Having been in this situation many times before, no matter how much Miss Manager fumed at her seat, I was unrattled. Besides, were in our territory. Shes clearly only using her adult card here and in her eyes, I was but an ambitious snot-nosed brat who wanted to fool Yue. Furthermore, despite seeing my parents and being tamed by my mother, she believed that I was nothing compared to her.

From how Miss Manager postured on her seat, I could put out a guess that shes totally underestimating us. Most likely, shes thinking of only pretending to hear our side and a decision has already been made which involved not letting Yue ruin herself by keeping this relationship with me.

I remained silent for a while and watched their exchanges, observing the woman through her words and actions.

Perhaps she thought I was stumped by the pressure she was exuding, I noticed how Miss Manager displayed an extremely smug look with a hint of satisfaction. Its completely different from how she could be likened to a drenched puppy in my mothers presence.

I wonder where she got this courage? I mean, they could so easily return. Wont it be more embarrassing for her to suddenly flip back to wagging her tail after being this aggressive?

Uh. Maybe this was just her personality, who knows? Shes still young so shes probably still childish on the inside

Anyway, with this, I continue to doubt whether Yues description of her as kind and understanding was truly fitting.

True, shes concerned for the girl. However, this looks like the situation with Ogawa wherein shes just going to assume everything and flaunt her sense of justice without fully understanding the situation. Or she already had her own preconceived judgement even before coming here.

Either way, we never planned to back down against her.

Manager, didnt we talk about this earlier? Are you going back on your words? You said you understood

After around a minute where Yue and Miss Manager just stared at each other, seemingly communicating silently, the former eventually stood up, reminding the latter of what they talked about when I wasnt here.

I did say that, Asahi. However Maintaining the calm on her face, Miss Manager so easily deflected that. As they went over what they talked about, the situation quickly devolved into a one-sided conversation, wherein Miss Manager would always have a prepared but from what they agreed on earlier.

What a sly woman. Yue was given false hope.

Nonetheless, Yue still didnt back down after that. She still tried convincing her.

When nothing worked, Yue threatened Miss Manager that she was not coming back to Tokyo.

Unfortunately, that also failed to work.

Miss Manager still had another card up her sleeve that managed to silence Yue.

Asahi, if youre going to be this difficult, I will have no choice but to inform your mother.

Thats right Her ace was Yues parents.

Truthfully, Miss Manager could have easily informed them of what was happening but she didnt. At least, not yet.

If Yues parents also got involved, its not wrong to say that it would be hard for us to get their blessing. I mean, the day we reconnected, Yues mother called her and doubtfully asked if she met with me. She lied at that time to stop her from probing.

At the moment, shes probably confident to resolve this without getting them involved. And with Yue threatening not to go back, she played that card perfectly.

Or in her mind, that was perfect.

I actually have no idea why she hasnt informed them yet. Theyre also living in this city. It will be easy for them to come and give her a backup in dissuading Yue or asking me to step back for the girls sake.

Though we prepared for that, we both know that theyre going to be a wall that well have to overcome in the future.

Acting dejected, Yue retreated to my side and muttered in a volume that only I could hear, How is it, Ruki? Is my acting great?

Its perfect. As I expected from my Yue. I hugged the girl tightly, letting her snuggle as close as possible before praising her.

For sure, in Miss Managers eyes, Yue looked like she was seeking comfort in my embrace.

Thats right Everything was an act on Yues part Or rather, she already expected that Miss Manager would react this way when she updated me earlier. Yue didnt leave out the details of the talk she had with Miss Manager.

And before ending the call, we planned what our approach would be.

At this point, the first part was a success

Its time for me to take the stage. To turn her into our natural ally

Dont worry. No matter what Miss Manager planned, were going to make her accept our relationship. And help us in the process.

As I held the girl as intimately as possible, I said all that in a loud voice which made Miss Manager raise her thin eyebrows. Anticipation welled up on her face.

She was intrigued. True but the woman quickly recovered, maintaining her perceived superiority in this situation.

Earlier, just holding Yue close made her lose her cool but now that Yue was closely snuggling with me, shes holding herself well.

Whether thats because of her confidence to separate us or not, it doesnt matter.

Anyway, I better start.

While I continued gently caressing Yues head whos now enjoying my embrace, I faced Miss Managers gaze and put on a meaningful smile, Manager, what if I ask you to help us?

Are you kidding me? This is the last day youre going to disturb Asahis life. Be content with that and never appear before her again.

Her response was swift. She even straightened her back, her gaze landing on Yues back. She seemed so sure at that conclusion.

Well, that question was just an opening act.

Miss Manager, arent you a cold woman? Wheres the kind and understanding Sister Kaoru that this girl boasted a lot to me? I thought youd be the dependable ally thats going to help us. Just like how you made sure that she wont be inconvenienced by the higher-ups in your company, were looking forward to having this talk with you and gathering your support. Alas it seems shes wrong. I intentionally shook my head in dismay before looking down on Yue.

This time, the girl was already silently giggling at my act.

In Miss Managers eyes, Yue probably appeared as though she was bawling her eyes out while snuggling to my chest. Her shoulders were trembling, after all. But the truth was she was just holding herself back from laughing out loud.

Anyway, because of my words and how I acted disappointed, Miss Manager was dumbfounded. Shes a little confused but when her gaze returned to Yue, a gentle expression surfaced on it followed by genuine concern.

She tried reaching her hand out but stopped midway, closed her eyes, and turned her head away. Shes struggling to keep this faade shes showing us.

Yep. Beneath this seemingly cruel adult act that shes showing to make Yue give up on me, shes still just a concerned young lady who couldnt let her little sister experience another heartbreak. And another thing Shes someone who likes to be appreciated for something she did.

Earlier, although brief, it showed that she was pleased to hear my apology. She probably thought that what she did was effective.

Anyway, what were aiming to do is simple use those traits of her to soften her up and hear us out properly.

Yues act was the lukewarm water to wake her up and my words were like the ringing of the bell to prevent her from turning a blind eye again.

This time, she now had no choice but to face us without her preconceived judgement. If she still cares for Yues well-being, of course.

Miss Manager, you can drop the act now If you want to be certain that shes going to return with you, lets continue this talk in her unit. There, you can ask the security to send me out if you still find me as a deceitful person who returned just because Yues already a celebrity.

Without waiting for her to recover, I continued with an unassuming tone. And this time, Yue also raised her head and warmly gazed at her manager.

Uh Yue put on fake tears to keep up the act.