The door creaks fully open. Pekora freezes mid-step, eyes wide as saucers.
Pekora:steps back a bit, suspicious Ehh?! Yukio-kun?! What... what are you doing here, peko? Wait—are you stalking me, peko?!
She leans forward, narrowing her eyes at his expressionless face like she's about to detect a supernatural aura. Then she spots the ID card pinned to his jacket and squints at it.
Pekora:reading aloud, bewildered, then relieved "Leader of Talent Managers"...? Ohhh! So you're not some creepy stalker, peko! Sorry, Yukio! I was ready to call the police, peko!
Yukio:unmoved, hands in pockets I work here now.
Pekora:blushing, flustered happy Since when, peko?! Why didn't you just say so? You could've just been like, "Hey, it's me!" Not sneak up all mysterious-like on my doorstep, peko!
Yukio (Internally): Sneaking around like a shadow man wasn't exactly my PR plan... but okay.
Yukio: Started four days ago. Figured no big deal to announce.
Pekora:still processing, a mix of shock and glee Three days?! You could've sent me a message, peko! Or brought carrots! Or, or a singing postcard, peko!
Yukio (Internally): Bring carrots = instant morale boost. Singing postcards = guaranteed headache.
Yukio:neutral Did you see the message about your schedule in the Hololive chat?
Pekora:eyes widen Oh! That message! Yeah, I saw it earlier, peko. Said something like "rescheduled streams" and I was like—huh? Thought it was a prank, peko.
Yukio:nonchalant That was me.
Pekora stumbles backward two steps like someone just yanked the floor from beneath her.
Pekora:genuinely shocked, then delighted You?! You're my secret schedule ninja? The mysterious ghost that fixed that behind the scenes is Yukio?! Wow, peko! That's... actually kinda cool, peko!
Yukio (Internally): "Cool" equals more talking and social obligations. Fantastic.
Pekora:claps hands, forgetting shock Well, come on in, peko! Since you're my boss now, you have to see my home, peko! I'll give you the official Pekora tour, peko!
Yukio:steps inside, expression unchangedFine.
Pekora bounces around the room like a bunny hopped up on espresso, proudly showing off every nook and cranny.
Pekora:points at a gigantic fluffy cushion This is where I nap! Naps are super important to keep my energy peppy, peko! Don't sit here unless you bring carrots, peko!
Yukio (Internally): Rule one: bring snacks. Rule two: bring more snacks.
Pekora:dramatically opens a cupboard And this is the carrot stash! Emergency-only carrots are sealed with my special chew mark, peko. Don't touch unless it's a real emergency—like zombie invasion or horrible wifi, peko!
Yukio:glances at the stash, dry Noted.
Pekora:holds up a ridiculous glittery carrot-shaped charm And this is my lucky charm! I made it myself! Works, like, 70% of the time. When it doesn't, just eat a carrot and sing, peko!
Yukio (Internally): Seventy percent success rate? Terrible KPI.
They flop onto the couch. Yukio pulls out his tablet and opens Pekora's schedule.
Yukio: Fifteen streams a week was... not sustainable.
Pekora:shrugs, embarrassed Yeah, I know. But my old manager set it up like that, peko. She left Hololive a while ago but the schedule never changed. I tried asking, but it was just... there, like a big, heavy hat I can't take off, peko.
Yukio: That's why I cut it to eight.
Pekora:eyes widen, then smiles Ohhh! Thank you, Yukio! You're like a ninja fixing my life behind the scenes, peko!
Yukio (Internally): Ninja life definitely not what I signed up for.
Pekora:lights up Since you work here now, we can play and talk all the time, peko! Collabs, snack breaks, nap times—everything! Forever! Right, Yukio? Forever, peko!
Pekora's ears perk up, and she beams at him with all the chaotic affection of an excited kid.
Yukio:outwardly blank, hands in pockets...That's not necessary.
Yukio (Internally): No thanks. I'd rather play alone. Preferably with headphones at 2 a.m. when the world's quiet.
Pekora misreads the pause as mysterious stoicism and giggles.
Pekora:giggles, oblivious Oh! You're now pretty mysterious and stoic than the previous days—very interesting, peko! I'll respect your space but also pop in sometimes, peko!
Yukio (Internally): "Pop in sometimes" = constant pop-ins. Prepare contingency plans.
He shuts the tablet gently, composing himself into his usual neutral mode.
Yukio: I'll send you the new schedule details later.
Pekora:jumps up, excited again Yay! Thank you, Yukio-kun! You're the best boss ever, peko! Let's celebrate with carrots and a short chat—five minutes only, peko!
Yukio (Internally): Five minutes now. Infinity later. Pray for me.
Yukio:quiet, resigned Fine. Five minutes.
Pekora impulsively hugs him, startling him into near stillness. He lets the hug pass with a blank, slightly stiff posture. She quickly releases and strikes a triumphant scamper-pose.
Pekora:happily Then it's settled! From now on, we're friends and coworkers and snack buddies, peko!
Yukio (Internally): Friends (loose definition). Coworker (accurate). Snack buddy (unwanted).
He stands, expression unchanged, as Pekora chatters nonstop about a dozen tiny ideas for their "future hangouts." He listens, mentally filing notes under "avoidance tactics."
Ten minutes later…
Pekora sits alone, cheeks flushed, hands fidgeting nervously.
Pekora:thinking Why did I hug him?! I think I got way too happy, peko...!