Ryunosuke headed to the Sakuragi-gumi, the territory controlled by Sakuragi Kazuhiko.
He had just finished paying off a massive debt, and now here he was, returning to borrow more. He was truly speechless at his own situation...
Kazuhiko, of course, gave a warm welcome to this "wealthy man." After all, someone who keeps their word and pays their debts will always be welcomed anywhere. Modern society is a credit-based society; a person without credibility has no investment value. Like a debt-dodger—who would ever want to lend to them again?
Conversely, people will fight for the chance to lend money to someone who keeps their word, because they know they'll be paid back, and the borrower will end up owing them a favor. A "debt of gratitude" is a powerful human connection; if you ever need help, one word is all it takes for that person to move mountains to repay your past kindness.
Kazuhiko sipped his tea. He had been fully prepared to approve Ryunosuke's loan, but the moment he heard the boy wanted to borrow billions, Kazuhiko immediately claimed he was broke...
It couldn't be helped; the amount was simply too staggering. Even if the borrower was the most honest person on earth, it was a no-go.
Ryunosuke gave him a "dead fish" stare. Just moments ago, someone (the narrator) was thinking about how easy it is to lend to honest people. Kazuhiko looked away guiltily, feigning a cough.
"Ahem, it's not that I don't want to help you, Brother, but I simply don't have that much cash lying around."
If Kazuhiko says he doesn't have it, what else can Ryunosuke do?
Ryunosuke thought to himself: (I might not be able to do anything to you, but I can certainly run off with your daughter.)
At that exact moment, Yaeka tugged on her father's sleeve and pleaded.
"Papa, please lend the money to my future husband. Just consider it part of my dowry for later."
Kazuhiko turned to stone instantly. Once he snapped out of it, he unsheathed the katana hanging on the wall and prepared to slash the brat who was trying to steal the "vegetables" from his garden!
Ryunosuke caught the blade between his palms (shiraha-dori) while dropping to one knee, begging for mercy.
"Oi, oi, oi! I'm not borrowing it anymore, okay?! Put the sword back!"
In the end, Kirishima had to step in and forcibly drag Kazuhiko away, telling Ryunosuke to get out immediately!
Ryunosuke was forced to flee the Sakuragi-gumi. If he stayed, he was going to get carved up. Before leaving, he remembered the promise he'd made to Yaeka while drunk. He turned to her and said:
"In ten years, I'll come back to get you."
Yaeka, who had been sad to see him go, suddenly beamed with pure happiness.
Kazuhiko felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. The "cabbage" he had nurtured for over ten years... her heart had just wandered off with someone else.
After leaving the compound, Ryunosuke squatted by the roadside, racking his brain for another source of funds. It seemed he had run out of connections to tap.
The medical fees for Yuuki's family were still short by 1.48 billion. Subtracting the 130 million borrowed from Akane, the hole was still 1.35 billion. He had already spent 40 million on his own surgery, plus 300 million for Grandma Sayuri and the rent. The cash in his pocket was dwindling fast.
Ryunosuke ruffled his hair in frustration.
"There's no other way. I'll have to become an agent at Chisato's place to earn some extra cash..."
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Meanwhile, back at the Advanced Nurturing High School.
Morishita Ai frowned deeply, sensing something was wrong. Her man had been searching for supporters non-stop lately. Was he in trouble?
Ai already knew Ryunosuke had sought help from Nino's father and Haruka's mother. How did she know? Please, the school announcements were booming; she wasn't deaf. Furthermore, Haruka had mentioned Ryunosuke asked for her mother's help. However, even Haruka didn't know the specific details.
Just now, Ryunosuke had contacted Suzune as well. Ai immediately approached Suzune to ask what was going on. But the proud Suzune simply crossed her arms and said:
"I'm helping my man. What does that have to do with you?"
Who could stand being treated like that?
Ai was instantly infuriated and stormed off.
(If I can't get an answer from you, I'll ask someone else!)
Next, Ai went to find Nino. But Nino, who hadn't officially joined the "harem group" yet, had no intention of being honest. She also crossed her arms with a haughty expression.
"You ask and I have to answer? Who do you think you are? Hmph!"
Nino flipped her long, straight pink hair and walked away with her head held high, looking like she'd just won a battle. Considering her opponent was Ryunosuke's "first wife" at the school, she felt quite satisfied with the retort.
Ai watched her leave with a stoic face, but in her mind, she was already planning a "little revenge" for Nino later.
(Just wait until you join my Round Table. I'll make sure you understand who's the boss!)
Indeed, Ai had changed the name of her "Gotei 13" to the "Knights of the Round Table." Since Ryunosuke's women were increasing and had surpassed the limit of 13, she was forced to expand the capacity to over a hundred. That should be enough... Ai thought.
However, after asking around and getting no real answers, Ai was so annoyed she began stomping her feet. There was no choice; she had to execute Plan B.
Ai met with a girl who shared her signature expressionless face: Kato Megumi.
Ai stared intensely, and Megumi stared back with her usual drowsy, uninterested gaze.
Actually, Megumi was a bit annoyed; Ai kept such a close watch on her that she never got a chance to be alone with Ryunosuke at school. Ai didn't waste time and went straight to the point.
"Leave the school for a bit. Help me check if our man is in trouble."
Megumi asked in her characteristically calm tone, "Why look for me?"
Ai replied as if it were obvious. "Because of your traits, of course. Even if you leave the school, no one will notice, right? I won't even have to spend 20 million points to buy you back—you can just walk right back in..."
Megumi went silent...
What Ai said was true; she was the type of person who could come and go as she pleased without anyone noticing. However, she wasn't going to agree for nothing; she had to set terms for her own benefit.
"What is the reward for me if this works?"
Ai waved her hand. "What do you want? Just name it."
The corners of Megumi's mouth twitched upward slightly; this was exactly what she wanted. "If I succeed, I want Ryunosuke-kun's time from Saturday to Sunday."
"No way!" Ai crossed her arms in an "X" sign, then put her hands on her hips. "You're asking for too much. I can only give you one day."
"Deal!"
Megumi agreed immediately and high-fived Ai to seal the bargain.
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