Kyoto University Hospital.
At this time, the area in front of the luxury hospital room was crowded.
Countless successful people in suits were gathered around three individuals. Standing right in the middle was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and two relatives.
"Sigh, Mr. Ayanokouji is truly a genius cursed by heaven."
A middle-aged man with a greasy face let out a sigh, then comforted the Ayanokouji before him.
"Life and death are part of human nature; Ayanokouji, don't be too sad."
"I received a lot of care from Mr. Ayanokouji in the past. If there is anything you need help with, please feel free to speak up; Uncle will certainly not refuse."
Not far away.
Hikigaya and Horikita Suzune watched the scene from afar. As Ayanokouji's former classmate, Horikita Suzune was more suitable.
From yesterday.
Upon hearing the news that Ayanokouji Atsuomi was in critical condition.
They had put down their work today and rushed over.
The people here.
Hikigaya knew almost all of them.
That middle-aged man was the vegetable supplier for the White Room and Advanced Nurturing, and also one of Ayanokouji Atsuomi's political donors.
He remembered the man's working ability was very strong.
Whether in the White Room or Advanced Nurturing, the vegetables provided had never had a problem.
However.
He was even more of an ambitious and calculating old fox, and didn't show any contempt because of Ayanokouji's age.
At first listen, he seemed full of care for Ayanokouji, but in reality, he was testing Ayanokouji's ability.
If Ayanokouji could be fooled by such words.
It would completely show that Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was just a fledgling child who could be manipulated using seniority and the relationship with the father's generation.
Of course.
With his identity as a mere vegetable supplier, he naturally couldn't challenge Ayanokouji; on the contrary, it was he who needed things from Ayanokouji.
As long as he could increase his influence in Ayanokouji's heart.
That was enough.
Even if he failed, he could explain it away as an uncle's concern for a junior.
Anyway, it wasn't a loss either way.
The things Ayanokouji used to be good at were merely basic skills here.
Those gathered around Ayanokouji.
Were all capable people driven by self-interest.
Such was the reality.
It was much the same for those gathered around Hikigaya.
Dealing with such a bunch of people every day was indeed physically and mentally exhausting; it was precisely because of this that the preciousness of family could be felt—
"President Takasa, your visit is already the greatest help to me."
Ayanokouji's tone carried a hint of gratitude.
After all, in front of these people, he was certainly still young.
The first thing to do was to demonstrate his own authority.
What could a vegetable supplier possibly do to help him? Coming here was already the greatest help.
Although he needed the other party's political donations.
But the other party's actual energy was not so great as to be indispensable, yet it could not be easily discarded either.
The purpose was simply to distinguish between the primary and the secondary.
The grateful tone was merely using the advantage of youth to prevent the other party from grasping his true attitude.
Just like the Advanced Nurturing High School and the White Room, Hikigaya and Ayanokouji were cooperating quite a bit now.
Cooperation within confrontation.
"You in me, and I in you" was the normal state of affairs.
"Thanks to the fresh vegetables President Takasa has provided all these years, the children have been able to grow up healthy and graceful, achieving excellent results. My father and I have been able to focus on educational work; we have always kept this in our hearts."
As for whether the vegetables were fresh.
That was all up to a single word from Ayanokouji.
It was exactly this "carrot and stick" approach, an ambiguous attitude that left people uncertain, making them feel the deterrent of power, thereby working honestly.
Even if they had climbed to their current positions.
They were no different from ordinary people; they were just smarter and better at grasping opportunities.
After dealing with everyone.
Ayanokouji finally turned to leave, bringing two relatives to stand before Hikigaya and the others.
One was his wife, and the other was Ayanokouji's mother.
"Long time no see."
Ayanokouji looked at the two and nodded, saying with some surprise:
"It should be a busy time during summer vacation right now, I didn't expect you all to come."
"I suppose so."
Hikigaya's expression was also somewhat complicated.
After all, things were indeed busy now, and deep down he knew that Ayanokouji Atsuomi and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka were not to be trusted.
However.
When working in the White Room.
It was also a fact that he received much care from Ayanokouji Atsuomi; Ayanokouji Atsuomi could truly be considered his teacher.
At the very least, before Teacher Ayanokouji passed away, he should come to take a look.
"Teacher Ayanokouji is also my mentor, it's only right to come and visit."
"You haven't changed a bit."
"Speaking of which."
Hikigaya suddenly changed the subject and joked:
"Congratulations, you've finally escaped Teacher Ayanokouji's control..."
"Are you teasing me?"
A smile couldn't help but surface at the corner of Ayanokouji's mouth.
Perhaps it was a smile due to a joke between old acquaintances, or perhaps he used the smile to show he didn't care, thereby closing the distance.
There was no way to judge this.
But in Hikigaya's eyes, this smile still carried a sense of falseness; this guy hadn't changed either.
Just then.
Horikita Suzune turned to look at the woman who had been twirling her beautiful hair.
Purely in terms of appearance, she was undoubtedly excellent, yet she emitted a frivolous aura.
"Long time no see, Ayanokouji, is she the partner you chose?"
Even though she was named.
The woman merely glanced at Horikita Suzune and stopped caring, as if bored by the current situation.
"That's right."
Ayanokouji nodded and checked the time.
"It's about time, I'll be going first."
Watching the three enter the luxury ward, both Hikigaya and Horikita Suzune's gazes seemed a bit complicated.
To be precise.
It seemed Ayanokouji hadn't failed to change, but rather he had made a choice.
Regarding Ayanokouji's wife, Hikigaya also had some understanding.
He heard she was a worker from a soapland/red-light district.
In Sakurajima.
Working in such establishments isn't something hard to mention, but it isn't a prestigious job either.
It's not that Ayanokouji doesn't understand emotions now.
Rather, after understanding what emotions were, he chose such a wife.
After all.
No matter how excellent a woman is, they are somewhat troublesome existences that waste energy.
On the contrary.
A woman from a red-light district only needs money.
Only needing money is actually the most relaxed and pleasant way to solve things.
Coming when called and leaving when dismissed, she wouldn't add any trouble to Ayanokouji, allowing him to put all his energy into work.
Whether for descendants or for work.
This was the most efficient choice.
He heard she also had relationships with many politicians, but Ayanokouji didn't care about that.
Although she would become a subject of gossip for some.
But accordingly.
Those politicians would also feel guilt and shame, which could provide some help to Ayanokouji's work.