Chapter 1: The Secretary Who Shouldn’t Exist

Whispers echoed through the grand halls of Kiryuu Hotels, the largest hotel corporation. Employees gathered in small clusters, murmuring in hushed voices, exchanging glances filled with disbelief and curiosity.

"Did you hear? The new secretary actually passed all the tests."

"Impossible! No one has ever done that before."

"Not just passed, but with perfection."

A wave of murmurs spread through the office floors as the news traveled like wildfire. Every previous secretary assigned to Saya Kiryuu, the feared and revered CEO of Kiryuu Hotels, had barely lasted a month. Some left due to the sheer workload, others crumbled under the impossible expectations, and a few were dismissed by Kiryuu-sama herself without a word. Yet, somehow, a new secretary had done the impossible.

As the automatic glass doors slid open, a woman stood waiting near the entrance, her posture straight but her eyes filled with curiosity. As soon as he entered the towering building, she stepped forward with a professional demeanor, prepared to guide him.

Himura Shin.

Tall. Handsome. Poised. Yet it wasn’t just his appearance that held people’s gazes—it was his aura. There was something untouchable about him, as though he existed in a space separate from everyone else. His expression was calm, unreadable, but not cold. If anything, he seemed approachable, yet somehow distant.

Employees stole glances as he strode through the lobby. The woman, now walking beside him, found herself unable to look away. She wasn't captivated by his beauty, but by the way he carried himself—calm, unshaken, as though he had walked these halls countless times before. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, exuding both confidence and professionalism. There was no arrogance in his step, yet no hesitation either.

Some couldn't help but stare at his hands—large, yet refined, moving with a careful grace. Others found themselves drawn to the sharp intelligence in his eyes, the way they subtly scanned his surroundings, taking in every detail. It was as though he were memorizing the layout of the building without even trying.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"He’s really going to work for her?" one whispered.

"How long do you think he’ll last?"

"A month at best. Even if he passed the tests, no one survives working under Kiryuu-sama."

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and the woman, after a brief pause, spoke softly. "I'll take you to the top floor. You'll want to be prepared for the rumors—they never stop here." Himura-san gave a small nod, his expression unreadable, as he stepped inside without hesitation, pressing the button to the highest floor.

The top floor of Kiryuu Hotels was a different world altogether. It was quiet—eerily so. Unlike the bustling lower floors, filled with high-profile clientele and industry moguls, here, there was only an air of power, an unshaken presence that dominated the space.

Himura-san stepped out, greeted by the sight of a nervous man in his mid-thirties, already waiting for him.

"You must be Himura Shin," the man said, adjusting his glasses. He looked tense, his fingers twitching slightly. "I’m your predecessor. I’ll be handling your transition into the position before I leave. Follow me."

Himura-san simply nodded, walking in step beside him. He didn’t need to ask why the man was leaving—he already knew. No one lasted here.

The secretary led him toward a set of massive double doors at the end of the hallway. He hesitated for just a moment before knocking.

"Kiryuu-sama, I’m entering."

With a deep breath, the man pushed open the doors, revealing a spacious, immaculately designed office with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city skyline. At the center, seated behind a sleek black desk, was Saya Kiryuu.

She didn’t look up immediately, her slender fingers flipping through documents with practiced ease. The air around her was icy, calculated, yet undeniably commanding. Even sitting down, she exuded an overwhelming presence—one that could silence an entire room without a single word.

The old secretary cleared his throat and stepped forward, placing a cup of coffee on the desk. His hands trembled slightly.

"Your coffee, Kiryuu-sama. And… the new secretary has arrived."

Silence.

Kiryuu-sama finally lifted her gaze, her crimson eyes locking onto Himura-san’s for the first time.

The air between them shifted, an unspoken tension forming instantly.

Himura-san stepped forward, meeting her piercing gaze without hesitation. He gave a respectful bow and spoke, his voice steady and composed. "It’s an honor to serve as your secretary, Kiryuu-sama."

Kiryuu-sama, without breaking eye contact, reached for the coffee cup beside her. She took a slow sip, then, as if by instinct, tossed it into the nearby trash without a word.

The old secretary flinched, but Himura-san remained perfectly still, his gaze subtly analyzing his surroundings, as if storing every detail away.

Kiryuu-sama’s lips curled into the faintest smirk. "Welcome to the company."