Outside the gates of Sobu High.
"Kuzeha-kun, this box contains all the deeds and property contracts we've acquired so far for the commercial center project I'm managing… as well as the remaining acquisition funds," Yukinoshita Haruno said, her expression complicated as she pulled a large cardboard box filled with documents from the car.
Just a few days ago, she had still been confidently ordering Awashima Seri to handle demolitions and compensation negotiations, preparing to make a name for herself with this first major commercial project.
She didn't expect that within just three days, the situation would flip so drastically. The orphanage hadn't even been acquired yet—her own project had already been taken over.
But for Yukino's sake, she had no other choice.
"And about my mother…"
Kuzeha interrupted her.
"Don't worry, I get what you mean. For now, just focus on fulfilling your role as the Yukinoshita heir."
Though Yukinoshita Haruno had begun taking over some projects, the entire Yukinoshita Conglomerate was still under her mother's control. Kuzeha had only acquired a portion of the entire empire. For Haruno to fully deliver on her promise, she'd have to take over the whole thing first.
"Seven years… no, give me five. I'll keep my promise within five years."
Haruno took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
Since agreeing to Kuzeha's conditions, she hadn't slept all night. Her thoughts had gone through countless changes.
But after witnessing Kuzeha effortlessly kill the so-called "god" that even Granny Mitsue feared, Haruno had a sudden epiphany.
What value did money, power, and status really have in this world?
When faced with evil spirits, anomalies—even gods—what could they do?
Absolutely nothing.
The only truth in this world was power.
With absolute strength, money, power, and status would naturally follow.
The Yukinoshita Conglomerate might look like it was at its peak, but in truth, it was no more than a castle in the sky.
If not, her mother wouldn't be so desperate to recruit and train extraordinary individuals.
But were those individuals stronger than Kuzeha?
More importantly, Kuzeha was even willing to teach Yukino the spirit-binding technique!
To outsiders, it might look like she was handing over the future of the Yukinoshita Conglomerate.
But to Haruno, she had grabbed the future in that exact moment.
"Miss Haruno, next, I want you to dig into your conglomerate's past projects—especially the ones that faced setbacks but then oddly succeeded in the end," Kuzeha said, eyes narrowing slightly.
Back in his previous world, real estate companies had to play dirty—mixing both light and shadow—just to expand.
Let alone in a world filled with supernatural forces like this one.
Kuzeha suspected there was an extraordinary organization behind the Yukinoshita Conglomerate—one even Haruno's mother didn't control.
Otherwise, there was no way the conglomerate could have grown to such a scale.
Now that the Yukinoshita empire was becoming his own backyard, he needed to clean out all the hidden dangers as soon as possible.
Though puzzled, Haruno nodded in agreement.
Kuzeha took the folder of documents from her and flipped through it. She and her team had moved quickly—they'd already acquired a decent number of properties and land deeds.
Just those alone were worth more than ten billion.
"Find a piece of land near the orphanage and build a new courtyard," he said.
Kuzeha planned to keep the orphanage, but it was old and falling apart.
More importantly… the soundproofing wasn't great.
Now that he had the means, it was time for something big and fancy.
"Any specific requirements?"
Kuzeha thought for a moment, then said, "More rooms."
That was the key.
...
When Kuzeha and Yukinoshita Yukino returned to the classroom, it was just after the break between second and third period.
They'd both been absent for two whole classes—and returned together…
And nothing fuels the imagination of teenage girls more than ambiguous gossip.
Instantly, all sorts of suggestive glances and whispered discussions targeted the two of them.
"There's definitely something going on between those two!"
"Tch tch tch, Kuzeha-kun was hiding his skills well. He actually managed to win over the proud flower of the highlands—Yukinoshita!"
"They were gone for two whole classes! That's 120 minutes—7,200 seconds! That's more than enough time to do who-knows-what!"
Eli listened to the chatter around her, her ocean-blue eyes flickering as her fingers clicked the pen cap anxiously.
She was starting to panic.
Still, she pretended to ask casually, "Kuzeha-kun, were you with Yukinoshita-san this morning?"
"Yeah, I went with her somewhere."
Kuzeha's calm and direct answer left Eli momentarily stunned.
Was it really like what the others said? That he and Yukinoshita had…?
She suddenly remembered how, at the beginning of the semester, Kuzeha would sometimes stare at Yukinoshita's back in a daze.
Thinking about it now, her chest felt tight, like something unsaid was turning into tears and rising to her eyes.
Then Kuzeha added with a slight pause, "Shame we didn't get to ride in Hiratsuka-sensei's Aston Martin again…"
"You went with Hiratsuka-sensei too?"
"Yeah. What, did you think I was off having a romantic tryst with Yukino-san?"
Seeing his half-smiling expression, Eli gave a small snort and turned away in annoyance.
But her breathing eased, the air smelled fresher, and her heart no longer felt heavy!
Then, Kuzeha heard a stream of Russian in his ear.
"I was the first one here. How could you let another girl go ahead!"
Kuzeha chuckled silently.
If they were lining up in order of arrival, this girl wouldn't even be invited to the party yet…
"You're already calling her 'Yukino,' and Kujou-san still hasn't caught on… Kuzeha-kun really does have the makings of a scumbag," came a soft, emotionless voice from ahead.
Kuzeha looked up and met the gaze of a calm, unfathomable pair of eyes.
It was the girl sitting in front of him—Kato Megumi.
She had maxed out her Stealth talent, her presence so faint that Kuzeha sometimes forgot she was there.
Oh? So she's been muttering complaints, huh?
Let's see who gets "scumbagged" next.
As Kato Megumi met Kuzeha's teasing, knowing eyes, she bit her lip and felt her heart skip a beat.
He heard that?
Even at that low volume?
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