Buying a Car

In the dimly lit warehouse, the air still felt heavy with lingering silence. The portly manager adjusted his clothes with a satisfied smile on his face. With a casual motion, he tightened his belt and then patted his stomach as if savoring the fruits of something gratifying.

In the corner of the room, Utaha lay weakly with her legs spread wide, her arms dangling limply to the sides, like a helpless frog lying powerless. Her eyes were slightly open, staring blankly at the dark ceiling. Her breath was ragged, her body seemingly drained of energy, as if she had gone through something that had sapped all her strength.

"This is always enjoyable, no matter how many times. We can do it again tonight." Said the portly manager with a tone full of satisfaction.

"..."

However, Utaha did not respond. Her body only moved slightly, as if trying to gather the strength that had been completely drained.

Feeling that enough had been done for now, the portly manager stepped out of the warehouse, letting the door creak before closing, leaving behind a heavy silence.

"How long will this continue..."

A moment later, Utaha took a deep breath and reached into her bag. With mechanical movements, she took out a tissue, wiped the white fluid from her groin, and then swallowed a contraceptive pill that was all too familiar on her tongue.

"Why do men love stockings so much...?"

As her hand touched her stockings, Utaha remembered that her stockings were no longer wearable—torn. Without expression, she completely removed them and took out a new pair from her bag.

With slow movements, she slid the thin fabric over her long, beautiful legs, letting it gently wrap around her skin. Although no one was watching her in this place, she still made sure her stockings were neat, without any annoying wrinkles.

After that, she began to put on the rest of her clothes, covering her body that shouldn't have needed to be covered repeatedly. The buttons that she usually fastened meticulously were now done carelessly, while her slightly disheveled hair was only tidied with her fingers.

Finally, after making sure there was nothing suspicious about her appearance, she took a deep breath and stepped out. She still had to work—as usual, as if nothing had happened.

On her way to the sales area, Utaha's steps remained graceful, although behind her calm expression, there was something heavy in her heart. Along the hallway, faint whispers could be heard around her—conversations deliberately softened but still clear enough to reach her ears.

"She really has no shame..."

"Well, if you want to live comfortably, there's always a price."

"Do you think she enjoys all that?"

"Hmph, she looks like a flower on a high mountain that can't be picked just like that, but she uses her beauty to seduce the manager. So hypocritical."

Small laughs followed among them, full of sarcasm and mockery. However, Utaha showed no reaction. She was used to being gossiped about every time she passed her colleagues. After all, her affair with the manager was an open secret.

If it weren't for this job offering high pay and the manager's strong connections—a graduate of Shuchi'in Academy, part of a world untouchable by ordinary people like her—she would have quit long ago. In fact, she might have even sued the other party.

However, reality was not on her side. Utaha was just someone trapped in a situation that gave her no choice. The debt left by her father still haunted her, ensnaring her in a difficult-to-break cycle. At least, there was something she could gain from each encounter—enough to slowly reduce the burden that bound her.

"Huft..."

With a small sigh, Utaha lifted her chin slightly higher and stepped forward, ignoring the stares directed at her.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In the sales area, the atmosphere was filled with the sounds of conversations and explanations from car consultants to their customers. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, a pair of high school students seemed to be ignored. Not a single consultant approached them, as if their presence was insignificant.

Perhaps the consultants thought they were just students browsing around with no intention to buy. After all, in their world, young people rarely became serious customers. If only they were wearing Shuchi'in Academy uniforms, the employees' attitudes would have been entirely different.

Observing the situation from a distance, Utaha decided to step in. With professional steps, she approached them, a business smile adorning her face.

"Welcome to our showroom. Is there a specific type of car you're looking for?" She greeted in a friendly tone.

The pair of high school students turned to her. The boy, with short light brown hair and bangs covering his forehead and the space between his eyes, looked at Utaha calmly, while the girl beside him, a blonde, stood with a submissive posture like a maid escorting her master.

They were none other than Rokuhara Ren and Hayasaka Ai.

'Oh, Kasumigaoka Utaha?'

Ren didn't show any surprise. As someone accustomed to meeting many heroines, seeing Kasumigaoka Utaha here wasn't something shocking to him. However, in his heart, he realized that the timeline of Saekano had already passed. That explained why he hadn't found Kato Megumi at Ohananomitsu High School, the school where most protagonists and heroines gathered.

