The Force of Gravity ✅

Chapter Eight

May 27th, 2027

"On behalf of Amai Nyūsatsu, but most importantly the Arachi family, we sincerely apologize for the treatment you received on Monday."

When Miori was discharged from the hospital (mild anemia was what she had been told was the cause of her fainting) she hadn't expected Kenshin Arachi to show up to her apartment with two other people. One was a gentleman who only identified himself as Tamami, Kenshin's lawyer. The other was a woman who looked to be around Kenshin's age with expensive clothes and a stiff posture. She was lovely—her silver hair was in a flawless bun and her makeup was modest—but she did not smile once.

Once they arrived they sat at the table; Miori and Tsumugi on one slide and Kenshin, Tamami, and the woman on the other. The woman did not introduce herself, but she watched Miori with piercing eyes. Her gaze unsettled Miori deeply.

"I speak on behalf of Shachō so please direct your questions to me," Tamami said. "Chibana-san, we are here to offer you to be rehired for a position at Amai Nyūsatsu. You will be compensated for lost wages, and your salary will be increased fifteen percent from what it was before."

"Y-You're offering Miori her job back?" Tsumugi gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth. "Oh, what a relief!"

But Miori was not relieved. "Tamami-san, can I ask a question?"

"Of course, Chibana-san."

"The phrasing of your offer. You said you are offering me a position, but you did not say that I was being reinstated to my former position. Does this mean that this a new offer entirely?"

"Clever young woman," the posh woman said. Her voice was as chilly as her demeanor but she smiled at Miori. There was no kindness in her smile.

"You are...quite correct, Chibana-san," Tamami said uneasily. Miori saw him lean away from the woman discreetly. "Ah...we are unable to offer you your previous position at this time. However, we would like to generously extend to you overnight hours."

"Overnight hours?!" Tsumugi exclaimed. She looked between Miori and the three people seated across from her. "Ah—I don't understand. Miori was dismissed yesterday. How do you only have an overnight shift available for her?!"

"My apologies," Tamami said. "But this does happen to be a competitive business and Chibana-san's position was already filled with a new applicant. Given the circumstances that led to...this current moment, we want to make things right for Chibana-San. However, an overnight shift is the only position we currently have available. The position is for a document control clerk. Monday to Friday shift, hours are 21:30 to 6:00, and there is a pay increase for this position. Everything is outline here—" he motioned over the contract with his pen. "If you would like to take the time to—"

"That's not necessary."

Everyone turned to look at the posh woman, but she was calmly sliding a business card across the table towards Miori. "Allow me to formally introduce myself, Chibana-san. My name is Kiyomi Arachi, Kaichou of Arachi Tea. I have heard what happened and in light of—everything, that has transpired, if my cousin's offer does not appeal to you I would like to make you a job offer."

Miori accepted her card and quickly presented her own to Kiyomi, though she felt uneasy on the inside. "I—ah—"

"As you must be aware, Arachi Tea is the flagship business for the Arachi family," Kiyomi said. "Amai Nyūsatsu is a—ahem—subsidiary company of it."

The look that Kenshin gave to Kiyomi was downright murderous. Miori had never seen him look that way at anyone, not even he was addressing her. When Kiyomi looked his way though, his features relaxed and he quickly looked away.