«Read this, Hakotto! A perverted old man assaulted an underage girl in a boutique on Uchide Shōtengai. Apparently, he pulled down his pants right in the middle of the store—what an insanely embarrassing scene,» Itzu says in disbelief, turning to the young Hakuto. «And look what it says here! That old man told the police it was the girl who tempted him—he claimed her body was calling out to him, begging to be deflowered. Luckily, they've locked that lunatic away!»
It's a hot and humid Saturday morning, and the two boys—now close friends—have met up for a drink at a maid café in downtown Ashiya. On the table lies a newspaper reporting the news from the previous day.
«When will you finally learn how to say my name right…?» Hakuto sighs in resignation. «…Yeah, let's just say I was nearby when it happened…»
«Ugh, I can't even imagine how gross that must've been for the poor girl…» Itzu grimaces in disgust, then takes a sip of his green tea.
«Yeah…»
Hakuto looks pensive, but there's a flicker of worry in his eyes—he still can't make sense of what happened, or what that crazy old man said.
~That perverted old man must have had a few too many drinks to make such absurd official statements… yeah, it's obvious that they're absurd!~
Hakuto repeats those words to himself, forcing a nervous smile—like he's trying to convince himself that such things couldn't possibly be real. And yet, for some reason, those thoughts bother him more than they should.
That obvious uneasiness doesn't escape his friend's eyes.
«What's eating you? Still freaking out about the test today?After comparing answers with the others, we already know it was a disaster for both of us…»
Itzu is clearly trying to take his friend's mind off whatever's bothering him right now.
«…Even though you're part of the Narkhalis family now. Why would you even care about studying?»
«Living off my stepmother definitely isn't one of my life goals.»
«You really do sound like such a good boy! So, what's it like living with one of Japan's richest families—and, even better, with the two hottest girls at Tsugumi High? I bet there's a butler in every room, right?»
«Actually, no butlers... not even one.» Hakuto replies, sounding genuinely confused.
«That's kinda weird…»
~Itzu isn't completely wrong. A family that rich without even a single maid? They could easily have an army of butlers, chefs, and cleaners at their service—yet it's always been Yuzu and Rika handling all the housework…~
«Apparently, Kagura doesn't want her daughters growing up as lazy girls who can't even handle basic chores.»
«So, you're telling me that Yuzu and Rika, on top of being total bombshells, also do all the cooking, cleaning, and everything else?»
«I don't get why that surprises you…»
Itzu reaches out a hand to Hakuto. «Let's make a deal—you take Rika, and I'll take Yuzu. Wouldn't that be perfect? I mean, just imagine the two of us taking them on double dates.»
«I'm not sure whether you've got less of a shot with Yuzu or I do with Rika. Is that why you dragged me here? So I could help you land a date with Yuzu...?»
«Come on, Hakotto, I'm not that desperate! I just love maid cafés, but going solo is kinda pathetic—so I invited my dear classmate to come along!»
~If you ask me, he's totally trying to get a date with Yuzu…~
«I hope you had fun with us, goshujin-sama. Come back again soon!»
A stunning girl dressed as a maid brings them the check—the uniforms at this café have plunging necklines and skirts that show way more thigh than at other places. Details that definitely don't go unnoticed by the two boys.
~Now I get why this place is always packed…~
«How much do I owe you?» Hakuto asks, already reaching for his wallet.
«I invited you, no way I'm letting you pay,» Itzu says with a smirk, casually shrugging.
«Ah, okay. Thanks.»
Hakuto slips his wallet back into his pocket.
«No, wait… I thought you'd at least pretend to insist a little!»
«And why would I?»
«Because you're a Narkhalis now—you're filthy rich!»
Hakuto snorts. «I might be Kagura's stepson, but my allowance is exactly the same as what my dad gave me—I'm not about to mooch off my stepmother!»
«Figures—the ones who've got everything never know how to use it,» Itzu says, spreading his arms in resignation. «Fine, I'll pay this time!»
«I'd say that's the least you could do…»
♡♡♡
Paris, 8:00 P.M.
«Do you have any idea how huge of a favor you're asking me...? Just sitting here with you already puts me at serious risk—never mind if I actually went along with your request,» says Vincent Carreaux, looking straight at Shin.
Vincent is a tall, muscular man with fiery red hair, hazel eyes, and a rough, stern expression. He's sitting with Shin and Kagura in a private room of a luxurious three-story restaurant in Paris—though to be fair, it's more than just a private room. Kagura reserved the entire third floor to guarantee absolute discretion.
«Oh, come on, my dear Vincent. Don't tell me you're not willing to do a favor for an old friend. Now that you're the director of HESPARC's French division, granting my request should be a walk in the park,» Shin replies.
«You know better than I do what would happen if anyone found out I did something like that. Best-case scenario, I end up like you, Shin Tendo—or rather, the ex-director of HESPARC's Japanese division. Worst-case scenario? They might just bring back the guillotine.»
«If you're just scared of losing your job, that's not a problem!» Kagura cuts in. «I probably don't need to remind you, but I've got more than enough money. I'm already supporting Shin and his son—one more mouth to feed won't change a thing.»
«When you put it like that, it sounds awful, you know? You're making me look like some freeloading hobo…» Shin mutters.
«I'm sorry, but I can't help you. Thanks for the dinner.»
Vincent begins to rise from the table, but Shin stops him.
«I figured you'd say that, so I've got another favor—something a little... less compromising.»
«What is it?»
«Your daughter—Chantal Carreaux—is the same age as my Hakuto, if I'm not mistaken, right?»
«Yes, and so?» replies Vincent.
«The daughter of the French division director can't possibly attend a public school, and private schools are pretty expensive these days—especially the prestigious ones.»
«I've told you a thousand times to stop beating around the bush. Get to the point!»
«Alright, alright… you've gotten even gruffer than I remembered, you know…? As a member of the Carreaux family, Chantal is surely following in your footsteps, so… I'd like you to transfer her to the same high school as my son and Kagura's daughters. Of course, room, board, and tuition fees will all be covered by us. I'm sure Hakuto and Chantal would be thrilled to see each other again after almost six years and would have plenty to learn from each other—especially with parents like us.»
Vincent sits back down, narrowing his eyes at Shin with suspicion. «What are you planning?»
Shin smiles. «I'll tell you now.»