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 13: Under Her Supervision

[Natsume’s POV]

The Taira Corporation’s headquarters was a fortress of efficiency. Everything from the sleek, glass-panelled architecture to the synchronized movements of employees reflected a well-oiled machine. I had worked in professional environments before, but this… this was something else.

I adjusted my tie, exhaling as I stepped past security and into the main lobby. The moment I checked in, a familiar voice called out to me.

“You’re on time. Good.”

I turned to see Reina Sakamoto standing a few feet away, arms crossed. Today, she wore a fitted black blazer with a deep burgundy blouse underneath. She always carried herself with authority, but there was a sharper edge to her expression today—like she had already mapped out everything I would be doing before I even walked through the door.

“Didn’t really have much of a choice,” I replied. “My boss made it clear that refusing this project wasn’t an option. After all I got a message saying this:”

“Effective immediately, you will be transferred to a private collaborative project between our company and The Taira Corporation. You will report directly to Reina Sakamoto, who has specifically requested your involvement. You are expected to work at The Taira Corporation’s facility until the project’s completion.”

Reina smirked. “Smart man.”

“So, is this where you reveal the fine print? That I just signed my soul away to the Taira Corporation?”

Her smirk widened. “Not quite. But since you mention it…” She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice just enough to make me uneasy. “Now that you’re under my supervision, I can toy with you however I want.”

I stiffened.

Reina let the silence linger just long enough before chuckling. “Relax. It was a joke.”

“…Somehow, I doubt that.”

Her eyes gleamed with amusement, but she waved a hand dismissively. “Come on. I’ll show you where you’ll be working.”

As I followed her through the pristine hallways, I took note of how employees reacted to her presence. Some offered polite nods, others stepped aside as she passed, and a few exchanged quick glances before refocusing on their tasks. Unlike Miyuki’s theatrical approach to control, Reina’s dominance was woven into the very fabric of the workplace. She didn’t have to command attention—it was given to her naturally.

Finally, we arrived at a spacious, glass-walled conference room. Inside, a team of professionals were already deep in discussion, sifting through reports and adjusting projected models on the screen.

“This is our core team for the project,” Reina explained, folding her arms. “You’ll be working directly with them, but ultimately, all final decisions go through me.”

I gave a short nod. “Understood.”

She studied me for a moment before smirking again. “You catch on quickly. Good.”

I frowned. “Did you actually request me specifically for this?”

“Of course.” Reina’s tone was casual, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “It would’ve been a waste not to.”

A waste?

Before I could ask what she meant, she was already moving forward. “Let’s get started. I expect results, Natsume.”

The first week was brutal.

The project was more intricate than I had imagined. This wasn’t just some corporate collaboration—it was an ambitious venture that could potentially reshape entire sectors of the industry. Every aspect of the project had to be meticulously calculated, optimized, and prepared for large-scale implementation.

Reina, of course, was relentless.

“You can do better.”

That was the first thing she said after reviewing my initial analysis.

I looked up from my laptop. “Excuse me?”

Reina didn’t even glance at me as she tossed the report back across the table. “Your projections are solid, but they lack long-term stability. You’re focusing too much on short-term feasibility. Look deeper.”

I clenched my jaw. “There’s only so much we can predict, especially when it comes to market shifts. No model is going to be perfect.”

She finally met my gaze, a challenge in her expression. “Then make it as close to perfect as possible.”

Damn.

Unlike my previous workplace, where any pushback resulted in bureaucratic sluggishness, Reina wanted more. She didn’t just want competence—she wanted excellence.

And for some reason, I didn’t mind.

I stayed late that night, refining the analysis. By the time I submitted the updated version, I expected another round of scrutiny.

Instead, Reina simply nodded as she skimmed through the pages.

“Better,” she murmured.

For some reason, that single word held more weight than a dozen generic compliments from my previous managers.

Days blurred into nights. The more I worked under Reina, the more I realized how deeply involved she was. She wasn’t just a distant supervisor—she was hands-on, constantly analyzing every angle of the project, pushing everyone to exceed expectations.

Yet, something else was changing, too.

She was becoming… familiar.

At first, our interactions had been strictly professional. She was curt, demanding, and left no room for anything outside of work.

But as the days passed, subtle shifts began to happen.

She no longer addressed me with that distant, businesslike tone—at times, there was something almost personal in the way she spoke. She’d tease me occasionally, like when I miscalculated a projection.

“Natsume, really?” she’d say with a small smirk. “Are you sure you’re as competent as they say?”

And then there were the small, almost imperceptible moments.

The way she would stand a little closer when reviewing my reports. The way her eyes lingered on me just a second longer when I spoke. The way she no longer held herself as rigidly around me as she did with others.

Of course, I thought nothing of it. To me, it was just Reina adjusting to my work style, just as I was adapting to hers.

One evening, after another late-night session, Reina leaned back in her chair and exhaled.

“You’re a lot more capable than I expected,” she admitted.

I glanced up from my laptop. “That supposed to be a compliment?”

She smirked. “If you want to take it that way.”

I shook my head. “Coming from you, that almost sounds like high praise.”

She tapped her fingers against the desk, watching me carefully. “You’re sharp. You don’t just follow instructions—you think ahead. Anticipate problems before they even happen.”

I shrugged. “That’s how I was trained.”

“Maybe,” she murmured, “but it’s not just training. It’s instinct. And that’s rare.”

There was something in her voice—something thoughtful.

And then, just as quickly, she straightened her posture and returned to her usual sharp demeanor.

“Don’t let it get to your head.”

I chuckled. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

She smirked, but this time, it was softer. Almost… amused.

And for some reason, that moment lingered in my mind long after we had parted ways for the night.

The next morning, I arrived earlier than usual, expecting another long day of work.

What I didn’t expect was for Reina to greet me with an unexpected statement.

“I’ve spoken with your company head.”

I blinked. “What?”

She crossed her arms. “I told them I wanted you fully incorporated into this project. Meaning, from this point on, you’ll be working exclusively within the Taira Corporation until it’s completed.”

I stared at her. “You… negotiated that behind my back?”

“Would you have refused?”

I hesitated.

That was answer enough.

She smirked. “Exactly.”

I exhaled. “And I suppose I don’t have a choice now.”

“Oh, you do,” she said, tilting her head. “But let’s be honest, Natsume—you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t want to be.”

I didn’t answer.

She leaned slightly closer, her voice dropping just enough to make me uncomfortable.

“Besides,” she murmured, “this means I can toy with you however I want.”

I stiffened.

She chuckled. “Kidding. Mostly.”