.
[-Continuation-]
[-Location : OrgoCorp's HQ-]
…
[-Third Person View-]
The conference room on the 15th floor of OrgoCorp's headquarters was silent.
Hachiman sat beside Ryota, his usual slouch more pronounced as he leaned back into the stiff, leather chair.
Across the polished oak desk sat Satoshi, Ryota's father, and the director and majority shareholder of OrgoCorp.
Although the three of them met a couple of days ago, the atmosphere was upbeat.
Satoshi's presence was commanding, with sharp eyes, calm posture, and an aura that screamed years of industry experience and corporate authority.
But that didn't mean Hachiman was going to bend easily. He leaned back slightly in his chair, arms crossed, his eyes narrowing in defiance.
"I must respectfully decline." He declared bluntly, his tone was calm, but there was a firmness behind his words.
Satoshi's eyebrow arched, a subtle ripple in his otherwise impassive facade.
They had only exchanged a handful of words before today, but Hachiman's tone already made it clear he wasn't one to be swayed by titles.
It was clear that such blatant opposition was a rarity in Satoshi's world, especially from a recent intern hire who is not even out of his high school.
Ryota, on the other hand, sat beside Hachiman with a resigned expression, his body language suggesting he had seen this situation play out before.
He wasn't going to get involved unless absolutely necessary, as he remained - this had nothing to do with him.
"Furthermore, sir, this task is not even in our job description." Hachiman added, focusing on the innocuous-looking file on the desk.
It might as well have been a ticking time bomb for all the enthusiasm he showed towards it.
Satoshi didn't seem fazed, as if Hachiman's resistance didn't surprise him at all.
However, it undoubtedly did.
It wasn't usual for him to hear such a level of defiant no.
A ghost of a smile played at the corners of his mouth, as if appreciating the young designer's direct approach.
"You are right, it's not." He conceded, his calm admission feeling more like a trap than an agreement.
A small smirk tugged at Satoshi's lips, but it was subtle, almost like he was amused by Hachiman's attempt to reason with him.
Sensing a potential weakness, Hachiman pressed on. "So why don't you hand this off to someone who actually deals with... whatever this is? The finance department, maybe? Or literally any other team that isn't us creative and tech guys?"
Ryota sat beside him, absentmindedly tapping his fingers on his knee, pretending as though the situation didn't involve him at all. His usual nonchalance grated at Hachiman.
Satoshi leaned forward, his hands coming to rest on the desk.
"Consider it as a simple evaluation." He said, his tone deceptively casual. "After all, despite your talents, you did join us without the usual routine of interviews. A recommendation candidate."
Hachiman's brow furrowed, his eyes full of confusion. "An evaluation? I am just an intern student. Moreover, I may be new to the corporate circus, but I am pretty sure 'tests' usually have something to do with the actual job."
He continued to maintain his composure. "I am hired as a conceptual game designer, not an investigative officer."
Undeterred, Satoshi maintained his composure.
"No need for any detective work on your part. Everything you need is right here." He said, sliding the slim folder across the desk. "Your task is simple: deliver the message. Let him know his time is up."
Hachiman blinked rapidly, his usual mask of indifference cracking to reveal genuine bewilderment.
Satoshi's words seemed to come from a different reality, one that made no sense to Hachiman.
He wasn't sure what kind of game this was, but it was clear there was more to the story.
"I am sorry. I am really lost now." Hachiman said, exasperating, coloring his voice.
"If it's that straightforward, why me? Anyone could do this. I mean, why not Ryota, given his seniority?" He jerked his thumb towards Ryota, who seemed to shrink even further into his chair at the mention.
Ryota, who had been maintaining a low profile during the meeting, lifted his head from whatever he was thinking about, but still didn't budge.
"No. I have seen enough of his capabilities. It has to be you." Satoshi's tone left no room for negotiation, but Hachiman wasn't one to accept things at face value.
At this point, Hachiman made a decisive move.
"I am leaving." Hachiman said flatly, already pushing himself up from his chair, eyes scanning for the door. "I don't need this job that badly."
Before Hachiman could leave, Ryota finally intervened.
"Wait up, Hachiman. Didn't I tell you, dad? Your old tricks aren't going to work on him." His voice was casual, but there was an undercurrent of exasperation. "Just be straight with him."
Satoshi gave Ryota a look that said - shut up.
"If you still need more motivation." Then he said thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair. "The individual in question was the primary decision-maker who rejected your [Candy Crash] game concept twice in the Amature Pitching competition."
His eyes gleamed as he watched Hachiman's reaction, and relatively the other parties' faces hardened at that.
The competition.
Hachiman still remembered how his proposal had been dismissed, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
"So?" Hachiman blinked, his surprise momentarily breaking through his stoic mask. "You want me to confront your senior employee over that?"
Satoshi elaborated. "Your objective is to conduct an informal audit and obtain an admission regarding the embezzlement of company funds. All proofs are included in this document."
Hachiman's eyebrow raised mockingly, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Can't you just kick him out without a confession?"
Satoshi's expression shifted, his previously calm, collected exterior darkened into something more threatening.
?!!The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed, and for the first time, Hachiman felt a slight chill run down his spine.
The weight of Satoshi's presence became more palpable.
"I could make sure he doesn't step foot in this country ever again." Satoshi said quietly, his voice carrying an edge. "Even without proof."
Despite feeling pressure, Hachiman maintained his professional composure. "If that's the case, what's preventing you from taking action personally by yourself?"