Casually, Ren replied, "I just want to look around first before deciding."

Utaha nodded, accepting the answer without objection. "Of course, allow me to assist. I'll introduce some models that might interest you."

Without wasting time, she began explaining the specifications of the cars in front of them, maintaining her professional demeanor.

The other consultants only glanced briefly before returning to their work, thinking Utaha was just wasting time with two high school students who clearly couldn't afford such expensive cars.

However, Utaha remained professional. In a calm voice, she explained various car models in the showroom, occasionally offering recommendations based on specifications and user needs.

For about ten minutes, Ren and Hayasaka walked around the showroom, browsing various car models without haste. Ren noticed a few luxury sedans, while Hayasaka remained silent beside him, following like a loyal maid.

Finally, Ren stopped in front of a black onyx Bentley Flying Spur with elegant chrome accents. He observed its details for a moment before speaking.

"I'll take this one."

Utaha was slightly surprised. "Sorry, you're choosing this model?"

Ren nodded without hesitation.

Although she remained professional, Utaha felt the need to confirm. "Sir, the price of this Bentley Flying Spur is 37.5 million yen. Are you sure you want to purchase this unit?"

Utaha watched their reactions. However, the price she just mentioned didn't even make Ren or Hayasaka blink.

Casually, Ren pulled out a black card from his pocket. "Use this. Please handle the procedures."

"..."

Utaha stared at the card with slight astonishment. That black card wasn't something just anyone could possess. She had seen it once before—when a young lady from the Sanzenin family bought a car at this dealership some time ago.

Instantly, her mind was filled with questions.

'Is this real? Or just a fake card for show?'

However, she quickly dismissed her doubts. It was unlikely someone would be foolish enough to try to scam a car dealership with a fake unlimited card. If they dared to use it, the card was most likely genuine.

Maintaining her professionalism, Utaha let out a light sigh, then said politely, "Alright, please follow me to the desk to complete the payment."

She then guided Ren and Hayasaka to the administrative section to finalize the purchase procedures.

"..."

Utaha fell silent as she watched the transaction completed so effortlessly. An amount of money that seemed almost impossible for her to accumulate in a lifetime had now changed hands in just a few minutes.

'The world of the rich is truly hard to comprehend.' She thought to herself.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the showroom, a staff member hurriedly ran to the manager's office. It didn't take long before the chubby man appeared with a wide smile, his small eyes squinting with calculation.

"Honored customer, welcome!" He said in a tone full of respect, his steps quick as he approached Ren. "It's an honor for us to serve you today."

His attitude was full of flattery, even excessively so. However, behind that ingratiating expression, his hand subtly moved behind him, seeking an opportunity to grope Utaha's buttocks as she stood beside him.

"Mhm~"

Utaha tensed for a moment. However, she could only hold back her complaints in silence, swallowing the disgust that gnawed at her heart.

Of course, this indecent act didn't escape Ren's perception. As a Campione, his senses had surpassed those of ordinary humans—he was aware of every detail happening around him.

'Tsk. So after failing to become Aki Tomoya's lover, Kasumigaoka Utaha has fallen this far, huh...'

Seeing Utaha's expression remaining silent, without any resistance, Ren chose to ignore it. If the woman herself showed no intention to fight back or refuse, then there was no reason for him to intervene.

After all the purchase procedures were completed, Ren walked leisurely to his new car. He opened the front door and sat comfortably in the passenger seat, while Hayasaka calmly took the driver's position.

Soon after, the engine started, the soft hum characteristic of a Bentley filling the air, and the vehicle smoothly drove onto the highway.

The manager patted Utaha's shoulder with a satisfied expression. His small eyes gleamed with meaning.

"You did very well today, Kasumigaoka." He said in a sweet, forced tone. "As a reward, I'll give you a big bonus."

Utaha slightly lowered her head, bowing politely. "Thank you, Manager."

However, as she was about to return to her work, the manager leaned closer, whispering right into her ear.

"I'll treat you well tonight." His voice was low and suggestive.

"..."

Utaha bit her lip. Her clenched fingers trembled slightly, but no words of protest came from her lips.