A Sudden Business Dinner? (5.5K) (Continued)

While the "Direct Pain" may not be fatal, it could potentially leave serious long-term consequences for students of this age if they are affected.

"But... but it's not my fault! That wicked woman attacked first!"

Ayako said, looking aggrieved.

"Nonsense! If you hadn't seduced Brother Mahiro, would I have hit you?!"

At this moment, Kasumi had already gotten up from the ground and ran over to retort.

"Alright, Kasumi, stop talking! What you're doing is causing trouble for Mahiro -nii!"

The usually gentle Izumi was unusually stern as she reprimanded her older sister.

"Izumi..."

Hearing this, Kasumi's momentum immediately weakened.

Perhaps the position of younger sister is more suitable for her than that of the older twin.

"Alright, let's leave it at that this time, but you're not allowed to use magic freely on campus next time."

Mahiro admonished Ayako and Kasumi, "Be careful the Public Morals Committee takes you away! Then your older sister and father will come to the school to pick you up, understand?"

"I-I understand! Brother Mahiro, please don't tell Mayumi about this! Please!"

Kasumi was terrified and immediately started shaking his arm and acting cute.

Mayumi loves her younger sisters very much, but in turn, her two sisters are also afraid of Mayumi, not to mention the matter of her using magic at school.

If Mayumi's best friend, Mari, knew, she'd probably grumble about it for ages!

"And what about you, Ayako?"

"I know I was wrong. I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Brother Mahiro."

Ayako resumed her usual elegant demeanor and gave him a slight bow in apology.

Although she wasn't Kuroba Mitsugu, Ayako knew what to do at this moment and absolutely couldn't continue to be willful and embarrass her brother Mahiro.

Erika was somewhat surprised to see the conflict resolved so easily.

"Hey... Miyuki, what exactly happened to the Yotsuba Clan on his trip this time? He seems so much more mature now."

"Hmm, it feels... like a teacher...? Very charming."

Mizuki agreed, and the others nodded in agreement.

That's true.

Although Mahiro was very gentle three months ago, there's something indescribable about her now.

"Hehe, if you're curious, why don't you Mahiro ask Makoto-nii directly? Asking me here won't help."

Miyuki smiled slightly, her gaze towards Mahiro filled with a strange sense of satisfaction.

Those words of praise for Mahiro sounded much more pleasant than words of praise for her.

However, in the end, Erika did not take the initiative to ask Yotsuba Mahiro about what had happened over the past three months.

After all, she's not the kind of person who would make a fool of herself.

Back home.

Minami, who should have changed her clothes and started preparing dinner, suddenly appeared in front of him.

"What's wrong?"

"Um... Young Master Mahiro, I'm so sorry!!!"

Suddenly, Minami bowed deeply to him. This unexpected apology left Mahiro somewhat bewildered, especially given the solemn manner it was delivered.

"No, if you're going to apologize, shouldn't you strip naked... Ugh, what nonsense am I spouting? Minami, get up and explain yourself clearly, what happened?"

He started talking nonsense.

"It's like this, Mahiro. I received an invitation a few days ago saying there was a banquet tonight that you were required to attend, but I accidentally forgot to tell you... This was my mistake, and I'm extremely sorry!"

As he spoke, Minami presented the invitation and began to bow and apologize.

"Alright, alright, it's just a banquet, there's no need for this."

Mahiro waved his hand, then opened the invitation letter and glanced at it casually.

However, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Minami, tell me, who sent this invitation?"

"It's that Miss Miori Shiba."

"No wonder..."

No wonder this invitation is so strange; it says the Kitayama Family will be hosting a family business dinner tonight.

He clearly has no business dealings with us, so we shouldn't have invited him at all.

But if it was sent by Miori Shiba, then it would be normal.

Having been away for so long, Miori Shiba must have achieved something by now.

However, the invitation to the banquet from the Kitayama Family was delivered to him by Miori Shiba, which made things even stranger...

Furthermore, it states that a female companion is required.

The problem is, where is he supposed to find a female companion at this particular time?

Mahiro slowly raised his head and looked at Minami.

But before he could speak, Minami preemptively suggested:

"Mahiro, if you need a female companion, why not try inviting Miss Miyuki next door? I'm sure Miss Miyuki wouldn't refuse."

Nighttime.

Although it was nominally a "family business banquet," since it was hosted by a bigwig in the economic world—Hokuho Shio, who is also Kitayama Shizuku's father—the venue was naturally both grand and lively.

As for the name Northern Tide, it was merely the stage name, or pseudonym, of Kitayama Shizuku's father.

His original surname was Kitayama.

Currently, although there are quite a few people in the venue, it is not as crowded as one might expect.

"It's surprisingly spacious..."

Mahiro couldn't help but sigh.

If he had to compare the size of the Kitayama Family mansion, which is currently serving as the venue, to what he remembers, only the young emperor's palace could rival it.

