Ichigo dropped the bag onto the couch and stretched his body, letting out a long yawn.
He walked lazily toward the mirror, eyes half-lidded with sleep, unbuttoning his shirt as he went.
Stopping in front of the mirror, he stared at his reflection—lean, simple, yet well-toned.
"Damn…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"How does such a sexy guy still not have a girlfriend?"
He sighed deeply, shaking his head.
"What a pity. Better luck next time, dude."
Closing his eyes, he covered his face with his hand with shame.
"…How low have I sunk."
"ahh whatever, lets take a bath" suddenly cheering up he removed his removing clothes and went for the bathroom.
.
Reiko arrived at the office in her car, softly humming to herself.
"Hmm~ did I forget to turn off the geyser…? Ah, whatever."
She was early today. As usual, the first thing she did was stop by the convenience store attached to the building, pick up a few snacks, and then head inside.
As she waited for the elevator, the doors slid open—and she found Ryo standing inside.
"Ryo? You're pretty early today," she said with a smile.
"Morning, ma'am," Ryo greeted politely.
"Good morning to you too. Suzu told me yesterday that you're all old friends of Ichigo," Reiko said casually. "She mentioned there was quite the turmoil when you all met."
"Oh yeah," Ryo replied. "We know that guy from our college days."
"I see. Anyway, I've got work to do. I'll be heading up."
Reiko stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 25th floor.
When she reached the 25th floor, Reiko walked into the resting area.
"Hm~ someone's bathing?" she muttered. "Did Suzu not go home again? Seriously, that girl… what am I supposed to do with her?"
A mischievous smile crept onto her face.
"Well then… let's prank her."
She quietly hid behind the wall.
At the same moment, Ichigo finished bathing. With nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, he stepped out of the bathroom.
Reiko jumped out suddenly.
"Surpri—AHHH!"
"AHHH!"
"AHHH
Ichigo yelped, instantly covering his body. while Reiko too Yelped
"W-what are you doing, Miss Reiko?!" he shouted.
"Oh… it's Ichigo," she said, calming down almost immediately, a smile forming on her face.
"What kind of reaction is that?!" Ichigo yelled.
Reiko's eyes slowly drifted over his nearly naked body.
"Um… nice body there."
"T-thank yo— THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
She sighed dreamily. "How long has it been since I last saw a man's naked body…"
Ichigo stiffened, completely creeped out. "Eh? W-what do you mean by that?"
"It's not what you think, idiot," she snapped. "I'm a well-respected woman, not some pervert."
"But you got a nosebleed when you saw Suzu tied up in a really sexy way," Ichigo said suspiciously.
"T-that's a different matter! I am NOT a pervert!" she protested.
Ichigo slowly lowered his hands from his upper body.
Reiko stared calmly—expressionless—until suddenly…
Drip.
Her nose started bleeding.
"I KNEW IT!" Ichigo shouted, grabbing his clothes and sprinting back into the bathroom.
"W-wait! It's not what you think!" Reiko chased after him, covering her nose.
"Just let me change peacefully!" Ichigo shouted from behind the locked bathroom door.
"A-alright…"
"A-alright…"
She wiped her nose at the sink.
"Great… now he thinks I'm a pervert…"
Her thoughts drifted back.
Lean muscles.
Towel.
Steam.
DRIP.
Second nostril.
"U-Um… but objectively speaking, he was really hot…"
A few minutes later, Ichigo stepped out, now dressed in the plain white shirt Ryo had bought him, sleeves folded neatly, a waistcoat layered over it. His lean physique vanished beneath the clothes.
"Ah, Ichigo. I'm really sorry I barged in like that," Reiko said sincerely. "I thought it was Suzu."
"It's fine," Ichigo replied calmly. "It's partly my fault for not locking the door."
"You're too kind," Reiko said with a smile. "Most employees would file a complaint and make a fortune out of something like this."
"Don't worry. It's really fine."
Cheered, Reiko suddenly smacked his back.
"You're such a nice guy, Ichi! As thanks, I'll find you a nice place to live nearby. You live pretty far, right?"
"Ichi?"
"That's what Yui calls you too, isn't it?" Reiko teased smugly. "Are you two dating?"
"No," Ichigo replied. "She's like a sister to me."
"Oh… I see." She smirked. "Then wanna date me instead?"
Ichigo froze.
"Ho ho, just kidding," Reiko laughed. "Relax. I'm a mother of two daughters—and I'm divorced."
"I don't mind," Ichigo said bluntly, smiling.
"…What?" Reiko blinked.
"What?" Ichigo echoed.
"What?" Reiko
"…Nothing," Ichigo Said .
They left the room together, heading toward the elevator.
"Anyway," Reiko said, "you'll be going to Fuji Inc. with Suzu today. They're having a software issue—something we developed for them. We're on good terms with that company."
"Oh, I see… wait," Ichigo frowned. "I don't even have my own desk yet, and you're already sending me outside?"
Reiko chuckled. "Don't worry. You've got a desk in your team room. I'll have a computer set up by the time you're back—and I'll find you an apartment nearby too."
"Alright."
With that, Ichigo and Suzu entered the elevator headed for the 21st floor, where the CEO's office and Ichigo's team room were located.
"I'll be heading to my office," Reiko said as she walked away. "Come to me if you need anything."
Ryo spotted Ichigo and walked right up, stopping inches from his face.
"You owe me a beer."
"When?"
"Someday… I guess."
"…'I guess'?"
Ryo scowled. "Bastard. I woke up early despite my hangover just to get you clothes—so you wouldn't have to stay naked in the office."
Ichigo suddenly grabbed Ryo's tie and YANK!—pulled it off with a swift motion.
"Thank you."
"NO—thank you," Ryo snapped, instantly snatching it back and fixing his collar. "That tie costs more than your dignity."
Before Ichigo could reply—
DING!
The elevator doors slid open.
Standing there were Suzu, Yui, and Ayaka.
Instant silence.
"Ah… it's you," Ichigo said casually.
In the next second—
CLING!
Yui latched onto Ichigo's arm like it was her job.
"Tch... Weren't you going to be late today…," Suzu said, looking oddly disappointed.
"WHY DO YOU SOUND DISAPPOINTED?!" Ichigo yelped.
Yui tugged Ichigo downward.
"Hey, Ichi~"
"What?"
"I wore black today." 😇
"…Huh?" Ichigo blinked. "But you're wearing grey."
"In the inside, I mean," Yui replied with an innocent smile.
—
EVERYONE CHOKED.
COUGH—
SPIT—
SYSTEM ERROR—
"WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT, YOU IDIOT?!" Suzu smacked Yui on the head.
"Ehe~" 😊
"…'Ehe'?"
Ayaka facepalmed.