Outside the window, birdsong gently touched the water's surface, and ripples spread outwards.
The scorching sun tinted a leisurely cloud, one streak of which was colorful.
When the midday wind once again slammed the door shut, only Hoshino Jun and Yamada Ran were left in the office.
Hamasaki Mayu and the Vice Chairman had been "invited" out by Amano's Queen.
Perhaps, "driven out" would be a more fitting description?
When her eyes fixed on Hoshino Jun, Hoshino Jun knew that an unavoidable crisis might be looming.
Because he could deduce from her words that Yamada Ran had left him behind, seemingly because of Yamada Kaoru.
"Name."
"Chairwoman, don't you know it?"
"Hmm?"
Fluffy clouds drifted across the crystal-clear blue sky; time flowed slowly on this sunny afternoon, carrying a hint of ease and warmth.
Yamada Ran's eyebrows arched slightly, as if on purpose; despite an ashtray being right beside her, she deliberately flicked ash onto the floor.
"I asked for your name."
"Uh… Hoshino Jun."
This time, Hoshino Jun was honest. No matter what Yamada Ran asked, he answered.
Otherwise, his workload risked increasing even further.
"Hmm!"
Yamada Ran's eyes curved like crescent moons. Seated at the head of the table, her expression held a hint of amusement.
"Gender."
What kind of bizarre questions were these?
Hoshino Jun stared at Yamada Ran for a moment, wondering why a woman of great principles would ask such unreasonable questions.
Was it really that difficult to discern that Hoshino Jun, at 180cm, with short hair and a non-petite build, was a male?
This made Hoshino Jun recall many online novels he had read about "beautiful youths," whose protagonists were so stunning they outshone the heroines.
But he was clearly not that type, although he was indeed handsome.
However, Hoshino Jun felt he was the "fierce" kind.
A fierce top, definitely not a submissive bottom.
"Male!"
However, even the fiercest top, when faced with an unreasonable female superior, still had to bow his head slightly.
Both were strong personalities, but Yamada Ran didn't like him as much as Yamada Kaoru did. Hoshino Jun was aware of this.
He couldn't let an A-rank debt slip away.
"Answer me, why did you reject Yamada Kaoru back then?"
At this point, Yamada Ran extinguished her cigarette and asked another question.
It was sharp.
To answer this question, Hoshino Jun spent almost three minutes thinking.
'Should I say I was intimidated by the Yamada Family?'
'Or that I didn't want to be controlled by a zaibatsu?'
'Or, be honest: because Asu Mei existed, he couldn't accept Yamada Kaoru, who would never allow him to be promiscuous.'
Hoshino Jun thought and thought, and time slowly passed.
Yamada Ran seemed in no hurry, her back to the sunlight, waiting for his answer with interest.
Finally.
Hoshino Jun gave the same answer he had given when he first rejected Yamada Kaoru:
"I am a student. My main priority is to study and strive for a better future, not to be in a relationship. So, I'm sorry, Yamada-san."
Their gazes met.
"That reason isn't enough," Yamada Ran said, frowning.
"I think it's enough," Hoshino Jun replied.
Yamada Ran shook her head: "Not enough!"
"You should know the Yamada Family's financial power, so I won't elaborate too much."
"Therefore, if all you want is a beautiful future, Yamada Kaoru can certainly provide you with a sufficiently affluent life."
"Luxury cars, mansions, or any peculiar gadgets young people desire—all can be easily obtained."
"Moreover, Yamada Kaoru herself is a beauty; purely based on looks, countless people want to pursue her."
Yamada Ran slowly listed Yamada Kaoru's advantages, then continued to watch Hoshino Jun.
She waited for Hoshino Jun's rebuttal.
"Striving for a better future"—who would believe that?
"Chairwoman, I think you might be a little mistaken."
Hoshino Jun vaguely sensed that Yamada Ran didn't seem to want to mock Yamada Kaoru, so he decided to stick to the persona he had just established.
If he said he rejected her simply because he wanted to reject "Yamada Kaoru," it might backfire.
He needed a different approach.
Instead of belittling others, he should elevate his own aspirations.
Taking a deep breath.
He straightened his chest.
Hoshino Jun silently looked out the window, his gaze deep and filled with firm resolve.
"The reason I included 'strive' in 'a beautiful future' is because I want everything I achieve in the future to be something I've earned through my own efforts."
