"It's been a long time since I went to the main family residence by Shinkansen."
"It's been since my school trip for me."
"I want to go somewhere with everyone soon, don't you?"
"Oh yeah, there was talk about a hot spring, too. Maybe I'll bring it up next time."
"Right, let's go to Kyoto!"
Asuna said, in high spirits, but in a small voice so as not to bother other passengers, she began to hum "My Favorite Things."
Watching the two with warm eyes, Shouzo asked Hachiman.
"Hachiman-kun, do you have a winning strategy? As for us, we're prepared to take a temporary loss and cut ties with the main family completely if necessary."
"If that happens, the shareholders might turn on you, Shouzo-san. I intend to avoid that as much as possible. The key will be the next board chairman election."
"The election for the chairman of Yuuki General Hospital, you mean. Old Kiyomori's eldest son, Munemori-san, who completely does his father's bidding, seems to have solidified his votes. But if at least the second son, Tomomori, could win, it would open up room for negotiation. He and I were often partners in mischief when we were kids, what you'd call 'bad friends.' But he doesn't have any chance of winning right now."
"For now, let's meet this Kiyomori Yuuki. I'll start by talking normally, which I expect will be rejected. Then, I'll bring up the MediCuboid. If that's accepted, it'll be easy. If not, we'll quietly withdraw. And from there, we'll head straight to Tomomori-san."
Hachiman actually had one winning strategy. The information came from Kikuoka. When Kikuoka heard about this situation and Tomomori's name came up, he muttered something to himself in front of Hachiman. Hachiman, believing Kikuoka wouldn't say anything without basis, accepted Kikuoka's words as they were, without considering the content, and made them his basic policy. The rest, he intended to discern for himself by meeting the people involved. Then, Hachiman asked Haruno about another outstanding issue.
"Nee-san, what's the progress on the groundwork with Kura Agency?"
"The second son, Asakage-san, is very enthusiastic about this. He seems ready to persuade his parents as soon as a partnership with Rect becomes possible. Incidentally, we've also offered to cooperate in our area of expertise. It's about time for full-fledged AI-equipped idols to appear in VR. By the way, to secure that cooperation, Rinko is currently meeting with her former mentor, Professor Shigemura."
"Rinko-san's mentor?"
"Apparently, he was also Kayaba's and Sugou's mentor."
"Ugh… setting aside Akihiko-san, even Sugou…?"
"Well, you won't have anything to do with him anymore, so don't make that face."
"Haa…"
Seeing Hachiman's expression, Shouzo suddenly bowed his head.
"At that time, because I lacked foresight, I truly caused you a lot of trouble, Hachiman-kun. But Professor Shigemura, whom Rinko-san went to meet, is truly an excellent person, so if we can get his cooperation, I can't imagine anything more reassuring."
"Please don't worry about it. Well then, Nee-san, I'll leave that side to Rinko-san."
Haruno nodded and added one more thing.
"Incidentally, I also handed Asakage-san a small 'bomb'."
"A bomb…?"
"This."
Saying that, Haruno showed him a mark that held nothing but unpleasant memories for Hachiman.
"That's the Laughing Coffin mark, isn't it?"
"I've explained to him that showing this to his older brother, Cradil—whose real name is apparently Kagetoki—will have a tremendous effect."
"Well, it would certainly have a tremendous effect… His connection to Laughing Coffin must be one of the facts he wants to erase."
"And incidentally, I also gave him data proving that he was in prison at the end. Asakage-san apparently hates his older brother, so I think he'll make good use of it."
Hearing those words, Hachiman said with a sneer.
"No one in this world likes that guy."
"Yes, yes, for now, let's have him 'voluntarily' fall from the position of the next president of the entertainment production company."
"'Voluntarily,' huh. Well, I intend to go and beat him up directly, but with that 'pretext,' we can avoid destroying President Kura's reputation."
"Exactly."
Kikuoka listened silently to Hachiman and the others' conversation. Incidentally, Kikuoka accompanied them to prove that the MediCuboid technology indeed existed in Hachiman's hands, but officially, with some government documents, it would have been perfectly fine. In short, Kikuoka, having conveyed what he needed to convey, had nothing more he could do, but since it was a good opportunity, he simply wanted to relax in Kyoto and perhaps enjoy a hot spring.
"Well, we'll be arriving in Kyoto soon. Finally…"
"I really want this to be the last time I have a bad experience here… for Asuna's sake too."
"Father, I'm completely fine. Hachiman-kun is by my side, after all. More than that, I'm worried about Mother. Mother, try not to get too stressed."
"It's alright, Asuna. No matter how many sarcastic remarks I hear, it just sounds like a loser's howl to me now."
Hearing that, Asuna said to Hachiman with a stunned expression.
"H-Hachiman-kun, what should I do? Mother has become a martial artist…"
"Let me remind you, the same blood runs in your veins as in mine."
"Eh, ehhh? H-Hachiman-kun, I'm not a martial artist, am I?"
At Asuna's words, Hachiman awkwardly turned his face away.
"Eh? Eh? W-wait, Hachiman-kun, why aren't you looking at me?"
"N-no… right, Asuna only occasionally becomes aggressive, yes, occasionally."
"That's not tr—"
"Alright, looks like we'll arrive soon. Let's go, Asuna."
"Ah, wait, Hachiman-kun, wait~!"
And the Shinkansen arrived in Kyoto, and Hachiman succeeded in glossing over the conversation.
"Well then, I suppose Haruno-san and I will be on standby at the hotel."
Haruno agreed with Kikuoka's words.
"Yes, our turn will probably come a little later, so let's check in first."
"Yes, we'll join you as soon as we've met them."
Then, Haruno stopped Shouzo, who was about to call a taxi.
