Although Tetsuya had prepared himself for the day he would have to speak face-to-face with this "potential sponsor," he had never imagined that she would be the one to proactively seek him out because of the outfits he designed...
"This should be considered the most ideal situation, right?"
Sakiko said.
"Compared to business calculations and social obligations, this appreciation for Chihaya-nii's work can be considered the best possible outcome."
"...I'm afraid it's not that simple."
Tetsuya, who was looking at his phone, shook his head.
"The director just sent me a file with this young lady's personal information... Her situation might be more complicated than we imagined."
"Hm?"
Hearing this, Sakiko immediately moved her chair next to Tetsuya's and leaned in closer, trying to see the contents of the phone screen.
In the past, Tetsuya would not have reacted to this at all. However, ever since that night, he subconsciously shifted his body slightly away from Sakiko—
"..."
Seeing this, Sakiko's heart was filled with a subtle and complex feeling.
Before, because Tetsuya had absolutely no awareness of her as a member of the opposite sex, he wouldn't have minded this kind of proximity. But now, thanks to Ai's stimulation, it seemed he was finally beginning to awaken in that regard, which was why he was making this seemingly evasive move.
Although she felt a little lonely not being able to close the distance as naturally as before, the meaning behind his action also sparked a trace of secret joy in her heart.
She didn't know whether she should continue to resent Hoshino Ai or, conversely, thank her...
"Do you see this? Her age."
The next second, Tetsuya's voice snapped the slightly distracted Sakiko back to attention.
"15 years old, and it's been less than a month since her birthday."
Tetsuya said in a tone of utter admiration.
"Judging by her age, she should still be a middle school student, yet she already has assets she can invest freely... Even for a young lady from a prestigious family, isn't her family spoiling her a little too much?"
"Is that really the case..."
On the other side, Sakiko, who was also looking over the personal information, frowned slightly.
"Somehow... it doesn't seem like it."
"Hm?"
Tetsuya couldn't help but be taken aback.
"Why do you say that?"
"Generally speaking, if such a prestigious family truly cared for their offspring, they would never allow her to control such vast assets at this age. For a minor whose mind has not yet fully matured, too many assets would only bring her unnecessary burdens and misguided values, and could even bring disaster upon the family in turn. A true prestigious family would never do something so foolish."
"And look here... living separately from the main family due to health reasons. This situation is even more abnormal. Shouldn't it be because of health reasons that she must stay at the main house to be cared for? Why would she specifically move out to live separately?"
"...That is a bit strange."
Tetsuya nodded in deep agreement.
Come to think of it, although he had never pried into Sakiko's past, what he had seen and heard when they first met was enough to prove that she had lived in a relatively well-off family before.
Compared to Tetsuya, who came from an orphanage and knew little about prestigious families, Sakiko's insights were clearly more valuable.
"So in your opinion... what's the deal with this young lady, Sakurakouji?"
"...Perhaps there's someone better suited to answer that question than me."
As Sakiko spoke, she took out her phone and opened her contact list.
Before long, a familiar name appeared before Tetsuya's eyes—
"Hello, Mutsumi. I'm sorry to bother you at this hour. I'm calling because there's something I'd like to ask you about."
Sakiko asked Mutsumi on the other end of the line:
"Have you ever heard of a prestigious family called 'Sakurakouji'?"
...The next day...
"I asked the butler yesterday... Our family has indeed had dealings with the Sakurakouji family in the past."
In the cafe opposite [KaZoKu], Mutsumi answered the question Sakiko had asked her to look into the night before.
"However, they came to our family to borrow money."
"...Eh?" x2
Tetsuya and Sakiko let out a confused sound in unison.
"They're a prestigious family, but they needed to borrow money?"
Tetsuya couldn't help but ask.
Mutsumi nodded lightly.
"The Sakurakouji family's business has suffered repeated setbacks in recent years, and they are currently in a considerable amount of debt... However, it seems to have improved a little recently. According to the butler, although it's only a small amount, they have started to repay some of their debts."
"Just 'improved a little'..."
Recalling the information he read yesterday, Tetsuya said, pinching his chin:
"If that's the case, it would be even more impossible for them to support the young lady of the Sakurakouji family in making such reckless investments..."
"And about Sakurakouji Luna, I've also managed to find out some information."
Mutsumi's next words made the two in front of her even more shocked—
"This young lady has been kept out of the public eye by the Sakurakouji family because she has congenital albinism. Not only is she not allowed to appear in public, but she's not even allowed to go out to attend school. However... this is all news from many years ago. Our family doesn't have any recent information about her..."
"Somehow, this whole thing is getting stranger and stranger."
After hearing Mutsumi's explanation, the confusion on Tetsuya's face deepened.
"A declining family business, a young lady with a congenital disease who's been hidden away... If that's the case, where did the funds she used for investment come from?"
"...Although the possibility is low, there seems to be only one explanation."
Sakiko, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke:
"The funds she used for investment... are entirely her personal assets, unrelated to her family."
"...Eh?!"
Tetsuya couldn't help but cry out in surprise.
"A girl of middle school age can possess such an exaggerated amount of personal assets?!"
"It sounds ridiculous, but it also seems to be the most logical explanation."
At this, she turned her head and said to Tetsuya with utmost seriousness:
"Chihaya-nii, on the day you have your meeting with that young lady, could you let me come along as well?"
"I'm very interested... in this young lady, Sakurakouji Luna!"