Akira Fujimiya looked at the closed door of the kitchen, then turned to glance at Erina Nakiri beside him.
"Miss Nakiri, do you want to kiss too?"
"I'll ask the driver to take you back," Erina said coldly, stepping out of the kitchen without giving him a single glance.
Akira smiled faintly.
Controlling favorability really was interesting.
.....
The car from Totsuki Academy drove smoothly along the road.
Akira sat in the back seat, holding his phone and sending messages.
In the passenger seat, Hisako Arato glanced over at him from time to time. She had plenty she wanted to say to him.
Soon, the car stopped in front of a station.
Akira had no intention of letting the Totsuki Academy vehicle take him back to Sakurasou.
After he stepped out, Hisako Arato followed.
"Master Akira, would you like to have a cup of coffee with me?" she asked.
"Of course. As her secretary, I'm sure you have a lot to discuss. But forget about coffee. Let's go to the karaoke room over there and talk at ease," Akira said without surprise.
"Okay," Hisako replied, without hesitation.
They walked toward the karaoke shop. Akira requested a private room and some desserts for both of them.
When they arrived inside the room, Akira sat on the sofa without turning on any devices. Hisako Arato sat a little further away from him.
Maintaining a save distance.
"Master Akira, is there a secret between you and Miss Erina? Miss Erina's attitude toward you doesn't seem friendly," she asked hesitantly.
"There is a secret, but I cannot tell you. All I can say is that Miss Nakiri needs me," Akira said simply.
"Are you taking advantage of Miss Erina?" Hisako asked after a pause.
"Yes," Akira replied without denial.
"...Miss Erina loves cooking and competitions, and she yearns for recognition and respect. She's very lonely, and I am the only one always by her side. Because she possesses the God Tongue, she must maintain her pride in public…" Hisako said, describing Erina Nakiri.
Akira did not interrupt; he listened quietly. He waited until Hisako had finished speaking.
Meanwhile, he ate the dessert from the plate.
"Actually, I know everything you just said."
"You know?" Hisako was stunned. This was Miss Erina's secret—how could Akira know it? Did Miss Erina herself told him about it?
"Don't ask where I learned it. I know exactly what kind of girl Erina is, so I decided to use her and the Nakiri family," Akira said lightly.
"What happens after you use it? Is your target Totsuki Academy? And Miss Erina?" Hisako pressed.
"I will make Erina like me, but not now—later," Akira said, pausing.
"Will you marry Miss Erina?" Hisako asked, her voice betraying her own disbelief at the question.
Akira shook his head without hesitation.
Hisako clenched her hands, her expression getting complicated. Then, after sometime as if making up her mind, she stood, walked to Akira's side, and sat down.
"I… I am Miss Erina's secretary. I want to help her. If you promise to marry her, I… I will obey any order you give."
"Any order?" Akira asked raised an eyebrow, looking at her carefully.
"Yes. I don't want Miss Erina to know. As long as you agree to my conditions...I will do anything," Hisako's voice trembled slightly as forced herself to hugged his arm.
"You really are the perfect secretary," Akira said, while also adding in his mind, 'Well not perfect that mine, though', as a small smile.
He felt the pressure from her closeness but did not push her away.
"So, what's your answer?" Hisako asked, her eyes searching his.
"Sorry, but I don't think I can," Akira said without hesitation.
Hisako was stunned for a few seconds. She had thought the price to gain his cooperation was already high.
Yet Akira still refused.
"Of course, I could lie to you. But I'm not that kind of person and I would rather have you do it willingly" Akira explained.
"Why?" Hisako asked.
"When it comes to this things, it's about feelings, not calculations. Yukino ranks first in my heart. Erina and you don't even make third place. You are willing to pay the price for your eldest lady, which is courageous but that is it," Akira said seriously.
"If Miss Erina impresses you, could she become first?" Hisako asked, unwilling to accept the truth.
"No one knows what the future holds," Akira said, giving no clear answer.
Hisako's eyes widened. In other words… Miss Erina still had a chance?
