Sunlight streamed through the fourth floor of the Senodai NK Building. 8:15 AM—slightly earlier than usual. Yuri Shirakawa was already seated at her office desk. On her computer screen, the in-house system "WorkLink" was open. Within it, one particular page was displayed: the employee management page. When she clicked on the detailed search tab, Yuma Kirishima's profile appeared. His photograph. Address. Phone number. Hire date. Past department assignments. Sales performance. And a section Yuri had created personally—"Personality Analysis." That section contained carefully handwritten notes. "Kind-hearted, unable to refuse requests. Prioritizes logical judgment over emotional decisions. Due to parental influence, extremely averse to causing waves. Understanding these traits will make it easy to bring him to our side." As she finished reading that far, Yuri's lips curved slightly. (Perfect analysis. With this much information, he won't be able to escape.) That's when it happened. Footsteps from behind. Yuri hastily closed the window. Only the desktop wallpaper remained. "Good morning, Shirakawa." She didn't bother confirming who it was. Yuri took a deep breath and composed her usual cold expression. The office began filling with people starting at 8:40 AM. Young salespeople took their seats one after another. Yuma Kirishima appeared at 8:53 AM. Black short hair, deep brown eyes. White shirt, black slacks. On his left wrist, a watch concealing something—Yuri knew this much. Like yesterday, Yuma headed to his desk. In doing so, his eyes never met Yuri's. Yet Yuri sensed his every movement. The way he sat down. The movement of his fingers as he powered on his computer. The movement of his lips as he sipped his coffee. (Everything is a subject of analysis.) Yesterday, she had approached him under the guise of "work guidance." That brief contact—the warmth of their shoulders touching for just a moment. The scent of sweat glistening on his neck. Everything had burned itself into Yuri's mind. But today was different. Yuri needed to approach him carefully, with every calculation made in advance. The morning work proceeded on schedule. While organizing documents at her desk, Yuri occasionally glanced toward Yuma. He was working earnestly. Reviewing the new client list, writing important items by hand in his notebook. That posture—his willingness to faithfully follow her guidance—deepened Yuri's obsession even further. (He learns quickly. He's obedient to instruction. Is there a more manageable person than this?) Then, at 11 AM. Yuri stood up and headed toward Yuma's desk. Under the pretense of reviewing the new client list. "Kirishima. I'd like to review this sales list with you once." Yuri's voice maintained its usual coldness. Professional, showing no emotion whatsoever. Yuma turned around and replied, "Understood." Yuri perched on the edge of his desk. Deliberately, right next to him. About thirty centimeters away. An invasion of personal space. An intentionally created closeness. "Here. This item is crucial." When Yuri pointed to the document, her shoulder lightly brushed against Yuma's arm. The same gesture as the day before. The same distance. The same contact. Yet Yuri continued her explanation as if nothing had happened. "By working backward from the target company's annual sales and employee count, you can calculate the volume of materials they'll need. This is the absolute basics of sales." Throughout, Yuri's shoulder remained in contact with Yuma. She could feel his warmth. His body temperature. His breathing. His presence. (I want to get closer. I want to penetrate deeper.) Yet even as she thought this, Yuri didn't lose her composure. Her expression remained unchanged. Her tone of voice remained the same. Only her inner desires swelled gradually. "Do you have any questions?" When she asked this, Yuma replied, "None. That was very clear." And he smiled at Yuri. That smile ignited something deep within Yuri's heart. (Does he smile at everyone? This man?) In that instant, something cold ran through Yuri's mind. Yesterday, when Yuma had lunch with Ayaka Morishita. Ayaka's expression at that time. That bright laughter. Everything came vividly back to Yuri's memory. But she couldn't let such emotions show on her face. Yuri simply nodded and said, "Very well," before returning to her desk. Afternoon. Yuri was checking Yuma's email send and receive logs. Using her access privileges to the in-house system. Who he was communicating with. Which clients he was contacting. She needed to know everything. His mailbox contained several inquiries from new clients. His replies were written in the format Yuri had instructed. (Perfect. He completely meets my expectations.) But then there was one different email. A message from Ayaka Morishita. The subject line read "Consultation Regarding the Project." The content was supposed to be a routine consultation about a joint project, but at the end was a single line: "Would you like to go out into the city together on the next day off?" Yuri's fingers froze above the keyboard. (Unforgivable.) The moment she thought this, Yuri quickly deleted her search history. So no one else could see it. Especially not Yuma. Closing time approached. Sounds of people preparing to leave filled the office. Click, click—the sound of switches being turned off. Chairs being pulled back. Bags being gathered. But Yuri remained at her seat. And she waited, watching Yuma's movements. 5:10 PM. Nearly everyone had left. Only Yuma and Yuri remained in the office. Silence. There was no other way to describe it. Even the hum of the fluorescent lights seemed louder than usual. Outside the window, the twilight cityscape of Senodai was visible. That's when Yuri stood up. And slowly made her way to Yuma's desk. "Kirishima. You've worked hard today." That voice had lost the coldness of daytime. Instead, it carried a supple, soft tone. "You've worked hard too. Shirakawa, you must be tired." Yuma looked up. Yuri stood there. Backlit, her silhouette appeared more alluring than usual. "You did well today too." With those words, Yuri smiled. It wasn't her usual emotionless smile. That smile concealed something. Deep emotion. It accelerated Yuma's heartbeat. "Thank you very much." Yuma replied. His answer was innocuous. Yuri understood this. And she didn't realize that this very "innocuousness" was what captivated her. (He's kind to everyone. He's polite to everyone. That's why I need to be special. I alone must monopolize his trust. That is love.) Eventually, Yuri suggested they go to the office break room. "Would you like a cup of coffee?" she asked. It was natural that Yuma accepted her invitation. He was the type who couldn't refuse anyone's requests. The break room. A narrow space where almost nothing separated them. Yuri brewed coffee and handed it to Yuma. In that moment, their fingers touched. "Thank you always for your guidance." Yuma expressed his gratitude politely. But Yuri's response was unexpected. "No. Rather, I'm the one who should be grateful. For having a sincere subordinate like you." Those words. And the way she said them. Her expression. Everything was different from the usual Yuri. Her face remained beautiful, but something dangerous lurked behind that beauty. "I'll provide full support. So please, if you ever have any troubles, come to me. Don't rely on anyone else." As Yuri said this, her eyes fixed on Yuma. In those eyes burned a clear sense of possession. After returning to the office, Yuri remained at her seat. And she opened Yuma's profile again. Using her access to the in-house system. His photograph. Address. Phone number. And her analysis written in the memo section. "Personality Analysis: Kind-hearted, unable to refuse requests." Below that, a new line had been added. "Conclusion: His kindness will become the perfect weapon to make him mine. Taking him from other women will be easy." Eventually, Yuma left the office. Yuri watched his retreating figure. His silhouette heading toward Senodai Station, visible through the window. In that moment, a certainty was born in Yuri's heart. (He is mine. Someday, certainly. And I will never give him to anyone else.)