"That's right," Hayato said.
He had no ill will towards Kurashiki Reika, nor did he have much affection for her.
Saving Ms. Reika last time was simply a matter of convenience.
Once it was done, he had no intention of leaving his number or contacting her again.
Essentially, Kurashiki Reika was the type of rich woman who could save a person fifty years of struggle; getting involved with her could be seen as either the beginning or the end of one's struggles.
But for Hayato, Kurashiki Reika held little allure.
Mainly, his relationship with Kurashiki Reina was quite unfriendly.
However, Hayato's feelings towards Kurashiki Reina at most amounted to "not that fond," and certainly not hatred. It was just that before he transmigrated, the owner of this body, the true "Hayato," had once admired Kurashiki Reina and even confessed to her.
This made their relationship slightly twisted and strange.
He basically maintained a "casual acquaintance" level with Kurashiki Reina, having no desire to become her father, nor did he want to occupy her spawn point.
Of course, Kurashiki Reika probably didn't have that intention either, but she was, after all, a CEO-level figure. Getting involved with her might make many things complicated... For now, Hayato didn't want to deal with overly troublesome matters.
But since she had come right up to him, he still had to exchange pleasantries.
"Regarding the last incident, I must thank you again," Kurashiki Reika played the "Bringing Up Old Matters" card first.
"It's nothing, just a small favor," Hayato countered with the "Easy Peasy" card, indicating it was no big deal and that Ms. Reika didn't need to keep it in mind.
"But I didn't expect you, Kobayashi, to also be accompanying them to Yaso Inaba this time. That puts my mind at ease," Kurashiki Reika played the trust card again.
"Haha, I'm not accompanying them; I just happened to run into Kurashiki here. I don't have the honor of accompanying Kurashiki out," Hayato used the "Casual Relationship" card to cool things down.
"But Kobayashi, you are still in Yaso Inaba... Reina has no relatives there, so I hope you will look after her," Kurashiki Reika once again attempted to bridge their relationship.
Her words were neither here nor there. Hayato couldn't possibly say "I'm busy" to her face—though, given Hayato's personality, he probably could say it.
However, he looked at the crimson sky in the distance and suddenly had an idea.
"Hmm, if there's anything you need my help with," Hayato said, then asked, "Speaking of which, Ms. Reika, what's your relationship with X Magazine?"
He had heard rumors before that Kurashiki Reina was a fashion model at her mother's magazine company.
"Director," Kurashiki Reika said only two words, yet they carried significant weight.
"Then I have a few things to trouble you with." Hayato quickly explained the situation to Kurashiki Reika in a few words, adding, "I have some ideas."
"...Hmm, let me handle it," Kurashiki Reika quickly agreed on her end.
So Hayato called out to the plump Photographer, "Hey, master, come here for a moment. Ms. Reika has something to tell you."
If the sweat on the Photographer's forehead earlier was due to the heat, now he was drenched in cold sweat.
This was bad.
The Photographer's breathing became ragged.
Hachisuka Hidemichi wasn't speaking up for this guy anymore, and now she had directly brought out the big boss behind the scenes.
How could a small Photographer like him possibly engage in a business conversation directly with Kurashiki Reika?
Brother, if your relationship with Ms. Kurashiki is so good, why don't you just say so? Don't play these heart-stopping games with me here...
The Photographer looked at Hayato in despair.
Hayato, however, looked quite innocent.
Sorry, I really forgot that my relationship with your boss was this good.
To prevent Kurashiki Reina from doing anything strange if the Photographer touched her phone, Hayato had put it on speakerphone, holding the back of the phone himself.
Anyway, Reina had handed him the phone, so she had no leverage to make things difficult.
Kurashiki Reika's tone didn't sound overly strict; instead, she used a consultative tone:
"Let Kobayashi give it a try. If it doesn't work today, there's always tomorrow."
"Yes, yes," the Photographer nodded repeatedly.
He was terrified that the young man he had just scolded would, with a few more words, cause him to lose his job.
Although he had previously said that offending Kurashiki would at most cost him his job, while angering Bee Arrow would cost him his life.
But if he could avoid losing both, it was certainly better to lose neither.
"Well then, I'll trouble you," Hayato also said to the Photographer.
Making this request had another benefit, which was—
"Well, Ms. Reika, the sun is about to set. I'll take care of things here first. Kurashiki—your phone."
He successfully ended his conversation with Kurashiki Reika.
Kurashiki Reina clicked her tongue in annoyance and walked over, still muttering as she took the phone,
"I really don't know what she has to talk about with you..."
Kurashiki Reina extremely disliked seeing this scene.
So, while they were on the phone, she had paced to a more distant spot.
Hayato and Kurashiki Reika's conversation was quiet, so she heard almost nothing.
It was only after Hayato called over the Photographer that she curiously glanced over... Now that their conversation was finished, she planned to bid farewell to her mother as well.
"Reina!"
Her mother's stern voice, however, came from the speaker. Huh? Was it on speakerphone? Kurashiki Reina realized belatedly.
Just as she was about to turn off the speaker, she heard Kurashiki Reika continue to command sternly:
"In Yaso Inaba, you must listen to Kobayashi more, understand—"
Before the word "—me" could be uttered, Kurashiki Reina cut off the sound.
At the same time, her face flushed with anger, and even her eyes turned into a spiral shape.
She, she, she, what was she saying in public?! What on earth was she doing?!
Huh? Why should she listen to Mr. Hayashi?
Why should she!?
The speakerphone's amplification effect was quite good.
The Staff and Photographer all looked towards Kurashiki Reina.
Then their gazes turned to Hayato.
Who would have thought, you, young man, are the true master!
Kurashiki Reina also secretly glanced over with an angry look, but she saw that Hayato was completely unmoved. He showed no change in expression, as if he hadn't heard anything, and continued to tinker with the Photographer's long and short lenses (camera).
"..." Hayato noticed Kurashiki Reina's gaze.
Of course, he also heard the phone conversation.
My bad.
Hayato thought to himself, he forgot to turn off the speakerphone.
"Oh?"
Kobayashi Ayaka narrowed her cat-like eyes, her gaze constantly flitting between the two.
Then she noticed Hachisuka Hidemichi on the other side.
How to put it, the look he gave Hayato couldn't be called affectionate; it was filled with murderous intent.
"Tsk," Kobayashi Ayaka clicked her tongue as if greatly annoyed.
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