Chapter 165: Drinking Alcohol (Long Chapter)
We're inheriting the Hiratsuka Group!!
Akishin looked at the documents thrust in front of him, hesitating for a split second before reaching out to take them. Nito Misaki had previously handed these over to Shizuka, mentioning only that they were critically important and had to be given to Yuren. Neither of them had looked through the contents.
He suspected that Nito Misaki hadn't read them either; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so nonchalant and calm about it.
Shizuka looked shocked. "Father, you're prepared to let us control the weaknesses of the staff within the group!!"
Her hands reflexively gripped her kimono, her knuckles turning white as she instantly grasped her father's intentions.
The thought had never crossed her mind. At most, she had figured that after retiring from teaching, she would head to the group to train, waiting until she was fully matured before officially inheriting the Hiratsuka Group.
She just hadn't expected her father to have planned this far ahead.
Yuren nodded solemnly. "That's right. I founded the Hiratsuka Group, and I've maintained full control over it. But once an organization becomes this large, it inevitably spawns various problems, both big and small... factions start to form. While I'm still here, I can keep them suppressed. But once you two take over, it's hard to guarantee that everyone will be obedient. After all..."
Yuren paused, looking at Shizuka with a trace of resignation in his eyes. "Shizuka, your reputation within the group isn't exactly stellar. Barely anyone knows you. You haven't even toured the internal departments more than a handful of times."
The last time Shizuka had set foot in the corporate building was right after graduation. Back then, she was supposedly getting ready to look for a job with that 'Tokyo Bay dweller' and was preparing for an internship...
"Ahaha... about that, it's not like I wanted it to be that way. I just wanted to be a good teacher..."
Under the displeased gazes of both her father and mother, Shizuka guiltily lowered her hands, pressing her index fingers together. Her voice grew smaller as she spoke until it vanished entirely.
"Sigh."
Yuren exhaled, turning his gaze toward Akishin. "Chishima-kun, you understand my point, don't you? Humans aren't perfect. When they stand at a high enough position, it becomes difficult to exercise self-control.
This is normal. I'm aware of it even now, but I don't intervene excessively. As long as they don't cross the line, I look the other way; after all, they've contributed a lot.
Deep down, they know this too. They take their perks and work obediently, and I hold the leverage to keep them in line. I've been collecting this information for a long time. Since you've returned this time, it's only right that I hand it over to you."
Akishin held the confidential documents, flipping through a few pages. The contents mostly detailed abuses of power for embezzlement, involving even mid-level management at the lowest tiers.
And here were the 'types' of people who could be dealt with immediately just by showing the evidence—as long as the other high-ranking officials didn't object, one could clear out a significant number of people.
Looking at the thick stack, he could roughly imagine the sheer scale of the Hiratsuka Group.
Yuren's intent was for them to use this list as leverage within the group in the future. In all likelihood, he also intended for them to eventually purge the names mentioned.
No, it was a certainty.
Akishin had run a company before. He understood that companies, groups, and corporations—especially massive ones—were quite similar to the royal courts of old. Even though the Emperor held the most power, he still had to balance various factions. He couldn't just keep applying pressure, nor could he let them run wild without control.
The position of an Emperor who builds an absolute territory is the most stable, but he can't sit on the throne forever. Those who inherit it afterward must rely on their own capabilities.
—Of course, things weren't quite that simple, but that was the gist of it.
After considering the future situation, Akishin nodded. "I understand, Uncle. I will support Shizuka well."
To Akishin, wealth, fame, and power were trivial. If they came his way, he'd try for them to make life a bit more comfortable, but if he didn't get them, he wouldn't feel envious or complain.
All he truly cared about was Shizuka and the others. All he wanted was a happy family and a quiet life.
Just as the system had said, this was his greatest wish.
"Hmm." Yuren smiled and nodded, seeing no trace of greed in Akishin's eyes. "Since you wanted to make a late-night snack for Shizuka, go ahead. There are plenty of ingredients in the kitchen. Um... make some for me and your Aunt as well."
...
The second-floor bathroom of the Hiratsuka household.
Akishin lay comfortably in the large bathtub, the hot water at just the right temperature submerging him up to his neck. Beside the tub were two bamboo baskets containing a white fleece bathrobe and his discarded clothes.
Staring at the white ceiling, Akishin murmured softly, "The Hiratsuka family, a conglomerate... it seems I've really hit the jackpot with this 'soft rice' life. But more importantly, the confession was a success today. It was a success..."
A happy, undisguised smile spread across his face. He reached up and patted his cheeks—it wasn't just Shizuka who felt it was surreal. Akishin was also afraid this might be a dream; it was simply too perfect.
