This is not the date I wanted.

Seeing the person in front of her, Kotori couldn't help but feel surprised.

Elliot Baldwin Woodman, the founder of Ratatoskr, the world's largest developer of manifestation devices, has made a major leap forward in modern technology. He was also a hero who took the lead in responding to the global air disaster, mobilizing the company's resources to research countermeasures and end the harm of spacequakes.

At the same time, he is also the boss of Kotori's parents at their workplace.

"Shh~"

Woodman did not rush to answer Qinli's question. Instead, he put his index finger in front of his mouth and made a hushing gesture.

"It's just a normal walk. I've been too busy with work lately, so I wanted to take a break and give myself a small vacation."

Hearing this, Kotori suddenly noticed that the beautiful secretary who usually followed Director Woodman was not with him.

"Um... Miss Kallen isn't with you?"

"You said I was taking a break from my busy schedule. It's not like I had difficulty walking before. If Kallen were here, she would definitely complain a lot and ask me to go back and rest."

Stroking the cane in his hand, the elderly man gave a helpless smile.

In recent years, Ratatoskr's business research and development has begun to develop in the medical field. With the advancement of technology, Woodman's once paralyzed legs seem to have been cured. From having to sit in a wheelchair before, he has now recovered to the point where he can walk normally with just a cane.

"It's not easy to get your legs healed, don't you think it's a waste if you don't walk around more?"

Woodman smiled and shrugged, looking like a real old naughty boy.

"Yes, yes."

As if she could imagine the secretary's mood at the moment, Kotori secretly sweated on her forehead.

"Is Miss Gokawa out for a walk as well?"

"Well, it's a good time to have a holiday..."

Kotori hesitated to speak. To be honest, the fact that a rich man who is dominated by his wife sneaked out without telling his wife was enough to make people imagine all sorts of things.

"Um... Director Woodman, if there is nothing special, I will take my leave first."

Fearing that she might get into trouble accidentally, Kotori bowed slightly and prepared to leave.

"Wait a moment, Ms. Gokawa." At this moment, Woodman called out to Kotori and asked, "Excuse me, are you going out with your boyfriend or friends?"

"No...I'm alone."

Although she wanted to find a random excuse to deal with it, after all, the other party was the boss of her parents' company, Kotori hesitated for a moment and finally answered honestly.

Hearing Kotori's reply, Woodman smiled with joy, gave Kotori an elegant gentleman's salute, and said.

"So, would you mind taking up some of your time?"

————————————I am the dividing line for accepting invitations——————————————

In a coffee shop, melodious music flows slowly in the room, making it cozy and comfortable.

"Thank you for your help, Ms. Gokawa. If you weren't here, I would always be approached by young women on the street. It's really a headache."

Woodman breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, this little thing is nothing."

Kotori answered with a subtle look. When she was first invited by Woodman, she didn't understand what was going on, but halfway through she realized that he was using her as a shield to reject his advances.

What made her feel uncomfortable was that she and Woodman were not treated as a couple, but as father and daughter. Although this explanation was more appropriate considering their age.

(Well, it’s true that the director has a mature masculine charm.)

Kotori thought secretly. Although he looks like a middle-aged man in his 40s or 50s, his facial features still show that Woodman was a very handsome man when he was young. His every move reveals the elegance and humor of a gentleman. For some young women, this is indeed very lethal.

Although Kotori doesn't really eat that kind of food.

"But it's really unexpected, I was obviously being approached, but no one recognized me?"

Kotori said with a little surprise. She originally thought that Woodman should be quite famous.

"That's normal... Ah, thank you. After all, I rarely appear in front of the media. Unless people in our field of work are paying special attention to us, most people prefer to pay attention to young idol stars rather than old guys like me."

After nodding slightly to the waiter who brought the coffee, Woodman took a sip of coffee and answered very calmly.

"but you……"

Aren't you the hero who saved the world? As if guessing what Qin Li was wondering, Woodman shook his head and interrupted her.