"No matter how much Yamada-san can give, it won't be something I gained through my own hard work, nor will it truly belong to me."
"Someone else's wealthy family isn't my destination; I want to become a wealthy family myself."
The young man's tone was confident, self-reliant, and incredibly earnest.
It wasn't an act.
Hoshino Jun's ideal used to be merely to support Asu Mei in the future, but now he had the System.
In less than a week, Hoshino Jun's assets had already exceeded three million yen.
He was confident that he would definitely become wealthy.
At that moment.
Yamada Ran looked at Hoshino Jun's upright figure, and she seemed to understand what unyielding perseverance meant.
Just like her younger self.
Diligently pursuing everything she wanted to do, foolishly believing that through her own struggles, she could achieve the most ideal outcome.
"Ding ~ ding ~ ding ~"
The wind chimes hanging on the curtain jingled, and Yamada Ran's thoughts drifted far away.
Yamada Ran, originally named Saionji Ran, was the wife of the Yamada Group's president and also the eldest daughter of the famous Saionji Department Store.
After marriage, she had revealed to the media multiple times that her dream was to become a police officer, not to stay home and raise a family.
All of this could be found online.
Hoshino Jun had also recorded this information yesterday.
So he was gambling that a resolute persona, combined with his past rejection of Yamada Kaoru, would not displease Yamada Ran.
Currently, he still didn't know the exact effect.
But, what was certain was that it definitely wasn't a negative effect.
"Chairwoman, when can I start working?"
Hoshino Jun inadvertently took two steps forward, allowing Yamada Ran to see his determination more clearly.
Today, he had specifically worn his school uniform, which was faded from washing.
Others might be lying about wanting to rely on themselves, but Hoshino Jun, who could have easily borrowed immense wealth with just a Reach out, was not.
Even now, his external appearance remained incredibly poor.
In the sunlight.
Yamada Ran's thoughts were pulled back, and her gaze refocused on Hoshino Jun.
Her slender phoenix eyes blinked, sparkling with light.
Propping one hand on the desk, the unique sensual charm of a mature woman was fully displayed.
She didn't answer Hoshino Jun's words, but instead said with a smile: "No wonder that little girl Yamada Kaoru likes you; you certainly are quite charming."
Outside the window, the wind rustled.
The magnetic voice, full of mature feminine allure, was very soft, condensed into a single sentence, seeming to carry another meaning.
Hoshino Jun froze, confusion rising in his mind as he looked at the now alluring Yamada Ran.
He couldn't quite grasp the meaning of that sentence, why she would suddenly say he was charming.
Was Yamada Ran too simple, making a huge leap?
Or had Yamada Ran seen through his ulterior motives?
Hoshino Jun remained impassive, silently pondering his next step.
If it was the former, would there be a trap? If it was the latter, how should he salvage the situation?
"Don't you want to achieve everything through your own efforts?"
Yamada Ran stood up, closed the window, and then slowly walked in front of Hoshino Jun.
Her beautiful eyes curved slightly, seemingly smiling: "Now, I'm giving you an opportunity. It just depends on whether you can seize it."
Huh?
Giving an opportunity?
He wondered if it was the opportunity Hoshino Jun was thinking of.
"Arrogant Chairwoman Attempts to Monopolize Me, Who Has 10 Charm," "The Ice Queen Chairwoman Who Is Only Gentle to Me."
If it were Yamada Kaoru, this might be the plot direction, but Yamada Ran and Hoshino Jun were strangers.
It made things a bit strange.
Even though he had reached Charm 10, Hoshino Jun didn't believe that a few simple words could make the Chairwoman fall for him.
"Excuse me, Chairwoman, what kind of opportunity are you referring to?" Hoshino Jun asked blankly.
"I want to ask you for a favor. If you can do it, then I'll give you this much."
Yamada Ran held up a slender, fair finger: "Ten million yen. This amount is definitely not small."
What?
How much?
Ten million yen?
Hoshino Jun quickly opened Yamada Ran's debt information panel and re-read it.
[She currently owes you one A-rank Friendship Debt. Please urge her to complete payment as soon as possible.]
[Payment Methods:]
[Money: Fifty million yen.]
[Food: Lifetime three meals or one year of luxurious three meals.]
[Friendship: In-depth study of university knowledge.]
