The elevator doors slid open with a quiet chime, and Mio exhaled in relief. Finally, back at the company building. She tugged her bag higher on her shoulder, while beside her Claude looked as if they had just returned from a luxurious vacation instead of a simple lunch. His pace was relaxed, one hand in his pocket, his lips curved in that lazy, satisfied smirk she knew too well.
"Do you have to walk like you just conquered the world?" Mio muttered, her voice low but sharp enough to slice through his aura of ease.
Claude tilted his head, eyes glinting with mischief. "Conquered the world? No, darling. Just conquered lunch with you."
She shot him a glare that could have burned holes into his expensive suit jacket, but as always, Claude was immune.
By the time they stepped into the familiar hallways of the agency floor, Mio already sensed the atmosphere had shifted. It wasn't exactly hostile, but there was tension in the air—as if everyone had been waiting for them.
