The room fell silent as the three boys stood there, staring at Renji.
Then, Haru suddenly raised his hand.
"Mr. Renji, I have a question!"
Renji blinked. "Go ahead."
Haru tilted his head. "Do rich people… not feel cold?"
The entire room went dead silent.
Jun, the assistant, choked on air. The receptionist outside probably felt the disturbance in the atmosphere.
Even Renji, the composed businessman, paused for a second.
"…What?"
Leo nodded seriously. "Yeah! We noticed yesterday when we were lost in the city!"
Riku crossed his arms. "All the rich people were wearing fancy suits or really thin clothes! Meanwhile, we were shivering in two layers!"
Haru pointed dramatically. "SO! We came to the only rich person we know to ask—do rich people have secret heat powers?!"
Jun rubbed his temples. "I cannot believe I am listening to this conversation."
Renji stared at them for a moment. Then, suddenly—
He burst out laughing.
The three boys froze.
Leo whispered. "D-Did we just make a billionaire laugh?!"
Riku whispered back. "I think we broke him."
Renji finally wiped a tear from his eye. "You three are really something else."
He leaned forward. "No, rich people don't have secret heat powers. We just have… good heating systems and expensive clothes that keep us warm even when they look thin."
Haru gasped. "THAT'S CHEATING!"
Leo pouted. "Man, we thought you had a cool superpower or something."
Renji smirked. "Sorry to disappoint."
The three boys looked at each other.
Then—
Riku clapped his hands. "Alright! Next question!"
Jun groaned. "Oh no…"
Leo leaned forward. "Mr. Renji! Do rich people eat normal food or just gold-covered stuff?"
Renji chuckled. "We eat normal food."
Haru gasped. "YOU MEAN YOU EAT RICE?!"
Riku dramatically fell on his knees. "Rich people eat rice! The world is not unfair after all!"
Jun buried his face in his hands. "Please… someone take me home."
Renji just sat back, enjoying the chaos.
He had never met three boys like this before.
And, honestly…
It was the most fun he had in a long time.