When Nanaya came out, he saw Machida Sonoko dressed in formal attire but looking somewhat restless.
"Um, Nanaya, there's been a shareholder change at my company, so they're requiring all staff to be present..."
To be honest, Machida Sonoko naturally didn't want to be separated from Nanaya. After all, they had just gotten together (at least in Machida Sonoko's unilateral opinion) not long ago, and were still in that sweet honeymoon phase.
Although she hadn't asked Nanaya about his thoughts, since he had taken the initiative to approach her and she was being completely devoted to him, wasn't it inevitable they'd be together?
"I'll go with you," Nanaya said.
He happened to need to make an appearance at Futabasha Bunko anyway. While he didn't plan to make any major changes, there were some matters that needed emphasizing.
Nanaya hadn't forgotten his goal - those rewards tied to this world's heroines. Only by obtaining greater power could he live more comfortably.
"Eh? Come with me? Great!!" Machida Sonoko said happily.
See, he's already becoming unable to leave me!
Machida Sonoko believed her charm had successfully attracted Nanaya and completely captivated him. And all she'd had to sacrifice were minor issues like full-body soreness, difficulty walking, having to dress conservatively, a hoarse voice... and such!
Machida Sonoko clung to Nanaya's arm, her gaze overflowing with love. She felt she might have truly fallen for this young wolf she'd just met!
Nanaya paid no attention to Machida Sonoko's thoughts. Sitting in the expensive taxi, he watched the rewards receding outside the window. As expected, nothing that stirred his heart appeared.
Arriving at Futabasha Bunko's building entrance, Machida Sonoko rushed to pay the fare first. Although it pained her wallet, showing off in front of her young wolf couldn't be wrong!
Seeing Nanaya showed no intention of leaving separately, Machida Sonoko naturally assumed this was him worrying about her. Bringing him inside wouldn't be a problem either. If questioned by management, she could just say Nanaya was one of her authors.
"Editor Machida, this is...?" The receptionist girl couldn't take her eyes off the handsome, upright Nanaya.
"This is my boyfriend, so don't get any ideas," Machida Sonoko said, noticing the girl's gaze and tightening her grip on Nanaya's arm as she proudly declared this. She secretly observed Nanaya's reaction.
No denial!
Yes!
Total victory for Machida Sonoko!
Seeing the envy in the young girl's eyes made Machida Sonoko stand a little taller. Finally, she wasn't just "the old virgin" or "that unwanted hag" like Shiina-chan called her. She really wanted Shiina-chan to meet her boyfriend too!
Thinking this, Machida Sonoko suddenly remembered Shiina-chan's book was about to be canceled, and she hadn't told her yet... The meeting was about to start, so it would have to wait.
Seeing the curious Nanaya beside her lifted Machida Sonoko's mood again. She planned to take Nanaya to her lounge first, then show him around after the meeting.
But at the office entrance, they encountered Chief Editor Yoshida - the one who'd notified her about today's meeting.
"Chief Editor Yoshida, have the shareholders arrived?" The well-liked Machida Sonoko went to greet him first. In such matters, the chief editor would always know the shareholders' appearances before regular editors like her.
Noticing Chief Editor Yoshida staring intently at Nanaya beside her, Machida Sonoko remembered the area ahead was Futabasha Bunko's restricted space and hurried to explain.
"Ah, Chief Editor Yoshida, sorry about this, he's—"
"Honorable shareholder, our deepest apologies for not welcoming you at the entrance!"
"—a new writer I'm mentoring." Machida Sonoko watched the solemn, deeply bowing Chief Editor Yoshida, her mind in chaos.
Huh?
Shareholder?
Who? Me?
Impossible!
This can't be a joke!
"No need, Chief Editor Yoshida. I'm new here too." Just as Machida Sonoko was about to say something, she heard the voice of the young wolf she'd fallen for speak up beside her.
Machida Sonoko stood dumbfounded, staring at Nanaya beside her, momentarily speechless.
...
"So you're... Futabasha Bunko's major shareholder?" Machida Sonoko's voice still held disbelief.
Chief Editor Yoshida had already left since Nanaya arrived half an hour early. He ordered all editors to gather in the conference room within five minutes.
Meanwhile, he thought about what he'd witnessed - Editor Machida seemed extremely close with the shareholder! It looked like Editor Machida was about to rise rapidly. Good thing he'd never offended her!
Nanaya examined the decorations in Machida Sonoko's lounge. "Yes."
"But why didn't you tell me?"
"You never asked." Nanaya's casual response made Machida Sonoko laugh in frustration. "You... did you know I was a Futabasha Bunko editor and wanted inside information from me?"
As soon as she said it, Nanaya gave her a look of disdain. "Have you read too many novels? My ugly-disguise-loving big sister?"
"!!" Machida Sonoko wished the ground would swallow her up.
"Since you don't trust me, I shouldn't stay here. Wouldn't want anyone gossiping and ruining your reputation." Nanaya stood to leave.
"No, don't go! I was wrong..." Machida Sonoko hurried to block Nanaya's path. "I'm sorry I doubted you."
"And?" Nanaya raised an eyebrow.
Understanding his meaning, Machida Sonoko bit her lip, stepped forward, and actively leaned into Nanaya's arms. She lifted her head, offering her red lips for him to taste as he pleased.
"How did you acquire so much of Futabasha Bunko's shares?" Machida Sonoko now lay against Nanaya's chest, lightly tapping his firm pectorals with her fingers.
"Because of you." Nanaya wasn't lying - it was because of Machida Sonoko that he could become Futabasha Bunko's major shareholder overnight.
But to Machida Sonoko, this meant Nanaya had liked her all along and bought Futabasha Bunko's shares to get closer to her. Her heart sweet as honey, Machida Sonoko no longer felt upset about Nanaya's deception, instead seeing it as a wonderful surprise he'd prepared for her.
Thus, Machida Sonoko swallowed back her question about "what exactly is our relationship now."
"Let's go. Time for the meeting." Nanaya patted the lovely curves of the woman in his arms, signaling it was time.
Machida Sonoko stood and, ignoring her own wrinkled clothes, first straightened Nanaya's attire before tending to herself. This obedient, wifely demeanor made Nanaya give her an extra glance.
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