“This is only my assumption, Ruki. The ones we are meeting today won’t be here for my advice. The Mitsui Group isn’t an ordinary corporation fixated on one location. They’re a multinational company that has already spread across the globe. Although we might be dealing with someone from the third generation, they’re more competent and successful than the ones in my family.”

Thanks to the dinner that I’ve eaten at home, leisurely dining with this group was made easy for me. And due to that, I got the spare time to observe them more carefully this time. Not just their table etiquette but also the way they carried themselves.

I also recalled that additional information that Mizuki provided earlier. If the Kaneko Family was already a giant in their own way, Mitsui Group was humongous enough to dwarf it. The only downside is... with how many companies and subsidiaries under them, there are a lot of different factions in them, all vying to get the seat of the next Chairman of the Board; the central power within their Group.

In fact, while the Mitsui Family was still considered the owner, those smaller factions consisting of a multitude of other shareholders could truly threaten their rule if they became careless like appointing failures from their family.

And that’s why a lot of their family members are striving to be more competent to not be outclassed by them.

Honestly, it’s kinda complicated for someone like me who’s living among the common populace but for Mizuki, she has the knowledge and even the strategy on how to deal with them.

And since she thrust me into this situation, she didn’t leave me to fend for myself completely. She dropped me a hint of how to proceed early on.

“Hmm. The chef of this restaurant knows how to cook. I’m impressed.” Hassan commented while wiping her mouth with the table napkin after finishing a plate of lamb chops.

After picking up a glass of wine and sipping on it, his eyes then landed on me. If I’m not wrong, he already had the idea that Mizuki wouldn’t do the talking tonight.

That should be something to be offended for if we go by the norm. But as a shrewd businessman, it wouldn’t be hard for him to understand that Mizuki had some kind of motive for pitting me against them.

On his side, Kyoka was also silent but her eyes furtively focused on Mizuki, trying to read her expression. Mizuki was probably the same.

In short. Although Hassan and I would be the one speaking to each other, the two women were also competing silently.

“Indeed. Although I prefer home-cooked meals, a luxurious dinner like this is always perfect for my palate.”

“Home-cooked meals? Now that’s something I don’t often hear from the people I meet. Have you hired a personal chef to do that?”

“Chef? That won’t be a home-cooked meal if that’s the case. I meant my own cooking or the people close to me like my mother or my special someone.”

“Oh-ho. I see. You’re a person who values close relationships. Just I expect from the one who made the prodigy of Hasegawa Family to change her mind in pursuing a greener pasture.”

“Care to explain what does that mean?”

“I apologize but you seem unaware. Did she not tell you? I have been once considered to be her ideal partner. Although this should be the second time that we’re meeting, I still remember the day I first met her two years ago. At that time, Miss Mizuki had just been recognized as a promising talent from one of the branch families of the Hasegawa.”

He was once considered, huh? Oh. I remember her talking about that before, just that I didn’t pay too much attention to it. And if their first meeting was two years ago, it was before I appeared before her and stole her from that ‘shield’ she was using.

“Ah. You’re right. She mentioned that to me once. If I recall correctly, she turned down your offer to dance in that ball. I apologize for that.”

Since he’s trying to rub that one to my face, there’s no way I would take that lying down. I had to return that favor. I could only vaguely remember about that detail but looking at how Hassan seemingly paused as though his muscles contracted, I probably got it right.

We could be hostile but still smile at each other, especially on this kind of occasion. Besides, he’s definitely trying to rile me and size up my worth.

He’s really a shrewd guy but not that threatening.

Moreover, I don’t think he’s still hung up on that part. With his status, he could take a pick from countless marriage proposals sent his way or court someone he likes.

In other words, bringing up that past is just another way for him to gauge me.

And with that unexpected response that I unhesitatingly delivered, Hassan’s confidence took a blow, albeit only for a split second.

He quickly covered his mouth with the glass still half-filled with wine.

The two women also had a bit of a reaction to that. Kyoka’s frown when glancing at me deepened a little while Mizuki sneakily giggled.

Earlier, Mizuki said that they set up this meeting upon hearing about her. She either intentionally left out the detail that he’s someone she already met before or she already forgot about him. Whichever the case, it surely made this meeting more interesting.

After putting down his glass, Hassan straightened his back and acted like he was fixing his elegant coat by pulling on his collar. Then, upon dropping his arm on the table and leaning slightly, his round eyes narrowed as he sharply stared at me.

“Yeah. That one was unfortunate but a well-received learning experience. It opened my eyes that not everyone will accept me. For you to be accepted by her, it must mean you’re a man of talents as well. Tell me, shall we get down to business?”

While keeping a forced smile on his lips, the tone of his voice also changed. It’s more daunting now and he clearly spread out his presence like a lord gracing his subjects.

There’s no effect on either of us though.

And while I couldn’t drink the same type of drink as him, Mizuki, on my side, poured a grape juice, as dark as the wine Hassan and Kyoka was drinking, on my glass.

I took a sip on it without breaking eye contact with the guy and after downing it to half, I gracefully wiped my wet lips before answering.

“No problem. If there’s anything you need advice on, I’m all ears. Furthermore, Miss Kyoka... might I inquire what it is that’s making you frown when glancing at me? Did I offend you in some way?”

I first thought of only answering with the first part but considering I also had to address that to make this one a success, I intentionally pulled that up on the surface.

And due to that, the woman who was silently competing against Mizuki bared her fangs after a hearty laugh.

“Offend me? Not at all. However, I’m frowning because of how skilled you are at being pretentious. Ha-kun, you failed to pick that up. This boy here is not from our world.”

“Damn, well played. Thanks, Ane-san. I’m seriously lacking to still be fooled like that.”

Somehow, even without confirming that, the guy immediately loosened up his stance as though he was dealing with someone not worth his time. He probably never questioned the woman’s judgement and trusted her completely.

“Not from your world? That’s funny, Miss Kyoka.”

“Why is it funny? I don’t mind being wrong for once but you have to prove it. Because from where I’m sitting, you’re like a puppet held up by her strings.”

Upon saying that, her eyes landed at Mizuki again as though challenging the girl to stop her act.

However, contrary to her expectation. Mizuki’s response was simple. She downed her glass of juice before leaning her head against my shoulder as a provocative smile drew up on her face.

Understanding what she wanted me to do, I patted her head before facing the dumbfounded gazes of the two in front of us.

“Although I want to say that I don’t need to prove myself to the likes of you, I won’t be that arrogant to put on that kind of air. However, I feel insulted, really. So, why don’t we stop dragging this and say your piece? You see, Mizuki declared this earlier. I’m the main character tonight so don’t expect her to step in for me.”

I know. Despite saying all that, that was all me putting on airs but well, that’s not important anymore because with that declaration, they had no choice but to walk out and call this meeting over or face me and put me in my place.

And as I said earlier, Mizuki already gave me a hint on how to deal with them. It now all depends on whether I can be successful in executing that or not.

Even if Mizuki said that it doesn’t matter if I fail, succeeding in this one would bring us more than just a learning experience. I don’t want to squander that.

Furthermore, I don’t want them as enemies – I already have a lot. If possible, I want them to be our bridge who will connect us to more opportunities in the future. Let’s see where this will go.