Toru's office.
"Nagasaki-san, you want to borrow the band practice equipment even after the shop closes?"
Sitting gracefully across from him was Soyo, a JK girl with long brown hair and an exaggerated figure.
In a sweet voice, she pleaded, "The live performance is only a few days away, but our band still has issues with coordination."
"Rikki has to work, so she doesn't have much time to practice with us every day."
"Of course, I'm not blaming Rikki. It's her responsibility to finish her work. It's just that our band is newly formed and there are too many problems to solve, so we can only trouble you."
Soyo spoke in a humble tone.
She personally did not care much about this band.
But ever since Mutsumi promised to bring Sakiko to the live performance, she had thrown herself into it with full effort.
She hoped that at the live, Sakiko would see her dedication, see the beauty of music, and remember the joy of Crychic practicing and performing together in the past.
Because of that, she was more serious about this performance than ever before.
"Please, Fujiwara-kun, just agree to Soyo-san and me. We really need more practice time right now."
Anon clasped her hands together and bowed repeatedly toward Toru, wearing a charming, ingratiating smile.
"Rikki works at Fujiwara-kun's shop. She can close up before leaving, and we'll pay the normal venue rental fee."
Coming from a well-off family that could afford a Land Rover, if she had not spent time in England, Anon's background would have been enough for her to attend Tsukinomori Girls' Academy.
She usually had plenty of pocket money, so she was not too concerned about the rental fee.
Besides, there was still Soyo.
She had visited Soyo's home before. It was a luxury high-rise apartment overlooking both the sea and the river. Extremely wealthy.
Since Soyo was so invested, she definitely would not mind paying.
Soyo glanced at Anon and snorted inwardly.
Why do you think we need extra practice? Isn't it because your skills are lacking?
Rikki and Taki are experienced members, their skill level is beyond question. That cat over there named Yoina is also highly skilled and does not need much practice.
The reason we need extra practice is because of you.
But it does not matter. Just endure a little longer. Once Sakiko returns, Mutsumi will definitely come back too. Then we can kick this pink-haired girl out of the team, and Crychic will be revived.
It is a bit of a pity for that little cat over there, but that is fine. Going from a house cat back to a stray cat, she will not starve.
Soyo felt extremely proud of herself. Smart, intelligent, everything under control. Ever since the release of Wits End, she had felt invincible.
Toru glanced at the heterochromatic girl sitting not far away, eating parfait.
This middle school girl turned out to be the granddaughter of the shop's original owner.
She used to practice here all the time. Even though ownership had changed, she still came out of habit.
The only issue was that when this place belonged to her family, she did not have to pay for food. Now that the owner had changed, she still seemed to forget to pay.
But it did not matter. A few cups of parfait were not expensive, and the girl was quite cute. It was fine to treat it as raising a cat in the shop.
When Toru submitted the reimbursement report, those parfaits were indeed listed as cat food for a stray cat.
Yoina wiped the corner of her mouth. She clasped her hands together like Anon and bowed.
"Please, kind boss who treats me to food."
Toru's face darkened.
Food costs money too.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "In principle, I don't mind you continuing to use the shop's facilities after closing."
"However, you should not stay too late. It is not about the shop, it is about your safety."
"There have been too many unexpected incidents in Japan recently. This is for your own safety."
Soyo smiled happily. "We will be careful, Fujiwara-kun."
Knock knock knock.
There was a knock on the office door.
"Come in."
Rei pushed the door open.
The two of them had already revealed their identities to each other and knew who the other was.
The Black Organization, however, did not know this and had not withdrawn Rei from the shop. They still had him monitoring Toru.
The two had reached a tacit understanding. Occasionally, Rei would share internal information about the Organization, allowing Toru to know their actions in advance.
"Boss, someone claiming to be your younger sister is here to see you."
"Younger sister?"
Toru was stunned for a moment. When he saw Moeha walk in, he smiled.
"So it's Moeha. Why did you suddenly come to see me?"
"Brother."
The petite Moeha rushed forward and hugged him.
Feeling the exaggerated softness pressed against him, Toru gently hugged her back.
"Wow, is this Fujiwara-kun's younger sister? So cute."
