The contract

Executive assistant Tanaka was in a café, drinking an espresso, her cheek still tender from the previous day's incident. Her new mission was as follows: to approach Mio Sakurai by any means necessary.

But then she saw Mio walking down the sidewalk, head down, clearly lost in her own world of chaos.

Okay. The business approach failed. Let's try the fear approach.

Tanaka left the premises and approached Mio from behind, stealthily. Just as he was about to speak, Mio tensed up, having sensed his presence. "Wow, she has good instincts." thought Tanaka.

Before Mio could run away, Tanaka grabbed her by the shoulders and hugged her, bringing her face close to hers, as if they were sharing an urgent secret. " Don't move! " Tanaka whispered.

Mio panicked. " No way! She's the scariest woman in a suit I've ever seen! She's going to kidnap me this time! "

 " Shhh, calm down! " Tanaka said, without letting go of her. " Pretend you know me. There's a strange guy in a cap who's been following you for the last two blocks. Just go along with me. "

Tanaka held her close and guided her a few steps, glaring sternly over Mio's shoulder. The (non-existent) subject seemed to flee. " Phew, I think we scared him off. " said Tanaka, letting go of Mio and smoothing her suit. " Are you okay? You look pale. "

Mio was still scared and confused, almost on the verge of tears. First, the shock of the woman. Second, Tanaka's imposing beauty and height made her feel small. Third... "Another stalker? Seriously?!" Mio thought as she held back her tears. "  ANOTHER ONE?! My quota of weirdos for this week was already full! "

" Come on. " said Tanaka, gently pushing her toward the café where she had been standing minutes earlier. " I'll buy you some pastries to help you get over your fear. You look like you're about to faint. "

Ten minutes later, Mio, confused but unable to refuse free food, was sitting at a table with a plate of three strawberry cupcakes. Without thinking, and under stress, she ate them all. She felt much better. While she ate, Tanaka calmly explained everything to her. " Mio Sakurai. My name is Tanaka, and I am Kaguya Minamoto's assistant. As you saw yesterday, I represent Minamoto Tech."  Mio froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. " And no, we're not angry about... yesterday's incident " Tanaka said, touching her cheek.  " In fact, the president found it... 'interesting,' and the The reason I've been looking for you is that she wants you to be part of our new talent group. "

Mio was so upset that she choked on a piece of cake. " W H A T ?! " She began coughing violently while Tanaka offered her a glass of water, his expression remaining calm.

When Mio caught her breath, Tanaka slid a document across the table. It was a contract. And on the last page was the elegant, powerful signature of Kaguya Minamoto herself. Mio didn't know what to say. This opportunity was something she had never imagined, even in her wildest dreams. " Me? A model? A talent? They must be joking! This is a bad joke! There must be a hidden camera! It's a TV show! "

"This is no joke, Miss Sakurai. " Tanaka said, as if reading her mind. " It's all real. Mrs. Minamoto sees incredible potential in you. " He handed Mio an identical copy of the contract. " I know it's a lot to process. So I'll give you a few days to think about it. Read the copy at your leisure, and when you're ready, give me a call. My card is attached. "

Tanaka stood up, paid the bill at the counter, and left the place, leaving Mio completely alone with the news that had just hit her like a bucket of cold water. Mio remained motionless for several minutes. Her gaze was fixed on the copy of the contract.

She wanted the earth to swallow her up. This was too much for her, even for anyone else. She wanted to ask for help. " Help? From whom? Ren? She hadn't heard from him in a while... Sara and Kenji? They would laugh and tell her she was crazy. Her eyes flew open. There was only one person. One person who... could understand this. Her only option... Tomoki. "

Without saying or doing anything else, Mio grabbed the copy of the contract. She ran out of the café. She felt a strange kind of excitement, not fear, but pure adrenaline from the whole event. She ran and ran through the streets, without bumping into anything for the first time. She reached "Happy Burger," slammed open the employee door, causing Sara to almost fall over, and shouted with all the air she had left: " TOMOKI! "