Chapter 2947: Downpayment

After gathering my thoughts, I pulled back slightly from the screen to give her a knowing look. "Ah, you misunderstood me, Miss Kyoka. I didn’t mean to be your stress-relief tool.”

“Let’s see. What about a friend who doesn’t care about your title or the number of zeros in your bank account? Someone who can just tell you that you’re doing a great job, or maybe tell you that you’re being a brat when you’re acting too proud."

Kyouka stared at me for a few seconds before bursting out laughing.

"I would’ve believed you if you didn’t take the job to earn that 1%.” She paused for a moment, wiping the tear that formed at the corner of her eye from too much laughter. Then, she stared at me with her eyes turning more profound, as though her earlier languidness was just an illusion. “Onoda-kun, I feel lighter now. You did a great job."

"Glad to be of service." I smiled and did a small bow.

Mhm. Looks like it worked. That was my intention all along anyway. Making that offer was just a way to make her loosen up and talking to her in an unrestrained way successfully stripped away the stiffness of her corporate persona, leaving her feeling refreshed.

"Now, get some sleep. You have a big day of being a student tomorrow, and I have a big day of being a target for those old foxes," Kyoka added.

"What about my compensation, Miss Kyoka?" My lips curled up slyly.

"You’re still asking for compensation? Is seeing me like this not enough for you?"

“Hmm? Not enough, Miss Kyoka. You might not know, but... I can ask Mizuki to ask for more.”

“You little pervert. Pfft. Then how about this...”

As soon as she said that, Kyoka shifted her position, intentionally letting the silk robe slide further down her shoulder. The movement was slow, deliberate, and designed to provoke my desire.

Shortly after, the screen became filled with the creamy expanse of her skin and the smooth curve of her shoulder. The calculated way the fabric clung to her chest while exposing her collarbone and the upper part of her voluptuous pair was a silent invitation. It’s like she wanted me to look forward to next time.

No wonder she didn’t mind answering the call while wearing that. She had intended to use her charms on me as leverage right from the start.

Well, it’s not that bad. It’s just... I never expected this side of her. Isn’t she too trusting? Or am I that trustworthy in her eyes? How did she even come up with this?

I would never know unless I ask or get to know her more.

In any case, we can play this game and see who loses in the end. Besides, that 1% is more than enough compensation for our future.

"Alright, Miss Kyoka, do you want me to have difficulty sleeping? That’s too much stimulation for a healthy young man," I joked, though my eyes didn’t leave the screen, drinking what she was generously offering.

Kyoka let out a soft hum, her gaze turning sultry. "Then consider this a down payment. Sleep well, Onoda-kun."

The screen went black as she ended the call again on her end, leaving me in the quiet of the room with only the soft breathing of Akane beside me. Although it was brief, I caught the flustered glimmer in Kyoka’s eyes just before the disconnect. She probably never expected herself to go that far. Most likely, she’d blame the red wine for it come morning.

I didn’t dwell on it further and just slid back down the bed, resting comfortably while I pulled Akane close.

It’s time to sleep.

---

"Futaba called, husband. She wanted to talk to me and Fuyu. She’s confessing, isn’t she?"

After breakfast, Akane came up to me just as I was about to prepare for school. The girl also messaged me, greeting me with ’good morning’. For sure, she was feeling conflicted right now but what we shared last night was something she accepted wholeheartedly. Furthermore, since I claimed that she’d be mine, that also remained in her thoughts.

"Mhm. She certainly will. It’s one of the conditions we set. Nothing can be hidden from you and Fuyu. Go easy on her, alright? That girl must be full of worries and guilt by now."

"Un. I know what to do, husband. But you should worry about Fuyu. You’re so soft on her, but Fuyu won’t be gentle if she gets jealous. You haven’t seen it yet but I know she will be." Akane teased, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to my cheek.

Right. Having been close friends for a few years, this girl knows Fuyu more than me. Even if I managed to capture her as well, I had yet to see her express jealousy in its purest, most unfiltered form.

I could somehow imagine Fuyu ignoring me to show she was upset. And pampering or coaxing her might not be enough to dispel it. I needed to let her release that tension in whatever way would be most comfortable for her.

Of course, she might not show it to me but I could tell it at a glance. Besides understanding my girls and their moods, I have no other special talent. Right?

Besides, if she got upset at me, it would be rightfully deserved.

"Understood. Will she be scary?"

"Hehe, scared?"

"Mhm. It’s always scary to me. And it’s not just towards Fuyu’s potential jealousy. I’m always afraid that one day, you will all leave me because of this fatal flaw of mine," I put on a small, helpless smile.

Akane immediately pinched my lips though, preventing it from forming completely. "Okay, overthinker husband. I’ll be mad if you say that again. I won’t leave you. And I’m certain none of us will after accepting you and your imperfections."

"Hurry up and let’s go take a bath. You didn’t take one last night."

With that, the girl dragged me to the bathroom with her as we soaked in the tub together.

—

Before we set off, my mom arrived with her car. She’s picking up Minoru to babysit the boy for Miwa-nee today.

Since the location of the cafe was already decided, she was going to start preparing the necessary arrangements for starting the business.

When I sent Mizuki the answer to her ’daily quiz’ for me, she mentioned that she was going to send Suzuki-san to drive Miwa-nee around to the places she needed to visit for the establishment of the cafe.

From their estimation, it would still take at least a month or two for the cafe to open. There are a lot of things to prepare: signing the lease for the property, getting licenses and permits, finding suppliers, contacting renovation companies to improve the interior design and hiring process for other staff.

Miwa-nee decided to do it all herself. At least, those tasks she can take on, she wants to personally manage them.

And that’s why my mom is delighted to get the chance to take care of the boy again.

Of course, as her baby boy, I still couldn’t escape her doting nature even at my age. If not for Akane’s help to pull me away, my cheeks would’ve been bruised by my mother’s enthusiastic affection.

Anyway, it looked like my father had something today and she couldn’t come with him, so I ended up bearing the brunt of her love. In the future, I hope Minoru could take my place.

That would be ideal, no?

At least, she wasn’t as extreme with Minoru. Even when the boy stayed with them during the time Miwa-nee was processing the divorce from her ex-husband, she hadn’t overly doted on him.

Ah. It’s possibly because she was afraid Miwa-nee would scold her. She wouldn’t let my mom go completely overboard with the boy. She had witnessed her excessive doting nature since she started living with us back then, after all.

And regarding their trip this week, my mom told me it would be this Friday. Miwa-nee was still debating whether to join them or stay at home, letting the boy spend time with them again.

If she ends up staying, Miwa-nee will have some free time since they’ll be up north over the weekend. Maybe she can also come to our Cultural Festival?

Ah. It probably won’t happen. But she might visit Hayashi-sensei. As far as I know, since that day they went to drink together, they have remained in touch.

I don’t know. I’ll ask her when the time comes. She’ll probably feel like she’s too old to enjoy the festivity aimed at students and young visitors.

And speaking of Hayashi-sensei, I have no idea if Hayashi-sensei has already told my mom and Miwa-nee what happened between us.

Probably not yet, otherwise, my mom would be all over it and she’d pester me about the details of how I managed to steal away her years of affection.

I guess I’ll keep our relationship a secret for now. After all, she’ll probably find a hole to hide in if, after venting about her frustration over her unrequited love for my father, they find out she ends up getting involved with me not long after...

I have to give her some time first, right? Mhm. I’ll visit her later.