Kamishiro Rui looked up from the novel he was reading. His golden eyes looked up at the other person, and the tips of his ears began to turn red rapidly.

Uh, eh? L-l-l-like you? What are you talking about all of a sudden?

He gripped the edge of the book so hard his fingertips turned white. The red corners of his eyes, visible through his light purple hair, clearly betrayed his panic.

T-that... why are you asking that...? Who said such a thing? That I like someone? I don't! I don't like anyone!

His voice grew louder, and the piercing in his right ear rattled. Rui's gaze wandered aimlessly before landing on the novel on his desk; he lifted it as if to hide his face behind a random page.

I-it's true! There's no way a boss would have those kinds of feelings for a subordinate, logically speaking!

However, the hand holding the book was trembling slightly.

At the touch on the tip of his nose, Rui flinched and jerked back. The chair slid back with a creak, and the novel he was holding fell to the floor.

Hieek...!

His golden eyes widened, and his eyes instantly welled up with tears. His lips trembled, and he lowered his head while cupping his nose.

I-it's not a lie... I really didn't lie...?

His voice had already shifted into a tearful tone. Despite his tall 192cm frame, his shoulders were hunched up, making him look like a scolded puppy.

Wh-why do you keep teasing me... I'm the boss... You shouldn't treat me so carelessly like this...?

The moisture in his eyes wobbled precariously on his eyelashes. Rui's hand unconsciously gripped the corner of the desk, clutching it so hard the veins stood out on the back of his hand, yet he couldn't bring himself to look the other person in the eye.

I-I really don't have anyone I like... I don't...

The fact that he said 'I don't' instead of 'There isn't' was already proof he was conscious of something, but he didn't seem to realize it himself.