Chapter 610

Katerina shook her head and declined, "No, thank you, but... this is something we'll have to do sooner or later."

Is it something she'll have to learn sooner or later? She sometimes misuses vocabulary.

"Really? Good luck! Just let me know if you need anything. I promised Aunt Meryl I'd help look after you, so whether it's about your studies or daily life, just ask."

"I am very... grateful."

Although she was the older one, the other party was clearly more powerful in terms of ability and status.

"Hey, you with the white hair," Justin said, unsurprised. She already knew about their complicated relationship. Pointing to two people not far from the sofa, she asked, "Who are those two? They're wearing our school uniforms. I've never seen them before."

The two people she was pointing to were a girl with a dark flaxen side ponytail and emerald green eyes, and a girl with brownish-yellow eyes and hair.

They were all wearing Filia's school uniform, and their faces were quite pretty and cute.

But at this moment, they all stood trembling to the side, not daring to step into the fiercely competitive area on the sofa.

"W-What should we do, Yumitaro? It seems we've stumbled into a truly terrifying place!" Ginjo Shunsin, with her emerald eyes, trembled as she looked around.

"Everyone here is so beautiful! And this apartment too! It's huge and super luxurious!"

"Don't ask me! I don't know either!" Ichimaru Yumi wasn't much better off, and the two huddled together. "I never thought that just coming to Esther's birthday party would lead to such a grand event... Is this what they call high society?"

"Will dinner be delicious later?"

"Don't just think about eating!"

"..."

Sakurakoji Talent withdrew his silent gaze, unsure of what to say.

One unexpected character after another appeared, and he was almost numb to it all.

Were these two people there to deliver a birthday gift to Esther, and that's why they went to her room beforehand?

"I've never met her before, but she must be Esther's classmate." He wearily looked away.

"Really? So, it's a regular class?"

"One of them seems to be the top student in the first year this year. Do you want to go and take a look?"

"I'm not interested in any of this. Anyway, none of the people in Japan's special class are capable."

She had intended to say that the fashion sense here wasn't very good, but remembering how he had criticized her last time, she had to change her mind.

"But staying here is boring, so I'll go take a look."

Perhaps feeling awkward about staying with him any longer, she slipped away as fast as she could.

Hehe~

Sakurakoji Talent plan, gently closed his eyelids; this was a scheme to use one tiger to devour another!

However, he forgot that popular people are always popular.

As soon as Justin left, someone else set their sights on him.

"What a grand scene!"

Sakurakoji Talent glanced over silently and saw Koto Satsuki, dressed in a maid's outfit, standing gracefully to the side, her posture upright.

With a height and figure similar to that of Ouka Mai, coupled with her proud and aloof beauty, she was a breathtaking sight in the Garden of Flowers.

Although Esther has great proportions, she is not Rumin.

"What time is it now?"

"Working hours," Koto Satsuki replied casually, her cheeks flushing slightly when she occasionally glanced at him.

Even now, she still hasn't gotten used to the absurd relationship he had with Ouka Mai.

Although we haven't actually broken through that line of defense yet, almost everything else...

Originally, I just wanted to take away something that Ouka Mai cared about and make her jealous. How did it turn out like this?

Unexpectedly, she found herself a real "boyfriend," and he even said he could take responsibility for things... She pinched her palm, wishing it were all an illusion.

This is all so dreamlike...

"I see." He nodded in understanding.

Here, besides Ouka Mai, who chatted fluently with Ashiri, and Aoyama Nanami, who helped take care of the master's maid, she could only talk to him.

How have your studies been lately? Is there any hope of success?

"..." Koto Satsuki's gentle brows furrowed, and she pursed her thin lips tightly. "Although I've tried my best, to be honest, it's not easy to beat that woman. She seems to be working very hard lately."

"Give up?" He chuckled, admiring her cool and beautiful profile.

She glanced at him, her gaze resolute as she clenched her fist. "How could that be? How many times do you think I've lost by now? This time, I'm going to win and teach that woman a lesson!"

Her gaze was fixed on Ouka Mai, as if she wanted to knock her to the ground and make her beg for mercy!

"I don't know if you'll make her suffer, but victory is definitely mine." He then added, "Including both of your lives."

"..." Koto Satsuki's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly remembered that he was also a participant in the game.

However, since we don't go to the same school, I've never seen his grades, so I can't judge how well he's doing academically.

But judging from other places, it must be pretty good.

What will happen if he wins?

At this thought, her exquisitely beautiful skin seemed to be further enhanced by the peach blossom hue.

It doesn't seem that hard to guess...

Chapter 552: The pressure is immense, please help me.

"You're so confident, aren't you? But if you lose, don't you dare cry like that woman!"

"Crying is out of the question, and I certainly can't lose."

"Hmph, you're just as arrogant and disgusting as that woman! If I win, I'll make you all kneel before me and lick my feet."

"... Satsuki, that sounds like a loser's declaration~"

"Shut up!"

