Episode 2 – The Man Who Didn’t Flinch

Several years had passed since Ryoko joined the company. Her beauty and flawless performance had made her a hot topic within the office.

Among the male employees, she was an unattainable idol—admired, adored, and consistently rejected.

Ryoko, however, showed no interest in any of them.

To her, what mattered most was finding someone who could truly accept her—powers and all.

One day, a new face appeared in the sales department.

Shota Sasaki, 26 years old, was assigned to work on the same project as Ryoko.

He was cheerful, friendly, and had the kind of personality that instantly put people at ease.

(Hmm… Definitely a different breed from the others.)

“Nice to meet you, Takahashi-san. Looks like we’ll be working together on this project. I’m looking forward to it!”

He spoke directly and confidently, meeting Ryoko’s eyes with an open, sincere smile.

—And in that moment—

Something snagged in Ryoko’s mind.

(What… is this feeling?)

She realized she had been staring at him and quickly looked away.

There was no fear in his eyes.

On the contrary… there was something almost comforting.

(…No way.)

A forgotten memory surfaced from deep within her chest.

“At age 28, you will meet your destined one.”

Ryoko swallowed hard.

(That ridiculous fortune...)

She dismissed it in her head—but her instincts wouldn’t let go of that tiny disturbance she’d felt when she saw him.

Almost without realizing it, she began to get closer to Shota.

At first, it was purely work-related. But his small kindnesses, his honest and gentle manner—they started to shake something in Ryoko’s heart.

One evening, they happened to ride the elevator together after work.

Ryoko found herself wanting to test him—just a little.

“Hey, Shota-kun… What do you think of me?”

He blinked at the sudden question but answered with surprising seriousness.

“Takahashi-san, you’re amazing. Smart, beautiful… and honestly, kind of intimidating. But…”

He smiled.

“I don’t know why, but I feel… kind of safe around you.”

—Safe?

Ryoko’s heart gave a faint ripple.

No one—not a single person—had ever said that to her before.

(…He really is different.)

To confirm a hunch, Ryoko used her telekinesis, just a tiny bit.

Shota’s necktie slipped free from his collar and floated gently in the air.

“Wha—?! Something just…?”

Startled, Shota reached for his neck.

(This is where a normal guy backs off.)

Ryoko watched carefully, expecting the usual reaction.

But Shota just hesitated for a second… then shrugged and laughed.

“Haha, must’ve been my imagination! Maybe I’m just tired?”

—He’s not afraid.

Ryoko caught her breath.

Any normal man would’ve freaked out.

“What the hell was that?!”

“What did you do?!”

But Shota… had a question.

Then he chose to accept it.

(This guy…)

Ryoko smiled softly.

(Maybe… he really could accept all of me—)

The moment she thought that, something inside her burst.

The “hope” she’d kept locked away for so long began to swell, unstoppable.

(Hehe… hehehe…)

Her eyes shimmered faintly.

(This could be worth testing.)

And so, the fateful connection between Ryoko and Shota began.