"So Fujiwara-kun has such an adorable younger sister."
Anon and Soyo both looked surprised, especially Anon, who was visibly excited.
Pink hair. This younger sister named Moeha had pink hair.
Moeha had a cheerful personality. She greeted everyone in the room.
"Hello, senpais. My name is Fujiwara Moeha. I'm a first-year middle school student at Shuchiin Academy."
"Moeha-chan is so cute."
Anon, equally cheerful, hugged her.
After chatting for a few minutes, Moeha finally revealed her purpose, speaking nervously.
"Brother, there's something I need your help with."
"Moeha, you only come to me when you need something. When you don't, you never show up, right?"
Toru chuckled.
Moeha shook her head repeatedly. "How could that be? I often come to support your business, Brother. You're just never here."
Thinking about it, that was true. He rarely came to this shop.
"Alright, Moeha. What do you need?"
"Kei, come in."
Moeha called toward the door.
A small girl with silver hair and blue eyes stepped inside. A headband held back her beautiful hair, and her skin was as smooth as porcelain. She looked like a delicate doll.
She seemed a little nervous. With so many eyes on her, she felt uneasy.
But Kei had a strong personality. She quickly took a deep breath, steadied herself, and introduced herself.
"Hello, Mr. Fujiwara. I am Moeha's friend, Kei Shirogane. I'm also a first-year middle school student at Shuchiin Academy."
Everyone in the room was beautiful in their own way, but when they saw Kei for the first time, they were still struck by how pretty she was.
"This is my good friend, Kei. She really admires you, Brother, the legendary former Student Council President of Shuchiin Academy."
Kei's face instantly turned red with embarrassment. She felt that was too shameful.
It was true that she admired him, but there was no need to say it in front of everyone.
Toru's first thought was whether she wanted his autograph. Probably not.
"Moeha, you brought your friend here. Is there something?"
"Kei wants to work part-time here."
"Part-time?"
"Yes."
"Your friend is only in middle school, right?"
Even though part-time jobs were common in Japan, employing child labor was not allowed.
His meaning was clear. Kei was too young.
Moeha spoke casually, "Kei working here can be considered helping a friend."
"She doesn't have to sign a contract, so it won't count as official employment. I believe you wouldn't bully her and would still pay her a normal salary."
Toru found it amusing.
As expected of someone from the Fujiwara family, she was good at finding legal loopholes.
Moeha leaned close to his ear and quietly explained Kei's family situation.
There were too many people in the office, and she did not want to say it openly to protect Kei's dignity.
Even if Kei herself might not care, Moeha did.
Finally, suppressing her excitement, she whispered, "Brother, don't you think Kei is very cute and beautiful?"
"She is quite cute and beautiful."
Toru nodded. That was undeniable.
"Right? Kei is strong-willed and hardworking. She puts her heart into everything she does. She'll definitely handle the job perfectly."
"Brother, don't you want to lock Kei in the basement, tie her limbs, blindfold her, and do this and that to her, hehe."
The more Moeha spoke, the more excited she became, already lost in her imagination.
Toru was speechless.
His sister was truly a pervert.
But looking at Kei's petite frame and nervous, beautiful face, locking her in the basement really did sound like an interesting option.
He nodded slightly. "Locked in the basement, she would indeed be a beautiful work of art."
Moeha was thrilled.
She had not expected to find someone in the Fujiwara family who shared her hobby.
She wrapped an arm around Toru's shoulder and whispered excitedly, "Then let's work together, Brother. Let's lock Kei in the basement together."
"Aren't you afraid of breaking the law?"
"I believe Brother will find a way."
Toru found it amusing. After thinking for a moment, he said to Kei.
"Since Moeha has asked me like this, it would not be good to refuse."
"You're Kei, right? You can start working tomorrow. We can't sign a contract, but Rikki will show you what to do."
Kei was overjoyed.
"Thank you, Fujiwara-kaicho. I don't need a contract. I trust your character."
Yes, you should trust my character.
Toru nodded inwardly and whispered to Moeha,
"As for how to lock her in the basement, I'll leave that to you, Moeha."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)