Chapter 218: About the President Becoming a Bank Manager

"…"

"Hey, why have you been looking half-dead ever since you got back?"

After Hayasaka left, Rinji returned to his apartment, but his whole demeanor remained listless and spiritless.

Having been suddenly kissed by Hayasaka, Rinji's mind was running at full speed, trying to process a whirlwind of emotions.

Shock, confusion, nervousness, and guilt toward Karura—these feelings surged in at once, pushing Rinji's brain to the brink of collapse, and then it just… froze.

Hearing the sound of water from the bathroom, Rinji knew Karura was in the shower. He glanced expressionlessly at Fusui and let out a sigh.

"I'm just lamenting how unpredictable life is."

"What happened?"

"Just now, someone kissed me."

"…That's it?"

"What do you mean, 'that's it'!? Do any of you Kure Clan people even have normal ethics!?" Rinji shouted, holding his head. "I already have Karura, and I got kissed by another woman!"

"You, who spends your days killing, setting fires, and blowing stuff up, really have the nerve to ask others about morals?"

Fusui replied nonchalantly in front of Rinji.

"Anyway, the one who kissed you was that girl just now, right? Hayasaka Ai or something. With your reflexes, couldn't you stop it?"

"Bad habit from a few years ago. I can't seem to be on guard against Ai," Rinji said, covering his face.

He also found it strange. Back then, he didn't have even a shred of popularity with girls. Now, after just one trip, all these situations had popped up.

First Shirogane Kei, then Fusui, and now Ai—things were developing too fast. He was starting to doubt himself.

"I'm done for… being kissed means I'm…"

"Means what?"

"Impure." Rinji lowered his head.

Fusui: "…I always thought something was off about you. When it comes to emotions, you think exactly like a girl. Don't you always call yourself a macho man? Then start doing what a macho man should."

"Like what?"

"Like, when that girl kissed you, you should've grabbed her back, then called and booked a hotel room. The rest… you figure out."

"I feel like you're setting me up."

While the two were talking, the sound of water from the bathroom stopped.

Karura walked out wrapped in a towel, her hair still wet.

She looked curiously at Rinji, who seemed deep in self-doubt, and asked, "Rinji, what's wrong?"

"I…"

"Rinji just got kissed by someone and is now having a meltdown."

"Hey! You traitor!"

Karura tilted her head.

"A kiss… from who?"

"That girl you saw earlier—Hayasaka Ai," Fusui said with a grin.

"Oh~"

Just hearing the name, Karura instantly knew who it was.

"Um, Karura… about that, I…"

"Looks like I can't fall behind either."

Just as Rinji was about to apologize, Karura suddenly smiled and stepped forward.

She cupped Rinji's cheeks with both hands, and the towel around her body fell to the floor.

In Rinji's wide-eyed stare, Karura pressed her lips firmly against his.

A long moment passed. Their lips finally parted.

"Mm, now it's fair~" Karura said with a smile.

Rinji: "…"

———————————————————————————

"Hayasaka, why do you seem so unusually cheerful today after coming back?"

"Mm, I'm very happy."

"…"

Shinomiya Kaguya looked at her a little puzzled. Ever since Hayasaka returned, she'd been smiling nonstop.

Normally, this maid was always expressionless and cold at home, but today she was smiling the entire time—a rare sight.

Actually, that smile was something Hayasaka was forcing herself to maintain.

When she got back to the Shinomiya residence, she first returned to her room, buried her face into her pillow and let out some unintelligible noises while kicking her legs back and forth.

After her emotions settled, she finally changed into her maid outfit and resumed working.

"Did… something good happen?"

"I kissed Rinji."

"…Kissed?" Kaguya's eyes widened. "As in, mouth-to-mouth, exchanging saliva and all that?"

"It wasn't that intense, but yes, it was mouth-to-mouth."

"…"

Kaguya could hardly believe her ears.

When did the always-elegant Hayasaka Ai start doing something that bold?

"…Who made the first move?"

"Of course I did."

"Wait… you actually used the things I teased you about before?"

"Yup."

"…"

Kaguya had nothing to say.

But regardless, if Hayasaka had made progress, she should be happy for her.

Though on second thought, Hayasaka was making progress… and she herself had none.

Thinking about her relationship with Miyuki Shirogane—not only had they never kissed, they hadn't even held hands. And it's already been over half a year since they met.

Sure, the summer fireworks festival counted as a step forward, but after that…

"Have I… seriously done nothing since then!?"

Kaguya collapsed onto her bed in self-denial.

"Right, Kaguya-sama. About President Shirogane's part-time job, I've already asked Rinji about it."

"Well done!"

Kaguya immediately lifted her head, asking eagerly, "Where is the President working now?"

"Oh? Isn't Kaguya-sama supposed to just admire him from afar? Why are you so desperate to know where he works?"

"…Hayasaka, stop messing with me and just tell me where."

"Sure."

Hayasaka was in a great mood today. After teasing her nominal master a bit, she said, "According to Rinji, President Shirogane is currently working at Dainippon Bank."

"…Dainippon Bank?"

Kaguya's excited expression suddenly turned serious.

"I've heard of that place. It's a very well-known bank in Japan, and it doesn't exactly have the best relationship with the Shinomiya family. Back when some of our industries were struggling, they swooped in and took over parts of it… And the President's working there?"

"Yes."

"Forget the family history. The important thing is meeting the President… but how? Open a savings account? Apply for a loan?"

"I don't think those reasons will get you a meeting with him."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Take a look at this first."

Hayasaka handed her phone to Kaguya. The screen showed a news article:

[High Schooler Becomes Acting Branch Manager of Dainippon Bank – What's Behind This Unprecedented Appointment?]

At the bottom was a photo of Miyuki Shirogane in a suit.

"He really does look handsome in a suit, especially that look in his eyes… wait!!"

Kaguya snatched the phone and shouted.

"Why is the President the acting branch manager!?"

"Exactly, Kaguya-sama," Hayasaka said calmly. "If you want to meet him, you'll have to make an appointment. Trying to stage a 'coincidental encounter' would require you to be managing a multi-billion yen project. Otherwise, how would you get in?"

"…"