The Himemizu Conglomerate's lobby smelled like polished wood, ambition, and overpriced air freshener. David stepped out of the elevator, tie slightly loosened, pretending he didn't just trip on his own shoelace two minutes ago. He carried a folder under one arm, phone buzzing with minor updates, and a coffee that had gone cold an hour ago.
"Morning," he greeted the receptionist, trying to smile like he wasn't running on three hours of sleep and pure system-fueled adrenaline.
"Morning, David-san. Miss Himemizu is waiting upstairs."
Of course she was. Yukari was always on top of things—poised, graceful, and way out of his league. Still, that didn't stop her from casually calling him out during board meetings or poking fun at his slightly crooked tie.
David reached the top floor and walked into her office.
Yukari Himemizu was seated behind a large, spotless desk, reviewing reports with a focus that could probably bend time.
"You're two minutes late," she said without looking up.
"I brought data and coffee. That should buy me forgiveness."
She raised an eyebrow. "You brought cold coffee."
David held up a hand. "Okay, fair."
Yukari smirked, finally glancing up. Her long black hair framed her face like an anime character designed by someone who was way too into perfection. "Sit. Let's go over this presentation. You'll be joining me at the investor dinner tonight."
"Wait, me? At the fancy thing with the seafood towers and people who wear watches that cost more than my organs?"
"Yes. Don't say anything dumb."
David gave a mock salute. "Noted."
System Notification
[Quest Side Objective - "Blend with Elite" Activated!]
Objective: Survive a high-level investor event without embarrassing yourself.
Reward: +10 Charisma, Special Event Trigger: "Wine and Warning"
Penalty: Yukari's silent judgment intensifies.
Perfect.
While Yukari dictated the day's tasks, David's phone buzzed under the table.
[New Message from: Airi Minase]
"Miss me yet? I'm outside. Come down in 10."
David nearly dropped his phone.
Ten minutes later, he slipped out under the excuse of "printer maintenance" and met Airi in the side alley behind the building. She was leaning against a vending machine, sipping strawberry milk like a delinquent with a schedule.
"You're gonna get me killed," he said, glancing around.
Airi grinned. "You love it."
"Maybe."
"Still with the ice queen upstairs?"
"She's not—okay, yes. And she doesn't know about the system. Or the other worlds. Or… you."
Airi pouted, stepping closer. "You wound me. But fine. I'll be your secret flirt for now."
She traced a finger along his collar. "You look hot when you're stressed."
David raised an eyebrow. "I look like a raccoon that got a job in finance."
"I like raccoons." She winked. "Especially ones who owe me a kiss."
System Notification
[Airi Affection +5]
[Hidden Event: Forbidden Contact - Progress 1/3]
He sighed. "One kiss. Then I go back to my boss-slash-potential-empress."
"You'll be back," Airi said confidently, brushing her lips against his.
And he definitely would.
Back upstairs, David returned to Yukari's office just in time to catch her tapping her pen impatiently.
"You smell like vending machine milk," she muttered, not looking up.
David froze. "...I got lost near the staff lounge."
Yukari gave him a long, narrow-eyed stare. "Lying poorly is a terrible trait."
"Noted."
She stood, smoothing her skirt. "Come on. We have a dinner to crash."
The investor event was ridiculous.
Crystal chandeliers. Carpets fluffier than his dorm bed. Waiters gliding through the room like background NPCs.
Yukari introduced David with a simple, "My assistant," and then left him to be interrogated by men with shiny shoes and too many opinions.
David survived thanks to sheer sarcasm and free shrimp.
System Notification
[Quest Complete - Blend with Elite]
Reward: +10 Charisma
New Quest Unlocked: "Gain Yukari's Trust (and Maybe Heart?)"
Progress: 15%
Hint: Make her laugh. Just once.
As the night wore on, David caught Yukari watching him.
Not annoyed.
Just… watching.
Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't totally invisible.
Back in his apartment, David collapsed onto the couch, shirt unbuttoned halfway, tie hanging like a noose of professionalism.
The laptop on the desk flickered.
