Chapter 278

Show, who detests being addressed by his surname, Edamatsu Amagi, sees the ties that bind people together as unbearable and hellish relationships. He has had his own steadfast theory about this for a long time.

Back when the detailed genealogy of his family was not well-known.

During his childhood, when he was not even properly guarded and did not accurately recognize the environment surrounding him.

And during a somewhat reasonable time when discussions about inheritance rights and subsidiary splits were frantically brought up, it was considered plausible that his father, Ohtsuge Amagi, the head of the family and president of Enema Corporation, might die from old age.

The reactions of outsiders who saw the young boy were usually similar, leading to different endings depending on the incidents he encountered.

From “Oh my, is he the eldest son?” to “What? No, he’s the youngest son? Then he’s the son of Lady Suzunashi?” The indifference of those who judged that there was nothing to gain from the child, who couldn’t get involved in the management dispute regardless, was harsh.

Or there were light-hearted remarks like, “Tsk, tsk… In this day and age, a bloodline from the Amagi family? Do the jackals or other siblings care to let him be?”

Even when dragged out to politely greet visitors to the main house.

Show would instinctively feel nausea from the murmured words of the guest as they turned away, and he would cling to his mother until his pounding heart calmed down.

…The shadow of a giant loomed too darkly.

Given his upbringing, it might be natural for the Amagi family members to become accustomed to cynically ruling from above, regardless of whether it suited their nature, due to early education and environmental conditioning.

In any case, the conclusion is that.

When people form any kind of relationship, they consider conditions.

Even if there’s no intentional meeting or approach, when one introduces themselves or even just glances at the other’s clothing, it’s a natural part of being human for the mind to wander and create scenarios.

Wealth, salary, appearance, body type, power, status, education, sexual preferences.

In this era where there are more ways to overcome individual limitations, any element that can fit within the realm of gains and losses is included in these conditions.

It’s no longer a time when one was unaware of the intentions behind others’ masked smiles, and in fulfilling his duties as an executor to handle the internal issues of Enema Corporation, he found himself in a position of superiority in most cases, barring a few high-ranking officials…

He was not particularly as tense or vigilant as before, but in comparison to the past, Show thought he could handle this part relatively comfortably.

However… what if he wanted to possess someone who does not adhere to this rule at all, someone who desires nothing from him?

Regarding this aspect, it seemed he still had a lot to learn. He lamented this while cautiously taking one step at a time.

“……Isn’t this too close?”

“Didn’t the supervisor repeatedly ask us to maintain a proper distance? Please don’t mind me and focus on the screen.”

“Using such sweet-talk while casually reaching your arm behind has completely killed my trust. It’s like the textbook of contradictory words and actions…”

Above was a solid defense with crossed arms.

Anastasia’s leg, which was about to mercilessly stomp on the approaching foot, paused in mid-air, perhaps thinking it a bit harsh to do so in her shoes with heels, instead making a show of firmly pushing him back to show her discontent.

Sure, she had openly expressed her dissatisfaction…

Although far from the intimate or sensual depiction usually portrayed in joint photography of men and women.

He believed capturing a scene that held a hint of this natural freshness, which seasoned professionals often unconsciously forgot, was quite nice, as he caught a glimpse of the director in the distance giving a thumbs-up and shouting that it was perfect.

Rejection of aimless actions doesn’t stimulate a sense of responsibility.

Also, recalling one more thing, he felt that despite the pretext of a model shoot, he was surprisingly satisfied with the fact that they were being perceived in such a way from the outside, and he smiled brightly at the camera without pretension for the first time in a while.

During this, whether it was hoping for benefits from this collaboration later or indulging in empty fantasies of the connection being made even by a mere brush of their clothes?

It didn’t bother him at all.

Rather, the more he did this—the nearly, just a slight touch—Anastasia, who was in his embrace, seemed to shine brighter. He was also aware that few knew her charm went beyond surface appearances.

The embodiment of the miracle of continuing both the DNA and memories of those who have departed.

Upon witnessing with his own eyes that she was doing well in this life, she seemed like a rebel who had transcended all the desires and constraints of the secular world, suddenly leaving Enema behind.

What do you hope for in this life, and what dreams are you truly dreaming?

I hope there is a place for me in that envisioned future. If not…

“Hey, hey, hey! Even if there’s no concept of manners in this town, can’t you at least pretend to try?”

“…That hurts when you pinch me so seriously.”

“I meant to make it hurt!”

Comparing to how he initially worried about how to handle their meeting in the office… how to navigate this encounter, he was now relaxed and bickering comfortably.

So focused on keeping Show in check, the shock of her free-spirited manner as she reprimanded Enema was almost beyond expression, and he realized this was a psychological result of being drawn closer together, making him feel not so bad.

However, whether she knew the state of his fluctuating feelings every second they spent together was ambiguous, but her clear desire to finish the advertisement shoot and part ways… wasn’t that a little too much, even for her?

In this situation, they may never find an opportunity to meet again without the unnecessary interference from Paradise.

