“Ah, that’s a good way to look at it,” he admitted, adjusting the clipboard now tucked securely under his arm. “Creativity in the face of a mishap… I respect that.”

Then, Hamuko introduced herself.

The moment she bowed, Maruki stiffened just slightly, his stomach twisting. Ah. Here it comes. He could already hear the knives in his mind—each introduction, each smile, each time his name had been met with polite recognition before curdling into something colder.

For a brief moment, he considered stalling. Maybe giving a fake name. But before he could fumble for an excuse, she asked a follow-up question, and he internally phewed in relief.