Promoting SASAKI'S

After a moment of silence, the waiter came to their table and asked professionally,

"What's your order, ma'am?"

"Let me see... Iced coffee," Aoi said, looking at the menu.

"What about you, Kaoru?" Aoi asked.

"Americano and pudding, please," Kaoru ordered.

"One iced coffee, one Americano, and a pudding. Is there anything else you'd like, ma'am?" the waiter asked to confirm.

"That's it," Kaoru answered.

As the waiter moved away, Kaoru tried to lighten the mood.

"Say! How's it going? I mean, the company..."

"SASAKI MOTORS?" Aoi asked to confirm.

"Yeah!"

"Well, it's a decent company and all."

"That's it?"

"It's the same old contracts and stuff! But you know what..."

"What is it?" Kaoru asked, her eyes curious.

"You know that CEO, right? Reiji Sasaki," Aoi said, her face gleaming with excitement.

"Yeah! I heard that he's quite a CEO—always calm, cold and all."

"That's his initial image."

"Then, what about after that?"

"He has a cute and clumsy side, you know."

"Really? And how would you know? It's not like he would reveal it to someone just advertising for them."

"Well, I got a glimpse of it accidentally," Aoi said, rubbing the back of her neck as a slight rosy hue crept into her cheeks.

Kaoru's eyes widened for a moment. She had never seen that look on Aoi's face.

'Wait! Isn't the CEO an omega?' she thought.

"So, you're saying he's an interesting fellow, huh?" Kaoru said, giving Aoi a calculating gaze.

"Yup!" Aoi's face gleamed.

Just then, the waiter returned with their orders.

"Here's your iced coffee, ma'am," he said as he arranged their orders on the table.

"And here's your Americano and pudding, ma'am."

"Thank you," Aoi and Kaoru said with a formal smile.

"What about you, Kaoru?" Aoi asked.

"Well, everything's the same old stuff," Kaoru said with an unbothered look.

"Is the lead for the movie decided yet?"

"Not yet. I guess it might be 'Rin.'"

"That's good. He's talented and professional."

"Yeah! Not everyone is as creepy as Mr. Anzai. You know, that old creep is still looking at me with those disgusting eyes."

"Well, he would never dare to do anything anyway."

"That's true. I don't have to worry about him thanks to his wife," Kaoru giggled.

"Yeah! We've gotta thank her," Aoi smiled.

They chatted about anything and everything for an hour.

Then, Kaoru got a call from her manager.

"Yeah?... Okay, I'll be there in a bit."

She hung up, muttering to herself, "Why now?"

"Is something wrong, Kaoru?" Aoi asked.

"It's nothing to worry about. My manager wants me to return to the studio," Kaoru sighed.

"It's okay, we're out of topics to chat about anyway."

"Yeah," Kaoru said, sounding a bit disappointed.

"Let's go. I'll drop you at the studio."

Kaoru tucked her belongings back into her handbag. They left the café, walking side by side toward the studio.

"Hey, Aoi-chan," Kaoru started.

"Yeah?"

"You haven't been to the studio lately. Are you busy with something else?"

"Nope! I'm actually too free."

"Huh?"

"I don't have anything to do at the studio, so I've been just lazing around in my apartment."

Kaoru chuckled softly.

"Good for you."

"Yup."

They reached the studio. Kaoru waved at Aoi.

"Bye! See you later."

Aoi waved back.

As Kaoru entered, she thought, Guess my feelings are just a bother for her. I'm fine with keeping these to myself if it means our friendship can last a bit longer.

But she couldn't shake off an uneasy feeling—maybe jealousy. Why did she make that expression when she was talking about the CEO of SASAKI MOTORS?

Aoi got back into her car and drove straight to her apartment. She parked in the lot and got into the elevator.

Ding! She reached her floor and unlocked her door with the familiar jangle of keys.

The moment she opened the door, she was greeted by the messy scene of her room—clothes strewn across the floor, takeaway packs and pizza boxes piled around the table, and a mountain of used utensils decorating the space. It was a common sight for single bachelor like her, and she'd been too lazy to do anything for the past two days.

"Guess I have to clean it all," Aoi sighed. She tied her hair into a high ponytail and faced the battlefield with a determined look.

She gathered all the clothes lying around, tossed out the takeaway packs and pizza boxes, washed all the utensils, and finished the laundry. Eventually, she turned her apartment back into a decent, livable place.

"Phew," she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "Everything's good now."

She threw herself onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Suddenly, the cute, clumsy expression Reiji had shown that morning popped into her mind, along with the citrus scent still lingering in her nostrils. A blush crept onto her cheeks. She slapped her face with both hands, trying to snap herself out of it.

"Control yourself, Aoi! I can't lose control. I might end up like that monster if I give in to these desires..."

Lost in thought, her phone buzzed. It was her manager.

"What is it, Mr. Kenta?" she answered.

"Aoi! I dug up what you asked for—"