With Ren's arrival, the banquet that should have started long ago finally began.
The magnificent hall was filled with the elite of society. Some were dressed in sharp suits, some in elegant gowns, and others wore traditional kimonos.
"O-Onii-chan?"
Sora Kasugano, who had never seen such a grand scene, felt timid. Her small hand, which Ren had been holding since she got out of the car, squeezed his even tighter.
This place was too luxurious. So luxurious that Sora felt it wasn't real.
Only by holding Ren's hand could she feel grounded in reality.
"Ren-sama."
Several organizers in black suits and white shirts approached Ren and bowed deeply.
Ren's attendance tonight was completely unexpected.
To put it bluntly, everyone present at the banquet combined couldn't compare to the influence of Ren Katsuragi alone.
The guests, who had planned to network with potential partners, all shifted their targets and focused on Ren without exception.
The sole heir of the Katsuragi Group, the future Head of the Family, and the most favored genius of his generation.
No matter the title, they all screamed one thing: Ren Katsuragi would be standing at the very top of the world in the future.
"Don't mind me. Go about your business; I'm just here to have fun."
Noticing that Sora was trembling slightly and trying to hide her entire body behind him, Ren waved his hand dismissively.
He was here to enjoy himself, not to be swarmed by sycophants.
After dismissing the crowd, Ren pulled Sora straight to the dining area to enjoy a late dinner.
"Sora, what do you want to eat?"
Ren gestured to the dazzling array of gourmet food.
"Onii-chan, I want that, that, and that!"
Sora, whose stomach had been growling for a long time, forgot her fear in the face of such a feast. She pointed excitedly at dish after dish.
Having spent all her savings, the only food Sora had eaten today was the candy Ren gave her.
The tempting aroma made her wipe a drop of drool from the corner of her mouth.
"Okay, okay. One of this, one of this, and this one Little Sora mentioned."
Picking up a plate, Ren began to pile up the food Sora had pointed out
Soon, he had a mountain of food.
Finding a quiet sofa, Ren placed the plate in front of Sora. "Eat."
"Onii-chan... is this... really okay?"
Sora hesitated.
To avoid embarrassing Ren, she had been observing her surroundings carefully.
She noticed that not a single person at the banquet was really here to eat.
Everyone held a wine glass, chatting politely with their companions, clinking glasses occasionally. No one was actually dining.
"Nothing wrong with it."
Ren understood what she was worried about. He cracked open a steamed Boston lobster and stuffed a piece of the succulent meat directly into Sora's mouth.
"They are them, Sora is Sora. Why overthink it? The only thing that matters is filling your stomach."
Placing a whole lobster in Sora's hands, Ren cracked one for himself.
Taking a bite, the fresh, tender meat whetted his appetite, and he began to eat with gusto, ignoring proper banquet etiquette.
Seeing Ren so relaxed, Sora finally let her guard down. Hugging the lobster, she began to take small, happy bites.
The two of them formed a sharp contrast with the rest of the elegant crowd.
People noticed, of course. But those who knew Ren's background weren't foolish enough to disturb him.
And those who didn't know him were smart enough to stay quiet.
Real life isn't full of brainless villains who mock people over trivial matters. Everyone at this level of society was shrewd.
If the organizers didn't say anything, why would a guest step in and make a scene?
Taking unauthorized charge today meant you might overstep boundaries tomorrow. No one liked a loose cannon.
...
"Yukinoshita-san, your sincerity in this cooperation seems insufficient."
An organizer swirled the red wine in his glass gently, his tone bored.
The purpose of this banquet was business. The woman in front of him, the Matriarch of the Yukinoshita Family, was his potential partner.
But her offer wasn't generous enough, and his interest was waning.
"Haruno, go take a walk."
Mrs. Yukinoshita, wearing a traditional blue kimono, dismissed her daughter first before engaging in another round of negotiation.
The other party was too greedy. If she conceded more profit, the Yukinoshita family would gain nothing.
The strong-willed Matriarch didn't want Haruno to see her struggling.
"Understood, Mother."
Wearing a black suit, Haruno Yukinoshita nodded to her mother and stepped away from the tense negotiation.
Haruno, who had already begun to handle some family affairs, understood the situation perfectly.
Where should I go?
Haruno looked around the banquet hall, bored.
Her mother's only goal was to close the deal with that organizer. Haruno didn't know the other guests and had no interest in small talk.
