Chapter 599

"Alright, listen to me!"

"You have your own dreams, right? I think that in order to realize your dreams, you should start working hard now and cultivate your various abilities."

"Even a junior high student like Rakuna is practicing hard for her Mirai (though it doesn't seem like she really is), so you don't want to just drift through your three years of high school, do you?"

"Are you satisfied with being stared at every day by jealous people at school, having your shoes stolen, and tripping you up behind your back? No, you're not."

"You should have higher aspirations! You should demand more of yourself!"

The kitchen fell silent—not completely silent, though, as there were still sounds of machinery running and steam rising.

"Haha..." Yukino Shita Yukino sighed, covering her forehead with difficulty, "Your worldview and way of expressing yourself are really problematic, Sakurakoji- kun."

"Let me make it clear beforehand that I'm not being targeted because I enjoy or like it, so please don't portray me as someone who enjoys masochism."

"Besides, I think Rakuna- chan and the others are special."

"You mean you're not special? Or that you're not as capable as them?" He added fuel to the fire with schadenfreude.

"!" She glared at him, then frowned and snorted, "Fine, even though I know it's just you trying to provoke me, let's hear what you have to say. What kind of wicked scheme are you plotting this time?"

"It's just a win-win suggestion, which won't be bad for your growth, and it can also be considered an expansion of the Service Club's activities?"

"We'll have to hear it to know," Yukino Shita Yukino noncommittally.

Just from that, I knew he was looking for trouble.

Sakurakoji Talent tapped the stainless steel casing of his equipment, like a teacher tapping a blackboard to signal the audience to pay attention. "What abilities do you think you still lack in order to realize your dreams, Yukino Shita?"

"I must correct you on one point," she said proudly, flicking away a strand of hair adorned with a red ribbon. "One of my many titles is: Perfect Superhuman."

"Are the other nicknames like 'Sharp-Tongued Queen,' 'Tsundere Princess,' 'Reclusive Black Long Straight Hair,' 'Steel Witch,' etc."

"Absolutely not, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"It's nothing, just an analogy," he shrugged. If she really understood, it would be a little scary. "It's just a term used in a small circle, what's there to be proud of?"

"I received this title when I was 8 years old."

"... at school?"

"At home."

"..."

Faced with her pitying gaze, he forced himself to explain, "Don't underestimate my family; the standards there are much higher than those of schools outside!"

"Yes, yes," she replied perfunctorily.

"..."

After clicking his tongue, he didn't bother to explain to her what a remarkable achievement it was.

If someone believes you, they'll believe you even without you saying it; if they don't believe you, talking until you're hoarse won't help at all, and will only reinforce their stereotypes.

Only those who have nothing else to offer will use meaningless language to present their resume.

"Getting back to the point, your father is both the president of a construction company and a county councilor—meaning that if you're going to inherit the family business, that's probably the path Mirai take."

"Of course, there is also the option of going independent and pursuing a career in politics or business."

"However, given your current situation, you lack both the silver tongue and the ability to feign compliance, as well as experience in handling specific tasks—in fact, your interpersonal skills are practically nonexistent."

"... You probably only have less than two years left to live so freely and unrestrainedly."

"..." Yukino Shita Yukino remained silent, which could be considered an admission.

She was not unaware that her current actions were at best merely a stubborn adherence to her own desires and self-satisfaction, but she had neither the motivation nor the reason to immediately change herself.

She can't change everyone in the world; she can only change those around her who are willing to change.

As a result, there were hardly any tasks to take on throughout the year; the only task was to complete the one requested by Hiratsuka Shizuka: to establish a club for activities.

"In other words, what you need now is to spend more time with people, improve your social skills, and correct your distorted personality—you can hone your skills in this area by covering for me, as well as interacting with people from outside the Yi realm like Nijika."

"..."

"Next is the ability to operate and manage, and to solve problems. I feel you lack experience working in a company. Would you like to try working in some departments of a company?"

"..." Yukino Shita Yukino gave him a look that said he was an idiot.

Do you think working for a company is child's play? Do you think they'd hire a high school graduate like that so easily?

If you actually accept it, it only proves that the other party is a shoddy operation and not worth going to at all.

Sakurakoji Talent smiled confidently, "I know what you're thinking, but leave that to me. At worst, I'll arrange for you to work for one of my companies."

"..." Yukino Shita Yukino was stunned, wondering if she was hallucinating.

What did he just say?

"What you just did..."

"But before that, you must first complete a simple introductory trial!" He revealed his true intentions, interrupting her doubtful remarks.

"STARRY is launching an online Livehouse project soon, which requires a lot of research, coordination, and preparation. Just treat this as a test for yourself and see how it goes."

Although he said he was helping Ichiji Hoshika develop her online business, he didn't say he would do it himself.

We have free labor, and we can also take this opportunity to train her. It's a win-win situation, so why not?

He added with a smug, amused smile, "Of course, if you really can't do it... that's okay too~ I'll step in then~"

Meeting his ambiguous, disbelieving gaze, Yukino Shita Yukino clenched her delicate hands, her fighting spirit gradually ignited amidst the humiliation.

"I understand. What about the compensation? Such an important outsourcing project shouldn't be without compensation, right?"

"Aren't there enough opportunities to intern at companies anytime? With your qualifications, you'd have to pay someone to work for you outside, you know?"

I'm referring to the compensation the store manager gives you.

"Didn't you say you weren't interested in these things?"

