Ayanokoji saw that he had 'broken' Ruricho Nadeshiko, and the initiative was back in his hands, so his tone softened.
"Ruribird, my invitation for you to be a pianist is entirely out of good intentions. As I just said, you lost all your money gambling, so it's hard for you to afford the music room rent, isn't it?
If that's the case, won't you have to leave the music room, leave the steinway piano you've always dreamed of?"
"I want to recruit you because the casino is short-staffed. What you need to do is very simple: just play the songs you want to play in the casino. When you don't feel like playing, you can stop anytime.
When there are many people, you'll also need to help out as a server to greet guests. Other than that, there are no other requirements."
The conditions sound pretty good...
Ruricho Nadeshiko was tempted.
"What about the pay? How much are you planning to pay me?"
"I'll pay you 200,000 Japanese yen per month, plus bonuses on holidays and festivals."
200,000?
Ruricho Nadeshiko frowned; this money was too little.
Her monthly living expenses were much more than this.
Ayanokoji paused, then added, "As long as you keep working here, this steinway piano will be yours after graduation..."
He's actually going to give her a piano for free?! This reward was so generous that she even suspected if Ayanokoji wanted to take advantage of her.
However, Ruricho Nadeshiko still answered without hesitation, "I'm willing, please let me join your team!"
Being able to play the piano for free with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and he'd even pay her a salary, she wouldn't have to spend money renting a music room every month anymore, and she could see Kurume every day... This deal was absolutely worth it!
Ruricho Nadeshiko was happy, but Meari was not.
She anxiously pulled Ayanokoji aside and whispered, "Hey, Ayanokoji, are you really going to buy a piano for her? You haven't fallen for her, have you?"
The conditions were so generous that Meari was a little jealous.
"Alright, don't misunderstand, I just feel that the casino staff is too few, and I want to recruit a suitable one."
Ayanokoji deliberately sighed, "This is for your own good, you know. Who told you to keep skipping work? To keep the casino running normally, I have to hire another employee to fill your vacancy, and then you'll be free, won't you?"
Ayanokoji's words, implying he was thinking of her, made Meari's face blush.
Indeed, the casino did need to recruit another employee. Ruricho Nadeshiko was Kurume's friend, and aside from being a bit arrogant, she wasn't bad, so she was quite suitable.
It's just that...
"Her salary and benefits are too high, aren't they? A steinway piano isn't cheap; it must cost over ten million, right?"
Meari felt a great pang of heartache, as if the money was coming directly from her own pocket.
Ayanokoji smiled mysteriously and whispered in Meari's ear, "This is just me drawing a big picture for her.
If Ruricho Nadeshiko doesn't work out well here, and her princess syndrome acts up and she doesn't work seriously, I can fire her at any time on the grounds that her left foot entered the room first, and then there'll be no need to give her that piano."
So that's how it is...!
Meari suddenly understood.
No wonder Ayanokoji Kiyotaka set graduation as the deadline for giving her the piano; if he fired her before then, the agreement would be void!
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's words were actually meant to reassure Meari.
He wasn't short on this money; if Ruricho Nadeshiko could please him, what would be the harm in giving her the piano early?
However, if she kept causing him trouble, Ayanokoji wouldn't mind firing her.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka didn't have any other intentions in recruiting Ruricho Nadeshiko; he just felt the casino was short-staffed, and she was in a pitiful state right now, and also Kurume's friend, so helping her out was good.
There was a large empty space next to the bar counter in the pub, so putting a piano there would be nice.
As for those thoughts of taking advantage of her, he hadn't actually considered them yet.
Had Ikishima Midari stopped being proactive, or Hanatemari Kazura stopped being gentle, or Saotome Meari stopped being tsundere?
Right now, he hadn't even settled his own small territory; how could he have time to expand?
Seeing Ruricho Nadeshiko agree to become a casino employee, Ririka, who was nearby, was tempted.
Even Ruricho Nadeshiko, that 'golden-haired loser,' could be recruited; if she just asked, she should be able to be recruited too.
This was a good opportunity...
Ririka couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me, can I work here too?"
Ayanokoji was stunned. He really hadn't expected Anna Kinomiya to suddenly speak up and say she wanted to work here.
His first thought wasn't what she could bring to him, but what he could give to her.
Ruricho Nadeshiko wanted a piano; as long as Ayanokoji provided her with a Steinway, even if he didn't pay her, she might even be happy to pay him each month.
But Anna Kinomiya... Ayanokoji Kiyotaka really couldn't figure out what she lacked.
Whether it was her exquisite appearance, tall figure, or wealthy family background, they were all things that ordinary people could only envy.
Her gambling skills were even better than Meari's; she could easily earn millions by gambling with people. It wouldn't be appropriate no matter how much salary he offered her, and she probably didn't need this salary either.
She was too excellent, so she had never been within Ayanokoji's consideration.
It's just... why did she propose working here?
Ririka saw Ayanokoji's apprehension and quickly explained, "Ayanokoji, I've only been at school for a few days. Meari is the first friend I've made here, and I don't want to be separated from her.
I don't have much to do at school either. If you let me join your casino, I'll do anything!"
Ayanokoji's face showed understanding.
From Anna Kinomiya's attitude towards Ruricho Nadeshiko during the gambling, it was clear that she valued her friends and was very loyal.
The only thing here that could attract her was probably Meari, who worked here—she had few friends and wanted to make some here.
"Since Miss Anna is willing to stay here, I, of course, welcome it, but..." Ayanokoji carefully chose his words, "I might not be able to offer you a salary that satisfies you."
Ririka, fearing Ayanokoji wouldn't agree, quickly said, "Just treat me like a regular employee, like Meari. However you treat Meari, just treat me the same way!"
If she wasn't worried about scaring Ayanokoji, she would even be willing to pay to stay here.
Treat her like Meari... that wouldn't quite work.
Ayanokoji treated Meari as his future girlfriend, and he always used a flirtatious attitude towards Meari; their relationship was too ambiguous, just one thin layer away from being broken through.
Ayanokoji didn't think his relationship with her could be that ambiguous.
In short, her meaning was that no matter how much salary he offered, she would accept it, right?
In other words, this Miss Anna wanted to 'experience life'...
"Miss Anna...!"
Meari was touched, tears glistening in her eyes.
She hadn't expected Anna Kinomiya, after only knowing her for a day, to be willing to stay here with her and even stand up for her.
She was too good to her!
Meari even wanted to become sworn sisters with her.
"Oh, right!" Meari's eyes lit up, and she cheerfully took credit, "Ayanokoji, didn't you want me to find an employee who met your requirements? This is her!"
Ayanokoji was momentarily stunned.
That's right.
Good-looking, strong gambling ability, doesn't ask for much salary, and though she didn't say it, she probably wouldn't object to a maid outfit... He hadn't expected Meari to actually find an employee who perfectly matched his requirements in such a short time?
What kind of luck did Meari have, or was it the good luck brought by the lucky charm on her chest?
"She was the one who wanted to come here on her own initiative... Alright, I'll count it towards your achievement."
If Meari hadn't brought Anna, the other party indeed wouldn't have proactively offered to join here.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka noted down an achievement for Meari.
Ririka was overjoyed to see that both of them had accepted her.
Along with that came a strong sense of apology towards Meari.
Sorry, Meari... Although it's sad, I won't give Kiyotaka to you.
After all, I was here first.
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