As we walked to the table of the one who we were supposed to meet tonight, I recalled Mizuki’s words earlier when she was explaining everything in detail to me. It was long and I remained mostly silent during it.

“Looking at your expression, I can easily guess what is on your mind right now, Ruki.”

“You’re wondering. Wondering why I’m letting you be the main character in this seemingly important meeting.”

“Allow me to preface with this: In this world, there’s the saying ‘Nothing gained. Nothing Ventured.’ If you’re not ready to take a risk, you can’t really achieve anything in life.”

“I’m risking my reputation to give you the spotlight. And truthfully, it’s not only because I believe in you wholeheartedly. One other reason is... whether you met with success or failure, this night would be giving both of us the necessary experience to continue treading on this path.”

“One can’t always stay winning. Because once you gain the mentality that you’re invincible, you’ll be exposing yourself to a bigger weakness. The devastation you will face when you lose once can topple everything you built from the ground up.”

“Therefore, there’s no better time to feel that way right from the start than wait until you showered in success.”

Ending my recollection at that, I glanced at my girl, and somehow, as though she had read my mind, she put a finger on her lips and smiled.

Although it took me a while to fully understand what she was trying to do, the reality that we were a few steps away from that eventual experience made everything she said sink into my head.

In other words, it’s also similar to one’s infatuation or love towards someone. Waiting for your opportune moment will leave the other person open to other competitors. Like how I swooped in between most of the girls I stole recently. Or specifically, the situation I dealt with when stealing Satsuki, Nami, and Saki.

They didn’t risk the possibility of failure so... they gained nothing from it. And because they were too late to make a move, they couldn’t salvage this situation anymore.

Well, in simpler terms, Mizuki was also gambling with me as her chip on the board. But as they say, life itself is a gamble so... there’s that.

“We have arrived, please ring the bell when you’re ready.” The man, or let’s call him the waiter, stopped before the table and bowed in two different directions successively. Once to the pair sitting next to each other and once to us standing behind him.

Right. We’re not meeting just one person but two.

The representatives of the Mitsui Family. A pair of cousins, one from the direct lineage who is probably at least third in line to be the next Patriarch, and the other, someone like Mizuki; a talent acknowledged by the main branch.

As soon as that waiter left our area, one of the two parted his lips.

“Huh? Well, this is indeed a surprise. I was skeptical when they returned a message that the prodigy of the Hasegawa Family will be bringing someone else with her. I considered the possibility but to think that it is really a lover. Ane-san, you won this round.”

Instead of an introduction or a greeting, he started with that. His eyes lingered on our joined arms. Moreover, with the way he scanned us with his eyes without even trying to match our gazes, he was definitely something else. He doesn’t seem to care at all.

From his appearance, he is, more or less, like someone cut from the same cloth as Ichihara Jun. He also has the looks to capture the hearts of women. The difference he has with Ichihara Jun is... This guy is probably not just a spoiled brat who’s doing anything he wants because someone is backing him. He’s someone with the right ability and experience even if it’s not as much as the two women on our table.

According to Mizuki, he has just finished high school. And instead of going to college to get a degree, he postponed it and requested to start working in one of their subsidiaries to gain experience in managing.

His name is something easier to remember. It’s a number.

Mitsui Hassen or 8000. I don’t know where they referenced that name from or if it has any meaning. And I’m not invested enough to know.

“Hmm? Why don’t you introduce yourself first, Ha-kun? Our side is the one who requested this meeting. You’re being rude for skipping that part.” The other one spoke in humility while reminding the guy next to her. She also bowed slightly in respect and perhaps an apology.

But then, her eyebrows lifted slightly as a hint of interest surfaced on her face. Her scrutinizing gaze only lingered for a few seconds at Mizuki before it became fixated on me.

Rather than be intrigued by the prodigy of the Hasegawa Family, she’s more interested in the person Mizuki brought with her.

Unlike 8000, this woman’s name is known publicly. Mitsui Kyoka. She’s a TV personality. Not an actress but someone who appears in some shows to be interviewed or to be asked for advice. I even remembered catching her on one of those segments. However, I couldn’t remember the content. Maybe it’s about business. Maybe not.

But according to Mizuki, she’s here only as an observer. Or perhaps a mediator.

The one needing advice is 8000.

Anyway, judging by the way they called each other, they probably have a closer relationship than just being cousins. If I’m not wrong, she’s already the guy’s advisor.

And from that, the foreboding sensation that I felt earlier somehow intensified. They’re not here to thrash Mizuki, right? Or to make it seem like she’s a fraud and she did not deserve to be called a prodigy.

Maybe they wanted to test her.

However, that begs me the question of... For what reason?

They’re not based in the same location and there’s no rivalry between them.

They also didn’t look like they were here to ask for her hand in marriage.

Strange. What is their motive?

While I was lost in that thought, I felt Mizuki’s elbow digging into my side, pulling me back to my senses.

Yep. She noticed that I was slipping into overthinking again.

“Oh. Right. I apologize. It’s nice meeting you...” While looking a little embarrassed, Hassen, who was spurred by Kyoka, stood up from his seat and extended his arm for a handshake while introducing himself. Kyoka also followed suit to do the same.

Mizuki and I returned the greeting with a smile before taking our seats. The girl also didn’t say anything else apart from that introduction. She’s truly letting me take control of this conversation in her stead.

As perceptive as they were, the Mitsui duo understood her intention.

“Onoda, is it? I’ve heard of this surname from the South. Can I take a guess that you are part of that family?”

Ah. I knew it. If the scale of their conglomerate was much bigger than the Ichihara then it’s not really hard for them to hear about that prefecture where my father’s family side is lording over.

Mizuki didn’t react to that which means, she was already aware. I mean, she probably knew about it ever since I’ve stolen her. Just that, she’s also aware that our family is not in direct contact with them. Hence, she never brought that up to me.

But for this guy to bring that up... I guess he’s taking that as my qualification to appear here.

How should I answer then?

There’s no denying it anyway. So, I better just go with the flow. Until we get to the main topic, I’ll accommodate them to the best of my ability to socialize.

“I believe so. However, I was born and raised in this city. The only connection tying me to them is my father’s blood.”

“Oh. Interesting.” Hassen smiled in response. He’s not faking that look of interest on his face.

On the other hand, I noticed Kyoka frowning slightly. Whether that’s because of my surname or not, I had no idea.

A while later, Hassen clapped his hand and suggested, “Oh, where are my manners? Why don’t we eat first and talk business over it?”

“No problem. I’m also about to suggest that. We can’t have a proper discussion if we’re starved, can we?”

As I said that, I also lightly pushed my elbow on Mizuki’s side, teasing the glutton whose stomach was already churning. Yeah. At least, it’s not making a loud noise yet.

With the two parties agreeing, we rang the bell placed at the side of the table and no longer than five seconds later, the waiter returned to receive our order.

I don’t know what I should expect here but this first few minutes can’t even be called the start of this challenge...