"So you're here for your younger sister! I'm here to cheer on my younger brother on behalf of our parents too, just like you." The man seemed to have found a common topic, and his eyes lit up.
But she showed no reaction at all, as if she had not heard him. Seeing this, the man coughed and consoled himself that beauties were all aloof before trying again. "Miss, you look so outstanding. Your younger sister must be just as exceptional as you, right?"
"That she is." Sakurakoji Talent looked straight ahead, thoroughly agreeing.
Seeing that she had finally responded, the man hurriedly struck while the iron was hot. "What class did your sister graduate from? Maybe she was in the same class as my brother."
Using his little brother as bait? What a great older brother you are.
Annoyed, Sakurakoji Talent pointed toward the center of the stage. "There, that's my younger sister."
The man looked where she pointed and saw a cute girl with delicate, gentle features and a soft temperament, like a little angel, standing at the podium and reciting the graduating students' speech. From the host's earlier announcement, this seemed to be the graduate representative's speech.
"...Your younger sister truly is as outstanding as you." Thinking of his own brother's bottom-ranking grades and ordinary appearance, then comparing him to the girl on stage... the man fell silent.
"You finally said something useful today." Sakurakoji Talent chuckled.
The surrounding parents had heard every word of their conversation and looked at Sakurakoji Talent in disbelief.
Not only was she so extraordinary and outstanding herself, but even her younger sister was this beautiful and excellent? Did their parents save the world in their past lives?!
Damn it, there was no way they could properly attend this ceremony anymore!
The parents all gritted their teeth, mournful whimpers escaping from the corners of their mouths as painful expressions spread across their faces. It was easy to imagine that once the ceremony ended and they saw their own children, there would inevitably be another round of sorrowful scolding and venting.
"Poor children. What did they ever do wrong?" Sakurakoji Talent took in all their reactions and finally found things a little entertaining. A spanking hard enough to leave them unable to sit for two days should be enough. No need to go too far.
After the ceremony, Sakurakoji Talent sent Shiina Mahiru a message, telling her he would wait at the school gate, then prepared to leave.
"Wait!"
Sakurakoji Talent turned back and looked impatiently at the young man who was still pestering him.
"Well, if possible, could you leave me your contact information, Miss? I think we still have a lot of common topics to talk about!" Blushing, the man tried one last desperate attempt.
Sakurakoji Talent gave him a dangerous look. After staring at him for several seconds, he suddenly smiled and walked over.
At such close range, the man caught the refined scent of her expensive perfume. His heartbeat accelerated, adrenaline surged, and his mind gradually went blank, leaving behind only the last thing she said.
"Actually, I'm a man."
At the school gate, Shiina Mahiru jogged over to Sakurakoji Talent.
"Sorry, I'm late!" she said, slightly out of breath.
Her classmates had surrounded her just now, constantly asking about her older sister, and it had taken her quite a while to escape.
Seeing the mischievous, suppressed smile on the face of the person in question, she asked curiously, "Did something happen?"
"No, nothing." Sakurakoji Talent stopped laughing at the man's world-shattering expression and led her outside. "I'll treat you to lunch. Where do you want to eat?"
After Shiina Mahiru repeatedly declined and made suggestions, the two eventually chose a moderately upscale Western restaurant.
After lunch, Sakurakoji Talent sent her home and stayed in her apartment for another two hours, receiving hospitality that enthusiastic hardly began to describe.
That afternoon,
"If anything comes up later, remember to contact me, okay?"
"Mm." Shiina Mahiru looked as pitiful as a little deer seeing its mother off.
"Then I'll be leaving today. See you at the next school opening ceremony."
In the end, Sakurakoji Talent hardened his heart and left under her reluctant gaze.
Image: "Casual Outfit," location: "Images/1756121916-100446961-113768390.jpg"
"Do You Still Have to Go Out Tonight?"
"Young Master, are you going out again tonight?"
Inside Ten no Yashiro, Aoyama Nanami saw that Sakurakoji Talent had only rushed back that morning, then hurriedly gone out again after washing up and changing clothes. He had not returned until the afternoon, and after changing back into his usual outfit, he was preparing to go out again in the evening. She asked him with confusion.
Were the sons of wealthy conglomerate families normally this busy?
He must be busy socializing everywhere, just like in television dramas. To maintain relationships in high society, he probably had to attend lots of balls every day... Aoyama Nanami let her imagination run wild.
