Chapter 263: Welcome back, Yumiko-sama.

--Saturday, July 4, 2172

Sitting in the back of a black sedan, Kai opened a compartment in the middle and pulled out a laptop, on which he began typing at high speed while silently communicating with his trusted assistant.

[How’s All Might doing, Sage? Did he report any changes?]

A beautiful fairy sitting on Kai's shoulder in [In] mode, surrounded by several holographic screens, turned to look at him and responded through their mental connection.

[Yes, Master. All Might reported that the feeling of exhaustion was temporary. After a night’s sleep, he fully recovered. Additionally, Recovery Girl recently sent the results of a full checkup she performed at the UA, confirming that he’s in perfect condition. She also included a note with her speculation.

[She believes the sensation of fatigue and lack of sleep stems from the fact that All Might is now using his own power instead of the accumulated power of the One for All. Since he’s not used to feeling it, he couldn’t identify it at first. As a side note, this event has strengthened All Might’s trust, as well as that of the elder heroes and even Principal Nezu, in your work ethic, Master.]

[How did you come to that conclusion?] Kai asked calmly, not stopping his rapid typing. Sage created a couple of small screens beside Kai’s monitor and explained.

[Gran Torino and Recovery Girl had a conversation over an unencrypted phone line, and they mentioned the topic. Though it was in code, they didn’t say anything directly.]

[I see… give the old pair a gentle scare to make them start taking precautions. They handle information far too sensitive to rely on cheap codes instead of secure lines.] Kai ordered calmly, to which Sage quickly nodded.

[Understood, Master.]

[On another note, clear space in my schedule for another round of experiments on the rats. We’re going to start applying the empowerment treatment to the family. I have a feeling someone is hunting me, so we need to prepare as much as we can.] Soon after, Kai ordered with a more serious expression, though still focused on the monitor. Sage’s expression turned serious as well, and she replied.

[Understood, Master. I’ll start preparing everything.]

…

After some time, during which Kai and Sage finalized the details of the experimental round and the subsequent empowerment of the family, the car finally came to a stop. Kai put away the laptop. Shortly after, the car door opened slowly, and Kai stepped out with a calm expression, nodding to the driver in greeting while adjusting his jacket.

After a quick glance at the structure in front of him, Kai turned his eyes to a black convertible sports car with the top up, then walked toward it with a small smile. When Kai reached the car, the driver’s and passenger’s doors opened, and two sensual women stepped out—one with black hair, the other with blue hair.

“You look charming…” As she got out of the car, Keiko commented with a small smile while looking at Kai, who scanned her up and down and replied in a cheerful tone.

“Not as much as you. It must be hard to focus on work with a boss like you.”

“Fufu.”

Hearing Kai, Keiko smiled delightedly and spun around so Kai could see her completely. She wore an elegant soft orange blazer paired with a pencil skirt of the same color that reached mid-thigh. The outfit, combined with Keiko’s expression and glasses, made her look both sensual and successful—a combination that amplified her already supernatural beauty.

“You really look great in suits, Kai-chan. I’ll design several models for you as soon as I’m done with this collection.” At that moment, Yumiko approached Kai and commented with a cheerful smile. Kai replied with a grin while looking her up and down.

“No need, I hardly ever wear them. More importantly, you look enchanting too. You’ll have everyone inside captivated.”

Yumiko wore a white blazer and pencil trousers set with blue accents. Thanks to her wearing just the blazer, leaving a significant neckline exposed, it gave her a dignified yet sensual, almost intoxicating air. No matter how you looked at her, Yumiko didn’t seem like a mature woman with a daughter about to graduate—she looked like a rich, sexy young woman fresh out of university.

“Fufu, let’s go.” Yumiko replied with a calm smile, though Keiko had to hold back from teasing her about the slight blush on her cheeks.

…

In an elegant reception area, behind a counter sat two beautiful women, upright with dignified and serene expressions. But those expressions morphed into pure astonishment when a tall, well-built young man with a face that seemed sculpted to charm women entered. He was accompanied by two elegantly dressed young women who outshone all the supermodels who frequented the building almost daily.

“…Yumiko-sama!”

After staring at the trio for a moment, the woman on the left finally recognized one of the women as the owner and lead designer of the company, prompting her to exclaim aloud. Though Yumiko had always been incredibly beautiful—so much so that she inspired only reverence—now she exuded an aura of charm and sensuality that made her almost unrecognizable, even to someone who had worked at the reception for five years.

Hearing her colleague, the other woman turned to look at her, then at Yumiko’s blue hair, and realization hit her. With hurried movements, the pair approached Yumiko, bowed deeply at a perfect 90-degree angle, and greeted her in unison with voices full of respect.

“Welcome back, Yumiko-sama.”

“Hello, girls. We’re having a general meeting, so make sure the doors are locked. We’re not receiving anyone today.”

Yumiko spoke in a calm tone before continuing to walk with Kai and Keiko toward the elevator. The two women replied in unison after straightening up.

““Understood.””

Yumiko nodded to the pair as the elevator doors closed. The women stood there for a few seconds before exchanging confused looks, nodding to each other, and splitting up to carry out the order.

…

As the elevator doors opened, Kai found himself face-to-face with a woman in her 40s with reddish hair and reptilian pupils, dressed in an elegant business suit. Her strange eyes quickly scanned each of them, and when her gaze landed on Yumiko, she bowed respectfully and greeted.

“Welcome back, Yumiko-sama.”

“Hello, Reina. How have things been around here?” Yumiko stepped forward and spoke in a calm voice while casually taking Kai’s arm. The woman quickly straightened up and responded in a serious, formal tone.

“A bit hectic, Yumiko-sama. Haruto-sama is not here, and a man is waiting for you. According to him, he has an appointment with you.”

