Transmigrated As Satoru's Father (A Jujutsu Kaisen Fanfiction)

Chapter 18

Kaori stood in front of the "Employees of the Month" wall, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the portraits. Each frame contained a smiling male employee, their names proudly displayed underneath.

"Was there ever a female employee of the month in this company?" she muttered, tapping her chin.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her boss, Mr. Kobayashi, shuffling down the hallway. He was a pudgy, middle-aged man in a slightly wrinkled black suit, his fluffy black hair bouncing lightly with every step. His small, beady eyes had the perpetually sleepy look of someone who wasn't thrilled about managing people.

Kaori turned toward him and said, "Mister Kobayashi, good evening!"

"Ah, good evening, Miss Kurosaki," Kobayashi replied, stopping in his tracks. He gave her a toothy smile, his chubby cheeks puffing out. "I see you're always working hard. How may I help you?"

Kaori offered a polite bow before straightening. "Well, I was wondering... have there ever been any female employees of the month in this company?"

Kobayashi blinked, tilting his head. "No," he said bluntly. "A portrait of a female employee might distract the male employees."

Kaori's left eye twitched involuntarily. She forced a strained smile to her lips, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. "I see... but perhaps it's time to reconsider? A change could be good for morale," she suggested sweetly, though her tone carried an edge of sarcasm.

Kobayashi rubbed his double chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, you're right..." he muttered, stroking his chin with exaggerated theatrics. "Based on high performance and loyalty to the company, I suppose it is time to promote someone."

Kaori's eyes widened in disbelief. 'Did I just—? Did I finally—?'

But before she could finish the thought, Kobayashi turned to the potted plant atop her CPU box. His eyes lit up as he leaned toward it and gently shook its leaves. "It's time to promote you, Mister Plant. It's been a long time coming."

He carefully picked up the plant, cradling it like a treasured prize, and shuffled down the hallway without a second glance.

Kaori stood frozen, her jaw slack. Her mind struggled to process the sheer absurdity of what had just happened. Slowly, she raised a hand to her temple and sighed heavily.

"What the..." she muttered, too dumbfounded to finish the sentence.

With a resigned shrug, she returned to her desk and plopped into her chair. "Another day in paradise," she grumbled, glaring at the space where her plant used to be.

Kaori sat at her desk, trying to maintain her composure as she typed furiously on her keyboard. The absurdity of the day was beginning to wear on her nerves. Just then, a male co-worker approached her, his tone polite but expectant.

"Good evening, Miss Kurosaki," he said, his smile the picture of corporate charm. "Do you have the report I asked you to make?"

Kaori took a deep breath, forcing a professional smile despite her growing irritation. "I put it on Mister Kobayashi's desk, Mister Aiko," she replied crisply.

"I see. Thank you, Miss Kurosaki," Aiko said with a slight bow, his smile unwavering.

Before Kaori could return to her work, Kobayashi suddenly appeared, his pudgy frame still cradling the plant like it was his prized possession.

"Oh, by the way!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Good work on the report, Mister Aiko! Come with me; I'll lead you to your own office."

Kaori froze, her fingers hovering over her keyboard. 'Wait... what?' she thought.

Aiko's expression shifted to surprise and then to a pleased grin. "Really? Thank you, Mister Kobayashi!" he said, stepping beside their boss eagerly.