“Hmm? What is it? We are talking right now. Akito-kun...”
“It is relevant. And this proposal isn't a bad deal for the Jumonji family either.”
“Hooh.”
Father's eyes became even sharper.
As I said before, we are still high school students. A brat like that interfering in family matters... he probably wasn't in a good mood.
But these were the magic words that would blow even that away.
“Riran and I, who are here right now, are connected by a Dark Scarlet thread.”
“What?!”
“Oh my.”
“I knew it. But...”
“Yeah. I thought it might be the case, but to think it was actually Dark Scarlet...”
Ah, so Ryuya and Neika had already figured out that Riran and I were connected. Well, I didn't intend to keep it hidden forever, so it can't be helped.
“...Is that the truth?”
“Yes. There is no lie or falsehood in it.”
“...As a business manager, I pride myself on being able to see through other people's lies... and it seems you aren't lying.”
The look in Father's eyes changed from wariness to interest.
It seems he really believed me. Since the color of the thread can only be reported by the individuals themselves, this was a relief.
“The profit gained from Neika marrying a scion versus the profit we, as a Dark Scarlet pair, can bring to your company... you know which one is higher, don't you?”
“............”
Father closed his eyes, crossed his arms, and fell into silent thought.
“...If I nod my head, it will determine your very lives. Are you saying this with that preparation in mind?”
“Of course, risking our lives solely for their marriage would be too heavy. Therefore, I have a request from our side as well.”
“...Let's hear it.”
Father leaned forward.
He probably calculated that bringing us two into the fold would yield greater profits than Neika marrying the partner company's scion.
That thinking is correct.
The history of the Red Thread is less than a hundred years old, but even in that history, the profit brought by humans connected by Dark Scarlet is on a global scale.
A massive lump of profit was dangling right in front of him.
There was no way his eyes wouldn't change color.
“Arrange job placements for everyone here. If you are the president, Father, you can do that, right?”
Our merit is being able to join the world-spanning Jumonji company through a connection and becoming close with the president. The downside is that we can't expect much of a future outside of the Jumonji company.
In contrast, Father's merit is having us, holders of the Dark Scarlet thread, as employees. The downside is not being able to have a strong bond with the partner company.
As a negotiation, it's a win-win relationship.
Having understood that instantly, Father laughed boisterously.
“Hahahaha! I never thought I'd receive such a negotiation from a child like you. I like you, Akito-kun!”
“Was it unexpected?”
“Yeah. When the joker among jokers is played, I have no choice but to be sincere. ...Very well, I shall accept those conditions.”
“Thank you very much.”
“In exchange, graduating from university is absolute. You must achieve that with your own power.”
“Yes, definitely.”
I stood up and shook hands with Father. Then, Father turned toward the stunned Neika.
“Neika. You have good friends.”
“Eh... ah, yeah...”
“And, Ryuya-kun.”
“Y-Yes!”
Father and Mother now sat formally in seiza in front of Ryuya. As if to show they were now on equal footing.
“Your sincerity has reached me well. It seems Neika trusts you too. ...Please, take care of my daughter.”
“Ryuya-san. She is an inexperienced daughter, but please look after her.”
They lowered their heads as if performing a deep kowtow. Following their lead, Ryuya and Neika hurriedly lowered their heads as well.
“L-Likewise, I look forward to your guidance!”
“Father, thank you...!”
Tears were welling up in their eyes. Good for you two.
Good grief. With this, everything has been settled peacefully—
“Akky, Rila. Seiza.”
““Yes...””
It wasn't.
The meeting was adjourned, and we were all shown to Neika's room. And as you can see, Neika-san is in a towering rage.
“What! Do you think! You're doing! On your own! Are you stupid?! Hey, are you guys stupid?!”
“At least our school grades are near the top.”
“That's noooooot it! That's not what I'm talking about! Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot! Stoooopid! Dummy! Blockhead!”
You don't have to go that far.
“Nei, calm down.”
“Ryuya, can I stay calm?! Because of us, their lives have been decided?!”
“Now, now. Akito and Kuonji probably have deep thoughts about it too. Right?”
Deep thoughts, huh...
“No, I was just thinking, 'Hooray, I can avoid the super-annoying job hunt with this!'”
“Setting Akito aside, I thought if I could get into the world-scale Jumonji company through a connection, nothing could be better.”
“These guys are hopeless.”
How rude. Even so, I discussed this quite a bit with Riran. Even if we're best friends, for better or worse, we're still different people. If we're going to help in a pinch, it's fine for there to be some benefit for us too, right? This was the benefit this time. That's all.
“Well, it is Akky after all...”
“Yeah, because it's Akito.”
“I'm happy you guys seem to understand me.”
““We aren't praising you, okay?””
Pien.
“But... thank you, both of you. For doing so much for us.”
“It's true... Akky, Rila. Thank you.”
“Don't worry about it.”
“Yes. Besides, there's a benefit for me too.”
Hmm? A benefit for Riran? What's that? She didn't say anything like that when we were talking.
“I'll tell you later. ...Don't you dare run away, okay?”
“Well, I won't run, but...”
Ryuya and Neika were looking at us with smirks, as if they had sensed something.
Eh. What is it, exactly?