16. So this is how satisfying it is to apply a formula.

“Who knows how many people you’ve deceived?”

Faced with his charming words, Sayaka Suzumiya couldn’t help but turn her face away, her heartbeat quickening.

The earlier irritation had mostly dissipated.

Yet, she still wore a cold expression. After all, aside from having just caught him flirting with another female subordinate, there was his disappearance over the past couple of days.

Thinking about how this guy had taken advantage of her and then vanished without a word over the weekend, Sayaka forcefully turned her face back and spoke in a somewhat flat tone, “You’re young, and you’re good at lying, but do you really think I’d believe you?”

“Believe it or not is up to you. Clarifying is my business. I don’t expect you to believe me—just like how, after confessing to you several times, I was never accepted.”

“Hmph! Still so stubborn!” Sayaka let out a dissatisfied, cold laugh, though inwardly, she felt quite pleased.

“What else do you want to say?” Haruno Tsukasa asked.

“Nothing. Just let go of my hand first. Also, you need to address me with respect.”

“Why use honorifics with someone you like?”

Haruno Tsukasa retorted, then released her hand softly, refraining from any further contact, and took a step back to keep a respectful distance.

“If we were dating, wouldn’t mutual respect and equality be the norm? Using honorifics would just revert us to a superior-subordinate relationship. I’ve already submitted my resignation. Even if you’re older than me, Sayaka-san, I consider you my peer.”

When he truly let go, Sayaka was momentarily taken aback but quickly grew displeased. Yet, when she heard him mention resignation again, she furrowed her delicate brows and immediately demanded, “Who gave you permission to resign?”

“Is there a law that forbids me from resigning?”

“You can try.”

“No need to threaten me. I might return to my hometown in a few days or move to another city. Besides, no job I’ve had before, even manual labor, was as hard as this one.” Haruno said.

“If you’re truly determined, then I’ll support your decision!”

“Anything else you want to say?”

“No.”

“Good. Then one last question: Sayaka-san, will you accept my pursuit?” Haruno shifted the topic, staring into her beautiful eyes.

“No.”

Sayaka responded instinctively.

“Goodbye.”

Haruno stated plainly.

“Wait!”

Still bewildered by how the conversation suddenly turned to whether she would officially date a subordinate nearly five or six years her junior, Sayaka couldn’t help but stop him as he turned to leave after being rejected.

Haruno paused and looked at her sideways, puzzled. “What is it?”

Sayaka was caught off guard and didn’t know how to answer immediately. Her heart burned with frustration and anxiety. After a long pause, she spoke stiffly, “You took so many liberties with me, and now you want to run away just because I mentioned resignation? Is that the kind of man you are?”

“For someone I love but cannot have, after enduring two years of unrequited longing, do I have to suffer more? My persistence would only cause you trouble and distress. Honestly, disappearing from your world is the most appropriate thing for me to do.” Haruno smiled faintly, giving an unassailable answer.

Of course, this was unsatisfactory to Sayaka. She couldn’t just watch him disappear.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?”

“I mean something else.”

“What else?”

“That meaning!”

Frustrated by such vague words, Sayaka’s pretty face darkened again. She asked directly, “Haruno Tsukasa, even if you never dated anyone during school, you’ve surely seen others in relationships.”

“Of course.” Haruno answered without hesitation.

“Then tell me, which man doesn’t persist when pursuing someone he likes? You said you secretly liked me. It’s only been forty-eight hours since you expressed your feelings. If I refuse you, does that mean I’m not even worthy of being pursued? Or do you think I’m that cheap and worthless?”

“I don’t think that way. If you do, then I apologize sincerely.” Haruno’s tone was earnest.

“Apologies won’t work. Show me sincerity.”

Sayaka said expressionlessly.

Haruno glanced once more at his inner list of ill intentions, confirming her feelings hadn’t changed, then pondered for a moment before nodding, “Alright.”

Seeing his agreement, Sayaka’s icy expression remained unchanged, but she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Though reluctant to admit it, she didn’t want to let go of this guy who had taken advantage of her and angered her so deeply. Yet, actually dating him seemed absurd—no prior connection, a notable age gap, and many other factors made it madness.

Still, seeing Haruno really raise his foot to leave, and recalling how he had mercilessly walked out of her office that day, Sayaka had no doubt he would contact her again after leaving.

The more she thought about losing contact if she let him go without care, the more her heart fluttered wildly.

---

At present, this man acted decisively, but as long as she gave him a chance, he likely wouldn’t disappear without trace.

After a brief moment of thought, Sayaka didn’t intend to give him a chance to change his mind. With a stern face, she said, “Since you agree, I’ll give you the chance to pursue me. Though I won’t fall in love with you, there’s a tiny chance—perhaps out of pity, afraid you might do something drastic.”

“Then I should thank you?” Haruno laughed, but without mockery.

“Suit yourself.” Sayaka glanced at him sideways, then added, “But I have some conditions.”

“What conditions?” Haruno raised an eyebrow.

A faint smile curved on Sayaka’s lips, as gentle as a glacier melting in spring. Seeming to settle into her comfort zone, she raised a finger:

“First, no more touching me recklessly. Next time, I won’t be so polite.”

“Second, you’re not allowed to resign.”

“Third, no contact with Ruka Hoshino. Delete all communications in front of me. I’ll handle work arrangements.”

“Fourth, no dating any woman, including Ruka. Any new female contacts must be reported to me. No visiting inappropriate places privately, no smoking or drinking.”

“Fifth, any other demands I make, you must comply unconditionally.”

Her tone was so calm it seemed these demands were law, uttered like a judge reading a sentence.

To Haruno, it felt like returning home and suddenly being pummeled for remarks made in a certain restroom—utterly speechless.

