Episode 99 - The Two Walking Toward the Future

【Ryoko, Infiltrating the Venue — But Sakurai Was Waiting There】

The top floor grand hall of Sunrise Global Trading headquarters, where the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting was being held.

At the very top of the building, on the restricted-access rooftop where only authorized personnel were allowed, Ryoko crouched low as she descended quietly from the air.

“Shota-kun…”

Shota’s tension, as if directly connected to her own heart, pressed painfully upon Ryoko.

(It’s okay… You can do it. But right now… I have to be by your side.)

Taking a light breath, Ryoko closed both eyes and focused, trying to sense the currents of air and the presence around the top floor grand hall. Perceiving a window she could slip through, she floated gently upward the next instant and slid quietly inside through the narrow gap.

——And just as she was about to rush to Shota’s side,

“That’s far enough, Ryoko Takahashi.”

A low yet clear voice rang out.

Standing there was Sakurai.

At his side, bodyguards he seemed to have hired privately were waiting.

“The extraordinary shareholders’ meeting demands fair and orderly proceedings. We cannot allow an ‘unpredictable element’ such as yourself to remain here. You will have to leave.”

“…Fufu♡ Unpredictable, huh? Did I ever do anything?”

Ryoko smiled softly, but her eyes did not smile.

Sakurai’s face twisted.

“No one knows better than I what you are capable of…!”

With a wave of his hand, the burly guards stepped up to block Ryoko’s path.

(…If I force my way through here with telekinesis, the venue will descend into chaos. Both shareholders, employees and the media will panic. If that happens——Shota-kun will be troubled.)

Swallowing her frustration, Ryoko clenched her teeth.

——And then (Shota-kun, I’m here. Do your best!)——Ryoko sent those words infused with her emotions, directly to Shota.

Surrounded by guards, Ryoko was urged to leave the area.

But her eyes stayed fixed straight on Shota upon the stage.

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Shota’s Resolve — The Speech of a Man Ready to Inherit Everything】

The spotlight on the stage shone upon Shota in his suit.

A packed hall. All the shareholders in attendance turned their gazes upon Shota.

The announcer’s voice resounded.

“Now, we shall hear the greeting from our new president, Mr. Shota Sasaki.”

Standing before the microphone, Shota took one step forward—and felt his legs tremble slightly.

His throat was dry. The stares were frightening. His back felt heavy.

──Ryoko wasn’t there.

That was what frightened him more than anything.

(…Can I really… serve as president?)

Just as his mind threatened to go blank, at that very moment—

Behind his eyelids, Ryoko’s smiling face appeared. “Shota-kun, I’m here.” ——That emotional image from Ryoko resonated clearly in Shota’s heart.

Ryoko was there. Even while surrounded by guards, she was watching him intently.

No—that wasn’t it.

“She believed in him.”

Ryoko’s voice returned to his heart.

》 “Shota-kun, you’re someone who can properly inherit ‘people’s feelings’♡”
》 “That’s why I thought I could entrust you with everything precious to me♪”

At that moment—something switched inside Shota.

He gripped the microphone anew.

“…Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for attending today.”

His voice did not tremble. On the contrary, it rang clear.

“I am… still inexperienced. I have no experience, no connections, and none of the charisma of former President Sakurai.”

The hall stirred.

“But there is one thing I can say with pride, one thing in which I will not lose to anyone.”

Shota clenched his fist tightly.

“That is——the power to believe in the future.”

Silence. After a brief pause, he continued.

“I have received so many feelings. The sweat and tears of the employees, the strength and kindness of my wife Ryoko, and the decisions of all the shareholders here.”

“All of it, all of it lives within me. That’s why I am resolved to shoulder the future of Sunrise Global Trading.”

“So please, from here on as well… let us build the future of this company together!”

…Applause began to rise, slowly.

At first, one person, two.

But gradually, the entire hall was filled with resounding applause.

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Ryoko’s Reaction — The Afterglow of Tears and a Smile】

Even as she was being driven out of the venue by the bodyguards, Ryoko clearly heard Shota’s voice over the microphone.

》 “The strength and kindness of my wife Ryoko… all of it lives within me.
》 That’s why I am resolved to shoulder the future of Sunrise Global Trading!”

At that one phrase, Ryoko’s heart trembled.

(…Shota-kun… in such an important public place, calling me your ‘wife’♡…)

A quiet tear slid down her cheek.

But those tears were, of course, not of sorrow. They were filled with joy and pride.

(You can fly properly now, even without me…♡ But—)

“I’ll never let you escape, though♡”

She murmured softly and smiled warmly.

At that moment—

From behind, a man walked up. The man who had once ruled this company: former President Sakurai.

Sweat gleamed cold upon his face as he fixed his gaze on Ryoko.

“…So you really did do something. I thought if only you weren’t here… I could manage somehow… But now, it’s all over…”

Ryoko slowly looked back at Sakurai. There was no longer anger nor haste in her eyes.

“Fufu… I didn’t do anything at all♡”

“What?”

“Shota-kun can fly on his own. But his ‘heart’… will always be mine♡”

Her words carried no sting, only a gentle smile.

