"As you said," Daichi began, "behavior like that wouldn't last a day in a company like Kurokawa. If an organization tolerated such things, it'd never have grown the way Kurokawa did."
"No one could stay in a place like that," he added. "Unless… something changed inside."
Sora frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You probably haven't heard yet," Daichi said, lowering his voice. "But as editor-in-chief, I've caught wind of it. Kurokawa Publishing… was quietly acquired not long ago."
"Acquired?" Sora blinked. A name immediately came to mind. "Red Lantern Publishing?"
"Right." Rika nodded. "Kurokawa didn't need Red Lantern's money. The local market alone was enough to keep it healthy. But... the chairman's getting old. Lost the fire. He's more interested in cashing out and settling into retirement than keeping this company going."
"Last week, he sold another chunk of shares to Red Lantern. He's no longer the largest shareholder. In fact, Red Lantern now controls Kurokawa."
Sora was stunned. "And no one knew until now?"
"It wasn't publicized," Daichi said. "But there's more—you've always wondered where Rika really came from, right?"
Sora's expression darkened.
"His father, Shinichiro Hayashi, is the long-time vice chairman of Red Lantern. He's practically a legend in their upper ranks."
That name hit Sora hard. "So Rika's not just a random editor—they're grooming him."
"Exactly. Red Lantern is going through a succession shuffle. A lot of its top brass are approaching retirement. Everyone wants to get their kids lined up to inherit their positions... but the chairman isn't letting just anyone in. He wants results, not connections."
"So they're sending their protégés to places like Kurokawa, building their resumes quietly."
Daichi's gaze sharpened. "And what looks better than being the editor behind an Aurora Manga Award-winning series?"
Sora's stomach turned. "So this was never about me."
"No," Daichi said, blunt but not unkind. "It wasn't. And I'm sorry."
He hesitated. "They're giving you an extra month's salary for your work with Mizushiro. That's not much, but it's something."
Sora left the office in a daze. The hallways were quiet—most staff had gone home. The cold February wind hit her as she stepped into the street, wandering without aim.
Three years. Three long years at Kurokawa. All of it—over, just like that.
Her phone buzzed.
Haruki Yuuki.
She took a breath and picked up, forcing her voice to sound light.
"Hey, Haruki. What's up?"
"Where are you?" he asked. "I need to see you."
"I'm kind of busy right now," she lied, her voice still teasing.
"Drop a pin and send me your location. I'm already in a taxi. The driver's looking at me like I'm lost."
"Haruki, I really don't—"
"Come on. Taxi fares are expensive. Just send it."
The call ended. Sora stared at her phone and, despite herself, smiled faintly.
She sent her location.
Fifteen minutes later, a taxi pulled up. Haruki stepped out, holding a small bag.
"Why are you standing around in the cold?" he scolded, walking up. "You could've waited in a cafe or something."
"I didn't want you to miss me," she said with a tired smile. "What's this?"
"Pork cutlet rice. From the place downstairs from me. I figured you hadn't eaten."
She blinked. "You came all this way just to bring me this?"
Haruki shrugged. "Don't flatter yourself. I know what's going on."
Her heart skipped. "What do you mean?"
"I know they pulled you off my series," he said. "What else would've made you skip dinner and look like a zombie?"
Sora opened her mouth, then closed it.
"And I'm not working with Rika," Haruki added. "I don't care who his father is. You're my editor."
Sora's eyes stung. "Don't say things like that," she whispered. "You'll make me cry."
Tears welled up before she could stop them. "I was doing okay. And then you show up like this…"
She laughed through her tears.
Haruki looked flustered. "Wait—don't cry. This was supposed to cheer you up."
He fumbled with his phone, pretending to check the time while rapidly typing something into the search bar.
What to do when a girl cries in front of you
----
Haruki glanced at the various suggestions on the website.
"Don't speak, just kiss her…"
"Give her money and she'll stop crying…"
"Drinking hot water cures crying…?"
What a bunch of weirdos.
The more absurd part was that he had actually searched for this. Clearly, something was wrong with his brain too.
With a sigh, Haruki looked up from his phone. He still had no idea how to comfort Sora.
But just then, he noticed something unexpected—she had opened the pork cutlet bento he'd brought her.
Three minutes later, she had finished the entire thing, downed the hot milk tea, and let out a soft sigh.
It was like watching someone switch personalities. The tear-streaked face, the ruined makeup—they were still there. But the lifeless, crushed expression was gone. She actually looked… normal again.
Wait, was that it?
Was food the answer?
So much for all those online answers. A waste of brain cells.
Haruki nodded in resignation.
"Why are you standing there like a statue?" Sora tossed the trash into the nearby bin and gave him a look.
"Uh, nothing. You seem... back to normal," he replied.
Sora gave him a look, then let out an exaggerated sigh. "You really are hopeless."
"Huh? What did I do now?"
"When your friend's clearly upset, maybe try saying something comforting? Just standing there like a lamppost isn't exactly helpful."
Haruki scratched his cheek. "I mean… I didn't want to say something dumb."
Sora crossed her arms, feigning exasperation. "At this rate, I honestly don't know how you're ever going to get a girlfriend."
Haruki shot her a look. "That's rich, coming from someone who's never had a boyfriend."
