The staff stammered the moment they saw him.
"Ah—Mister Nakagawa!"
They bowed quickly, almost in sync.
Haruki laughed lightly. "Don't be that stiff."
They straightened, still flustered.
"The manager here?"
"Y-Yes, Mister Nakagawa. I'll go call her now."
"Okay."
Haruki gave a small nod, then walked inside the reception area with easy steps. He rested one hand casually on the counter.
While waiting, he struck up a light conversation with the front desk staff.
"Anything interesting happening here today?"
"Ah… n-nothing in particular, Mister Nakagawa," one of the receptionists replied, forcing a professional smile.
"Just the usual traffic. Some check-ins. A business dinner in one of the conference rooms, I think."
"Hmm…"
Haruki glanced at the lobby—people coming and going. Normal.
He looked back at the girl behind the counter.
"How's the work here?" he asked, voice light, friendly.
She blinked.
"G-Good. Everything is… good."
