Dual System in Daily World

"Devoted? I don't know about that. I was just really worried about them. 

Honestly, during that short stretch of time earlier, my mind kept spiraling. 

I kept thinking—what if something actually happened to them? But I'm glad reality didn't go the way my thoughts did."

Chisato said, gently rubbing the drink in his hands. But there were things in his heart he still hadn't said aloud.

If something really had happened to either of them… he didn't know how he'd face a future without them.

Eriri and Utaha had been by his side constantly for the past half-year. 

The bond they'd formed was deeper than he realized. The absence of either one would be unthinkable.

It's said that a man focused on his work is incredibly attractive to women—that his charm naturally draws them in.

And truthfully, even for Seika, that was no exception.

At first, she had absolutely no feelings toward Chisato. She saw him simply as a kid, someone the same age as her little sister—a total junior.

However, as time passed, and as she spent more time working with him, witnessing his ability step by step, his talent, the way he founded a company, and led Kesshoku Band forward toward professionalism—at some point, without realizing it, her view of him began to change.

This shift wasn't something she consciously chose. 

It happened subtly, beneath the surface. And by the time she noticed, she could no longer look at him with the same mindset as before.

And just now, she had discovered another side of him.

So, he could also react in such a flustered and helpless way when facing someone he truly cared about.

Though she didn't want to admit it, with the way Chisato had always demonstrated his abilities, Seika couldn't help but feel genuine admiration for him.

And now, someone she admired that much, could also show such an expression and reaction over a matter or a person…

How should she put it? It felt subtle. 

She couldn't really say whether it was a good or bad thing.

All she knew was that he seemed more real now, and it made her feel like maybe he wasn't as omnipotent as she had imagined him to be at the beginning.

"To be honest, I actually felt pretty bad for little Hitori at first. To think she fell for a playboy like you—she's bound to have a rough time in the future."

"…Heh."

Chisato could only laugh awkwardly in response. He really couldn't deny the fact that he had entanglements with many girls, and that he was, in fact, flirtatious.

"But now, I feel like maybe her choice wasn't entirely wrong either. Life is already hard enough.

With her personality, if she hadn't met you, who knows how she would've ended up. 

From that perspective, the fact that she can be this happy by your side now… isn't that also a kind of happy ending?"

Strange. Weren't they just having a casual heart-to-heart? When did the topic suddenly shift to him and Hitori?

"Manager…"

That familiar title from Seika, Chisato figured, would likely continue on for a long time.

"Are you drunk?"

"Not at all."

Seika lightly shook her head. Though she reeked of alcohol and her cheeks were flushed, her voice was clear.

"Let me tell you a secret. Whether someone gets drunk or not after drinking actually depends a lot on their own mindset. 

Sometimes, when you think someone's drunk, maybe they're not drunk at all."

"That's a new one. I've never heard that theory before."

"I'm not lying to you. The clearest example is standing right in front of you."

Seika placed her left hand over her chest and slowly leaned toward Chisato.

"Earlier, in the room, after the King's Game ended, I let my guard down and allowed the alcohol to rampage inside me, which made my head fuzzy. 

I got sleepy and just passed out. But later, when Nijika and the others woke me up and told me that Eriri and Utaha couldn't be reached, once I understood the situation, my rationality overtook the drunkenness, and I sobered up…"

As she spoke, her eyes stayed locked on Chisato.

The alcohol on her breath, mingled with her fragrance, hit him all at once—an unfamiliar, forbidden sensation.

Seika was undeniably beautiful.

To those who knew her, she had a kind of lazy elegance that wasn't overly flashy. Combined with her usually carefree demeanor, it naturally attracted men's affection.

During their time working part-time at STARRY Hall, Chisato had seen her get hit on more than once.

But because of his frequent contact with her, Chisato had unconsciously grown desensitized to some of her qualities.

Now, however, those qualities—previously overlooked—began to resurface with growing clarity.

"…So, all things considered, I'm not drunk at all right now."

That's what Seika claimed, but Chisato still felt that, to some degree, the alcohol had affected her.

So he didn't argue. Instead, he nodded and, saying nothing more, quietly took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

After all, while the hotel lobby did have heating, it wasn't as warm as a room.

"Thanks for the tip, Manager. But I'm still going to walk you back to your room to rest. There's an event tomorrow—you can't skip it."

Seika watched as Chisato stood up first, then smiled gently.

She got up and patted him on the shoulder.

"Because of that gentlemanly gesture, I'll give you another piece of advice. 

Unless it's absolutely necessary, you really shouldn't act too gently toward others. Otherwise, you might cause unnecessary trouble."

Was there a hidden meaning in those words?

Chisato didn't have time to think it through, because the next moment, Seika pressed a finger to his cheek, gently turning his face toward the hotel entrance.

A taxi had stopped at the entrance. The rear door opened, and two familiar figures stepped into his view.

Chisato's face lit up with joy, and he ran toward them.

Leaving Seika standing there, her hands clutching the coat on her shoulders, she turned and walked toward the elevator on the other side.

Good for them.

Good night.

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I'm glad Seika is being kinda mature here, unlike what she did on the airplane.

Anyway, thats all the missing chapters. Next we will go back to 2 chapters/day (If I remember to)

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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