The day after her return, Yui nursed a stubborn headache that seemed to beat in rhythm with her heart. As she approached her father's office, she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The weight of her recent actions in Marbella was a heavy burden to bear, and the thought of discussing them only intensified her anxiety. She hoped to keep the conversation strictly professional, but with her father, one could never be too sure.

When she walked in, she was met with a stark contrast to her own disheveled state. Takeo Ishida, her father and the proud owner of one of the largest tech innovation companies worldwide, looked as impeccable as always. His appearance was paradoxically youthful for a man of his accomplishments, with only a touch of gray at the temples of his jet-black hair revealing his age. Tall and lightly built, with a countenance marked by intense eyes and noble features, Takeo was a man who had graced Asia's most wanted bachelors' list more than once. His usual poker face, intimidating to those unacquainted with him, broke into a warm smile as he welcomed his daughter.

"Did you not enjoy the sun? You must certainly need it," he joked, opening his arms for a hug.

"I did enjoy it, perhaps more than I should have," Yui confessed. She took comfort in the familiar environment of his office, the masculine hues and familiar artifacts a testament to her father's unique taste.

Takeo chuckled, the sound echoing off the modern glass walls. "Afraid you let your hair down a bit too much? That’s alright, it's good for your perspective. And productivity. Sit down, tell me about it."

After sharing a moment of silence, Yui, in search of hydration, reached into the mini fridge. She offered her father a vitamin water, but he politely declined, his double black espresso already steaming on the table. Yui settled in, preparing herself for the forthcoming discussion about her recent trip, her mind bustling with professional details.

Before she had a chance to speak, Takeo interrupted her train of thought. "I am not talking about business. I am talking about your experience from a personal point of view."

Caught off guard, Yui tried to mask her surprise, her voice wavering slightly. "It was a very… rich experience?" she attempted a vague reply that she knew he would not be satisfied with before she was even done articulating.

Takeo adopted a serious demeanor, scrutinizing her through his intense eyes. "You speak like you are hungover. And look that way too. Celebrated last night? Or drowned your misfortune?"

 Not sure of how much her father knew about her Marbella adventures, Yui squinted back at him. "I had a few drinks with my assistant,” she paused and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “You did it on purpose didn’t you?"

Takeo maintained his stoic expression, despite his subtle humor breaking through. "As a general rule, I do everything on purpose. Now it very much depends on what you are referring to."

A single name fell from Yui's lips. "Adam." The name felt heavy, bringing with it a wave of emotions. "Did he get home alright?"

"Adam is the head engineer of that project. So, what kind of plot are you accusing me of exactly?" Takeo's jest did little to lighten Yui's mood, as she began pacing the room, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She pondered the implications of her father's actions.

Taking a deep breath, Yui stopped pacing and leaned against the edge of her father's desk, trying to regain her composure. "I am not sure … but I am certain something was there. So as per my report. The meeting was a success. I have also attached the newest sketches of the robot as well. Adam's design was… Well, I don't know how to put it without insulting him, to be honest."

Takeo, ever the pragmatic, seemed unperturbed. "Mister Stroe is a practical man, and I appreciate that about him. Design can always be adapted, what he built is one-of-a-kind. So, how did he like the project name?" His smirk revealed his knowledge of Adam's… disdain for said creatures.

"Oh, he hated it," Yui replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But he realized I was right."

 "He is a smart man. And he definitely knows how to treat a stubborn young lady like you. So, I understand you two ended up collaborating well, despite the… difficulties you kept reporting in the first few days there," Takeo said, his gaze steady. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers.

Yui rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Excuse me, why are you insulting me, father? I'm perfectly reasonable." She began fidgeting with a pen on his desk, her anxiety evident. "Did you talk to him? What did he tell you?"

"The fact that you consider that an insult says more about you than me, my dear. As for Mister Stroe, no, he hasn't reported yet. I like to allow him to do things in his own time. That's how he works best. I'm sure you've figured that out, but he's not very fond of corporate culture. Your absolute opposite."

"Preferential treatment, father," she shot back, her tone mildly accusatory.

Takeo simply arched an eyebrow. "Have you, in your brief career at this company, met a more brilliant engineer?"

Yui's mouth tightened. "I would rather not answer that question." She was, indeed, stubborn as ever, but since her father continued with that intimidating patient, steady glare, she conceded. "Alright, he is good. Infuriatingly so,"

"And is he not a human resource we should manage wisely? It's not called preferential treatment, Yui. It's called knowing where the value is," Takeo responded with a sagacious air, countering her seemingly negative outlook with a rational one.