That was what terrified Sakurai most of all.

“…Madwoman… Even so, I… I am the man who built Sunrise Global Trading…”

Turning his back, Sakurai strode quickly away.

Left behind, Ryoko softly placed her hand over her chest.

(Shota-kun… I’ll come to you soon♪)

Her eyes no longer looked through tears, but straight ahead—toward love, and toward the future.

(But before that… I must make sure to settle the final score♡)

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Ryoko vs. Sakurai, the Second Confrontation】

Leaving the Sunrise Global Trading headquarters building, Sakurai walked toward his limousine with a sour expression.

(…Because of that woman, everything has gone mad. Sunrise Global Trading… belongs to me… I will take it back, no matter what!)

When he reached his limousine, the door slid open automatically.

(What? I don’t recall installing automatic doors… Did the driver take it upon himself again?)

Muttering complaints under his breath, he was just about to step inside when—

Sakurai froze.

On the rear seat, sitting across from him, was Ryoko with a radiant smile.

“Ufufu♪ Finally, we’re alone together♡”

Sakurai tried to bolt immediately. But in the next moment, Ryoko moved her fingers lightly, and his body floated gently into the air. He was forcibly carried into the opposite seat, where he was strapped down as the seatbelt slithered like a snake, binding him tight.

Then, with a bang, the door shut, and the lock clicked in place.

“Hey, driver! Throw this woman out at once!”

He shouted, but there was no reply.

“The driver was tired… he’s fast asleep now♡”

Ryoko laughed innocently, but her eyes gleamed with something sinister.

“…Have you finally understood that there’s no escape?”

With a swirl of her finger, the limousine began to move quietly. Even though the driver was asleep, the steering wheel and accelerator were being controlled by an invisible power.

“You monster… What do you intend to do with me? But I’ll tell you this—your powers no longer work on me.”

“Fufu, my ‘powers’? Whatever do you mean♡”

“Don’t play dumb! You… you can manipulate the hormones inside people’s brains. But I won’t fall for that anymore!”

“How frightening♡. But if I truly had such an ability… wouldn’t I have erased your memories already? Why is it that you can still ‘think such thoughts’?”

“…I didn’t forget… the humiliation of that time!”

Breathing heavily, Sakurai continued.

“That’s why I investigated your so-called ‘weakness,’ Sasaki Shota. Thanks to the Sonokata-shiro, that man has resistance to your hormone manipulation…! And I seized that compound for myself. You don’t scare me anymore!”

Ryoko chuckled softly and answered him.

“Shota-kun is a ‘weakness’?… Fufu, no. He’s my strongest weapon. And he’s the world’s offering to me—my precious sacrifice♡”

Ryoko twirled her finger once more—

》 The limousine lifted smoothly off the ground, a floating sensation pushing against Sakurai’s back.
》 The sounds of the world faded away, leaving only the eerie dissonance of the silence when the tires left the asphalt.
》Then, the limousine gently performed a 360-degree clockwise spin, driving through the air as it rotated.

“Wha—what’s happening!?” Sakurai screamed…

——And then, as if nothing had happened, the limousine settled back onto the ground and continued driving.

“Without him… I don’t know what I’d do♡”

Sakurai noticed that the hands gripping his seatbelt were trembling.

(This woman… she’s no longer human…)

Fear of Ryoko was plain on Sakurai’s face.

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Ryoko, the Punishment of Closure♡】

“Ufufu♡ Punishment confirmed♪”

“W-wait a second. If you have that kind of power, why have you been wasting your time as a company employee? I’ve already acquired the power of Sonokata-shiro. Under the same conditions, it’s obvious that I, the king, am above that ‘child’s toy,’ Sasaki Shota. Do you know who’s been moving this country’s economy? With just a flick of my hand I could control stock prices and exchange rates…! If you join forces with me instead of him, we could dominate not only Japan but the entire world!”

——Ryoko’s red-glowing eyes locked onto Sakurai’s gaze. His body froze as if paralyzed.

“You… you don’t understand at all. The only one I want to rule over is Shota-kun♡ The world means nothing to me.”

——Ryoko slid smoothly into the seat beside him and gently wrapped him in her arms.

“Since we’re here, I’ll show you. This is the ‘Relaxation Hormone Hug.’ Shota-kun receives this every day—morning, noon, and night♡”

“And this one… is twice the strength that makes ordinary people ‘melt.’ The same ‘adjustment mode’ I used on you back in the president’s office♪”

——A warm, melting pleasure spread slowly through Sakurai’s brain.

“…H-hmph. That’s nothing. It doesn’t work on me anymore! It’s just a little pleasant, that’s all… Sasaki Shota isn’t anything impressive either.”

“Well♡ As expected of the effects of Sonokata-shiro♪”

“…Then, shall we boldly try five times stronger♡?”

——A bubbling euphoria surged violently through Sakurai’s entire body!

“W-what!? I thought two times was the limit…!? Ugh… ah… incredible… what is this…!”

“Fufu♡ It’s working, isn’t it? At this rate, if we go to seven or eight times, you might just fall completely♡”

“You’ve got to be kidding…!”