Sakurakoji Talent smiled slightly, walked to her side, and whispered in her jade-colored ear, "Actually, if you want, you don't have to wait until you win..."

"!" Koto Satsuki quickly took a few steps back, her pretty face flushed pink. She instantly understood what he meant, glaring at him angrily, and lowered her voice. "I... I didn't mean that!"

"Hey~ what does that mean?" He teased, stroking the back of her smooth, warm hand.

"!!!" Koto Satsuki shrank back, her eyes pleading.

Faced with this breathtakingly beautiful painting, so stunning it could make fish sink and Phoebe, a thought suddenly began to grow uncontrollably in his mind.

"Satsuki, the banquet is about to start, come and help me." After saying that, he walked towards the open kitchen at the other end.

"I... I understand."

She'd do anything to escape this lingering, ambiguous atmosphere.

But it wasn't until she arrived here that she regretted her rashness and recklessness.

"What are you going to do?! No, weren't you supposed to help prepare the banquet?"

She glanced quickly at the living room and whispered angrily.

Sakurakoji Talent smiled knowingly, "I only asked you to come and help me, but I didn't say what kind of help you would need, okay?"

"..."

"There are so many people here today, it's putting a lot of pressure on me, so I'm hoping you can help me relieve some of my nervousness, okay~ Satsuki?"

"No, no! Are you nervous? It's clearly..."

"I'm really nervous, but you probably can't understand." He sighed, then said no more, pressing her down and hiding her before anyone noticed. "And unfortunately, Satsuki, you don't have the right to refuse."

"..."

Looking down at the stubborn look in her beautiful face, he could only try to explain, "You see, whether you're my lover or my maid, fulfilling my tasks and requests is your duty, right?"

"..."

"If you don't hurry, the banquet will start soon!"

Although she was very reluctant, what he said seemed to make sense... Under the pressure of time and his controlling tactics, she finally chose to comply.

"Good job! Great job! Let's work together, we can't be slow like before today."

"..."

While Esther and her friends were exchanging congratulatory and playful greetings, they were also making final preparations for the start of the banquet.

Not to mention Koto Satsuki, even he was very uneasy.

He's even more nervous now than before!

The atmosphere in the banquet hall, with so many people gathered, was just as lively as outside; something could happen at any moment...

"Young Master, Miss Ashiri asked me to ask you when we can blow out the candles?"

Less than two minutes later, Aoyama Nanami, her high ponytail swaying, walked over with her chest out, head held high, Hands clasped together.

"Uh..." After a slight cry of pain, Sakurakoji Talent forced a calm expression. "Wait a minute, Nanami!"

"Hmm?" Aoyama Nanami stood there in confusion.

"Could you please tell them that we can start in five minutes?"

Thankfully, she didn't suspect anything and nodded with a smile, "Five minutes later? I understand!"

Under his reassuring gaze, she turned to leave, but immediately both of their hearts leaped into their throats.

"By the way, Young Master, do you know where Satsuki is right now? I think I just saw her with you..."

"... He just went that way, probably to the restroom."

"Oh, I see. I understand."

"..."

After sending her away, the two of them both breathed a sigh of relief, but given Koto Satsuki's current state—

"Keep going~ Time is running out." He gently stroked her head and encouraged her softly.

"..."

However, reality is always crueler than stories, and the close calls in stories don't always happen in real life.

Because not everyone will heed his advice like Aoyama Nanami or ordinary guests.

Yes, for example, someone who is his and Koto Satsuki's lifelong rival.

"Darling ~ Miss Nanami said it'll be done in five minutes? Let me help you!"

Upon hearing that voice, so familiar it was almost unbearable, their hearts plummeted to the bottom, a stark contrast to what had just occurred.

"Wait! True Wei! You can't cook, don't come here and cause trouble!"

"Hey~ that's so mean... Well, can I come and help you carry the plates?"

"That can be solved with the help of Satsuki and Nanami!"

"But they're not here right now, are they? And it's not like I can't do any housework..."

Although his apartment was large, it wasn't that big, especially considering the distance from where she was found to his place.

Worst of all, as they expected, Ouka Mai was not the type to obediently listen to their objections.

With a joyful heart, she approached him, whom she thought was alone, when Ouka Mai's beautiful lake-blue eyes instantly contracted, and her delicate body trembled violently.

She forcefully suppressed the subconscious urge to shout out, and the next second, she glanced back warily to prevent others from noticing anything amiss.

"It smells so good! No wonder it's your work, Talent! Everyone's in for a treat tonight!"

She continued talking to him calmly and in a normal volume, making sure that the atmosphere remained the same for everyone else.

"May I cut into the cake and have a taste now?"

Feeling a chill, Sakurakoji Talent instinctively replied, "No!"

"What a pity~" She took light, graceful steps, circled behind him, wrapped her arms around his slender waist, pressed her lips against his upper body as he leaned forward on the table, and breathed sweetly into his ear: