Chapter 73: Having Money Truly Means You Can Do Whatever You Want

"Is it good?"

Busujima Saeko was an extremely gentle woman, one could say she was the perfect example of a good wife and loving mother.

"It's good!"

It could be said that Saeko fit Shin-chan's aesthetics perfectly. Her personality was also extremely gentle, perhaps only Nanako could be compared to her in terms of gentleness.

"Shin-chan, can you do me a favor? If you're free after school, could you practice kendo with me?"

"No problem. Let's go to the kendo club tonight."

Although Shin-chan had joined the Service Club, he was free to do what he liked, whether that meant going to kendo club or heading home early.

"Then I'll be in your care."

Ever since that last sparring session with Shin-chan, the violent urge that simmered within Saeko had been released. But after a few days, the restlessness returned, so she had no choice but to seek out Shin-chan again.

The feeling of practicing kendo with Shin-chan… was somewhat addictive.

What made Saeko even more curious was, 'Just how strong was Shin-chan's true kendo ability?'

Saeko was confident in her own skill, yet in front of Shin-chan, she felt like a child facing an adult, completely powerless.

No matter what move she made, Shin-chan could easily deflect it, and then counter with just the right amount of force.

That sparring session had made her feel like even her own skills had improved greatly. It was incredible.

"By the way, Shin-chan, I heard you're going to be tested by the Musashino Dojo this weekend?"

Musashino Art Kendo had already started building hype for Shin-chan in kendo circles. Quite a few renowned dojos had received invitations.

"There's something like that? Shin-chan, why didn't you tell me?"

Kazama, beside them, looked shocked. 'This guy, how could he not tell his own friend about something like this?!'

"It's not really a test. My master just wants to gauge my kendo level a little, that's all."

Shin-chan didn't think of it as a formal test. Musashino Art Kendo had simply invited his juniors to come evaluate his skill. Or rather, with his talent, Shin-chan didn't even need to be tested.

"Are you seriously planning to develop a career in kendo?"

Kazama knew that famous kendo practitioners made good money, but it was still a dangerous profession. He didn't want his best friend to walk that path.

"Of course! I really like kendo. And my talent is pretty great, it'd be a shame if I didn't pursue it."

"You're way too full of yourself!"

'I was worried about you, and here you are bragging about your talent! This guy is too annoying!'

"Kazama, Saeko, are you both planning to visit the dojo this weekend?"

"That's exactly my plan."

Saeko nodded. Today, she had come to see Shin-chan for two things. First, to spar in kendo and relieve her inner stress; second, to attend the Musashino Dojo kendo exhibition this weekend.

"I…"

Kazama hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't want to attend, but he had cram school over the weekend. Still, how could he miss Shin-chan's kendo match? Cram school could wait.

"Of course I'm going! What if you get hurt, you idiot? You need a friend around!"

"Shin-chan~"

Ai-chan spotted Shin-chan and was in a very good mood. Although Saeko standing next to him was a bit of an eyesore, it didn't affect her much.

Miss Busujima, daughter of the Busujima family, was gentle and considerate. She had been trained by her family into the perfect model of a good wife and mother, a very traditional Yamato Nadeshiko.

However, the Busujima family only had some influence in kendo. Saeko's father even ran a dojo overseas. Compared to the Suotome family, they were basically ordinary folk.

Such gentleness… might as well come serve the Suotome family as a housekeeper. If she wanted to get close to Shin-chan, she needed to be mentally prepared.

"Ai-chan, you're here."

"Yep, just finished the last of my work, time for a break."

"Shin-chan, this is fruit juice made from carefully selected high-quality fruits from the Suotome family orchard!"

Maeda stepped forward, handing Shin-chan, Kazama, and Saeko each a can of juice.

Each can was 400ml, and even had a chibi-style illustration of Ai-chan printed on it.

Kazama suspected this juice was probably custom-made internally by the Suotome family, an orchard Ai-chan had likely booked just for Shin-chan.

If Ai-chan could hear Kazama's thoughts, she'd tell him, it wasn't just that the orchard was reserved for Shin-chan. There was also a full production line. And it wasn't just fruit, every snack Shin-chan liked was manufactured by the Suotome family.

Most importantly, Shin-chan's favorite "Crocodile Choco Biscuits", the Suotome family were the largest shareholders.

Having money truly means you can do whatever you want.

Saeko had no complaints about Ai-chan's sudden appearance.

She opened the can and took a sip of the juice, instantly amazed.

"Delicious."

Ai-chan nodded. 'Looks like this senior Saeko has great taste. Way more obedient than that Eriri girl.'

Kazama also took a sip, and was won over by the flavor. 'Damn it. Shin-chan really is one enviable guy!'

"Good, right, Shin-chan?"

"Mm~ very nice. The mixed fruit aroma is just as good as fresh-squeezed!"

"If you like it, I'll have some sent to you."

"And also this, please try it, Shin-chan."

Ai-chan pulled out a box of cookies from behind her and handed them to Shin-chan.

Green packaging, Shin-chan had never seen these before.

"This is… the not-yet-released, summer-limited Uji Kintoki-flavored cookie!"

"Ai-chan, you're still the best."

"As long as Shin-chan likes it, that's all that matters."

The girl's quiet, tender affection couldn't be ignored. Ai-chan had been changing herself all this time, for Shin-chan. Bit by bit, shaping herself into the type he liked.

And Shin-chan? It felt like he didn't have to change at all, because what Ai-chan loved was precisely his unique soul.

But in the face of such open, unreserved affection from a girl, how could Shin-chan remain indifferent forever?

No matter how strong Nanako was, there was still something to be said about "first come, first served." After all, in this world, the two were still strangers.

When an experienced, powerful hero meets an outrageous stat monster, who wins?

"By the way, Shin-chan, I'll be participating in the weekend kendo match too. The Suotome family is actually a sponsor of the Musashino Dojo."

'The Suotome family even sponsored the Musashino Dojo?' Shin-chan was starting to feel like… his life was already deeply entangled with the Suotome family.

And that was indeed Ai-chan Suotome's plan, to use the Suotome family's terrifying financial power to permeate every aspect of Shin-chan's life.

═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═

patreon.com/XenosX

🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