Chapter 176
"Kato-san, please don't misunderstand. We're just going to work together on a project, not what you're thinking."
"Although the location is Talent-kun's apartment, it's not in his room."
"Oh, I see," Kato Megumi said, realizing her mistake, and looked at him apologetically, "I'm sorry, Sakurakoji-san, I misunderstood you."
"You should apologize to both of them too..."
"Yes, that's true. I'm sorry, Kasumigaoka-senpai, Sawamura-kun."
"Oh well," she said, her candor making it difficult for others to get angry. "So Kato-san, are you free? If you're free, let me entertain you."
"Ah, in that case... thank you for your trouble."
"OK, let's go back then." Finally able to escape from this somewhat excessive campus drama, he suddenly felt relieved.
He changed direction and led the three of them toward the station.
It wasn't for riding the tram, although they often do, but now that they were all standing together, it would definitely create a "good-looking group effect" and attract everyone's attention.
He and Kasumigaoka Utaha might not care, but the other two might. There's no need to do this knowing the consequences.
Walking that way was simply to get away from the school gate and the crowds, and onto the main road where it would be easier to hail a taxi.
But it's also possible that he really didn't check the almanac before going out today; after walking only a few steps, their actions were stopped again.
"Senpai Utaha! Eriri!"
Hey~ what do you guys need so many for?
He stopped in his tracks with a sigh of despair, wanting to roll his eyes if it weren't for maintaining appearances.
One after another, is this some kind of turn-based game?
With a mix of helplessness and impatience, he and the other three looked toward the school gate, where a boy, dressed in a Western-style boys' uniform and wearing glasses, was half-squatting and panting heavily. He was of average appearance. Oh well, to him, other people's looks didn't matter.
"Let's go, Talent-kun." Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced back at him briefly, then looked at him again without any change in expression, nodding to indicate that they should continue.
"That's true. We still have a lot of work to do later, and we don't have time to waste any more time," Eriri followed suit.
"Oh, Sawamura-kun, you can stay, I won't fight you for it." Kasumigaoka Utaha chuckled as she looked at her.
"That's what I should have said. I didn't expect you to be so straightforward." Eriri glanced back at Aki Tomoya in the distance, then at Sakurakoji Talent was tilting his head in confusion, before turning her gaze away and walking alongside her.
To be honest, she had indeed had complicated feelings towards her childhood sweetheart before. However, after that little incident, her feelings were now more chaotic than complicated.
It will probably take some time to sort things out, and I don't want to make things even more complicated now.
She needs to make a decision as soon as possible: should she dwell on her childhood and remain unchanged, or should she break free from her cocoon and grow through practical work?
She wanted to find the answer by participating in the production of the first game she officially decided to work on.
Unlike before, when she could hide behind her parents and just focus on drawing, the outside world is vast and the sun is blazing. From now on, she will have to make her own decisions about everything she does.
On the other hand, she didn't really want him to see her past miserable state, not even a shadow of it, and Kasumigaoka Utaha probably felt the same way.
"I'm different from you. We completely broke off contact months ago, and haven't spoken a word in days. How about you? Are you okay?"
"At least it shouldn't matter now... no, it doesn't matter even if it does, because this is the result of my own choice." Halfway through her sentence, she changed her words, and a challenging fighting spirit burst forth in her azure eyes, the curves on both sides of her cute tiger teeth slightly upturned.
"Is that so? That's good then." Kasumigaoka Utaha shrugged and said no more.
Sakurakoji Talent was lagging behind, was a little confused and couldn't understand why they had suddenly become so competitive.
What on earth are you all burning yourselves up for?
However, this was their own business, and he didn't intend to interfere. But—it seemed he had unknowingly taken on Kousaka Akane's task?
The outcome is the same anyway; it will all end due to disagreements about work and personal growth. Are there any differences in the process itself? Probably not.
He shrugged, dismissing the trivial matter from his mind.
More than that, he was concerned about how much "gain" Kato Megumi could bring him today.
Since taking Hoshino Ai for a trip last time, her health has increased by 5 points, and her treatment progress is now 17-18 percent complete.
