[23] Making Money Isn’t Shameful

Chapter 23: Making Money Isn't Shameful

"Before graduation... earn 10 billion yen..."

"Yes, 10 billion yen. And that's just one way to prove your capability. After all, compared to the Shinomiya family's 20 trillion yen in total assets, 10 billion yen is hardly significant. Being able to earn that much only proves that you are a competent person."

"..."

Shirogane's expression darkened.

"Earn 10 billion yen... My part-time job pays 1,000 yen per hour, which means I'd have to work 10 million hours. Even if I worked nonstop without sleep, it would take 1,142 years..."

"President, your math is really impressive."

"…That's completely impossible!!"

He clutched his head and shouted in despair.

Ronan, on the other hand, couldn't quite understand Miyuki's reaction.

Isn't this just about helping students with career counseling? Why does he look like he's the one suffering?

"President, if someone actually needed to make that much money, I do have a way."

"What? What is it!?"

Seeing the suddenly eager Shirogane, Ronan was speechless for a moment but still explained, "Look, I know Momo Ryuji, right? Sometimes I collaborate with them, so I know what kind of talent they're looking for..."

"Momo Ryuji? Isn't her family involved in the yakuza?"

Shirogane shivered at the mention.

"You're not... suggesting I do something illegal, are you?"

His mind immediately conjured up a terrifying image—him engaging in shady dealings, only to be caught red-handed by the police.

Outside the detention center, his father and sister stood in sorrow, looking at him through the bars.

And then, there was Kaguya, staring at him with the expression one would give to trash.

"President, I never expected you to be this kind of person."

"No, Shinomiya, let me explain!"

"Let's just pretend we never knew each other."

"NOOOOOOO!!!"

Shirogane slammed his head onto the desk, snapping himself out of his nightmarish fantasy. That bleak future was more terrifying than death itself.

"President, are you okay?" Ronan asked with concern.

"How could I be okay!?"

"This isn't even about you… Besides, I never said anything about doing something illegal."

"Huh? Then what are you suggesting?" Shirogane quickly pulled himself together.

If it was a legitimate way to make money, he was willing to listen.

Even if earning 10 billion yen was impossible, making some extra money to support his family wouldn't be a bad idea.

"President, you know, some of those groups have their own film companies, and they need... well, you know, adult films. I think you look pretty decent, so maybe you could—"

"Wait a second!!"

Shirogane immediately crossed his arms over his body, clutching himself protectively as he scooted his office chair backward several steps.

"Ronan... You… You're not seriously suggesting that I star in those kinds of films, are you?"

"Oh, don't worry, President. I know you wouldn't betray your girlfriend, so acting in the kind of movies you have on your hard drive wouldn't be appropriate."

"That's good to hear… Wait, hold on! Who said I have those kinds of things on my hard drive!?"

"I meant starring in GV."

"LIKE HELL I WOULD!!!" Shirogane yelled, utterly appalled. "Why the hell would you even come up with something this insane, Ronan!?"

"It makes money fast."

"What good is that!?"

"Making money is just business. Nothing shameful about it."

"It's absolutely shameful!! Why the hell do I have to do something like that!?"

"…I never said you had to do it. Didn't you say this was just for when students come to the student council for advice in the future?"

"…Ahem, well, that's true."

Realizing he had lost his composure, Shirogane quickly calmed down, straightened up, and returned to his seat. He then stared seriously at Ronan and said,

"Ronan, this discussion is about addressing potential student inquiries. I hope you can offer some constructive suggestions. After all, the student council must not encourage students to engage in anything questionable."

"That's a tough one," Ronan muttered with some frustration. "I mean, what normal student would even think about dating Shinomiya? You'd have to be out of your mind to take on something that difficult."

Shiroganei: "…."

"How about just focusing on studying and becoming a high-ranking politician or the president of a major bank in Japan?"

"That sounds like a reasonable—"

"But considering Japan's political and financial landscape, even if you have strong connections and skills, you wouldn't reach that level until you're at least fifty or sixty years old. Getting married at that point would be a bit…"

Thud!

Shirogane slammed his head onto the desk once again.

He truly felt like the future was hopeless.

"President, are you okay? Do you really have to stress this much over something that might not even happen?"

"I'm just looking out for my fellow students… Ronan, you wouldn't understand…"

Even in his current state, Shirogane stubbornly refused to admit the real reason for his distress.

"That's exactly why this situation is so tricky."

Ronan lazily sprawled out on the sofa, while Shirogane lay face-down on his desk, unable to say a word.

"If this were your problem, President, I might have a way to help. But since it's someone else's issue, well…"

"Wait a minute!"

Shirogane suddenly sprang up, his sleep-deprived eyes taking on a sharp, almost menacing look as he stared at Ronan.

"What did you just say?"

"I said, 'Since this is someone else's problem, then—'"

"Not that part—the sentence before that."

"Oh, I said, 'If this were your problem, President, I might have a way to help.' Why?"

"How exactly would you help me?"

"President, didn't you say you don't have those kinds of feelings for the Shinomiya heiress—"

"'Hypothetically! If! Do you understand?"

"Got it, got it. If you were the one with this problem, there'd be a lot I could do to help," Ronan said matter-of-factly. "Look, President, we're friends, right?"

"Yeah, we are."

"And since a friend is in trouble, of course, I'd go all out to help. Forget just supporting you when it comes to marriage talk—even if you haven't succeeded yet, I can still provide assistance. For example, I could gather basic information on the Shinomiya heiress, find out where she usually goes… That kind of stuff. Of course, when it comes to romance, I'm just a small fry, so that's about all I can do."

"…"

Shirogane had to admit—he was tempted.

If someone was really willing to help him, then his chances of making Kaguya confess to him would increase significantly.

"Uh… so about the Shinomiya family from now on…"

"I'll handle them for you."

"…Does a friend really need to go this far?" Shirogane was a little touched.

To think Ronan would be willing to face off against a behemoth like the Shinomiya family just for the sake of a friend's happiness… That kind of resolve was truly admirable.

"But of course."

A sly grin crept onto Ronan's face.

"After all, if I say I'm helping a friend, then going against the Shinomiya family becomes completely justified, doesn't it?"

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