Ori Ryougi, $2 Billion in Dating Expenses, a Date

This is my number. If you manage to contact Araya Souren, please make sure to reach me. I really want to help my friend. With that, I turned and left without lingering.

Aozaki Touko wondered whether the kid knew something or had simply stumbled onto it by chance. At his age, with his background, there was no reason he should know any of this.

Looking for Araya Souren? I happened to be short on cash lately. No reason not to fleece a fat sheep. With that, she went to find a way to contact Araya Souren.

After leaving the Hall of Garan, I headed straight for Shiki Ryougi's home. As long as Aozaki Touko was willing to help me contact Araya Souren, everything that followed would be easy to handle.

The first thing was to determine whether Araya Souren had set his sights on Shiki Ryougi. If he had not noticed her yet, some of my measures might have the opposite effect.

The second thing was to find a way to keep Mikiya Kokutou from crossing paths with Shiki Ryougi. Mikiya Kokutou should just obediently go be a detective. Maybe he could even ride Detective Conan's popularity. What, you will not end up lame and one-eyed? I was only helping him. I really was such a good person.

Even if Araya Souren had already noticed her, there was still room for negotiation. For magi obsessed with the Root, all I needed was to offer a way to reach it faster as leverage.

But if Shiki met male leads like Mikiya Kokutou, there was no way I could stop the Counter Force from intervening.

You say I should kill the male lead? Sorry, but if I did not exist, I would definitely ship this couple. Now Mikiya Kokutou could pair up with Azaka Kokutou instead. He did not lack romantic prospects anyway; even Shizune Seo or Kirie Fujou would do.

When I arrived before the Ryougi Estate, I found its architectural style similar to that of the Genji Clan, only much smaller. After crossing the little wooden bridge, the Ryougi Family was already waiting for me.

After formally exchanging greetings, we entered the estate together and arrived at the reception room. There were not many people in this household; including servants and the butler, there were only around ten.

After presenting my gift, I began conversing with the head of the Ryougi Family. Once we had exchanged pleasantries, I got straight to the point and said that I wished to marry Shiki Ryougi. I also stated that she would become the formally wedded wife of the Genji Clan.

Shiki Ryougi listened from the side without expression.

Kū Ryougi was somewhat at a loss. He had not expected me to come out swinging so directly.

The head of the Ryougi Family stared at me for a long while before saying, "I believe I have already made it clear that Shiki Ryougi is the next head of the Ryougi Family. She will not marry out; she will only take in a husband. Or is the Genji Clan willing to marry into the Ryougi Family?"

I retorted, "Head of the Ryougi Family, this is not merely a political marriage. I genuinely like her. It was love at first sight."

The first time I saw Shiki, I felt something indescribable. In short, I knew she was absolutely my destined other half. For that, I am willing to give unilaterally. Please take a look at this proposal, Head of the Ryougi Family.

The head of the Ryougi Family picked it up and glanced at it, then began turning the pages one after another without taking his eyes off them. After finishing, he drew a deep breath and said seriously, "Head of the Genji Clan, are you serious? Will you truly act on everything in this proposal?"

A double question. Heh, he took the bait.

I answered solemnly, "Yes. Everything in this proposal is genuine and valid. All I ask is that the head of the Ryougi Family does not stop Shiki and me from dating."

I also trust that the head of the Ryougi Family can make the right judgment.

Whether that meant changing the heir to the family headship or revising the Ryougi Family's rules, once this went through, the Ryougi Family would undergo a qualitative leap.

At that moment, Shiki Ryougi spoke. "Is it really appropriate to discuss this kind of thing right in front of me?" Her voice was masculine, completely unlike the first one. This time, it was Ori.

I smiled. "Shiki, you misunderstood. It is not what you think." As I spoke, I pushed the proposal in front of her.

Ori picked up the proposal and glanced at it, then said in surprise, "You are serious." Kū then snatched it over to read it and was just as shocked. This was practically giving money to the Ryougi Family for free. No wonder everyone wore such expressions.

The proposal stated that the Genji Clan would invest $2 billion to develop the unplanned impoverished areas of Mifune City, including schools, hospitals, shopping centers, gymnasiums, residential districts, and other facilities.

The entire project and all subsequent maintenance would be entrusted to the Ryougi Family, who would also receive fifty percent of the future profits. All they had to do was not interfere with Yuan Shikai and Shiki Ryougi dating.

Ori spoke at that moment. "I am willing to date you. Why would I refuse something as good as free money? Let me see just how deep your feelings for me really are."

Rarely, even the head of the Ryougi Family did not speak up to stop it. With unimaginable wealth right before them, some matters and some rules were not impossible to change.

Ori stood up boldly. "Let us go date, then. Where should our first stop be, boyfriend?"

I suggested, "Let us go shopping. Shiki looks beautiful in a kimono, but I want to see her in other clothes too." Ori readily agreed, and we left just like that.

The Ryougi Family's meeting continued. The head of the Ryougi Family said, "Kū, do young people these days really play so wildly? Have I fallen behind the times?"

Kū replied, "Probably not. If it were me, I would not be able to keep up either. Father, just agree to this marriage. Rules can be changed. If necessary, we can simply raise another heir."

We simply cannot refuse these terms. Even if we wanted to refuse, once others learned of these terms, they would surely agree.

When we reached the shopping district, we went straight to a clothing store. Ori said, "Which outfit do you think looks good?" My eyes immediately landed on a red leather jacket. Was this a correction too?

"How about that red leather jacket? Please bring it over for us to try on. I have always felt that Shiki suits red."

Ori replied, "Red? Fine, I will give it a try."

Shiki Ryougi, just like in the game, made her appearance. Other than her eyes, nothing had changed. She was only missing a small knife in her hand.

I bought it on the spot. Then we continued strolling through the streets, buying whatever caught our eye. As dinner approached, we ate out.

At the table, Ori Ryougi spoke first. "Ask whatever you want. I will answer everything. That curious expression on your face has already given you away."

I put on an act and said, "Was I that obvious? How embarrassing. Actually, just like when we met last time, you this time are different from the you back then."

Last time, I sensed your existence but could not see you. This time, I sensed the Shiki from last time, yet I could not see her. It feels like there are two people.

"What a perceptive boyfriend! I did say I would answer everything. The Ryougi Family believes that abilities surpassing ordinary people will eventually lead to one being erased by civilized society, so we began considering how to obtain supernatural abilities while still living outwardly like normal people."

No matter their circumstances, ordinary people can only devote their lives to mastering one thing. The Ryougi Family, however, attempted to create omnipotent people by placing multiple personalities within the same body.

As a result of control and manipulation through bloodlines, a considerable proportion of children develop dual personalities, and such children become the legitimate heirs of the Ryougi Family.

Therefore, the Ryougi Family prepares two names for its children with the same pronunciation but different meanings: one masculine, male name and one feminine, female name.

The personality that normally takes control is the masculine male personality. Thus, before Shiki Ryougi, all legitimate heirs were men who possessed another female personality.

Although the Ryougi Family's multiple-personality bearers can display exceptional abilities in different areas by switching personalities, this state is unstable.

A considerable proportion of those with dual personalities suffer mental breakdowns from conflict between their personalities or commit suicide because they cannot bear the pressure.

That is why I, having survived, was designated the next family head. The one you met last time was the female Shiki. I am Ori, the male one, so that is why you had that impression.

Do you still want to date me now, boyfriend?