Chapter 208

"C'est un plaisir de vous avoir chez moi. (Welcome to my home.)"

"A l'avenir, je vous remercie par avance pour votre bienveillance. (Please take care of me in the future)"

Ashiri was the first to understand his meaning and welcomed him in French. Although Okura Rumin felt a little sad about his childish behavior, she crossed her arms and echoed his sentiment.

"You guys are all amazing." Ouka Mai slight shock. You really have a lot of talented people.

Then, as if in an interactive exchange, she replied with a smile, "Je m'appelleおうづかまい. Je vous remercie par avance pour votre bienveillance."

(I am Ouka Mai, nice to meet you in the future)

"There's nothing to be proud of. Due to elite education, we are all required to learn several languages from a young age, Talent-kun probably knows the most."

Okura Rumin's expression showed no trace of smugness; she simply gave a calm explanation.

"Hi~ It's like this." Although Ashiri maintained a smile in front of the guests, she didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it.

"That's right, so I think you can relax a bit when you're around us, Miss Wangzhong," Sakurakoji Talent concluded.

Although Okura Iyo Ien's initial target was only him, the other two people who were invited due to some unexpected circumstances actually met the requirements of him and Ouka Mai's mother.

Considering the conditions for being her friend, they really couldn't have been more satisfied.

Regardless of family background, age, appearance, talent, ability... or even gender, they are on par with Ouka Mai Makoto, and in some aspects, they may even be stronger.

So, President Wang, give up your pretense. None of us here are human!

"As expected of the Okura Family and the Sakurakoji Family, their education is truly excellent."

Ouka Mai somewhat taken aback. Even in her own family, there was no requirement for her to learn several languages. The reason she could speak French was because she was one-quarter France, and also because her mother was in France.

"It has little to do with how capable you are. I think you've put too many burdens on yourself," Sakurakoji Talent advised her.

"No one is perfect. Miss Wangzhong, neither are we. It's perfectly normal for people to have flaws. I don't think you need to push yourself too hard."

"That might be true," Ouka Mai closed her eyes in resignation. Her original composure began to disappear, the dashing curves on her face softened, and even the muscles in her body relaxed slightly.

"But Sakurakoji-san, you're still the first person to see through my act of playing the perfect one."

She opened her eyes, which had been closed, and the calm and force she had just displayed disappeared, gradually relaxing.

"As you can see, I come from a privileged family and have put in the corresponding effort—though it may not amount to much compared to what you all have."

"But at school and outside, I'm still quite popular and well-liked, and I try my best to do everything perfectly."

"If the people around me are happy, I'm happy too—but sometimes I wonder, are they really seeing the real me? Sometimes I feel lonely because of that."

"As Sakurakoji-san said, perhaps all I've been doing all along is 'playing' the perfect 'Ouka Mai' that everyone expects."

"Oh, sorry for suddenly telling you all this!"

She realized this wasn't something she should say in public, and touched her head shyly.

"Chūnibyō?"

"Excessive self-consciousness?"

Before Sakurakoji Talent could say anything about her impromptu declaration, Ashiri and Rumin, who were watching the scene unfold, each tilted their heads, staring at her with indescribable expressions, and voiced their thoughts.

"Huh?!?"

Chapter 264 President Wang was moved

"Why, why, why?"

From the moment she stepped inside, Ouka Mai, who had lost her composure for the first time, trembled. Her once calm and collected expression was now replaced by a trembling jaw.

If you give her a cup of tea at this moment, at least half of it will probably spill.

"First of all, Miss Wangzhong, I don't think you're capable of that." Okura Rumin's eyes were subtle.

Even if you are better than the average student, it doesn't mean you are good at everything, nor are you unique in the world, and you are far from perfect.

"In my opinion, your high self-esteem borders on narcissism or arrogance—even though you may have had confidence cultivated since childhood."

Ultimately, even the most perfect person in the world is actually...

She glanced at someone, sighed, covered her forehead, and said nothing.

"Ugh... Being told that by Okura-sama is really hurtful." Ouka Mai touched her chest, looking dejected.

"Just call me Miss Okura, or Rumin-san, that's fine too. Also, I haven't finished speaking yet." It seemed she wasn't planning to let her off so easily.

"And one more thing..."