As it was, the branch manager of Paradise, who had sent Gamma nearby, was constantly calling to protest, saying that if they didn’t vacate immediately, they would have no choice but to operate a collection unit.

So, in a fit of anger, he pushed Anastasia toward the costume department.

He wanted to confirm why she didn’t understand his feelings, whether she truly saw him as nothing more than a connection from the past who only needed to do fine somewhere in the world.

“…Let go.”

“……”

With their gazes locked together, her small angelic head, perfectly positioned in his arms, swayed as if roaring through the air.

It wasn’t like she had some kind of remarkable implants, yet a fiery rage burned in the peculiar Amagi lineage eyes reminiscent of someone.

It was only natural for her to be the angriest he had ever seen her.

While he valued her immensely, he also suddenly remembered that Anastasia was, in fact, born as a tool and a weapon to fundamentally change the world under his father’s secret project.

No, he couldn’t help but realize this.

Moreover, he recalled that Director Kaijun had reported that she possessed quite a remarkable skill set as a technician related to hacking.

Even though Hayrong, who devastated the lab, carried a strategic intention to impede or steal Enema’s secret weapon development that smelled dangerous,

It was created not only out of someone’s greed but also barely managed to cling to life from the ashes.

What kind of eyes would a captive bird, now escaped from its cage, use to view the desolate world?

Was it too optimistic to think she viewed Enema’s maddening brand—something she could not sever ties with—as merely an object of yearning?

He should be thankful for her risk-taking visit, even for a moment, instead of reveling in self-pity about how lacking he was compared to competitors.

“……This is troubling.”

In the end, he ended up making a one-of-a-kind ideal partner incredibly angry. With no suitable words on hand, he found himself forced into a tense stare-off, with cold sweat rolling down him, which made him feel grateful that a sudden terrorist attack forced a retreat for them.

He even felt gratitude toward those he usually dismissed as no better than social parasites lacking any redeeming qualities!

Furthermore, even though he hesitated to even call it a reward, adopting a stance of not necessarily exterminating them all seemed somewhat reasonable.

With enough time to cool heads on both sides… he told himself the outcome of her sulking alone in the costume room was a relatively better result.

After all, he didn’t have the courage to face her right now.

“Ahsa, are you there? Are you planning to secretly escape by digging through the walls?”

“……Unfortunately, I did find the vent, but it’s too narrow for me to pass through.”

Implicating that they were treating the previous situation as if it never happened, they continued with a relaxed conversation from there.

Not able to see each other’s faces, the visibility was limited to mere foggy lights from the studio, yet speaking frank terms, stripped of pretense, intimate interaction even amid an environment where they only imagined each other’s attitudes based on sounds…

In some way, this effort in understanding another while striving to hide oneself must be rare in the wild they inhabit.

Finally, after several months, even if his repeated confessions had failed, being able to fully view everything from Anastasia’s perspective made him feel a bit excitable.

It was the first thought that rushed into his head, that he must extract this memory upon returning and ensure he could look back at it forever.

However, still… he lacked the necessary elements to reach the desired goal.

For completely breaking down the walls that Anastasia had built, he felt a rational voice saying there had to be something decisive, something to negotiate.

What could it be? If only the solution lay in ripping open his chest and offering his heart. What could he promise to elicit even a slightly affirmative response?

Thus, the moment the frustrated Anastasia helped him up after he stumbled, advising him to concentrate on laying his own foundations, he felt it was an inevitable flow.

“Instead of clinging to the less promising side with sticky persistence. If you truly want to change, I recommend trying to become someone that even a person like me, indifferent to relationships, would consider worth looking back at. …Don’t slip while aimlessly fussing over unrelated matters in a time when you’re already unsteady on your feet.”

Ah, why had he forgotten again?

No matter how much he managed to deflect everything within his reach, the biggest obstacle for her to emerge confidently into the light would undoubtedly still be… the Enema Corporation, where all the records were stored.

The truth remained; it is risky to hide a tree in a forest.

…Though he might not be able to say if he managed to wipe out anyone coming to inspect the forest.

Furthermore, historically, the binding force of a group is the external threat, and the ultimate factor that leads to its collapse is internal discord; thus, holding the sword backward while gradually cutting off the serpents’ heads may eventually lead to…

“Over there, Director Edamatsu. That… Miss Anastasia insists that she must leave the studio quickly and is urging us to clear a path. Can we really let her go just like this?”

“There’s no need to confirm each time, as her words equate to mine. Also… Gamma, you also shouldn’t hesitate. Even if you wear the uniform again like this time, your mission remains the same as before.”

“……I accept my orders.”

To the flustered security team employee.

Show, who had permitted Masanari, hesitating about which obligation he should prioritize, finally felt some of his frustration lift as he massaged the sore shoulders and smiled while touching the hands she had just grasped tightly.

As a final decision-maker, perhaps it was a flawed way of thinking in many aspects, but he still felt that even if he followed someone’s urging, it resonated more with his nature to fiercely bite the targets he boldly designated.