By the French window, the conversation between the two men continued.
President Oohara shook his head helplessly. "Why don't you reconsider? Our company actually has a lot of potential, and we've worked together for so long. If you suddenly switch jobs somewhere else, it might not be better than staying here and developing your career... Well, if you're dissatisfied with the salary, I can raise it."
Aida Toru burst out laughing. "With the company's pathetic income, how much could you possibly raise it?"
President Oohara said without much conviction, "Performance will definitely improve in the future."
"Enough, stop bringing this up." Aida Toru raised a hand to cut him off. "You're old, but I'm not—I don't want to spend my whole life drawing flyers under you. If this keeps up, all this dazzling talent of mine will be buried right alongside you."
President Oohara's face finally darkened. He looked as though he wanted to retort, but in the end, he took a deep breath and forcibly held it back.
As if trying to avoid an argument, he checked his watch and stood up. "I'm going to the restroom."
Okiya Subaru silently watched President Oohara walk away, unable to shake a bad feeling.
After thinking for a moment, he put a cigarette between his lips and headed to the smoking section near the restroom.
Then, pretending to smoke, he took out his phone and planned to send Uzo an email—perhaps his last reply had been too official and hadn't seemed sincere enough, which was why Uzo kept repeatedly reminding him in certain memorable ways?
...If he wrote another email admitting his mistake, perhaps it could ease the current situation.
But after typing it out, Okiya Subaru hesitated again before hitting send.
—The content mattered too. If his apology was too