As I expected, you look more dashing this way. I think I might want to frame you like this. But thats insufficient. Let me add this... With her eyes inspecting me from head to toe, Mizuki reveled at my appearance. She even circled around me just to make sure that nothing was amiss. And when she was done, she stood in front of me and tiptoed to fix my hair, combing it back while spreading a wax to style it that way. Additionally, she picked up a pair of non-prescription glasses that Suzuki-san pulled out from somewhere and put them on me.

With the two of us in front of a large mirror, it wouldnt be wrong to say that I could hardly recognize myself in it. Though I looked a bit like my father because of the glasses, we were exuding different airs. He looked like an intellectual with a warm countenance. Most of the time, he would put on a friendly smile to make the other party comfortable.

On the other hand, I am the opposite. Id probably make someone nervous because of my sharp gaze beneath the glasses. Although I could also act friendly and be all smiles if needed, that depends on the situation. When in public, Id be the cold-looking guy who silently exudes an aura of indifference to my surroundings.

Obviously, Im also different when Im with my girls.

Anyway, thats that. Mizuki completely did a transformation for me for this particular occasion.

There we go. No one will think youre a nobody anymore. Mizuki tapped my shoulder before fixing my necktie, pulling it up until it was tight enough to choke me.

Do I need to look like somebody in front of that client?

Yes, of course. Ruki, as someone who has yet to make yourself known in that kind of world, the first thing you have to do is to make yourself presentable for a good first impression.

Fair enough. Business meeting or not, thats common sense when first meeting someone.

Yes and no. Yes, because thats truly how connections are made. And no, because you cannot equate the two. A simple meetup with a stranger can go two ways. Either you both hit it off enough to consider each other acquainted with the possibility of becoming friends or remain a stranger with one of you not wanting to meet again. However, in a meeting with the clear intent of discussing business, both you and the other person will always try to get the upper hand on one another whether youre a stranger or not.

In short, shes saying that one cannot afford to just casually attend a business meeting. Thats also common sense but I guess shes emphasizing the importance of whats at stake.

I understand. I learned from the prodigy of the Hasegawa Family, Ill always take note of that.

This idiot. Can I hit you once?

A kiss will be better. That will motivate me more.

Ugh. I cannot win against you, huh? Come here. I also need some motivation from you...

With a hand on her forehead, Mizuki looked a little exasperated at first but the next moment, she swept that expression away and her desire for me surfaced.

Hooking her arms to my nape, she pulled my head down, giving me what I asked of her.

Suzuki-san quietly exited the room, leaving us alone for the next five minutes.

Well, since we could potentially run late to the meeting, thats all the time we could spare at the moment.

Shortly after that, we made our way back to her car.

Okay. Its about time I inform you about who we are going to meet, Ruki. It will be bad if you have no idea who you will be speaking to.

Ten minutes into the road, Mizuki brought that up. Although she never let go of my hand ever since we entered the car, she never uttered a word. And since I sensed that she was just biding her time for the right moment, I also waited for this moment.

Finally. I thought you were going to keep it a mystery for me. Now, I wonder why you waited until this moment to tell me about them.

Of course, I have a reason. Because it will be easy for you, Ruki. Youll be able to prepare on how to deal with the problem presented to you.

This girls expectation of me was that high. Or perhaps, thats how high her evaluation of me in accordance with the result of the lessons and quizzes she provided for my education.

Problem? I thought it would be a business deal.

A business deal, yes. However, were not meeting them to be the contractor. Actually, were going there to be an advisor. Ive been known as the hidden gem or the prodigy of the Hasegawa Family. They arranged this dinner upon finding out about that.

If you said it like that then theyre expecting you to be the one to advise them.

Un. But I dont plan to do that. Ill be presenting you as my partner. Someone I saw as equally brilliant as me. You do well to hold onto that identity.

Alright. Thats the same as you saying that youre putting me on the spot.

Exactly. You can still back out though. I wont fault you since I set this up to introduce you to this world on the highest difficulty level. Mizuki leered at me as her lips curved up into a sly smile.

I also noticed Suzuki-san glancing at us while shaking her head. Shes probably taking pity on me. Even if Mizuki could probably give me everything she possessed wholeheartedly, only on these kinds of occasions will she not be lenient on me. Shes setting me up for success. And even if theres a possibility of failure, she firmly believes in my ability. Its more like blind trust on her part but I guess her reasoning wasnt that illogical. She clearly sees me as someone with a huge amount of potential.

All I have to do is to live up to it and well be good.

Backout, huh? Do you think that after everything you did for me, I will leave you in the air? No. Lets do this.

Most impressive, Ruki. Well then, heres the information you needed to know before meeting them...

Mizuki delightfully started preparing me for the meeting. And while doing so, I couldnt help but notice the girls overflowing excitement. If I have to guess, shes already in celebration about walking this path with me... Unlike the other girls who also secretly wanted to have me for themselves, Mizuki put all of her coins into this. A partner that will go hand-in-hand with her on the arduous path that shes pioneering.

Ten minutes later, Suzuki-sans car stopped at the parking lot of a famous, luxury restaurant. In terms of quality, it was probably the highest in this city. Important figures would always be seen dining in here. You could only imagine how expensive it must be.

And to think that someone like me would be going in here to be the main character of the evening, its like sending a Level 1 Hero to the Demon Kings Castle.

Im totally inexperienced.

Nonetheless, with the Goddess of Victory as my companion, I am blessed to triumph against any adversities.

While Suzuki-san remained in the car, Mizuki and I walked up to the luxurious entrance where three or more people were standing guard.

With the girls arms hooked around mine, the eyes of those guards were all focused on me. In their eyes, I was the one who probably made the reservation.

And although they didnt stop our approach, someone blocked our entrance to the restaurant.

Dressed in a garb thats more fitting for a butler than a waiter, the man bowed slightly and asked with his eyes also fixed on me, My apologies but this restaurant is for reservation only. May I ask for your name? Or if you have an invitation from someone, may I take a look at it?

Do I have an invitation? Well, yes. Mizuki already handed the invitation to me. She also prepared for that.

At the moment, she wanted nothing more than to be my companion rather than the honored guest of the client we were going to meet.

And so, I pulled the invitation card from my suit and presented it to the man.

Here you go.

For authenticitys sake, the man not only read what was written on the invitation but also turned it over a few times, inspecting whether it was a forgery or not. When he finished, he handed back the invitation to me before saying, Welcome to our humble restaurant. I will be leading the way to Mitsui-samas table.

Next to me, Mizuki showed her lovely grin before whispering, Well done, Ruki.

Yeah. Shes definitely going to praise me every time I do anything right.

But Mitsui... I only heard that surname and know no one from them. Furthermore, while theyre also considered a former noble lineage, theyre not based in our city or prefecture like the Kujou Family. They traveled to this place to meet Mizuki only to be faced with someone that could be considered her student...

Yep. I couldnt help but feel a foreboding sensation about this.