"Now that I think about it, there's no reason for you to get the money you earned through your own hard work for free."

"Is that so? -- But unfortunately, there really isn't one this time. The manager offered a raise, which I refused."

"..."

After finishing his night shift, Sakurakoji-san returned to his apartment.

After leaving the master bedroom, he went straight out the door and downstairs.

"Ugh, I'm getting lazier and lazier," he lamented about his recent behavior.

After gaining the ability to open Wormhole, he would occasionally reminisce about the leisurely days he spent riding the tram.

He entered the password, opened the door to the Gal Studio, and stepped inside.

By the time he got off work, Eriri and the others would have already gone home.

Although they might choose to stay here instead of traveling back and forth during holidays, they don't have a bad relationship with their families, so of course they still need to go back, especially the day before a weekday—it's quite a distance from here to their school.

However, this excludes a certain person.

He crept quietly past the brightly lit living room, Kokoro turned the doorknob of a certain room, and let the view inside come into view.

At a glance, I spotted the alluring Witch lying on the bed, seemingly engrossed in something, her phone blaring beside her, kicking her adorable, pale legs, wearing a thin silk nightgown, and humming a soft tune.

The delicate curves of her skin bathed in light on the smooth bed, along with her healthy, thick, and lustrous black hair, made him admire her in his heart.

As expected of a sexy and capable JK (high school girl) Light Novel author! This photo shoot scene is absolutely wonderful!

With him deliberately keeping quiet, Kasumigaoka Utaha was completely unaware that a "bad guy" had infiltrated the room until the weight that suddenly pressed down on her jolted her awake.

"Ugh... uh--!!!"

As if anticipating this, Sakurakoji Talent covered her delicate face and mouth with his hand, gently stroking her ear with his pearly teeth. "Senpai Utaha ~ Good evening~"

Upon hearing the familiar voice beside her, Kasumigaoka Utaha immediately fell silent. Her tense and stiff body instantly softened, and her eyes became moist from the heat on her skin.

She turned her head to the side, and a stunningly beautiful woman met her gaze at close range.

"!!!"

It's definitely bad for your heart!

She shyly withdrew her beautiful eyes from his.

Seeing that she relaxed, Sakurakoji Talent released her grip and began to intimately embrace her delicate body from behind, inhaling her post-bath fragrance.

Although she was no longer a young girl, she still had a pleasant fragrance that made his mouth water.

He decided to do it himself and be self-reliant.

"Senpai Utaha ~ What were you doing just now?"

"Hey... Ah! Talent-kun!" Kasumigaoka Utaha called out softly, blushing with indignation, turning back to give him a coquettish glare.

"What's wrong?" He blinked innocently, his eyes bright and pure. "Don't worry about me, Senpai Utaha, you can continue with your story."

"How can I..." she said, lowering her body as she propped herself up, too embarrassed to speak.

Although things have changed now, she was essentially just a pure and innocent high school girl with an irresistible silver tongue before.

"If you don't tell me, I'm going to get down to business," he threatened with a smile, continuing to tease the skin at her temples.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, helpless, stammered, "... I... I was reading manga!"

Towards the end, her tone changed as if she had been attacked.

"Really?" He wasn't surprised and continued, "What comic is it?"

Although a quick glance down would tell, he's very busy right now... yes, really busy.

She practically gritted her teeth as she said, "Yes, yes... JoJo's Bizarre Adventure..."

"Huh?" He paused, straightened up in surprise, and looked at the comic book in front of her.

The image above looks incredibly familiar.

"How could... you found out so quickly?"

"Yes, it was Editor Machida who told me." Kasumigaoka Utaha gave him a tender look, her body still numb despite being restrained.

"She said it's one thing for you to switch careers to drawing comics, but to not even publish them through their channels is infuriating."

"Haha~ That's because... I published it through my own company."

"Your own company?" Kasumigaoka Utaha in surprise.

"Well, since I figured I'd need to be in the industry eventually anyway, I just started a related company, which also has publishing business. The last game was distributed and launched through that channel."

"You didn't tell me that!"

"Because it encompasses more than just industry business," he pecked her soft spot, making her blush bright red, instantly dispelling all her resentment, "That company's main business is entertainment."

He went to Fumikage Bunko solely to woo her, and now that he's completely won her over, he doesn't want to continue working for someone else and being chased for updates.

--Although he initially invested in Fumikage Bunko, he is also a minor shareholder.

"Did Editor Machida mention my situation?" He continued to reward himself.

"And... and..." Kasumigaoka Utaha, "... and there's also the pressure to start a new book..."

"You still don't have any inspiration? Well, I guess that makes sense, you've been busy making a new game lately."

"Hmm, hmm... but you can, Talent-kun -jun..." she pouted, unconvinced.

"My efficiency is higher; you can't match it!"

"That's so infuriating!"

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it, that's just how it is... Senpai Utaha, could you please turn over?"

"..."

"Besides this, what else did she say?"

"Also, let me... let me help you urge you to write the third volume of 'DanMachi'..."

"Wasn't the second volume just released last month? The production team's donkey also... Does she know about our relationship?"

"There must be... a guess!" She bit her lower lip hard, her expression quite off, and said resentfully, "Why doesn't she urge you herself? She clearly calls me every single day..."

"I see," he said thoughtfully, but not too concerned, as such trivial matters were not as important as the present. "Perhaps it's because I hold a portion of the shares in Fumikage."