[Kyosuke POV]

“Finally!”

As the clock struck 5:10 p.m. I leaned back against my chair and gave my arms and legs a good stretch coupled with a satisfying grunt. It had been a very long day doing what I enjoyed least about this job, paperwork.

Working with others has always been my passion. Communicating on a personal level and forging relationships is what made me truly feel alive. Not pounding away at this clackity hunk of plastic. If they weren’t a necessity in today’s world I would have completely ignored them. Besides, smart phones have nearly all the same capabilities as personal computers these days. I might just be able to live in a world where they render PCs completely obsolete.

“Finished.”

“I’m done as well senpai.”

My two subordinates were as efficient as ever. All of this research and data diving was not our team’s biggest strength. We only got to flex our muscles properly in front of the client. I liked to get them away from their desks as often as I could.

“Great work again today you two. There’s no reason to stick around here for today. Go home and enjoy your evening.”

They both nodded as they stood up to collect their personal belongings. I followed right behind them but left my briefcase at my desk and sulked as the thought of what I was about to do sullied my mood.

“Are you staying a bit longer tonight Mizushima-senpai?”

I nodded while trying to pull myself out of my sulking stance.

“I have to go apologize to the devil.”

“How wonderful!”

Furukawa-san happily clapped her hands together and gave me a big bright smile. She was so genuine and honest. I don’t think anyone could dare disappoint her when she bestowed upon you with such a passionate gaze.

Don’t you dare look at me with those puppy-dog eyes.

I nearly clasped her hands into mine and tell her I promised to always make her happy when thankfully Makino-san became the voice of reason.

“You’ll be losing a little face here boss.”

I shrugged knowing that I had to put my ego aside for the better of the company.

“I think it’s wonderful that Mizushima-senpai is willing to resolve things peacefully and make amends.”

That damned smile. If you keep complimenting me like that, I’ll have no excuse but to listen to whatever you have to say!

“Remember, I’m not doing this for me but for the company.”

“Good luck senpai.”

Furukawa-san offered me a bright smile and patted me on the back. Her tender touch reminded me that there are still some decent women left in the world.

I took a deep breath and set my sights on the target ahead knowing full well I may never return.

“If something happens to me, avenge my death.”

“What are you saying senpai?”

Furukawa-san laughed and waved goodbye as she headed towards the elevators. Meanwhile, I began my peacekeeping mission to tell the devil I was literally sorry for what I had done today.

I stuck my hands in my pockets and slowly made my way over to the marketing area. My body must be resisting on my mind’s behalf. I couldn’t compel it to move faster. Maybe it was for the best. I snuck a glance and saw that Sakai-san and her boss were chatting about something.

Not wanting to make a scene especially in front of the company gossip machine known as Haru Sakai, I walked around the corner and put my back against the adjacent wall where I could listen to when their conversation finished while staying out of sight.

“I’m creating a second presentation based on the skeleton of Okamoto-san’s original that will be seen only by the executive team.”

That was definitely the voice of the demon. My ears spiked as I concentrated on listening.

What the hell is she up to?

“Oh? You’re going over Manager’s head?”

She’s doing what now? What’s her game here? Is she trying to get me -?

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“It’s long overdue. Salespeople are a dying breed; a relic of a business necessity of last generation. I believe our team has the foundation and experience to create strong campaigns in which the products will inevitably sell themselves.”

The blood in my veins reached a rapid boil. My body convulsed in uncontrollable anger. I couldn’t believe what she was saying and yet, said it so casually as if it weren’t a big deal at all.

That devil…!

“My, my. Does Shoko-chan must hate Mizushima-kun enough to get him fired?”

I immediately froze in place. I knew Shoko and I didn’t get along but did she honestly hate me? That was on thing I disliked more than anything. My job was to get along with everyone, no matter how wretched or sleazy they may be. No matter how vile or disgusting they are, business is business, and I’d set aside my personal feelings to get the job done.

Sweat began to pour from my head as I greatly anticipated her answer.

“If he’s as good as he claims to be, then he has nothing to worry about.”

My head sulked as tried to regain my composure. She uttered something else but her words registered as nothing more than murmurs in my mind. I was initially disillusioned by the weight of her words that I didn’t notice the tiny and red hot flame within my chest growing.

She… Wants to get me fired?

I clenched my fists and snapped my head up. That was it. I couldn’t take it anymore. If the devil wanted me gone it would be over my dead body!

I stormed over towards the elevators. The doors closed before I could get there. My eyes trembled in anticipation as I stared at the numbers above indicating what floor she was going to.

If she’s going home then it’s game over…

With the way I was feeling now, I would never get the resolve to confront her like this again. I had to act now. The elevator stopped and for a single moment, my heart flickered in excitement.

The basement? Perfect!

I took my time going down the stairs. Normally I would have raced down them like the rabid dog she constantly accuses me of being but this was different. I had never felt this level of anger towards anyone before. This wasn’t my typical towering inferno of flames. I was white hot.

Before I knew it, the door to the storage area stood before me. I don’t think any of the last couple of floors even registered on my body. I felt nothing but anger at this point.

I slowly opened the door. Perhaps I could surprise her. I had no idea why she was down here but it didn’t matter. This was actually advantageous. Being in the basement of our building, this room was practically sound proof. I would finally have the one big blow off battle against the devil and I was filled with righteous fury.

A short smile formed on my lips as I spotted her digging near the large storage locker. I glided along the concrete floor careful not to make a single sound as I made my approach.

Suddenly she slipped backwards, stumbling in my direction. My hands instinctively twitched wanting to do the humane thing and catch her but this was no human I was dealing with. I had to be carefully laying my hands on the devil.

