The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 158-159

Chapter 158: A Meeting Called a Conference

The next day, I stood before a building far larger than the one housing our company.

That’s right, this was the company where Yuna and I used to work—AO Britia.

“Senpai, are you nervous? Geez! You’re so unreliable. Pull yourself together!”

“…No, if anything… aren’t you the one who’s more nervous, Yuna?”

“Eh? That’s not… not true at all!”

Even though her whole body seemed to be trembling, was it just my imagination?

“Well, it can’t be helped. Don’t bully your junior too much, Yusuke.”

“That’s right. Yuna might end up crying. That’d be sad.”

“Stop making me out to be the bad guy here.”

Though the two of them in their sharp suits were scolding me, I wasn’t really at fault here, was I?

Surrounding me were Yuna, who seemed the most nervous and was clutching a bag filled with documents in both hands, and Manaka and Soji, who were confidently gazing up at AO Britia.

“Alright, let’s go. Time is limited,” Soji said, taking the lead. Manaka encouraged Yuna, walking alongside her, while I took a deep breath before entering the building.

The moment I stepped in, a nostalgic scent hit my nose. Yuna seemed to notice it too, as her expression shifted to a slightly complicated one.

Looking around, nothing had changed from my memories. People bustled about, multiple reception desks lined the space, and glass-walled elevators offered a view of the cityscape. It felt like returning to my parents’ home.

As I took it all in, someone approached from the front.

Holding a tablet, her long black hair was neatly tied up, and she wore glasses. She was the epitome of a capable woman.

“We’ve been expecting you, representatives from Able. Thank you for accepting AO Britia’s proposal this time. We are grateful.”

“Ah, Ms. Kirigiri. That’s our line. We’ve been looking forward to today. Can you guide us right away?”

“Understood. Allow me to show you the way,” she replied.

For a brief moment, her gaze fell on Yuna and me, and she paused. However, without showing any sign of unease, Ms. Kirigiri began leading the way.

“…Senpai, that person just now,” Yuna whispered to me.

I nodded. I’d only seen her once before, but seeing her up close, she exuded an impressive aura. She was Misato Kirigiri, secretary to President Kuwashima.

An extraordinary individual who, within just three years of joining the company, had been appointed as the president’s secretary. She was one of the key players behind winning the top prize at the SMART VIEW video contest.

To think the day would come when I’d meet her face-to-face… Wait, what the heck!?

“…Why did you both step on my foot?”

I yelped as Manaka and Yuna stomped on my feet. Seriously, why were they glaring at me? Did I do something wrong?

“Senpai, you’ll get stabbed by someone someday.”

“Yeah, or fall into a ditch and die.”

“I get that you’re mad, but could you tone down the harsh words?”

What if those things really happened? Soji, why are you laughing?

Feeling slightly annoyed, I followed Ms. Kirigiri into the elevator, which began ascending.

Inside the elevator, silence filled the space. The heavy atmosphere was almost palpable, but the chime signaling our arrival broke it.

When the doors opened, we walked for a while before arriving at a door that seemed to belong to someone very important.

“President, I’ve brought the representatives from Able,” Ms. Kirigiri said as she knocked.

A dignified voice from inside responded, “Come in.”

The heavy door opened, revealing two men seated as though they had been waiting for us.

One was a robust man with a thick beard, the figure responsible for AO Britia’s substantial growth.

The other had shimmering silver hair, so brilliant it seemed to reflect light, and was one of the chairmen of the conglomerate that acquired AO Britia.

“Thank you for waiting, President Kuwashima, Chairman Mikado,” Ms. Kirigiri said.

And there they were—giants of the business world I never thought I’d meet in my life.

—

Chapter 159: The Offer and the Price

As soon as we entered the president’s office, the air became tense.

In front of me sat two people I never expected to meet.

Just facing them was enough to make my heart race so fast it felt like it would tear apart.