"You are right, father… As always," Yui sighed, a slight smile curving her lips as she straightened her back, an indication that she was moving on to a different subject. "So, Romania and its flavors…”

"What about Romania?" Takeo sipped his coffee, leaning back in his chair, studying her with a look that oscillated between interest and scrutiny.

"I heard you like it very much; Mister Stroe has loose lips when he drinks a little," Yui said, her eyes dancing with mischief when divulging this precious nugget of information.

"You could have asked me instead of loosening Mister Stroe's lips… with alcohol that is. I do enjoy the country very much, yes. They live for themselves, as opposed to slaving away in companies that don’t even know their worth. Work to live, not live to work, I recall was the local saying. It’s a refreshing take on life-work balance,” Takeo started, but Yui was quick to interrupt.

"Oh, father, don't go into in-depth analysis of human conditions now. I meant the other kind of enjoyment," she said, waving off his philosophical undertones. His penetrating gaze made her feel like she was under a radar, but she did not flinch. "I was very happy to hear about that, though. I think it is very healthy."

"It is very healthy and quite enjoyable. Why, daughter, were you worried about my sex life? I am the one who should be worried," Takeo teased her, adding another layer to the banter between them.

Yui's skin flushed, her pulse pounding like a heavy drum in her ears as she spluttered, "I… I will have you know that… my life is perfectly fine!" She sounded like a child caught in a lie, a lie she wasn't sure why she was telling.

Takeo, perfectly composed, didn't skip a beat. "Yes, I am perfectly reassured whenever I see Aoki shadowing his father at functions. The little man can't tell his thumb from his penis," he stated, with his signature straightforwardness that often-caught people off guard. "You can do considerably better, but you chose to please your aging grandparents with this parody of an engagement."

Yui’s hands balled into tight fists at his frank words. "Please do not insult my fiancé, father. It is not a parody of an engagement, it is as real as it gets!" she insisted, her voice rising with emotion. Her words felt bitter on her own tongue, but she couldn’t stop. "I am not doing this for my grandparents, I am in love with this man, and the fact that you do not agree to it makes me feel rebellious."

Her lie hung heavily in the air, a futile attempt at gaining some form of control in a conversation that seemed to be slipping out of her grasp. She avoided her father's gaze, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blouse.

Takeo responded in a perfectly flat tone, his words tinged with an undercurrent of disappointment. "Oh, how tragic. And what good is this rebellion when I made it perfectly clear when you were sixteen that your personal life is your own as long as you respect yourself? The question is, are you respecting yourself?"

His words were like a punch to the gut, leaving Yui at a loss for words. She stared back at him, her father's probing gaze unsettling her, as if he could see right through her flimsy facade. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

"Let's not get into that, father. How about we talk about Marbella, are you happy with the results? I mean, the business side of things went well, and I learned a lot from the experience."

Takeo gave a curt nod, finishing his coffee. "I am pleased, but not surprised. Stroe may be a wildcard, but you're reliable, strategic. You two make a good team."

His praise brought an honest smile to Yui's face, the tension from moments ago dissipating. "Thank you," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of pride.

 Takeo continued, dropping a metaphorical bomb into their conversation. "Which is why I want you to manage our newest product, the ROACH. I've arranged a one-way ticket to Bucharest for you in five days, along with an apartment I think you'll quite like."

Yui blinked; her previous excitement replaced with pure shock. "What?" She tried to laugh it off, but her voice came out much quieter than she intended. "Father, your humor is appreciated, but I have plans. Lunch with grandparents, and a… meeting with Aoki later."

Takeo fixed her with a stern gaze. "Do I look like I'm joking, Yuiko? I'm offering you the chance to head your own branch. Is this a joke to you?"

Yui paused, the implications of her father's words sinking in. "In Romania? But father, I can't just move a continent away. My life is here!"

Takeo leaned back in his chair; his previously warm eyes now as cold as stone. "So, you're not willing to advance your career and prove yourself? By all means, marry Yumegawa then, and become a glorified housewife for your grandfather’s satisfaction." His voice was icy, his disappointment clear. "I'll make the position available to others."

"No," Yui stood up abruptly, determination flashing in her eyes. "I accept the position.”