I've recently been playing some more videos at places like Yukino Shita Hiyori, Shiina Mashiro Gang, Hanasakigawa, Sumiida Mana, the Kessoku Band, and Starry. I've now completed about 20%, or one-fifth!
Such progress in just over two months truly shows great promise for the Mirai!
This sense of accomplishment made him want to keep going, and he wondered if he should try to be more active lately.
As you know, dopamine is addictive, and similarly, treatment can be too!
After a moment of silence from the three, Kato Megumi Kokoro inquired, sensing the atmosphere, "Wasn't that Aki, my classmate? Do you know him?"
Naturally, no one answered her.
"Wow~ This is where Sakurakoji-san lives?"
After getting out of the taxi, Kato Megumi, who was visiting the Ten no Yashiro for the first time, stood at the bottom of the hundreds-of-meters-tall building, staring in a daze at its magnificent facade.
"Okay, let's go in."
The other three people bypassed her with practiced ease and headed towards the apartment door.
"Hey~ wait for me!" In a moment of distraction, they had already walked more than ten meters, and she quickly caught up.
While passing through the lobby on the first floor, Sakurakoji Talent awkwardly bumped into someone he really didn't want to see at that moment.
What's going on today? Why are they all happening one after another? Is it because I forgot to check the almanac?
"Oh, Talent-san?" A clear and melodious female voice, like that of a lark, drifted into their ears.
The person who spoke was a young woman dressed in office attire.
The black business skirt features a white wavy lace trim in the center of the chest, topped with a matching white bow tie.
Her long, slightly wavy, purplish-black hair cascaded freely down her back, with a single tuft of Ahoge on her forehead that was only half as talented as Sakurakoji Talent's. Her beautiful, moon-like face was in no way inferior to the three girls here, and if you added her noble, calm, and gentle aura, she would completely outshine them.
She carried a pink luxury handbag in her right hand and wore red-rimmed glasses without prescription lenses—only someone close to her would know that these were merely accessories to make her appear more mature.
In that instant, in this hall where they met by chance, a scene unfolded where a mature professional completely outmaneuvered the high school girls.
One against three, a complete victory!
"Gurgle!"
The moment Kasumigaoka Utaha and the others met this woman's gaze, they were defeated. Their eyes darted around, their expressions were bitter, Hands moved erratically, unsure of what to do.
Like elementary school students encountering the headmaster, the trembling and cold sweat on their backs caused by nervousness made them feel as if they had met their natural enemy.
Even the usually aloof Kato Megumi showed a rare hint of awkwardness and forced demeanor.
Even though they are usually arrogant and proud (and easygoing and unguarded), they can instinctively understand that if they were to face this woman as an opponent, they would have no chance of winning in any field!
"Oh, it's Rumin-jie. Are you going to work now?" As the other person's target, Sakurakoji Talent forced a conversation with her.
There are only a handful of people in the world who can make him reveal this state, and unfortunately, the person opposite him is one of them.
It wouldn't be a problem under normal circumstances, but he really didn't want her to see him bringing several girlfriends home like this.
Because it's so embarrassing!
"Well, I still have some things to take care of at the company." Okura Rumin rested her chin on her left hand, her beautiful eyes, imbued with the "Reincarnation Eye" bloodline, sweeping over him before looking at the three people behind him. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. "Speaking of which, who are these people? It seems like this is the first time I've met them."
"Ah~ well, how should I put it," he glanced around furtively, "They're some friends I've met recently."
"Hmph~ Is that so?" Okura Rumin scrutinized him with a hint of unease. "Is she just a friend, or your girlfriend?"
"Just a friend? What are you thinking?"
"..." She remained silent, simply looking at him from head to toe a dozen times until she found no flaws in his lies, before finally turning her gaze away.
"Although I heard from Miss Ashiri that the number of girls around you has increased recently, I didn't expect it to be true."
"Well, this is ultimately your private life, Talent-san. Even if she's your girlfriend, I have nothing to say about it."
"I'm just disappointed and sorry to see you growing up in the same decadent direction as Anthony and his ilk."
"Anyway, since you have such enthusiasm and energy, it means your health is indeed improving, right? Congratulations."
"As Relatives, I'm happy for you too."
