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 18

Chapter 18: A New Beginning, A New Dynamic

[Natsume’s POV]

Six months had passed since I officially left my old company and joined Taira Corporation.

Three months of working directly under Reina Sakamoto.

Three months of her relentless perfectionism, her impossible standards, and her ability to find the smallest flaws in work I had been sure was flawless.

And yet, somehow… I didn’t hate it.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say I enjoyed being nitpicked to death, but I had to admit, working under Reina was leagues beyond anything I had experienced before.

It was like being forged in fire.

Painful? Yes.

But the results spoke for themselves.

I was getting better.

I was sharper, more efficient, and more aware of the bigger picture than ever before.

And I knew Reina saw it too—even if she’d rather die than openly admit it.

Late Evening – Taira Corporation Offices

“Redo it.”

I sighed as Reina slid my tablet back toward me.

“You know, one of these days, I’d like to submit something and not hear those words,” I muttered, rubbing my temples.

She arched an eyebrow. “Then make it perfect the first time.”

I exhaled sharply. “Boss, this is perfect.”

She gave me a flat look. “Perfect is an illusion. This is acceptable at best.”

I was this close to dramatically flopping onto the table.

Instead, I ran a hand through my hair and grabbed my stylus, preparing to make whatever minuscule adjustments she wanted + more.

“!! I didn’t see that… (mutter), wow.”

“You’re lucky I have unlimited patience,” I said, smirking slightly.

Reina didn’t even glance up. “!! You’re lucky I have unlimited patience. Otherwise, you’d have been fired three months ago.”

I chuckled. “Ouch. Harsh.”

She hummed, scribbling notes on her own tablet.

I took a moment to watch her as she worked.

Reina Sakamoto in full-on work mode was a sight to behold.

Her sharp gaze darted across the screen, her fingers moving with precision as she flipped through files and charts. Her usual no-nonsense expression was present, but now that I had been working with her for months, I could see the subtleties—how her eyebrows twitched when she found something interesting, how her lips pursed slightly when she was deep in thought.

I had learned to read her cues.

And more importantly, I had learned something else.

Reina Sakamoto—ruthless corporate leader, perfectionist extraordinaire—was absolutely adorable when she got flustered.

And lately, I had made it my unofficial mission to test that theory as often as possible.

“Alright,” I said, stretching. “Guess that means I’m staying late again. You keeping me company, Boss?”

I saw it.

The split-second hesitation.

The tiny flicker in her usually unshakable composure.

Her fingers twitched slightly against the tablet, and—was that the faintest hint of pink on her ears?

Then, as if rebooting, she narrowed her eyes and gave me a deadly glare.

“I—Of course, I am!” she snapped. “Who else is going to make sure you don’t half-ass it?”

I smirked.

Oh, this was too fun.

“You say that like I ever half-ass my work.”

She scoffed. “I say that because you could do better.”

And just like that, she was back to normal.

I shook my head in amusement and got back to work.

But I wasn’t done yet.

A Few Hours Later

The office was nearly empty, save for a few late-night employees and the ever-present hum of the city beyond the glass windows.

Reina and I were still at it, working through the last batch of reports for the night.

I leaned back in my chair, stretching with a yawn. “You know, if I were still at my old company, I’d be at home watching a movie by now.”

Reina didn’t even look up. “Then you’d be wasting your potential.”

I gave her a look. “Wow. Ever heard of relaxation, Boss?”

She finally glanced at me. “Ever heard of excellence, Natsume?”

I snorted. “Geez. Way to kill the mood.”

She sighed, rubbing her temples. “You’ve changed.”

I blinked. “Oh? Do tell.”

She studied me for a moment, then leaned back in her chair.

“When you first got here, you were sharp but reckless. You had potential, but you were still… immature.”

I placed a hand over my heart dramatically. “Oof. Right in the ego.”

She rolled her eyes but continued, “Now, you’re different. You anticipate problems before they happen. You think ahead. Your ideas carry weight.”

For someone as strict as Reina, that was high praise.

And I could have accepted it gracefully.

But where was the fun in that?

“So,” I said, grinning, “you’re saying I impress you?”

Silence.

A very dangerous silence.

Then—

Reina’s face twitched.

Her eyes widened slightly before narrowing into the fiercest glare I had ever seen.

“I—” She opened her mouth, then closed it.

Then opened it again.

Then—

“You’re getting cocky.”

I grinned. “That wasn’t a no.”

Her cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink.

Victory.

[Reina’s POV]

What is happening to me?

I tapped my pen against the desk, watching as Natsume lazily stretched in his chair.

Lately… things had shifted.

It wasn’t just his work.

It was him.

The way he talked to me.

The way he looked at me.

The way my body reacted to it.

I had never felt like this before.

My heart pounded against my ribs, my skin felt unnaturally warm, and—oh no, he’s smirking again.

That damn smirk.

It was infuriating.

And unfairly attractive.

I needed to escape.

“Natsume,” I blurted, a little too loudly. “You’re done for today. Go home.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re kicking me out?”

I cleared my throat. “I—It’s late. You should rest.”

His eyes narrowed.

Oh no.

He knows.

And then—

That smirk again.

“Oh? Are you worried about me, Boss?”

My entire brain short-circuited.

“Wha—”

“I mean, if you want me to stay, you could just say so,” he added, resting his chin on his hand.

My face exploded into heat.

I was going to die.

I had to regain control.

I slammed my hands on the desk, standing up abruptly. “I—I do not want you to stay! In fact, I order you to leave!”

He laughed.

Not a polite chuckle.

A full-on amused laugh.

“Alright, alright. I’ll go,” he said, grabbing his things.

But just before he left—

He paused.

Glanced back.

And then—

“Goodnight, Reina.”

Not Boss.

Not Miss Sakamoto.

Just… Reina.

I choked.

I—

I need to escape.

The moment he was gone, I collapsed into my chair, pressing my hands against my burning face.

What was happening to me?

Why was my heart pounding like this?

Why was—

Oh no.

Oh no.

This wasn’t just admiration.

This wasn’t just respect.

This was—

I groaned into my hands.

I am in trouble.

Big trouble.