This is absolutely outrageous! Is this the legendary chaebol tycoon?

Unfortunately, his sentiments did not resonate with his companions. Miyuki, who had taken his arm, merely offered a flattering smile, appearing elegant and composed.

At this moment, she was wearing a well-fitting, long dress. The deep V-neck design revealed her smooth, jade-like back, while the fabric that clung to her delicate body accentuated her slender and graceful figure.

Her black hair was styled in a high bun, and on one side she wore a snowflake headdress adorned with forget-me-not petals, a gift from him on Valentine's Day.

It has to be said that after Miyuki put her hair up, her image really started to overlap with the Yotsuba Clan Yotsuba Miya's. They truly are mother and daughter!

Her meticulously designed look stunned the entire audience the moment she appeared.

Minami, who was following beside her, was wearing a simple long-sleeved, high-necked dress.

The light-colored, lightweight fabric almost completely covers the front of the body, a design that prioritizes practicality.

While it has a touch of 19th-century European "orthodox" maid style, it's just a style, nothing more.

Overall, it looks quite appropriate and elegant.

Just as Minami said, when he invited Miyuki not only didn't refuse, but readily agreed.

As for Minami, although she originally wanted to stay home and look after the house, she was Mahiro brought here by Mahiro.

After all, we've already left them at home for so long, it's not right to keep leaving them there any longer.

That's even less appropriate.

"Mahiro, Miyuki- senpai?!"

Just then, someone called his name. Turning around, he saw Mayumi, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. She was also wearing a fitted evening gown and walking quickly toward him.

She was accompanied by Mari, who was also dressed in a formal gown; the two were undoubtedly the focus of attention at the event.

"Greetings, Saegusa -senpai, Watanabe -senpai."

"Long time no see, junior Mahiro, and Shiba." Mari was still the same as always, with an inexplicable boyish charm.

"Oh, Mayumi, and Watanabe- senpai, you both look beautiful tonight."

"Thank you... Wait, how did you get here?!"

Mayumi a puzzled expression, or rather, at Mahiro, "Mahiro, when did you get back?"

"Just a couple of days ago, I was busy with Arcadia affairs and didn't have time to see you. I was planning to go over tomorrow or the day after to congratulate you on your successful entry into university."

"Oh, I see..."

Mayumi seemed to suddenly realize something, and muttered to herself, "Waaah... If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have let Mari come with me..."

"Hey, Mayumi, isn't that a bit unfair of you to prioritize your boyfriend over your friend? That's going a bit too far, although I'm not really keen on attending these kinds of events either."

Regarding Mayumi's words, her best friend Mari didn't hold back in criticizing them.

This is quite common; Watanabe -senpai and Mayumi are incredibly close, the kind of people who can stay in the same room even when they travel far away.

However, Mari then added:

"Besides, instead of asking this, Mayumi, shouldn't you be asking them why they're here? This is a business dinner hosted by the Kitayama Family."

"Yes!"

Mayumi suddenly woke up, blinked her wine-red eyes, and looked on with great confusion.

She came representing the Saegusa Family, and Mari was there as her companion. So, are Mahiro, Miyuki, and Ms. Minami representing the Yotsuba Family?

But Shiihara Tatsurou (Shiba Tatsurou), the manager of the Yotsuba Clan's FLT company, and Konoha Sayuri (Sayuri Shiba) have already arrived.

"As for me, I was invited by Miori Shiba. You should know Mayumi?"

"Oh, so it's Miss Sima..."

Mayumi well; she and Miori Shiba had met several times and discussed Yotsuba Mahiro on numerous occasions.

They are people I can get along with.

But Mari was unaware of this and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise:

"Wait, Mahiro, who did you say? Miori Shiba? The one who co-hosted this banquet with the Kitayama Family, the rising star and boss of Miori Shiba Heavy Industries?!"

"Uh... I don't know when she acquired so many titles, but since it's Shiba Heavy Industries, then it must be her."

It's been a few months, when did Miori Shiba become so formidable?

Mahiro felt a little uneasy.

But then, he suddenly noticed something and smiled slightly, saying, "Look, she's coming over."

"Mahiro ~~~~"

Before the words were even finished, a sickeningly sweet and somewhat affected voice suddenly rang out, followed by a soft touch on her arm.

The person who arrived was none other than the elegantly dressed classical girl, Miori Shiba, who tightly hugged Mahiro's arm and rubbed against him.

"It's been so long! I didn't expect Mahiro to actually come~ I wonder if Mahiro missed me? But I missed you very much!"

Upon meeting, Miori Shiba began to express her longing as if no one else was around.

This action terrified Miyuki and Mari.

The surrounding business tycoons looked on with even greater surprise.

"Oh, right, although you should know the person who's Mahiro, let me introduce you to the organizers of this dinner party~"

As she spoke, Miori Shiba turned around, smiled, took his hand, and greeted the approaching man and woman.