All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

Mai frowned slightly. After finishing a day’s filming without a single word of comfort or concern from her mother, the only solace she had was indulging in a few sweets to make life feel a little less bitter, a little less exhausting.

And now... her mother had tossed them all away like trash.

She was annoyed, but instead of arguing, Mai silently chose to shift her mindset.

Clack.

She set down her utensils, picked up her bag, and said, ”I’m done. Thanks for the meal. I’d like to head home now.”

Shiori didn’t offer to drive her or even tell her to be careful on the way back. She simply gave a small nod, glanced at her daughter, and then resumed eating.

Wearing a mask and sunglasses, Mai left the office. Her mother’s attitude—unchanged over the past decade—was something she had long since become used to.

While waiting for the elevator, she bumped into Shiori’s secretary, Miss Murayama.

Coming up from downstairs, Murayama quickened her pace upon recognizing Mai, even with her disguise. ”Mai, heading home?”

”Yeah. We just had lunch, but it’s pretty obvious she doesn’t want to talk. So I won’t bother her.”

Murayama easily inferred that the ”she” Mai referred to was none other than Shiori herself.

Having seen the distant, almost non-existent bond between the Sakurajima mother and daughter over the years, Murayama had gotten used to it.

”Maybe Shiori just doesn’t know how to express herself. Don’t be too mad at your mom.”

”Oh, I’m not mad at all,” Mai said with a sarcastic smile. ”She’s the founder and president of Phantom Sea Agency, and I’m just one of her subordinates. What right do I have to be mad?”

Murayama gave an awkward laugh and quickly changed the subject. ”Let me drive you home. It’s getting colder, and walking outside isn’t exactly pleasant.”

”Don’t worry about it. I walked here alone earlier,” Mai replied as she stepped into the elevator.

Seeing the situation, Murayama sighed and handed her a small package.

”Mai, this is your delivery. It came to the building earlier and had your name on it, so I signed for it. Honestly... the sender even used your real name. Lucky there wasn’t an issue.”

Murayama babbled on. Every celebrity uses a pseudonym for online shopping and has packages delivered to the agency to protect their privacy. Leaks can lead to tabloid scandals that damage both careers and companies.

Mai glanced at the sender’s name and smiled softly. ”Don’t blame her—it’s my fault. I forgot to tell her I use a pseudonym.”

”Who sent it, anyway?”

As Murayama asked, Mai looked down at the label reading ”Kotomi Izumi,” her smile deepening. She turned and stepped into the elevator. Just before the doors closed, she called out:

”A little kouhai I can’t help but want to spoil.”

With a soft ding, the elevator closed.

Murayama stood there, puzzled. Had Mai just called the sender someone she wanted to spoil? But her tone didn’t sound like they were just senior and junior...

”Feels like I just stumbled upon something major... Should I tell Shiori about this...?”

But then she remembered how Mai’s mood had instantly brightened upon seeing the sender’s name. Murayama shook her head and dismissed the thought.

”Forget it. Better to act like I didn’t see anything.”

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