The Force of Gravity ✅

Chapter Four

Miori had thought she would be prepared to face Junichiro Arachi. Mentally and emotionally preparing herself to see him had been difficult, as the last time they had seen each other face-to-face was when he shattered her heart into a million pieces. But she knew that he would be her boss, and if she wanted to be employed she needed to act professionally around him.

In the few short hours she had known her Section Chief, she realized that the man was suffering from hearing loss but seemed to be in denial about it. When her Section Chief announced that they were coming in to Junichiro's office, she clearly heard Junichiro call out, "Wait!" but the Section Chief pushed open the door anyways.

Hearing Junichiro's voice through the door sucked the breath out of her body. He didn't sound like the boy she knew in high school, but had the deep voice of a grown man. Which made sense, as they were adults. But when the Section Chief opened the door and she could see Junichiro, the floor seemed to give way underneath her feet.

Junichiro had grown; he looked older than his twenty-three years but he was still handsome. Miori had tried to prepare herself to see why the Arachi family had hired her after everything had happened, but when she saw Junichiro's expression—wide eyes full of shock, gaping mouth, and white complexion—she stopped on the threshold as the realization quickly washed over her. He hadn't known that the applicant was me.

Seeing the confirmation that Junichiro had in fact had forgotten about her was so painful that she almost burst into tears. It took every ounce of willpower to keep her emotions under control.

I need this job. I NEED this job. I need to convince him to allow me to stay.

"Good morning, Fuku-shachō," her Section Chief greeted Junichiro obliviously, bowing. Junichiro didn't even glance at the other man; his eyes remained frozen on Miori. "May I present to you, Miori Chibana."

Miori quickly bowed, her posture unbearably stiff. "I-I...I am very pleased to meet you, Fuku-shachō." Her voice was unsteady but she kept her tone polite.

Junichiro was still silent. Miori straightened and saw that he was still staring stunned at her. She swallowed thickly, not knowing what else to say but preparing for the worst.

"Fuku-shachō?" Her Section Chief asked softly.

Junichiro seemed to snapped back into himself. He quickly shook his head and shook out his shoulders. "Welcome to Amai Nyūsatsu. Please, have a seat both of you." He gestured stiffly to the chairs in front of the desk.

Miori and her Section Chief each sat down, and Junichiro nearly collapsed into his own chair. His face was still pale. "Wh..." he swallowed thickly several times before continuing. "How do you like it here so far, M—Chibana?" His tone was low but...gentle?

Miori blinked rapidly to stop forming tears and clenched her hands in her lap. "I am very grateful to Amai Nyūsatsu," she said numbly. "For extending me a job offer after my previous office closed. I will work very hard here to p-prove myself worthy of the selection." She bowed again.

"Chibana-kun thus far has made a good impression, Fuku-shachō," her Section Chief said proudly. "Her temperament is very welcoming, and even before the noon hour I've had two employees come to me with positive feedback about her performance."

Really?! Miori's eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat. She kept her head ducked though to hide her shocked expression.

"I'm very pleased to hear that," Junichiro responded, his tone relaxing. "Know that if you need anything you only need ask."