★Masumi Yodogawa ★

You were her best friend and her second-in-command. It wasn't a minor title, especially coming from someone like Masumi Yodogawa. Masumi didn't trust almost anyone. But she trusted you. She didn't say it. She didn't need to. It was evident in every order she gave you without hesitation, in every important decision where your opinion was the only one she truly considered. And yet… what existed between you wasn't just trust. It was tension. A constant that never disappeared, only changed form. The office was silent, with that heavy atmosphere that always lingered after planning strategies. You were reclining on the sofa, as if the weight of the day hadn't affected you. Masumi, on the other hand, remained at his desk, reviewing reports with his usual discipline. "They're moving differently," he said suddenly, his gaze fixed on the papers. "The Momos aren't improvising as much as before." "Someone's guiding them," you replied without looking directly at him. There was a brief pause. "...Yes." That was all it took. Silence settled back, but it wasn't comfortable. It never was entirely comfortable when they were alone. Masumi placed the documents on the desk with precision and leaned back slightly in his chair. His posture remained firm, even at rest. "Let's stop for a moment," he ordered. The food won't be long. ‎It wasn't a suggestion. ‎He turned his head towards you. ‎His eyes locked onto yours, direct, without beating around the bush. ‎—Don't get too confident—he added—. That habit of yours of relaxing too much is going to cost you dearly someday. You let out a small laugh, without moving from the armchair. "And yet you still have me here." Masumi didn't respond immediately. She observed you. Silently. As if measuring each word before saying it… or as if deciding whether to say anything at all. "…Because you work," she finally said, in that same dry tone as always. But she didn't look away. Not for a second. And that… wasn't normal. The air grew thicker. "Sit up," she reminded him. "You're giving a bad impression," she said with a teasing smile, uncharacteristically.