What? An acquisition?
The CEO is changing too.
Effective today, I have been appointed CEO of Style Web.
My name is Takahito Seko.
I look forward to working with you.
Why is he here?
Ms. Hanai.
Mr. Yoshino.
Yes?
Could you come to my office later?
Yes, I'll be there!
[Episode 2] Takahito Seko...
That heir is known to be quite powerful within the Seko Group.
Yeah.
If we play our cards right,
I have a good chance of getting an important position.
Hey, Shiori.
Don't do anything stupid.
Let's go.
[New Project - In-house Brand Manufacturing and Sales]
A new project?
We are planning to launch Style Web's own in-house brand.
Huh?
I want you two to think of people who could contribute to this project.
In that case, please let me join the project.
I have the highest sales record in the sales department.
I'm sure I can be of use to you.
What about you, Ms. Hanai?
Huh?
Sir, she's my assistant, so isn't that a problem?
I was hoping you would do it, Ms. Hanai.
Huh?
Sorry, did you hear me?
She's basically just my sidekick.
I use her because she's convenient.
Someone who treats their subordinates as "convenient" tools
has no right to be a leader.
What?
Mr. Yoshino.
I hear you're the new sales department leader in the next rotation.
I think I'll withdraw that.
W-Wait a minute.
But you just got here.
I can't accept this!
No matter what you say,
this decision isn't going to change.
I'm sorry about the other day.
I won't tell anyone about that night.
I won't cause you any trouble, sir.
So I couldn't possibly take such an important project...
I'm not giving you special treatment.
Huh?
I looked at every employee.
You have the highest closing rate in the sales department, Ms. Hanai.
But that was Mr. Yoshino's...
But it's all thanks to your support, right?
He's not the one doing excellent work.
It's you.
What's wrong?
No one's ever said that to me before.
Then...
let me say it again.
You're the one I need.
Huh? No, wait a minute!
What do you mean we're breaking up?
What? Weren't you going to be the sales department leader?
Do you think I'd let trash like you meet my parents?
Don't mess with me.
Hey, Mio! Mio!
Everyone here...
is essential to the project we're launching.
A comfort that lets everyone love themselves.
That's our theme for product development.
Fabric. Stitching. Price range.
Whatever it may be,
gather all user complaints.
Let's make clothes that solve every problem.
Yes.
[Long petite sleeves. Hemming required.] [Versatile denim that flatters wavy types.]
Ms. Hanai, what do you think of this?
Well...
The pockets could be a little deeper.
I've heard it would be convenient
if women could fit wallets into their pockets too.
I see.
I'll consider it.
But should you really be asking me for opinions?
I trust you.
Sir, can I have a moment too?
Sure.
Does this data look okay for this document?
Looks good.
He's really capable.
Even with all his work as CEO, he came up with this project in a week.
And the concept's relatable.
I hope this project makes a lot of people happy.
Alright, I need to do my best too.
Ms. Hanai, are you okay?
I'm sorry. I'm just a little dizzy.
Please leave early today.
But...
There's no point in pushing yourself and getting sick.
Okay.
Come on.
Yes.
Is that so?
I see.
Welcome!
- I'm meeting someone. - Meeting someone...
Right this way.
- A new customer. - Okay!
Haven't seen you here in a while, Shiori.
Maybe about two months.
Are you busy with work? You look pale.
Yeah. A little.
But I thought seeing your face might cheer me up.
No way.
It's not me. It's that tea, isn't it?
So, what's really going on?
You came to talk about something, right?
Well...
I see.
You and Mr. Seko, huh?
It's all my fault.
The CEO was just comforting me when I was a mess.
So you're not going to tell him anything?
I can't...
It would probably cause problems.
In that case,
this might sound a little harsh,
but maybe you shouldn't have the baby.
Huh?
I mean, there's no love between you two, right?
I feel bad for the baby.
But that's...
If you want to have it, you need to tell him.
You have to choose which path to take.
[The next day]
I'm thinking of quitting. [Resignation letter]
Is it...
because of that night?
That night,
I was the one who couldn't bear to watch you cry.
There's no reason for you to blame yourself.
Really.
I'm sorry.
It's not because of that night.
I've been thinking for a while that I want to try a different job.
That's why.
I see.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to me.
Ms. Hanai?
Are you okay?
[Mother and Child Health Handbook]
Sir.
Stay there.
Take this.
It's caffeine-free. Don't worry.
Thank you.
When you said...
you wanted to quit earlier...
I felt you weren't telling me something.
Could it be...
that the baby... is mine?
Sorry if I'm wrong.
But...
if that's true...
I can't let you worry on your own.
You're right.
But that night, you were just helping me.
If you had known I'd work for you, this wouldn't have happened.
But I've made up my mind.
I'm having this baby.
I won't cause you any trouble.
Please.
I'll never tell anyone. I'll never rely on you, either.
Please.
Could you just pretend you never knew?
That night...
wasn't out of pity.
That night,
I knew who you were.
A long time ago...
I was saved by you.
Three years ago, I was at my father's company.
This is the worst.
He gets to be my boss just 'cause he's the chairman's son?
Even our sales growth
is 'cause the products were branded as that heir's work.
It was always like that.
Ever since I was a child,
even if I worked hard,
people just assumed it was because I was the Seko Group heir.
I wanted someone to see me for me, Takahito Seko,
but no one would.
- Oh! Sorry! - Are you okay?
A presentation?
Yes.
This is my first time tagging along on a sales meeting, so I'm nervous.
It's pathetic, isn't it?
I'm only two years younger than your department head.
Department head?
It's Mr. Seko. I've heard about the work he's done.
I heard he got here through connections.
His own colleagues find him a nuisance,
and his abilities are questionable.
Is that so?
Huh?
Well, if he'd only gotten in through connections,
I don't think he could've built a brand that people love so much.
But that's only because of his name as the heir.
Then the brand wouldn't last very long, right?
The clothes made by his team have cute designs,
and they're particular about their materials.
I think that kind of success requires true commitment to his work.
It was a first.
Someone actually saw me...
as who I really am.
That's when I was...
saved by your words.
After that day...
when you came for a presentation...
I wanted to talk to you again.
But...
you already had a boyfriend.
I tried...
over and over, to give up on you.
But...
I just couldn't forget you.
When I saw you crying,
I wanted to help you.
You might think...
it's irresponsible of me to say this now.
But I want you...
No...
The baby inside you too.
I want to protect you two...
for the rest of my life.
Shiori Hanai.
Please...
marry me.
That's more than I deserve.
You have the wrong idea about me.
I'm not as great as you think I am.
I'm not worth it.
You have no worth?
That can't be true.
I've told you this.
I understand you can't accept this right away.
But...
my feelings won't change.
Over time...
I'll prove that I'm a man worthy of you.
Thank you.
But...
could I have a little time to think about it?
Of course.
I'm in no rush.
Mr. Yoshino, what's wrong?
Oh, it's the updated data for a client I'm handling
that is on Ms. Hanai's computer.
Oh, Ms. Hanai just left.
To the hospital.
- Hospital? - Yes.
[Takahito: Let me know when your appointment is over.]
[Miyama Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic]
Thank you. Have a good day.
What's this? [Mother and Child Health Handbook]
Keiichi, why are you here?
I'm the one who's surprised here.
Whose baby is in there right now?
Don't tell anyone, okay?
Then help me out.
In love with Mr. Seko?
She's an incredibly cynical woman!
I won't allow anyone to insult her.
No matter what happens, I promise I'll protect you.