"Father, it's been half an hour past the agreed time, and they still haven't shown up. This is utterly discourteous. Clearly, they hold us in low regard."
On the thirty-third floor of the Prometheus Group headquarters, inside Samuel's office, his long-awaited guests had been waiting for some time.
There were three guests in total. The first was a man in his fifties, dressed in a sharp suit, exuding a commanding presence and an air of authority that needed no introduction. This was Shinomiya Ganan, the head of the Shinomiya Group.
The other two were young girls, both around twelve years old. One had black hair and striking red eyes, her skin as pale as snow, her expression as cold and unyielding as arctic frost, laced with evident displeasure. This was Shinomiya Ganan's daughter, Shinomiya Kaguya.
The other had radiant golden hair, as bright as sunlight, and sky-blue eyes. Her features and complexion rivaled those of the black-haired girl, though her figure was similarly petite. Yet, her demeanor carried a hint of timidity, in stark contrast to the commanding presence of the other two. She was Hayasaka Ai, the daughter of a high-ranking executive in the Shinomiya Group.
Hayasaka Ai had grown up in a role akin to a "companion to the heir," a position that naturally fostered her subdued demeanor given the disparity in status.
"No need for words. Wait."
Shinomiya Ganan's voice was firm, his tone carrying an undeniable authority that brooked no argument.
"…"
Shinomiya Kaguya, unable to defy her father, grew curious about the person he was so intent on meeting.
In her mind, Shinomiya Ganan was synonymous with dominance and independence. His approach was always unyielding. Under normal circumstances, if someone failed to show up on time, he would leave without hesitation and retaliate for the perceived slight.
This was his way of returning disrespect.
Yet this time, he did nothing.
Not only did he refrain from retaliation, he didn't even storm off—an action typically associated with the "weaker" party.
Was the matter they were about to discuss that critical? Or… was the person they were meeting that important?
As for Hayasaka Ai, her opinion was irrelevant. Even if she had one, it wouldn't matter.
As their thoughts swirled, Samuel finally pushed open the door and entered.
"Sorry, sorry! I got held up with some matters. My apologies for keeping you all waiting."
Samuel stepped in with a calm smile.
"No, no! Director Samuel, you're a busy man. My visit was rather abrupt, so I'm the one imposing."
Shinomiya Ganan stood immediately, his face breaking into a smile as he approached Samuel.
The Shinomiya Group, and by extension the Shinomiya family, was a place of rigid hierarchy. As the head of both the corporation and the family, when Shinomiya Ganan stood, even his daughter had no right to remain seated.
As for Hayasaka Ai? If she dared sit now, her entire family might find themselves at the bottom of a lake by tomorrow.
Shinomiya Kaguya and Hayasaka Ai rose almost instinctively. Perhaps… this was the tragedy of great families.
"Please, everyone, sit. You're my guests, and where I come from, such formality makes it seem like I'm lacking in hospitality!"
"My apologies, I'm not familiar with your customs. We'll sit."
"Lacking in hospitality? Now you realize? You kept us waiting for over half an hour!"
Shinomiya Kaguya's expression remained icy, but inwardly, she was seething.
Due to Academy City's emergence in Japan, the three major powers had taken action, relocating the Earth United Conference headquarters from the United States to Japan. Under the pretext of upholding the conference's authority, their forces had stationed themselves in Japan, effectively stripping the nation of its sovereignty. The only armaments left were outdated handguns carried by police officers.
Simultaneously, the cultural influence of these powers was relentless.
Kaguya, well-versed in global cultures, was inwardly venting her frustration.
But it was just that—venting. She didn't dare voice it aloud, having already sensed Samuel's extraordinary nature.
A boy not much older than her, with a strikingly handsome appearance, but she wasn't naive enough to believe her father's uncharacteristic behavior was due to looks alone.
Kaguya was sharp. From the significance of this building and Samuel's casual demeanor, she deduced he was a key figure in the Prometheus Group—possibly even its chairman.
It seemed unbelievable for someone so young, but it wasn't impossible.
Yet, even such a status didn't justify her father's… humility. Yes, humility was the only word she could think of to describe it.
He was no ordinary man.
And indeed, Shinomiya Ganan was deliberately placing himself in a subordinate position.
At the end of the day, he was an entrepreneur—a capitalist. Despite his immense wealth and extensive connections, he didn't dare challenge Samuel outright.
Currently, Japan had been disarmed, with only the three major powers and Academy City possessing military forces.
Among them, Academy City's strength was unmatched, not just as a city of espers but as the pinnacle of cutting-edge technology.
Undoubtedly, Academy City's international standing rivaled that of the major powers.
And Samuel's status within Academy City was exceptionally high.
Leaving aside his role as head of Judgment, equivalent to a police superintendent, the Prometheus Group's influence permeated every corner of Academy City. Its "connections" were so vast they could be described as all-encompassing.
The Shinomiya Group's key project, "Mass-Scale Esper Ability Research," was based in Academy City, tied to the conglomerate's future direction. Thus, Shinomiya Ganan's goal today was to win Samuel over.
His method was both sophisticated and crude.
After all, since ancient times, "hostages" and "heroes falling for beauty" have been the most effective means of alliance-building.
"Oh, so, Chairman Shinomiya, you're saying you want your daughter, Miss Shinomiya Kaguya, and Miss Hayasaka Ai to live in Academy City, and you're asking me to help them develop their superpowers, correct?"
Samuel tapped the desk lightly with a smile, fully aware of Shinomiya Ganan's intentions.
He even knew about the Shinomiya Group's "Shinomiya Institute" in Academy City.
"I recall the Shinomiya family has an esper development institute in Academy City, yes? About a year ago, your son was there for development, but unfortunately, he didn't manifest any abilities."
Samuel's words sent a jolt through Shinomiya Ganan, who immediately began suspecting spies within his organization. But he quickly set that aside. Since Samuel had brought it up, it suggested no overt malice. For now, the priority was addressing the matter at hand.