The Takahashi Group of Companies once started as a small electronic shop that sells spare parts. The economy during that time is still young and the world is just getting a turn from the revolutionary period. Technology is not a thing yet but these small shops of metal works are starting to get on the eyes of the public.

When the nineteen-eighties entered the period, technology suddenly made a boom. Various machines were being created, as well as small appliances. The pioneers of the Takahashi Family invested in a few inventions that brought the group large profits. The small electronic shop then builds a larger company to accommodate the supply of the masses.

The twentieth century becomes the highlight of this rise in technology. Cars, televisions, mobile phones - everything is now running in machines. The industries that focused on these works had become large players in the economy. And the Takahashi Group of Companies had become one of the bigshots.

The main focus of the group is now focusing on creating a sleek touched-screen mobile phone that can do a lot of things. Midori is working on making investments in this project that will surely become a big hit once it is made in the market. As for now, the project is doing well and the profit keeps on coming without any problem.

A black Benz is parked in front of a newly built ten-story building in one of the bustling areas in the city. The construction of the building is simple and clean but one can easily spot the handiworks of the architect who made the design. Every people passing the area will always take some time to look at its beauty and at the same time appreciate the pleasing view.

Also, the new branch is in an advantageous position. Aside from being in the center of trade, there are also a lot of schools and universities around. Since the first three floors are meant for selling common goods, while the higher floors are for the expensive ones, this tide of masses is already too much to earn profits.

Though, buildings like this are quite a normal sight in the city.

The opening of the new branch did not need his presence but Midori still made an appearance. He will pass on this area on his way to work anyways so he just took some time to check if it was faring well. Currently, the big boss is on the top floor, facing the floor to ceiling window looking down into the streets. His straight face has no emotions so nobody knows what he is thinking.

The one handling the branch is a senior at work. His name is Zhou Hai, of Japanese-Chinese descent. He is already forty-eight years old this year but his young looks make him appear like he is thirty. He had worked in the company as an assistant manager and now Midori placed him to handle this area.

The man has good work ethics and an honest friend of his father. The older man was surprised when Midori offered him to transfer since he is already old and thought that he would spend his life as an assistant manager until his retirement. Midori thought that the person is capable enough. He has the qualifications so he did not think twice about giving the position.

The said old man is now drinking tea in the office. Zhou Hai is familiar with the temperament of the alpha so he is not too polite nor too informal before him. Midori treated this senior as a respectable elder so he did not dare to raise a hand against the man. The two are quite having a comfortable atmosphere despite having no conversation.

After a long time of silence, a knock came on the door. A female figure entered and bowed lightly to her superiors. Midori remained facing the wide window while Zhou Hai placed down his teacup. The woman walked towards Zhou Hai and reported her case.

"The first batch of people has been selected. The HR manager wishes to ask for your suggestions, sir," the woman said.

Zhou Hai nodded. The woman already finished her job so she bowed once again before exiting the area. Only when the door is closed did Zhou Hai stood up. Midori still did not move from his place. The old man cleaned the tea set and returned it to the position.

"Sir? Is there still a problem?" Zhou Hai asked.

Midori visiting over isn't a problem. He had done his work well so he has no problem meeting with the big boss. But when he thought that Midori is just here to take a look, then why does it look like he is staying for a longer time? Zhou Hai wondered if Midori wanted to do something or is just slacking off from work.

Ah, slacking off is impossible ah. Isn't this their very hard-working president who always work twenty-four seven and did not take any holidays for the past nine years? Well, only at that time when the president is sick did he take three days of leave. But that is not considered as resting ah. He's recuperating.

Midori heard the old man so turned around. His face is looking aloof like usual. He pushed his glasses up that made the lenses shine for a while. The emotions were hidden behind those spectacles but his handsomeness was never covered. He somehow looks like a very serious student who suddenly got lost in his thoughts.

"Sir?" Zhou Hai, once again, called.

"Do you think..." Midori paused, trying to look for the proper words. "Do you think I've been working too much?"

"...?" Zhou Hai did not catch his words.

"Do you think that I am boring?" Midori seriously asked.

Zhou Hai did not know what to say. Did the CEO just ask his opinion about him? If he did, then how should he answer the other person?

