Выбрать главу

Katsuko-nee said.

Nagisa was the number one of the Black Forest.

I do have meals and talk with my contacts even now. But, it’s already been years since my retirement

Then, Katsuko-nee protected the number one spot after Nagisa retired.

Well, everyone says Since it’s Katsuko-kun, I’ll tell you. And so they tell stories. I had to understand what they talk about, and not just agree with everything they say, and so I read a lot of economics books. I also look at the finance page of the newspapers and magazines I don’t think there’s a need to read newspapers, right?

Kana-senpai asks.

They love checking the same news, and saying Newspaper A makes this article, but Newspaper B’s drift of their argument is like this. They’re that kind of people. Therefore, you have to read all the newspapers and compare it Oh right, you got to work hard to entertain the big-shot old men

Kana-senpai looked at Mariko.

With that said, Mariko, you should read newspapers too

But why do I have to?

I mean, isn’t your job to talk to the big-shot contacts?

Compared to me, I think that they will be happier if they find that a girl like Kana is interested in finance

It’s not happy, more like, moe Finance Moe

Yukino said.

Oh right, this girl did meet big-shots at parties too.

As for me, I think that I’ll go with the plan by saying Ojii-sama, I have no knowledge in finance, please teach me

Kana-senpai said, but.

Only the perverted men with ulterior motives will get attracted to that line

Yukino speaks teasingly.

True. It’s better if you are aware than not. It lets you value the worth of the other party

Nagisa said.

People who talk about low-level economic theories that everyone knows while having that I’ll teach you attitude are hopeless

That said, they’ll keep distance if you know too much. The other side will feel the level of conversation you want to partake and talk while making sure it doesn’t become sarcastic

Katsuko-nee said.

You must not show off your knowledge. After all, in the end, it’s all information gathering. Listen to the other party. People who rose to the top of the business and political circles will have some information that will be useful I see. Listen, not talk

Mariko nods.

Once I return home, I’ll try it out with Father and Grandfather immediately

Right. Those two have never told Mariko-san but they should have some stories that are a turning point in their life

Katsuko-nee said.

I’ll try it out too. I don’t think that my Papa has some big secrets, but still

Kana-senpai said.

Yes, please do. Men don’t talk about such with their coworkers and friends but they should have some episodes they want to tell others

Really? Kou, do you have some too?

Mariko looked at me.

Well, none

The girls already know everything about me.

I’ve got nothing new to tell them.

That’s because it still hasn’t approached its conclusion inside. Until it becomes a whole tale, then.

Nagisa told me.

Right. I think that after ten years, you’ll think of the tale you had for the past six months as something nostalgic

Katsuko-nee said.

Well then, that’s the end of the pastry sampling meeting. We can call the other girls to try out the remaining slices

Everyone already ate some so there are just 5-6 pieces of toast, but.

By the way, did something happen, Nagisa?

Yeah, Nagisa went in suddenly.

About that, Misuzu-chan and the girls have come home. I came here to convey that

Oh? They’re back now?

Oh. They should’ve called when they left the training building

Well, they seem to be prohibited from doing so

Nagisa said.

I don’t know why but it seems that they’re told that they can’t call you during the operation

Oh, Kudou-papa’s instructions.

Kudou-papa’s the one doing the operation this time.

That’s because he doesn’t carry any connections to the Kouzuki house.

Though it’s dealing with the reckless actions of a portion of people, if the Kouzuki SS deals with the bureaucrats, the grudge will remain.

Therefore, Shou-neechan and the Kouzuki SS are in the old training building, guarding the young ladies who came to watch Edie and Yamada Umeko-san’s match.

The no-contact thing Kudou-papa said was to create an alibi.

On the other hand, we have been with Kudou-papa since the afternoon, and so.

And so, until Kudou-papa dealt with the reckless bureaucrats.

If Misuzu contacts me by phone, they could misunderstand that we’re passing through orders to Kudou-papa.

Once we’re done, you’re asked to come. They’re gathered in Ruriko-chan’s room

Oh, it’s to report about what happened in the training building.

Okay, I’ll go there

Oh, Kou. I’m going too. Haiji, come with us

Mariko calls her.

You want to hear the results of Edie-san’s fight, don’t you?

Ah, yes

What about Kana?

Kana-senpai looked at Ai and Megu.

I’ll stay here. I already had my fill listening to the young ladies

I won’t go either. I’m bad at dealing with those girls

Yukino said.

I think the other side thinks the same way, right? Oh well, let’s go, Kou

Yeah

Mariko urged me so we left the dining room.

I’m also bad at dealing with that girl, Yukino, and Megumi

Mariko says after we walked in the corridor for a moment.

The two of them are overly-familiar, or should I say that they’re too frank

Mariko-oneesama, that’s because everyone’s getting along

Haiji said.

Well, I know that, but still

No, I think that Yukino and Megu feel the same way as Mariko

Misuzu and Ruriko are the young ladies of the Kouzuki house so it’s clear with them, but.

But with Mariko, they feel that she has a lower rank than Misuzu and the girls.

She’s a new girl and yet her attitude is big, that’s how they feel

Kana-senpai knew that so she remained

Kana?

Kana-senpai’s a year senior and so Megu can’t really complain. Yukino stays silent when Megu presses her down

Recently, Yukino and Megu are getting along.

Well, that’s a good thing.

Well, the one I fear is that Ai. That girl is a step ahead as Kou’s legal wife

Mariko said.

Megumi, that girl seems to be attentive to details. It is the darkest under the lamppost, isn’t it?

I don’t get what she said.

If that girl’s established her place next to Kou with her pastry, then Kana and I will become business partners with Kou and establish ourselves nearby. Haiji, you’ll help out too

Mariko said. But.

Mariko-oneesama, do you believe that going all-out against Katsuko-oneesama to contest in status has chances of success?

Huh?

Mariko’s surprised.

It’s not just Katsuko-nee. Nagisa too.Mariko, you’re helping out in Nagisa’s shop, right?

yes

What do you think of it?

I think that it’s reasonably managed. The workers are also zealous

You’ve got to play against people who already set up their business

I said.

Katsuko-nee and Nagisa are family, but, do you think that you can compete with them all-out, Mariko?

Me too

Haiji said.

I’m also fighting for the legal wife status

Do you intend to fight me?

Naturally. Of course, everyone gets along, but I believe that conspiring together is not okay

And in business fights.

Minaho-neesan’s a monster in reserve.

Mariko hasn’t noticed that yet.

sure! I won’t lose okay!

Mariko said confidently.

Knock, knock.

Come in

Ruriko said. We entered the room.

Ruriko, Misuzu, Michi, Edie, and Mizushima Karen-san.

Where’s Yoshiko-san?

I can’t see her.

Yoshiko-oneesama remained in the Kouzuki mansion

Ruriko said.

Danna-sama, it’s been a while

In the end, it’s been one week since the party in the Kouzuki mansion.