When Yuuki Asuna stepped out of the conference room, her expression was still a little dazed.
Since she was little, her mother had always set high standards. Even when she completed tasks well, praise was rare—let alone after a complete failure like today.
Before entering the meeting room, she had mentally prepared for over thirty minutes.
Yet what she hadn't expected was not disappointment or cold stares—but… approval?
"Recognized my actions… that should count as praise, right?" Yuuki Asuna murmured to herself.
And judging from what her mother said afterward, she even seemed to want her to become that Kuzeha-sensei's disciple—or perhaps, someone closer.
Yuuki Asuna recalled Kuzeha's face. Fair-skinned and handsome, he didn't look much older than her. She wouldn't be surprised if he were also a high school student.
A youth around her age, with swordsmanship that even members of the Council of Swordmasters admired… someone to whom Yukinoshita's matriarch—and even her own mother—yielded.
And that brief moment of guidance from him had left a deep, indelible impression.
Practicing with him had been exhilarating, a kind of clarity she had never experienced before.
"Becoming a disciple… or a friend…" Yuuki Asuna lightly bit her lip and sighed. In her heart, stirred by that young man's calm gaze, ripples of admiration bloomed.
If she could choose—she would much rather be the latter.
Yukinoshita Haruno pushed open the door to her mother's temporary office.
"Mother, the new project with the Yuuki family has made progress. Not only did they voluntarily withdraw from the profit split they insisted on, they even committed more funding…"
She laid out the new contract in front of her mother.
Just this morning, they'd negotiated with the Yuuki family for nearly two hours, with Yuuki Kyouko refusing to back down on any point. But after the incident involving the Council of Swordmasters, her mother only spoke to her for a few minutes—and Yuuki Kyouko had conceded completely.
From the contract alone, the Yuuki family was barely making a profit—essentially working for them.
Haruno was clever enough to guess: her mother must have revealed Kuzeha's identity.
Only that could explain Yuuki Kyouko's abrupt submission.
Everything was going according to her mother's plan.
Yukinoshita Madame flipped through the contract, her expression calm.
She knew Yuuki Kyouko too well—cold, sharp, but always calculating like an investor. She never put all her eggs in one basket. But once she saw a return was guaranteed, she'd go all-in.
"If this were the Hundred Devouring Clan, they'd probably have bet everything the moment Kuze-dono's identity was revealed," she mused.
Still, she wasn't surprised. Without witnessing Kuzeha's godlike power in person, no one could fully grasp what kind of future he represented.
She set the contract aside.
Even so, it wouldn't be long before the Yuuki family fully submitted to Kuzeha as well.
The high school finals ended soon after. Unsurprisingly, Busujima Saeko won in a landslide. Her opponent hadn't even posed a challenge—defeated instantly.
After the match, she dragged Kuzeha to the break room.
Her light purple eyes shimmered with warmth as she held up her trophy.
"Kuzeha-kun, I won!"
She handed him the championship cup.
"This is the reward I promised you."
Kuzeha raised an eyebrow. "This?"
Then he noticed something inside the cup—a silver key.
"A key?"
Saeko blushed. "It's the key to my apartment."
"You're welcome to come and claim your reward whenever you like."
Her soft breath tickled his ear.
Kuzeha chuckled. "Is it a one-time redemption?"
"That depends… on how long your key works."
She winked, a playful glint in her eye.
Oh? After last time left her trembling?
Raising a brow, Kuzeha replied, "Then no need to wait—let's head over now."
He twirled the key on his finger.
Saeko blinked in surprise. "Don't you still have judge duties?"
"Your match is over. What's the point of sticking around?"
Saeko smiled, heart fluttering. That reason alone was enough for her.
"But your sisters—aren't they only home during the break?"
"My school's near your apartment, right?"
Saeko nodded.
He grinned. "Even if I walk, it'll only take minutes. I can visit anytime."
Blushing, she whispered, "I'll go prepare."
After notifying Madam Yukinoshita, two cars arrived to pick up the sisters and Kuzeha.
He dropped them home before heading to Saeko's apartment.
A small one-bedroom unit, not luxurious but cozy. As he opened the door, the first thing he saw was a wall lined with gleaming swords.
A burglar breaking in would probably rethink their life choices.
There were new slippers at the door.
In the kitchen, through frosted glass, a shadow moved.
"Saeko-senpai?"
He stepped in.
From the kitchen came her voice, "Just wear the slippers by the door, Kuzeha-kun!"
Kuzeha chuckled.
"Only slippers for my first visit? No welcome?"
The kitchen door opened.
Saeko emerged.
Wearing nothing but an apron.
Her voluptuous figure stretched the fabric tight.
Like a perfect housewife, she helped him remove his jacket and shoes.
And the apron… barely concealed anything.
Her lips pursed in mock annoyance. "I was going to surprise you when you walked in…"
He stared unabashedly. "Everything's been a surprise since I walked through the door."
He cupped her face.
And then—he savored her carefully prepared reward.
A taste of youth, of wine, of something warm and unforgettable.
A reward found in no one else but her.
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