Chapter 517

"It doesn't matter to me, I'm very busy."

"Oh, I see. That makes sense. You must have chores to do at home too."

"Ah, right..."

Although not much has been done there lately.

"However!"

Lafley stared at him as he ate the sea buckthorn with a surprised look. "You really like the food here that much?"

He hasn't stopped eating since they first entered the place.

Roughly estimated, he has probably eaten thirty or forty kinds of food, although the portion of each kind was not large.

If it weren't for his handsome appearance and elegant demeanor, people would have thought he was some starving ghost reincarnated.

Sakurakoji Talent swallowed the food in her mouth, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and said slowly, "It's alright, it's just that it's my first time here, and I was thinking of trying out the dining environment my sister and her friends usually have."

"Is that so? Your sister is also in the Design Department?"

"No, she's in the pastry department."

"Is that so?"

Lafley's tense emotions dissipated, and he immediately lost interest.

"So, Principal, what have you thought about my proposal?"

He wasn't surprised, because that's just the kind of person the other person is.

"Hmph! Of course it's the best for me! There's no reason for me to refuse!"

Lafley smirked wildly, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of triumphant excitement and pressure.

"If you're willing, I'd even suggest you stop wasting your time studying here! Come join my ranks! I guarantee you the best treatment and environment, enough to help you grow the fastest!"

"Let's forget about that. Like I said, I'm very busy. If I go to your place, I'm afraid I won't even have time to eat or sleep."

"It's not that exaggerated, but you probably don't lack trials like this..."

Thinking about his family background, Lafley couldn't help but click his tongue.

"However, it's fine if you're willing to be a student. With proper training, I'm confident you'll surpass that guy in the Mirai!"

"Hmph hmph hmph... Oh ho ho ho ho...!!!"

"The long-cherished wish has finally come true!!!"

Unable to suppress his inner anticipation and ecstasy, his usual composure crumbled little by little, and his body trembled uncontrollably with excitement.

The commotion made their already conspicuous eyes even more noticeable, drawing the attention of most of the restaurant.

Among them were Lafley's infatuated female fans, Filia's teachers, restaurant staff, and... his sister and her entourage.

Sakurakoji Talent, bored, tossed a grape into his mouth. "Hi~ Hi~ I'll be relying on you from now on. Please turn a blind eye to my absences in the future."

"If any teachers cause me trouble, please help me explain! I will also talk to the chairman about the enrollment issue."

"I understand, leave these to me! But in return—"

He stopped smiling and said seriously, "You need to submit your designs to me periodically for review and evaluation."

"I will evaluate you using the strictest criteria. If your score declines repeatedly, you should consider coming under my wing to continue your studies."

"Without this level of conditions, it cannot be said that I am the one teaching."

"Well, with your skills, this should be an opportunity for us to discuss things together. I'll also show you my design drafts. What do you think?"

"Sure, no problem."

Sakurakoji Talent readily agreed.

However, this level of constraint was still within his expectations.

Moreover, this was another of his smaller goals: rather than cultivating a genius who could surpass someone else, he hoped to realize his uncle's idea—to rekindle his desire for self-design, to break free from the identity of a "fanatic," and to become a truly independent designer.

[Note: In the game, after witnessing Talent's creation—using his own silver hair to sew clothes for Esther— Lafley felt purified, overwhelmed with emotion after many years, and rediscovered his original passion. He then decided to leave Jean's company and refocus on his own creative work (which is why Talent later wears a wig)]

"Then I'll take my leave now; I have some friends waiting for me over there."

He pointed in a direction not far away.

Lafley turned to look. "Hmm~ them... it seems you're quite the ladies' man. What a pity, I was planning to introduce you to a few Europe beauties as potential girlfriends."

"..."

Meanwhile, in another corner of the restaurant, several beautiful young women of all ages and with different styles were sitting around a table having a meal.

Soon after entering the restaurant, they noticed that the atmosphere was somewhat different from usual.

Looking around, it was easy to see that everyone's eyes were focused on a certain corner.

That place is indeed eye-catching. Putting aside their identities, the hair color and looks of the two main characters alone are enough to dazzle half the audience.

"That's Talent, right? And the other one is... the principal?! How come they're sitting together?!"

At the dining table, one of the blonde, blue-eyed, curvaceous, and alluring fair-skinned beauties was utterly shocked after seeing the faces of both parties.

I quickly popped two more black truffle cakes into my mouth to ease my tension.

Seeing two "teachers" at once, one from inside the classroom and one from outside—who could resist that?

"Talent?"

Upon hearing the familiar name, another woman with light blonde hair slowly turned her head, her mouth also stuffed full of food, and was chewing slowly.

On her clean and clear face were a pair of even purer, naturally beautiful eyes, devoid of any emotion.

