The next morning, Kiana woke with a long, satisfied yawn."Ahhh… everyday meals here are the best…" she mumbled, still half-asleep, stretching under the blanket. Her eyes drifted lazily to the clock. Huh. I woke up earlier than usual.
From downstairs came the faint clatter of pans and the aroma of something delicious.Kouga must be cooking again… The thought alone made her drool.
Humming softly, she grabbed her clothes to prepare for a bath. As she reached for her bag to take out her hairbrush, her hand brushed against something stiff. Frowning, she rubbed her eyes and peered closer.
"…Eh?"
Nestled inside the side pocket was a small, black card. Her heart skipped a beat. She pulled it out with both hands like it was a treasure map.
Her eyes widened. Recognition slammed into her.
"No way…" she whispered. Then her face lit up like fireworks.
"YEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!"
Her ecstatic scream shook the whole house as she jumped up and down, clutching the card like it was a sacred relic."I FOUND IT! MY LIFE IS SAVED!"
Downstairs, Kouga nearly dropped the frying pan. Startled, he rushed upstairs, half-expecting disaster.
"Kiana, what happened?!" He burst into the room—only to find her hopping around in joy.
With dramatic flair, Kiana struck a pose, holding out the black credit card as though it were a divine artifact."Ta-da! Look! It was in my bag the whole time! Can you believe it?!"
Kouga blinked, feigning confusion. "…Huh. Weird. Guess you should check your stuff more carefully."
"I did check!" she shot back, puffing her cheeks. "It wasn't there before, I swear! Someone must've slipped it in!"
Kouga glanced away, hiding the faintest smirk. "Maybe a raccoon got organized."
Kiana stared for a second before bursting out laughing. "Pffft—seriously? Well, raccoon or not—this means pudding tomorrow! And you cannot stop me!"
"Fine, fine." Kouga waved her off as he turned back toward the stairs. "Just don't burn the place down while I'm gone."
"Ha! Like I would!" She stuck her tongue out, grinning brighter than usual. The card clutched in her hands seemed to lift a weight off her shoulders.
Kouga paused, just for a second, noticing the genuine warmth in her expression. Then he continued back to the kitchen.
"Anyway, since you're already up, get ready. Breakfast's almost done," he called out.
"Okay~!" Kiana answered cheerfully, practically skipping off to get ready.
The dining table was already set when Kiana came bouncing down the stairs, still humming her victory tune from earlier. She plopped herself into a chair with the smugness of a queen.
"Today's breakfast tastes even better!" she declared after her very first bite, pointing her chopsticks like a general giving orders. "And you know why? Because—" she pulled the card out of her pocket with a dramatic whoosh—"my beloved credit card has returned to meee!"
Kouga, sipping his miso soup, gave her a flat look. "You've mentioned that five times already."
"Correction! Six times!" Kiana grinned, wagging the card at him. "And you're gonna hear it seven! This is the proof of my survival! The shield against poverty! My—"
"—plastic rectangle," Kouga cut in, stealing a sausage from her plate before she could notice.
"Hey!" Kiana puffed her cheeks. "Show some respect for the one who keeps me fed, clothed, and happy!"
"You mean me?" Kouga asked, deadpan.
"…Details." She stuffed her mouth with rice to avoid answering.
Kouga sighed but let a small smile tug at his lips. Watching her so happy made all the trouble worthwhile. Still… he needed to ask.
"Kiana," he began casually, setting his chopsticks down, "since you've found your credit card, does that mean you'll be moving out soon?"
Her chopsticks froze mid-bite. Slowly, she looked up at him, her eyes narrowing suspiciously."…Why? Don't want me around anymore?"
Kouga blinked. "What? No. I already said I'd help you until you can support yourself. You could stay if you want. Honestly…" His gaze softened. "…from what I've seen, we're basically friends, living like this."
For a moment, Kiana was quiet. Then her lips curled into the brightest grin. She raised both hands high in the air like she'd just scored a goal.
"Then I choose to stay!"
Kouga chuckled at her childish enthusiasm, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
"Correction," Kiana said proudly, pointing at herself, "I'm irreplaceable."