"I'm not interested in that kind of title, and I don't think I deserve it. I'm not as great as everyone says, it's just that what I do happens to solve problems. If the whole world gives me too high expectations without my permission, I'll be troubled. I'm old, and I want to live a leisurely and low-key life."

"you are too humble."

"I'm just telling the truth. And...I'm just cleaning up the mess I made before..."

"Ok?"

Kotori tilted her head in confusion. For some reason, Woodman suddenly fell silent in the middle of his words.

"Speaking of which, Ms. Gokawa, you interned in our company a while ago, right? How was it?"

Woodman asked, as if to change the subject.

"Yes. That... the company's working environment and atmosphere are very comfortable. During my internship, I received a lot of guidance and help from seniors. I feel that I have benefited a lot."

When asked about work by her boss, Kotori straightened her back and replied seriously.

Woodman nodded with satisfaction.

"That's good. Everyone is very satisfied with your work ability and attitude. As expected of you, you are the child of Mr. Ryuo and Ms. Haruko. I really hope that you can officially come to work in our company in the future."

"Thank you very much."

Kotori replied, somewhat flattered.

"I am also very interested in the company's research on manifestation devices and space tremors. I have also read the paper report on space tremors written by the director."

Hearing what Kotori said, Woodman raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Oh? Have you read my paper?"

"Yes, out of curiosity, I asked General Manager Kannazuki to apply for permission. Am I being rude?"

"It's okay. It's a good thing for young people to be eager to learn. But did Kanbutsuki make any strange requests?"

"No, the general manager is very friendly."

Even though he was a weirdo who handed her a junior high school sailor uniform, asked her to put it on, and then stepped on him. Kotori added silently in her mind.

As she spoke, Kotori secretly observed Woodman's reaction.

To be honest, when Kotori met Woodman, she felt a little uneasy in her heart. After all, just last night, she had sent Woodman's paper to Origami without authorization for personal reasons.

Although there was no malicious intent, leaking company information was strictly speaking an illegal act. If it were exposed, I would be fine, but my parents who worked at Ratatoskr would be in a very bad position. At the very least, they would have to resign, and at the worst, they might be prosecuted.

As a result, she met Woodman himself the next day. This coincidence made Kotori feel guilty and worried that she had been exposed.

But judging from Woodman's nonchalant attitude, maybe she was just overthinking it.

"But you are really amazing, Director. You spent so many years collecting information to write this paper. Why did you think of researching this topic in the first place?"

"Miss Kotori, your understanding is a little wrong." Hearing Kotori's words, Woodman explained with a wry smile, "I didn't start collecting data for this paper. I collected the data and then organized them into a paper on a whim."

"What does it mean?"

"Well... to be honest, I don't remember much myself. At that time, it seemed that for some reason, I was particularly interested in the existence of 'elves'. Every day, I would collect relevant information from all over the world. Every day, I would read it over and over again like turning a Buddhist rosary, thinking about it day and night, and finally it became a habit without me noticing."

"It sounds like you, the Director, have a crush on 'Elf'."

"Well, maybe it's just like you said."

Kotori joked jokingly, but Woodman shrugged with a wry smile.

"However, it is precisely because of your dedication to the 'elves' that everyone can live in peace."

"Maybe. Although we experienced a lot of sacrifices at that time, it was a consolation to be able to exchange it for world peace," Woodman did not comment on this point, but just sighed and continued, "For me, that article is more of a self-entertainment than a thesis. At most, it is a summary statement to bid farewell to the past."

"I see."

Kotori nodded as if she was being taught, secretly admiring Woodman's open-mindedness and maturity.

"By the way, Ms. Kotori. What do you think of that paper?"

Suddenly, Woodman asked Kotori a question. Kotori was stunned by this.

"me?"

"Yes, why are you interested in this paper? Are the conclusions of the paper credible? Are there any loopholes? I want to hear your opinion as a bystander?"

