06:45am Sunny Day Mall Floor 6 US Territory Head Office of Wet “N” Antics (Japanese: Mizu Shibuki Pueirando Kabushiki Kaisha).

Managing Director’s Office.

Yumi Takahashi smoothed down the light green fitted sweater that fit snugly over her ample curves. She turned in the full-length dress mirror that adorned her office to check that her knee length black skirt and high heels ensemble worked. The skirt was perhaps slightly too tight against her delectable rump, but the heels absolutely made her calf’s stand out.

Her shoulder-length brown hair was styled in soft waves framing a sharply intelligent face; her eyes, a warm chestnut hue. At 39, she was still beautiful and had cultivated an appearance that was a balance between sophistication and approachability. She practised her smile; radiant and disarming. Yumi was not a vain woman but she appreciated her appearance as Managing Director (USA-Branch) reflected on the Company.

Confident the ensemble struck the perfect chord of professionalism with a hint of casual flair she turned to the desk where her briefing papers sat for her 08:00 meeting downtown. She had always preferred paper notes to electronic briefings. This meeting was with some potential investors in the US but they had some questions about the Japanese company’s recruitment habits on American soil.

Yumi sighed. She respected her boss, the Head CEO of Wet “N” Antics immensely. He had after all built his private corporation from nothing, into a multi-billion-dollar provider of all things to do with wet fun, from swimming pools, to paddling pools, water slides, bath bombs, water-pistols. But his decisions could sometimes be difficult to rationalise.

The Tokyo-US staff transfer was one such decision. The rumour, and Yumi happened to believe this rumour, was that guided by the cryptic visions of an itinerant astrologer Hiroshi had met whilst on a spiritual retreat around Mount Koya and spurred on by the CEOs own deep-rooted and well-known superstitions, Hiroshi Nakamura of Wet “N” Antics had initiated an audacious plan to realign his company with the heavens and he had orchestrated a continental carousel, firmly convinced that swapping the female staff between the small USA office and Japan was key to unlocking 'maximum cosmic synergy'.

Officially the company’s press office espoused the merits of complete linguistic and cultural immersion with Hiroshi publicly declaring that, the blend of East-West cultural dynamics would be the alchemy that transmuted the everyday office routine into a cauldron of creativity, with employees crafting wondrous wet and whimsical wares that the world had never seen before. Thus, under a veil of stars and strategy, he declared the entire company an experimental petri dish – a grand social theatre where cross-pollination of cultures would be the script from which unparalleled product ideas would spring forth.

While Yumi Takahashi understood the official narrative, she harboured her own reservations about the CEO's celestial strategy. Yumi was a pragmatist at heart and struggled with the logistical complexities and genuine concerns of her team, who wrestled with abrupt relocations and cultural adjustments. She worried that the pursuit of 'cosmic synergy' might overshadow pressing matters such as employee welfare, career progression, not to mention business ethics.

It also didn’t help that the Western media which had picked up on the strange business model had noted that of the female employees transferred to the States happened to be young and attractive. Explaining all this to the American investors would be a tough pitch. Yumi, was hoping she was able to sooth their concerns over a good business breakfast meeting.

Yumi clasped her leather briefcase, mentally rehearsing the pitch she would soon deliver to potential investors. Her gaze lingered momentarily on the clock—she needed to leave now to beat the morning rush. She had just put the notes in her bag and was getting ready leave when two young ladies walked in. One of the reasons Yumi had come in early was precisely to avoid these two.

The first was Sayaka Mori, Wet “N” Antics’ USA territories Senior Business Manager. Twenty-nine years of age she was the picture of professional poise and meticulousness. Her every movement was deliberate and considered. This morning she was wearing a pristine, well-tailored dark navy suit jacket and long business skirt. The sharp lines of her attire were softened only by the delicate frame of her black-rimmed glasses, which granted her an air of studious intelligence. Her black hair was neatly pulled back, accentuating her pale features, high cheekbones and a soft jawline. When she allowed herself a rare, small smile, it revealed a youthful beauty.

The second young lady, the twenty-seven-year-old Emi Watanabe, was the Assistant Business Manager and Sayaka’s direct subordinate (and rival). She on the other hand, stood out with her more relaxed and vivacious aura. She wore business casual with a flair, preferring bright light blouses that reflected her energetic personality. Emi had an undeniable physical allure; Slim with perky breasts and a bright contagious smile and eyes that sparkled with mischief. Her hair was done up in a pony tail.

They were both good at their jobs but somehow, they always found points of disagreement that Yumi needed to step in on. Over the past two years their disagreements had evolved into a study of opposites: Sayaka's by-the-book rigor contrasted sharply with Emi's penchant for innovative gambits—ones that teetered on the brink of professional propriety as she sought to one-up her colleague. Despite the veneer of playful rivalry, both women were acutely aware that they were competing for a grander prize—the prestigious role of Business Strategy Director for Japan.

While Yumi remained the probable heir to this coveted title, the drive to rise within Wet “N” Antics Corporate ladder spurred Emi to craft clever, sometimes borderline-reckless stratagems aimed at undermining Sayaka's standing. Afterall as number three bird in the pecking order she’d need to knock the number two off her perch.

“Begging your pardon Ms.Takahashi” said Sayaka in English (company policy was English was to be spoken whilst in the USA territories), “myself and Emi have a matter that it would be helpful to get your input on.”

A deep breath, and Yumi’s practiced smile formed as she turned to face the duo, “let’s hear it, then. Quickly, please.”

Sayaka adjusted her glasses, her stance rigid as if bracing for a battle she found distasteful. “Regarding the lotion pool prototype, it’s been set up in Product Room-2. For testing I propose we follow standard protocols—analyse viscosity, pH balance, and stress tests according to industry guidelines.”

Before Sayaka could elaborate further, Emi cut in, the passion in her voice impossible to ignore. “But Ms. Takahashi, with respect, that’s not going to turn heads. This product—it’s groundbreaking! Tech specs won’t sell it, but a live demo will. Imagine Asuka and Keiko, two fan favourites, playing Twister in the pool. It’s visual, it's fun—it’s what the people want!”

Sayaka’s eyes narrowed behind the sheen of her lenses, her disapproval as clear as day, “it’s unseemly, extravagant, and—”

“Entertaining,” interjected Emi, batting away Sayaka’s concerns with a flick of her hand, “it’ll showcase the product in action and prove its durability.”

“Compromise,” Yumi finally declared, addressing them both in a tone that brooked no argument. “We’ll conduct the technical assessments first. Ensure the product is safe and meets our standards. Then—and only then—we move to Emi’s plan. Just... keep things tasteful, understood?” Yumi added, anchoring the conversation in the reality of their corporate responsibilities.

“With all due respect,” said Sayaka “twisting in a pool of lotion isn’t exactly the tasteful presentation we—”

Yumi, uncharacteristically impatient because of the time, cut her number two off, “Sayaka, we’ve had this discussion. Wet “N” Antics as a corporation is comfortable taking a few steps into the adult market, particularly in the States. This has CEO approval. It’s only a little risqué. It’s not like we are asking you to be fucking in the thing.”

Sayaka eyes nearly very well bulged at Yumi’s rare use of obscenity.

“Remember,” said the Managing Director, “this is Wet 'N' Antics—where the extra in extraordinary is what we do,” Yumi said, departing with a blend of encouragement and warning.

Emi’s smile could have powered the entire office, while Sayaka appeared as though she had swallowed an entire lemon.