Stealing Spree

Chapter 2749: Mitsui Kyoka’s Situation

I reached for the remote on the counter and flicked the TV on, flipping to the news channel she’d probably preset. The screen lit up with the morning broadcast. A polished anchor talked about stock movements and corporate mergers. I left the volume low, just enough to catch the headlines while I slid onto the stool in front of her, watching her chow down everything on her plate.

Mizuki kept eating, posture perfect even while shoveling fried rice into her mouth like she hadn’t seen food in days. Every few bites, she would sneak a glance at the screen, sharp eyes scanning for the segment she wanted me to see.

I rested my elbow on the table, chin in hand, acting like I couldn’t care less about the TV. Hearing it was enough. Or so I thought.

“There,” She said suddenly, nudging my thigh with her bare foot under the counter. “Turn it up.”

I grabbed the remote again and raised the volume just as the anchor’s tone shifted, something about ‘a stunning turn of events in the Mitsui Group succession race’.

The screen cut to file footage of Mitsui Kyoka at some gala last year, all sleek black gown and that icy smile that seemed to freeze the men around her.

Then it shifted to a press conference from yesterday, Kyoka again, this time in a sharp white suit, standing at a podium with the company logo behind her.

“Sources confirm that Mitsui Kyoka has officially been named as one of the candidates for the chairmanship, citing it was a decision left behind the will of the former Chairman. Through this move, she bypassed the succession ladder that was only reserved for the main family. Reportedly, the son of the leading candidate, Mitsui Aruto, has expressed strong disapproval, calling the decision ‘a betrayal of tradition’ and vowing to contest the will in court.”

I raised an eyebrow. “So the prodigal cousin finally made her move. What about Hassen? Where is he in the picture?”

Mizuki hummed around a mouthful of egg roll, swallowed, then dabbed her lips with a napkin like a proper lady even while her eyes gleamed with pure glee. “Oh, him? He’s the younger brother. He’s now stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, his father is the leading candidate before the pronouncements. On the other hand, the older cousin, his Ane-san and the woman whom he probably likes. Tell me, Ruki. What can he do in his position?”

Oh. So that’s why, huh? He was probably just as shocked to hear that Mitsui Kyoka had suddenly sprang up to be a candidate, the same as his father.

What a timing. From the news, there was also a segment about the funeral of the former Chairman. He actually didn’t die from a natural cause, he got involved in an accident. Something like... his spine broke during intercourse.

Yup. Absurd, right? I don’t know how old that old man was but he seemed to be too active in bed. Even with his age, he seemed to have a lot of mistresses whom he regularly visited. Like a king with a royal harem.

Of course, as someone with that kind of identity, it was more common for them to not be satisfied with just their wife. That eccentric old man of the Kaneko Family was just built differently. He was still devoted to his wife even after her passing.

And well, although I don’t have their identity, I also have a lot of women. Of course, I won’t dare call them mistresses in the future. They’re my wives. That’s the difference. And there’s also still a huge difference in terms of assets.

I need to work harder to give them the best life.

“Anyhow, his little cousin won’t be able to help her. She’s also burning the ladder behind her. The old man’s will was airtight. Apparently he’d been grooming her in secret for years. Haruto’s faction and the other factions created by shareholders are screaming bloody murder, but they can’t touch her legally. Not yet. The will of the late chairman is in effect. They’ll have to fight to get that position.”

She popped another eggroll in her mouth before leaning forward, looking way too pleased with corporate warfare before nine in the morning.

“That’s where you will come in,” She continued, voice dropping to that silky, scheming tone she used when she was about to suggest something I would scratch my head on. “Mitsui Kyoka contacted me last week. Officially, I’m advising on ‘youth market integration’ for their new luxury brand. Unofficially...”

She let the silence hang, watching me with those sharp amethyst eyes.

“Unofficially, you’re the one she contacted because she couldn’t reach me. Was that it?”

But still, why me? Was she that thoroughly impressed by the advice I’d given Hassen before? It’s not like I did something impossible. The problem he had was too simple.

Mizuki smacked her lips together and lightly clapped once, like she was applauding her own brilliance.

“Close, but not quite,” She said as she once again picked up her chopsticks, “She contacted me first. I’m the one who told her, ‘If you want real leverage that no one else can copy, you need Onoda Ruki.’”

She let that sit there, smug as hell, watching my reaction like a cat who’d just knocked a vase off the shelf and knew I couldn’t even get mad.

I blinked. Once. Twice.

“...You sold me to Mitsui Kyoka?”

“Sold? Never. Leased is the correct term,” She corrected with a grin.

“Short-term contract, renewable if you behave. And before you pout, the fee she offered was obscene. Enough to buy a stupidly overpriced espresso machine for Sister Miwa café and maybe everything she needs to open it. In cash. Up front.”

I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

“You’re unbelievable. I only just dipped one foot into your world, and you sold my service at that high a price?”

“Thank you.” Her grin became more smug as she lifted her chin proudly, “I know.”

Then she straightened up, all business again, and pushed her empty plate aside as the conversation had just moved to the next agenda item.

“Listen carefully, idiot. Kyoka doesn’t want advice on branding or whatever bullshit she put on the contract. I’ll do that part for her. That’s why I’m quite busy these days. Instead, she wants you to break Hassen for her. Quietly. Permanently. Without leaving fingerprints.”

I felt my eyebrows curl into a frown. As expected, confusing. If he’s a woman, then that’s easy. But he’s a guy, you know? If I can break him, it will be through stealing Kyoka from him.

Right?

“Break him how, exactly?”

Mizuki tilted her head, expression unreadable except for the dangerous little glint in her eyes.

“Whatever you’re thinking, that’s not it, idiot Ruki.” She paused for a moment to down the remaining milk in her glass, “Hassen can sway a decent chunk of the neutral shareholders. He’s young, handsome and successful at his young age. Other than that, everyone still remembers him crying at the old man’s funeral like a tragic prince. If he publicly backs his father, Kyoka’s road gets ten times harder. If he backs her... well. Game over for the old guard.”

“I see. And the fact that his success was also because of her advice, he will become a great weapon for her.”

I could finally see the clear picture. They wanted me to convince that guy, huh?

How should I do it? I don’t know. I only know how to handle women. If it’s a guy, it’s either a kick, a punch, or emotional damage.

“Think about this, Ruki. This is going to be another step for you into that world. Our foundation will start from here. For the record, my service will give us enough to open our own firm. Consulting firm for now. But it will be ours. Not my parents, not the main branch of Hasegawa.”

With that as her final pitch, Mizuki crossed her arms like she’d just laid down a royal flush and knew well I had nothing to beat it. The smugness radiating off her was almost visible. A faint shimmer in the air and those amethyst eyes dared me to argue.

I exhaled through my nose, rubbed the back of my neck, and stared at the empty plate she’d demolished in record time. My mind was already spinning.

“...So let me get this straight,” I started, “you pimped me out to a corporate ice queen so I can sweet-talk her lovesick little cousin into betraying his own father, all while you rake in enough cash to bankroll Miwa-nee’s café and kick-start our own consulting empire. Did I miss anything?”

Mizuki’s lips curved into that razor-thin smile she wore when she knew she’d won three moves ago.

“You missed the part where your girl is a genius and you love me for it,” She said sweetly, “Also, the part where you literally cannot say no, because you hate seeing any of us struggle. Especially me.”

“Ruki, three years is too long if we have to wait until you graduate. We have to get your name out there as soon as possible.”

Damn it. She really did have me read like an open book. And I know for a fact that she’s only doing this because she truly believes in my ability.