All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

By calling the bank card an advance on her first year’s salary, the effect was remarkable. Tomoka Yuigahama, who had been so resolute in refusing to accept it, no longer resisted as firmly as before.

”You already had this card prepared before coming here. Does that mean you were certain from the start that I’d agree to join?” Tomoka asked curiously.

”You have no reason to refuse me,” Kotomi Izumi replied with another bold line she had long memorized but never before had the chance to use.

Kotomi was feeling very pleased now—not only because Tomoka Yuigahama seemed ready to agree to join Type-Moon World, but also because she had finally gotten the chance to use two of her stockpiled ”cool quotes” today. In her head, Kotomi had a warehouse full of lines ready for the perfect moment to make herself sound impressive.

Tomoka stared at the bank card, lost in thought. Kotomi didn’t interrupt, simply waiting patiently. She was convinced her victory was already halfway secured.

After about ten minutes, Tomoka finally looked up and spoke:

”Kotomi, I’m willing to join Type-Moon World.”

Yes! Kotomi cheered silently in her heart. On her face, however, she kept up the calm act, smiling lightly as though she always had everything under control.

”Mrs. Yuigahama, I’m very glad you made this decision. From today onward, you are the very first employee of Type-Moon World. Your position: Art Director.”

”Art Director, right from the start…? I’ve never even worked in a company before, let alone taken such a high position. Wouldn’t it be better to just let me join as an ordinary illustrator at Type-Moon World?”

”No. You are the Art Director,” Kotomi declared firmly. ”Don’t think about whether you deserve it. Be confident, Mrs. Yuigahama. I can say without exaggeration—if Type-Moon World is to succeed, you are one of my most important allies.”

Kotomi’s words gave Tomoka pressure, but even more than that, a sense of validation. Ever since she met Kotomi, she had constantly received recognition from her, and that recognition had driven her to produce illustration after illustration at the highest quality.

Without realizing it, Tomoka had grown more and more unable to part with this feeling of recognition that Kotomi gave her.

”Once Type-Moon World opens, I’ll make sure to fulfill my duties as Art Director.”

Tomoka nodded firmly. She still didn’t fully understand the world of the gaming industry—she was just an illustrator. But she believed the least she could do was to live up to Kotomi’s expectations, and to push every piece of artwork she created to its very best.

”Phew… finally pulled you onto my ’pirate ship,’ Mrs. Yuigahama~” Kotomi said half-jokingly, lightening the mood.

Tomoka gave Kotomi a long look. Then, leaning slightly forward, she reached out her slender hand. The distance between them shrank, the faint fragrance of each of them filling the other’s senses. The ambiguous atmosphere made Kotomi’s cheeks flush red. Against a woman like Tomoka Yuigahama, who embodied both maturity and playfulness, Kotomi had absolutely no resistance.

What is she trying to do? Kotomi’s mind raced. Could it be… she wants to kiss me?! Her face reddened further, her heart thumping wildly. She nervously bit her lip, just about ready to close the distance herself and press her lips against Tomoka’s—

Pinch—

Kotomi froze. Her eyes darted to the side, only to realize Tomoka had gently pinched her left cheek. She couldn’t quite make sense of what Tomoka was doing.

After giving her cheek a light squeeze, Tomoka finally let go, exhaling in satisfaction. She looked at Kotomi with a proud expression, gave a cute little huff, and said:

”Hmph. Little girl, you’ve been calling me Mrs. Yuigahama this whole time. Be good and call me Aunt Yuigahama, or Auntie, okay?”

”Uh—s-sorry.”

Kotomi gave an embarrassed laugh, realizing only now that her way of addressing Tomoka had indeed been a little inappropriate. After all, Tomoka was Yui’s mother.

But truthfully, Tomoka didn’t really care what Kotomi called her. Whether it was Mrs. Yuigahama, Aunt Yuigahama, or Auntie—it was all fine.

But because Kotomi had been acting so strong and domineering just now, looking nothing like a sixteen-year-old high school girl, Tomoka Yuigahama felt a sudden childish urge to strike back at her a little.

This was part of Tomoka’s charm—her occasional flashes of childlike mischief.