"Mm, I still have to go to work." Sakurakoji Talent fastened the last button and checked himself in the mirror, shattering Aoyama Nanami's fantasy.
"Work?" Aoyama Nanami stared blankly at him, her eyes full of shock.
"Otherwise, where do you think the salary I pay you comes from?" Sakurakoji Talent smiled as he approached her, cornering her against the wall. He used a finger to lift her smooth, delicate chin, as soft as a peeled egg, and lightly scratched at it as if teasing a kitten.
"To support all of you, I've suffered countless cold looks and hardships outside! What do you think we should do about that?"
"Ah!" Aoyama Nanami's face instantly turned red as an apple. Her neck felt ticklish, making her close her eyes and cry out, "Young Master, don't do this..."
"Don't do what?" Sakurakoji Talent deliberately leaned close to her ear and gently blew against it.
"Mmph!!" Aoyama Nanami's body stiffened. The warm, damp breath against her ear seemed to carry away her sanity as well.
She wanted to resist and push him away, but some invisible force seemed to stop her, leaving her able only to let him continue.
Finally, at some point, her body seemed to run out of strength. She gradually went limp and slid down the wall, her head lowering until it was level with Sakurakoji Talent's hips. She sat on her knees on the floor, breathing slowly and heavily.
Maybe I went a little too far. Still, this girl really couldn't take teasing. She reacted like this from just touching her chin. If I stole her first kiss and first leaf, then... forget it. There was a chance I'd get chopped into mincemeat. Better not try it lightly.
Sakurakoji Talent looked at his handiwork, feeling no remorse at all, only delight at the points that had increased once more.
Though they were far fewer than what he had gained from Shiina Mahiru today, even a mosquito was still meat.
Speaking of Shiina Mahiru, he had to admit that the girl was adorably innocent. He had only talked with her twice and given her a few gifts, yet he had gained her complete trust, causing his treatment points to increase massively!
He had already been pleased by the "rapid progress" of his treatment earlier that morning. Now, he was completely immersed in the joy of being soaked in treatment points!
He had merely attended a graduation ceremony and shared a meal with her, yet the progress had increased by another one-point-something percent. It was now nearly seven percent complete!
It seemed that as long as he continued maintaining this multi-threaded, all-around networking time-management strategy, he would soon be able to completely remove the malignant tumor from his body!
Of course, the reason the progress had increased so quickly was also because Shiina Mahiru was simply too easy to win over.
Who said children lacking love were hard to get along with? Children lacking love were the best!
In a light mood, he hummed a tune as he left the room, leaving Aoyama Nanami where she was and heading for his next battlefield.
"Good morning!"
As he entered Starry, Sakurakoji Talent greeted everyone on the steps just inside the entrance.
"Oh, the king of absenteeism is here." Ichiji Hoshika glanced at him, her tone neither warm nor cold.
"Uh, sorry. My fault, I apologize!" Sakurakoji Talent had no retort. He walked behind Ichiji Hoshika and said with a cheeky grin, "Come on, Boss. Let me give you a simple spa treatment and help you relax."
"Who wants you to..." Ichiji Hoshika had intended to refuse, but Sakurakoji Talent's hands were faster. He quickly found the tense spots on her upper body and began massaging them with gentle yet firm movements.
Before Ichiji Hoshika could react, she was enveloped by the pleasant sensation. Her muscles gradually relaxed, color slowly returned to her face, and she stopped resisting.
Why was this guy's technique so skilled?!
Seeing that the little kitten who had been bristling just moments earlier was now fully immersed in the enjoyment of his massage, Sakurakoji Talent smiled slightly.
He was a professional when it came to massages! Seriously, if he could not even do this, what right did he have to call himself an all-rounder at housework?
"I haven't been here these past two days. Did anything happen?" Once the timing felt right, Sakurakoji Talent asked casually.
"What could have happened..." Just as she was about to say that, Ichiji Hoshika suddenly seemed to remember something. Her eyes sharpened again as she looked at Sakurakoji Talent. "Actually, there was one thing."
"There really was?" Sakurakoji Talent was somewhat surprised. At the same time, her look made him uneasy, and he forced himself to ask, "What was it?"
"A girl came looking for you last night." Ichiji Hoshika's tone was unfriendly.
That was largely why her attitude had been like that earlier. This guy was actually flirting around outside too? The girls he had messed with had even come to Starry looking for him!
Did he have no respect for her at all?!
Sakurakoji Talent froze. After thinking for a while without any clue, he could only ask, "Which one?"
