I Was Abandoned by My Fiancé and Betrayed by My Best Friend—A Story from Rock Bottom - Chapter 18

The next day.

The office atmosphere still carried the lingering tension from yesterday’s meeting.

“Miss Reika Kujo was truly beautiful, wasn’t she?”

“When she stands next to Executive Kiryū, there’s definitely something special about them.”

Every time these whispers reached my ears, something stirred deep in my chest.

Only Kiryū-san knew about yesterday’s social media exchange.

Even now, the memory made my heart skip a beat with disbelief.

I told myself not to pay attention to everyone’s gossip, but my heart refused to calm down.

◆◆◆

Afternoon.

Due to an unexpected visitor, I headed to the reception room with Kiryū-san.

A board member from our business partner had come to reconfirm the contract terms.

Kiryū-san handled the discussion, but the conversation went in circles without progress, and the other party’s expression grew increasingly stern.

Watching this unfold, I couldn’t stay silent and found myself speaking up.

“…Considering your company’s market expansion, I believe adjusting the terms more flexibly would ultimately lead to greater profits.”

After a brief silence, the other party’s expression softened.

“…I see. You’re young, but you have sharp insight.”

The negotiation ended amicably, and the board member left.

As silence returned to the room, I bowed my head.

“I overstepped my bounds. I’m sorry…”

When I looked up, Kiryū-san was silently staring straight into my eyes.

Then he murmured quietly.

“No… you helped me.”

That was all he said, but it made my heart leap.

“If I could be of assistance… that’s all that matters.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

◆◆◆

After the business meeting in the conference room, Reika-san came again for another appointment.

She approached me with a sweet smile.

“Thanks for the exchange yesterday. But it seems you haven’t looked at it yet.”

“Huh?”

“I sent you a message, but you never replied. How bold of you.”

“S-sorry. I’ll reply later.”

Though her voice was gentle, there was a somewhat condescending tone to it.

“Naoya and I have been together since we were children. I know him better than anyone.”

“…I-is that so?”

“Yes. His old habits you don’t know about, his favorite foods… everything.”

She smiled with an elegant gesture.

It was clearly an attitude meant to demonstrate her “superiority.”

“Th-that’s wonderful. Hehehe…”

(Ugh… what a pain)

I suppressed the urge to click my tongue in my mind and maintained my smile.

“However, I’m merely serving Kiryū-san as his secretary.”

I responded as calmly as I could.

But her next words made my heart jump violently.

“…But aren’t you thinking of him as more than just a ‘business partner’?”

“Guh…! Th-that’s not true!”

I hurriedly denied it.

“Fufu, just kidding. You’re such a cute girl.”

Reika-san chided me with a cool expression.

Watching her walk away, I felt a prickling restlessness in my chest, as if needles had been stuck there.

◆◆◆

Back in the usual executive office.

I gathered my courage and spoke up.

“…Kiryū-san. What kind of relationship do you have with Kujo-san?”

In response to my question, he answered matter-of-factly.

“Our families have ties. There’s a long-standing connection between us.”

Just as I thought that was all, Kiryū-san paused for a moment before continuing.

“…That person is special to me.”

“Guh…!”

Kiryū-san’s expression softened, and a childish smile escaped his lips.

For some reason, my chest tightened painfully.

But Kiryū-san quickly averted his gaze and added in his usual detached tone.

“I, in the past…”

He started to say something.

Then—Brrrring… the phone rang.

I rushed to answer it.

—In the end, that was it for the day.

Kiryū-san’s conversation was cut short, and I missed my chance.

But the restlessness in my chest continued.

(So, she really is someone special?)

◆◆◆

After returning home.

Burying my face in the futon, I tried to fight the turmoil in my heart.

“What is this all about! I just got bothered by an annoying woman… that’s all…”

Kiryū-san’s innocent smile replayed in my mind.

“…Why do I feel like this?”

Suddenly remembering Reika-san’s words, I checked my phone.

Several new posts had accumulated on Reika-san’s account.

Looking through them, they all seemed to be asking about me.

“What is all this? What’s going on…?”

Is she misunderstanding me as some kind of romantic rival or something…?

—If that’s the case, it’s seriously way too annoying.

“She should just leave me alone…”

Saying this, I collapsed onto the bed and tossed my phone aside.

The exhaustion from the entire day washed over me, and unable to fight off sleepiness, I closed my eyes just like that…