To be honest, I wanted to run away from here immediately. That was how overwhelming their presence was.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Sit down. The tea’s going to get cold,” said Mitsuhiko Sumeragi, the chairman, with an easygoing smile, motioning for us to sit.

Even Soji, who usually wore a relaxed grin, had a stern expression.

“…Then, I’ll take you up on your offer,” Soji said, forcing a smile as he gracefully sat on the impeccably clean and luxurious sofa.

The three of us sat down opposite President Kuwashima and Chairman Sumeragi.

“Now then, with everyone gathered, let’s get the discussion started. But before that…”

As if suddenly remembering something, Chairman Sumeragi turned his gaze toward Yuna and me.

Just being stared at felt like my heart was being crushed. It was terrifying… overwhelmingly so.

“You’re the ones who used to be at Britia, right? Yuna Andou and Yusuke Kojima. It’s an honor to meet you. I hear you have something to say, so go ahead,” he said with a smile.

After that, President Kuwashima leaned forward and began to speak. I wanted to respond, but my mouth wouldn’t move properly.

“…Yusuke, Yuna. You both went through a tough time. I know apologizing won’t make it right, but please, let me apologize. I’m sorry for what happened,” he said.

“I deeply apologize,” added Kirigiri-san, standing behind him, bowing deeply alongside the president.

Seeing them like that left me speechless. I never thought they would apologize.

“…The past is fine. Those are not the words we wanted to hear,” Yuna said from beside me with a serious expression.

“I quit because I wanted to. So, there’s no need to apologize to me. However… I do hope there won’t be another person like Yusuke-senpai in the future,” she added.

“…I’ll take it to heart,” President Kuwashima replied, his voice unusually cold.

The tone was so far from Yuna’s usual personality that it filled the room with tension.

Is she… angry? Yuna, who seemed the most nervous earlier, is now taking the lead. I didn’t expect that.

The tense silence was broken by a sharp clapping sound. It was Chairman Sumeragi.

“Alright, apology time is over! Let’s focus on more productive matters. Right, Soji Ashida?”

“…Yeah, that’s right,” Soji replied.

“Haha, come on, Kuwashima. Let’s get started already!” Sumeragi said with a bright, childlike grin.

The atmosphere immediately shifted. Even Kuwashima seemed taken aback but quickly composed himself.

(…As expected of Mitsuhiko Sumeragi. He’s the kind of person who can lead one of the three major financial conglomerates.)

He’s not someone to be underestimated. With moderate tension, I prepared myself for the discussion.

“Hmm, this is pretty good. It’s genuinely interesting,” Sumeragi said, looking at the project proposal Yuna had created.

Hearing that, Yuna let out a sigh of relief.

“…So, I’d like to ask, what exactly can AO Britia provide for our company, Able Corporation?” Soji asked, shifting to the main topic.

President Kuwashima was the one to answer.

“We plan to offer the best support possible for Able,” he said.

“…Specifically?”

“Sponsorship, venue provision, advertising… we’ll do everything AO Britia can.”

As he said this, Kirigiri-san handed us some documents. Flipping through them, I was amazed. They were willing to do so much for us.

“That’s the support Britia can offer you,” Sumeragi chimed in.

“…Is there more to it?” Soji asked with a suspicious frown.

“Sharp, aren’t you? In addition to Britia, the Sumeragi Group will also back you,” Sumeragi said.

“Wha–!? Th-that’s…”

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime offer, isn’t it? To be blunt, Britia’s reputation has dropped since that incident. But with promotion from the Sumeragi Group, it’ll add credibility and provide even better technology. It’s perfect, don’t you think?”

It was indeed a dream offer… but what’s the catch? I couldn’t figure out what they wanted from us, leaving me confused.

“But of course, it’s not free. I’m not that generous,” Sumeragi added.

“…Then, what exactly do you want us to do?”

“It’s simple. Your company, Able Corporation, needs to join the Sumeragi Group.”

At those words, we froze, our breath caught in our throats.

In contrast, Sumeragi’s lips curled into a smirk, his gaze like that of someone playing with a toy.