Shibata Shigeru was the current direct eldest son of the Shibata family.
Similar to the eldest legitimate son, his family held a significant position in Japan, dating back to the Warring States period, influencing local affairs and politics.
Therefore, as such a high-ranking official pursuing Akina, under normal circumstances, an ordinary person would find it very difficult to withstand the pressure.
Refusing meant risking him holding a grudge. Even if he couldn't immediately ruin you, everyone knows the principle that "it's easy to deal with a king, but hard to deal with petty devils".
Causing trouble behind the scenes, slowly undermining everything you have, is possible.
But if she accepted, it would be a powerful alliance.
This was also something the Shibata Family would be happy to see, especially since the Hinatsuru Family had developed to this point and was nearing a bottleneck, truly needing this kind of external force to break through.
Thus, a marriage alliance would inevitably occur.
However, Akina had never had any feelings for Shibata Shigeru.
Especially after Kaito appeared.
It's true that comparisons are odious. Having joined the chat group, Akina's horizons had already broadened. After meeting Kaito, she would subconsciously compare others to Kaito.
The result was predictable: completely crushed in all aspects.
Even if Kaito wasn't 'faithful', at this level of status, which man doesn't have someone on the side while keeping the home front stable?
Even if you don't want to, business and other matters might force you to do so.
You may not have this need, but others might, and they might even try to drag you down with them.
The so-called unavoidable social engagements are precisely this kind of situation.
"Akina, I'm so glad you were finally willing to meet me today..."
As soon as he entered the living room, Shibata happily wanted to give Akina the 99 roses in his hand.
Unfortunately, Akina stood up to receive him only out of politeness. Ignoring the roses, she directly returned to the main seat and paid him no mind.
Beside her sat Kaito. At first glance, they looked like a married couple.
"This is... Oh right, hello, Kaito-san, the top Shogi player from China. My name is Shibata Shigeru. Nice to meet you!"
"Hello, Mr. Shibata. Please, have a seat."
As the saying goes, never hit a smiling face. Kaito didn't stand up to greet him. After inviting him to sit, he had a maid come over to brew tea and place it on each person's table.
"The reason I called you here today wasn't Akina's idea, but mine."
"Mr. Shibata, I know you like her and are pursuing her. However..."
Kaito glanced at Akina, reached out, took her slender left hand, and showed Shigeru their relationship.
As Shigeru's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, he suddenly felt a bit pained and felt like something had appeared on his head, yet nothing was there.
The fact was that Akina had never agreed to him from beginning to end; it was just his unilateral pursuit of her!
"As you can see, my relationship with Akina started a long time ago."
"Otherwise... why do you think the Hinatsuru Inn suddenly got so much money? And why did it suddenly expand so rapidly?"
"Besides that, my match against the Shogi Ryuo was also arranged with her help."
Truth mixed with falsehood, falsehood mixed with truth.
But thinking carefully, Kaito was now a person whose identity information couldn't be traced, as mysterious as the internet claimed.
Then, his helping the Hinatsuru Inn, providing funding through legitimate means, seemed completely flawless.
Even if his Shibata Family hadn't helped, it would have reached this point eventually.
Moreover, these past two days, Akina had indeed put in a lot of effort for Kaito...
"Well..."
Shigeru was smart and figured it out immediately.
According to the above, he on the contrary looked like a clown, licking his lips to help the Hinatsuru Family expand.
"Then, you should understand, right?"
"Or do you want to try just how powerful my background truly is?"
Kaito smiled slightly, but his smile was filled with a domineering aura that did not allow anyone to doubt or refute him!
He appeared elegant and suave, but in reality, he was an out-and-out 'aristocrat'.
At least, an aristocrat more noble than his Shibata Family!
At this time, Shigeru felt that perhaps, the online speculation that Kaito was a descendant of Qin Shi Huang might be true.
Even when facing the highest figures in Japan, Shigeru had never been so terrified.
This faintly discernible domineering aura truly made him both frightened and scared.
Thinking that Kaito could fund the Hinatsuru Family through legitimate means, with all sources normal, seemingly lucky...
Didn't that mean that many places in Japan had long been infiltrated by Kaito's influence!!
"Alright... I understand. From now on, I won't come to disturb Hinatsuru... No, Mrs. Kai."
The more he thought, the more his face became ashen.
Akina, upon hearing that address, couldn't help but blush, and the hand holding Kaito's squeezed back even tighter.
Seeing this scene, Shigeru felt more and more heartbroken, more and more sad, yet precisely he couldn't resist.
He didn't know how much influence Kaito had left, how much capability. But now, even he couldn't find out Kaito's true identity, let alone trace the true source of the Hinatsuru Family's large funds. Everything seemed normal.
Even he couldn't do that!!
Kaito seemed like a person who appeared out of thin air, and that money seemed like many people were willing to give it to the Hinatsuru Family.
It was fundamentally unsolvable!
Added to Kaito's such powerful Shogi skills, he would definitely not be weak in other fields either.
Just from his aura alone, he already surpassed countless people.
'As expected of China, with its millennia of history. As expected of a hidden great clan. Only such an existence could produce a figure like this person.'
Shigeru stood up shakily, took the 99 roses, and bowed deeply to Kaito, signifying that he was wrong, would not do anything again, and simultaneously begging for his life.
He was afraid that soon after leaving, he might 'commit suicide'.
From the domineering aura he felt from Kaito, he truly felt there was a chance for such a 'suicide'.
"Go. There's nothing more for you here."
"...Okay! Thank you very much, Mr. Kai!"
This was perhaps the best words Shigeru had heard in his life. Indeed, people are afraid of death.
Sighing with relief, Shigeru quickly left. After exiting the Hinatsuru Residence, he only then realized his clothes were soaked with sweat.
A wry smile crossed his face, and he decided on one thing in his heart.
Keep a low profile in life, don't act conspicuously. He would temporarily retreat behind the scenes.
As for the Hinatsuru Family... he would secretly help a little, as compensation for not having to 'commit suicide'!