"Like that blond playboy... No way, I don't want to suffer your punishment, Rumin-jie." His expression was a mixture of disdain and a wish that she wouldn't make such a joke.
"Hehe~ We'll have to see how you perform from here on out. My time's almost up, so I'll be going now." She chuckled softly, her previously imposing expression instantly blossoming like Blue Enchantress.
Finally, he glanced at the time on his small women's wristwatch and announced the end of the conversation.
"Yeah, keep up the good work!"
"Thank you, I will." She strode outside with the clear sound of her high heels, but stopped abruptly as she passed the three people behind her, glancing at them sideways.
The sound of high heels, which was originally quite ordinary, struck the three of them like a hammer blow. The abrupt pause made their hearts clench, their pupils contract, and they unconsciously swallowed.
As if awaiting death for several seconds, unexpectedly, Okura Rumin softly said:
"Thank you for being that child's friend. Please continue to maintain a good relationship with him."
"You flatter me!" / "Not at all!" / "Hi!"
The completely inconsistent answers all rang out at once, making Sakurakoji Talent was in front of him, unable to bear to look at them. He turned his head away, his face contorted with pain, and he consciously put on a mask of agony.
How embarrassing! So incredibly embarrassing! How did I even come to know any of you?!
Okura Rumin wasn't surprised by their reaction and continued, "It's fine to play around, but if you're not serious, you should still be mindful of your distance and safety in general."
"Well, hello."
After saying that, she gracefully stepped away, accompanied by sound effects.
The last sentence is unclear; it's unclear whether it's a warning to Sakurakoji Talent or a warning to the three people following him.
But as the four of them watched her departing figure, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Only when not a trace of black could be seen remained did Kasumigaoka Utaha pink lips trembling, look at Sakurakoji Talent: "Talent-kun, who exactly is that woman...?"
He looked up at the ceiling of the hall and sighed, "Okura Rumin is my Great Aunt and childhood friend."
"Huh?!" X 3
The three of them gasped in astonishment, staring at him in disbelief.
"Well, although she is indeed my Great Aunt in terms of seniority, she's actually a few months younger than me." He waved his hand helplessly, "So, as a compromise, I've called her Rumin-jie) since I was little."
See, that's the advantage of being of a higher generation; you have an edge everywhere. Even Okura Iyo, who controls countless companies, has to call her "Aunt" when he meets her, whether he likes it or not.
Even he, a mischievous devil who had always done as he pleased since childhood, had to behave himself when he met her.
Among his peers, only Ashiri and she could inspire such a reaction in him.
Therefore, when he was young, Okura Rumin was often invited by his parents to play with him (to restrain and control him), which made him both angry and helpless.
What could he do? He couldn't hit such a little girl, especially since she was his great-grandfather's beloved daughter, born late in life. If he hurt her, the consequences would be severe, and no one could protect him.
Speaking of this, he couldn't help but admire his great-grandfather, Okura Nikkin Nichikin, the former president and founder of the Okura Family, who is still alive and well and had the "energy" to give birth to Okura Rumin at over ninety years old.
He truly wished that he could live as healthily as him in the future... This was his most genuine wish.
If only his body were half as good as his, he would ask for nothing more.
"Younger than you?!" The group was so shocked they almost bit their tongues.
Just now, she exuded the aura of a sophisticated working woman in her early twenties! But then you told them she's actually younger than you!!
"But she just said she was going to work..." Kato Megumi hesitated as she raised her hand.
"Ah~ because she's the president of a cosmetics company, she's probably there to handle company affairs and reprimand her subordinates," Sakurakoji Talent guessed, tilting her head. "You've probably heard of the company name, [La Lumiere], that's her name."
Chapter 224 The Ministry of Finance and the Family Related to the Original Body
[La Lumiere], just by seeing the name Lumiere, you can tell that this company must have a close relationship with Okura Rumin.
Since he ran a cosmetics business, after he returned to Japan, she bought out all of his and Ashiri's daily chemical products.
Some of them were even specially developed by her based on his unique physical condition.
The Relatives he mentioned before who often gifted him toiletries was her, his earnest yet somewhat adorable and doting Great Aunt —something seems off, but whatever, he was happy with it.