- convinced herself that maybe this wasn't such a bad thing.

She took a deep breath and proceeded beyond the doors that separated them. Revealing herself in a more toned down appearance compared to her usual profile.

``alright, I don't have much time so let's not waste it.´´

The meeting wouldn't come before doing a bit of her own research in advance. She knew his name, but most other details were well hidden.

𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘺.ᐣ

Most would've gone to other candidates who were more open about their online identity. Yet Mariko had -

- to fool a shady businessman.

𝘋𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴. 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮.

- apologies. I'm recovering from a small cold. As I was saying. . . please make yourself comfortable.´´ She stated while noticeably hurrying herself to find a seat. Glasses pushed abruptly back onto her face.

If Clark Kent can successfully mask his identity as superman, then she should be able -

- meant to be the first time, she became terrifyingly aware that this wasn't the case at all. She had met him before. . . Or at least, the version of her that no one in the industry is meant to know about had encountered him prior to this engagement.

She cleared her throat.

``Ahem. . . My -

- Please. . . Have a seat.´´ She opens her eyes, gesturing towards the side of the office, where a pair of matching sofas were placed near a faux fireplace. ``Miss Hana will provide refreshments so make yourself at home─,´´ She froze up. Having just opened her eyes to see her guest for what was -

- falling apart the moment she's handed the reins.

Upon his entry, he'd find her standing behind the desk. Eyes briefly closed and posture bent slightly forward in an effort to give an appropriate yet respectable greeting.

``Greetings, Mr. Migakaze. Fujikawa Industries is honored to have you. -

- nightly activities.

The ping notifying her of Mr. Migakaze's arrival was her cue to slip back into the role she's meant to play. Not that of Fujikawa Industries' current CEO, but it's future. To guarantee success, she must win over as many business partners as possible. Or risk the company -

a manner. Perhaps dealings of the past had left him bitter?

Mariko Fujikawa gave a groan as she pressed her personal laptop closed for the evening. To then remove her glasses as fingers gently massage tired eyes. Worn from a day of staring at a screen with little sleep the night before due to her-

``𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣?´´

The statement seemed a touch too cruel to describe someone she had yet to meet. Though she'd met countless CEOs, both rivals and business partners, so admittedly some could easily fit that description. However, this was the first she'd heard her father refer to any of them in such-

Doubtful. She's in a pretty foul mood as it is.

- lead a double-life. As far as anyone knows, Mariko Fujikawa, heir of Fujikawa Industries, and Mari-chan are two completely different people. With their own distinct personalities and appearances.

A truth she hopes to keep hidden for as long as possible.

- in only a few months. After producing a few covers of songs from her favorite video games and anime series', she was encouraged to produce original singles. She streamed her first concert and attained mass popularity.

Since then, she's acquired endless opportunities. Yet she still manages to -