The power of the family was still in her mother's hands; Haruno couldn't make decisions yet.
As she scanned the room, a peculiar sight caught her eye.
A young man and a little girl, buried in a mountain of food on a sofa, completely ignoring the social atmosphere.
"Hello, may I sit here?"
A gentle voice interrupted their meal. Ren stopped eating and looked up.
Haruno stood by the sofa with a polite smile, holding a tray with three glasses of juice.
"Sit if you want."
Ren glanced at her, then turned his attention back to peeling lobster for Sora.
Seeing that Sora was hesitant to grab the expensive food, Ren made a point of picking out the best pieces for her.
The child had lived a hard life; he wanted to spoil her a little.
How nice.
With Ren's permission, Haruno sat down, crossed her legs, and rested her chin on her hand, watching the scene with interest.
The relationship between this boy and his sister was adorable. If her own little sister, Yukino, was this well-behaved, life would be much easier.
Watching Sora eat obediently, Haruno couldn't help but compare her to Yukino.
Much cuter than my stubborn little sister. Yukino's personality is just... headache-inducing.
After finishing his meal, Ren wiped his hands and mouth with a wet wipe. 'Is something the matter?"
Sora also stopped eating, looking curiously at the beautiful woman sitting next to her brother.
"Nothing, I just envy how you get along with your sister."
"Also, I prepared juice for you. Please don't refuse."
Haruno placed two glasses of juice in front of Ren and Sora.
"You're very interesting."
Ren glanced at Haruno in surprise, then picked up the glass and took a sip, accepting the gesture.
Just as Haruno wanted to continue the conversation, Mrs. Yukinoshita finished her discussion.
"Haruno, we should go."
"Sorry, I have to leave."
Her mother's order was absolute. Haruno bowed apologetically to Ren and walked back to her mother.
Ren followed her gaze and saw Mrs. Yukinoshita's face. She looked displeased.
It seemed the negotiation had collapsed.
"Sora, wait here. Big Brother is going to talk to that lady for a moment." Patting Sora's head as she happily drank her juice, Ren got up and walked toward the Yukinoshitas.
...
"Yukinoshita-san, as the saying goes, business is business—but personal ties are still personal. No need to rush off," the man said with a mocking smile as he swirled his wine.
"You're asking for too much," Mrs. Yukinoshita said through clenched teeth, struggling to hold back her anger.
The tension between them was sharp enough to feel in the air.
Just as Haruno was about to step in, she noticed the boy she'd spoken to earlier walking straight toward them, two glasses of juice in hand.
This guy… does he really not know how to read the room?
Haruno felt a headache coming on. Seeing Ren walk over like a reckless teenager, she worried he was about to get caught in the crossfire.
She was ready to step in and smooth things over, but she failed to notice that the aggressive organizer had suddenly gone still.
"You forgot your juice. I brought it for you."
Handing Haruno a glass, Ren lightly tapped his own against hers.
"Nice to meet you. Ren Katsuragi."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Not only the organizer, but even the furious Mrs. Yukinoshita went quiet in an instant.
Katsuragi.
That surname weighed more than a mountain.
For a young man to introduce himself as a Katsuragi at a banquet like this… the message was unmistakable.
Haruno, who understood the business world well, immediately grasped the significance of that name.
Did I just… pull an SSR card in real life?
Before her brain could catch up, her instincts kicked in. "Hello. Haruno Yukinoshita."
"Mhm. You're interesting."
Ren took a sip of his juice.
Having said what he needed to say, he turned and walked back to Sora without another word.
As soon as Ren left, the atmosphere changed completely.
The organizer who had been so arrogant moments earlier instantly shifted his tone. "Yukinoshita-san, I believe we can still come to an agreement. Perhaps I was too hasty."
"I'm listening." Mrs. Yukinoshita didn't turn him down.
No one rejects money—even if the person offering it is unpleasant.
In this world, status speaks louder than anything. A moment ago, the man had the upper hand. But now, after the young master of the Katsuragi family had shown favor toward her daughter, everything had flipped.
Ren's gesture essentially meant the Yukinoshita family now had the Katsuragi name behind them—if only a little.
The negotiation resumed, the organizer suddenly far more cooperative.
Haruno finally snapped out of it. She looked down at the glass of juice in her hand, her thoughts spinning.
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