Hiro.exe has left the building

“The moon can never breathe, but it can take our breath away with the beauty of its cold, arid orb.”

— Munia Khan

. . .

Suddenly, Hiro found himself scanning his office as well.

Bugged? Wire traps? That's possible, but...

...Okay, you know what, that was a scary thought.

And quite a bit of a paranoid mindset, he thinks as he watches Lunamor paces around for a bit, now holding her phone close to her ear before returning her attention to her tablet once satisfied with the office's security. Why hadn't they even bothered to check it before?

Hiro didn't like this line of thinking. “I’m not really against on signing anything right now but is this really necessary? What, my word not good enough for you?”

“…Yes.”

“…hurtful, but okay.”

Lunamor began typing, not bothering to glance at him.

And Hiro cannot help but marvel at how quick she is as she carried on tapping on the screen, her gloves didn’t even seem to bother her as she did so.

Huh, Lunamor’s WPM must have been over 60 or 70…

“Not only the contract serves as the physical proof of our arrangement, but it also prevents any sort of misunderstandings from both parties and it keeps our agreement officially classified, even after... we part ways. Now, when do you want me to handle that woman?”

She sounds so mature and incredibly professional about the matter, making it hard for Hiro to take the situation rather lightly. He sighs, “...as soon as possible.”

Lunamor nodded. “Tomorrow, then.”

Hiro nodded back at her... although, he was a bit frightened at how fast she acts. Lunamor really does things quick. And by the mile.

She scans the contract for a moment, “While this contract is in effect, both of us are forbidden from going out or seeing other people. Even in a friendly setting. Anything that looks like a date will break our deal automatically. Do you have any objections?”

Hiro was currently not involved with anyone anyway.

Although it would be a shame since Hiro still wanted to be able to go out on dates if he did manage to find someone interesting, but… eh. Whatever.

“…None.”

This time, Lunamor glanced up sharply at him. “I mean it. No third party involved. It will look bad if I’m seen with other men and the same goes for you while we are together.”

Hiro waved a dismissive hand at her.

“Is that all? What are the rest of the terms?”

Lunamor handed out the tablet to him.

And as Hiro took his time reading and scrolling through the contents, he found himself nodding along on some of the statements. The rest of her requests were reasonable…

She wanted the right to judge what Hiro would wear whenever they went out on events before they will be seen going out in public, provided that he will be comfortable in it. His opinion will also be considered in what she wears in turn, so long as she agrees. Vice versa. Hiro has no problems with that; Lunamor probably knows better about fashion than he does.

And at least he has a second opinion.

Both parties are not allowed to leave the city (most especially the country) without the other’s say-so. He furrowed his brows at that.

This, Hiro immediately pointed out that family emergencies should be counted as an exception to that rule and in Lunamor’s case–since she was the one who was more probable to it–she had to give him a heads up or… or something should she decide to disappear for a week straight just like she did back then.

Lunamor inclined her head as she listened to his argument and quickly amended that part without further complaints. Hiro let out a sigh of relief.

Good.

He is so not in a mood for further debates.

…Lunamor didn’t want Hiro talking to the press or making official statements on his own, at least not without consulting her or her PA beforehand. Hiro actually rolled his eyes at that. He had no interest in talking to them and wouldn't have even bothered.

Hm, anyway.

So far, everything’s straightforward...

Once Hiro agreed and made his e-sign, Lunamor began packing up her things–which was really not that much, to be honest. “This Saturday, I’ll be meeting with some of my brother’s school mates. I want you to be there with me. We’ll discuss more about this tomorrow.”

Hiro crossed his arms, drumming his fingers on his elbow impatiently as he did so. “And may I ask, what you intend to do that would stop me from getting fired? Mind you, Megan was planning to kick me out because our relationship is supposedly indecent.”

“I’m going to fire her.” Lunamor said as she carried on fixing her things, as though it was the most sensible thing to do in the world and she had said it so casually, without missing a beat. Like she was commenting about the weather that Hiro didn’t really process it for a second. It was worse when she followed that up with: “Or… I’m going to have to give you my family’s hold on the academy.”

Hiro blinked, “Wait… w-what…?!”

“If you are one of the major shareholders instead of my brother, then she–or anyone–could not fire you so easily without facing consequences since you basically own a good part of the academy,” Lunamor carried on, squinting at the screen. “I’ll be relinquishing my family’s shares to you, then.”

Hiro took a deep breath, “Lunamor what the f–?!”

“Consider it as a gift,” she said it, oh so simply.

“Hell no,” he snapped, “This is too much–!”

“Do you want to get fired or not?” Lunamor retorted, picking up her messenger bag, “I gave you a solution that will last without you having to do or spend anything even after this arrangement is done and over, Akihiro. I’m honoring my word. And this is the best, legal solution that I could come up with. What more do you want?”

He winced, “It’s just…”

This.

This is what has been bothering him ever since he considered agreeing to this stupidity. He doesn’t even know what Lunamor ‘handling’ things would mean.

He didn’t want to know.

And yet… and yet, here he is.

As though sensing where his thoughts are headed, her eyes suddenly softened a fraction, “Just consider it as payment for everything that you’ll be going through, Akihiro. I know it wouldn't be enough and... as I said, I was at fault too, after all. So, just think of it as me being responsible.”

That… eased him off, a bit.

“Wouldn’t you get in trouble for what you just did?” Hiro finally asked, rubbing tiredly the bridge of his nose, “I don’t think giving out shares is something that you ought to be doing.”

She huffs, “I’ve done worse.”

And Hiro… Hiro has absolutely no idea what to do with that response. Seriously, what the hell? “…Fine, fine. But can you give me a copy of the contract too?” Hiro asked as he opened the door for her.

“Of course, I...” Lunamor suddenly paused by the doorway, glancing back at him as if she expected Hiro to give her a hug or something on the way out.

He raised an eyebrow, “Anything else?”

She suddenly raised a hand, pausing, seeming to watch him as if weighing how he will react. And Hiro tried not to tense or hold his breath when her gloved hand gently landed on his cheek.

The leather feels sort of warm on his face.

Hiro wasn’t really expecting her to do that, and he swore his mind just automatically shut down as her hand brushed against his cheek, fingers ghosting gently underneath his eyes, the scent of leather–a sort of woody smell–made him blink as he stared back at her dumbly while she reached up to comb his hair back, trying not to inhale sharply because screw it, he had automatically held his breath.

“…I actually like you with black hair better,” Lunamor suddenly says, nodding at his still-brown hair, “It goes so well with your eyes.”

What.

What...????

...error. Does not reboot.

Hiro.exe has stopped working.

…Please send help.

Lunamor must have noticed him panicking at that because she took a step back and hurriedly marched off without another word.

And Hiro…

Hiro was sure as hell he was not able to breath properly again, not until Lunamor turned a corner from the far end of the hall and disappeared on sight.

What the hell just happened?