"Now that the introductions are done… uh… what do I do?" Ichigo asked, looking confused.
Reiko leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs with a lazy elegance. "Well… it is your first day after all. How about you just watch people work… get used to the environment?"
Suzu, who was tying her messy bun again, didn't even look up. A cigarette rested between her lips as both her hands gathered her hair. The pose—her neck exposed, her shirt slightly slipping from her shoulder—was unintentionally irresistible. Ichigo froze for a second. There was something dangerously sexy about her without her even trying.
"You look so sexy, Suzu," Reiko blurted out dramatically.
A sudden splat — she had an actual nosebleed, one hand covering her nose while the other gave a shaky thumbs-up, eyes squeezed shut like she couldn't handle the sight.
Suzu smirked, the cigarette bobbing slightly between her lips. "Do I now? But it seems Mr. Rookie over here is completely unbothered. I guess I'm not his type."
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Reiko protested, slamming her hands on the desk as she stood up. "There is no person alive who could stay expressionless seeing you like this!"
She marched toward Ichigo—then froze.
"…Oh god."
Ichigo was still standing, but his eyes were rolled back.
"HE FAINTED WHILE STANDING!!" Reiko screamed and grabbed him by the shoulders."Get a grip, Ichigo! You can't die on your first day!"
She shook him frantically until he jolted awake.
"Ah… w–what happened…?" Ichigo muttered, blinking in confusion. "I… I just saw a goddess…"
Suzu's smirk vanished, her face turning slightly red as she looked away."Tch… morons," she muttered under her breath.
Reiko clapped her hands once like nothing happened. "Anyway, Ichigo — you're going to work under Suzu starting today. As of now, you're officially part of Project 'Eat n Eat'. Suzu is the lead, so work hard and start right now!"
Ichigo's jaw dropped. "N–now!? But didn't you just say I could get used to the environment and meet people first since it's my first day?"
Reiko smiled innocently, twirling her pen. "Ehe… did I now? Well, whatever." She spun her chair and sat down like she didn't just contradict herself.
"Don't 'ehe' me!" Ichigo protested.
Before he could continue, a hand landed on his shoulder — firm, cold, and intimidating. A shiver ran down his spine.
"Hey, Rookie…" Suzu's voice was low and uncomfortably close. "Didn't you hear what the CEO said? Let's see your excellence, submitting an improved version of our program on your interview instead of showing up."
Her grin stretched from ear to ear — sadistic, and absolutely demonic.
Before he could run or explain, Suzu grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him out of the office.
"W–wait—! I'm not ready! I just—!"
"Too late," Suzu snapped without looking back.
Ichigo stared hopelessly down the hallway as he was pulled away from safety.
My first day…Never mind getting used to the environment… I'm dead. Yeah. I'm pretty sure.
Ichigo followed behind Suzu, half terrified… but mostly thrilled.
Wow… there are a lot of ladies here, he thought, looking around discreetly. I didn't expect so many women in an IT company. After the trauma of college life… maybe I can actually have a love life now.
His eyes drifted to Suzu, walking confidently ahead of him. Her black suit jacket, slacks, and tightly-tied bun made her look like a Diva, sharp enough to kill someone with just a stare.
Miss Suzu… why is she the only one in a full office suit? Every other woman he'd passed so far wore pencil skirts or casual blouses.Personal choice, I guess…
He smiled to himself.
Who am I to question it? She looks even sexier like this.
As they walked through the office, Ichigo noticed something surprising. Every person they passed greeted Suzu with warm smiles:
"Good morning, Suzu-san!"
"Did you get coffee Suzu?"
"Morning, Suzu!"
And even more shocking — Suzu smiled back at each of them.
So she really is loved here… Ichigo thought.
Suzu glanced over her shoulder and said casually, "Hey, Rookie. Since you're on my project… what I say is the rule. Everything else you do i am fine with it, lets have a party with the members of team on account of your first day."
She smiled — calm, professional, dangerously confident.
"Let's have you meet the other members of the project first."
"Oh, I see. No problem!" Ichigo replied, walking a bit faster to catch up to her side. "So uh… how many people are there on the project?"
Suzu shoved her hands into her pockets as she walked.
"There are six core members," she replied. "And for smaller tasks, we have another seven or eight people. They handle editing, minor fixes, UI polishing — basically the finishing touches after we complete the app, those people don't come under my authority. its a team on 4th floor. we have nothing to do with them"
"Damn, I'm excited to meet my co-workers. I'm gonna have fun messing with those old farts," Ichigo said with a bright grin.
Reiko let out a small laugh. "Old farts? Everyone on our team is young and talented. I handpicked all of them for this project."
"WHAT!! All the stereotypes were fake!?" Ichigo's smile instantly collapsed.
"I don't know where you got ideas that stupid… Oh—there they are. Treat them with respect, they're your seniors."
Before he could panic more, Suzu walked up to 2 people , clapping loudly.
"Hey, morons—meet your new coworker, Ichigo Ichinose!"
Ichigo quickly bowed, eyes shut tight."I look forward to working wi—"
When he opened his eyes, coffee was pouring dangerously close to his shoes.
He followed the coffee upward in slow-motion… a man stood frozen, jaw dropped, cup tilted, coffee still falling from his mouth.Beside him, a woman tried — and failed — to hide her hysterical giggling behind her hand.
Ichigo's eyes widened.
"RYO!!! AND… YUI!!! YOU TWO!? What the hell are YOU doing in MY company!?"
Ryo snapped instantly."That's MY line, you moron! Why the hell are YOU here!?"
Ryo and Ichigo immediately started arguing like wild dogs reunited.
Meanwhile, Suzu casually walked over to Yui.
"Are you all acquainted?"
Yui paused her giggles long enough to smile."Heck yeah we are. Ichigo is our dear junior from college days. We were in third year when this dork showed up as a freshman. I bet Ryo is thrilled to see him here."
Suzu looked back at the two idiots aggressively bickering and trying to choke each other with their ties.
"…Doesn't look 'thrilled' to me."
Yui waved her hand.
"Oh, don't worry. He's just shocked. We're basically best buddies. This is their friend-language. Oh—also, Ichi, Yamada is here too, you know."
Ichigo froze mid-strangle, still gripping Ryo's collar while Ryo gripped his.
He slowly turned his head toward Yui, eyes twitching."Oh… Yamada is here too."
Ryo snapped instantly."HEY! LOOK AT ME WHEN YOU'RE FIGHTING ME, YOU BASTARD!"
Before Ichigo could reply, Suzu didn't even raise her voice.
"Stop this, you jerks."
Just that one line.Instant KO.Both men released each other like soldiers reacting to a drill sergeant.
Yui continued cheerfully as if nothing happened."Anyway, Yamada will be so happy to see you he—"
Before she could finish, a river of coffee flowed across the floor from the opposite direction.
Everyone slowly traced the stream with their eyes.
There stood Yamada, frozen, jaw dropped, coffee leaking from his mouth exactly like Ryo before—but twice as dramatic.
The cup dangled loosely in his hand.He squeaked out a voice of pure disbelief:
"ICHIGOOOOO?!?!?!"