“By the way—Shota-kun’s exclusive hug power is fifty times. And he handles it without any trouble♡”

“W-what… f-fifty times…!?”

——Sakurai’s vision began to fade, and at the same time he fully understood why Shota was called an “offering”.

(I see… thanks to Sasaki Shota, ‘we’ were protected…)

“Then let’s raise it step by step♡ …Six times… seven times…”

“Ah, ah, ah♡ W-wait! No… but it feels amazing!!”

——Output eight times. The sensation he had felt before in the president’s office—that feeling like his brain bubbling and bursting into foam—crashed over him all at once!

Sakurai’s eyeballs spun wildly as his stiffened body began twitching uncontrollably—

"A-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ah♡," he moaned, a blissful expression on his face. “I-it feels so good… I don’t care about the company anymore… Sunrise Global Trading means nothing… I just want… to be ruled…♡”

Ryoko “Ah♡ You’ve just fallen♪”

◇◇◇

Ryoko pressed Sakurai’s face between her hands, gazing straight into his eyes with her crimson pupils. His vision and mind burned red, as if seared by a divine flame.

“Poor thing… by erasing your memories before, I only prolonged your torment. But it’s fine now… No need to forget anymore. Just surrender yourself to me, and I’ll grant you bliss beyond reason♡”

“…Haaah…♡ Your will… is my law…♡ Anything… I shall obey your every command♡♡”

“Then, from this moment forth, you shall revere Shota-kun as your true sovereign, and serve him faithfully as an executive. Swear it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty♡ At once…! I devote my body and soul… to Lord Shota’s reign…♡”

“Good boy♡ Then that’s enough for today. Sleep tight♪”

With a snap of her fingers, Sakurai dropped instantly into sleep.

◇◇◇

By the moat of the Imperial Palace, on a dimly lit road at dusk— the limousine came to a silent, gliding stop.

Ryoko opened the door with a satisfied smile. Looking up at the sunset sky, she murmured,

“Now, I need to hurry back to my beloved Shota-kun♡”

And with a cheerful flutter, she flew off toward the Sunrise Global Trading headquarters, where Shota awaited.

____________________________________________________________________________________

【Closing — The Two Walking Toward the Future】

The general meeting and all the necessary procedures were finished, and the heavy doors swung open.

Amid the murmuring crowd, Shota stepped forward, one step at a time, slowly making his way toward the light outside.

Anxieties, uncertainties—he had overcome them all—

And now he was immersed in the pleasant afterglow that followed.

——And then.

Beyond the doors, someone was waiting for him, fidgeting with restless anticipation.

(Are you ready, Ryoko? You can’t just suddenly jump on Shota-kun, no. To welcome the Shota-kun who has grown so much, I must be the dependable “wife.” I have to scold him properly so he won’t get carried away. Yes, I am the dependable wife… dependable… depe… N-no, this is bad, I feel like I’m about to run toward him♡)

Shota: “Ryoko-senpai… I…”

Ryoko: “Hmph, that ended faster than I expected. Well, for you, Shota-kun, I guess that’s pretty good, isn’t it?”

……But contrary to her words, Ryoko’s feet were already on the verge of sprinting full-speed toward him.

Ryoko: “…J-just because you’ve become president doesn’t mean you should let it go to your head. But today only, I-I’ll spoil you, just this once♡”

(Oh no, I want to hug him tight right now… a hundred times tighter♡)

Shota puffed out his cheeks a little as he replied.

“Huh? Why only ‘today’!?

I worked hard enough for a lifetime, you know? …Come on, praise me more, Senpai〜!”

Ryoko turned her head away in a pouty gesture, but inside her heart she was screaming.

(No good… I’m just too happy, I love him too much, I can’t even put it into words…!)

In that moment, Shota gently reached his hand to Ryoko’s cheek.

“…I’m home, Ryoko-senpai.”

——Snap.

Ryoko’s “tsundere switch” completely broke down.

“Shota-kun!! You really did so well…! You were the coolest in the whole world… I love you, I really, really, really love you!! A hundred times hug♡♡♡”

With a radiant smile, Ryoko leapt into Shota’s arms. The hug, overflowing with relaxation hormones multiplied by one hundred, enveloped the two of them, sparking bursts of light like static electricity.

Shota: “Ahh, this feels so healing♡ But what’s with the ‘hundred times’ thing?”

Ryoko: “Secret♡”

(As I thought, he really is my Shota-kun♡)

◇◇◇

The two joined hands and stood pressed close together, gazing up at the Sunrise Global Trading building, glowing in the sunset.

It was not just a company—it was the stage where they had met, and where they had staked everything.

Resting her head on Shota’s shoulder, Ryoko whispered softly.

“From now on, this is our company♡”

“Yeah. So then… should we start with planning a company trip?”

“That kind of thing is for the ruler—me—to decide♡ Fufu♪ But first comes resolving the Sonokata matter, and then, our wedding♡”

Beneath the clear, blazing sunset sky—

Their “future” truly began, right here.

⇒ Next time, at last, the final episode: their wedding at Meiji Shrine!