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 17

Chapter 17: The End of a Project, The Start of Something Else

[Natsume’s POV]

The project that had consumed weeks of my life—the relentless work, sleepless nights, and the constant push to refine, improve, and perfect—was finally complete.

It had started as an ambitious corporate initiative, but now, staring at the final report in my hands, I realized that it had become something far greater. It wasn’t just about company profits or corporate prestige. This was something that could genuinely shift the industry.

And somehow… I had helped make it happen.

I exhaled, sinking into my chair, a rare wave of satisfaction washing over me.

Across from me, Reina leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms as she reviewed the final documents. For once, she wasn’t scrutinizing every tiny detail with that sharp, analytical glare. Instead, she just… looked at them. As if letting the reality of what we’d done sink in.

Then, for the first time since I had started working under her, she gave a small, satisfied smile.

“…Not bad,” she murmured.

That was it.

That was all she said.

And yet, coming from Reina—one of the most demanding, uncompromising people I had ever worked under—it might as well have been the highest form of praise.

The other members of the team visibly relaxed, some even clapping lightly. I just exhaled, shaking my head slightly.

“Good work, everyone,” Reina finally said, standing up. “We’ll present this to the executive board tomorrow. You’re all dismissed.”

People started filing out, exchanging murmurs of relief and victory. I was about to leave too when Reina’s voice stopped me.

“Natsume.”

I turned back.

She was still seated, one hand resting on her desk, the other holding an envelope. With a smooth motion, she slid it across the table toward me.

“Stay for a second.”

I frowned, stepping forward.

She gestured toward the envelope. “Open it.”

There was something in her tone—something expectant.

Curious, I picked it up and unfolded the crisp papers inside. My eyes scanned the contents… and my breath caught in my throat.

Job Offer – Taira Corporation

My salary…

I had expected a raise, maybe something significant considering how much effort I had put in. But this?

This wasn’t double my current pay.

It wasn’t ten times my salary.

It was over one hundred times what I was making before.

I felt my grip tighten around the paper. “This… This can’t be real.”

Reina smirked. “It’s real.”

I looked up, my mind struggling to process it. “You’re offering me this?”

“I’m giving you the chance to earn it,” she corrected smoothly. “If you sign that contract, you’ll be working under me directly. Not just as another employee, but as someone I personally scouted.”

I could hear my heartbeat in my ears.

This was more than a job offer.

This was life-changing.

A part of me wanted to sign it immediately.

But instead, I found myself reaching for my phone.

Reina raised an eyebrow. “Calling someone?”

“Yeah,” I muttered. “I need a second opinion.”

I stepped out of the room and dialed the only person who had been a constant in my life since I had started this journey.

The phone rang twice before I heard Miyuki’s voice on the other end.

“Natsume?” Her voice was bright, almost excited. “Calling me in the middle of the day? That’s rare.”

I swallowed, glancing back at the offer in my hand. “I… I got an offer from Taira Corporation.”

There was a pause.

Then—

“You did it,” she whispered. Her voice was light, almost breathless with excitement. “You’re almost there, Natsume. The place you wanted to reach… This is it.”

I closed my eyes for a second, letting her words settle in.

This was it.

All the struggles, all the late nights, all the rejections, and all the times I had doubted myself… It had led to this moment.

Miyuki let out a small laugh. “Are you hesitating?”

“…Maybe. After all, it was all because of you. I—”

“You shouldn’t,” she said softly. “This is what you deserve.”

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “Do I, really?”

I could hear the warmth in her voice as she spoke next. “Congratulations, Natsume.”

I smiled, I felt my eyes get teary. “Thanks.”

After hanging up, I walked back into the room and met Reina’s gaze.

“I’ll do it.”

She nodded, as if she had expected my answer all along. “Good.”

I signed the contract.

And just like that, my life changed.

A few hours later, as the excitement started to settle, Reina and I found ourselves alone in her office. The others had left, and the sky outside had turned a deep shade of twilight.

She sat behind her desk, watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite place. It was softer than usual—less the sharp gaze of a corporate leader, more… something else.

“You’ve come a long way,” she murmured.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

She leaned forward slightly, her chin resting on her hand. “You remind me of a younger me, you know.”

I blinked. “Younger… you?”

Reina nodded, then smirked. “Well, not that much younger. How old are you again?”

“Twenty-nine,” I answered automatically.

She froze.

I frowned. “What?”

Reina opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again. “Wait. You’re older than me?”

I blinked. “What?”

“I… I thought you were younger,” she muttered, looking genuinely baffled.

I narrowed my eyes. “How old are you?”

“…Twenty-seven.”

We both stared at each other.

For weeks, Reina had been treating me with a sort of quiet authority, a stern yet guiding presence that had felt almost… maternal. She had corrected my mistakes, pushed me to my limits, and even—on rare occasions—offered me words of encouragement.

And now, she had just realized that she had been acting like a mother to someone older than her.

Her face turned slightly red, and she turned around almost immediately.

I watched as she slowly sank back into her chair, looking at me like she was experiencing an existential crisis.

Then, something changed.

Her expression wavered.

Her hands twitched slightly, gripping the armrests of her chair.

Her body shifted uncomfortably.

I could almost see the confusion flickering across her face as her body reacted in a way she clearly didn’t understand.

Her fingers curled against the desk.

Her breathing became uneven.

I tilted my head. “Uh, Reina?”

She suddenly shot up from her chair. “I-I need to go.”

I blinked. “What?”

She shook her head rapidly, looking anywhere but at me. “I—I’m sorry. I need—”

And before I could ask what was wrong, she practically bolted out of the room.

Leaving me standing there, utterly confused.

What the hell just happened?

That night, as I was finally about to relax in my new office space, my phone rang.

I glanced at the screen.

Company Head – Hoshino Tech

I frowned. Why was my old company calling me now?

I answered. “Hello?”

There was a heavy exhale on the other end. Then—

“Natsume! Listen, I don’t care what it takes. Don’t quit!”

I blinked. “What?”

“I’ll increase your salary. Five times your current pay. Ten times, even! Just don’t leave!”

I stared at the wall in silence.

It was too late.

I had already signed the contract.

And for some reason, I didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty.

“Well, technically I have to work 3 months more.”

“What—What do you mean?”

“I have emailed you the resignation letter just now Boss. Thank you very much for taking care of me till now.”

“Ah–”

“As mentioned in our contract, I will work 3 more months before changing over. I am really grateful for what I have learnt from here, especially the opportunities this job gave.”

“No. That’s.”

“Thank you boss. Because of you I am now closer to my goal.”

“Wait, Natusume.”

“I will cut the line now, do you need anything Boss?”

“No… I wish you well in your next endeav—ours.”

*call ends.