Ch.149 Temptation

As the saying goes, "Eat, drink, gamble, smoke, cheat, swindle, and steal." 

The higher-ups have taken this "cliché" to the extreme. 

Aside from gambling and smoking, which are universally harmful and can't be openly discussed, they've used every other trick in the book. 

First, they greeted Akira with food and drink, and by nightfall, they launched a beauty offensive. 

As for the latter half of the saying, they've already laid the groundwork—whether it was luring Akira to Kyoto or the nighttime "service." It's obvious that the higher-ups have put a lot of thought into getting women into Akira's bed. 

Not only do the women have to look good, but they also need to have some connection to Akira to avoid triggering an extreme reaction from him. 

One woman took care of him since childhood, and the other was someone he specifically brought to a Special Grade meeting, subtly protecting her. If Akira were to make a scene, their reputations would be ruined. 

As long as Akira doesn't cause trouble, there's still room for negotiation. 

Thinking this, Akira clicked his tongue: "They've even thought of this. These old foxes are full of tricks." 

"This is what the higher-ups are best at. Gojo-sensei has lofty ideals, and that's admirable, but compared to the reality of human nature, most people will choose the latter." 

Mai herself is a prime example. 

She couldn't rebel against her fate like her sister Maki. Even after climbing onto the branch of a Special Grade, she didn't make a fuss. 

She didn't demand special treatment or seek revenge on those who had bullied her. She still spent her days hanging out with her best friend, Nitta Momo, occasionally teasing Kasumi Miwa and messing with Mechamaru. 

She just wanted to live her small life in peace. "I won't bother you, and you don't bother me"—that's all she wanted. 

She knew she was an ordinary person, and the world is full of ordinary people. 

Ideals? Missions? Those are too far away. Let's talk about practical things. 

Of course, this isn't to say that Gojo Satoru is some kind of black-hearted capitalist who only talks about ideals, dedication, and hard work. He's very generous when it comes to spending money. 

But in other areas, he can't compare to the conservatives. 

Perhaps it's because Gojo's own conditions are too good, so he's completely indifferent to such things. As he once told Akira—"Beautiful women? What's so interesting about that? Are they better-looking than me?" 

But no matter what, one side only offers money, while the other offers fame, wealth, and beauty in all sorts of ways. How many people can resist the latter's offensive? 

"So, Akira, you're a man too. Seeing me and Natsuko like this, aren't you even a little tempted?" 

As she spoke, Mai hugged Natsuko, who was still kneeling. 

Above, their pretty faces pressed together, their eyes shimmering, their breaths mingling. 

Below, their figures intertwined, their legs tangled, and their neatly arranged kimonos gradually became disheveled. 

It had to be admitted—the scene was undeniably enticing. 

As a former office worker in his past life, Akira had never witnessed such a stimulating scene in the real world. 

However—the room wasn't just occupied by one man and two women. 

*Piking!* 

Gardevoir's eyes lit up with the glow of intense psychic energy. 

Her emerald hair and limbs trembled involuntarily. 

Before she could unleash her psychic energy along with her fluctuating emotions, Serperior acted faster. 

*Swish, swish!* Two vine whips shot out, tightly binding Mai and Natsuko. 

"Tang Tang." 

Her soft voice carried a tone of disdain, her large eyes filled with scorn. 

You like sticking close, huh? Then let's make you stick even closer. 

The ambiguous atmosphere vanished instantly. The two bound women gasped for breath: 

"Young master—" 

"Please, let us go." 

"No," Akira shook his head. "For people who don't want to talk properly, it's better to keep them like this." 

"Hey, hey—" Mai was about to protest when her eyes suddenly lit up with a mischievous glint. She deliberately flirted: "I see. So this is your thing. You should've said so earlier. I could've tied myself up." 

"Eh? Really? Young master?" 

Natsuko exclaimed in surprise. In her memories, the young master had never shown any strange fetishes. 

But in big families, eccentricities weren't uncommon. Even if he had developed some weird preferences, it wouldn't be surprising. 

"If… if the young master likes it, I… I don't mind either." 

"Some kind of plant." Akira felt as if Arceus had flashed through his mind. 

Just as he was considering whether to have Serperior whip out two more vine whips—after evolving, Serperior's vines had also evolved. Instead of the two vines she had as Snivy, she now had four, which was typical for Grass-type Pokémon. Final-stage Grass-types could have dozens of vines (just look at that wild Venusaur from the original series)—Gardevoir's psychic energy finally materialized. 

"Gardevoir, Gardevoir, Gardevoir!" 

Amidst the angry growls escaping her teeth, all the furnishings in the room floated into the air, followed by the outspoken Mai and Natsuko. Due to the vine whips, Serperior wasn't spared either. 

Around Gardevoir, the overcompressed psychic energy caused the space to warp. 

Seeing this, Akira quickly hugged Gardevoir, gently stroking her long hair to calm her: 

"Yosh~ Yosh~ Yosh~ Yosh~ Don't be angry, don't be angry. They're just joking. Don't take it to heart. Blame it on those old guys we met during the day. They're just doing what they're told." 

"Gardevoir!" 

The psychic light in Gardevoir's eyes dimmed, but her anger didn't dissipate. 

I can sense emotions. They're serious. 

"No way," Akira understood. "You're serious? Am I really that charming?" 

"Gardevoir." Gardevoir tilted her head again—as if she wasn't so sure anymore. 

Akira: "…" 

"Which is it? You tell me, or you'll be sleeping hanging from a tree tonight." 

"Tang Tang!!!" 

Serperior waved her small hands and the other two vine whips. 

After unexpectedly suffering such a disaster, Serperior was in no mood to be cheerful. 

"I… I've always belonged to the young master…" 

Natsuko mustered her courage to speak first, but halfway through, she met Gardevoir's glaring eyes and lost her nerve. 

"After the young master left home, I was also transferred away from the main family by the master and mistress. It wasn't until recently that I was called back. The steward said this was an opportunity for me to seize." 

A reasonable response. 

The existence of Kamo Noritoshi had to be erased, and no one involved could escape. High-ranking officials like the old steward were merely silenced. 

The further down the hierarchy, the stricter the punishment. Being sent away from the main family and fading into obscurity over time was the most common punishment. 

For those without ambition, such a life might be fine, but Natsuko clearly didn't want to live transparently for the rest of her life, especially after experiencing the "glory" of being the young master's maid. 

"I'm sorry, young master… I… wasn't that loyal…" 

"It's fine." 

Akira sighed softly but wasn't particularly surprised. He reached out to free her from the vine whips and took her once-familiar hands. 

"Loyalty is mutual. Back then, I wasn't qualified or capable of demanding your loyalty. I also owe you an apology for the suffering you endured because of me." 

"Young master…" Natsuko's eyes welled up with tears. 

On the other side, the neglected Mai snorted, turning her head: "Hmph, what a great performance."