Mr. Brando, the HR Manager of the labor dispatch company under the Kuse Group—simply put, he was in charge of miscellaneous affairs.
However, this was by no means a throwaway position; on the contrary, it bore considerable responsibilities. The Kuse Group's business operations spanned multiple fields, with frequent collaborative projects between them. Sometimes, this necessitated the establishment of specialized new departments or even subsidiaries for management.
These departments, born from specific tasks, would also face downsizing or dissolution upon a project's conclusion, making personnel transfers a major issue.
In Japan, ordinary office workers pursue stable positions. Although the famous "lifetime employment system" has been gradually disintegrating in the 21st century, traditional concepts remain. Being transferred externally is a challenge for them.
If it involves a long-term transfer, it might even affect family relationships. If one wishes to avoid problems, it is best for the whole family to move—this is how the "transfer students" in anime come about.
The labor dispatch company where Shirogane Brando worked mainly provided the Group with capable, experienced temporary workers who could be put to use immediately, supplementing the combat power of newly established departments.
This way, as departments were established and dissolved, there wouldn't be large-scale changes in the regular staff.
Most of these "temporary workers" possessing various professional skills were young people without family ties. While they held the title of labor dispatch, in reality, they almost exclusively worked within the Kuse Group. Since the salary and benefits were quite good, viewing them as "mobile formal employees" wasn't inaccurate.
Some of them would be scouted by certain departments during their rotation and retained directly, or perhaps they would develop the desire to marry and seek a stable position, at which point they would leave this unit.
In short, where Father Shirogane worked was actually a talent reserve center for the Group. He was responsible for personnel transfers between six or seven departments, so his authority and responsibility were actually quite significant.
By the way, his ability to reach this position wasn't due to Ryu engaging in "cronyism," but because he truly possessed the capability.
His ability as a corporate slave was extremely excellent. Decades of struggle had honed various professional skills, and his vocational certificates alone could stack up to half a person's height. He was particularly suited for this kind of work where one needed to "know a little bit of everything"!
The reason the Shirogane family was poor wasn't that he lacked ability, but that he had taken the wrong path before—some people just aren't suited for doing business independently.
Then he met the Kuse Group, was given a slight lift by the "invisible hand," and instantly revitalized a second spring in his life!
What was commendable was his extreme professional integrity. Despite being in a position with "great potential for personal gain," he never reached out to skim off the top. His family still owed a mountain of debt, yet he stubbornly paid it all off relying solely on his salary.
Ryu's rule for subordinates was not to encourage overtime, yet Shirogane Brando ground himself to the limit within the rules.
Ryu was naturally very satisfied with such a subordinate, and even began to size up a certain Student Council President in advance~
***
Today was the weekend. Ryu brought several girls over to scout the location and visit the staff. This was mainly because Chika liked joining in the fun and was very interested in the behind-the-scenes work of such large-scale events. Moreover, it was said that many idols had been invited this time; collecting signatures and group photos would provide conversational fodder for chatting with friends later.
Shirogane Kei unexpectedly saw her old man directing things at the scene. She showed no shyness, generously introducing him to her friends. On the contrary, Father Shirogane remained solemn and didn't communicate much with his daughter.
"That's 'Kyoto 48's' Reika-chan and Shoko-chan!
Amazing~ The Center vocalist of 'Sweet Steel' ... Is that '[Back Street Girls]'? It really is!
This is great! Being friends with Lady Chika is truly wonderful!"
Mieruko's best friend, who had tagged along for the ride, was now so excited she was incoherent, even offering honorifics to Chika.
"Oh my, oh my" The pink-haired Chika chuckled. "Calm down, Hana-chan It's not that exaggerated."
"Woo! Today is the most shining day of my high school life!"
Yurikakawa Hana's eyes beamed, hyperactive as if she had stayed up too late. Yotsuya Mieruko had to hold her hand to ensure this best friend wouldn't go berserk.
"Do you like [Back Street Girls] that much?" Ryu glanced over there and quickly found the trio—ah no, the quartet.
"Then go ask them for an autograph. I'll have a staff member take you."
"Kuse-classmate, saikou! You are my God!" Yurikakawa Hana cheered, literally jumping for joy, immediately attracting a burst of attention.
Sugou, who was speaking with Airi, also had his attention drawn over. Then, at a glance, he saw his old acquaintance—
Yuuki Asuna!
"!"
A nameless heat rushed from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, then rapidly cooled down, finally transforming into a long sigh in his throat.
He knew his current situation wasn't caused by this girl, but that didn't stop him from harboring resentment and jealousy towards her!
...Huh, why is there jealousy?
A trace of confusion flashed through Sugou's mind, but he didn't delve into it, merely sizing up that girl not far away in secret.
When the SAO incident occurred, Sugou took the opportunity to launch his own plan, but was caught halfway. Not only was his reputation ruined, but he was even handed over to the Yakuza for disposal, resulting in his fall to this current state...
Of course, he wouldn't feel that he, who bit the hand that fed him and tried to steal trade secrets, was the problem. Because he had never taken [Rect] seriously to begin with; at best, it was just a stepping stone, the Yuuki family included!
He didn't care at all about the so-called debt of gratitude for recognizing his talent. With his ability, he could hold a high position no matter the platform.
Uh... stealing Kayaba Akihiko's research results was just for reference... absolutely not because he lacked confidence in himself... Cough!
Damn Yuuki, to actually harm me to this state. I must make you pay the price!
