**One Kick Girl — Chapter 203:
"Quick 1:1 (Nothing Is Quick)"**
Soft threats • Careful smiles • Raon vs the art of subtext
1. The Door Closes
The call connected.
Camera on.
Forced smiles.
Raon sat upright.
"…Why does it feel like a boss fight."
Shion whispered, "Because it is. Low HP, high damage."
2. The Opening Line
"Hey! Just wanted to sync real quick."
Raon glanced at the clock.
Shion noted the tone.
Translation: You embarrassed me.
3. The Friendly Knife
"Really appreciate your passion."
Raon flinched.
Shion's eyes narrowed.
Compliment before critique.
Classic.
4. The Concern Card
"I just worry about optics," the manager said gently.
Raon frowned.
"Optics of being right?"
Shion kicked her shin under the table.
5. The Reframe Attempt
"We're all on the same team."
Raon nodded slowly.
"…Then why CC everyone."
The manager blinked.
6. Shion Takes the Wheel
Shion smiled.
"Happy to clarify — the CC was to avoid confusion and save time."
The manager's jaw tightened.
Raon felt the tension spike.
7. The Soft Threat
"I'd just hate for things to escalate unnecessarily."
Raon's pulse jumped.
Shion remained calm.
"Agreed," she said. "Clarity prevents escalation."
8. Silence Is a Weapon
No one spoke.
Ten seconds.
Twenty.
The manager looked away first.
Raon's respect meter skyrocketed.
9. The Forced Agreement
"Well… sounds like we're aligned then."
Raon thought: We are not.
Shion said: "Yes."
10. The Exit
"Thanks for hopping on!"
The call ended.
Raon exhaled hard.
"…That was terrifying."
Shion closed her notebook.
"And productive."
11. The Aftermath Message
A chat ping arrived.
Let's keep comms tighter going forward.
Raon growled.
"That's a warning."
Shion replied, "It's a concession."
12. Level Up
Raon leaned back.
"I didn't kick anyone."
Shion smiled faintly.
"You learned control."
Raon sighed.
"…I miss kicking."
END OF CHAPTER 203