Everywhere he went, he felt eyes on him. Not from his coworkers—they were polite, some even friendly—but from higher up.

Rylan Daemon Asano.

Taro rarely saw him, but the moments they did cross paths felt intentional. A glance in the hallway. A subtle smirk during a meeting. A passing comment that felt too personal.

Rylan was watching him.

And Taro had no idea why.

---

It wasn’t until Friday that things took a sharper turn.

Taro was at his desk, finishing reports, when his phone vibrated. He frowned at the unknown number before picking up.

“Hello?”

A deep, familiar voice answered. “Mr. Fujimura. I trust you’re settling in well.”

Taro’s back stiffened. “Director Asano…?”

There was a short chuckle. “You catch on quickly.”

Taro glanced around, lowering his voice. “Why are you calling me?”

“Because,” Rylan said smoothly, “I’d like you to join me for dinner.”

Taro blinked. “What?”

“You heard me.”

Taro hesitated. Why? Why was the Director inviting a lower-level employee like him to dinner?

“I—uh—”

“Don’t refuse,” Rylan interrupted. His voice was calm, but something about it felt like an order rather than an invitation.

Taro gritted his teeth. He didn’t like this. But could he really say no to someone like Rylan?

“…Where?”

A satisfied hum came through the phone. “I’ll send a car. 7 PM.”

The call ended.

Taro stared at his screen, his pulse unsteady.

This wasn’t just a dinner.

This was a move.

And he was being pulled deeper into Rylan’s game.

---