Okura Rumin continued speaking eloquently to herself, "Secondly, I don't quite understand why you care so much about what others think."

"Although humans are social animals, I've never heard of anyone needing to consider everyone else to survive. I think your idea is very problematic—even though being kind to others is a commendable virtue."

"But in society, as long as you abide by the law and the generally accepted moral standards, there's no need to care about what anyone says beyond that."

"Even if you go against the majority's beliefs, as long as you really want to do it, rules and laws can be your last and strongest support."

"That's right! Rules are the cornerstone of human society and interpersonal relationships! Rules are the foundation!!"

"Alright~ Rumin-jie's lecture on the Rule Supremacy here. Next up, someone else." Sakurakoji Talent smiled and covered her mouth from behind, stopping her from continuing.

Ignoring Okura Rumin's resentful and angry gaze, he turned his attention back to the person in question, while his hand, which was pressed against her face, gave it a couple more unkempt squeezes... Hmm, feels great, Rumin-jie.

The young girl's elastic skin, along with the luxurious nutrition she received from a young age and her diligent and meticulous skincare over the years, made her skin as smooth as the finest silk.

Just touching it feels this good, so if we kiss it...

Getting off topic, he coughed lightly, regained his composure, and said to Ouka Mai, "That's right, Miss Wangzhong. I think you don't need to worry about making mistakes at all, nor do you need to deliberately maintain this perfect posture."

"At least you can relax when you're with us. People here are quite casual and won't blame you for a single rude mistake."

"Because we often make mistakes ourselves, and our personalities are rather unrestrained and willful, it would be best if you could get along with us in the same way."

"In fact, even if I make ten or eight mistakes a week, it won't matter at all... Ugh!!"

He cried out in pain halfway through his sentence, quickly releasing his fair hand. Upon closer inspection, a pink tooth mark was visible at the base of his middle finger.

He gazed resentfully at the culprit— Okura Rumin, whose face he had been restraining and pinching since the beginning.

Okura Rumin let out a loud snort of embarrassment and anger, turning her head away from him, her face flushed with a pale pink rouge that was hard to tell whether from anger or embarrassment.

Hmm, her Shy look is quite charming, but he will never forget the pain of being bitten. One day, he will bite back! Just you wait, Rumin-jie!

He shook his bitten right hand, looked back at the somewhat dazed Ouka Mai, and concluded invitingly, "That's how it is, so don't worry about it. Let's get along well from now on, Miss Wangzhong."

Ah~ A completely different feeling welled up in her heart, and Ouka Mai clutched her chest again, her eyes filled with a sense of freedom and emotion like a clear blue sky.

"I don't know why, but I feel so happy right now!"

"Huh?" Okura Rumin frowned, puzzled. What was there to be happy about?

It's just common words of comfort and reassurance, isn't it?

While saying something like making ten or eight mistakes a week is a bit of an exaggeration...

Ouka Mai gently raised her head with satisfaction. "It's so great to be here today, and it's so great to have met everyone!"

"Ha~ Us too..." Sakurakoji Ashiri nodded in agreement, seemingly oblivious to the situation.

"As a daughter of the Sakurakoji Family, I represent the Sakurakoji Family in welcoming Miss Wangzhong at any time. Of course, I think my brother feels the same way."

The brother and sister exchanged a glance. After receiving the signal from each other, Sakurakoji Talent nodded perfunctorily, "Sss~ ss~"

"Haha! I got it, then I'll take it seriously! I'll come often from now on!" Ouka Mai said casually, her Hands clasped at the crotch where her clothes met her pants, her face beaming.

Um?

Ashiri and Okura Rumin exchanged a surprised glance. It seemed like the other person was actually taking it seriously. Wasn't that just social politeness?

Upon hearing this, he felt he could no longer remain silent.

"Well, while we would love to welcome Miss Wangzhong, as we said before, the three of us don't usually live here, so I don't think you'd be able to find us even if you came."

He quickly explained the situation, trying to shift her focus.

This is a matter of Sakurakoji Talent in interpersonal relationships, so under no circumstances should she be allowed to visit the mansion too often, otherwise it would be awkward if she saw Ogura Asahi.

"Hmm~ Come to think of it, we did talk about that earlier." She nodded knowingly. "So, can we go over now?"

