Under Ryunosuke's relentless pleading, Narumori finally snapped with total impatience.
"This is the last time! You brat, don't you dare call me again!"
Despite his words, Narumori intended to help his future son-in-law one more time. He summoned Horikita Suzune to his office via the school's PA system.
Suzune, currently in Class 2-C, furrowed her brow deeply, but she stood up and made her way to the principal's office to take the call.
"What is it?"
True to her cold nature, her voice was flat and stiff, but that was simply who she was. Because of this, Ryunosuke didn't need to feel awkward; even in front of the principal, no one would ever suspect they shared a special connection.
Ryunosuke got straight to the point.
"Can you give me your brother's contact information? I mean Horikita Manabu's phone number. There's something I need to ask him for help with..."
Suzune's eyebrows knit even closer together, but she didn't waste words. She decisively gave him her brother's number, though she couldn't hide the concern in her voice.
"Are you in some kind of trouble?"
Ryunosuke hesitated for a second, but ultimately decided not to tell her the truth.
"You don't need to worry about that. I'm fine, don't worry."
The call ended. Even though Ryunosuke told her not to worry, Suzune was anything but calm. She gathered every single point she had—totaling 100,000—and transferred them to her brother in the outside world. She didn't care if she had to live like a pauper next month; helping her man was her priority.
Shortly after, another call connected. Suzune spoke to her brother:
"Nii-san... Ryunosuke... it seems he's in some sort of trouble."
Hearing this, Manabu, who was currently at his company, adjusted his black-rimmed glasses.
"Tell me, what is the problem?"
Suzune recounted everything that had just happened.
Manabu tapped his finger on the desk, feigning deep thought. To help her husband, Suzune took a deep breath, let out a heavy sigh, and spoke to Manabu in a way she never had before:
"Can you help him? Onii-chan~"
Manabu's glasses practically shattered. He was caught completely off guard by that "Onii-chan," and in a daze, he immediately agreed to help...
After hanging up, Manabu's head was filled with the echoing sound of that "Onii-chan." He instantly regretted not recording it!
Tachibana Akane brought in some tea and set it before him, rolling her eyes in annoyance. She knew all too well that the former Student Council President was a severe case of a "sister complex." She noted to herself that in the future, she should foster a better relationship with her sister-in-law to better manage Manabu...
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
A short while later, Ryunosuke arrived for a visit.
Manabu had been waiting. This was the company he had founded after graduating, and the office was filled with familiar faces. Almost all of his former Class 3-A classmates worked for him here.
It made sense. Manabu was their natural leader; when he graduated and started his own venture, many followed him, especially those from his own class.
Ryunosuke reached the CEO's office and greeted Akane, who was working as Manabu's secretary.
"Long time no see, Tachibana-senpai. How have you been lately?"
Akane smiled while clutching a stack of documents. "Fairly well. Follow me, the President has been waiting for quite some time."
Ryunosuke felt a bit strange but quickly realized Suzune must have given him a heads-up. He gave a bitter smile.
"Why do you all help me like this? Feeling a love this heavy makes me even more afraid to tell you the truth..."
Ryunosuke finally stood before Manabu.
Manabu invited him to sit, and Ryunosuke took a spot on the side sofa.
Akane placed the tea on the table, letting Ryunosuke pour his own, while she poured a fresh cup and handed it directly to Manabu.
Ryunosuke smirked. "Quite the difference in treatment. I have to pour my own, but you pour for the President."
Akane, caught in her favoritism, didn't look embarrassed at all. Instead, she snapped back.
"Just drink your tea!" She stuck her tongue out at him.
"That's enough, Akane, stop joking around. Please step out for a moment; I have things to discuss with him."
Though slightly dissatisfied at being shooed away, Akane knew this wasn't the time for an argument. She exited, closed the door, and stood guard outside to ensure no one eavesdropped.
Ryunosuke finally revealed his reason for coming.
"I want to borrow a sum of money from the former Student Council President."
Manabu's eyebrows shot up. He set down his teacup and asked patiently, "What do you need such a large amount of money for?"
Ryunosuke hesitated. He didn't know whether to be honest or not. Sensing the hesitation, Manabu spoke.
"If you aren't honest, I won't lend you a cent."
Ryunosuke blurted it out. "To save someone."
"Save who?" Manabu asked back.
Ryunosuke answered truthfully. "To save a woman..."
Manabu went silent for a long time. "Is it what I think it is?"
Ryunosuke asked cautiously, "It's exactly what you're thinking... Brother-in-law."
Manabu adjusted his glasses, which now glinted with a sharp white light.
"In other words, you've found another woman outside, betrayed my sister, and you still have the nerve to come to me for money?"
Ryunosuke: "Well... theoretically, yes. But I have an urgent reason."
Manabu: "Get out!"
*SLAM!*
Ryunosuke was kicked out. He stood in the hallway with mixed feelings as the wind (or rather, the air conditioning) blew past him.
Akane, who had been right outside, heard everything. She looked at the newly evicted Ryunosuke and hissed.
"Are you an idiot? You can't be honest about cheating! You should have hidden it, borrowed the money, and dealt with the fallout later."
Akane was clearly on Ryunosuke's side. It couldn't be helped; back at school, she had seen clearly that her future sister-in-law, Suzune, likely knew her husband had several flings. Since she favored Suzune, she favored Ryunosuke by extension.
Ryunosuke scratched his head. He knew Manabu's condition for lending money was knowing exactly where it went. Better to be honest from the start.
Akane sighed and spoke with a worried tone. "What now? Is the money that urgent? Do you want to borrow some from me? It's not much, but..."
Having said that, Akane pulled out her bank card, which contained her hard-earned savings of 130 million. Ryunosuke wanted to ask: Does every graduate of that high school have over a hundred million in the bank? Is there anyone with less?
Regardless, Ryunosuke accepted the card with both hands and thanked her. He had to be a realist; saving three lives was more urgent than his pride.
Manabu's reasoning was simple. Even though he knew the truth, he wasn't about to extend a hand to a stranger. Who would spend billions of points on a stranger? It was ridiculous. Furthermore, why would he fund his sister's romantic rival? Better that person just disappear.
That was Manabu's current stance. Ryunosuke realized this and felt completely helpless; he would have to find another way to gather the rest of the funds...