Thinking about the cash flow at headquarters, Hayasaka Nao opened her mouth to speak but held back.
She really wanted to ask—just what was Yukima Azuma planning to do with that much money?
This truly was like dancing on the edge of a blade.
A single misstep, and no matter how massive Laplace had beco, it could vanish without a trace.
But thinking about it more carefully—
Ever since Laplace was founded, every step of its developnt—
Could basically be described as a dance on the knife's edge.
And Yukima Azuma's "Waltz on the Blade" had always been flawless.
That was exactly why Laplace could rise from nothing to beco the feared Laplace Demon as foretold.
Back in their startup days, with no money and no resources, Hayasaka Nao had greatly admired Yukima Azuma's decisiveness.
Ironically, now that Laplace had grown, she had beco more cautious.
Realizing that, Hayasaka Nao couldn't help but reflect on the difference between herself and Yukima Azuma.
Original intentions really were easily changed by ti and circumstance.
Yukima Azuma had no idea what was going on in Hayasaka Nao's mind.
Seeing her stay silent, he took it as silent agreent.
He then shifted to discussing tonight's banquet.
Truthfully, it wasn't anything complicated.
Just a straightforward exchange of money and interests.
Laplace had the money, and the people they were going to et tonight could provide various political conveniences for the campaign.
...
After giving a brief rundown of the evening—
Hayasaka Nao nodded lightly, indicating she understood.
Then she stood up and headed to the restroom.
She needed to compose herself a bit and touch up her makeup—
To prepare for the evening party.
When dealing with different types of people, Hayasaka Nao would wear different masks.
As the mother of the "hundred-faced maid" Hayasaka Ai—
Hayasaka Nao's ability to "speak human to humans, and ghost to ghosts" was even more impressive.
When Hayasaka Nao left the private room—
Only Yukima Azuma and Sayuri were left.
Yukima Azuma leisurely sipped his coffee—
Not thinking about the party tonight.
Instead, he was musing about where to go during spring break.
Originally, he had made plans with Yukino to visit Hokkaido again this winter—
But after the unexpected incident in Hawaii—
Yukino had clearly been avoiding beaches and similar places.
Even though Yukino had never said it out loud—
Yukima Azuma could sense it.
So maybe the travel destination should change.
Though they called it "spring break," it was still technically winter—
So where would be a good place to go?
How about a hot spring trip?
Yukima Azuma considered that.
At that mont, Sayuri, who was watching his expression—
Suddenly asked:
"She's part of your harem too, huh?"
( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
She chose the perfect mont to ask—
Right when Yukima Azuma was distracted by his daydreams.
Any reaction now would be the most genuine.
Yukima Azuma was mid-sip—
And upon hearing that, he imdiately spat out his coffee.
"Cough cough..." He coughed lightly while grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth.
He looked at Sayuri, his mouth twitching slightly:
"You know her, don't you? She already has a kid, alright?"
Sayuri nodded.
Umu, looks like probably not.
Co to think of it, this boy does have a history of being into older won—
But the age gap this ti really was pushing it a bit far.
Yukima Azuma, of course, had no idea what Sayuri was thinking—
If he did, he'd probably snap back instantly:
"I'm not into older won! It's just that the people I happen to like are older!"
( • ̀ω•́ )✧
Although being an "onee-san lover" wasn't exactly so shaful kink—
Yukima Azuma was certain that he honestly didn't have that kind of preference.
He liked Yukino and Utaha simply because they were Yukino and Utaha.
"Then I guess you're aiming for her daughter, huh?"
(≖_≖ )
Sayuri struck again, switching angles as she thought of another possibility.
"I'm not! I didn't! Don't say nonsense!"
⁽⁽(੭ꐦ •̀Д•́ )੭*⁾⁾
Yukima Azuma instantly went into triple denial mode.
Sayuri narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
...
Evening party.
Coincidentally, the banquet hall chosen was sowhere Yukima Azuma was very familiar with—
It was the very place where he used to work as a server and first t Haruno.
Though calling it "coincidence" wasn't quite accurate.
After all, in central Tokyo, there were only a handful of venues classy enough to host upper-class events.
Choosing this place was well within the realm of possibility.
Sayuri, acting as the interdiary, introduced the two parties to each other.