Her body smacked against my chest and she let out a soft yelp. It was surprisingly lighter than Imagined. Fortunately, I didn’t even flinch. My mind was steeled and locked in on a level of rage I have never experienced before in my entire life.

Her hand pressed against my hips almost perfectly between my thighs. I would have normally flinched in horror but thankfully my resolve was too strong to be tainted. That didn’t mean my mind had something to say about it.

Seriously?! What are you touching?!

I couldn’t let this go on any longer. Before she turned around, I spoke.

“Good evening… Devil Shoko.”

She shrieked and instantly spun around. A horridly terrified look befell her expression for a brief moment before it slipped to one of relief.

“W-What the… It’s just you, Mizushima.”

Is… Is that all she has to say to me?

Perhaps I haven’t properly conveyed the gravity of the situation.

“For now, anyways… Until you initiate your plan to get me fired.”

That deliciously horrified expression returned. She took a step back. Some advertising stand she was carrying slipped through her fingers.

“T-That was…”

Hmm… The devil is tripping over her own words.

I took a step forward. I wasn’t about to give her an inch of room; not even to breath.

“You think you’re so smart…”

She took another step back in response, the look of dread deepened in her expression as she clutched her wrist tightly.

“Smart enough to sell every last product inside this building without me.”

Her back pressed against the locker. There was nowhere left for her to run.

I slammed my right hand against the metal storage unit. The crunching sound reverberated loudly in the otherwise quiet basement.

“And cast me aside like I’m nothing!”

I normally wouldn’t dig so personally when we had these arguments, but she started it! This job was my livelihood and she was planning on getting me fired not because I’m bad at my job but she dared to think she could do what I do without me.

Her face dropped masking her eyes beneath the thick strands of hair from her bangs.

“T-That’s right…!”

Hmm…?! Where did this resolve suddenly come from?

She snapped up at me, boring into my eyes with a renewed mix of anger and determination.

“That’s right!”

Her teeth clenched as she leered up at with a savagely fierce look.

“For the last two years all you’ve done is make my life a living hell!”

My brow furrowed as I seethed with rage.

“The feeling is mutual! Ever since I started here the only thing I’ve heard from you are demands and complaints! All you’ve done is work against me, not with me!”

She reared back at that comment but her expression didn’t flinch in the slightest.

“Everything I do is to make your job easier. And yet, despite all of my hard work, you continue to ignore our efforts!”

Making my job easier?! Is she nuts?!

“I ignore them only because you ignore me! You’ve never stepped foot in front of a customer! You don’t know what it’s like to read a room and come up with a strategy on the fly based on how he looks or reacts to your product!”

She didn’t hesitate to fire back.

“Our strategies are designed to assist you with that! You wouldn’t have to go through all of that trouble if you just listened to me!”

I gritted my teeth. She wasn’t backing down no matter how much pressure I was applying. Maybe it was time I started slinging some mud.

“How could I listen to someone who’s never sold one thing in her life?! You just sit behind a desk and type!”

She winced, clicking her tongue before firing back.

“I expect nothing less from someone with half a brain who does nothing but talk! You’re all bark and no bite!”

I clicked my tongue. That was a low blow.

“And I’m surprised someone with glasses that thick can’t see how you’re over your head thinking you can replace me!”

She gasped. Her entire body convulsed as she visibly began to quake in anger. There was nothing left to say. All logic and reasoning had long since left. We were just hurling insults at each other now.

“Shut up… You stupid dog!”

“You first! You damned demon!”

She slumped after that remark. Her body trembled. I couldn’t see her expression clearly but for some reason, it made my heart was beat faster.

“Y-You know what…?!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted her hand tightening into a fist.

“I really…”

She looked up at me with sheer rage. Her eyes trembled as her right hand lifted, opening from a fist and swinging downward at me.

“HATE YOUR GUTS!”

I caught her wrist in my left hand. Did she think I’d actually let her slap me?!

Before I realized it, we were standing nose to nose against each other. Her thin arm convulsed in my grip as she peered into me with those ravenous and beautiful eyes.

B-Beautiful? What was I thinking?

All of the anger in my body slowly started to subside. My vision was filled with nothing but Shoko: my archenemy, my rival, my nemesis. Or so I thought.

My heart began pounding as if it were trying to escape from my chest. I no longer saw the devil that had been trying to thwart all of my efforts and get me fired. There was only a woman; someone I had overlooked for as long as I could remember and now she was in my hands, trembling with either fear, passion, anger, or everything and yet, I couldn’t think of anything but how amazing she was in this very moment.

Was she always this beautiful…? And smelled this nice? What have I been -

My body reacted without command. I fell forward, pressing my lips against hers. The cold steel touch of the locker slipped from my right hand as it tucked across her waist and pulled her up tighter into our embrace.

Her wrist slipped from my grasp as I swooped my second hand behind her head, locking it firmly in a grip I never intended to let go of.

What is this explosive and yet tender feeling swelling over me? Her delicate frame was wrapped in my arms. A surge of hot blood swelled over every inch of my skin. I became numb to everything in that moment and clung onto this instinctual desire that had befallen me. Only her sweet smell and tender touch encapsulated my conscious.

My lungs were demanding air which cracked against my senses. When I realized what I had done I immediately snapped back. Our kiss was broken with a sharp gasp from both parties. My heart violently continued to hum as I tried to catch my breath.

W-What the hell did I just do?! Did I kiss Devil Shoko?!

Immediately, my body reacted on its own once more and did the one thing that could save me from this situation.