The business dinner ended after that. After hearing my name, Kyoka stood up from her seat and Hassen swiftly followed.

Asking for my name again was probably the womans way of acknowledging me to have taken a step into their world. And because of her prejudice, she couldnt stay for a second longer partly from the shame of being judgemental and partly from her cracked pride.

Nonetheless, while nothing else was said anymore, the woman left behind her business card before exiting the restaurant with her cousin.

And she did it sneakily by slipping it into my suit when she walked past me. Did she think I would not tell Mizuki about that? But well, considering what happened, she mustve been thinking to talk to me on a different occasion or if not that, shes testing if I would be contacting her.

On the other hand, Hassen was confused at Kyokas sudden decision to leave without saying a word. However, he didnt question her decision. At least, he looked at us apologetically and even called the waiter to settle the bill. He even added that the restaurant could also charge him in case we ordered more after they left.

Really, thats unnecessary. But then again, it was most likely also tied up with his pride as the one who invited us here.

Mhm. You successfully took that difficult first step, Ruki. Im impressed.

Really? The fact that they leave right away puts a bad taste in my mouth.

Right. Even if that was equivalent to the woman acknowledging me, just leaving without saying a word wasnt that great of a reaction.

Not that I wanted them to clap for me but thats just too abrupt. Should I expect the same thing next time?

Thats to be expected. That woman is looking down on you all this time. When she listened to how you easily offered sound advice to her cousins baby business, she got slapped back by her own prejudice. Shed just be searing her face even more if she tried to tear you down.

Huh... Is that how it is?

Yes. I could be wrong but that woman might be inherently that way. I saw her at the same party two years ago. And like she did with you, she dismissed me the same way, thinking Im a pretentious little girl, stepping into her glamorous world. Mizuki scoffed at this part which was followed by a proud smirk. I believe she wasnt just here to accompany and babysit that pet cousin of hers. She has been preparing for the moment I stepped in for you. Thats why were having a stare-down.

After saying that, Mizuki drank another glass of juice before glancing around us. We also finished eating and because of the duos exit, some of the customers were curiously checking us out.

The waiter was even standing not far away from us, perhaps anticipating us to call for him.

I locked eyes with him and waved him off.

I see. Is there more to that story? Im curious. She cant be just petty over your ability, right?

Will I be able to keep something from you? You already noticed. Mizuki shook her head with a smile.

Well, its not that noticeable at first but the longer we sat in front of each other, the more I understood that womans character. Although I wouldnt say I already got a full read on her, its safe to say that she sees Mizuki as an antagonist or a rival she has to beat.

Unfortunately for her, my appearance here and the way I put myself out at the front prevented her from making that move.

Remember the work I am finishing these past few days? Shes supposed to be the principal adviser but the client chose to get a second opinion from me. Guess what? They ended up listening to my advice over hers. That mustve pissed her off. Mizuki soon continued as she explained to me what could be said about her connection to the woman.

No wonder she cant take her eyes off of you...

Un. And because of you, your performance superseded the bone she wanted to pick on me. She mustve been looking bitter at the moment.

Afterward, Mizuki finally stopped holding back her laughter. Shes really pleased with the result of this dinner.

And even after we returned to Suzuki-sans car, the look of satisfaction on her face hadnt faded.

Upon returning home, I stopped Mizuki from leaving and asked her to stay the night. Of course, Suzuki-san too.

That business dinner only took an hour and since Akane had yet to return from Shios apartment, Mizuki and I temporarily got the bedroom to ourselves.

Laying down next to each other, I only removed my suit coat while Mizuki remained in her dress. However, after failing to hold back at going for one round where we both intimately admired each others appearance for tonight, the dress she was wearing had long been disheveled. As for me, my top and pants remained unbuttoned.

Well be taking a bath when Akane returns so... being in this state wasnt really a problem for us. In fact, we continued admiring each other.

Anyway, with the girl snuggled close to me, our conversation returned to what happened earlier.

Alright. I think its time for you to evaluate my performance, Mizuki.

Whats there to evaluate? This guy... That was a spectacular performance. You stood your ground against them. Teaching you and giving you the hint paid off. If I tell my mother about this, her approval of you will rise once more.

Hmm... That sounds great. But Mizuki. Would that be enough for me to enter your world? Im honestly still ignorant about a lot of things concerning that. And somehow, I couldnt accept that one meeting with an inconclusive result was enough for me to have the qualification to walk that path with you.

Haa... Ruki, youre selling yourself short again. Here let me knock some sense into you. Upon saying that, Mizuki reached for her phone. After fiddling with it for a while, she returned to my side and let me see what was being shown on the screen.

As she started scrolling down, headlines of articles that talked about both Kyoka and Hassen started filling my eyes. And most of them were dated recently.

See all of these? Thats how big of a personality they are. Theyre not simple run-of-the-mill people that had just dabbled in the world of business expertise and entrepreneurship. Youll even see them in magazines. While you can argue that you havent proven anything yet... I will say that its only a matter of time and opportunity for your name to ring across everyones ears.

You see, even I cannot act too confident if I ever encounter them. But you... Ill say your lack of experience in the trade boosted your performance. But at the core of it, its really just you showing that you can do anything if youre given the chance. Also, Ruki, I didnt ask you to try my path just because I love you, Ive seen what you can do.

Make no mistake, I wont stop you from trying out other paths. In the end, like you always say to us, it all depends on your choice. I wont force you if you think youre not good enough to walk the same path as me but Ill say this... Youre the only partner I will ever hope for. With you by my side, I believe that we can be invincible. There will be challenges, true. But even if our progress crawls to a halt, we can overcome it together.

As I processed everything she just said, I found myself staring into her brilliant eyes that continued to exude hope for our future. Or our future that were going to build together.

What did I just say earlier?

Yeah. Confidence. If anything, thats one thing I can boast of... And if my girl believes in me this much then Ill be betraying myself if I get beaten by my own self-beating mentality.

The future isnt fixed yet and its up to us to forge it.

Mhm. Thanks for enlightening me, Mizuki. Lets start with this then...

After giving the girl a kiss that gave her another dreamy look, I reached for the coat that I set aside and pulled something out from it.

Mitsui Kyokas business card.

What do you think we should do with this? We need connections in this world. Why dont we convert her to become our ally?

Mizuki stared at the card for a while before a sly grin surfaced on her face. Even without saying it, I already understood what was in her mind.

Youre bold, Ruki. I like it. Yes... if we get her in our palms, you wont just be taking a step. It will be a leap into our world. Anyway, correct me if Im wrong but... youre not thinking of stealing her, are you?

At the moment, no. Im not even interested in her. Besides, for being that petty, I have a negative impression of her.

How dare she look down on my Mizuki? Forget about me, if someone slights my girl, I will definitely not take it lying down.

Hmm. But what will you do if I say that she likes her smartypants cousin? Theyre directly related so she cant do anything but watch him go after other women.

Ah... This girl. How devious...

I pinched her sensitive nose and said, I know what youre doing. But no, my desire to steal has not been stirred by that information. However, we can use that.