What surprised Yukima Azuma was—
Among the attendees, there were actually a few major figures present.
Among them was a Diet mber with the surna Kobayashi.
A seasoned politician who had been active for many years, wielding no small amount of power in the political sphere.
Who would've thought soone like that would co in person?
Yukima Azuma briefly felt a flicker of doubt, but then—
He suddenly rembered the current circumstances.
And sighed—the collapse of the economic bubble truly had a massive impact on the Land of the Cherry Blossoms.
After the bubble burst, the market was left desolate and depleted.
For prestigious families and other zaibatsu conglorates, this was the darkest period imaginable.
But in contrast—it beca an opportunity for Yukima Azuma to rise.
The people who ca to the party were mostly from the political world.
As for the elite families of Japan, hardly any showed up.
Which was understandable—like other financial giants, the old noble houses had inherited wealth and didn't lack money.
The negotiations went smoothly.
Laplace sacrificed a portion of its profits in exchange for a considerable amount of political capital.
By the ti the banquet ended, both sides seed thoroughly satisfied.
During the party, Sayuri had a few glasses of red wine—
And soon after pretended to be tipsy, leaning her body against Yukima Azuma.
\\(๑ -`. '- ๑)/
Even though the Sawamura family had made a political coback thanks to Yukima Azuma—
Sayuri still intentionally stayed at the periphery of the power ga.
She had no intention of stepping into the spotlight.
Even though she was more than capable, she still feared that her silly daughter wouldn't be able to handle such a heavy legacy in the future.
...
After the party—
Yukima Azuma supported Sayuri as they walked toward the underground parking lot.
It looked like he was helping her walk—
But in truth, Sayuri was the one clinging tightly to Yukima Azuma and refusing to let go.
Sayuri: (✿≖ᴗ≖) "Now that you're here, don't even think about escaping!"
Hayasaka Nao, anwhile, left on her own.
Since she had decided to remain in Japan, she had a mountain of things to prepare for in the days to co.
As for Sayuri, once she got into the Sawamura car with Yukima Azuma—
She instantly dropped the act and appeared completely sober again.
"Sayuri, what are you trying to pull?"
Yukima Azuma asked helplessly.
He had no clue what she was scheming.
"You know, Eriri's ho alone tonight."
"Don't you think that's just tragic?"
"It's been ages since you last ca to the Sawamura house, hasn't it? If you're gonna build a harem, shouldn't you treat every mber equally?"
Sayuri spoke as if chastising an unfaithful playboy.
Yukima Azuma's eye twitched slightly.
It sounded like… he hadn't seen Eriri in forever.
But the truth was—she'd just returned to the Sawamura house from his place two days ago, okay?
Originally, Eriri had only rented a room at Yukima's house and said she'd only be there on weekends.
But in the past two months—
She'd spent more ti at Yukima's place than at her actual ho.
Still, seeing Sayuri's expression that clearly said "No objections allowed"—
(＾◡＾)っ✂╰⋃╯
Yukima Azuma could only nod silently in surrender.
The car drove toward the Detective Hill.
It was winter now, and the cherry blossoms that once colored the slope of the hill pink were long gone.
But the trees lining the road were now draped in a pristine coat of snow.
The scenery had changed, but its aura remained just as enchanting.
Right now, if a girl in a winter coat, her scarf fluttering in the wind, were to suddenly appear at the top of the slope—
It would surely be a picturesque mont of a destined encounter.
Thinking of that, Yukima Azuma chuckled softly and shook his head.
Because the girl in that scene—
No longer lingered around Gakuen-shita. She was already at his house in Shibuya.
She'd been "taken ho" by him long ago.
So what was the point of dreaming about "fateful etings" anymore?
At the final turn of the slope—
The Sawamura residence.
Since he'd been "kidnapped" here without warning—
It was a rare occasion for Yukima Azuma to arrive empty-handed.
But Sayuri looked very pleased and gave a small nod.
"She's probably upstairs. Go on up yourself."
"I have to stop by the company tonight, I won't be back."
With that, Sayuri gave a casual wave and closed the grand doors of the Sawamura residence.
Leaving just Yukima Azuma and Eriri—the two of them, alone.
Everyone knows what's going to happen tonight.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
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