88: Do I Look Like a Fool? (2)

Owning a club in Kabukicho's prime location meant Yamata Kazumi likely had some powerful backing.

But even so, Takashi highly doubted she could make Sanka Aria come and apologize.

That woman might be insufferable, but she wasn't an idiot.

Even when she was blackout drunk, she still knew when to back off upon seeing Ryuju Momo.

Clearly, she knew who she could mess with and who she couldn't.

If they dared to throw out a line like, "Do you believe I can make it impossible for you to survive in Tokyo?" 

Before running into Ryuju Momo, it meant they were relying on the influence of the Sanka family and clearly weren't afraid of this establishment's owner.

Takashi didn't want to blow things out of proportion.

Besides, whatever grievances he had suffered, Ryuju Momo had already avenged him.

"That won't do," Haruno said, as if she were intentionally trying to draw the two closer. 

She smiled and suggested, "How about this? Tonight, all of our expenses are on the house. What do you say, Yamata?"

"No problem."

Yamata Kazumi finished speaking, then pulled a business card from her pocket and handed it over to Takashi with both hands.

"My name is Yamata Kazumi. This is my card. Please accept it."

Despite the abundance of communication methods in modern society, having a business card was still considered an important symbol of one's profession and status.

In Japan, exchanging business cards was an essential business etiquette, an indispensable formality.

To the Japanese, a small card wasn't just a means of sharing basic contact details; it conveyed a wealth of important information, including one's company, position, responsibilities, address, phone number, and email, all while maintaining a polite level of distance to protect privacy.

If someone met a person and immediately asked to add them on LINE, they might not even end up as friends, let alone business partners. 

Most people would see it as a breach of etiquette.

In Japan, presenting a business card upon meeting someone was the proper way of doing things.

By handing him her card, Yamata Kazumi was clearly treating him with the highest level of respect.

"My name is Watanabe Takashi. I'm still a university student, so I don't have a business card yet," 

Takashi explained as he accepted the card, just to make sure the other party didn't think he was being dismissive.

Although he didn't think he'd have any further interactions with her, he wasn't one to be rude.

After all, who knew what the future might hold?

What if he actually needed her help one day?

Takashi never turned down the opportunity to make new connections.

"Watanabe Takashi?"

Before Yamata Kazumi could say anything, a voice tinged with amusement sounded from behind them.

Takashi's body stiffened.

He hadn't expected Ryuju Momo to appear at such an unfortunate moment.

Of all the times she could've arrived, she just had to show up right when he was using a fake name.

She knew his real name.

"And since when did you start calling yourself—Mmmph!"

Before Ryuju Momo could finish her sentence, Takashi lunged forward and covered her mouth with his hand.

"Big sis, I'm begging you! Just don't expose me! I'll even bow down and apologize later if you want!" His face was full of pleading desperation.

Ryuju Momo glanced at his hand over her mouth, her ears turning slightly red.

She slapped his hand away and turned her head with a huff.

Though she didn't say anything, Takashi knew she wouldn't spill the truth.

Turning back, he noticed that both Yamata Kazumi and Haruno were staring at him in complete shock.

Was this guy suicidal?

How could he be this bold?

Did he not realize who she was?

That was Ryuju Momo—the beloved daughter of a notorious yakuza boss.

The last person who had disrespected her had been stuffed into a cement barrel and dumped into Tokyo Bay.

"Wait... isn't he supposed to be Shizuka's man? Then why does he seem to have such a close relationship with the Ryuju family's princess?"

Haruno was filled with questions. But then, she quickly realized that this was her chance to establish a connection with Ryuju Momo.

"Miss Ryuju , nice to meet you. I'm Yukinoshita Haruno, the eldest daughter of the Chiba prefectural councilor, Yukinoshita," she said, immediately standing up from the couch and flashing a perfect smile.

Her expression was impeccably controlled, with not a single flaw in its curvature.

But Ryuju Momo clearly wasn't impressed.

She had seen too many fake smiles like this before.

To her, it was downright nauseating.

Not to mention, she loathed politicians and their two-faced ways.

"Come with me."

Ryuju Momo has always been a straightforward person.

She never cared about family background—she only befriended people based on whether she liked them or not.

She had taken a liking to Takashi and had reluctantly allowed him to tag along.

Otherwise, even if Kaguya herself came asking, it wouldn't have worked.

She didn't like Haruno, so she wasn't about to waste time talking to her.

"That's not really fair, is it? They're all my friends," Takashi said, tugging lightly at her sleeve.

"You want to stay here?"

Ryuju Momo's eyes held a teasing glint.

Takashi had a feeling that if he refused, she would probably just stop talking to him altogether.

"Alright, alright, I'll go! How could I not go when you're calling me?"

"I'm just your loyal underling. Wherever you point, I'll strike."

"Great, then go take out the police commissioner's son for me."

"...Me?"

Me?

Takashi pointed at himself in disbelief.

Wasn't this a little too much to ask?

If he had the guts to take out the police commissioner's son, why would he still be worrying about someone like Kashiwagi Nagisa?

"Didn't you just say you'd go wherever I pointed?"

"How about this—forget taking him out. At the next kendo competition, I'll give him a thorough beating on your behalf."

Takashi had thought of a compromise.

"You think you can beat him?"

Ryuju Momo looked him up and down skeptically.

The guy was the kendo club captain since his first year.

Not because of his family's power, but because he had actual skill.

Even Ryuju Momo had to admit that he was strong.

"You dare question the prowess of my Blade Dancer skills?"

Takashi had his complaints about the system—it was unreliable and loved messing with him—but he couldn't deny that the rewards were worth it.

"If you actually manage to beat him, I'll grant you one wish," Ryuju Momo said, though she highly doubted he could pull it off.

Takashi was about to speak, but then his eyes flickered with an idea, and he looked at Ryuju Momo with a burning gaze.

"Can I cash in the wish early?"

"...What do you want?"

Ryuju Momo adjusted her collar, taking a step back.

Surely, he wasn't about to say that, was he?

She did have a good impression of Takashi, but he wasn't really her type.

Because of her father's influence, she liked more masculine men.

They could be friends, but as lovers? Definitely not.

"I'll be your host for one night. Can you spend 5.78 million yen on me?" Takashi felt that she had misunderstood, but he didn't bother correcting her.

Because he had just come up with a way to exploit the system.

The system had tasked him with becoming a host and earning 5.78 million yen within a month.

So why not be a host for just one night and find a generous top spender to shower him with money?

Damn, I'm a genius.

"...Do I look like an easy mark to you?"

Ryuju Momo laughed in exasperation.

I treat you like a friend, and you treat me like a sucker?

Have I been too nice to you, Takashi? Have you started getting cocky?

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