Kouga only snorted in amusement, reaching over to steal another piece of her sausage.
The next morning, Kouga left for school as usual, while Kiana stayed behind at home, sprawled on the couch like a professional slacker. She flipped through TV channels, raided the fridge for snacks, and muttered to herself about how "being a student is overrated anyway."
Classes passed by in their usual blur, and when the final bell rang, Kouga was ready to head home. That was when his phone buzzed.
It was a message from a familiar number.
[Siegfried Kaslana]:If you're serious about not mooching forever, come to this address and wait for me.5 PM sharp.Consider it a chance at a part-time job.– Massive Electric Corp. HQ.
Kouga stared at the message, money was money. And if Siegfried was dangling a job, Kouga figured it was worth at least checking out.
The city center was alive with its usual chaos—horns blaring, chatter rising and falling like waves, neon signs flickering even though the sun hadn't set yet. Kouga weaved through the crowd until he came to a stop across the street from a towering skyscraper.
Massive Electric Corporation.
Its mirrored glass reflected the sunset, gleaming like a monolith of steel and ambition. Kouga felt the weight of it pressing down, as though the whole building were humming with electricity.
"…Part-time job, my ass," he muttered under his breath. "This feels more like walking into a boss fight."
He was so caught up staring that he didn't hear the soft footsteps behind him until a quiet voice broke through his thoughts.
"Um… excuse me."
Kouga blinked, turning around.There she was—Raiden Mei, one of his classmates. Her long, violet-black hair swayed lightly in the evening breeze, and in her hands, she carried a neatly wrapped bento box.
"You're Hayata-san, right?" she asked politely.
"Yeah," Kouga replied, still caught off-guard.
"You've been staring at the building for a while. Are you… okay?"
He straightened awkwardly. "Ah, yeah. Just… thinking."
Mei tilted her head, her violet eyes calm and steady. "Are you here for something?"
"Job interview," Kouga said.
Her eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised. "Job interview? I didn't know there was one today."
"You didn't?" Kouga asked.
She lifted the bento slightly, her expression softening. "No, I'm just here to bring my father some food. He's been working late."
Kouga paused, putting two and two together. "…Your father works here?"
"Yes. He's the CEO."
That made Kouga blink. Of course. Raiden Mei, daughter of Raiden Ryoma. In hindsight, it explained a lot. Her graceful composure, the way she carried herself at school… yeah, it all made sense now.
Before he could say anything else, whispers began to ripple through the pedestrians nearby.
"Hey, isn't that Raiden Mei?""Who's that guy talking to her…?""Better be careful. Ryoma's not gonna like some random dude hitting on his daughter."
Kouga ignored the background noise. Mei, though, shifted just a little, used to it.
"Must be tough," Kouga said suddenly. "Being the daughter of someone important. Sounds… kinda lonely."
That actually made her blink. Then, to his surprise, she chuckled softly. "Not really. Everyone's very kind."
"Are you sure?" Kouga asked, his voice even but firm. "From what I've seen, people like to stick close to status. Not the person."
Her polite smile faltered, just for a moment. Mei frowned slightly, her tone gently scolding: "That's rude of you, Hayata-san. To think that way about others."
"…Maybe." Kouga shrugged. "But it's how I live. I don't spread kindness freely, not when people might take advantage of it. I give it only to the ones who deserve it."
"That doesn't sound very healthy," Mei said quietly.
"Maybe not," Kouga admitted. "But it works for me."
They spoke a while longer—about class, about his introverted nature, her little encouragements that he should try making more friends. Her tone never wavered from that calm, polite warmth, though Kouga could see flickers of surprise when he answered her bluntly.
At last, Mei glanced down at the bento in her hands. "Ah—I should go. Father will be waiting."
Kouga gave a casual wave, almost offhand. "Good luck with your dad."
Mei gave a small, genuine smile, bowing slightly.
"You too. Good luck."
She turned and walked into the shimmering glass doors, leaving Kouga staring up at the tower once more. He adjusted his jacket, took a deep breath, and waited for Siegfried to arrive.
The inside of Massive Electric Corporation was more polished than Kouga expected.