Section Chief, do you realize what you’re saying?

Sincerity in pursuing a woman shouldn’t mean being under constant surveillance.

This was more than surveillance—almost like electronic shackles.

Given that, there was no point in further debate; he’d just have to break through. But before doing so, Haruno glanced again at the list of ill intentions.

[Target: Sayaka Suzumiya]
[Ill Intention List:]
[1. Make Haruno completely loyal to me, no contact with other women this lifetime (Red)]
[2. Make him forcibly hold me (White)]
[3. Wish I had paper, pen, and ink pad to write these down, sign, seal, and have him swear to me (Blue)]

Haruno’s expression turned strange.

Considering his career and life ahead, avoiding contact with other women was indeed the highest-level ill intention.

The assessment was accurate.

The list was surprisingly precise.

After finishing her demands, Sayaka noticed Haruno’s delayed response and his slightly dazed look while staring at her profile. Her good mood soured; she frowned and asked, “Do you agree?”

“No.”

Haruno slowly shook his head.

His fingers clenched into his palm; Sayaka’s gaze suddenly darkened sharply. “What do you mean?”

“Section Chief Suzumiya, I understand what you said about the process of pursuit. But your conditions just now, I cannot accept.”

“Ha! That’s typical of you men!”

Sayaka scowled, then scoffed mockingly, “You say you like me, but can’t even meet these demands. Do you think I’d accept you?”

“But pursuing you doesn’t mean I’ll switch if I meet someone better. A stone can’t warm you, but jade can. That’s my right.” Haruno paused before calmly adding.

What kind of martial artist?

What demands?

Turns out using formulas is so satisfying!

Using one’s own spear against their shield!

The ‘Sweetheart Inequality’ was instantly shattered!

Sayaka froze momentarily, then her eyes widened. The coldness vanished from her pretty cheeks, replaced instantly by an erupting volcano of anger. “Who did you call a stone?!”

“Section Chief, calm down.” Haruno raised his hand halfway, “Please don’t take it personally.”

“What do you mean?”

“No offense. Pursuing or not is my right; agreeing or not is yours. I have responsibilities only when I’m your boyfriend or husband. Before any legitimate relationship, your demands are unjust accusations—an unfair restraint I neither need nor can accept.”

---

“Fine… fine… very well…”

Sayaka sneered angrily, her ample chest heaving. “Then go date other women without my consent! We’re done here!”

She felt chest pain from anger, as if her lungs were bellows ready to burst. Her mind spun with blood rushing backward.

Ridiculous feelings, ridiculous relationships!

He was just an ordinary man, no talents or merits, a poor kid who took advantage of her and shirked responsibility. How could such a person exist in this world?

Sayaka once thought Haruno was madly infatuated with her, but now she saw it was all a lie. She didn’t believe someone could like another and then still look elsewhere.

To say such things so easily!

Pledging her lifelong dignity and credibility, Sayaka swore never to have any dealings with this younger, incredibly fickle man again—and to get revenge by all means possible!

Just as her anger flowed like lava within her chest and she stepped to leave in her red-soled heels, an arm suddenly grabbed her.

Then, an irresistible force pulled her in.

Within half a second, Sayaka was pressed against Haruno’s solid chest, a scent blending bellflower fragrance and masculine musk wafting to her nose, leaving her furious mind stunned.

Her brain stalled for several seconds before she realized she was forcibly held in his arms. She instinctively pushed twice, her voice displeased:

“What are you doing?”

“Let me go!”

“What exactly do you want?”

Her voice was resistant, but her struggles were weak, without tension—more like a child sulking in a cradle.

And her resistance weakened with time.

Haruno whispered in her ear, “Are you really okay with me dating other women?”

Though this wasn’t the first time being held, and the emergency exit in the mall meant no one would watch, an overwhelming sense of shame surged within her, making Sayaka’s body grow weak even as heat radiated all around.

Though less intense than last time, she wasn’t wearing stockings today. His hand resting on the inside of her thigh felt like a branding iron, scorching enough to dizzy her.

Her heart pounded as if to burst from her chest, but to avoid showing embarrassment, Sayaka tried to think of other things. Yet, her mind was nearly blank. Clenching her legs tightly, she murmured in a barely audible voice, “What does it matter to me?”

“I understand.” Haruno responded softly.

With that, he abruptly withdrew his hand from her thigh, leaving no trace.

Just like two days ago, after releasing her, Haruno walked straight out of the emergency exit.

Sayaka stood dazed, cheeks and collarbone flushed a deep red, looking lost and unable to adapt to the sudden change.

Soon, Haruno disappeared from her sight, just as he had left her office that day.

At that moment, she felt she finally understood what he meant earlier—whether she could truly tolerate him being with others.

Thinking this, Sayaka regretted it.

Regretted not softening her words, not being vague or less stubborn. Maybe then he wouldn’t have left so abruptly.

Standing silently, she felt hollow inside, as if a missing piece from a puzzle.

A sense of abandonment by the world.

Meanwhile, Haruno had left the emergency exit and was walking through the bright, bustling corridors of Takashimaya Department Store. The pale red glow of the ill intention list engulfed his vision as he found a spot to check it.

[Target: Sayaka Suzumiya]
[Ill Intention List:]
[1. Make Haruno completely loyal to me, no contact with other women this lifetime (Red)]
[2. Make him forcibly hold me (White)]
[3. Wish I had paper, pen, and ink pad to write these down, sign, seal, and have him swear to me (Blue)]
[Second ill intention achieved]
[Basic rewards randomly being drawn]
[Ten ill intention achievements completed]
[Achievement rewards granted]
[Reward: Automatic salary increase card (0.1 yen/s)]
[Reward: Achievement random card (stored)]