Sora rolled her eyes, but he could tell her mood had lifted. If she still had the energy to throw jabs at him, she was going to be okay.
"Let's go," she said, brushing her hands off. "It's freezing. Two people standing in the cold doing nothing? That's just dumb. And since you're here anyway, come with me."
Haruki blinked. Wait, weren't you the one who started this by standing around?
But he followed her without complaint.
"Fine, but uh… Sora, your face. Your makeup's all over the place. Are you really going to leave it like that?"
"...What?"
She spun around, whipped out a compact mirror, and gasped. In a flash, she dashed to the convenience store across the road and came back with two bottles of water.
"Here, pour it on my hands."
"...What?"
"Just do it!"
Haruki did as she asked, and Sora began dabbing at her face, wiping the makeup off with practiced speed. In just a few minutes, her face was clean.
Haruki stared. "Wait a minute. This is the opposite of those videos online."
"What?"
"You look better without makeup. All those clips where models take off their makeup and turn into totally different people? This is not that."
"Excuse you," Sora huffed. "I am naturally beautiful."
"Then why bother with makeup at all?"
"Company policy. We're supposed to look 'professional' at work. Do you think I want to spend thirty minutes every morning painting my face?"
She paused, her voice darkening. "And after all that, after three years of loyal work, this is how they treat me?"
Suddenly, she kicked the nearby wall.
Haruki flinched as she sucked in a sharp breath.
"...Does it hurt?"
"No," she said coolly.
"If it doesn't hurt, why not try kicking it again?"
[TL:- 😂]
"..."
Sora said nothing.
They walked in silence, Haruki trailing a step behind. Eventually, they arrived at the underground parking lot of Cuttlefish Publishing.
"Heading home?" Haruki asked.
"It's only 8:30. What home?" she said. "Didn't I tell you I wanted to go somewhere?"
She unlocked her car and started the engine while typing something on her phone.
Half an hour later, Haruki found himself sitting in a private KTV booth, staring blankly at the pile of beer and snacks on the table.
This again?
When she's happy, she drinks. When she's upset, she drinks. What kind of logic is that?
Sora was already belting out karaoke, paying him no mind. Just as Haruki was starting to space out, the door opened.
Kotone stepped in.
No one else followed.
"So... just the three of us?" Sora said, her enthusiasm fading.
"I messaged over a dozen people from the manga department," he muttered. "Didn't expect anyone to show, honestly. Except Kotone."
"Everyone said they had plans, huh? Pretty sure they all found out Rurouni Kenshin made it to the second round of the Award today. They probably didn't want to be seen with you, afraid of getting on Rika's bad side," Sora said gently.
Sora shrugged, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
"It's fine. I mostly wanted one last get-together. Since I'm quitting."
"...Sora-san, what do you mean?" Kotone asked hesitantly.
"Exactly what it sounds like. I'm not Rurouni Kenshin's editor anymore," Sora said flatly.
Sora looked down. "I heard… Some friends at the office said the news will be announced officially tomorrow. People are already gossiping. They're saying anyone close to you might get blacklisted by Rika…"
"Yeah, well, that's how it goes," Sora snorted. "So I'm quitting. I'm done with this toxic place."
Neither Haruki nor Kotone said anything. There wasn't much to say.
It wasn't just a matter of being transferred. Sora had been pushed out.
"What are you going to do after that?" Haruki finally asked.
"Go home, probably. I dodged all the blind dates and family pressure by saying I wanted to focus on my career. Now that excuse is gone."
"You're not planning to stay in the manga industry?" Haruki asked, heart sinking.
"Start over at another company? Wait another three years for a chance like this? I don't think I'll get lucky twice," she said bitterly. "I'm just… tired."
Kotone opened her mouth, but Haruki cut in.
"Sora, if you really want to quit, I won't stop you. But are you seriously okay with leaving like this? Letting them take the credit while you slink away?"
"...What else can I do?"
"I don't care about Rika or the company anymore," Haruki said. "If he wants to push me around, ignore me as the creator, and make decisions behind my back—fine. But I'm not letting him win."
"What are you planning to do?" Sora asked warily. "Don't tell me you're going to make a scene at the Award ceremony."
"Relax, I'm not that reckless. I know better than to blow up the biggest national award ceremony. But…"
He looked at her, then at Kotone.
"I might have a way to get your credit back—quietly. But it depends on how things unfold at the ceremony."
"And what? You're going to blow up your own future for me?"
"I'm not blowing anything up. The contract ends in six months. Originally I wanted to serialize something else. But now? I'll just take a break. I've got exams to prep for anyway."
Haruki smiled faintly.
"And besides, Sora… You were ready to walk away from everything. So what's one more risk?"
Sora stared at him for a long time, then slowly nodded.
"...Alright. I won't resign. Not yet. I'll wait until the Awards."
"Good. There's still a chance to make this right," Haruki said.
"Even if it's a rough one."
Shout out to Dog Jay, SteadyGuy, ElementalMoneyBag, Shang Ling, frimorigo, JSC, อวิรุธ อนุรัตน์ for joining my p-atreon! your support means everything to me.
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-atreon.com/Alioth23 for 50+ advanced chapters)