This building was none other than the Aoyama Ten no Yashiro apartment complex that Okura Iyo had previously mentioned as a gift for him, built at a cost of 55 billion yen.
After receiving notice of its completion a few days ago, Sakurakoji Talent had come today not only to look around, but also to officially complete the ownership transfer procedures.
The building had a total of sixty-six floors above ground. Aside from the enormous swimming pool on the sixtieth floor, the rooftop also had a dedicated sky garden and dome.
Worth mentioning was that the dome could alter its own lighting and scenery through electronic modules.
The outer layer was a transparent shell that let sunlight through. The inner layer consisted of specially made large electronic display screens, which could be split in two and freely retracted from either side. If necessary, there would be no problem even screening films here.
"Crude but true, sure, but that was a little too crude."
Hearing the guide's rather proud and eloquent introduction, Sakurakoji Talent could not help feeling speechless.
"By the way, Miss Yongmei is my favorite. That blend of innocence and desire in her appearance is simply impossible to resist!"
"Are we still continuing this topic?"
"..."
Aside from the aboveground section, the underground portion of the building connected to the Underground Street. Food, clothing, housing, transportation—it had everything one could need.
The Underground Street connected to subway stations that could reach anywhere in Tokyo Metropolis within three minutes. The subway station was also linked to the nearby Philia Comprehensive Academy, allowing students to walk directly there through an underground passage.
"Come to think of it, Ashiri seems to be enrolling at Philia Academy this year, right?"
At that, Sakurakoji Talent suddenly thought of his younger sister. He had been busy with his own affairs lately and had barely checked in on her.
"Yes. Lady Ashiri and Kuyachiyo will be entering the special class for the Western pastry program in the Culinary Department."
"Philia has abundant educational resources, and the specially organized classes are filled with children from prestigious families. I believe the young lady will receive excellent development there."
"As you know, your parents graduated from there as well, and Lord Iyo once served as its principal."
Ichiyo explained it to him. Naturally, she knew this place where her masters had once studied extremely well.
"Mm, I'm not worried about that."
Philia Academy had an exceptionally distinguished faculty and graduate record, and it was also within the Okura Family's sphere of influence. Ashiri would naturally have no problems there.
After thinking for a while, Sakurakoji Talent looked at her again.
"Once I take over this place, I'll be moving into the top floor too."
"It's so close to Philia Academy, so commuting to school will be more convenient. Ask Ashiri whether she wants to move here with me."
"If she does, give her the entire sixty-fifth floor."
"Understood! I'll ask her later." Ichiyo smiled and nodded, pleased by the harmonious relationship between the siblings.
"However, not only Lady Ashiri—the other young lady also seems to be entering Philia's Piano Department this year. What do you think?"
"Ah, ah..." Sakurakoji Talent instantly understood whom she meant. Thinking of his other relative and her face, his expression became somewhat hesitant. "Well, I'll ask her myself later."
"I understand."
It took an hour just to briefly inspect the specifications of the new building.
Then, under the professional guidance of the people Iyo had sent over, he completed the ownership transfer step by step and officially registered it under his name.
From now on, this Kyoto Gentleman finally had an independent property of his own!
Sakurakoji Talent crossed his arms and laughed boldly, feeling that life was easy and nothing more than this!
"Hurry up and register it. Once we're done, I still have to go to work. This can't be delayed!"
He urged the people before him. Amid their baffled yet deeply shocked expressions, all the procedures were finally completed, and he strode out of the room.
"Young Master, do you need me to take you there?" After they left the building, Ichiyo asked him.
He checked the time and frowned slightly. It had taken even longer than he had expected.
"Fine. There isn't much time left, so sorry for the trouble today."
"Certainly. Please get in."
"Mm."
After getting in, the car drove out of the private Parking Lot and onto the main road. Only then did Ichiyo realize she still did not know where they were going, so she hurriedly asked:
"Young Master, where is the destination?"
They only knew that Sakurakoji Talent had been going out every day recently. They had heard that he was working at a shop to experience ordinary life, but since he always came and went alone, they did not know where exactly he worked.
"Shimokitazawa, a livehouse called 'STARRY.'"
"A livehouse?"
Yashiro Ichiyo could not help but question it. She knew what it was, of course, but had never been to one. She had heard it was supposedly a performance venue for ordinary people.
So their Young Master was working somewhere related to music?
"You don't even know that? You're behind the times, Ichiyo."
Sakurakoji Talent sighed. In this flourishing era of Great Girl Band Era, someone actually did not know what a livehouse was. And she still dared to call herself an eternal girl? Ichiyo, honestly.
"No, I do know what it is... It's been around for decades."
"Still, I really haven't heard of a place called 'STARRY.' It probably hasn't been open very long, right?"
"That's true." Sakurakoji Talent agreed. "Anyway, I work the evening shift there now. Just drop me off nearby."
"Understood."
The car moved steadily and swiftly through the traffic, speeding along right at the limit. Before long, they arrived in Shimokitazawa.
Following Sakurakoji Talent's instructions, she parked by the roadside. She did not get out to open the door for him, as he had instructed, and Sakurakoji Talent stepped out himself.
"That's it, then. I'll head over first."
"Okay. Take care, Young Master, and good luck at work!"
"Uh, okay."
Why did that sound so strange? Did everyone feel like this when people said that to them? Carrying a faint sense of confusion, Sakurakoji Talent walked toward Starry across the street.
Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies — Chapter 15: Whose Cat?
"Good morning!"
As he entered the dim performance hall and walked down the stairs, Sakurakoji Talent greeted everyone.
"Good morning, Mr. Talent!"
"Yo!"
