Chapter 46: Selling Myself Out, Efficiently
[A few days later, an invitation for an early entrance exam to Meiji University arrived.]
[According to the Principal, this was an opportunity he fought for on your behalf. As for why? He simply mentioned you have a benefactor.]
[You chose to accept. At the same time, you guessed who this so-called benefactor was.]
[Concurrently, some restricted medical research papers you had been trying to get your hands on suddenly appeared on your computer one morning.]
[The next day.]
[Ai Hayasaka appeared again.]
[This time, you didn't attack her. You met at a cafe.]
"The person dropping all these benefits in my lap lately... that was you, wasn't it?"
Although Haruka phrased it as a question, his tone was one of certainty.
Opposite him, Hayasaka had changed her style. She wore gold-rimmed glasses and exuded the mature, tall aura of a cool beauty. She nodded.
"Correct. Your intuition is sharp."
"You flatter me. Just get to the point. Why?" Haruka cut straight to the chase.
Surprised by Haruka's directness, Hayasaka laid it all out.
"As an exceptional talent, I believe you deserve a better platform rather than wasting your time here."
"Geniuses deserve the treatment of geniuses—and the shortcuts available to geniuses."
"I am here on behalf of my Lady to recruit you."
Haruka looked at her calmly. "A conglomerate?"
Hayasaka also picked up on Haruka's communication style. She had to admit, the current him was quite different from the sunny, cheerful image he projected at school. He felt more like a cold, calculating creature of interest.
'Makes sense. He's been hiding his true self all along, just like those formidable combat skills...'
Thinking of this, Hayasaka nodded directly.
"Which one?"
Hayasaka held up four fingers.
"The Shinomiya family. And the Lady... Kaguya Shinomiya?" Haruka immediately followed up.
Hayasaka looked at Haruka. "Correct. It is Kaguya-sama. She sees great potential in you and is willing to invest resources in you, including but not limited to what you've already received. You should understand what kind of opportunity this is. In this country, you know what a conglomerate represents. You're a genius; I assume you understand..."
"And the price?"
Haruka ignored Hayasaka's vague words—it was unclear whether they were a reminder or a threat—and asked bluntly.
Everything has a price.
That is the fundamental law of how society operates.
Even between parents and children, there is an implicit contract of support.
Let alone between mere strangers.
"You need to offer your loyalty to the Lady."
Haruka frowned slightly.
Hayasaka also frowned.
'Dissatisfied? Or does he value freedom more?'
"Be more specific. I dislike vague concepts. Or are you telling me you recruit talent without even a concrete plan?" Haruka looked at the conglomerate heiress's confidant with a gaze full of skepticism.
"..."
'This guy... is really annoying...'
Hayasaka thought to herself.
"After graduation, you must enter the academic cliques—the alumni networks of top universities like Meiji or Tokyo U. Furthermore, after university, your career must be within the Shinomiya Group, arranged by the Lady. Your position will be determined by your performance. If you disappoint the Lady, the investment in you will be cut off immediately, and you will be kicked out."
Haruka frowned.
"That's it?"
It had to be said — these terms were actually very generous. Almost too good, in fact..
It didn't feel like the typical conglomerate style.
"There's more. There is one final, most important condition, but you cannot know it yet. We need to evaluate you further..."
After Hayasaka said this, Haruka's expression changed slightly.
"..."
"I basically agree. But there is one thing: I want to enter the Medical Department. I also want my future work to be in the medical field, and you cannot interfere with my private research."
Hayasaka looked at Haruka again. "Your conditions are quite restrictive. I hope you can demonstrate more value."
"Draw up an agreement. If I fail to demonstrate enough value after graduation, you can void the contract. But I hope that once I prove my worth, you will provide sufficient support for my research."
Haruka smiled.
Hayasaka looked at Haruka calmly.
'I need to raise my evaluation of him again...'
'In business, he is cunning.'
'But his character is now a question mark. Need to be careful.'
'But it doesn't matter.'
'Right now, the Lady needs powerful talent.'
'As long as his character isn't too despicable to control, it's fine.'
"Alright. I can agree to that."
"You?"
Haruka looked at her with skepticism.
Hayasaka pushed up her glasses and smiled. "I have that authority."
Haruka instantly smiled as well and stood up.
Their hands shook.
"Well then, I've sold myself to you guys. Please take care of me from now on," Haruka said jokingly.
Hayasaka replied in kind, "Certainly, certainly. We'll be colleagues from now on."
Of course, both of them understood.
This was essentially the truth...
But in a transaction, everyone had to maintain a shiny surface.
Hypocritical.
Truly hypocritical.
If Yukino were here, she would probably be nauseous enough to vomit.
"Oh right, when do I get to meet my future Lord?"
***
[You sold yourself to Kaguya Shinomiya, even though you haven't actually met her face-to-face.]
[But you had no choice. You need the massive resources of the Shinomiya Group to help you conduct medical research.]
[You didn't know before, but only after truly stepping into this field of study did you understand just how immense the investment required for medical research is. To put it bluntly, it is a gold-swallowing beast.]
[Relying on one person, starting from nothing, and hoping to research something valuable is pure fantasy.]
[Originally, your plan was to use the money from your novels to open a company over the next few years while conducting medical research on the side—first researching some small, utilizable products for profit to create a cycle of self-support.]
[But since the Shinomiya Group came knocking, selling yourself isn't a big deal.]
[In the end, society works like this: perfect your abilities, serve those in charge—or take the crown yourself.]
[You didn't tell anyone about the deal with Ai Hayasaka, including Shoko.]
[Soon, time flashed by, and you were about to graduate.]
[During this time, you had already met Shoko's family and once again gained a portion of memories.]
[Guided by these memories, you chose a more efficient way to gain Yaeko Nishimiya's trust.]
[That was money.]
[A massive amount of money.]
[You displayed your financial power, using this extremely realistic method to tell this mother—who clearly recognized reality and forced her daughter to adapt to it—exactly where you stood.]
[The hierarchy of status.]
[Yaeko Nishimiya acquiesced because you demonstrated the ability to support Shoko.]
[You did this far faster and more efficiently than the 'you' in your memories.]
[At the same time, you spent some time telling Shoko's sister and grandmother about your feelings for Shoko, earning their approval.]
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