The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 35

Meanwhile, as Calie, Marie and Blaze head home to prepare for the vacation,  Matsu found himself sending playful texts to Calie and Marie while he was in a particularly tedious board meeting, injecting some humor into his day. As he chuckled at their responses, the board members couldn't help but notice his distraction.

Ms. Yamamoto, a seasoned member of the board, raised an amused eyebrow. "Matsu, is everything alright? You seem quite entertained by your phone."

Matsu grinned, trying to maintain a professional demeanor. "Oh, yes, everything is fine. Just coordinating some plans with friends. Nothing urgent."

Mr. Sato, always the observant one, leaned back in his chair with a knowing smile. "Friends, huh? Must be some interesting friends to capture your attention in the middle of a meeting."

Mrs. Flocke chimed in, "Well, we can't blame him. Even the most engaging board meetings can use a bit of distraction."

Mr. Forger, the joker of the group, added, "Maybe we should all take a break and text our friends. Could make these meetings more enjoyable."

Matsu chuckled, appreciating the lighthearted atmosphere. "I appreciate the suggestion, but I think we should stick to the agenda. I promise to stay focused."

As the meeting continued, the occasional smirk or suppressed laughter hinted at the ongoing banter between Matsu and his friends. Despite the professional setting, the board members couldn't help but acknowledge the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, even if it meant the occasional distraction during a meeting.

As Matsu continued to exchange messages with Calie and Marie, some of the board members couldn't help but express their concerns about his focus during the meeting.

Ms. Yamamoto, with a stern yet understanding tone, remarked, "Matsu, we appreciate your enthusiasm, but it's crucial to stay focused on the matters at hand. These decisions impact the company's future."

Matsu nodded sincerely, "I apologize if my attention seems divided. It's just that, well, these meetings can be a bit challenging for my teenage mind. I'll make a conscious effort to stay more engaged."

Mr. Sato, the pragmatic member of the board, offered a suggestion, "Perhaps we can find ways to make the meetings more engaging for everyone. Matsu, if you have any ideas, feel free to share."

Matsu, always up for a challenge, smiled, "I appreciate that, Mr. Sato. I'll certainly brainstorm some ideas to keep everyone—including myself—more engaged during these discussions."

The meeting continued, but Matsu made a mental note to propose some innovative ideas for future sessions. After all, finding ways to balance the seriousness of board discussions with a touch of youthful energy might just lead to a more dynamic and productive atmosphere.

Then Matsu's phone suddenly began to ring, and the melody of one of Calie and Marie's popular songs filled the room. His face flushed slightly as he quickly silenced the ringtone, but not before the board members noticed.

Ms. Yamamoto, wearing a bemused smile, raised an eyebrow and said, "Matsu, that's an interesting choice for a ringtone. Is that one of your girlfriend's songs?"

Matsu cleared his throat, feeling a bit self-conscious, "Uh, yes. It's Calie and Marie's song. They insisted I use it. It's, um, a good song."

Mrs. Flocke, the oldest member of the board, chuckled and patted Matsu on the shoulder, "Young love, isn't it adorable? You should let them pick your ringtone more often."

Mr. Forger, always the one to inject humor into situations, teased, "I hope it's not distracting you during important calls, Matsu."

Matsu chuckled nervously, "No, not at all. It's just a bit unexpected sometimes."