New alliance pt.2

"I've got to get me a chef who can cook like this," Ryota said with a happy expression satisfied with the cook.

"Well with your family's wealth you can totally heir one from Totsuki." Hayato said, "So let's get into why we are here."

Everyone got serious as Hayato continued,

"Let me begin with all the five major factions in the high-class society, they are Ravens, Wolves, Phoenix, Swans and lastly Dragons. Among them Phoenix and Dragons are secretive factions that no one knows a lot about so lets let them be. So the ones we're going to discuss are Ravens, Wolves, and Swans."

"The Arima family is the strongest family and part of Ravens. Mine and Yukinoshita family belong in the Swan faction. The Ravens and Wolves don't really get along too well, in fact, they could be considered rivals of one another desperately trying to topple each other off. Assassinations, sending spies are quite common between them whereas we Swans stay in a neutral position. We don't get involved in fights between the two major faction and seek peaceful way of doing things together as a group. But these days with the Wolves getting a major backer, they've trying to attack our faction for a while now. Tempting the members with wealth and power or straight manipulating them using some sort of leverage, they've slowly been digging at our sides and with only a few of us remaining it won't be long before we're the next victim."

"So for the support, we've been seeking help from the Ravens and that's where you came in, a couple of weeks ago we all got messages telling us about the new successor of Arima Corp, Arima Ryota, grandson of Arima Isshin-sama. We all believed it just to be rumors, after all, this all happened even before the whole news scandal about you but these have caused the faction to be divided into two. The one who thinks that they should increase their friendship with the Arima Corp with the help of the new heir and the others who think that a kid would ruin the Arima corp, and lead all of us to doom."

"So you're from the group that wants to join hands with me?" Ryota asked after carefully listening to him.

"Yes." Haru replied, "Not only do we want to cooperate but we want the Ravens to take us in. After all, staying neutral now is nearly impossible so the Swans are no more. And with the two of us being in contact with you we were the first one the extend a branch of friendship."

Ryota stayed quiet thinking for a while, though Isshin on the phone had explained to him about these factions and why they wanted this meeting, and according to him, it was up to Ryota to now decide the future of Arima Corp. So he was to be responsible for all the actions he will take. Which seemed fair but it was still a lot of pressure on him. Suddenly he felt someone pulling his hands as he looked at Miyuki, taking a deep sigh he nodded at her to go on.

"Yukinoshita-sama, Hayama-sama we really appreciate the goodwill of both your families but as you know of the complicated situations due to the scandal and with Master still not being officially appointed as the successor we need some time to think about the decision," Miyuki stated towards both of them, "Also we hope that friendship with Master isn't the only leverage you have to continue this deal."

Though cold Ryota had to accept that this was his reality now, a friendship didn't matter in terms of business what mattered was profit and gains from the other party. Though both their families were strong against the Arima family they couldn't be considered a tough deal and joining hands with them wouldn't bring them a lot of benefits too.

"So that's the gist of it." Ryota said, "I want to invite you two and all the other families in our support from the Swan faction to the announcement party and we can have a detailed discussion thereafter."

Both of them were in no position to go against Ryota's decision so they agreed.

"You've got yourself a good maid, Ryota." Haru said staring at Miyuki.

After having a normal conversation after the whole serious ordeal all of them left.

--------------------------------------------------------

"I see, you've done well," Isshin said over on the phone.

"Yeah, but I think they mean well so if they provide us with better offers, I don't think we have any reasons to refuse."

After discussing things with Isshin, Ryota hung up the phone sighing deeply.

"Master if you don't mind me asking, what is your relation with Haruno-sama?"

"It's nothing too special." Ryota shook his head, "We met when we were all back in the states, and as she said she was my first crush back then. Beautiful, smart and kind, she was a obviously the perfect girl in my eyes but slowly I began seeing her for who she really is. A cold-hearted woman with a mask so strong nothing could break it off. All of her kindness and cheerfulness were just facade and she is a bit too scary."

"How so?"

"Well for the things she likes, she will meddle with it so much to the point of killing it. And for the things she hates, she'd go the extra mile to crush them. Kinda psychotic if you ask me."

"But it seems there was still something more between you two."

"Oh! I used to date her sister back when we were young." Ryota said, "But it was quite clever of her to not bring her up in our conversation knowing I wouldn't like it."

Miyuki nodded and didn't ask much else seeing Ryota's bitter face. The car stopped by his house as Miyuki followed after him.

"What's that car doing here?" Ryota asked looking at the other car parked next to his house.

"It must be my stuff." Miyuki said going over and getting the two burly guards to carry her stuff.

"Are you planning on living with me?" Ryota asked

"As a maid, it's my job to be with you and take care of you 24/7, so not only will I be living with you, I'll be attending school with you as well."

Ryota who was a bit shocked looking at Miyuki who was settling her stuff in his house.

'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?'