"Shouzo-san, actually, a car has already been arranged."
"Is that so, Haruno-kun?"
"Yes, I think it should be arriving soon. Oh, here it comes!"
And just as Haruno said, a familiar car drove up from a distance. Hachiman, seeing the car, said in surprise.
"That's… Kit? Isn't that Kit? How on earth…?"
"I had it head out alone from last night."
"Ah, I see."
"Were you surprised, Hachiman?"
"O-oh, Kit, did you come here alone?"
"I believe that first-person pronoun is a bit odd for me, but if I were to answer, yes, I did, Hachiman."
"I see. In any case, it's good to be able to move freely. Kit, let's get in right away."
"Yes."
Then Hachiman got into the driver's seat of Kit, and Asuna, naturally, sat beside him. Shouzo and Kyoko got into the back seat, and the four of them headed towards the Yuuki main family residence. After driving for several tens of minutes, the four finally arrived in front of the mansion gates. While Shouzo used the intercom to contact the butler, the remaining three had this conversation.
"This is it… It's certainly a grand old building, isn't it, Kyoko-san?"
"Well, it seems to be a building with a lot of history."
"It kind of looks like a haunted house."
"Hmm, I can't deny that the air feels a bit stagnant…"
"Indeed, my father is like a monster, so that impression might be correct. Kyoko-chan, Asuna-chan, long time no see. Is that Shouzo over there?"
Suddenly, a voice came from the side, and the three hurriedly looked over.
"Oh, if it isn't Tomomori-san, long time no see. You startled me, I wondered who it was."
"Uncle Tomomori, long time no see!"
Hearing Kyoko and Asuna greet him, Hachiman thought, 'So this is the second son, Tomomori-san,' and gave a slight bow. While waiting to be introduced to Tomomori, he decided to observe him.
"Asuna-chan, I'm truly glad you're safe. When I first heard the news, it sent shivers down my spine. From the looks of it, you've completely returned to your beautiful self. I'm just glad you're doing well, Asuna-chan."
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Tomomori-san."
"By the way, why are you here?"
After saying that, Tomomori lowered his voice and whispered to Kyoko.
"Kyoko-san, for you to come here on your own, what's gotten into you? Aren't you going to get stressed out again from all the pointless sarcasm? Are you okay?"
"Hehe, I'm fine. This time, I've come here to pick a fight with the main family, so at worst, I might cut ties with everyone in the Yuuki main family except you, Tomomori-san. If that happens, I apologize."
Hearing Kyoko's words, Tomomori said something outrageous.
"Eh?! Really? Hmm, in that case, why don't you let me join your group? Honestly, it's fine as long as Father is at the top, but you see, in the next board chairman election, Father is retiring, right? If things stay as they are, it's almost certain my older brother will be at the top. The current power structure is like this: my older brother's faction has four, my faction has three, and the faction loyal to Father, which supports my older brother under the guise of neutrality, also has three. As you know, Kyoko-san, my older brother is an incompetent fool and has always hated me, a capable person, since childhood. So, it feels incredibly uncomfortable, as if all my allies will be purged after the election. So, would you be able to recommend me to an acquaintance's hospital, even if just as a regular doctor?"
"Sorry, no can do."
To Kyoko, who answered bluntly, Tomomori, perhaps expecting that answer, said with a smile.
"Ah, really? I thought so… Maybe I should just make a run for it overseas…"
To Tomomori, who was muttering, Kyoko hurriedly said.
"No, no, 'no can do' doesn't mean that. We've come here to make a certain demand, and if it's not accepted, as a fallback, we intend to have you become the board chairman. That's what I meant by 'no can do'."
"Eh?! Is that so?"
"Yes, and as a secret weapon for that purpose, I've brought our son-in-law today. Though belated, let me introduce him. This is Hachiman Hikigaya-kun, who is scheduled to marry our Asuna in the future."
Hachiman, thus introduced, straightened his posture and introduced himself to Tomomori.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Hachiman Hikigaya. I look forward to working with you in the future, Tomomori-san."
"Oh, oh, how polite. Nice to meet you too. Asuna-chan's boyfriend? Fiancé? I see, I see, that's wonderful! The pleasure's all mine, Hachiman-kun."
Saying that, Tomomori extended his hand for a handshake. Hachiman reciprocated, extending his hand. As they approached to shake hands, Tomomori subtly whispered in Hachiman's ear.
"Come to my place later, Hero Hachiman-kun. Thank you so much for protecting Asuna-chan."
Hachiman, at the sudden words, decided to play dumb for now.
"What are you talking about?"
"We'll talk about that later. For now, I want to talk with you, whom Kyoko-san calls a secret weapon."
"I actually intended to do that from the beginning."
"Okay, I'll be waiting."
Hachiman thought that Tomomori was not just an interesting person and was convinced that if this person became the next board chairman, things would move in a good direction. At that moment, Shouzo, having finished talking with the butler, returned.
"Oh, if it isn't Tomomori. How long have you been here?"
"Ah, I just happened to be passing by and was having a brief chat with Kyoko-san."
"I see. Hey, Tomomori, I'd like to visit you later, what's your schedule like today?"
"It's fine, I'll cancel everything, so come whenever you like."
"O-oh, are you sure?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
Tomomori replied, looking at Hachiman.
"That's right, let me introduce you, this is…"
"Ah, it's fine, I've already been introduced to Hachiman-kun. More importantly, you came to see Father, didn't you? Come on, if you keep him waiting, he'll only get more displeased."
"I-is that so? Well then, Tomomori, see you later."
"Yeah, see you later."
Saying that, Tomomori left. Then, the group, guided by the butler, finally came face to face with the head of the Yuuki family, Kiyomori Yuuki.
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