"I……"

Kotori lowered her head and fell into deep thought. She restlessly repeated the movements of clenching and unclenching her hands on her legs for a long time before she slowly spoke.

"I was once caught in a space earthquake. Although I survived by chance, I lost some of my memory. To be honest, I am really scared of what the world will become if a space earthquake happens again. That's why I pay attention to the director's thesis."

As she spoke, Kotori couldn't help but think of Origami, who had decided to join the army in order to investigate the truth, regardless of her studies and future. Before she went abroad to study, Origami had approached her and asked for her help.

Kotori didn't refuse. Rather, she had had an idea similar to Origami a long time ago.

However, perhaps because her parents are still alive, or perhaps because she is not like Origami and the others who have completely forgotten who they are, Kotori Itsuka is not so obsessed with spacequake.

No, Kotori knew it very well. This was just an excuse to comfort herself. The reason why she chose not to do anything before was simply because she was too cowardly.

"This paper is very comprehensive in terms of data collection, analysis, and textual research. The construction of the algorithm for the manifestation device, the construction of the spatial model, the fluctuation patterns of spiritual power in different spaces - many of them are beyond my knowledge. I think your conclusion... is correct."

An indescribable feeling of disharmony choked Qin Li's throat.

She did not lie. In fact, when she got the paper, she read the entire paper word by word over and over again, and investigated a lot of literature and materials before finally coming to this conclusion.

Real data, sound logic, and correct conclusions—of course, they ultimately lead to a reassuring answer.

It is like a safe toy that has been worn away from all its sharp corners before being presented to humans, deliberately telling the world that reality is so plain and ordinary.

"So, when I saw this paper, I was really relieved. I hope the director can publish this paper as soon as possible... After all, there are still many people in this world living in the shadow of space earthquakes."

In addition to the anxiety caused by the recurrence of disaster, another feeling has always been lingering in Kotori Itsuka's heart.

Fear – fear of the truth.

Why did she lose her memory? What did she experience during this period of time? Kotori was very scared. The moment she knew the truth, everything around her would collapse.

and so--

"Miss Kotori? Are you okay?"

Looking at the slightly trembling Qinli, Woodman asked with some concern.

"It's okay... sorry, I got a little excited."

Kotori took a deep breath and recovered somewhat awkwardly.

"I'm sorry for asking you some difficult questions. It's true, as you said, there are still many people in the world living in the shadow of disasters. I should take responsibility and think about and face these problems, instead of standing aside and writing them for my own amusement and then ignoring them."

Seemingly touched by Kotori's words, Woodman spoke with determination.

"As expected of Director Woodman, he is really strong."

"That's not true. I've been tired of all the trouble these past few years and have been avoiding the spotlight. I want to find a place to spend my remaining years in peace."

Woodman spread his hands and replied.

"Elliot. As expected, you are here."

Just then, a beautiful blonde woman wearing intellectual square-framed glasses and a dignified suit suddenly walked into the store and walked towards Woodman's table with some anxiety.

"Hey, Kallen. How did you find me? I must have removed the transmitter on the cane."

"Women's intuition. Even if Elliot goes to the ends of the earth, I can find him."

"Oh, you are really like me, Kallen."

“Please don’t do anything that would cause worry.”

"Um...sorry."

What a loving couple. Although the conversation was a little strange, Kotori didn't intend to stay and be a light bulb, so she stood up and prepared to leave quietly.

"Ms. Kotori, there are often many aspects of a person's heart that they have never noticed." Woodman suddenly said, as if he had thought of something, "Gentle, brave, and strong. Many people usually don't discover them and arbitrarily define boundaries for themselves. But sometimes, change often only requires a small opportunity."

"Opportunity?"

Hearing Woodman's abrupt remarks, Kotori felt a little confused.

"I think the headband in your bag will suit you very well."

After saying something that confused Kotori, Woodman left first with Kallen's help.