Enemies, Elevators, and Unpaid Dry-Cleaning

By lunchtime, Aira had convinced herself that the morning incident was just one of many unfortunate events in her chaotic life. A coffee-soaked stranger? Whatever. The chances she’d ever see him again were—

“Ms. Takamine,” the announcement crackled over the intercom, “please report to the principal’s office. Immediately.”

Dead silence fell across the classroom.

Even Rin paused mid-bite of his sandwich. “Whoa. What did you do this time?”

Aira forced a smile. “Probably... donated too much blood. Or saved a kitten too dramatically.”

Inside, she was already spiraling.

> They found out. It’s about the coffee. He’s probably a government spy. Or worse—a parent.

She stood, straightened her tie, and marched down the hallway like a soldier walking to her own execution.

---

The door creaked open.

And there he was.

Mr. Expensive Coffee Suit himself.

Seated casually in front of the principal’s desk. Dry-cleaned. Calm. Deadly.

The principal stood up with a smile.

“Aira, this is Mr. Hiroto Ayanami, CEO of Ayanami Global Holdings.”

Aira’s brain short-circuited. Ayanami… THE Ayanami?

That was the man who owned half the real estate in Tokyo, half the fashion industry, and possibly half the moon.

“We were just discussing a mentorship program,” the principal said. “Mr. Ayanami is here to offer a personal internship to a student. One with... potential.”

He didn’t look at her. Just sipped water calmly.

“But I spilled coffee on him,” Aira blurted. “This morning. I remember his buttons.”

The principal blinked. Hiroto gave her a sidelong glance.

“That was... a memorable introduction,” he said coolly.

“You’re still alive, though,” he added. “So it’s fine.”

The principal laughed nervously. “Mr. Ayanami believes in second chances.”

“No I don’t,” Hiroto said. “But I believe in efficiency.”

Aira was now certain he was part robot.

“Well, we’ll let you two talk,” the principal said, retreating like someone evacuating a bomb site.

The door clicked shut.

They were alone.

She straightened her skirt. “So. You’re a CEO. And now my boss?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You came here.”

“To return your ID.” He placed her school ID on the desk. “You dropped it after you spilled my entire identity in liquid form.”

Aira took the ID. “Thanks. And… sorry. About the latte ambush.”

“It was a cortado.”

“…That sounds worse.”

He studied her silently. “You’re not just a student, are you?”

Her heart jumped. “What makes you say that?”

“You have the eyes of someone who’s hiding a thousand passwords and five backup servers.”

Aira coughed. “I… um… like Sudoku?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You run a tech firm. DreamByte.”

“What? Me? That’s illegal. I'm like, twelve.”

“You’re seventeen.”

“I’m very mature for twelve.”

His eyes narrowed. “I Googled you.”

She froze.

“I run a cyber-security division,” he said smoothly. “You’re good. But not invisible.”

Aira felt the blood drain from her face.

“…So what now? You gonna expose me?”

“No.”

She blinked.

“I want to offer you something,” Hiroto said. “A challenge.”

She stared. “This isn’t a K-drama. You’re not gonna offer me marriage to repay the coffee debt, right?”

He didn’t smile. “I want you to intern under me. After school. Two weeks.”

Aira’s brain glitched. “WHAT?”

“I’m not asking. You have talent. Use it.”

“Why me?”

“Because I’m curious. And I don’t like mysteries walking around my city.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You don’t even know me.”

“Exactly.”

He stood and buttoned his coat. “See you at 4 p.m. sharp. Don’t be late.”

Then he walked out, leaving her reeling.

---

Back in class, Rin leaned over and whispered, “So? Suspension or scholarship?”

Aira dropped her head on the desk.

“I think I just got... kidnapped into capitalism.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***