Chapter 2931: Kyoka’s Trouble?

It took me a few seconds to react. Obviously, I didn’t expect that she’d answer the video call. But having experienced a lot of things so far, regaining my composure was a matter of a heartbeat.

My lips stretched into a thin smile as I politely greeted, "Mitsui-san or... do you prefer Miss Kyoka? Will you believe me if I say it was a slip of the thumb?"

Her laughter was a melodic, sultry sound that seemed to carry more than just a hint of playfulness.

As far as I remembered, she shouldn’t be like this. A TV personality like her cared more about her image than anything else. Even if she landed on being specifically named as a successor of the late Mitsui Group Chairman, she hadn’t secured her position yet to be this careless. Furthermore, there was none of her ice-queen attribute this time. She seemed more approachable.

But looking at the way she leaned back, the silk robe shifting to reveal the pale curve of her collarbone, it was clear she was intentionally playing a role.

Is this a test? But then again... I still have no idea what’s so urgent that she needs to contact me at this time.

"Call me Kyoka. I prefer it over anything formal. I’m quite sick of dealing with those formal suits and meetings over these past few days. Give me a break, will you?" She let out an exhausted sigh, her eyes reflecting the soft light of her room.

The shift in her tone was subtle, but it was there. It’s like she suddenly found a moment of escape from her suddenly upturned life through this ’slip-up’ of a video call.

Even though she looked refreshed, I could see the fatigue etched around the corners of her eyes. I guess it’s really tiring dealing with shrewd old men after she got pushed into the forefront of the conglomerate’s power struggle.

Perhaps to her, this accidental video call was like rain in a drought, something unplanned and genuine in a world of carefully curated scripts.

"Alright, Miss Kyoka. I must say it’s still unbelievable to hear that an acquaintance suddenly became a named successor competing for the highest seat in a multi-billion yen conglomerate," I said with a slightly playful tone to ease the mood. "Anyway, I believe chatting with me like this isn’t the reason you’ve called. What is it that you need to clarify?"

Kyoka’s lips curved up as she sipped from a glass of red wine. She didn’t answer immediately but having been used to reading women’s expressions, I could hazard a guess that something significant had happened.

And obviously, it was related to Hassen.

After a while, she finally spoke up.

"I’m afraid we have to move up our schedule, Onoda-kun. His father, afraid of the trouble his son may cause his chance in succession, is going to send him overseas."

What the hell? That serious? But then again, like Mizuki said, that guy seemed to have a lot of pull because of his successful baby businesses. If he declared who he supports for the chairmanship, even if it meant betraying his own father, Kyoka will get the necessary leverage.

"I understand. But that’s not the only reason you’re rushing, right?"

Upon saying that, my eyes narrowed slightly.

Right. I can pick up something else from her expression and this sudden night call. It must be related to the board meeting she attended recently. She possibly felt threatened after sitting among those wolves.

Moving up the plan for Hassen, she probably needed another mental anchor or a fresh perspective -- someone who isn’t a corporate lackey -- to verify if her current strategy is actually viable.

I guess her excellent business acumen can’t solve everything. She is fighting a war on two fronts: the boardroom and her own family.

To the directors, she can be a puppet or a pawn. To those from the Mitsui family, she’s a sudden thorn in their side. But here, in the dim light of her bedroom, Kyoka looked less like a corporate warrior and more like a woman who had finally found a moment to breathe.

With that, Kyoka’s face finally returned to the composed, calculating mask I had seen before, though the softness of her robe reminded me that this was a private revelation.

"Tsch. You have a knack for seeing through the facade, don’t you? I now understand why she insists on using you instead."

"Heh. I appreciate the compliment. But my Mizuki is just helping me earn a penny."

"Pfft. A penny? A 1% share from the Mitsui Group. If someone heard you say that, they might cuss at you." She chuckled, the sound vibrating through the phone speakers. "But your confidence is exactly why I’m calling."

"Then, I’m all ears. What other trouble has befallen the future head of the Mitsui Group that requires the assistance of someone like me?"

"What a silver tongue..." She shook her head but the smile on her face became more genuine. "Let’s put it this way. Even if I get Hassen’s support, I’m still likely to lose the succession battle if I only play by the rules of the boardroom. The old men in the company have their own network of puppets."

"Ah... I apologize. I’m not well-versed in that part."

"Idiot. I don’t need your advice. That’s your Mizuki’s job. I just..." Her voice suddenly trailed off, and a hint of difficulty flashed across her face. "... need someone to vent to who doesn’t want to tear me apart and put me on a string."

This... So she wanted to vent on me? What an honor. But knowing who she contacted, this must be another of Mizuki’s calculations. Mizuki knew that Kyoka was currently an island of isolation, surrounded by sharks. By positioning me as the ’safe’ confidant.

Apart from helping me make money, she was weaving a web of emotional dependency between me and this distraught woman who just had her world turned upside down.

Mizuki was truly terrifying. She was expanding our social influence by turning a corporate titan into a personal friend.

I guess this woman is going to be our consulting firm’s first client.

"I see. So I’m essentially your emotional shock absorber for the night," I said, putting on my usual smile, "I can do that. Though, if this is a professional service, I might have to charge you a fee."

Kyoka laughed, a genuine, lighthearted sound that lacked the theatricality of her public persona. "You’re quite the opportunist. Fine, add it to the tab."

"Noted. However, Miss Kyoka..." My eyes shifted a bit, thinking of the girl upstairs and the tension that hadn’t dissipated yet. "As much as I want to start right away, now is not the best time for a long vent session. I have a... situation at home that requires my immediate attention."

Kyoka paused, her gaze lingering on my face through the screen. She was sharp; she could tell I wasn’t talking about a family emergency or a leaking pipe. A knowing smirk played on her lips, and she leaned back into her pillows, the silk of her robe shifting provocatively.

"A situation, huh? I suppose I can imagine. Don’t let me be the reason you fail in your duties as a gentleman, Onoda-kun. We’ll reschedule the ’venting’ for when you’re less... occupied."

She didn’t sound disappointed but at the same time, her mood immediately went down.

"May I call you later then? You know, to confirm the adjustment of the schedule for convincing Hassen," I added, keeping my tone professional despite the lingering heat in the room.

"Of course. Be a good boy and handle your ’situation’ properly. Goodnight, Onoda-kun," She replied with a wink before the screen went black.

Damn. What a mess. Is Mizuki setting the stage for me to steal that woman? I mean, after all, if she became one of them, I wouldn’t just get access to that 1% of the Mitsui Group.

Ugh. Alright. Let’s think about that later.

For now... There’s a more important matter before me.

I picked up the glass on the coffee table and drank the remaining water, quenching my thirst.

After that, I couldn’t help but stand up and walk over to the hallway, my eyes fixed on the stairs.

The call didn’t take long. Is Futaba still in her room? I didn’t hear her coming down yet.

Sure enough, I heard the shuffling of feet above. Not long after, her figure slowly descended the stairs. She was carrying her change of clothes.

Upon seeing me, Futaba froze halfway down the stairs before saying, "You’re done already? I haven’t... taken a bath yet."

I shook my head with a smile, "Well, take your time. I’ll wait here. Or maybe I can join you?"

As soon as I said that, her whole body stiffened. Then, like a boiling pot of water finally reaching its limit, a soft, shaky gasp escaped her lips. She didn’t even try to deny it this time. Her grip on her clothes tightened, and she stared at me with a hint of longing mixed with absolute terror.

"Y-you... you can’t just say things like that, Onoda-kun!"