"Good day, Fujiwara-kun."
"Good afternoon, Sakayanagi-san."
Arisu, seated on the bench, slowly stood up, patted down her school uniform skirt, then adjusted the beret on her head with her slender, fair hands.
Picking up the cane beside her, she maintained her usual composure and confidence as she approached Toru.
"How long have you been waiting?"
"Not long, less than half an hour. Playing on my phone made the time pass quickly. Fujiwara-kun's timing was perfect."
"I'm always punctual."
"Please come with me. My father is waiting for you in the Chairman's office."
Arisu led the way.
Because of her physical condition, her walking pace wasn't fast. Toru, being considerate, slowed his steps to match hers.
At that moment, Arisu felt her own inadequacy.
As a first-year high school student, she ultimately didn't have the ability to represent her family or the Sakayanagi name in negotiations.
In this matter concerning the survival of her family, she didn't even know how to begin.
Toru was right. Some of the educational philosophies at Advanced Nurturing High School were flawed. The abilities it cultivated in some students weren't necessarily suited for society—it was more like a game of strategy.
The now-desolate commercial street darkened Arisu's expression.
As the Sakayanagi heiress, she had often visited this school when she was little. Back then, the shops were always lit up, and students could be seen laughing and chatting along the street.
But this year, all of it had vanished. Those greedy people all wanted to swallow this school whole.
"You're in a bad mood?"
"After all, Advanced Nurturing High School is the family's only enterprise. The Sakayanagi family isn't some major zaibatsu, nor do we produce politicians. We only have a bit of influence in education. If this school disappears, then so does everything Sakayanagi has."
"At that point, Sakayanagi would no longer be a young lady, but a poor girl."
Toru teased. "...I'll make sure to introduce someone who understands your situation."
"And who would that be, Fujiwara-kun?"
"Have you heard of the Togawa Group?"
"One of Japan's Kazoku and a top-tier corporation."
"The young lady of the Togawa family has fallen so far that she's cooking for me and working as a maid at my place."
"If you're thinking of turning me into your maid too, forget it. Even if my family can't withstand the pressure and ends up selling the school, we'll still get some money out of it. I won't be poor enough to cook for others."
Arisu narrowed her shrewd but clear eyes.
Toru sighed. "Poor Sakiko, I can't even find a companion for her."
Arisu's lips curved faintly, amused by his comment.
Toru glanced at her beautiful legs, wrapped in white stockings. "This might be a sudden question, but... what's wrong with your legs?"
"There's actually nothing wrong. I can walk without the cane. I was just born with a weak heart, so I can't exert myself or get too tired. Using a cane helps conserve energy, and over time, I've just gotten used to it."
Toru nodded in understanding.
No wonder her legs weren't skinny or weak. Instead, they were well-shaped, and her thighs were soft with just the right amount of fullness.
If it were truly a leg issue, there should've been signs of muscle atrophy. So it wasn't her legs—it was her heart.
But a heart condition was far more serious than a leg injury.
"You have a weak heart but still drink coffee? That stuff's harsh on the heart."
"I know. But without it, I can't wake up. I need at least one cup a day. I go for regular checkups and manage my health. But thank you for the concern."
While talking, the two arrived at the administration building.
Looking at the large building in front of him, Toru was momentarily speechless.
Advanced Nurturing didn't have many teachers or students, yet the faculty occupied such a massive building.
No wonder everyone wanted a piece of this school—it was such a waste of resources.
In fact, Toru had been stunned when he looked into it.
All the land belonging to Advanced Nurturing High School was owned by the Sakayanagi family. This land, located in prime Tokyo real estate, had a market value exceeding 10 billion US dollars.
Over 10 billion—and in US dollars.
Even the Fujiwara family, with its long-standing political background and inherited Tokugawa-era wealth, only held a few billion dollars in assets.
Arisu's great-grandfather had truly struck gold—he bought the land and held onto it, and once Tokyo became an international metropolis, the land skyrocketed in value.
Arisu was a hidden super rich girl.
The top floor of the administration building was Chairman Sakayanagi's office. The heavy solid wood doors opened to reveal a bright hall, reminiscent of the White House.