System Notification
[Parallel Slot C - Progress: 28%]
Available: Side Missions, Hidden Routes, Affection Routes
Unlocked Locations: Yukari's Office, Yukari's Apartment (locked), Airi's Café (hidden)
Next Trigger: "Private Ride Home" - Condition: Charm Yukari for a personal drop-off
David sighed.
"Guess I'm not done being the confused guy in a suit."
It started with a smirk.
Airi leaned over David's shoulder while he stared at an endless Excel sheet that might've been created in the 13th century by a particularly cruel monk. Her breath was soft, warm against his ear.
"You look cute when you're dying inside," she whispered.
David nearly choked on his coffee. "I'm not dying. I'm… calculating financial burn rates."
"Mmhm. Is that what you call it now?"
He side-eyed her. "Don't you have like, a job?"
"I do. My job today is bothering you."
System Notification:
[Hidden Route: Airi Minase]
Progress: 41%
Condition Triggered: [Secret Flirtation Behind Yukari's Back]
— Proceed with caution. Or don't. You never do.
David mentally shoved the system window away and tried not to notice how Airi's blouse dipped a little too low when she leaned over the table.
Across the room, Yukari Himemizu—polished, sharp-eyed, and totally unaware—was speaking on a call in fluent corporate. Something about offshore strategies and market testing. David only caught every other word, but the way she walked while she talked made her seem ten feet tall.
"You keep looking at her like she's your final boss," Airi whispered. "You planning to defeat her or marry her?"
David sighed. "Maybe both?"
Airi grinned. "Polygamy route, huh? Bold choice."
Before he could respond, Yukari ended her call and walked over. "David, Airi—update?"
Airi straightened instantly, suddenly all business. "Yes, we were just discussing… asset reallocation."
David nodded quickly. "Yeah. Budget optimization."
Yukari raised an eyebrow. "You were whispering. Loudly."
Airi tilted her head innocently. "We're passionate about efficient communication."
Yukari didn't look convinced, but she let it go.
"David, I want you to accompany me to the R&D briefing tomorrow. First impressions matter, and you're not terrible at talking." She turned and left with the grace of someone born to rule boardrooms.
Airi nudged him as soon as she was gone. "Did she just call you 'not terrible'? That's basically a love confession."
"I'm honored," David muttered.
System Notification:
New Task Unlocked:
Event: Executive Escort
Objective: Attend R&D briefing with Yukari
Hidden Sub-Objective: Impress her enough to raise Affection Level to 60%
Reward: +200,000 yen | Unlock dialogue branch: [She starts to dream about you.]
David rubbed his face. He was 5'9" now, supposedly upgraded by the system, but still barely keeping his head above water in this corporate whirlpool. He hadn't even figured out if Yukari liked him yet—and now Airi was raising the stakes in secret.
Later that evening, after Yukari left the office, Airi cornered David near the vending machine.
"You're working late tomorrow?" she asked, casually brushing some dust off his shirt even though there was none.
"Yeah. R&D meeting. With her."
"Mmm," she hummed. "You know she talks about you when you're not around."
David blinked. "Seriously?"
"Not in a bad way," Airi said, stepping closer. "Just... curious. I think you're getting under her skin."
He was about to say something—something responsible, probably—when Airi leaned in and whispered, "But I saw you first."
The vending machine buzzed and spit out a cold can of coffee. David stared at it like it held all the answers to his suddenly very complicated life.
Airi took the can from his hand, cracked it open, and took a sip.
"You want to win her over," she said. "Cool. But don't forget I'm here too. And I don't mind a little chaos."
She winked and walked away.
System Notification:
[Airi Route Acceleration Triggered]
Condition: Direct Competition Acknowledged
Status: Rivalry Initiated
— Be careful where you step. Or don't. You rarely are.
David leaned his head against the vending machine.
He was in a new world, working for a conglomerate, navigating the affections of a rich girl who might start liking him soon… and another girl who already did.
The salary was good, the system upgrades were nice, and he was finally taller.
But man, love triangles were exhausting.