Click~
The door to the Judgment headquarters office unlocked, and Iino Miko stepped in, clutching a stack of files.
"Hm? Was there a guest earlier?"
Her eyes swept over the desk, where an untouched cup of tea sat.
She didn't dwell on it. Guests were rare, but it wasn't her concern.
Approaching the desk, she set down her files and naturally opened the drawer to retrieve related documents.
"Hm?"
In the drawer, a plain gift box sat prominently on top.
"…Kaguya-senpai's? Or… Whatever, it's not my business. Just find the files!"
She placed the gift box on the desk and rummaged for the documents.
But with every flip of a page, her gaze drifted to the box.
"Who's it from? Kaguya-senpai? She's so pretty, it's normal for her to get gifts… Probably some small trinket inside! Hm… Could it be the Chairman's? He's usually so laid-back, but he is the face of our group… Maybe Chika-senpai? Should I… take a peek?"
Once curiosity formed that thought, Iino Miko's eyes couldn't leave the box.
"No seal… It's been opened… Maybe it's empty… Just one look!"
Like a thief, she scanned the empty office, her trembling hands reaching for the gift box…
Opening it, she found a bound book with no cover.
"A book?"
Her small head darted around again to ensure safety. Unable to resist her curiosity, she grabbed the book.
Hiding behind the desk—where she wouldn't be seen if the door opened—she flipped to the first page…
"Ugh~"
Her pale cheeks flushed scarlet, her pupils trembling instinctively.
"This… this kind of thing… How could it be in the sacred Judgment office?! I… I have to throw it out…"
Iino Miko stammered, but her hands kept flipping the pages!
Why?
Because she was dying to know what happened next…
"This… this…"
By the time she finished, her mind was a mess. She couldn't recall the details, only a few scenes and poses replaying in her head.
"Ugh Ugh"
Words failed her, her head steaming like an engine.
"I… I…"
"Pretty well drawn, huh?"
"Eh?!"
A voice from behind startled Iino Miko. She spun around, stepping back and standing up in one fluid motion.
"Ah!"
Having moved the chair earlier to search, she'd crawled under the desk. In her panic, she stood too quickly and bumped her head.
"Well! Miko-chan's at that age, huh? But bringing this here… that's a bit inappropriate!"
"I… I didn't…"
Iino Miko's words stumbled, incoherent.
Samuel caught the book she'd instinctively tossed in her panic. Flipping through it midair, he saw everything clearly.
The beautiful girl in the book was unmistakably Eriri.
But the man… had no face. And the rest…
"Ugh, ugh, ugh~"
Iino Miko's words stuck in her throat, her face burning like a fever, unable to speak.
As she registered the situation, scenes from the book flashed before her eyes, Samuel's figure perfectly overlapping with them.
"Ugh, ugh, ugh~"
Fantasy! Anxiety! Anticipation?
Her eyes turned into the spiraling, lovesick gaze of a shoujo manga heroine pinned by a domineering CEO.
Her gaze unconsciously flicked to Samuel's "legs"… her mind instinctively simulating…
"I… I'm not wearing black… D-don't attack me…"
The third scene from the book.
Overwhelmed by her imagination, mental chaos, and excessive embarrassment, she stumbled over her words…
"Oh~ Guess I'll have to check to be sure!"
It fit the book's plot perfectly—not because Samuel had read it with her, but because he was just the type to say that!
The bizarre plot mixed with reality, skewing Iino Miko's perception.
"Come… lift your skirt, let me see~"
A devilish whisper reached her ears, warm breath brushing against them.
"Ugh~"
Her brain crashed, unsure what to do!
"Heh~ Come on, let me… take a look…"
Samuel removed glasses he'd donned at some point, offering a calm smile as he reached out.
"Uh… I'm still a fledgling… Please be gentle…"
"Heh~"
Ten minutes later.
Smack~
"Eh? Chairman, you're here! Seen Miko-chan? I sent her to grab some stuff, and she's still not back!"
Fujiwara Chika burst through the door, spotting Samuel lounging on a chair.
"Oh~ Saw her. She had some family business and went home. Here's the data."
"Got it! Hm? Weird, you're actually in the office and not lounging like a big shot with your feet on the desk?"
Chika teased playfully.
"Hahaha, alright, take it and get to work!"
"Tch… What a capitalist jerk…"
"Feet on the desk? Not convenient today!"
With that thought, Samuel patted Iino Miko's head.
…
"Hey! Why's it taking so long?"
"Sorry, had to play hero on the way! Almost there, just a sec…"
Outside, Kaguya Shinomiya and Katou Megumi sat together.
As Kaguya hung up, Katou waved a hand…
"Waiter, a matcha latte for this lady, please! Yes, matcha, with extra matcha on top!"
"Why? I'm not a big fan of that…"
"No reason, just feels like the right drink for you right now."
Katou Megumi gave a faint, enigmatic smile.
Kaguya found it odd, but her Virtual Future showed no issues.
***
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