Suzuki Sonoko looked at the smiling president's wife, then at the long-haired Sommelier who had practically dropped to his knees on the spot, and fell speechless. She had thought this handsome guy was some cynical, free-spirited rebel with personality. But in the end, he had surrendered just like that.
Mrs. Kusaka was quite pleased by the flattery and said with a smile, "If my husband heard that, he'd definitely be very happy."
The Sommelier smiled awkwardly. He glanced at President Kusaka, who was still holding forth to Jiang Xia, and changed the subject. "We can't just keep chatting like this. Shouldn't we start the wine tasting?"
Mrs. Kusaka checked the time and nodded slightly. "Whenever my husband finds a kindred spirit, he can't stop talking. I'll go remind him of the time."
On the other side of the room, President Kusaka was warmly inviting Jiang Xia. "Oh, right! Let me take you to see my new Wine Cellar. All my favorite collection pieces have already been moved there."
Hashimoto Maya: "..." What did he mean, his new Wine Cellar? That was obviously my new Wine Cellar... Forget it. No matter whose Wine Cellar it was, since all of you had come to this island, it all counted as my performance record.
As he muttered to himself, Mrs. Kusaka walked over and smilingly joined the conversation. She said to President Kusaka, "There's no rush to see the Wine Cellar—the other guests can hardly wait to taste the red wine you're displaying today."
"Oh!" President Kusaka did not care much about those debtors who depended on him for everything. He could leave them waiting as long as he liked. But since they were waiting to admire his wine, he could not keep them waiting.
He said happily, "Right, right, it's almost time.