"Which one?! So you have a lot of them?!" Ichiji Hoshika shoved away the hand resting on her shoulder, furious.
"No, even if you put it that way, I don't know what I'm supposed to say." Sakurakoji Talent looked helpless. "Besides, you're making me sound like some cheating scumbag, but I don't remember dating anyone."
Hearing that, Ichiji Hoshika's anger eased slightly, though she still looked sulky.
"Anyway, I told her you were on leave and weren't here, but might come tonight. Then she left. I don't know if she'll come tonight." At that, she added, "She was a very pretty girl. You really don't know who she was?"
How am I supposed to know from that? Sakurakoji Talent complained inwardly.
"...All the girls around me are pretty, including all of you."
"Hmph, sweet talk won't help." Ichiji Hoshika waved him off, though she felt that what he said did make sense. "Forget it. Go get busy. I've told you what happened."
Still confused, Sakurakoji Talent walked over to the workbench, wondering who exactly the person she mentioned was.
There was no use overthinking it. If the other person had really come specifically to find him, she would not come only once. He would find out eventually. Tossing aside those unnecessary thoughts, Sakurakoji Talent looked toward another familiar figure.
"Good morning, Miss PA. Shouldn't you be arranging and rehearsing the band's songs? What are you looking at here?" He walked behind the other beauty in the shop and asked curiously.
"Ah, nothing!" Suddenly attacked from behind, PA hurriedly put away the phone in her hand and shook her hands nervously.
"Really? That's a little suspicious." Sakurakoji Talent looked doubtful.
"Hahaha, how could it be? It must be your imagination, Talent!" A tiny bead of sweat appeared on the face of the cool beauty who was usually shrouded in a dark aura as she laughed awkwardly.
"It'd better be." Seeing that she did not want to answer, Sakurakoji Talent did not force her. He went behind the counter and began preparing for the evening.
Whew. Seeing his back disappear, PA let out a breath of relief. Thankfully, he had not seen what was on her phone, or how was she supposed to face him afterward?
Unlocking her phone, PA's gaze fell on the top of the screen. She pressed her lips together, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Her search history clearly read: "How to win over a boy younger than yourself," "Can girls who can't cook still be liked by boys," "Do girls who only play games and mess with audio equipment deserve to fall in love," "What should I do if the person I admire is too popular," "How to build common topics with someone," and other questions like those.
How could she possibly say that out loud?!
PA held her phone before her nose, swaying as she recalled that embarrassing moment just now. She squeezed her eyes shut and bit down, feeling utterly flustered.
Image: "Conflicted PA," location: "Images/1756212824-100446961-113772775.jpg"
As the clock hands turned several dozen degrees, Starry began its evening business.
Working smoothly with Ichiji Nijika at the bar, Sakurakoji Talent received the flood of arriving customers and gradually cleared the long queue.
"Here is your order. Please take care."
He handed the food and drink in his hands to a customer. Once the customer left, the person behind immediately stepped forward.
"What would you like to order?" Without even looking up, he stared at the ordering machine and asked out of habit.
"..."
After waiting a long time without receiving an answer, Sakurakoji Talent frowned and looked up. Then his frown immediately relaxed as he stared at the person before him in surprise. He had not expected it to be her. Recalling his earlier conversation with Ichiji Hoshika, he immediately understood.
The person still did not move. She merely looked him over from head to toe, a teasing smile appearing on her face. Though he wore a mask, that conspicuous strand of white hair had exposed his identity, and his voice matched as well.
"...Miss Customer, if you aren't ordering, could you step aside? You can come behind the bar too."
"Cosplay?" she asked, trying not to laugh.
"Have you ever seen anyone cosplay while wearing only a mask, Miss Touno?" Sakurakoji Talent replied helplessly.
The visitor was none other than Touma Kazusa, whom he had met a few nights ago under the alias Touno Kazumi. She was probably also the person Ichiji Hoshika had mentioned.
"Your shop's business is pretty good. I came late before and there weren't even any tickets left," Touma Kazusa said to herself.
"Hm? So you've come here several times already?" Sakurakoji Talent asked in surprise.
"..." Realizing she had revealed something, Touma Kazusa clicked her tongue and changed the subject. "You were the one who invited me, but when I came last night, you weren't here. Aren't you going to say something?"
"Sorry, I had something to do last night."
"That's not enough, not enough. You stood me up, so you should apologize with your life!"
"Isn't that a bit too serious?"
Before you continue