"Hime-chan, glad to see you! Wow, you changed your style, what a nice pair of shoes!" We are greeted by a slender woman with long hair pulled into a tight ponytail at the nape of her neck. "Your table is ready as always, drinks are already there. The menu is on the table for our new guest. I won't give you a menu; you know everything here." The woman friendly pats my boss on the back.

"Nice to see you, Momo-chan. You always act like a hospitable hostess." Sato-sama dodges the friendly pats on her back. "Let me introduce my colleague, this is Suzuka-sensei," Sato-sama elegantly introduces me to the hostess.

I pout. I hoped that this "sensei" joke was behind us. I'm not a teacher or a politician; I don't even have a higher education to be considered a sensei, and therefore, it's a bad joke. Will she really keep calling me that?

"I see! Glad to welcome you, Suzuka-sensei, to the 'Dragon's Den.' You can just call me Momo-chan. I hope we'll become friends."

She bows to me. I politely bow in return, "Nice to meet you. Thank you for your hospitality."

"Hime-chan, you did mention that you'd come with a colleague, but you didn't say she's such a cutie. Is she seeing someone?" Momo-chan whispers into Sato-sama's ear. She thinks I can't hear her over the music and voices of other guests, but I have excellent hearing by nature. I didn't immediately understand why she calls her Hime; it's so unusual that someone addresses Sato-sama in such a familiar way. She's always so important, strict, and noble like a royal dragon.

Sato-sama raises her eyebrow at Momo-chan's words.

"I get it, I get it!" The hostess laughs loudly. "Happy for you. You deserve..."

I can't hear more as several people squeeze between us, heading towards the exit.

"It's quite loud here today because it's Friday. I hope Momo-chan didn't scare you?" my boss asks me as we settle at a cozy table by the window.

"She's very lively. It seems you two are good friends – that means she's a good person too," I say, timidly hoping they are really just friends.

"Why do you think so highly of me?" Sato-sama takes a delicate sip of her aromatic green tea holding the cup with both hands.

"We've been examining each other for a long time, haven't we? I also like how you work and how well and fairly you treat your subordinates and colleagues. Always strict but just. You always do everything so perfectly that others can take you as an example and try to reach your level. You are generous and always show great respect for all women, regardless of their status and position in society."

"Then why do they call me the evil dragon princess?"

"Only lazy and envious people say that."

"You are honest."

"I don't think I'm entirely honest with you, Sato-sama... I..."

"Suzuka-sensei," she interrupts me. "Let's order some food. There's excellent traditional Japanese and European cuisine here. Do you prefer fish or meat?"

I remain silent, my nose buried in a glass of juice, "Everything is fine; I'm not hungry." My stomach growls with hunger. I was so engrossed in work that I haven't eaten anything properly. Shameful!

"Are you shy about ordering something?" Sato-sama asks delicately.

I nod.

"I know it's bad manners to order for a lady, but let me take care of you and do everything myself. I don't want my subordinate to faint from hunger. What will your mom say if she finds out?"

I chuckle.

"There, I've cheered you up," the dragon princess smiles.

❣️❣️❣️

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