51: The Game of Life

"So this is why you wanted to play with us back then?"

Akira Sawamura's childhood friends hadn't expected such a simple reason for him seeking them out as kids.

It was a bit of a blow to their pride.

"What else?"

"Ladies, why are you all as narcissistic as Kanade?"

When it came to sarcasm and mental gymnastics, Akira Sawamura was unmatched.

After all, there were plenty of sharp-tongued girls among his childhood friends.

"As the saying goes, 'Girls change a lot as they grow up.'"

"Who knows what you'd turn into as adults?"

"Not every noble-born lady grows up to be as outstanding as you all."

"Plenty fall from grace."

"There's no shortage of high-society girls in Japan who end up starring in adult films."

"Fortunately, under my influence, none of you turned out that way."

"That's something I find very reassuring."

As he spoke, Akira Sawamura instinctively reached out and patted Sakayanagi Arisu's head.

"Go to hell, Akira Sawamura! Your tone is infuriating!"

"What's next? Are you planning to act like our elder?"

"Not at all. I just feel an immense sense of accomplishment."

"There's no better childhood friend than me."

"Watching you all grow up from tiny little things—"

"The sense of nurturing is just too satisfying."

At these words, everyone was speechless.

What kind of twisted logic was this?

No wonder Busujima Masamune said Akira was arrogant.

His deep-seated arrogance was absolutely infuriating.

"Akira Sawamura, you insufferable bastard!"

"Are you playing a real-life version of a bishoujo-raising sim?!"

Hearing Eriri's outburst, the childhood friends instantly realized the truth.

It was practically the same as raising female characters in a gacha game.

"See? You're all getting worked up again."

"Isn't life itself a game?"

"Isn't the world we live in just one massive real-life simulation?"

"I call it 'Blue Planet Online.'"

"The laws of various nations serve as the game's base rules."

"Restricting us VIP players from going wild."

"The only difference is that we only get one life."

"Since it's a game, we should enjoy it, do what we want."

"Saeko, do you still think your junior isn't arrogant?"

"He literally treats life as a game."

"This is what they call 'gaming through life.'"

"Grandfather, I'm more concerned about his mental state."

"What kind of normal person thinks like this?!"

Busujima Saeko looked genuinely worried.

The other girls suddenly understood.

They, too, felt that Akira's mindset was a little… off.

"Can't you all have a little more faith in your childhood friend?"

"I'm perfectly sane, thank you very much."

"Taia is the best proof of that."

"Besides, 'gaming through life' is a huge compliment in China, not an insult."

"My master even praised my carefree attitude."

"Is the next step of 'gaming through life' becoming a monk?"

Busujima Saeko deadpanned.

"Saeko, the concept of becoming a monk in Japan is completely different from in China."

"Japanese monks and priests can still get married and have kids."

"What's the point of that kind of 'monkhood'?"

"I'm more worried about you going to China and becoming a monk there."

"Saeko, you should have more confidence in your own charm!"

"I have so many childhood friends—I'm a guaranteed winner in life."

"I'd have to be insane to give that up and become a monk."

Akira Sawamura instinctively took Busujima Saeko's soft hand in his and sincerely praised her:

"A cool, elegant Yamato Nadeshiko like you is every man's dream wife."

"Then how about we get our marriage license tomorrow?"

Busujima Saeko's beautiful eyes flashed with amusement as she teased.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

In an instant, Akira was hit with a wave of murderous stares.

"Saeko, get their approval first, and I'll go with you right away."

"Junior, I'm seriously starting to think this was all part of your plan."

"Gathering a harem of childhood friends to keep each other in check—"

"So you can freely cheat on us all."

Busujima Saeko tightened her grip on Akira's hand, pretending to glare at him.

If they hadn't all grown up together, building strong bonds over the years…

Their group dynamic would have fallen apart long ago.

Besides Akira, the girls themselves were also childhood friends.

That sisterhood was what kept them from forcing Akira to choose one of them.

They had long accepted this unspoken rule.

This tacit understanding would likely last a lifetime.

After all, as long as they didn't formally get married, there was nothing stopping them from staying together as they were.

"If I were that brilliant as a kid, I wouldn't have nearly frozen to death in London."

"This is just fate bringing us together."

"You should cherish our connection."

Akira spoke earnestly.

The girls all twitched at the corners of their mouths, then retorted in unison:

"Cherish your big-headed self!"

It was because they cherished their sisterhood that they couldn't tear each other apart to decide a winner.

Akira quickly raised his hands in surrender and changed the subject:

"Let's get back on track."

"Any major reform requires bloodshed and sacrifice."

"Across history, across nations—no exceptions."

"Because touching someone's interests is harder than touching their soul."

"No one will willingly give up their wealth and power unless a blade is at their throat."

"That's why I consider Ayanokouji Atsushi a complete clown."

"No marital alliances."

"No backing from powerful agencies."

"No private military loyal only to him."

"What makes him think he can succeed?"

"He underestimates the deep foundations of noble families like ours."

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