Ichika: [I will endure. I absolutely won't lose to Kaede.]
Ichika: [I'm sorry. I am a zako. I have been defeated.]
Ichika: [Defeat.jpg]
Early the next morning at the breakfast table, Suzu and Mashiro were leaning over Rin Ito's shoulder, looking at the photos Ichika had sent.
Although they came from Ichika's account, Kaede was definitely the one sending them.
And it wasn't just Ichika. Marin, Saki, and Suzune had all sent similar updates.
What made Rin's lip twitch was that after adding Suzune as a friend, these were the very first messages her account had ever sent him.
In the photos, Kaede looked like a conqueror who had finally gotten her revenge.
Behind her were the girls, their eyes glazed and looking utterly disheveled. Clearly, they had undergone a very "intense" party education last night.
Sitting opposite them, Nanami looked on helplessly.
Mashiro had been sitting with her, but the moment she saw there was something to look at, she bolted to Rin's side.
Contaminated... Mashiro's pure mind is being contaminated!
How can they look at photos like that while eating breakfast!?
However... Rin estimated that given Kaede's "zako" body, however arrogant she was being now, she'd be doing twice as much begging for mercy later.
After saving the photos, Rin turned his gaze to Mashiro, who was wearing nothing but a single dress shirt.
Through the gaps in the buttons, he could clearly see her soft, white breasts.
At home, Mashiro always preferred the comfort of being "commando" under her shirt. She only wore lingerie when going out.
Rin didn't look away, not because he was a saint, but because he had seen it all a thousand times before.
"The Baumkuchen Studio is having a group dinner today. Do you guys want to go?"
"And Mashiro, do you want to go to the new studio and pick out a workstation?"
Rin knew Mashiro likely didn't care about the logistics, but asking was a matter of principle.
"Go, go! I'm going too. Why don't you come with us?" Nanami said, gently kicking Rin under the table.
Nanami was also a member of Baumkuchen. She didn't need a desk, but she wanted to help out and introduce Mashiro to more people.
Most of them were likely involved with Rin, but making more friends was always a good thing.
Rin agreed, "Yeah, everyone at Baumkuchen is an ally. Why not come and play?"
Seeing both of them push for it, Mashiro nodded. Suzu, however, decided to pass.
Kaede hadn't slept all night and would surely be catching up on sleep today. If Kaede wasn't going, Suzu wasn't going either.
After breakfast, Rin and Nanami helped Mashiro get dressed. They set off immediately.
The guest list for today's dinner was actually quite massive...
The Manga Group consisted of Mashiro, Sagiri, Alumi, Eriri, Utaha (Shihali), and Sahodo.
The Novel Group was smaller, featuring Utaha and Fairy.
Besides them, there were others: Megumi Kato, who worked with Eriri and Utaha on their galgame; Nanami, who did voice work; and Kessoku Band, who handled the BGM.
They were the core members of Baumkuchen—the ones who actually produced content.
Then there was Marin's Cosplay Group.
Unlike Kaede, who had been busy "training" for Rin all night, Marin had actually gotten some rest. She'd napped in the morning and was now full of energy.
The Cosplay Group included Marin and Juju (Sajuwa), who had also brought along her sister, Shinju.
Just within the Baumkuchen circle, including Rin, there were eighteen people.
Luckily, only the manga and novel groups actually needed desks, or the villa wouldn't have been big enough!
Rin had also invited Orie and Akane Kosaka.
Mainly Akane; he wanted to keep the relationship warm so they could collaborate on anime adaptations later.
While Akane currently only cared about Fairy and Mashiro, keeping the bridge open was the right move.
Between Baumkuchen members, Orie, and Akane, there were twenty people. But they weren't the only ones coming.
First, there was Kei Shirogane and the Fujiwara sisters who were already there. Then Kaguya and Hayasaka.
It wasn't an orgy—just a simple group dinner to celebrate the official founding of Baumkuchen Studio.
Because of the sheer number of people, Rin decided on a self-service BBQ.
If he tried to cook a formal meal, he and Nanami would never be able to handle the workload.
BBQ was much easier. He set up four large grills and several tables in the yard.
He had asked Kaguya's family chefs to prepare the ingredients in advance. When the time came, everyone could just grill what they liked.
While most of them had shared a bed with Rin at some point, they didn't all know each other well.
Grilling and chatting was the perfect way to break the ice and build rapport!
It would make things much easier if they ever did have a real "mega-party" in the future.
"B-Big Brother... g-good morning."
"Morning. Good work..." Rin greeted Kei Shirogane before introducing her to Nanami and Mashiro.
"This is Kei Shirogane. she hasn't joined Baumkuchen; she's just staying here for now. Kei, these are Nanami Aoyama and Mashiro Shiina."
"H-hello."
Entering the studio, Rin saw Kei in a light green t-shirt and black shorts, busy cleaning.
When she saw Rin, her lips began to curl into a smile, but it died the moment she saw the two beautiful girls behind him.
Her smile turned into a look of pure anxiety; she even started to stutter.
Kei wasn't socially anxious like Suzune. She just didn't know how to face Nanami and Mashiro.
You aren't a member of Baumkuchen, so why are you living here? Because of CEO Rin Ito, obviously. Why did he let you stay? What is your relationship with him?
Kei had spent all night agonizing over this... if someone asked, what was she supposed to say?
She couldn't exactly say she was his "Desire Manager." But saying they were just friends... friends don't let you move into a villa for free.
She hadn't come up with a perfect answer.
She could only pray that no one would be rude enough to ask.
But...
"What is your relationship with him?" Mashiro asked, her voice flat and her eyes appearing to see through everything.
"!!!!!"
Kei's porcelain skin turned instant crimson. Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
Nanami looked on helplessly. Did she have to ask that? Now the poor girl is dying of embarrassment.
Nanami gave Rin a look and then stepped in to save the situation.
"You're Kei, right? Is there anything else that needs cleaning? Where are the supplies? I'll help. Take me to them... and you can take Mashiro on a tour."
"Ah... okay."
A dazed Kei led Nanami out of the living room to get the cleaning gear.
Rin had no intention of teasing Kei further. He took Mashiro's hand to start the tour.
"Take me to the basement."
"..." Rin's lips moved, but he was speechless for several seconds. "...Why the basement?"
Facing Rin's confusion, Mashiro tilted her head.
"Isn't that where you keep the beautiful girls imprisoned?"