A/N: While working on your request, I realized it will definitely have more parts. Also, in my head, only the lyrics from Mind Games were playing.
“There’s another side that you don’t know, you don’t know”
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
暗闇
Walking through the hallways lit discreetly with warm light, Madara Uchiha stared ahead with a bored gaze, his assistant at his side. He cast a superficial glance at the beige carpet, uninteresting, or at the symmetrically placed plants, arranged to supposedly suggest luxury.
Pathetic. Nothing compares to his company.
He was forced to attend these meetings personally, even though, obviously, he took no pleasure in doing so. But how else could he make his future partner be at his mercy if not through his own presence? After all, he isn’t the most powerful CEO in the country for nothing.
And you’re no different from the rest he’s encountered, not enough to be unconvinced. Right?
A respectable investor like Madara wouldn’t be hard to give in to. An investor who serves as the chairman and CEO of the conglomerate holding the car company Mikazuki (Crescent Moon), including the renowned “Five Mikazuki Plan” in Kyoto, Japan — a strategy that made him a known name in the business world.
Madara gained control of the company approximately eight years ago and turned it into his primary focus, though he made sure to maintain multiple affiliations beyond that.
For instance — You.
He turned toward Obito, signaling with a nod that they had arrived, while Obito opened the door for him in the process.
Though the scar covered a large portion of his face, one that even makeup couldn’t fully conceal, his assistant remained a loyal hound Madara had grown to appreciate.
Two tall men in suits entered the meeting hall. One bore sharp, black hair and dangerous scars, the other long, spiked hair and a colder, assured gaze.
Still, Madara stood out more to you — dressed in a maroon shirt and black vest, with a long cape draped behind him. His expression stern and imposing, a textbook power figure.
Just how I like it.
While you were speaking with your employee, bent over the desk, you threw him a glance before straightening and approaching, shaking his hand firmly with a light smile.
“Good afternoon, Madara Uchiha. I was starting to wonder whether the famous Kyoto CEO would show up or if he’s not exactly a serious man.”
He tilted his mouth slightly before speaking in that low, deep voice of his.
“Apologies. If I’m not mistaken, I’m right on time?” He glanced at you with an amused smile. “As always.”
You gave him that prefabricated smile reserved for this type of meeting with important men.
“Indeed.” You gestured to where he should sit before walking over to your temporary assistant. Obito sat across from her at Madara’s silent command, just as he sat across from you when you insisted. “Please, sit down.”
Madara was a professional man, at least on the surface. His gaze didn’t betray itself too much on your figure.
Not on your body dressed in that black mini-dress with white cuffs slightly hidden by the cropped blazer, though perfectly cinched at the waist with the chain belt.
Not even on your revealed legs in those bold, thigh-high leather boots.
Instead, he chose to focus on your face — your voluminous hair catching a warm hue, emphasizing your refined and captivating features. Your full lips tinted a muted rose, brows delicately arched, and that confident, almost seductive yet composed gaze accentuated by winged eyeliner and soft, fluttering lashes.
A stunning woman, indeed, Madara thought.
As you began sorting your documents for the upcoming presentation, Madara leaned slightly more relaxed into the chair, spreading his legs subtly as he cast a disinterested glance around the room before landing on your assistant, who had just smiled at Obito during the file exchange concerning the basic company description.
“Ah, women in male-dominated fields? So they say.” You raised your gaze slowly, looking at him before returning to your task. “Still, women have always been the most difficult opponents in negotiations. Good leaders.”
That was mostly true on Madara’s part, although he noticed the amused glance you shared with your assistant, thinking perhaps his words had been chosen specifically to provoke — even if you were already used to such remarks.
Standing from the table, you answered in a neutral tone, careful not to give him any satisfaction or leeway.
“Though Rin deserves her credits, she’s just a temporary replacement for my assistant, who is currently on leave. Sorry to disappoint.”
You gave him a brief smile before pressing the button for the presentation again, ready to begin.
In the background of your interaction, Obito paid close attention to the conversation, analyzing every word in case you accidentally revealed a vulnerability. Still, today he felt slightly distracted, his mind strangely forcing him to steal glances at the woman before him.
She leans forward ever so slightly whenever she speaks, in a confident yet accessible pose. Her soft brown hair framed her face loosely, her makeup subtle, with a fresh, youthful glow.
Still, what caught Obito’s attention was the faint scar on her cheek, glimmering faintly with a lilac or purple highlighter, as if it didn’t bother her in the slightest. On the contrary, it gave her a certain presence.