"I'm also very curious about what everyone's apartments are like. I'm really looking forward to it!"

She laughed heartily, her movements and expressions much more exaggerated than when she first arrived.

If this is her usual self, then although it was still her before, and her personality details didn't change much, her behavioral logic was intentionally controlled within a small area around her.

This is probably her acting technique. Unlike Sakurakoji Talent, who completely abandoned her original image but kept her personality the same, she didn't change her image, but she reduced the degree of change, and deliberately concealed her arrogance and complacency.

"Then let's set off."

No one objected, and the group walked out of the building one after another.

Because of the number of people, they didn't ride in his usual four-seater Rolls-Royce, but instead rode in another luxury car.

A few minutes later, the group returned to the ground floor of the Ten no Yashiro —there was no other way, it was just that close.

In fact, the distance between the two is so short that it can be reached on foot, and it may not be as far as some Japan students who walk to school from their homes.

"Wow, that was fast! Is this the place?" Ouka Mai stepped out of the car and looked up at the towering new building in front of her with great interest.

"I didn't expect our destination to still be Aoyama. At this distance, we shouldn't have to move out of our homes, right?" She looked at Sakurakoji Talent with some confusion.

Even though she's quite wealthy, does she really need to spend like this? Isn't it a bit wasteful?

Furthermore, no matter how nice the apartment is, it can't compare to the Sakurakoji Family's mansion. What's the significance of doing this specifically?

"Because Rumin and I attend Philia Academy across the street, my brother came to live with us to keep us company."

Ashiri pointed to the twin teaching buildings of the Philia Academy, which were located across the road from here, and explained with a smile.

As the perfect little sister that every family would want, she naturally covered up Sakurakoji Talent.

Okura Rumin remained silent, merely observing the brother and sister with a detached gaze.

"Oh? So Miss Ashiri and Rumin-san both go to school across the street... By the way, those two buildings are actually schools?"

Because she had previously obtained permission from Okura Rumin, she took the opportunity to call out Ashiri's name as well.

At the same time, she looked in surprise at the magnificent building that resembled twin towers not far away. It was quite novel to her; she rarely saw such a structure, which was different from that of a typical school.

However, she didn't doubt the school's strength because of this. The fact that a school could be established in Minato Ward, one of the three central wards of Tokyo Metropolis, and in Aoyama, one of the core wards, was proof of its wealth.

Not to mention the presence of aristocratic students like them, the teaching quality is beyond doubt.

Besides what Ouka Mai didn't know, the reason why Okura Rumin and the others were studying here was because the current chairman of the board of directors of the Philia Academy Japan branch was the current president of the Okura Family, and the aunt of Sakurakoji Talent and Ashiri: Okura Rina.

It was because of her care that Okura Nikkin reluctantly agreed to let Okura Rumin enroll here, so that she could escape his sight.

If any teacher or student displeases them, there is a real risk of being fired at any time.

In a sense, Filia across the street and the Ten no Yashiro on this side are all part of their family, and can also be seen as the entire school.

Since it's our own school building and dormitory (apartment), we can do whatever we want, huh?

"Hmm... It'll probably take a long time to explain this, where should we start?" As they entered the hall, Sakurakoji Talent asked the others with her eyes.

"Why not start with Talent-kun's room?" Okura Rumin teased.

"No, no, no, Miss Wangzhong is a girl. Shouldn't she go to Rumin-jie's room first?" He retorted with a smirk and narrowed his eyes.

"Oh dear, they're your guest today. It wouldn't be right for me to overstep my bounds."

"No, that's not true. You two were having a great conversation just now! It's normal for friends to visit each other's rooms!"

"How about we go to my room first?" Ashiri interrupted their argument with a smile, his expression revealing no hidden meaning.

The two of them glanced at her simultaneously, tacitly ending their pointless conversation.

"Don't you all live together?" Ouka Mai asked, voicing her question.

She didn't think that a family of three would live in a small studio apartment like ordinary people; they probably rented a Loft Apartment.

If that's the case, shouldn't everyone have their own room inside?

"No, we live on the top three floors separately because everyone's profession and schedules are different, so we don't live together," he explained to her.

"Oh, I see. You're really lucky to have been able to rent three adjacent floors at once!"