No wonder in Yagyu Ine's report yesterday, Miharu Taki Sakura left school early after completing her work, without staying too long.
One should know that she usually voluntarily worked an extra half hour to handle official business.
Mibuomi Aoi had never doubted Miharu Taki Sakura; he didn't believe Sakura would have a private affair with Ayanokoji. He greatly trusted Miharu Taki, and he also greatly trusted himself.
He believed in his charm and in the family-arranged engagement.
Miharu Taki Sakura had known him for three years; they were childhood sweethearts. How could she be involved with a new student who had only been at this school for a month?
Moreover, he was a man who was about to become the Student Council President, and the eldest son of the Mibusakaomi family. Even if Miharu Taki Sakura was unwilling, she would inevitably be bound to his chariot and serve him.
Last night, Miharu Taki Sakura should have just been trying to persuade him to join Zenshoukai, appealing to his emotions and reason. Unfortunately, Ayanokoji must have still refused.
However, Ayanokoji didn't even want to gamble with Sakura, preferring to concede and hand over eighty million yen… It seems Ayanokoji Kiyotaka has a good impression of Sakura.
Could this point be exploited?
Should he use Sakura to help with his upcoming plans?
As soon as this thought arose, Mibuomi Aoi quickly dismissed it.
No, she was his fiancée, and currently his biggest helper. Before truly determining whether Ayanokoji could be used by him, it was best not to easily put her on the gambling table.
There was also something else that surprised him… He hadn't expected Saotome Meari's strength to have grown to such an extent that she almost beat Miharu Taki Sakura.
Although the game they played while gambling was a game of chance, skill did not play a significant role.
However… luck is also a part of strength, and in gambling, luck can even be said to be the most important part.
Only those favored by luck are the true winners—Mibuomi Aoi had always believed in this.
To recruit Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Saotome Meari was definitely an obstacle.
But with Saotome's current gambling level, many of his subordinates probably couldn't handle her.
At this time, it was time to use the "backup plan."
In addition to verbal encouragement, there must naturally be tangible rewards to make others work loyally for you.
Yagyu Ine clutched the red envelope Mibuomi Aoi had kindly placed in her hand, suppressed her excitement, lowered her head, and hurried away.
She was still Miharu Taki Sakura's assistant, and she couldn't let others see her coming out of Mibuomi Aoi's office.
After Yagyu Ine left, Mibuomi Aoi also got up and left his office, heading to the school library.
He had been coming here for several days in a row.
He scanned the room and quickly found his target.
Casually pulling out a book, Mibuomi Aoi sat opposite a girl with braided pigtails who was quietly reading with her head down.
He didn't disturb the girl, and also opened his own book, reading it with relish.
The girl was engrossed in her reading and didn't realize someone had come to sit opposite her. After more than ten minutes, she finally noticed Renshochen.
"Renshochen-sama, when did you arrive!" She hurriedly closed her book, her eyes darting around, her face slightly flushed.
She had long bangs that made her look gloomy, and it was clear she was the type of shut-in who wasn't good at socializing.
She had a rather cute face, but because her hair covered her eyes, it gave people a cold, eerie, and unapproachable feeling.
In fact, besides her, there was no one else in the library.
Renshochen revealed a gentle smile: "I've been here for a while. I saw that Okuri-chan was engrossed in her book, so I didn't disturb you."
Her name was Shimotsuki Okuri, and she was the champion of the Landlord Competition previously held by Ayanokoji.
The girl quickly shook her head, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Compared to Mibuomi-sama's time, my time is not important at all. Mibuomi-sama should have called me when he arrived!"
Renshochen said softly and gently, "Okuri, don't belittle yourself. You and I are equal, and our time is equally important. This time I have something to ask of you, so of course, I should wait quietly by the side."
He shook the book in his hand and said with a smile, "Besides, this book is quite interesting, so it's not a waste of time."
"Ah, this book is The Count of Monte Cristo. Mibuomi-sama, you have excellent taste in books!"
When Shimotsuki Okuri talked about a field she was familiar with, her eyes lit up, and she was eager to show off to Mibuomi-sama.
Renshochen nodded with a smile: "Yes, I like stories where the protagonist endures hardships and successfully takes revenge."
Although he picked this book at random, to avoid being exposed, he naturally had to choose a book he had read before.
This book was also one of his favorites.
"Mibuomi-sama, what do you need me for today?" Shimotsuki Okuri smiled shyly and got to the point: "Just say whatever you need me to do!"
"Okuri-chan, can I trust you?"
She nodded repeatedly, her expression serious: "As long as it's Mibuomi-sama's request, I will definitely provide help!"
"I want you to gamble with Saotome Meari," Mibuomi Aoi said.
...
"Ayanokoji, I'm sorry. Not only did I act on my own, but I also lost the gamble and couldn't get that eighty million back…"
Saotome Meari sat on the bar stool, her hands on her thighs, lowering her head in shame. She had tried her best, but the outcome still wasn't what she desired.
Ayanokoji stood behind the bar, his tone calm: "I already conceded. That eighty million was originally lost to Miharu Taki Sakura, so it doesn't matter if you lost; there's no need to blame yourself."
Ayanokoji didn't mind; this money was originally for him to "test the waters." Fortunately, Meari lost. If she had won, it would have been a bit difficult for him.
Ayanokoji poured Meari a drink: "Have something to drink and calm down. Tell me what exactly happened."
Meari and Hanatemari Kazura exchanged glances, both sighing in relief simultaneously.
Ayanokoji really wasn't blaming her… When Hanatemari swore it was true, Meari didn't believe it, thinking she was just comforting her.
She had been worried that Ayanokoji would get angry, but Hanatemari, as always, trusted Ayanokoji. Was she still not as understanding of Ayanokoji as Hanatemari was now…
Meari just sighed to herself, not thinking too much. After taking a sip of her drink and calming down, she recounted the details of the gamble.
She omitted her own thought of cheating, focusing on Miharu Taki Sakura's "cheating" later on.
Meari said, hitting the bar in frustration, "Actually, I originally won. Who knew that Miharu Taki Sakura, who seems so upright, would secretly cheat!"
Meari got angry just thinking about it.
She had such good luck and was about to win, but then she didn't expect Miharu Taki Sakura to secretly cheat, instructing her assistant to take the last piece!
Otherwise, the final winner would definitely have been her!
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