If there are any words to describe Midori, that won't be boring. It should be intimidating ah. Nobody will get bored with Midori. Just looking at his face enough. It is his terrifying aura that made people think twice about approaching him.

These are the words Zhou Hai wanted to reply to. But he knows that his position will be in danger to say the words honestly. He just smiled, didn't say anything, and just pretended that the question is rhetorical. There is no way for him to become blunt before the big boss.

Midori also realized his mistake so he just let the elder continue pretending. He slightly shook his head and returned to his previous position. He never thought that Inuo's words will affect him this much. Being single is good but sometimes he does feel lonely being alone.

Okay, then taking a break it is.

He won't change his mind.

"You can go ahead. I'll stay for a while then will leave. There is no need to send me out," Midori said.

Hearing the big boss' words, Zhou Hai simply sends his regards and left the man alone. Midori became true to his words and indeed only stayed for a few minutes. Thinking all the considerations, he left the office and went straight to his car.

His bodyguard slash driver is waiting in the car. The moment he saw the boss walking out, the bodyguard quickly opened the door. Midori sat on the passenger's seat as the bodyguard closed the door again. The black Benz moved out from the parking space, turning a corner to shift gears, and then swiftly drove past the streets.

Midori opened his phone to check the schedules he had for today. He closed his mobile planner then shift on searching some tourist's guide sites when the car stopped abruptly. The bodyguard is not a careless driver so to suddenly stop like this meant that something happened on the streets. Midori frowned, looking up to see what happened.

"Sir, it seems that there's a car crash ahead," the bodyguard reported.

"Then change the route," Midori simply answered.

"Sir, this route is one way. I can't turn around or else..."

This part of the city is always congested so one-way routes are created to avoid U-turns. Midori can't order his bodyguard to violate rules so he thought waiting for the traffic is fine. But, ten minutes had passed and the cars did not move. It seems that the accident is much serious that the officers were taking time in easing the traffic jam.

There are already mad drivers complaining. Midori looked around and thought that he could just commute. At least, even though he is someone that everyone should look up, Midori still knows how the common people work. His father did not spoil him in his youth that resulted in his humble bearing. Also, it has been a long time since he strolled around.

"I'll go out for a taxi. You just report after me in the office later," Midori stated.

"Yes sir," the other person dutifully responded.

Midori simply left his bodyguard and went out to look for an alternative route. Using a phone app, Midori followed a direction that is new to him. Looking around, Midori found himself around a silent area that seems to be enclosed in isolation. This is still in the city but the silence made him feel like he is transported somewhere.

The sudden change in the atmosphere made him frown. He checked his app and it says that he is on the right way. Midori just shrugged his shoulders and proceeded. Though the area seems silent than the usual bustle of the streets, there are still people around the area.

A few blocks ahead, he found a medium-sized playground park where some small kids were playing. The playground has the common setting of large interconnected enclosed slides, monkey bars, seesaws, a couple of swings, and a large sandbox. A couple of children were crowding the slides.

There are also a few adults around the area. Most of them have younger appearances, pushing a stroller in front of them. These people are the mothers of the children playing. Most of these people are omegas while there is maybe one or two betas mixed in. Midori only watched them for a while then walked away when some of the kids and the adults notice him.

The map says to turn a corner so Midori did so. As he turned around, the first thing that he noticed is an old ramen shop. He was still a few meters away but the aromatic smell of the broth quickly invaded his senses. As a man, Midori likes to eat heavy dishes. Meat is one of his favorites. Just smelling this tantalizing scent made him swallow.

Ah, he felt hungry.

No, that's wrong. He hasn't eaten anything since last night ah.

Ah, that must be the reason why he can't think well.

An empty stomach is equal to an empty brain.

Midori hastened his steps went towards the shop. He took a peek from the door and found the place full. The area is also quite noisy and somehow hot, probably due to the cooking of ramen. Despite being hungry, he backed out. There are no free seats anyway so he will still be waiting for his turn.

"I guess I'll just eat in the office..." Midori turned around and spotted a convenience store.

This convenience store is somehow getting popular lately. Branches of the same name suddenly popped out like mushrooms. Midori could never forget the shop since their logo is an eye-catching cute lion in golden color surrounded in orange rings.