According to the System's ten-to-one reward mechanism, out of these fifty million yen, the System would give Hoshino Jun a maximum of five million yen.
And helping Yamada Ran with something could actually net him a full ten million yen.
'Damn System, look how generous she is, and then look at you?'
[System:]
[What if she wants you to die? Would you go?]
That was also true; the System's tasks were relatively easier to complete.
Hoshino Jun was just taking the opportunity to diss the unhelpful System.
"T-ten million!"
Hoshino Jun feigned shock, his voice trembling slightly: "Chairwoman, you're not asking me to do something very dangerous, are you?"
Regarding this, Hoshino Jun genuinely didn't understand.
What could the esteemed Chairwoman possibly need help with from a mere student, offering such a high price of ten million?
Surely she wasn't lonely and looking for Hoshino Jun to relieve her boredom.
"There's some risk, but it's not life-threatening."
Yamada Ran, in high heels, walked to the desk, slung her handbag over her arm, her slender eyes returning to their previous seriousness.
Her bright red lips parted slightly: "I want you to help me pick up a woman. You don't need to be with her; you just need to make her like you, confess to you, and then you reject her."
"Huh?"
Hoshino Jun was bewildered.
My target is you, Chairwoman, and you're telling me to go after another woman?
Seeing Hoshino Jun's expression, Yamada Ran thought he was unwilling, and a hint of coolness entered her eyes:
"I'll be direct with you. The woman I want you to pick up is the Vice Chairman who just left, her name is Saionji Ayako."
"I'll give you one day to consider. If you agree to do it, tell me tomorrow. If not, then keep your mouth shut from now on and just focus on cleaning."
An April afternoon.
It's your lie.
Even after leaving the Chairwoman's office, Hoshino Jun had never imagined that Chairwoman Yamada Ran would actually ask him to pick up Vice Chairman Saionji Ayako.
And, it seemed Yamada Ran's maiden name was Saionji, right?
"Should I take on this task?"
Yamada Ran's meaning was clear: if Hoshino Jun didn't accept, he shouldn't spread rumors.
She also wouldn't target Hoshino Jun because of it.
But if Hoshino Jun did spread rumors.
Perhaps, the outcome wouldn't be too pleasant.
'System, she's threatening me.'
[Does that count?]
'Doesn't that count?'
'Quickly, increase the stakes for me!'
[Sorry, no malice detected.]
What a useless System.
"Ding-a-ling—!"
The class bell rang, and Hoshino Jun returned to the classroom. After much careful consideration, he ultimately decided to give up the temptation of ten million yen.
He already had access to the Chairwoman's office anyway. As long as he could see Yamada Ran, Hoshino Jun believed there would always be a way.
As for making Saionji Ayako fall in love with him and then cruelly rejecting her, he would pass.
Although Hoshino Jun considered himself not a good person, he still had basic morals.
Unless the other party and their friends had provoked him, Hoshino Jun wouldn't inexplicably tease them.
Bullying honest people and strangers not only brought no sense of accomplishment but also made him feel like a villain.
If he was going to mess with someone, it would naturally be the ATMs that came knocking.
For example,
Takayanagi Jo, who, for some unknown reason, had started following Hoshino Jun again.
Childish Jo-kun, are you never tired of this hide-and-seek game?
Then let's trigger a few more debt collection projects.
After school in the afternoon.
Hoshino Jun grabbed his backpack and stood up, slowly walking downstairs to open his shoe locker, preparing to change into his outdoor shoes.
But he saw a letter stuffed inside the shoe locker.
Opening it, he saw it was filled with insulting and abusive words.
He hardly had to think to know who was behind it.
Takayanagi Jo, secretly hiding behind.
[Ding!]
[Detected malicious information leakage from Takayanagi Jo!]
[Choose not to pursue, and you will receive a C-rank Friendship Debt.]
Up on the staircase, the smirking Yamada Tsukasa, and his accomplices.
[Ding!]
[Detected malicious insult from Yamada Tsukasa!]
[Choose not to pursue, and you will receive a C-rank Friendship Debt.]
[Ding!]
[Detected malicious abuse from Saionji Ryuichi!]
[Choose not to pursue, and you will receive a C-rank Friendship Debt.]
Three times. Today was another day of great harvest.
Hmm?
Wait.
Hoshino Jun looked closely. Why was there a name with the surname Saionji?