Secret Guardian
-prologue-
"Boss! Please allow me to become Quartet Night's sole composer!"
I could feel Shining Saotome's surprised gaze on me despite the fact that I was bowed so deeply at the waist that I could only stare at the floor. My hands clenched into fists at my sides as I trembled slightly from the fear of inevitable rejection. This wasn't the first time I had asked to work with the one person I took it upon myself to care for as a parent or older sibling might, but it was the first time I had asked to include others in my request.
Saotome burst out into loud, boisterous laughter, and I dared to peek up between my dual-colored bangs to see him spinning in his office chair with a cheesy grin on his face. He stopped suddenly, slamming his hands down on his desk, and I jumped back at the loud noise, straightening from my bow.
"MISS SHINAKO!" he yelled, pointing a finger in my face.
Rude. If this guy weren't my boss, I swear...
"You are a brrrriiiiight composer, Miss Shinako. Therefore, I will accept your request!"
I have a feeling that isn't the end of it, though. This is Shining Saotome we're talking about, after all...
"BUT!"
Ah. Here we go.
"First, you must meet my challenge... You must convince Quartet Night to accept you as their composer by your own power!"
"EH!?"
Crap on a cracker! You mean I have to actually be likable!? I don't relate well to people! Saotome knows that!
"Boss..." I said, feeling a dark aura emanate from me at the fact that he had challenged me to such a thing. I could foresee this going very poorly, but...
I made a promise. A promise that I intend to keep. My aura went from dark to downright gloomy at the realization that there was no choice but to face this challenge head-on.
"...I accept."