Chapter 43. "Dinner Table Conference"
"Yo~ So generous?"
"This is nothing. On one hand, it can give our new company a good reputation right from the start. On the other hand, it can shut up a few haters..."
Eating while he spoke, Xander analyzed the pros and cons of making a donation.
Cocolia only smiled without replying.
When he finally finished, she added, "So, the real reason?"
Xander's chopsticks paused.
Then he snorted a laugh.
"Because I feel like it, so I donated. Is that not allowed?"
"I never said it isn't."
Right now is clearly the stage for accumulating business capital.
The hard-earned cash flow on the books shouldn't, in principle, be spent casually.
But if her son says he simply wants to, what else can a mother do?
"Bronya, what about you?"
Bronya Zaychik, who was drinking soup, got cued.
She set down the bowl, a small question on her face.
"It's your own money. Why ask me how to spend it?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk—so distant, aren't we. This is company property. As our third-largest shareholder, you have a say."
At present, Gensokyo Company's largest shareholder is Anti-Entropy Entertainment with a 50% stake.
They only take dividends and don't participate in management.
Then comes Xander with 20%, and Seele Vollerei and Bronya each hold 15%.
However, since the three of them still have their studies, Cocolia will have her people manage the company for now.
Xander and Bronya just need to focus on making games.
As for why they yielded so many shares—well, it's easier to enjoy the shade under a big tree.
They can basically be regarded as a subsidiary under Anti-Entropy Entertainment.
There are hardly any competitors who would dare play dirty behind the scenes.
For example, even though Xander took first place in this mini-game festival, no one has tried to sling mud at his game—proof enough.
"Then I have no objections."
Waving her hand, Bronya continued her pitched battle with the food on the table.
"What about you, Seele?" Xander turned his gaze to Seele.
"Seele agrees too!"
Head held high with delight, Seele looked at her brother with sparkling eyes.
When her brother said "Because I feel like it," that carefree look was really so cool.
Seele decided she would cling to her brother extra tightly tonight.
"All right then. Gensokyo Company's first shareholders' meeting concludes perfectly here. Thank you to Anti-Entropy Entertainment's representative Ms. Cocolia, and to group shareholders Ms. Bronya and Ms. Seele for attending. Let's look forward to our next gathering~"
Xander's playful tone made everyone laugh.
Cocolia tapped his forehead and said helplessly, "I'll have my people draft a donation agreement later. Remember to sign it."
"No problem!"
Patting his chest, Xander promised.
Then he said, "To commemorate this meaningful first meeting, how about we call it the 'Dinner Table Conference'?"
"I don't think it sounds good."
"Seele thinks it works!"
"..."
Bronya and Seele exchanged a glance, then spoke in unison.
"I suddenly feel like it's okay."
"Seele thinks we should still tweak it."
"..."
They looked at each other again and couldn't help laughing.
The mood turned cheerful.
After lunch, the three accompanied Cocolia on a long-overdue shopping trip.
Bronya and Seele each took one of Cocolia's arms.
They walked ahead tirelessly, pointing at shops on both sides of the street.
If they saw something they liked, they would pop in for a look.
Xander followed behind carrying the bags, silently marveling at women's boundless stamina when shopping.
Only because he's in good shape and trains regularly could he barely keep up with three women without falling behind.
Along the way, he lost count of how many men he saw slumped on boutique sofas with bags in hand and fatigue on their faces.
When they saw him loaded down with packages, they all cast him sympathetic looks.
Their shadows stretched underfoot.
When they were about to merge with the dusk, the three finally stopped.
"It's about time. I should go."
The chauffeured car to pick up Cocolia had been waiting for nearly an hour.
Cocolia cherished the time with her children and delayed their parting until the private jet was about to depart.
"So soon..."
Reluctance filled the eyes of Seele and Bronya.
Xander stood shoulder to shoulder with them, silent.
"It's not like we won't meet again. You still have to return to the orphanage for the New Year."
As she spoke, Cocolia waved the girls over.
After a glance at the puzzled Xander, she leaned to their ears, a mischievous smile playing at her lips.
Xander couldn't hear what she said.
He only saw Seele and Bronya's cheeks gradually flush.
By the end, Seele looked positively dizzy.
After a while, Cocolia patted their shoulders, then got into her car.
They watched the car disappear at the end of the street, then turned to leave.
"What did she tell you just now?"
On the walk home, Xander asked curiously.
"N-nothing. Seele doesn't know anything!!!"
Seele, who had been quiet since earlier, suddenly burst like a lit fuse.
Her excited voice startled Xander.
"Xander, prying into a girl's secrets at will is ungentlemanly."
Bronya's gaze was evasive.
She didn't dare meet Xander's eyes at all.
"Fine."
Xander nodded and shut his mouth.
Seeing he didn't press further, Seele and Bronya both let out a breath of relief.
If he learned what Cocolia-mom said, they really wouldn't have the face to see anyone.
The two of them together—how could Cocolia-mom say something that bold.
Unfortunately, Seele forgot one thing.
When she was being tossed and turned on the bed until she was dazed, she would have no secrets left in Xander's eyes.
...
In the blink of an eye, two days passed.
Under Seele's many reminders, Xander got into the black luxury sedan that had come to pick him up.
The driver was a suit-clad girl with long purple hair.
For some reason, when she saw Xander, she looked extremely nervous—an easy target to push around.
Watching the bustling traffic stream past the window, Xander asked, "How should I address you?"
"Reisen! Mr. Masato can just call me Reisen."
Tsk.
Another one matches my guess.
Noticing Xander's slight frown, Reisen panicked a little.
"S-sorry, Mr. Masato. Did I do something to upset you?"
"No. Why do you say that?"
"As long as it's nothing, that's good. That's good."
They rode in silence until they reached the appointed place.
Reisen stopped the car.
After hesitating a few seconds, she turned, meeting Xander's eyes for the first time.
Compared to facing this future prince consort, her master's orders were something she dared not defy.
"Mr. Masato, a-although it may be presumptuous of me to say this, p-please be gentle with the Princess later."
Reisen steeled herself through fear and embarrassment.
Enduring her fear and embarrassment, Reisen braced herself and said: "This is Princess Kaguya's first time. Please be considerate."
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