Chapter 717 - 717: Haruno's Thoughts

The warmth of his breath brushing against her face made Haruno's heart beat even faster. Unable to take it any longer, she quickly pushed Ichin away and sat back down on the sofa.

"I'm hungry. Let's eat."

Seeing the obvious fluster on Haruno's face, Ichin became even less anxious. He calmly took everything out of the bag.

"Besides the dishes, Utaha and Yukino also made some mung bean soup. There's plenty of it. You can have some this afternoon while you're working. It'll help cool you down."

He took out a small bowl, served Haruno a portion of rice, then filled one for himself as well.

Watching him, Haruno fell silent.

She hadn't expected him to stay and eat with her.

Since she couldn't exactly tell him he wasn't allowed to eat there, she simply accepted it, picked up her chopsticks, and started lunch.

With Utaha and Yukino cooking together, the meal naturally tasted amazing.

As they ate, Haruno gradually stopped overthinking everything and focused entirely on enjoying her food.

Ichin wasn't much different.

He had worked all morning before driving all the way over, so he was already starving.

Half an hour later, the two of them had finished every last bite.

After packing away the empty lunch boxes, Ichin poured two bowls of mung bean soup.

Almost perfectly in sync, they each picked up a bowl, took a sip, and let out a satisfied sigh.

Turning his head toward Haruno, who was leaning comfortably against the sofa with her eyes closed, Ichin smiled.

"Busy today, Haruno?"

"Not really."

She shook her head.

"There isn't much going on anymore. We've already passed the busiest stage at the beginning of the project. From here on, the others can oversee most of it. As the project coordinator, I only need to supervise."

After speaking, she glanced at him.

"Since lunch is over, shouldn't you hurry back? Your company is much busier than mine."

"It is busy."

Ichin nodded.

"But it's still lunch break, so I have quite a bit of free time. Besides, I'm the company president. Even if I don't go back all afternoon, it won't affect development at all. I just need to send Hazuki a message."

Turning to face Haruno, he smiled.

"Besides, I can't leave until I get your answer."

"..."

Haruno glared at him.

She slipped off her high heels and immediately started kicking him with her black stocking-clad feet.

"You came here today just to torment me, didn't you?!"

Ichin wasn't bothered in the slightest.

He simply let her keep kicking him.

After all...

It didn't hurt at all.

Seeing the almost content expression on his face, Haruno could only sigh helplessly.

He had clearly figured her out completely.

Eventually, she stopped kicking him, sat properly again, and looked at him.

"Hmph. Giving you a chance isn't impossible."

"But don't think you'll win me over that easily."

"You said yourself that it doesn't matter if you don't go back to work this afternoon."

"So come with me."

"Come with you? Where?"

"Shopping."

As soon as she finished speaking, she stood up and walked toward the private lounge attached to her office.

Haruno's office had a hidden resting room.

Inside was a single bed for naps and a wardrobe filled with spare clothes.

Since she'd stayed at Shizuka Hiratsuka's house yesterday instead of coming home, she'd come to work wearing casual clothes this morning before changing into her office attire here.

Watching her disappear into the lounge, Ichin raised an eyebrow.

He then took out his phone and sent a message to Utaha and Yukino at the company, telling them he would be taking Haruno shopping this afternoon. If they got bored at work, they could head home first, and he'd buy groceries on the way back.

After messaging them, he also texted Hazuki and Umiko, asking them to oversee development in his absence.

As for the work he wouldn't have time to do this afternoon...

He'd simply work overtime after getting home.

Meanwhile, Utaha and Yukino had just finished lunch and were chatting with everyone when Ichin's message arrived.

The two exchanged glances before excusing themselves and heading to the meeting room together.

After closing the door, Utaha lowered her voice.

"What do you think happened? Did he succeed?"

Yukino frowned and shook her head.

"I don't think it'd happen that quickly. My sister is incredibly stubborn... and she's also an excellent actress."

"Even if she's thrilled inside, she'll act completely calm."

"As for them going shopping this afternoon..."

Yukino smiled faintly.

"I think she just wants to experience what it's like to go on a date."

"The last few times we went out, all of us were together."

"So this time... she wants to go alone with Ichin."

As Haruno's younger sister, Yukino had guessed her thoughts almost perfectly.

Utaha rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

"I see..."

"That really does sound like Haruno."

"Even though we're close friends, she'd never actually admit something like that."

"I imagine Ichin has probably figured out at least part of it too."

She grinned.

"So... should we secretly follow them?"

Yukino was silent for a moment before pointing at the closed curtains in the meeting room and the blazing sunlight filtering through them.

"In this weather..."

"I think we'll pass."

Utaha glanced outside and immediately agreed.

It was thirty-seven degrees today.

The heat was unbearable.

Even if Haruno and Ichin spent most of their time inside air-conditioned shopping malls, there was really no reason to tag along.

After discussing it, the two decided to stay at the company until the end of the workday.

There were laptops available, so Utaha could peacefully work on her novel.

Yukino had also brought two books with her that morning, giving her plenty to study.

There was no need to head home.

Besides...

There was afternoon tea.

They could enjoy snacks and chat with everyone before heading home after work.

As for dinner...

Ichin had already said he'd prepare it.

With everything decided, the two left the meeting room and returned to chatting with everyone.

Naturally, Hazuki and Umiko had no objections after receiving Ichin's message.

After all, he was the company's owner.

Even if he skipped work for the entire day, nobody would complain, let alone just one afternoon.

Ten minutes later, Haruno emerged from the lounge wearing casual clothes again.

She had changed into a light white off shoulder blouse paired with a light blue knee length skirt, giving her a perfect summer look.

After coming out, she sat back down at her desk and called in her two assistants.

Both of Haruno's assistants were women.

Not only had they graduated from prestigious universities, but they were also highly capable employees whom Haruno had been personally mentoring. They were more than competent enough to handle the work she delegated.

After entering the office and greeting Ichin, who was sitting on the sofa, they listened carefully as Haruno assigned their tasks.

There wasn't much to do.

Most of it consisted of miscellaneous work that didn't require signatures or major decisions.

The two assistants had handled similar responsibilities before, so they were already very familiar with the process.

After writing everything down, they left the office.

Haruno shut down her computer, stood up, and looked at Ichin.

"Let's go."

"This afternoon..."

"Your time belongs to me."

...

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