The life he had yearned for across three lifetimes finally had a visible result today.
Yet, Akishin also knew clearly that this was all real. The ring on his left hand, placed there personally by Shizuka, was so vivid and tangible, etched with the vow they had made.
A moment later, Akishin raised his hand, water dripping from his arm. Steam condensed into droplets on the walls. A long sword with a deep red scabbard appeared in his hand.
His eyes fixed on [Rebirth], slowly drawing the blade.
Clang!
The sound was incredibly faint.
The strange, dark purple blade reflected Akishin's gaze as he slowly regained his composure. The maid standing outside the bathroom suddenly felt a shiver run down her spine, looking left and right in confusion.
'I'm still too excited. I really need to calm down... I suppose this is the first time I've felt such intense happiness!'
The next second, [Rebirth] vanished. Akishin rose from the tub with a faint smile, water cascading down his nearly perfect physique.
Wiping away the remaining water, he donned the bathrobe provided by the maid and stepped into the somewhat unfamiliar geta. After draining the bathwater and picking up his clothes, Akishin opened the bathroom door.
The cool air in the hallway chased away the lingering heat from the bath.
The maid standing nearby said, "Chishima-san, would you like your clothes washed? You can leave them to me."
"That's alright, I don't plan on changing out of them yet."
Akishin shook his head in refusal. His undergarments were still inside; there was no way he was letting a stranger wash those!
—Even if their position in the Hiratsuka family was that of servants, how could Akishin truly see them as such?
He had never liked being served by others.
He didn't plan on starting now.
The maid took a step back. "In that case, let me show you to your room first. Afterward, the Master asked if you could join him for a drink once you've settled in." She noticed Akishin's slight discomfort.
Akishin followed the maid through several corridors until they reached a room. The maid personally opened the door, stood by the entrance, and said, "Chishima-san, this is your room. If you need anything else, please let me know at any time."
Akishin glanced inside. The room was large, luxurious, and elegant. Besides the bed, wardrobe, and desk, there was plenty of open space. A large window reflected the distant city lights.
A single room like this was larger than the total square footage of most people's homes.
He didn't go in, instead asking, "Where is Shizuka's room?"
At the moment, Shizuka was still downstairs watching television with her parents.
The maid glanced at him, pointed to the adjacent door, and said, "That is Shizuka-sama's room. She only returns to sleep here for a few days during the holidays every year."
"I see. Thank you. You should go get some rest as well."
The maid bowed and turned to leave.
Akishin glanced at Shizuka's door before entering his own room. It was clearly a guest room; aside from the necessary furniture and decor, there were no personal items.
Even the blankets were the same quality you'd find in a high-end hotel.
On the desk, Akishin spotted a hairdryer that had been prepared. He dried his hair, changed into the pajamas he had brought along, then left the room and headed back downstairs.
Seeing Akishin come down, Shizuka went up to bathe.
Sachiko also stood up with a smile to head off, but before leaving, she turned back with a warning: "Keep it in moderation, watch your health. And Chishima-kun, drinking in moderation is best..."
Akishin sat across from Yuren. On the tea table between them, ten bottles of baijiu brought back from the neighboring large country had been prepared, along with various snacks to accompany the alcohol.
Yuren smiled.
Akishin smiled back.
The promise of a drink, discussed so long ago, was finally happening today.
...
Two hours later.
Akishin stepped onto the geta with swaying footsteps, walking to the front of his bedroom door, but he didn't enter.
His gaze was fixed on Shizuka's bedroom door next to his.
—Yuren had already passed out drunk and had been helped back to his room by two male servants. Akishin, however, had refused help and walked back on his own.
The two of them had finished twelve bottles in total. Each bottle was a hundred grams, which meant each person averaged six hundred grams of baijiu. In reality, Akishin had finished seven hundred. Since it was high-proof baijiu, the delayed effect was massive; it felt like nothing while drinking, but once finished, the kick was brutal.
Unsurprisingly, Akishin won, but it wasn't an easy victory.
Click!
The bedroom door next to him opened. Shizuka, wearing pink bear pajamas, peeked her head out. Seeing Akishin, she immediately rushed out to support him.
"How did you get this drunk? Get back to your room. Why are you just standing out here?" Shizuka helped Akishin open his door.
"Shizuka!"
"I'm here, what is it?"
"I like you. Don't ever leave me..."
Akishin immediately pulled Shizuka into a hug, holding her incredibly tight. He was still conscious, but his head was spinning. The emotions he usually kept bottled up were leaking out, his mental guard relaxed and dazed...
A deep blush spread across Shizuka's face.
"I know. I'm never leaving you. But let go of me first, I'll help you get into bed."
