The office buzz had faded into a calm hum as the sun dipped past the glass-paneled skyline. Most employees of the Himemizu Conglomerate had already left, their desks empty. Except for two.
David sat across from Yukari in a small side lounge off the executive floor. A faint breeze carried the scent of her perfume—something soft and floral, like sakura after rain. She didn't look like the heir to a billion-yen empire right now. No blazer, no hard stare. Just a slightly tired girl, sipping canned coffee with one leg tucked under the other.
"You stayed late again," David said, leaning back with his own drink. "You're going for the 'hardworking CEO' arc already?"
Yukari raised an eyebrow. "Are you narrating my life like a visual novel?"
He chuckled. "I mean, you do have route energy."
"Whatever that means," she said, but her lips twitched. "You're still the intern."
"Paid intern," he added, tapping the balance app on his new laptop screen. "With a mysterious 1.3 million yen budget and no paper trail."
Yukari narrowed her eyes. "Still weird you had that when you started."
David sipped. "What can I say? I'm just lucky."
Lucky. Yeah, lucky enough to drop into a new parallel world with system quests and a high-tier heroine who didn't even know she was one.
She leaned forward slightly, brushing a loose strand of hair back. "Be honest. Why did you choose this company? You could've gone anywhere with that money."
David paused. He couldn't say because the system dropped me here to charm you and unlock a romantic route with stock options. That'd definitely get him fired or locked up.
"I guess," he said, voice softer, "something about you stood out."
That caught her. Her eyes flickered—not flirty, not defensive. Just... surprised.
She looked down at her can. "I'm not used to people choosing me. Usually they choose the name."
"Well," David said, holding her gaze, "I didn't choose the name."
There was a pause. A quiet, loaded one. Not heavy, just... real.
Then the system pinged in the corner of his eye:
[System Notification]
Subtask Activated: Build Affection – Yukari Himemizu
Status: 21%
Progress: Keep showing up. Keep being real.
He almost laughed.
"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked, slightly suspicious.
"Just... proud of myself," he said. "I didn't burn your coffee this time."
She snorted. "Low bar."
But her smile lingered, and she didn't move away when their knees brushed under the table.
"Wanna walk?" she asked after a beat. "Clear our heads?"
"Only if you're paying for snacks."
"Deal. But I'm picking the place."
The city air was cooler now, and Yukari walked beside him in silence for a while, hands in her coat pockets, eyes flicking to him when she thought he wasn't looking.
They stopped at a tiny takoyaki stall under a faded red lantern. David paid before she could argue.
"You said I had to pay," Yukari said, taking a toothpick.
"System override," he replied casually.
"Huh?"
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Intern slang."
Back on the sidewalk, they shared bites, shoulders brushing. There was something gentle about the moment. Nothing forced. No pressure. Just quiet chewing, occasional glances, and the comforting closeness that came from walking side by side under flickering city lights.
[System Notification]
Bond Progress: +4
Trait Unlocked: "Easy Comfort" – moments with Yukari feel less guarded
Reward: Hidden Event unlocked (available soon)
He filed that away.
Yukari finished the last bite and wiped her hands. "You're weird, David."
"I get that a lot."
"But... good weird."
He raised an eyebrow. "I'll take that as a compliment."
She glanced up at him—barely a few inches shorter now, thanks to his last route reward. The air between them felt different. Warmer. Like the slow build before a summer storm.
Then her phone buzzed, and the moment cracked.
She glanced at the screen, sighed. "Duty calls."
"Work?"
"Always."
They walked back slower than before. Neither of them said what was floating in the space between them.
At the building entrance, she hesitated.
"Thanks," she said, voice quiet. "For today."
"Anytime," David replied. "Seriously."
She started to turn, then paused again. "You're full of surprises, David."
He grinned. "Stick around. There's more where that came from."
She disappeared behind the glass doors. David exhaled and turned to the sky, stars barely peeking through the city haze.
[System Notification]
Yukari Route – Progress: 25%
Quest Log Updated:
Continue working under Yukari
Don't rush her
Let her come to you
Optional Objective: Make her laugh tomorrow
David pocketed his hands and smiled.