I modestly enter her office bowing my head. Nervously tucking a strand of hair behind my perfectly round ear, I finally lift my head. She doesn't notice me. Her stylish office, designed in a classic Japanese style, is cluttered with white rectangular boxes of unreleased cosmetics. She is attentively examining one of them. Is she dissatisfied?

"Ah! Hara-san! I've been waiting for you; welcome, come in, don't be shy," Sato-sama speaks with her low, seductive voice.

"Hello, Sato-sama!" It feels like I'm once again a peasant in a long linen dress, slowly approaching my lady princess.

"I apologize," the princess says. Someone is calling her from international partners, and she talks to them in English. I admire her, taking advantage of the fact that she's not looking at me again. Her strong, feminist image reminds me of the Sukiban movement of the '70s: there's something punk and anarchic about her, as if her entire nature opposes classical passive norms. If someone told me she was from the yakuza, I would unquestionably believe it. Three silver threads of gray hair contrast with her black mane. She's not afraid of getting older and shows her age and cute wrinkles that sometimes appear on her nose when she forgets herself and smiles.

"Hara-san, are you okay?"

"I'm so sorry!"

"I was worried; you haven't blinked for a couple of minutes. Are you feeling well?"

"Everything is fine! Thank you for your concern!"

"I know it's my fault. Due to the launch of the new cosmetic line, everyone has to work extra hours. But don't worry; after the launch, everyone will receive good bonuses."

I silently clap my eyes, nervously clutching my knees. I've dreamed of our tete-a-tete conversation for so long. I imagined this moment in various scenarios: what she would say, what I would say, she would press me against the wall, and we would engage in passionate love. In reality, I can't say anything.

"Hara-san, what do you think of our new mascot?" She shows me a perfectly white matte box with a cute dragon girl illustration on it.

"She's cute," I say modestly.

"Cute? Just cute?" I can here some tints of displeasure in her voice. "Matsui said that you fully developed this mascot, and you didn't even use AI!"

"It's all my fault, please, excuse me! I didn't know that Matsui-san would want to use my drawing. I told her it's not that professional. Please don't fire me; if I lose my job, my parents will definitely force me to marry that idiot from the company where my dad works, and I really don't want that!" My face crumples like dried fruit.

Sato-sama is genuinely confused. She jumps up from behind the desk and approaches me.

"I didn't know they force you to marry! That's illegal. Should I call social services?" She puts her hand on my head, trying to calm me.

"No, no, Sato-sama! You misunderstood me... I just exaggerated, but I can't lose my job! Without a job, there's no independence and freedom of choice!" I've ruined the whole moment. Now she probably thinks I'm hysterical and deceitful.

She sits on the edge of the table in her stylish pants in front of me.

"I understand you very well, Hara-san! Women always have to work ten times harder than men to prove their position, independence, and professionalism, and in the end, they are treated like in medieval times."

"Thank you. You are a wonderful example of a strong and independent woman. How I wish I could be even a little like you!" I look her in the eyes; my chest rises, and my cheeks and ears burn.

"Hara-san..."

"Believe me, Sato-sama, I'm not trying to flatter you with these words to gain your favor and promotion. I genuinely think so. Since the very first day of working here, I've admired you."

"I didn't know about this," the princess mumbles, rubbing the back of her head. Her perfect bob haircut sticks out in different directions, but she doesn't notice.

"I will redraw the mascot the way you want! I will do my best."

❣️ ❣️ ❣️

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