The job fair hall stretched wide, lined with booths on both sides. Sleek displays flashed advertisements about ME's innovations—robotics, AI, clean energy, even military-grade technology—each delivered with corporate shine. Representatives in sharp suits greeted hopeful applicants with rehearsed smiles, clipboards in hand.
Kouga stood there for a while, hands in his pockets.'So… where's Siegfried?'
Minutes turned into hours. He eventually slouched onto a bench near a vending machine, sipping from a canned iced coffee he'd picked up. The bitter caffeine hit his tongue as the background buzz of voices blurred into static.
That was when a familiar, casual voice cut through.
"Yo. Kouga Hayata."
Kouga lowered the can, looking up. Sure enough—Siegfried Kaslana, walking toward him with that relaxed swagger that didn't match the polished corporate air.
"…What took you so long?" Kouga deadpanned, glaring faintly.
Siegfried raised his one good hand defensively. "Sorry, sorry. I had… paperwork."
Kouga narrowed his eyes. "…Paperwork, huh."
Flashback
In a sleek office several floors above, Raiden Ryoma sat at his desk, arms crossed. The CEO's sharp gaze locked onto Siegfried, who stood before him with his usual casual slouch.
"What makes you think hiring this boy is a good idea?" Ryoma asked, voice steady and professional.
Siegfried scratched his cheek. "Look, the kid clearly needs cash. And since we're spying on him anyway, why not just hire him? Two birds, one stone. He gets a job, and we get to monitor him up close. Plus, it builds a little trust. Easier than tailing him on rooftops all day."
Ryoma arched a brow, studying him. Then, slowly, a hand rose to his chin. "…That might be the smartest thing you've said all month."
Siegfried frowned. "Hey, I'm plenty smart."
A rare smirk tugged at Ryoma's lips. "Debatable. But fine. We'll hire the boy—for monitoring purposes."
Flashback end
Back in the lobby, Siegfried scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Anyway, you're in luck. Got you a shot at part-time here."
Kouga leaned back against the bench, expression flat. "…You didn't lure me here just so I could become your work buddy, did you?"
Siegfried smirked. "Depends how you define 'buddy.'"
Kouga sighed, finishing the last sip of his coffee. "…This better pay well."
As they walked down a staff-only hallway behind the job fair zone, Kouga glanced at the man beside him.
"You're pretty casual for someone working under a CEO."
"Yeah, I get that a lot," Siegfried replied with a crooked smirk. "Let's just say I don't do well in suits."
Kouga shrugged. "Guess not everyone's into ties."
Siegfried chuckled. "Exactly. You're alright, kid."
The two continued deeper into the executive wing, the polished floors echoing faintly under their steps. Eventually, they stopped at an elevator that required a keycard. Siegfried pulled one from his jacket, swiped it, and the doors slid open with a mechanical chime.
Inside, the elevator was lined with red-cushioned panels that contrasted with the steel frame. The hum of the ascent filled the silence. Siegfried leaned casually on his right shoulder, eyes fixed on the floor numbers climbing higher and higher. Kouga stood opposite him, arms crossed, gaze thoughtful but alert.
Ding.
The elevator doors parted with a soft hiss.
What lay beyond immediately shifted the atmosphere.
The office at the top floor was vast and immaculate, every detail curated to project power. Polished white floors gleamed under the glow of the setting sun. Towering glass windows stretched across the far wall, bathing the room in warm gold. And in the dead center—like a throne in a palace—sat a single polished desk of dark wood.
Behind it rested a man in a sharp suit. A pristine purple tie sat neatly at his collar, gloved hands steepled together. His pale violet eyes fixed on Kouga the moment he stepped in, unreadable yet heavy with presence.
Kouga felt the weight immediately. The man's aura wasn't loud, but it pressed down with authority.
The elevator closed behind them, sealing the silence.
After a long moment, the man raised one hand in a simple gesture toward the lone seat before the desk.
Siegfried gave Kouga a small nod of encouragement from behind, but stayed back.
Kouga walked forward, footsteps soft against the floor, and lowered himself into the chair. He sat upright, neither stiff nor slouching, meeting the CEO's gaze directly.
"Welcome," Raiden Ryoma said. "I've been expecting you."