—Yes, even now, he felt his enemy was the Yuuki family.
Because given the situation at the time, he was caught inside [Rect]. It should logically have been the security personnel of the affiliated company. And the one he directly betrayed was also the Yuuki family; basically, only the Yuuki family had a reason to use such Yakuza methods to dispose of him.
After all, no one could have imagined that a psychopath would arrange a company of agents, private detectives, and hackers to monitor a Kayaba Akihiko who seemed harmless to everyone!
Even more unimaginable was that the person attempting to steal scientific research results would be taken care of by this group of professionals in passing~
It could be said that Sugou Nobuyuki was collateral damage! That person wasn't coming for him at all!
If he learned the truth, Sugou would definitely be so stifled he'd want to commit suicide...
However, it was also possible that because his importance couldn't compare to Kayaba, he would develop jealousy towards his old classmate—the thoughts of perverted scum are hard to predict.
But then again, even if "she" was full of resentment, what could be done?
Rely on this current body for revenge?
Setting aside how on earth to topple the Yuuki family, she first had to consider how to escape the Inukin Group's control.
...That boss of the gang simply wasn't human. Although Sugou had known many "demons" before, most were well-dressed and polite. He couldn't handle this kind of martial faction at all and couldn't think of any way to escape.
It was truly helpless!
You couldn't reason with that thing at all. He was a man with only money and violence in his eyes. Even if you wanted to use a female body to seduce him, the other party already knew your background.
Moreover, this demon was actually a [Pure Love Warrior], a good man only when it came to loving his wife... which also made Sugou despair.
—That's right, he had considered seducing the Inukin Group boss.
In the end, could he only give up...
"Aiko, autograph!"
"Oh!"
Sugou snapped back to reality, took the paperboard, and skillfully wrote his name on it, along with the customary heart and cute blessing—he truly loathed how practiced he was.
"Thank you, Ai-chan! I'm a die-hard fan of yours; I'll definitely cherish it!"
"That's just wonderful~"
Sugou waved along with his companions, watching the girl leave, thinking she was just an ordinary fan. But then, he heard the conversation between Airi and Chika.
"That girl is a high schooler? Why is she at a work site? Work-study program?"
"No, no, didn't you see such a large group of people surrounding her companions? They must be friends of some big shot~"
"Oh oh! That boy looks a bit familiar. He seems to have been on TV... Uh, what program was it?"
"Hmm, that face is too luxurious for a high school student... An entertainer?"
Entertainer?
Sugou naturally saw Ryu as well. After all, he was just as conspicuous in the crowd. But unlike the Yakuza thugs beside him, Sugou clearly knew Ryu's status and position.
Idiot! That's the heir of the Kuse Group. You don't even know that? This is why brainless hooligans will never... Hmm?
He knew Kuse Ryu, but why was Yuuki Asuna by his side?
Sugou's high-IQ brain connected the information in less than a second, arriving at a quite correct answer:
The Yuuki family has latched onto a big thigh and tasted the sweetness!
He paid close attention to the Yuuki family's status, so he naturally knew that [Rect]'s stock price had skyrocketed because of ALO.
Asuna... is this little girl clear about the situation she faces? Hmph~
Sugou had no feelings to speak of for Asuna. He had merely set his sights on this prey when he worked at [Rect] and was placed in high regard by the Yuuki Family Head, participating in family gatherings.
In Sugou's eyes, Asuna was a status, an asset, a beautiful plaything. He had once envisioned courting Asuna, or rather fawning over the Yuuki Family Head to have her betrothed to him.
Then he could deeply participate in the management of the family business, overshadow Asuna's brother, and usurp [Rect] with his surpassing skills!
However, before this idea could be implemented, the thunderclap of Kayaba Akihiko exploded. Sugou, who was already one to bite the hand that fed him, couldn't withstand the temptation. He planned to package the data and take it away, handing it to foreign capital to earn greater profits... and then there was no need to say more.
So, now that Sugou knew the Yuuki family's thoughts, he wasn't too angry. He knew this was a political marriage—it just depended on whether the Kuse side was willing.
Although Yuuki Asuna was bright and moving, to move the Kuse family, which held decisive weight in the country... such a lineage wouldn't just look at the individual when choosing a daughter-in-law; status was the most important thing.
If Yuuki's status was equivalent to the Inukin Group, then Kuse was the Daikoku-kai—the main family of the main family of the Inukin Group.
They weren't on the same level at all~
Hmm?
A bolt of lightning cut through Sugou's mind, instantly making him tremble uncontrollably.
A thought full of temptation slowly surfaced. Sugou Aiko's breathing became rapid and fiery, her piercing gaze nailed fanatically onto that man—
Kuse Ryu!
If I can capture this man!
Not only can I escape this sea of bitterness, but revenge against the Yuuki family would be a piece of cake!
Asuna? How can that kind of yellow-haired little girl compare to the mature and glamorous me in terms of feminine charm!
I must create opportunities for mutual contact!
Yes... yes... you are very beautiful, Aiko. You are truly very beautiful. The person in the mirror, from face to figure, is undoubtedly an entertainer-level beauty!
Idols are created to fulfill men's dreams. As you who have been trained as a perfect idol, capturing a mere high school student will be absolutely no problem!
Because you are an Idol!
Defeat Asuna and snatch Kuse Ryu!
—Ah! This is...
Jealousy?
Suddenly understanding where the earlier feeling of jealousy came from, the energized Aiko couldn't help but fall into melancholy once again...
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