THE matchmaking meeting had been successfully interrupted. Asuka’s expression, however, was perpetually downcast on our ride back to the academy. Noticing this, I exchanged a glance with my accompanying maid.
“Would you care for a beverage, milady?” she offered promptly.
“A bit of milk tea sounds lovely,” I replied. “And you, Asuka?”
Her response came as though she was snapping back from a distant thought. “Oh, um… Orange juice then, please. Thank you.”
The maid nodded immediately and set about preparing our drinks. Once served, Asuka picked up her glass and sipped away. Well, that didn’t help. She still looked depressed, just with a glass of orange juice now. Between her and Sayaka, she’d always been the livelier one, so it was jarring, and frankly a little upsetting, to see her so withdrawn.
Amidst the quiet, I thought about a way that might lift her spirits, when suddenly, she placed her glass down and locked eyes with me. “Ms. Mio, I wanted to thank you for your support of my family’s company today,” she said somewhat hesitantly. Curiously, she’d omitted any mention of her almost-engagement.
“Is the marriage still on your mind?” I asked.
She smiled weakly. “Yeah.”
Her family’s relief from financial burden should have been a victory, but it seemed to strip Asuka of her sense of purpose just as effectively. That loss of direction was understandable. I imagined how I would feel if Shizuku declared she no longer needed my help. Would I be relieved? No, I’d feel utterly powerless.
If only I could say something to assuage that feeling, I thought…when an idea struck. It involved being a little deceptive to Asuka, but it should work.
“Asuka, I have a proposal for you,” I conveyed.
Sensing the shift in tone, she quickly straightened her posture. “Yes, what is it?”
“While an injection of capital is all well and good, it scarcely addresses the operational issues systemic to your family’s company. You understand that, yes?”
“I…I do, yes,” she replied meekly.
Here was where my deception came into play. It was the subtle insinuation that Shizuki and I were merely one-time benefactors, ready to provide funds and then disengage, washing our hands of the whole ordeal. Contrary to this impression, I knew Shizuki wasn’t one to invest without seeking a significant return; her involvement in Asuka’s company was almost inevitable. But I chose not to reveal this just yet.
“You see, I didn’t come to Sosei Academy just to study,” I continued.
“I…I see.”
“I must be somewhat vague for now, but know that I am here seeking an ally. Assist me in my endeavors, and in turn, I’ll ensure we tackle the core issues plaguing your family’s business.”
“You would do that…for us?”
“Absolutely. With a little dash of Sakurazaka expertise, I’m sure we can whip that company of yours into shape.”
And therein lay the linchpin of my strategy. Instead of me just asking Asuka for her help, and Shizuki just helping her with her family, I intertwined the two. By framing the two separate acts as a reciprocal deal—one where she earned my help instead of simply receiving it—she might finally be able to stop seeing herself as a bystander but an active participant in solving her family’s crisis.
Just as I had hoped, her eyes ignited with a steely resolve. “I understand,” she said firmly. “Consider me committed. I’ll support you with everything at my disposal.”
“Excellent. I have high hopes for you, Asuka.”
The shadows of guilt that had lingered in her gaze dissipated instantly. At that moment, Asuka was reborn, officially becoming one of my underlings—but for the sake of her family.
As I sat back, proud of myself for what I accomplished all on my own, I suddenly noticed the limousine had slowed to a crawl. I inquired about the delay, and the driver informed me through the intercom that an accident had snarled traffic.
Well, I just had to go and jinx myself there, didn’t I?
“My apologies, Lady Mio,” the driver’s voice came through again, “but I doubt we’ll make it to the academy on time like this.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “Keep me updated should anything change.” After switching the intercom off, I dialed Sayaka’s number.
One ring and she picked up. “Ms. Mio. What’s the situation with Asuka?” she blurted out.
Slightly amused at her worry, I revealed cooly, “The meeting was called off, and we managed to solve her family’s problem.”
I could almost feel Sayaka’s relief through the phone. “Oh, thank goodness,” she exhaled, her tension dissolving with the news. “And um, thank you, Ms. Mio.”
“You’re welcome, but there’s a problem. We’ve hit traffic on our way back, and it seems unlikely we’ll make it back in time. How are things looking over there?”
“Our team is currently behind, but not by much. Based on my analysis of the students participating in the remaining events and their athletic records, I think we have a good chance of turning things around at the kibasen.”
Huh. For a second there I almost forgot who I was speaking to. I thought that was Shannon giving me such a detailed report. I probably took too long to snap out of my surprise as in the next moment, Sayaka’s airy giggle reached me through the phone. “I took the liberty of doing a little research beforehand, I hope you don’t mind. Nonoka’s thing and all.”
“Nonoka’s ‘thing’ is of no consequence to me—my reputation is,” I replied sharply. “I will make every effort to return to the academy in time, but…” It seemed wise to prepare a contingency. “Sayaka, in the event that we are late, you are not to let anyone know the true reason behind our delay. If someone asks, I’ve dragged Asuka out on a personal errand.”
“What? But that puts the responsibility squarely on you!” said not the girl I was talking to through the phone but the one in the car with me.
I gently shook my head and said in a way so that they both could hear: “All that effort to stop the engagement before it was official was to save face for the Akizukis. Telling everyone now would defeat the whole purpose.”
It would almost certainly create hard feelings if word were to spread that Asuka rejected a proposal from the Akizukis. What we’d done was prevent that initial meeting from happening, effectively preventing such an arrangement from existing in the eyes of the public. To uphold this image, the secret had to die with us.
“Am I making myself quite clear, girls? This is my personal errand I’ve dragged Asuka out on,” I added.
“Yes, Ms. Mio,” Asuka articulated before falling into silence, her fists clenched tight. Sayaka also begrudgingly murmured her agreement over the phone.
“Good. Now, sit tight and wait for our return. Oh, but out of an abundance of caution, Sayaka, do try and locate a few substitutes.”
“Will do. Good luck, Ms. Mio,” Sayaka replied instantly.
Ending the call, I looked at Asuka. She looked like she wanted to say something, but I ignored her and dialed Shizuki next. “Hello, Shizuki?”
“I’ve been informed. You’re not going to make it?”
I pushed past the lump in my throat. “It seems likely. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Traffic is traffic. I accepted the risk that you might not make it back when I agreed to send you out there.”
That…was not the reaction I’d expected. I’d been expecting more of a, get out of the car and run if you have to, but make it back on time. Had she not just said a few hours ago that I needed to see this through? Unless she was only talking about stopping the meeting?
Actually, she might’ve. Shizuki had said the villainess was a background character in this arc since the beginning. Even with my absence, my class should be able to pull off a victory.
They should, but…
“I have a favor to ask,” I stated firmly.
“Yes, I’m sure you do,” Shizuki replied. “You want to personally contribute to the win, don’t you? For Nonoka’s sake. Or should I say for Miyu’s sake?”
“I do.”
“All right. Let’s explore our options. A helicopter’s…out—no heliport nearby. Ah, but this should work. Ever ridden a motorcycle? We can’t drop you off right at the school gates, but we can get you close.”
“Fantastic. Thank you!”
“Dispatching now. Ready up and stand by.”
I ended the call and quickly told Asuka we’d be switching to motorcycles. She looked hesitant, but nodded, understanding the urgency to make it back for the kibasen. Moments later, two bikes pulled up beside our limousine. Climbing aboard, Asuka on one, me on the other, we gripped tightly and zoomed off, slicing through traffic like it was nobody’s business.
We bypassed the gridlock and switched to another limousine near the academy to cover the final stretch. In the limo, we changed into our gym clothes and soon arrived at the academy.