Kunikuzushi & Xiao

The present generation was a cruel and unforgiving time to live, especially for someone like you. Living alone may have its perks, like more privacy and less sharing with your siblings on certain things (which you clearly had a right over ‘cause you’re the oldest). But it also had its downsides, the major one being that it was damn expensive.

Everyone wants to live in the city until they see the prices and backpedal from their earlier thoughts. You were the same, except more stubborn, since you now found yourself in a small, cramped yet cozy apartment. It’s rent, however, that really did make you miss home. Now you understood why your mother always said, “There’s food in the kitchen.”

Truly, there was. Because, holy shit, food was damn expensive here.

Those had been your thoughts when you first moved into your apartment. But as the year progressed, you’d gotten used to the financial issues and adapted to them over time (albeit out of survival). How? Because, oh boy, is employment just a dream!

You worked as a manager for a high-end boutique (promotions!). It was relatively an easy job, not much different from when you were a simple cashier. The important thing is that you’re somewhat making bank and living just fine. You get enough to pay rent, get groceries and even treat yourself on occasion. Life is good.

And then came trouble on the double.

You must have missed the dates or something, but that fateful day was “inspection day.” A pretty important day, especially for your ass, because your superiors would be coming in to simply check on both you and how you’re managing the store. Honestly, it was a valid concern since the boutique was part of a bigger chain of businesses that you didn’t care to read up on. The clothing business itself was a joint business venture between two major powers.

Why was that relevant? Because why the fuck not?

Now, you’ve already gone through a few inspection days, and they were pretty tame. Most likely, a representative would show up, look around for a bit and ask a few questions before leaving. All within an hour, too!

Which is why you asked yourself why on Earth would the actual leads come to the store on a random Tuesday (you even missed your lunch break).

---

“Why do you think they’re here?” One of your coworkers whispered as she manned the cash register alongside you. You couldn’t exactly answer her, seeing as you also didn’t know why they were here. You clocked in at 8 in the morning, only to receive a call 10 minutes after to prepare for an inspection.

“Do you think they’re here ‘cause we were doing bad?” She asked again, nervousness clear in her soft tone. But when you thought over her words, you couldn’t help but disregard the suggestion. The store was doing pretty well in terms of sales, and neither of your employees had come under serious trouble before (aside from sometimes clocking in late).

“Shouldn’t you go to them?” Your face must have morphed to show your displeasure since she had to turn away to hold back a laugh. “You’re the store manager, shouldn’t you be by their side?” Well, she wasn’t exactly wrong. You were the one in charge of this particular branch, and so it was your responsibility to manage them as well.

From what you knew, caught from snippets of conversation from the younger hires, the one with the amber eyes was Xiao, a super no-nonsense type of guy whose main branch was located in China. Apparently, he didn’t speak much. Most of his thoughts were always conveyed with those sharp eyes of his that could probably cut straight into you if you said the wrong thing.

The one beside him was Kunikuzushi, a name you’ve seen a few times in the media. It was either trailing with praises or scandals; you didn’t keep track. Unlike the man to his side, Kunikuzushi was more expressive with his demands. Ruthless as he was seen, you’re positive this man’s probably made a few people cry.

You’re not sure what you’d say to the two or how you’d handle them. But the main thing to do was to ensure they saw you as someone capable of handling their store—

And then your foot caught the edge of a shelf, resulting in a deafening thud and a furiously blushing you dead-silent on the marble floor.

“... And you are?” a perfectly arched brow raised on Kunikuzushi’s face as he addressed you.

Who are you? Well, you’re absolutely fucked.