The Grand Staircase of Málaga City Hall, with its overwhelming stained glass and filtered light, felt like the precursor to the final boss battle. Yui breathed in subtly, her knuckles white on the printed notes she had prepared just in case her brain froze. She dared a glance to her right as she started the climb. Adam looked transformed; his rugged good looks had been replaced with professional perfection. He wore that suit so well it seemed tailored to him, and his usually messy hair was combed back, emphasizing the nice angles of his masculine face so well he looked chiseled. The engineer was beyond handsome, the colors of the stained-glass worthy of a cathedral painting him like a high fantasy novel character. Yui had to mentally slap herself for allowing herself to get distracted, she had a mission and admiring mister Stroe’s perfect bone structure did nothing to prepare her for it.
At the top of the staircase, they were greeted by a committee of officials, two Mayor Counselors and two security guards. She raised her chin and steadied herself, determined not to let anything break her focus. But her palms were sweaty, and her heart beat so hard in her ears she almost didn’t hear the claps while they were escorted in the Assembly room set up for the presentation.
ROACH, gleaming under the spotlight, stood as a testament to Adam's genius, its simplistic exterior hiding the innovative core. Its white metal was polished to perfection, and its name had been freshly painted on the side.
Yui took a shaky breath and urged herself to make that terrifying, first step towards the already set up microphone, but was stopped by a warm, steady hand on her shoulder.
“You’ve got this, you’re your father’s daughter,” Adam told her, his voice low but confident. She dared a glance at him and he winked. Suddenly, the podium didn’t look as menacing anymore.
With the first slide casting a vibrant, futuristic image of ROACH on the backdrop, Yui started her presentation confidently. “Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce ROACH, our versatile rescue robot,” she began, her voice echoing with passion. The backdrop showcased a blocky, utilitarian machine, reminiscent of a compact tank.
Her nervousness evaporated as she stood there, confident in her impeccable white pant suit, taking a moment to make eye contact with the crowd. Yui was just 23 years old, fresh out of university, but she had grown up watching her father’s presentations, and she channeled everything she learned from him – his effortless charisma, his absolute confidence in every project he represented. Takeo Ishida built his tech empire brick by brick, presentation by presentation, putting himself under the spotlight for the things he believed in. This was not just about revealing ROACH, it was about revealing Takeo Ishida’s daughter to the world, and she would carry her father’s greater than life legacy with pride.
As she detailed ROACH’s functionalities, the slides transitioned to support her narrative. One highlighted a ROACH unit navigating a simulated disaster zone, effortlessly maneuvering through debris. Another showed the robot lifting heavy rubble, revealing a trapped victim. “Whether it's a collapsed building or a forest fire, ROACH can get in and get out, saving lives in the process,” she articulated, the audience engrossed by her words and the visual display.
She then unveiled a slide featuring multiple ROACH units in a coordinated rescue operation. “In large-scale disasters, multiple ROACH units can be deployed in tandem, enhancing their efficiency and impact,” she elaborated, the animated robot team on-screen emphasizing her point.
Yui adeptly addressed questions, her answers reflecting her deep understanding and faith in ROACH. The room's initial skepticism transformed into palpable excitement.
Concluding her presentation, she cast a playful glance at Adam. "Ladies and gentlemen, meet the genius behind ROACH," she gestured towards Adam, who responded with a casual two-fingered salute and a modest bow, ensuring the spotlight remained on her. "His design philosophy? Simplicity and functionality over aesthetics. Much like himself, he envisioned ROACH to be a bit... square. But as we all know, it's what’s under the hood that matters!"
This invoked a round of hearty laughter, lightening the mood further and endearing the audience even more to their creation.
"In wrapping up today, I want to leave you with a thought. Imagine a world where a crisis doesn’t have to have priority rescue, because every single life can be saved, a world where human risk is mitigated, where hope is mechanized. We, at Ishida Tech, believe in ROACH’s capacity to revolutionize global rescue efforts as a testament to our mission to empower humanity with technology. It may not have a cape, it may not be the flashiest hero, but in the face of disaster, ROACH will be the savior we need."
Thunderous applause followed her words, admiration evident in the officials' eyes. Adam's approving grin met her as she descended the stage, their shared success evident.
Adam then took the stage, his casual demeanor contrasting Yui's passionate delivery. "Thank you, miss Ishida. I’m not sure I have much to say after her brilliant presentation. How do you follow up to that?" he began, his playful tone clear.
While Yui painted the dream, Adam grounded it in reality. He tackled ROACH's practical aspects with infectious enthusiasm and humor. He had an innate ability to simplify complex concepts, guiding the audience on a journey that showcased ROACH's potential.
In those ten minutes, Adam was not just an engineer or a presenter. He was a storyteller weaving a narrative of faith and assurance. The officials were clearly taken in by his charm and wit, their earlier apprehensions replaced by nods of understanding and smiles of agreement.
Watching him, Yui felt a mix of pride, admiration, and an unidentifiable emotion. She realized that Adam was more than just a quirky engineer; he was a captivating force of intellect and charisma, a revelation that left her almost breathless.

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