Episode 77 - Miki's MBO—Managed by Obsession

【Ryoko: “Okay, Miki-chan, you're up next for your MBO review♡”】

Miki: “I’m all ears, Chief Ryoko, ma’am.”

Just like Shota, Miki swallowed hard when she saw her MBO document.

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【FY202X – Miki's MBO Goal Setting Sheet】

Goal 1: Constantly monitor Shota and report to Chief Ryoko. Do not let Chief Ryoko feel anxious.
KPI: Judged by the section chief’s subjective assessment (ASK Ryoko), along with AI-based anxiety level analysis via internal office cameras

Goal 2: Prevent Shota’s power from going out of control.
KPI: 0 incidents of power mishaps per month

Goal 3: Don’t get caught in your own trap (Miki’s personal safety comes first)
KPI: 0 major incidents caused by Miki per month

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Miki: “Ryoko-ma’am… this is…”

Miki’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

Ryoko: “Yep, just what you're thinking, Miki-chan…”

Miki: “The company’s finally taking Shota-senpai’s psychic powers seriously, huh…”

Ryoko: “Only a handful of upper management knows about this… I know it’s dangerous to ask someone I’ve only just met to get involved, but you’re the only one I can trust, Miki-chan… The only one I can rely on to keep this secret and still help me…”

Miki: “You can count on me, ma’am! I’ll keep it secret, no matter what! I always believed the day would come when my knowledge—like from Mu Magazine, light novels, and manga—would finally come in handy at work. And that day… is today! So please, ma’am, use me as much as ya need!”

Ryoko: “Thank you, Miki-chan! And that’s why I wanted to ask you as a specialist… There’s something I haven’t told you about Shota-kun yet. It’s gonna sound weird, but… when you came over to our place the other day, I wasn’t… wearing something strange, was I?” (See Episode 69)

— Ryoko acted embarrassed, her cheeks turning red as she averted her gaze. Miki instantly recalled the sight of Ryoko dressed in a maid café outfit as she saw her off that day—and started blushing right along with her.

Miki: “…Oh, you mean that maid outfit? The one ya said was Shota-senpai’s kink?”

— Ryoko gradually put on a pale, troubled expression as she continued.

Ryoko: “…The thing is, I don’t remember it. When I came to, you were already gone, and I was standing there in that outfit… I asked Shota-kun, but all he did was smile and laugh. He wouldn’t tell me anything…”

Miki froze. That was a huge revelation.

Miki: “Ma’am, that’s straight-up mind control! Shota-senpai’s got powers that can make people act against their will!”

Ryoko: “You mean… I was controlled by Shota-kun to wear that outfit? That’s terrifying!”

— Miki paused to think, then spoke up.

Miki: “If Shota-senpai really has that kind of power, that would explain his freakish popularity… He could be controlling the other girls!”

Ryoko’s eyes gleamed✨ — everything was unfolding just as she’d hoped.

Ryoko: “You’re right!? If that’s true, I won’t be able to stand it—Shota-kun using his powers to seduce other women? I won’t allow it! Miki-chan, you’re in danger too! I’ll go talk to my boss and convince them not to drag you into this!”

Miki: “Don’t worry ‘bout me, ma’am. Set a thief to catch a thief, right? I’ll dodge any ‘mind control’ and get that MBO completed with a proper plan.”

Ryoko: “Are you sure, Miki-chan? I’m still… anxious 😨…”

— Suddenly, the warning light🚨 on the conference room’s ceiling camera 📹 flashed, and Miki’s work phone rang. It was a call from the department head.

Department Head: “Ah, Endo-san? Do your best to keep Chief Takahashi from feeling anxious, okay? That’s an official work order.”

Miki: “……Got it.”

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【Strategy Planning for MBO Goals】

Ryoko: “Now then, Miki-chan, let’s work out some concrete strategies for each goal.”

Miki: “Yes, ma’am! ‘Surveillance’ and ‘mind control countermeasures’ are right up my alley!”

Ryoko: “Then let’s start with Goal 1—‘Monitoring and Reporting on Shota-kun.’ What ideas do you have?”

Miki: “First off, fixed-point surveillance. I’ll install a plant-shaped camera behind Shota-senpai’s desk. It’ll come with voice recognition AI, so it’ll send out an alert the moment he sweet-talks a girl with that dreamy voice of his. You’ll also be able to monitor him anytime from your company phone!”

Ryoko: “Wait, that might be unethical… but I can see Shota-kun anytime…? Let’s do it♡”

Miki: “I’ll also set up an AI system in the break area to auto-identify and report any ‘high-appeal female employees’ when Shota-senpai appears. How should we configure the criteria?”

Ryoko: “Great idea! Shota-kun tends to like women who are older than him, strong-willed, and caring. Send me an urgent alert whenever one shows up♡”

Miki: “Understood! I’ll prep a database by running an internal survey on those personality traits!”

Ryoko: “Next, Goal 2—‘Preventing Shota-kun’s power from going out of control.’ This one’s the most important.”

Miki: “If there’s any kind of movement or sign before he uses telekinesis, we could detect it ahead of time…”

Ryoko: “Now that you mention it, right before things start floating around him, he always gets this sneaky little grin 😏 on his face…”

Miki: “Oh yeah, when he made that maid at the Akihabara café float, he was totally grinning 😏 when she hugged him…” (See Episode 65)

Ryoko: “Oh my gosh, he was totally thinking something naughty♡”

Miki: “Got it. I’ll program the office cameras to trigger an alert if Shota-senpai does that grin 😏 and there are any girls nearby. You’ll get instant notifications.”

Ryoko: “Genius… You’re a total genius, Miki-chan!”

Miki: “Thank ya kindly. Now for Goal 3—‘Don’t become a mummy while catching one’…”

Ryoko: “That’s the trickiest one. Shota-kun’s natural charm pulls girls in like a magnet… When you’re near him, do you feel anything?”

Miki: “…Well, I remember thinking he smelled really good and kinda wanted to touch him…”

— (*Note: Shota’s hormones produce a scent scientifically calibrated to attract women of a certain age – see Episode 53)

Ryoko: “That’s it! The same thing happened to me! I caught a whiff of something nice, touched him—and woke up dressed like a maid…”

Miki: “Got it! That scent must be the trigger. If I smell it, I’ll back off from Shota-senpai right away!”

Ryoko: “Smart girl! I think so too. As long as you don’t touch him, you’ll be fine. You really are an expert—I feel so reassured♡”

Miki: “Ma’am, you too! If you ever catch that scent again, you’d best stay away from Shota-senpai!”

— Ryoko looked down sadly and gave a faint smile.

Ryoko: “…It’s too late for me… To protect everyone else in the company, I’ll give myself to Shota-kun… That’s what a wife’s love is all about♡”

Miki: “…Chief Ryoko… ♡”

— In Miki’s mind, Ryoko was now a tragic heroine, offering herself to Demon Lord Shota in an Isekai.

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Narration:

And thus, thanks to Miki’s MBO, Shota came under perfect Ryoko-control, even at work.

The End!