Shizuka tried to push Akishin slightly, but he didn't budge. He held her firmly. Eventually, with no other choice, they shuffled into the room still locked in a hug.
Thump!
The two of them tumbled onto the bed. Akishin finally let go of Shizuka. Perhaps because he had completely relaxed and the alcohol was hitting his brain in full force, he fell asleep with a faint smile on his lips.
Shizuka's long hair was a bit disheveled. She propped herself up with both hands. Seeing her lover still gripping her arm even in his sleep, she froze for a moment, then suddenly broke into a smile.
This was the first time she realized Akishin had a childish side to him. It was quite charming, especially compared to his usual serious and rigid demeanor. The contrast was stark.
They say men always have a small child living in their hearts regardless of age; maybe that was true.
She gently placed his hand down, then removed Akishin's shoes, settled him on the bed, and tucked him in properly.
Shizuka left for a moment, returning shortly with two glasses of warm water, which she placed on the nightstand.
She stood by the bed, watching the sleeping Akishin. She had seen him many times, but each time felt different. This time, it was as if he had let go of everything. His expression was completely at ease, and that persistent smile at the corner of his mouth suggested he was having a wonderful dream.
Was Akishin worried about something in the past?
As she kept watching, Shizuka's face grew red again. she reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, leaning down to look at his face from a close distance, whispering softly: "Akishin, I won't leave you. I'll never leave you. I like you, I love you. I'm going to spend my life with you. We'll get married, and we'll have children of our own..."
Having said that, her face was so red it looked like it might drip blood. Then...
She gently kissed Akishin's lips once.
Then, she got up to leave.
But after taking a few steps, she turned back...
She closed the door, walked back to the side of the bed, pulled back the covers, and quickly slipped inside.
"It's not the first time we've slept together, it's fine..."
Shizuka peeked out from under the blanket again to turn off the light.
In the darkness, under the covers, she pressed against Akishin's shoulder. She could hear her own breathing, the rapid thumping of her heart, and she could feel Akishin's heartbeat too...
She was incredibly nervous, but alongside that nervousness, her heart was full of satisfaction and peace. Leaning against each other felt so warm, chasing away the chill of the night.
Shizuka reached out, trying to hold Akishin's arm.
As if Akishin sensed it, he turned over and pulled her into his embrace.
"Uu~"
Leaning against Akishin's chest, hearing that strong heartbeat, Shizuka's entire body went stiff. She felt her cheeks burning hot.
Two minutes later, after realizing there was no further movement, Shizuka slowly relaxed. She lifted her head from his chest. Through the faint moonlight filtering through the window, she could vaguely see his face.
His breathing was steady and long, brushing against her neck and making it feel cool.
"Honestly... even while asleep, you can't stay still, hehe..."
Shizuka smiled happily, gently pulling the blanket to cover them both. She leaned peacefully against Akishin's chest, feeling the arm gently holding her. She closed her eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.
Outside the window, the moon quietly hid behind the clouds. The insects' sonata grew softer, the grass swayed gently, the night wind rustled the leaves, and the water in the small stream gurgled softly...
...
Two days later.
The weather was clear. In front of the Hiratsuka residence, Akishin and Shizuka were saying their goodbyes to the Hiratsuka couple.
"Father, Mother, Akishin and I are heading back now. Take care of yourselves. We'll come to see you again soon."
"We're not the ones you should be worried about. Take care of yourself and don't go causing trouble for Chishima-kun."
"I don't! I even wash his clothes and clean the house. I'm very hardworking..."
Shizuka puffed out her cheeks; she had clearly been trying very hard.
At that moment, the car arrived. The male servant who was driving got out to open the door, handing the keys back to Shizuka. Several maids nearby were orderly loading the luggage into the car.
Akishin said softly, "Uncle, Aunt, Shizuka and I will be going now."
"Hmm, keep a good relationship. If there's any trouble, contact us anytime!" Yuren nodded.
The two of them sat in the car with Shizuka at the wheel. Once more, they waved to the Hiratsukas before starting the car and driving off.
Watching the sports car disappear from view, Yuren asked without turning around, "Sachiko, when do you think I'll have a grandchild?"
"What are you thinking? Chishima-kun isn't a reckless person. Before marriage, they probably won't even consider that."
Sachiko scolded her husband. These kids weren't even married yet and he was already thinking about grandchildren—as if this were back in their day!
"Not reckless? The night before last, those two slept together!"
"Wasn't that because of the drinking? That was your fault too. I already asked Shizuka; she's the one who slipped into the covers herself..."
Yuren let out a dejected sigh. My precious padded jacket has finally become someone else's!
...
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