigo on payroll, he could do the work of an entire outsourced firm. Better, faster, cheaper."
The secretary blinked. "Is he really that good?"
Takeshi's lips curved into a rare, confident smile.
"The server crash we called them in for today. How long would a normal team need?"
"Two, maybe three days, sir."
"He'll have it fixed before he walks out of this building."
The secretary nearly tripped. "W-what. that's not possible sir, its not a small bug, the entire server is messed up. Didn't they just came to check and then send a professional team later"
Takeshi just chuckled, low and certain.
"You'll see."
Ichigo scratched the back of his neck and sighed."Geez… what a drag."
Akiko skipped over to Suzu with an easy smile."So, how's it been, sis?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," Suzu replied flatly, walking past her—and stopping right beside Ichigo.
Akiko's smile widened."Still ignoring me? Don't tell me it's because of that bet." She chuckled. "You know, the one you've been losing to me for the past eight years."
Suzu's eyebrow twitched."This brat…"
Ichigo tilted his head."Bet? What kind of bet?"
"You wanna know?" Akiko leaned in close to Ichigo's face, smiling sweetly.
Before he could answer, Suzu grabbed Akiko by the collar and yanked her back."That bet is between us. Why are you telling others?"
Akiko only laughed and wrapped an arm around Suzu's waist."Aw~ Is my big sister embarrassed?" she teased."Imagine having that body and still no boyfriend. At this rate, are you planning to get one after you turn thirty-five? Middle-aged romance arc?"
"H-hey—stop!" Suzu hissed, face heating up."What are you doing in public?!"
"Oh?" Akiko smirked. "Or are you embarrassed because your junior is watching?"
"I feel like I changed genre to YURI" Ichigo said giving thumbs up
Both sisters turned to him instantly.
"You're an idiot," Suzu snapped, flicking Akiko's forehead.
"Ow!" Akiko pouted. "So mean, Big Sis."
Ichigo blinked."You're… very different from ten minutes ago."
"Anyway," Akiko said cheerfully, ignoring Suzu's glare, "I'll explain the bet."
"Suzu opened her mouth—"
"You scared, Big Sis?"
"You wish," Suzu muttered.
Akiko giggled."Every year, we make a bet: 'This year, Suzu will get a boyfriend.'"
She clasped her hands happily."And every year… she doesn't."
Ichigo slowly looked at Suzu.
Akiko smiled brightly."So I win. Every. Single. Time."
Suzu turned away, arms crossed, muttering,"…Shut up."
Ichigo nodded solemnly ."Eight years is… impressive. In a tragic way."
Suzu shot him a glare. "You wanna die dear Junior"
"Keep your cool Suzu" Ichigo said
"Should i eat ice now" she said angrily
Akiko chuckled. "Your junior is such a funny guy, i never met him but i always wanted to meet the 4 times Hackathon winner , He is just my type."