Obito believed she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
“So, back to your plan, Mr. Madara.” You lifted the infrared pen toward the board ahead, the projector displaying the image. “The Five Mikazuki Plan — an exceptional plan, worthy of its accolades.”
Madara said nothing, allowing you to speak, the corners of his mouth tugging in an almost imperceptible smile.
“I do believe it could be improved.”
Madara raised his eyebrows slightly, letting out a slow chuckle.
“So you were just trying to buy me over with compliments all this time?”
His joke was harmless, although his thoughts turned critical, slightly irritated. Who did you think you were to suggest you could improve his plan?
You smiled in return, shaking your head.
“Not at all, Mr. Madara.”
“Just Madara.”
Both of your eyes locked, time freezing intensely for a second too long.
Madara broke the spell, prompting you to continue, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
“How?”
You grinned, speaking neutrally, still trying to strike a nerve the same way he did.
“As you might know, in 2023, China surpassed Japan to become the world’s largest car exporter, marking its growing dominance in the global market. Am I right, Madara?”
Madara felt a faint irritation at the unpleasant reminder that he had failed to surpass your country over the last two years.
“The Five Plan of yours, including strategies for brand visibility, customer engagement, increased conversion rates, trust and loyalty reinforcement, was a breath of fresh air for Japan.”
Madara asked offhandedly, concealing his pride and showing little willingness to praise you so early.
“And what is your so-called innovative idea? Why should I enter a partnership with you, Miss L/N?”
“Well, I’ll tell you a little secret, Madara. A secret meant only for the kind of leader who knows how to handle the future.” Stroking his ego, Madara’s interest ignited.
“Oh? And what would that be?”
You were captivating to the eye, knowing exactly how to ensnare people in your web. Dangerous. Dangerous ground, pretty woman.
“China will soon deploy another strategy that could significantly impact your most valuable investments. I, personally, can’t offer too many details… since I’m the one who conceived it.”
Madara believed you weren’t bluffing. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be CEO of your current company instead of implementing it already.
You dragged the words slowly, deliberately, for dramatic effect, a glimmer of playfulness in your gaze.
“Fiscal and geostrategic innovation using smart infrastructure.”
Madara’s expression showed a faint glimmer of impression, just the subtle lift of an eyebrow while he processed the possibilities and how much profit he could extract if what you said held truth. A mere glance thrown toward his loyal assistant was enough for Obito to speak up.
Still, Madara was not easily deceived. His comrade’s discreet glance at the woman who had just smiled at him did not go unnoticed.
“Dependency on government policy is a serious factor. What happens to your company if the Chinese government cuts subsidies next year?”
You smiled, noticing the assistant was just as sharp as the man in front of you, who turned his gaze back to you, letting his scandalous glance briefly sweep over your figure. Yet you ignored the heat it sparked, unsure where exactly it stemmed from. Men rarely impressed you anymore, not after working with them for so long.
The sound of your heels echoed faintly, heightening the tension as you leaned slightly over your chair, offering a vague smile.
“That’s precisely why we need each other, Madara. Japan can handle it more efficiently, given its higher governmental stability… and with a few favorable fiscal policies, it becomes a low-risk, high-return investment.” A pause. “Naturally, we need serious investors. Ones with confidence.”
The tension in the room had only now begun to subside, but you withstood it, your eyes unwavering, meeting Madara’s directly.
His voice came deep, conclusive.
“One condition.”
You raised an eyebrow, granting him subtle permission to continue.
“The headquarters here will be relocated to Japan. Specifically, to a building that belongs to me.”
Oh? That would mean your getaways to China would become nearly permanent? Your thoughts analyzed the situation rapidly, and considering the necessity of mutual trust, you had no choice but to prove to Madara that you weren’t bluffing.
“Deal.”
Madara smirked, rising from his chair to conclude the meeting with his hands in his pockets, standing tall and firm, emanating intimidation as he looked at you one last time before parting. Leaving you with one final message.
“My assistant will send yours all the necessary details for the arrangements that need to be made.”
You nodded, thanking him as the meeting hall was left with only you and Rin.
Rin, a good old friend and not merely a colleague, didn’t restrain herself from throwing you a teasing smile after catching your lingering gaze on Madara’s retreating figure. You gestured dramatically with your hands, shaking your head — though, at long last, the faint blush rising on your cheeks had finally formed.
