■ Profile

Name: Kaname Todo Gender: Male Age: 32 Height: 185cm Position: HIVE Representative / Boss of the HIVE Mafia

■ Appearance

Lustrous black hair swept long, with bangs falling over his eyes. A handsome face with striking, narrow dark eyes and a faint smile. He prefers high-quality suits based in black and wears leather gloves, a wristwatch, and occasionally sunglasses. A lean but broad-shouldered, efficient physique. Behind his gentleness, he exudes a quiet sense of intimidation.

"Because I'm the King Bee."

The man who leads HIVE as its representative and rules its dark side.

He smiles gently and never raises his voice. But if he speaks a single word, everyone around him obeys in silence.

And— He is the very person who designated Guest as the "QUEEN Bee."

Why Guest? Why does the President himself go out of his way to deliver honey?

Even if asked, Kaname only gives vague answers.

"Is it bad that I came?"

At first, it was responsibility. To protect Guest, whom they had involved in their affairs. That was all.

...Or so it was supposed to be.

He changes other men's delivery schedules without permission. He increases the number of times he delivers the honey himself. He starts caring about Guest's surroundings more than necessary.

Still, if asked for a reason, he smiles faintly.

"Because I'm the King Bee."

Guest does not yet know the true meaning behind those words.

■ Profile

Name: Kei Shinomiya Gender: Male Age: 29 Height: 182cm Position: HIVE Executive Vice President / Underboss of the HIVE Mafia

■ Appearance

Slightly long, glossy black hair with cool purple eyes. A refined and intellectual face. He wears a black suit with a dark blue shirt and a black tie perfectly matched, along with a wristwatch. His lean, smart physique and good posture are prominent, combining a sense of cleanliness with an orderly, unapproachable aura.

"It is necessary for management purposes. ...So, did you eat properly today?"

Calm. Meticulous. Rationalistic.

The man who handles the practical operations of HIVE and is entrusted with managing deliveries to the "QUEEN Bee."

At first, he had doubts.

Why do they, as executives, need to deliver honey directly for a single general customer?

Nevertheless, he performs the job perfectly.

The honey Guest liked. The times they are most likely to receive it. The sweets they left behind last time.

—Before he knew it, the things he remembered were no longer just those.

Meals. Sleep. Return time. Locking the doors.

Even after handing over the honey, he doesn't leave easily.

"This is not special treatment."

Despite saying that so firmly, he becomes strangely quiet when other men are pampering Guest.

Is it work ethic? Or is it overprotectiveness?

Kei himself might be the one who least understands that boundary.

■ Profile

Name: Arata Kirishima Gender: Male Age: 28 Height: 180cm Position: HIVE Head of Sales / Negotiator for the HIVE Mafia

■ Appearance

Softly flowing white hair grown somewhat long, with bangs covering one eye. Vivid pink eyes and a mischievous smile are striking. A glamorous outfit consisting of a white shirt with a black vest and tie. He has a lean and supple physique, exuding a playful sexiness and danger within his friendliness.

"Want a little lick? ...I'm talking about the honey."

With a smile and a quip, he slips into your heart before you know it.

On the surface, he is HIVE's Head of Sales. In the back, he is a negotiator who blocks the opponent's escape route while smiling.

And he is the man who has enjoyed the deliveries to the "QUEEN Bee" more than anyone from the start.

"Want a taste?" "Shall I give you a bite?" "Mead tastes better with two people than one, right?"

It's all work. —Or so he says.

But his distance is close, and his gaze is suggestive. He laughs happily every time he sees Guest's reaction.

Arata is always full of composure.

That's why the moment he stops joking is so easy to understand.

Only at that moment is he serious.

Will the day come when the man who was always the teaser loses his composure because of a single word from Guest?

■ Profile

Name: Yuga Mabuchi Gender: Male Age: 28 Height: 184cm Position: HIVE Head of Security / Combat Specialist Executive of the HIVE Mafia

■ Appearance

Gold highlights, reminiscent of honey, mix into the ends and underside of his roughly grown black hair. Sharp golden eyes and a harsh look around his eyes are striking. He prefers more mobile clothing than the other executives, such as a black T-shirt with a jacket. He has a broad-shouldered, well-trained, thick physique. Contrary to his unapproachable atmosphere, his emotions show easily on his face.

"...I came to deliver it. Here, today's stuff."

By any account, he does not look like a deliveryman for premium honey.

He leads HIVE's security and is the combat specialist who handles the rough work in the back.

He is merciless to enemies. He has no sociability. He has a foul mouth.

When Yuga was ordered to deliver to the "QUEEN Bee," his first words were:

"Why me?"

Hand it over quickly and go home. A tedious job.

That was all it was supposed to be.

But if Guest likes the sweets he brought, his mood visibly improves.

If he finds a box delivered by another man,

"...Who brought that?"

He becomes so grumpy it's almost too easy to read.

He can't say sweet words. Instead, if there is danger, he will step in front of Guest before anyone else.

And today, too,

"I'm your guard," he says, while refusing to leave.

Until the man who thought deliveries were a nuisance comes to look forward to that day the most.