Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1625: Chapter 1623: Christmas Eve Fright (Meow! Whoever dares to pet me gets the claws)

”Miss Yukina, do you have time now?”

Looking at the man who appeared in front of her, Yukina couldn’t help but feel nervous.

”Um... Mr. Kawano, what do you need?”

”It’s like this, if you have time, I’d like to invite you to the upcoming Christmas party... Ah, don’t be nervous, it’s just a small gathering.”

”No, it’s just... I... but...”

Yukina anxiously glanced around, hoping to find someone to rescue her. But there was no one around she could rely on. Morikawa Yuki was still abroad and hadn’t returned; the girls from the same agency hurriedly turned away when Yukina glanced at them, and Touma and the others were not around either. This made Yukina feel isolated and helpless.

”This...”

”Is there a problem?”

Although the man in front of her was still smiling, Yukina could already hear a hint of impatience in his voice.

”No, it’s just that, I...”

Yukina hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she lowered her head.

”I’m very sorry, I’ve already...”

However, before Yukina could finish speaking, her producer suddenly came out and put a hand on Yukina’s shoulder, stopping her from talking further.

”Go on, Yukina.”

”Eh? But...”

”I’ll handle the agency’s matters, you don’t have to worry.”

As the producer spoke, she pushed Yukina forward.

”Well then, Mr. Kawano, I’ll leave Yukina in your care.”

”Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”

Seeing the producer speak, Kawano showed a meaningful smile. Seeing this smile made Yukina even more frightened. But the producer’s sudden betrayal left her unsure of what to do. She stood there stiffly like a doll, at the mercy of others.

”I’ll go change my clothes, Miss Yukina, please wait for me at the door.”

”No problem.”

As she spoke, the producer held Yukina’s hand, leading her to the entrance. It was only then that Yukina seemed to come to her senses, glaring angrily at the producer.

”Miss Yamamoto! How could you do this?!”

”I just want you to accompany Mr. Kawano to the party. Is there a problem with that?”

However, her producer seemed to completely disregard Yukina’s words.

”I’m going back!”

This time Yukina could no longer bear it. She turned to leave, but Miss Yamamoto grabbed her.

”Do you know what the consequences will be if you do this, Yukina?”

”At worst, I’ll be fired by the agency! Is that not enough?!”

The grueling training, the busy schedule, and the exhausting interpersonal relationships with others were all things Yukina could endure. But seeing her producer about to ”sell” her to someone else like this, Yukina couldn’t take it anymore. However, Producer Yamamoto stared at Yukina, waiting for her to finish venting her anger before continuing.

”Fired? Do you think the agency will just fire you so simply? Don’t forget, when you signed the contract, the agency set an exorbitant penalty fee, right?”

”......”

Upon hearing the words ”penalty fee,” Yukina’s anger suddenly felt like being doused with a bucket of cold water, and she instantly sobered up.

”I... I can’t come up with such a large sum of money.”

”I thought so, but Yukina’s guardians are your parents, right? If you can’t come up with the money, then your parents will have to pay.”

”But... but my parents can’t come up with it either...”

”Then the agency will have to take you to court, and in the worst-case scenario, your family’s income will be frozen, and even the house will be mortgaged.”

”How could this be...?”

Upon hearing that, Yukina froze. After all, she was still a high school student, and things like court and lawsuits were too far removed from Yukina’s world. But even so, she knew if things were as Miss Yamamoto said, it would mean her family would be left homeless, forced to lead a life of wandering without a roof over their heads.

No, her father might even resign.

Though she wasn’t clear about court and judgments, Yukina knew that if her father were sued, the company would likely dismiss him to avoid trouble. If it came to that...

Yukina wasn’t an only child; she had siblings. At that point, the impact wouldn’t be as simple as just Yukina and her parents.

”......”

At this thought, Yukina finally fell silent and lowered her head.

”I’ll wait with you here for Mr. Kawano to come out.”

Watching Yukina surrender obediently, Producer Yamamoto had a smug smile on her face and stood beside Yukina.

In the dressing room, Kawano was humming a tune, tidying up with a smug expression.

As for Yukina, he wasn’t worried at all. A girl of this level was easy prey for him, being the son of a company president and a celebrity idol. No woman would be dumb enough to refuse him. He only hoped Yukina would be obedient; even though tearful women could be interesting, too much of it becomes annoying, and a woman lying like a dead fish in bed has no appeal.

But he had his own ways to have fun.

Thinking of the upcoming party, Kawano had a satisfied smile on his face.

Just as he finished getting dressed and was about to leave the dressing room, he found Yukina already standing outside, waiting for him.

”Oh? Miss Yukina, you’re actually here?”

”Y-yes, Mr. Kawano.”

Compared to before, the Yukina in front of him seemed quite meek and cute. Although she was still a bit shy, it made her even more endearing.

”I didn’t want to keep you waiting...”

”It’s nothing, after all, I’m a man.”

Upon hearing this, Kawano smiled slightly at Yukina. Compared to demanding women, obedient ones were more interesting. He also wanted to see what expression this woman would have at the party.

That would surely be very interesting.

”Well then, let’s go.”

”Ah...”

But just as Kawano was about to leave, Yukina suddenly called out softly, grabbing his sleeve.

”Um... Mr. Kawano?”

”Huh? What’s wrong?”

”Can we use the back door? I’m... a bit embarrassed...”

Ah...because reporters might be ambushing at the front door? What an interesting woman.

Watching the uneasy Yukina before him, Kawano found it quite intriguing. He was surrounded by women who would flatter him for their own interests, so he was quite interested in someone as pure and cute as Yukina. Although her initial rejection had made him a bit displeased, her current demeanor was quite entertaining.

”Then we’ll go out the back.”

With that thought, Kawano made the decision. He and Yukina sneaked out through the back door, headed to the parking lot, drove away.

The red sports car roared down the street and then came to a stop.

”Is this the place?”

”Yes, it is.”

Watching the surprise on the girl’s face beside him, Kawano chuckled. It was only natural, as the party’s location wasn’t some elegant banquet hall, but an underground rock bar. For a goody-two-shoes like Yukina, she’d probably never been to such a place before.

”Alright, let’s go inside. My friends are eager to meet you.”

As he spoke, Kawano pushed the girl in front of him, leading her into the bar.

The cold wind howled outside, sweeping over the deserted street.

”Achoo!”

Yukina shivered, curling up and looking toward her producer. It had been about half an hour since Kawano had left, and though Yukina felt hopeless... the physical cold wasn’t easy to fight off.

”...Miss Yamamoto, how long are we to wait here?”

”...Just a bit longer.”

Yukina at least had a coat on, while Producer Yamamoto was shivering violently from the cold.

”Maybe Mr. Kawano is greeting others, he might come soon...”

Though tempted to go check inside, she feared if she left her post, Yukina might slip away. So Yamamoto decided to stay and keep watch.

Hopefully, it won’t take much longer.