"So... he spent 18 billion yen just to set up a ho?"
Shinomiya Kaguya traced the rim of her teacup with a slender finger, her voice calm but laced with disbelief.
Not long after their initial encounter, she had ordered a full background investigation on Yukima Azuma. Naturally, the report included his massive 18.2 billion yen profit from film investnts—a figure significant enough to attract even the Shinomiya Corporation's attention. The speed of the return and the scale of the earnings were simply too impressive to ignore.
It shocked her.
But more than that, it solidified her resolve: she had to bring Yukima Azuma into her fold.
Once Shinomiya Kaguya made a decision, she never wavered. No matter the obstacles, she would overco them. She always got what she wanted.
"At present, that's all he's done," Hayasaka Ai replied softly, eyes lowered.
Guilt tugged at her chest. She didn't dare et Kaguya's gaze.
Yukima Azuma's efforts might seem insignificant compared to the Shinomiya Corporation, but Hayasaka still chose to conceal certain truths—because she and her mother believed in that boy. He was different.
Unlike the disappointing heirs of the Shinomiya family, Yukima Azuma had potential that could truly shake the foundation of powerful corporations.
But even if he beca a threat one day, his influence would only touch sectors unrelated to Kaguya's own future. That thought gave Hayasaka so peace of mind.
After all, Shinomiya Kaguya was the one person she could never bring herself to betray.
Kaguya took a sip of tea and smiled faintly.
"He may lack ambition for now, but even so, he's already remarkable."
"With a bit of guidance, I'm sure he'll beco a capable assistant. No doubt about it."
She glanced toward Hayasaka. "He's studying at Toyogasaki, right? Let Shuchiin send him an exchange invitation next sester."
Hayasaka hesitated but finally nodded.
The student exchange program—rare and exclusive—was shared only among Toyogasaki, Shuchiin, and Hyakkaou Private Academies. While most exchanges were initiated by students, it was possible, though uncommon, for schools to issue direct invitations.
Kaguya Shinomiya just made one.
Yukima Household
It wasn't a weekend, but Yukima Azuma had taken the day off from school. As he entered his ho, the first thing he noticed was three pairs of neatly placed leather shoes at the entrance.
Peering into the living room, he found Kasumigaoka, Eriri, and Kato gumi sitting primly on the sofa.
"I'm back."
"Welco ho," they chid in unison.
Slipping into his indoor slippers, Azuma entered the room with curiosity. "What's going on? Is today special or sothing?"
Eriri shot him a look. "The day after tomorrow is the official release of White Album, and you're not even nervous?!"
Ah.
That explained it.
"Relax. I've dumped a mountain of cash into marketing. If it flops, I'll just hunt down the ad agencies for refunds."
His nonchalant reply left the girls speechless.
It was completely unromantic—and yet oddly comforting. Azuma never made grandiose claims. He didn't promise miracles. Instead, he calmly acknowledged the stakes and took full responsibility.
In its own way, that built more trust than any empty assurance.
"Alright," gumi said, "let's do one last check of the ga."
Azuma agreed imdiately. Kasumigaoka and Eriri nodded.
The four of them gathered around the computer.
Yukima Azuma sat in the middle. Kasumigaoka to his right. Kato gumi to his left. Eriri, forced to the back, pouted behind him.
Launching the ga, Azuma felt sothing strange—it was like they were already living in the epilogue of a story. Yet he quickly pushed aside the thought and focused.
This ga was everyone's hard work.
Eriri's artwork was extraordinary. Her characters didn't just look beautiful—they breathed. You fell in love with them from the first click.
Kasumigaoka's script elevated everything. Though Azuma had provided the main plot, Utaha's dialogue brought it to life—sharp, emotional, and deeply human.
They played for two hours before stopping.
That's when Eriri's stomach growled loudly.
Kasumigaoka smirked. "Hungrier than Shiratamaru."
"It's just a biological response, okay? I can't control it!" Eriri snapped, turning beet red.
Azuma paused the ga.
"If even we're this engrossed, there's no way it'll flop."
He stood up and stretched. "But a great ga doesn't fill your stomach. Let's eat."
The three girls nodded enthusiastically.
"I want char siu!" Eriri said first.
"I want noodle soup," Kasumigaoka added.
"I'm fine with anything," gumi said as always.
"Alright, mixed ran with char siu it is."
Mixed ran—or hotpot noodles—was a hearty dish packed with pork, fish balls, radish, and noodles soaked in rich broth, topped with hot soup and sotis pork intestines.
Azuma started cooking. gumi assisted efficiently while the others watched from the living room.
As the water boiled, Azuma casually brought up the looming midterms.
"Anyone started studying? Kirisu-sensei said if you don't pass, it's sumr school for you."
The girls' reactions varied.
Kasumigaoka brushed her hair aside with a smug look. "Who do you think I am? I can ace that stuff blindfolded."
Her eyes shifted toward Eriri.
"But I wonder... how's your English, half-British girl? Pretty sure your ancestors are sobbing."
Eriri froze.
Sumr school?!
She hadn't even heard of that possibility! Her sumr was supposed to be sacred!
Panicked, she turned to Azuma with pleading eyes. "Help !"
Azuma sighed. "Alright, I'll tutor you after Comiket."
He looked at gumi. "You too, gumi. I know you're worried, even if you won't say it."
gumi nodded slightly.
Kasumigaoka began to fidget. Her black-stockinged legs tapped the floor restlessly.
Why was she being left out? Because of her grades?
"...Kirisu-sensei is upstairs," she muttered. "Wouldn't it be better if she did the tutoring?"
Eriri glared. Sabotage! That plump woman always had to ruin everything!
Azuma shrugged. "If they could understand her lectures, they wouldn't be in this ss."
Then he turned to Eriri. "Go call her down for dinner."
Eriri perked up and dashed up the stairs.
No tutoring? Score!
She knocked on a door labeled "Kirisu Mafuyu."
"Dinner ti, Kirisu-sensei!"
"Okay, Sawamura-san, I'll be right down!"
With that, Eriri headed back downstairs, her curiosity briefly piqued. What was Kirisu-sensei doing all weekend locked in her room?
...Was she performing a demon-summoning ritual?
Nah. Whatever. Not Yukima Azuma's problem, not hers either.
Once Eriri was out of sight, Kirisu Mafuyu opened her door, cautiously peeked out, and stepped into the hall dressed neatly in office attire. She locked her door behind her and exhaled in relief.
Char siu takes ti to make, but Azuma had already prepared several portions ahead of schedule. He reheated the pork and served the steaming ran.
As he carried a plate of sliced char siu to the table, Eriri lunged forward and grabbed a piece—only to yelp as the heat forced her to juggle it from hand to hand before finally stuffing it into her mouth.
Azuma smacked her on the head. "Wash your hands again."
"Aho Baka," Kasumigaoka muttered.
Everyone laughed.
It was a bit chaotic, a bit improper—but it felt right.
Outside this house, Eriri would never act like this. She was a diplomat's daughter, after all. And Kasumigaoka, gumi, and even Kirisu Mafuyu weren't the type to tolerate such behavior.
But here, they all laughed.
Here, they were a family.
And in that mont, surrounded by their laughter, Yukima Azuma felt a rare and overwhelming warmth.
He felt truly happy.
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