My childhood friend got me drunk and did it with me. I think it felt really good, so I continued being with her as well. ...Yandere? what is that?

Chapter 12: An Unnoticed Shift
Natsume’s POV

The following week passed in a blur of late nights, endless meetings, and looming deadlines. Work had always been demanding, but lately, it felt like the pressure had doubled.

The joint project between my company and The Taira Corporation had reached a critical stage. Deadlines were looming, and the pressure had ramped up significantly. Every day felt like a balancing act—one wrong move, and everything could fall apart.

Yet, despite the overwhelming workload, I found myself surprisingly… motivated.

A large part of that had to do with Reina Sakamoto.

She was sharp, calculating, and, more importantly, someone who didn’t waste time on empty pleasantries. Every conversation with her was direct, focused, and brimming with insight. Unlike my own management, who seemed to care more about numbers on a spreadsheet than the actual work being done, Reina actually listened. She evaluated things from every angle, never dismissing an idea outright.

It was both refreshing and intimidating.

And for some reason, I had become her go-to person.

“Natsume, let’s go over the projections again.”

“Natsume, do you have an alternative to the proposed logistics plan?”

“Natsume, walk me through your reasoning on this.”

It was always Natsume this, Natsume that.

I wasn’t complaining—far from it. If anything, I preferred working directly with someone like Reina rather than dealing with my own company’s incompetence. But something about the way she spoke to me had changed.

At first, it had been purely professional.

Lately, though… there was something else. A certain familiarity in her tone, a casual ease that hadn’t been there before.

And the teasing.

That was new.

Like now.

“You’re surprisingly reliable,” Reina remarked, setting her tablet down as she leaned back in her seat across from me.

It was late, and the office we were using had mostly cleared out. The glow from the city skyline filtered through the glass windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors. We had been running simulations for hours, refining the next phase of the project.

I exhaled, rubbing my temples. “Not sure if that’s supposed to be a compliment or a backhanded remark.”

She smirked, resting her chin on her palm. “A bit of both.”

I gave her a dry look. “Glad to know my efforts are appreciated.”

“Oh, don’t misunderstand,” she continued smoothly, tapping a pen against her notepad. “I do appreciate them. It’s just…” Her eyes flickered with amusement. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work so hard for a company that barely values them.”

I frowned. “That again?”

Reina had been making these comments more frequently—offhand remarks about how I was being wasted where I was. At first, I had dismissed them as nothing more than casual observations.

But the more time I spent working under her, the more I started to wonder if she had a point.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed it,” Reina said, tilting her head slightly. “The way your ideas are taken but never credited? The way your higher-ups rely on you yet refuse to acknowledge your contributions? It’s painfully obvious.”

I leaned back, folding my arms. “It’s just how things are.”

She let out a quiet sigh. “That’s a terrible mindset.”

“I like to think of it as realistic.”

“No, it’s settling.” She studied me, her gaze unusually serious. “Which is why I have a proposition for you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “A proposition?”

Reina shifted forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Come work for Taira Corporation.”

I blinked. “…What?”

She smiled slightly. “I’ll make it happen. If you’re willing.”

I let out a short laugh. “You say that like you have the power to make those decisions.”

Her smirk deepened. “I do.”

There was something about the way she said it—calm, assured—that sent a strange chill down my spine.

She wasn’t bluffing.

I stared at her for a long moment. “How?”

Reina tapped her fingers against the desk before answering. “I don’t usually advertise my connections, but considering the situation…” She exhaled slowly. “The Taira Corporation isn’t just some company I happen to work for.”

I waited.

She met my gaze directly. “I’m Reina Taira Sakamoto. The Sakamoto family is a branch of the Taira family.”

…What?

I stared at her, trying to process the information.

Taira. As in, the Taira. The corporate powerhouse that held influence across multiple industries.

I had known Reina was high up in the company, but I hadn’t realized she was that connected.

She chuckled at my expression. “Surprised?”

“That’s… an understatement.”

“I don’t bring it up often,” she admitted. “I prefer to build my own reputation rather than ride on my family’s name. But when it comes to making certain decisions, I do have a say. And I’m saying that you belong somewhere better.”

I exhaled sharply, leaning back in my chair. “This is a lot to take in.”

“Take your time,” she said smoothly. Then, with a smirk, she added, “Not too much time, though. I’d hate for you to waste away at your current company any longer than necessary.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll consider it.”

“Good.” She crossed her legs, watching me with something unreadable in her expression. “You’re a rare find, Natsume.”

The way she said it sent an odd feeling through me—like she wasn’t just talking about my skills. But I brushed the thought aside.

This was work.

Strictly work.

Right?

Meanwhile…

(Miyuki’s POV)

Miyuki twirled a pen between her fingers, watching the data on her screen with a blank expression.

But she wasn’t focusing on the numbers.

Her mind was elsewhere.

Specifically, on him.

Natsume.

And Reina.

The past few weeks had been grating. Miyuki had always been aware of Reina Sakamoto’s capabilities—she was a competent businesswoman, intelligent, composed.

But she was getting too close.

Miyuki had seen the way Reina looked at Natsume. The way she interacted with him. It wasn’t overt. Not yet.

But it was there.

And Natsume, the oblivious fool, didn’t even realize it.

She exhaled sharply, resting her cheek against her palm.

He was hers.

Her fingers tightened around the pen.

Reina was unknowingly treading on dangerous ground.

But Miyuki wouldn’t make a scene. She wouldn’t lash out or act recklessly.

No, she would simply… adjust things.

Just enough to remind everyone where Natsume truly belonged.

With her.