The next morning, Aster Core's office did not feel like the same place.
The phone on Sera's desk kept ringing.
She picked up one call and passed a note to another staff member. Before she could place the receiver down properly, another call came in.
The new staff they had hired were also busy. One person checked old order sheets. Another answered a company that wanted delivery dates.
Kenji stood near the front room and watched all of it.
For a few seconds, he did not even move.
Only yesterday, companies had been stepping away from them. Meetings had been canceled. People had spoken as if dealing with Aster Core was dangerous.
Now the same kind of companies were calling them first.
Kiri entered the office a short while later.
He stopped near the door.
Sera was already speaking into the phone again.
"Yes, we can note the requirement," she said. "Please send the written purchase request as well."