No one sat in the office chair in front of the window. Arisu's father was seated on the sofa nearby, chatting with a guest.
Surprisingly, Chairman Sakayanagi showed a respectful, courteous attitude toward the guest, even appearing somewhat cautious.
But under his stunned gaze, the very guest he was treating so politely suddenly stood and walked up with great enthusiasm to greet Toru.
"Fujiwara-kun, I've heard so much about you. It's an honor to finally meet you. Today is truly a lucky day!"
The man, in his forties and wearing a formal suit, lowered himself as he grasped Toru's hand with both of his, smiling obsequiously.
Arisu looked at the man in confusion. She didn't know who he was and turned to her father.
Chairman Sakayanagi gestured for her to remain calm.
Even he was shaken.
The man was Inoue Akihiko, the Deputy Director of the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.
When he had suddenly shown up earlier, Chairman Sakayanagi nearly had a heart attack like his daughter. He thought the authorities had finally come for him.
After all, a visit from the Special Investigation Department usually meant trouble and possibly jail.
But this deputy director had merely said he was waiting for someone.
Now, with Toru's arrival, Chairman Sakayanagi understood.
This was Toru's way of displaying power—and showing that he had the means to help the Sakayanagi family weather the storm. The arrival of Inoue Akihiko proved that point clearly.
Toru was the heir to the Fujiwara family, but he was still young and didn't fully represent it yet.
If he wanted others to take him seriously, sometimes he needed to borrow authority—like a fox using a tiger's might.
So, he reached out directly to Sakai Takaaki, the head of the Special Investigation Department. Seeing an opportunity to gain favor, Sakai had no reason to refuse.
He couldn't show up himself, so he sent his trusted deputy instead.
This also gave Inoue Akihiko a chance to build his own connection, while allowing Toru to return a favor later.
Everyone in power knew how to play the game.
Chairman Sakayanagi lost all trace of pride.
He stood straight and greeted respectfully, "Nice to meet you, Fujiwara-kun."
"Nice to meet you, Chairman Sakayanagi."
Toru took a quick look at Arisu's father.
Short hair, neatly trimmed mustache, a dignified aura—clearly a well-educated man.
But right now, Chairman Sakayanagi looked exhausted, his face clouded with worry. Clearly, the chaos with the school and family weighed heavily on him.
"Fujiwara-kun, please, have a seat."
Chairman Sakayanagi stood up and offered Toru a seat.
Only after Toru and Inoue Akihiko sat down did he take his own seat, showing his deference.
Arisu watched all of this with wide eyes. Her mind raced as she wondered who Toru really was.
Toru hadn't told her about his ties to the Central Intelligence Agency.
But now, seeing even her father being so respectful, her expression grew more complex.
This man, only a few years older than her, was far too mysterious.
"Arisu, pour tea for the guests."
Chairman Sakayanagi gave the order in a gentle tone, like an old scholar.
"Ah, okay."
Arisu snapped back to her senses, quickly picking up the teapot to pour tea for everyone.
After she finished, she quietly stood behind her father.
"Arisu, you can go out. I have things to discuss with the guests."
"No need, Chairman Sakayanagi. Let her stay. It's not confidential, and this matter concerns her as well."
Toru stopped him.
Arisu gave him a grateful look.
Her father still treated her like a child, no matter how capable she was.
Toru, on the other hand, treated her as an adult.
"If Fujiwara-kun says so, then Arisu, listen carefully."
"Yes, Father."
Arisu replied obediently.
She continued to stand behind him. She wasn't yet qualified to sit at the table.
"Fujiwara-kun, I'll skip the pleasantries. I've always been direct, so I hope you won't mind if I speak bluntly."
"That works for me. I also dislike polite nonsense that lacks any substance, Chairman Sakayanagi."
"Then I'll get straight to it. Fujiwara-kun, you've likely understood the Sakayanagi family's situation. You told Arisu you could help us. I want to know—how much can you help, and what do you want in return?"
Chairman Sakayanagi asked without hesitation.
He knew full well that Toru wouldn't help without something in exchange.
(To be continued.)