The development of the "Apple-Flavored Children's Yakiniku Sauce" was finally complete.
And it was a success.
The sample was sent to Kawaguchi—
And received extremely high praise.
Kawaguchi beamed, patting Yoichi on the shoulder.
"Well done, Nohara! If this product succeeds, everyone in your section will have their year-end bonuses doubled!"
The entire New Product Development Section was filled with excitement.
Tanaka, who had once been the biggest problem, now hummed happily every day in the lab, fine-tuning the final production parameters—
Treating the sauce like it was his own child.
Yoichi finally relaxed.
To celebrate, he bought snacks and drinks and organized a small party for the team.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work," Yoichi said, raising his cup. "This project wouldn't have succeeded without all of you. Especially Tanaka-san—your technical expertise was essential."
Tanaka scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.
"It's nothing. This was a team effort… though, of course, good leadership helped."
Laughter filled the room.
For the first time—
The department felt united.
And Yoichi felt it too.
He had finally earned their trust.
But—
That happiness didn't last.
One week before launch—
Everything collapsed.
That morning, Yoichi arrived early as usual.
But the moment he entered the office—
He saw Manager Sato standing at his desk.
His expression was grave.
"Nohara… you came at the right time."
Yoichi's heart sank.
"What happened?"
Without a word, Sato handed him a newspaper.
Yoichi looked down.
And froze.
"BREAKING: Futaba Trading's New BBQ Sauce Formula Leaked — Competitor Launches First!"
The article detailed a product from a rival company—
Daimaru Foods
A product called:
"Happy Children's Apple BBQ Sauce"
And its formula—
Was almost identical.
Yoichi's face went pale.
"…How is this possible…?"
"We'd like to know that too."
Kawaguchi's voice came from the doorway.
He entered—
Followed by several executives.
His face was cold.
"Nohara Yoichi," he said, his voice low, "only your department had access to that formula."
"Explain."
"I… I don't know…" Yoichi's mind went blank. "We had strict confidentiality protocols. Everyone signed NDAs—"
"Strict?" Kawaguchi interrupted coldly.
"If it was strict, would this happen?"
He looked around.
"There's a mole in your team."
The room exploded.
"It wasn't me!"
"I didn't leak anything!"
"I swear I'm loyal to the company!"
Voices overlapped.
Fear.
Panic.
Distrust.
Then—
A cold voice cut through.
"Hmph. Who knows?"
It was Tanaka.
Yoichi froze.
"Tanaka-san… what are you implying?"
Tanaka crossed his arms.
His eyes swept across the room—
Then stopped on Yoichi.
"The person with the most suspicion…"
"…is you."
Silence.
"…Me?" Yoichi's voice shook.
"Why?"
Tanaka sneered.
"You rose too fast. Stirred things up. And now the formula leaks? Perfect timing."
"Maybe you sold it to a competitor—so you could jump ship for a higher salary."
"You're talking nonsense!" Yoichi snapped, trembling.
"My loyalty to this company is clear!"
"Is it?" Tanaka replied coldly. "People are good at pretending."
"That's enough!"
Ogawa stood up.
"We all saw how hard Section Chief Nohara worked! He would never do this!"
"Oh?" Tanaka shot back. "Then who did? Me?"
"I didn't say that!"
"Then you suspect someone else?"
The room spiraled into chaos.
The trust Yoichi had built—
Collapsed in seconds.
"ENOUGH!"
Kawaguchi slammed the table.
Silence.
"This is not the time for accusations."
He took a deep breath.
"The company has formed an investigation team."
Then—
He looked at Yoichi.
"Until the investigation is complete, you are suspended."
"Manager Sato will take over your department."
"…Department Head—"
"No further discussion."
Kawaguchi raised his hand.
"Company decision."
Yoichi stood there.
Frozen.
Then slowly—
He packed his belongings.
And walked out.
Under everyone's gaze.
Suspicion.
Doubt.
Distance.
Outside the building—
Yoichi stopped.
The world felt unsteady.
He had worked so hard—
Earned trust—
Built something real—
And now—
It was all gone.
What hurt the most—
Wasn't the suspension.
It was Tanaka's accusation.
"…What do I do now…"
He walked aimlessly.
Lost.
His phone rang.
Hiroshi.
"…Hello…"
"Yoichi-kun! Where are you?"
Hiroshi's voice was urgent.
"I heard everything. Don't worry—I believe you!"
That one sentence—
Broke everything.
"…Cousin…"
Yoichi's voice cracked.
"I didn't do it…"
"I know. I know," Hiroshi said quickly. "Don't panic. We'll figure this out. Where are you?"
Yoichi gave his location.
Then hung up.
He sat on a bench.
Watching people pass by.
Feeling… empty.
He didn't know how long this storm would last.
Or whether he could clear his name.
Or return to the place he had fought so hard to belong to.
But one thing—
Was certain.
He wouldn't give up.
He clenched his fists.
He would find the truth.
Prove his innocence.
And reclaim everything—
For himself.
And for the people who still believed in him.