Promoting SASAKI'S

Kenta stepped into the office of Hoshino Studio. He was greeted by Mr. Anzai's mocking pity.

"I feel very bad for you, Mr. Kenta. You have to cope with all the reckless things she does." Anzai gave him that 'poor you' look.

"Oh! You don't have to worry about me, Mr. Anzai," Kenta said calmly, trying to hide his annoyance.

"Seriously, is she insane? How could she reject that offer?"

"Mr. Anzai! She doesn't want to do it. There's no need to force her."

"Really? How could she turn down acting alongside Kouru-chan?" Anzai's eyes gleamed with a creepy, lustful expression.

"She has such a beautiful body!" he added, covering his cheeks with his hands.

"Mr. Anzai! Don't dwell too much on fantasies," Kenta said, wearing the expression that said, Why do I have to listen to this?

Just then, Haruki Kouru entered the office.

"Mr. Anzai! Want me to call your wife?" Kouru threatened with a cold expression.

"No... please… I was just having a little chat with Mr. Kenta." Anzai wrapped his arms around Kenta's shoulders, acting all friendly.

"Mr. Kenta! Is Aoi here?" Kouru asked, her face brightening.

"She just dropped me off and went straight to her apartment."

"What?! She already left?" Kaoru said, slightly disappointed.

"She must be nearby. Why don't you call her?"

"Okay, I will."

She took out her phone and dialed Aoi's number.

In Aoi's car

Buzz… buzz… Aoi's phone buzzed.

She looked at the screen: it was Kaouru.

She hesitated, wondering, What if she's upset that I rejected it? After a few seconds of wavering, she answered the call.

"Kaouru!"

"Aoi! Where are you?" Kaouru's voice sounded excited.

"On my way to the apartment."

"Are you busy?"

"Nope! Why?"

"It's nothing. Just thought maybe we could meet…"

"When? And where?"

"Would it be possible for you to come over to Ocha's now?"

"Okay. I'll be there soon."

"Really?" Kaouru's voice gleamed with excitement.

"Yup!"

Aoi hung up, took a U-turn, and headed toward Ocha's.

(Ocha's is a café near Hoshino Studio.)

Kaouru walked toward Ocha's eagerly and sat at a corner table, fidgeting nervously while waiting.

Suddenly, a handsome man approached her and said, "You're as cute as in the movies, Haruki-chan. What are you doing here alone?"

He barged into Kaouru's personal space.

She frowned, about to shoot him a chilly glare that clearly said, Piss off.

Before she could react, Aoi appeared beside Kaouru.

"Sir, could you give us some space? We have a lot to talk about," Aoi said calmly, but the threat in her tone was palpable.

The man slunk away, tail between his legs.

Aoi looked so cool it brought a slight blush to Kaouru's face. The situation pulled her back to a memory — the moment when Kaouru first fell for Aoi.

Aoi muttered, "Seriously! What's with this day?"

[Flashback: Three years ago]

At a corner of Hoshino Studio, when Kaouru and Aoi were rookies:

"You're that rookie omega, right? What's your name again?" Anzai asked.

"It's Haruki Kaouru."

"Such a cute name for a cute girl!" Anzai moved closer, invading Kaouru's personal space.

Kaouru tried to step back, but Anzai grabbed her hand, trapping her.

"Mr. Anzai! What are you trying to do?"

"Huh? You still don't get it?" Anzai's eyes were like a predator's.

"Of course, we're doing it," he added.

"No! I am not interested. Please leave me alone." Kaouru resisted.

"Why? You must have slept with one of the higher ups to get their favour. There's no way a recessive omega like you made it here on talent alone."

"What are you talking about? I was selected solely for my talent."

"Haha! Don't make me laugh." Anzai got even closer, his pheromones releasing uncontrollably as he tried to touch Kaouru inappropriately.

"See! Even my pheromones are reacting," Anzai said.

(Recessive alphas don't have voluntary control over their pheromones.)

Aoi, who had been watching from a distance, stepped in.

"Excuse me, sir, could you please move along? You're blocking the way," Aoi said, releasing a hint of her pheromones.

Anzai fled with his tail between his legs.

"Are you okay?" Aoi asked.

Kaouru was momentarily starstruck, a flush creeping across her cheeks.

"I... I'm fine, thank you," she mumbled.

"Aoi Seika," Aoi introduced herself, holding out her hand.

Kaouru smiled, taking her hand.

"Haruki Kaouru. Nice to meet you."

After that, they became close friends, did many friendly things together. But still, Aoi was mostly polite and formal with Kaouru. Kaouru understood that Aoi wasn't comfortable with being close to omegas because of something in the past that she isn't aware of.. But, still she respected her fears and never questioned her about it.

Meanwhile they got aware that Anzai is very afraid of his wife and that fact alone kept him in control. So, Anzai got a grudge on Aoi for it.

___

Back in present-day Ocha's

Kaouru snapped out of her reverie.

"Hey! Kaouru... Kaouru," Aoi called.

Kaouru smiled nervously. "Woah! Aoi-chan, sorry. I spaced out for a bit."

Aoi settled into her seat, facing Kaouru.

She fiddled with her fingers, uncertain what to say.

"Umm… I'm sorry, Kaouru. I rejected it."

"It's okay. I knew it would be difficult for you… acting romantically with an omega," Kaouru said, hiding her disappointment.

"I'm sorry… I still can't get comfortable being close to omegas."

"Yeah… I know," Kaouru sounded sad.