This image... is cute.

"Or maybe I'll just go there."

The glass door automatically opened with a beeping sound - a sign that somebody either entered or left the place. The synthetic smell of air-conditioned air-swept passes his body sending slight shivers due to the cold. Midori stepped in silently, examining the area filled with stacks of shelves and common necessities.

The security guard beside the door just glanced at the alpha man then ignored him again. On the cashier is an old woman. She was chatting with a shopper that seems to be her friend. Beside the shopper is a little boy who is playing with a paper cut plane.

The little boy noticed Midori looking at him. Out of fear, the boy stuck close to his mother covering his eyes. Midori flinched, and then looked away. He's not that scary ah. If you look closely, he is handsome. It's just that his terrifying aura of being an alpha made the little children afraid of him.

Midori shook his head then went in to look further.

There are only a few people inside the store. Since it is still in the middle of the day, the people who are in shops or malls are those who have unusual work schedules or students who were skipping out of school. The most number of people were found in the food section. And that is the area where Midori is going.

Most of the shelves were dedicated to the food section. The instant products were stacked into shelves while the fresh ones like meat and fish are inside the large fridges. There is also plenty of common vegetable siding with the fruits. Midori only glanced at the raw food and motioned towards the instant packets.

Noodles, seafood, or spicy, there are many varieties. Midori thought of eating instant noodles but he remembered what happened to Inuo after eating a couple of cups. He would like to settle on this comfort food but he wondered if his empty stomach could handle the preservatives. It's better to eat some packet congee and let the cashier warm one for him.

"For a drink what should I choose..."

Midori just opened the fridge for the drinks when he smelled something sweet. It wasn't strong but faint enough to be caught. Midori is most familiar with this smell. He looked around to see where the scent came from but he didn't see anyone. Aside from the tall man, the only employee of the shop he saw around who is restocking some products on the nearby isle, there is nobody else.

He must have been imagining things ah.

After looking at some of the products, Midori finally decided on his brunch so he ended his trip around the shelves. He just turned a corner when a couple of middle school kids accidentally brushed passed him. Midori was taken aback by the sudden crash so he was unprepared and had the food on his arms to fall. Luckily, he still has his balance and did not fall.

The kids apologized to him quickly, even picked his things, and then hurriedly walked away. It took him a while to process what happened and thought that kids these days are always so playful. Just then, he noticed that his pockets were light. Midori suddenly sensed that something is wrong so he quickly fished his wallet and found it...

Empty.

His pockets are empty.

Then those kids are...

Usually, when this happens, he would just calmly return the goods then report the incident to the establishment. If none of them believes him, then they can just rewind the footage from the security camera to see what happened. After that, it will be up to the police officers to deal with the punishment to the suspects.

However, currently, Midori's mind is not working well. Instead of doing the usual, he rushed out to chase the kids who stole his wallet. Well, there is no problem with this. It is just that he is still carrying the products in his arms. Once he stepped out, the products that he took will be considered stolen.

Somebody noticed the rushing figure out. Before Midori could take the leap of fate, somebody caught hold of his wrist then grabbed him back. This made him lose all the momentum leaving his feet out of balance. When he thought that he will fall, he was instead lifted!

No, not lifted like a bride, but a lift that made his world turn around before he landed back to the ground! He is familiar with this move of grabbing the other person using the hand then lifting in the shoulders before slamming the other person. This is a form of self-defense against bad people!

Midori did not take the impact well and his head was groggy. He groaned in pain, his body already weak from being hungry. It became worst when some heavy weight straddled his stomach. Fuck, it seems that the person who made the move sat on him to keep him from moving.

"You think you can just run away? Pay first before you go!" An immature deep voice said.

The voice tickled Midori's ears, as well as the sweet scent that he smelled earlier flooded in. It wasn't too much but this caught his attention. He is already dizzy and is about to faint but he tried to open his eyes to look at the other person. He wanted to know who owned that smell that did not make him feel disgusted.

It was quite a warm comforting smell.

Yet, Midori only caught a blurry image since his eyeglasses flew around after he was thrown to the ground. Before he lost consciousness, he somehow recognized the eye-catching convenience store logo in the middle of the other person's clothes.