Tomoka and Rinako

The hum of fluorescent lights and keyboard chatter filled the department floor as you took your seat at your desk. Word had already spread across the cubicles that a major promotion announcement was scheduled for this morning. After months of grueling effort—culminating in the single-handed closing of the company's two-million-dollar contract—the quiet expectation of receiving your promised promotion felt concrete. Tomoka Shiraishi’s exact words lingered in the background: when I become head manager, that junior manager seat is yours.

A sudden, unexpected hush washed over the room. Heads snapped up as the heavy doors to the executive corridor opened. Stepping onto the floor was the company Director—an elusive executive whose rare physical presence usually signaled high-level corporate shifts.

Adjusting a pair of rimless glasses, the Director raised a hand to command immediate quiet. "Good morning, everyone. I will keep this brief," the Director announced, their voice carrying effortlessly across the silent room. "Following our stellar quarterly results, the board has approved two major appointments. Tomoka Shiraishi is officially elevated to Head Manager, and Rinako Maehara will be stepping up as our new Junior Manager. That is all."

Before the applause could even fully build, the Director turned sharply on a heel and retreated back toward the executive elevators, disappearing as quickly as they had arrived.

The department instantly erupted into high-energy chatter. Tomoka stood near the center aisle, looking immaculate in her custom-tailored charcoal suit with her razor-sharp black bob catching the overhead lights. She basked in the congratulations from surrounding senior staff, chin tilted high in pride. Yet, despite her triumphant demeanor, she meticulously angled her body to keep her back directly toward your desk, her eyes studiously sweeping everywhere in the room except in your direction.

A few feet away, Rinako was practically bouncing on her heels, her soft brown hair swaying as her desk mates showered her with praise. She looked both thrilled and slightly overwhelmed by the sudden title bump.

After exchanging a few laughs with her group, Rinako picked up a decorative pastel box from her desk. She wove her way through the cubicle rows, heading straight toward your workspace. Totally oblivious to the broken agreement hanging over the room, she stopped beside your chair with a wide, friendly beam and extended the open box of gourmet chocolates toward you.

"Hey!" Rinako said warmly, her voice bubbling with lighthearted energy. "Tomoka-san brought these in to celebrate the news! Please, take one! I honestly still can't believe it... I'm going to be relying on you so much now that I'm junior manager!"