Ichiji Nijika and Yamada Ryo, both carrying backpacks and instruments, warmly responded when they saw him enter. Ichiji Nijika's Ahoge swayed with a smile, while Yamada Ryo coolly gestured with her fingers.
"Miss Nijika and Miss Ryo are here too? You got back pretty early today."
"Yeah! We came over as soon as school ended!"
"I see. By the way, have you found any band members?"
"Not yet..."
The moment the topic came up, both of their expressions visibly fell.
At this point near the end of the school year, anyone seriously interested had already formed their own bands. Even if they could recruit someone, those people were generally only interested in casually messing around.
That ran completely contrary to what Ichiji Nijika and Yamada Ryo wanted. They could not stand having teammates who were so half-hearted.
From their expressions, Sakurakoji Talent could roughly understand the predicament they were facing. Since he had brought up the topic himself, he could only offer some comfort.
"It's fine. It's the end of the school year, after all. That's understandable."
"The next school year isn't far away. I'm sure that once classes begin, you'll find teammates who suit you."
Hearing his analysis, the two looked at each other and felt it made sense. There was no point hoping for anyone in their own year anymore. It seemed they could only turn their attention toward younger students. If they still could not find suitable candidates then, they would not hesitate even to recruit students from other schools!
Yamada Ryo and Ichiji Nijika both saw the determination in the other's eyes and nodded heavily. Then Yamada Ryo looked at Sakurakoji Talent.
"Understood. Since things have come to this, get me a cappuccino first. For dessert, caramel pudding."
"What exactly did you understand?!"
"Ah, Mr. Talent, I'd also like a fruit tea and some tiramisu!"
"Hey—make sure you pay properly afterward, okay?"
Shaking his head helplessly, Sakurakoji Talent walked behind the bar, checked the ingredients that Ichiji Hoshika had already received that afternoon, and began preparing for the day.
"It can't be helped, Mr. Talent's cooking is just too good! Even if it empties my allowance, I simply can't resist!"
Ichiji Nijika opened her wallet and looked at the money that was nearly gone, her eyes welling with tears. But when she thought of those delicious dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted amazing, she could not help speaking up again.
"Nijika!" Yamada Ryo tugged at her sleeve.
"No borrowing. I'm nearly broke too." Without even looking up, Ichiji Nijika answered directly.
"How could you do this? Aren't we best friends for life?"
As though she had suffered ten thousand critical hits, Yamada Ryo dropped to her knees, hugged Nijika's thigh, and looked at her in disbelief.
"Even if you look at me like that, I'm not lending you anything. No, actually, because I've been ordering every day this month, my allowance has already run out early."
"Then what should I do? I didn't bring my wallet today either." Yamada Ryo looked troubled. She had just ordered, and being unable to pay was way too pathetic.
"Am I supposed to play Bass on an empty stomach today? No! That's too cruel!"
"No, even if you had brought your wallet, you might not have had any money in it." Ichiji Nijika's eyes turned into cat eyes as she delivered an accurate jab. Then she looked at Yamada Ryo and made a suggestion.
"Looks like we can only talk to my sister and ask whether she can let us work here. It'll be a little tiring, but until we find all our band members, the two of us can't really perform properly anyway, right?"
"...Employees should get a discount when buying things from the shop, right?"
That was what she truly cared about.
"Fine, fine. I'll negotiate with my sister."
"Then for today's..."
"I know. I'll treat you."
"Nijika! I love you!"
Yamada Ryo excitedly hugged her best friend's soft body, rubbing her starry-eyed face repeatedly against Nijika's chest. Mm, a little hard.
"Don't get so close!" With a disgusted expression, Ichiji Nijika pushed at her head, trying to keep her away.
Seeing the two reach an agreement, Sakurakoji Talent smiled and continued making preparations at a rapid pace.
Since preparing all the various items took a great deal of time, even with his skilled and efficient movements, it still required quite a while.
Recently, many customers had been coming specifically for the food and drinks. As a result, Starry's opening hours had been pushed back by an hour, with ticket sales beginning at six. A new rule had also been introduced: only customers who purchased tickets could buy food, and each person was limited to two servings.
Although this initially drew dissatisfaction from some people, it did not cause much of a disturbance. After all, simply meeting the audience's demand was already difficult enough.
Starry was, after all, a livehouse. Everything had to be centered around the listeners.
Some people also decided to try buying tickets and watching performances because of the rule. Once they did, they became hopelessly addicted to live shows and eventually turned into devoted fans of certain bands.
This complicated variety of reactions left Sakurakoji Talent somewhat dumbfounded. All he could say was that human potential was limitless.
In the blink of an eye, it was six o'clock. At his signal, Ichiji Nijika opened the underground venue's doors with a solemn expression, then immediately turned and ran, quickly fleeing the area.
As if answering her expectations, the surging crowd waiting outside instantly poured in, and the hall immediately became deafeningly noisy.
Without wasting time anywhere else, the crowd headed straight for the bar.
However, they were not ordering food. They were buying tickets. Food could be ordered anytime, but there were only so many tickets, and once they sold out, they were truly gone.
Already changed into a Maid Outfit, the energetic Ichiji Nijika stood before the ticket counter like an Angel, skillfully and warmly dealing with every customer.
"Welcome! How many tickets would you like today? One? Understood!"
"Good evening! Are you here with your girlfriend today? Here are two tickets, please take them!"
"Welcome! Is this your first time here? Let me explain the process to you!"
"Oh! What adorable little kids! I hope you have a wonderful evening!"
"..."
Image: "Maid Nijika", Location: "Images/1753897315-100446961-113661965.jpg"
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