Yumiko nodded casually as she looked at her employees for the first time in a while. They were discreetly but persistently watching her. Apprehension and concern were evident on everyone’s faces, clearly worried about the future of the company—and more importantly, their jobs. Getting a sense of the situation, Yumiko ordered in a calm tone.

“That man won’t be coming back. He’s no longer part of this company or my life. I’m now Yumiko Ayanami. But let’s set that aside and focus on what’s important. Gather all the employees in the showroom in 30 minutes—I have several important announcements to make. And guide the person waiting for me to the presidential office. I’ll see him there.”

“Understood, Yumiko-sama. I’ll do it immediately.” Reina replied quickly, then bowed and left while Yumiko led Kai and Keiko toward the largest and most luxurious office on the floor.

Meanwhile, Kai examined his surroundings with mild curiosity, finding the interior design quite striking. The place combined minimalism and functionality with design and elegance in a rather artistic and unique way that even surprised Kai. To achieve something like this, Yumiko must have spent a fortune—probably more than the building itself cost.

“I like the style. Who designed it?” Keiko, clearly sharing Kai’s opinion, asked in a calm voice while familiarly taking Kai’s free arm.

“I designed it myself, fufu.” Yumiko replied with a cheerful, slightly proud smile that made her look quite adorable. Amused, Kai commented while giving the beautiful mother a suggestive look.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? The house needs a renovation…”

“You want to hire me? It won’t come cheap. I’m a very prestigious designer.” Yumiko looked at Kai and commented in a playful tone, to which Kai replied in a similar tone.

“Really? How much are we talking? I’m a man with limited resources, so I’m not sure if I can afford it…”

“Don’t worry, darling. Your Keiko can always sponsor you… Haven’t you heard of sugar mommies? It seems they’re quite popular these days…” Keiko added with a mischievous smile while subtly tracing circles on Kai’s arm. He looked at her and replied with mock nervousness.

“Oh no, Yumiko, save me. A beautiful, rich woman is after my body…”

…

While Kai, Yumiko, and Keiko bantered in low voices on their way to the office, the employees watched their boss with disbelief written on their faces. Though Yumiko wasn’t a serious or cold woman, this cheerful, relaxed, almost childlike attitude was something none of those present had ever seen. If it weren’t for the fact that their boss’s beauty was nearly impossible for a random mortal to replicate, they might even doubt it was her.

“Who’s that young man…? Have any of you seen him before?”

In a secluded corner, a group of beautiful women watched Yumiko from behind a wall. One of them asked while looking at Kai with a hint of desire in her eyes. Another woman glanced at Kai and commented thoughtfully.

“I’ve never seen him. Could he be a new model…? No, but if he were a model, with that face and body, he’d be famous.”

“Maybe he’s just starting his career… He looks pretty young.” Another woman commented while eyeing Kai’s face. At that moment, a woman standing below the last speaker remarked while looking at Kai with almost predatory eyes.

“Maybe he’s Yumiko-sama’s sugar baby. I heard rumors that her marriage wasn’t going well at all.”

“If you don’t want to lose your career, watch your words. The woman with black hair is none other than Yaoyorozu Keiko, known for being cold, ruthless, and pursuing even the smallest offense. Guess what she’ll do if someone offends the person who makes her smile like that…” Another woman present, with an air of solemnity and firmness, commented in a serious tone, her gaze fixed on Keiko.

“…”

Hearing her words, the rest fell into a deathly silence. At that moment, the youngest-looking one peeked out and asked in a worried voice.

“What do you think will happen to the company…? I’m just starting, and the conditions they offer here are hard to find elsewhere…”

“…Let’s hope everything turns out fine… This company is a unique gem in this business. There’s always work; they pay well, on time, and without weird deductions. In other places, it’s not uncommon to wait up to 90 days for payment or to practically be forced to sleep with someone… Here, Haruto-sama flirts and tries to get into everyone’s bed, but he never forces anyone and is always careful that Yumiko-sama doesn’t find out…”

The first woman to speak commented in a serious tone, prompting the others to nod heavily. At that moment, Reina approached the group of beautiful women and ordered in a serious tone.

“Yumiko-sama has requested everyone to gather in the showroom. Important announcements will be made.”

Hearing Reina, the women quickly nodded and left as a group. Reina glanced toward the presidential office with a somewhat worried expression. But soon, the dignified woman shook her head and continued her work efficiently.

…

Amidst the joking, Kai soon entered the presidential office. Without stopping their banter, Keiko and Yumiko naturally guided Kai to the main chair. At that moment, Yumiko pulled out the chair for Kai, looked at him with a smile, and then commented.

“Sit down, Kai-chan. We’re about to talk with the new CEO.”

Kai glanced at Yumiko and Keiko, who both wore the exact same calm smile as they subtly urged him to sit. After a few moments, he sat down naturally. At that point, Yumiko and Keiko grabbed two other chairs from the room and sat on either side of him, continuing to chat about random things until a soft knock echoed at the office door.

“Come in.”

Keiko spoke casually, and the door opened. Soon, a man of about 50 years old entered the office, dressed in an elegant gray business suit and carrying a briefcase. After closing the door, the man gave a formal bow to the trio behind the desk before speaking in a professional tone.

“Good afternoon, Yaoyorozu-sama, Ayanami-sama, Saito-sama. I am Kaito Moriyama.”

“Take a seat. We want to talk a bit with you before introducing you to the employees.”

As the man sat down, Keiko and Yumiko looked at Kai to start speaking, so he prepared to do so. But at that moment, Kai received a message from Sage that made him widen his eyes in surprise, only to narrow them coldly afterward.

[Master, one of the UA observation targets has just met with a man in a park and handed over a portable drive with data on the final exams of all students in Class 1-A.]

***

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