"Wow~ Mashiro ~ Don't take so much at once, you'll gain weight! And Miss Est too..."

Beside the two girls was a girl wearing the same color school uniform, busily taking care of them.

She was constantly busy, wiping someone's lips, stopping someone from getting more cake, and asking them if they wanted any Drinks... She was practically their babysitter.

Even after finishing her work, she still hadn't had time to eat. She looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "Really? Why is Young Master here? And he's sitting with the headmaster... they seem to be having a very pleasant conversation."

She looked uncertainly at the only person sitting at the head of the table. "The principal must be a very powerful person, right?"

"Hmm~ that's right, he's a very authoritative figure in the fashion industry, no less influential than my parents!"

Sakurakoji Ashiri replied with a gentle smile and a soft voice.

As for why she's the only one in a position of authority here... well, she's the only member of the special class. Without her guidance, none of them could get in.

"Such a capable person, why would they...?"

"As expected of the Young Master! The born king of the Sakurakoji Family! Hmph~!"

Standing beside Ashiri, Yamabuki Kuyachiyo puffed out her chest, brimming with pride.

"Who knows? Maybe my brother has something important to discuss with the headmaster."

Sakurakoji Ashiri tilted her head, not really caring.

This scene was not surprising to her at all.

No one present knew better than her just how powerful her brother was. In her eyes, this was simply two equally powerful people socializing—although the choice of a buffet restaurant as the venue was somewhat out of place.

The group ate and talked, occasionally glancing over there. After a while, they saw the acquaintance get up and walk over.

"Ah!"

X N.

"Good afternoon, adorable kittens from Ten no Yashiro! What a coincidence that you're having lunch here too!"

Just as he approached the group, Sakurakoji Talent's teasing voice rang in their ears.

Actually, this doesn't necessarily refer to them, because he estimates that a significant portion of the students in this upscale restaurant are tenants of Ten no Yashiro.

Good afternoon, elder brother.

"Young Master! Good afternoon!"

"Talent Young Master, what brings you here today?"

"Talent, good afternoon." ×2.

The group of people greeted him.

Good afternoon, everyone.

He glanced around the five people, not seeing anyone else, and asked, "Aren't Ms. Sakuri and Rumin-jie with you?"

"Yes, they rarely have lunch with us because they are quite busy."

Ashiri answered softly.

Although Yōkadō Sakuri and Okura Rumin are undoubtedly wealthy, ranking at the top of Filia in terms of both family background and personal achievements... they chose to enroll in the regular class.

They had absolutely no interest in hiring maids or servants or interacting with other young ladies of the same social class. Perhaps in their eyes, they were all too naive and innocent, possessing a kind of beauty untouched by the harsh realities of society.

Of course, on the other hand, it's also because both of them are quite withdrawn and have very few friends; their only close, love-hate relationship is probably with each other...

Esther was also influenced by them, which is why she switched to the regular class.

"I see, that makes sense."

After saying that, he casually moved a rattan chair over, sat down, and patted his protruding belly.

"Gurgle~ This is my first time here. I haven't had a buffet in ages. I'm a little stuffed today."

Shiina Mashiro picked up a small cake and held it to his lips. "Want some? It's delicious."

"... Mashiro, I just said I was very full..."

"What a pity."

Shiina Mashiro's eyebrows curled up regretfully, then she took a small bite of the cake in her hand.

"It's not a pity, because I just took one of those too."

He chuckled and curled the corners of his lips, as if his scheme had succeeded.

Then, he glanced at the large plate of food piled high in front of Esther, his eyes turning cold. "Esther~"

"Ah~ Ooh~!"

The cherry fell from Etes's hand, her features contorted with sorrow, and she began to tremble involuntarily.

"I... I was just eating... although it was a little too much."

Sakurakoji Talent scoffed, unfazed by her sophistry. "Is that so? If I'm not mistaken, this should be the second round, right? Or the third?"

"How could you... No! This is only the first round!"

"Nanami? Kuyachiyo?"

Ignoring Esther's pleading gaze, the two maids answered truthfully, "Yes, as you said."

"Awoo~"

Esther lay slumped on the table as if dead, her emerald eyes filled with a river of sorrow.

He snorted coldly and instructed Aoyama Nanami: "Nanami, next time she hits this many times, don't worry about her status, just physically punish her! I'm giving you that authority."

"How could this be?"

Esther let out a pitiful whimper.

"Shut up, you sow! Your design assignment looks terrible! And you still dare to binge eat? I think you need some discipline!"

He put on a stern face, adopting the demeanor of a strict teacher, and glared at her harshly.

"Gurgle~"

She immediately fell silent, her clear, melodious voice weak as she asked, "Talent, how did you know about my design assignment...?"

"I just saw it in Lafley's office, is there a problem?"

He forced a dangerous smile.

"No, that's all..."