"Let me lay it out." Satoshi turned expressionless. "Despite the extraordinary success of [Candy Crash] and even becoming our most profitable venture at OrgoCorps last year, several board members… still have their reservations about you." A pause, weighted with unspoken implications. "It's precisely why your next project proposal was being delayed."
He declared with a self-assured smile. "But here's the thing - having me backing you WILL silence every doubt. More than that, if you impress here, I could ensure your project not only gets greenlit but receives priority treatment."
He listed. "Top-tier resources, the finest talent pool - everything you would need. Of course only for the beta version. After that, your project has to speak for itself."
"Impress?" Hachiman wasn't tempted and instead pointed out. "I wasn't aware I was hired as an elephant in a circus, here to dance for your amusement."
Satoshi's eyes flickered with sharpness. "If that were your worth, you wouldn't have made it past the lobby, let alone into this office."
"Yeah, but with all due respect. That sounds like your problem." Hachiman's retort was sharp, his eyes locking onto Satoshi's, refusing to be intimidated.
"As I was saying." Satoshi studied him with careful attention, then nodded. "My support comes with considerable influence. However, handling this situation independently would give me additional leverage of credits to boost and support you."
"Really? Is that what we are calling it?" Hachiman's words carried a razor's edge beneath their casual delivery. "Because from where I am sitting, it looks more like you are trying to prove to your board that you have got me in your hands - and by extension, them as well."
At Hachiman's seemingly wild allegations, for the first time Satoshi's expression cracked a little, but went unnoticed.
The tension in the room shifted, like a sudden change in air pressure before a storm.
Then, unexpectedly, Satoshi's demeanor softened into something almost collegial. "Very well."
He turned toward his son, sliding the project folder across the polished surface with deliberate casualness. "Ryota, this falls to you now. Handle it with discretion."
Heh, what the…? Hachiman was now truly shocked. He is backing down? After all that pressure?
Ryota, who had been maintaining a casual posture, suddenly straightened up.
"Excuse me?" He exclaimed, clearly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.
Hachiman, watching his friend's startled reaction, allowed himself a small, victorious smile.
….
.
The office door clicked, then swung open abruptly, with a quiet hiss, but the effect was anything but subtle.
Hachiman and Ryota found themselves unceremoniously pushed out, as if their presence was no longer needed.
There was no fanfare, no further explanation, just the unmistakable sign that Satoshi had dismissed them both.
The transparent door, which once gave a glimpse into the high-stakes conversation, now marked the end of it.
The abruptness of it all left Ryota blinking in surprise, while Hachiman's expression remained unreadable, though there was a certain satisfaction in the way he walked.
They stood outside the office for a moment, the tension from the earlier conversation still hanging in the air.
Outside, Ryota adjusted his shirt with a sigh, standing in the corridor.
Tucking his hands into his pockets, he turned toward his friend.
"Man, he really just kicked us out without saying anything. Typical." Ryota muttered, though his tone lacked any real frustration.
He glanced at his friend, Hachiman, who was uncharacteristically quiet.
"So, uh... how about you take this one for the team?" Ryota's tone was casual, but there was a hint of 'pretty please' in there. "You seem way more into it than me."
To his surprise, Hachiman didn't protest or even give his usual sarcastic quip. Instead, he shrugged.
"Fine. I will do it myself."
Ryota blinked, visibly thrown off by how easily Hikigaya agreed.
"Wait, seriously? Just like that?" He raised an eyebrow, skeptical of his friend's sudden compliance.
Hachiman gave him a sidelong glance, a small, almost imperceptible smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"What? You thought I would put up more of a fight?" His tone was casual, but the sharp glint in his eyes hinted at something more.
Truthfully, Hachiman had been willing to accept the task from the start, if only Satoshi had asked nicely.
After all, he had a little revenge to plan, a way to settle old scores.
The thought of it made him smile, just a bit evilly, as he reached for the file that Ryota had passed over.
"I was going to accept it before anyway. I just wanted someone to ask nicely." Hachiman's smile deepened into something that could only be described as evil.
"Besides… I have got my own little revenge to plan." His fingers tightened slightly around the folder as he opened it, scanning the contents. "Let's see what this is about."
His eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction as he read aloud. "The meeting's in two hours. So, let's get ready for some fun."
Ryota rolled his eyes at the ominous tone in Hikigaya's voice. "Yeah, sure. Just go easy on him, alright? No matter what, he's still a former employee."
Hachiman couldn't help but find the whole situation amusing.
Ryota's choice of words didn't escape him, especially the emphasis on 'former'. The decision to kick the guy out was practically set in stone, and now Ryota was acting like going easy was an option.
It made him chuckle.
As they walked side by side, Hachiman shot Ryota a bemused glance. "Huh? I am already doing the guy a favor by not letting you handle the case. What more do you want me to do?"
Ryota let out a short laugh.
"You think so?" He glanced sideways at his friend. "If it were me, I would just be straightforward, give the guy a little respect as an elder, and be done with it. You? You will probably leave the poor guy questioning his entire career choices. Now tell me, who's doing a favor here?"
They reached their shared cabin, Ryota opening the door while Hachiman walked in first, heading straight for one of the two chairs.
He dropped into it with a satisfied thud, letting out a deep breath.
"You might have a point there." He admitted, though he didn't sound too broken up about it.
Ryota chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Course I do. But hey, I am not complaining. Your brand of corporate takedown is always a good show."
Hachiman smirked, flipping through the pages in the file, already calculating how he would approach the upcoming meeting. "Good. Because I am not holding back."
Ryota grinned, settling into his own chair. "Wouldn't have it any other way, buddy."
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
[Author Reminder : +chapters advance in Patreon]
-->patreon.com/WrightBrothers