"Okay, secretary, let's stop here. Can you let go of my arm?" Akira asked.
"I… I'm sorry," Hisako said, coming to her senses and letting go. Her face flushed bright red.
Akira reached out his hand and lifted her chin.
"Miss Secretary, you very cute up-closed, you know that?"
Hisako's face turned an even deeper shade of red. She didn't know how to respond. But Akira slowly leaned closer. She could feel his breath, so near.
A very close distance.
Hisako closed her eyes, as if thinking she was going to lose her first kiss.
But the scenario didn't happen as she had thought — Akira didn't kiss her as he got near her ear and whisper in calm and soft voice.
"Miss secretary, if one day you decided to leave your eldest daughter, come to me."
He didn't wait for her reply.
He got up and left.
After the door closed, Hisako Arato stared blankly at it, her face still red.
.....
Inside a Japanese restaurant in front of the station,
Akira saw Mrs. Yukinoshita's two chess pieces.
"Young Master Akira," Eizan Etsuya said, bowing respectfully.
"You're welcome, Etsuya Eizan," Akira replied, glancing at the other person.
Nene Kinokuni's expression was cold as usual. She stood up, bowed silently towards him, and then sat down again. She was the second chess piece in Mrs. Yukinoshita's hand—a person who surprised Akira.
While in the car earlier, Akira had sent messages to check the situation. Only then did he understand why Nene had become Mrs. Yukinoshita's pawn.
The reason was simple.
Her family was being aided by Lady Yukinoshita. If she disobeyed, her family business would vanish within half a day. Their Debts totaling around ten billion yen would remain unpaid, which her family could not afford.
{T/N: Nene Kinokuni's family operates a generations-old, famous soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles) restaurant in Kanda, a stronghold of traditional Japanese cuisine. }
Akira sat and smiled at the two.
Eizan's strength lay in Business acumen, and his "alchemical" manipulation of flavors, which could improve the performance of any restaurant. Akira was a little surprised when he had known that Eizan was nurtured by Mrs. Yukinoshita to reach this level. Without her support, Eizan could not have achieved what he had today.
Without Mrs. Yukinoshita, he would lose substantial money, and any stores that had followed his advice would terminate contracts immediately.
Therefore, Eizan showed extreme respect for Akira—who is part of the Yukinoshita family.
"Master Akira, the food here is quite good. If you like, I can go into the kitchen and prepare a few dishes for you. My cooking may not match Miss Erina's, but I am confident that you will like my dishes" Eizan said, while glancing at Nene Kinokuni sitting next to him.
"Then I will trouble you, Etsuya Eizan," Akira said, noting the look in his eyes.
Eizan smiled slightly, stood, and left.
Nene lowered her head, expressionless.
Once the door was closed, Akira directly looked at her.
She had green pigtails, her facial features were not perfect, but she was undeniably beautiful. Wearing a Totsuki Academy uniform and glasses, she gave the impression of a quiet girl.
"Do you know why Etsuya Eizan left?" Akira broke the quiet.
Nene raised her head, showing undisguised disgust.
"It seems you understand what he meant," Akira said, as he picked up a piece of sashimi with his chopsticks and placed it near her mouth. Not minding her disgusted look she was giving him.
Nene clenched her hands as she stared at him, coldly. She had anticipated many outcomes, but not this and clearly not so soon.
"Lady Yukinoshita sent me a message containing this information. She said that if you don't obey, your family business might…"
Before Akira could finish, Nene ate the sashimi.
"Very good. Your attitude shows that we can maintain a somewhat cooperative relationship. Please give your response, quickly next time," Akira said, setting down his chopsticks.
Nene picked up the next piece of sashimi and bring it near his mouth. Akira ate it without hesitation.
She then lowered her head, putting down her chopsticks.
When Akira reached out, lifting her chin.
Nene looked him in the eyes, her eye's cold and sharp.
"I like the look in your eyes. You hate me, but you cannot refuse me," Akira said, smiling.
"You are the worst person I have ever met," Nene said coldly.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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Word Count — 1,527