Chapter 1428. Next Mission / Girls and Girls together.
「 A lot has happened, but well, it all worked out in the end 」
Shou-neechan escorts elder Matsumoto out of the room and then Kyouko-san speaks up in her usual tone. Still dressed up as Chemin Koda.
「 Everything was within our expectations so it wasn’t a problem 」
Kyouko-san’s disguised as an old woman with her tight body.
「 Uhm, did I go too far? 」
Mariko asks Kyouko-san nervously.
「 No, you did great, it’s thanks to you that the old man could relax. Well, it turned out right in the end 」
Kyouko-san smiled at Mariko.
「 It is as Kyouko-san said. I think that the presence of one senior woman gave us the advantage in negotiating with Matsumoto-san 」
I also speak out my thoughts.
The limousine with Kouzuki SS escorts black uniform bodyguards, Shou-neechan, and then Ruriko in her formal attire.
We prepared a lot to show our power to elder Matsumoto, but…
Still, I don’t think we could’ve done it so well with just us high-school students, then Minaho-neesan and Shou-neechan, who are still in their twenties.
It was significant to have that one senior woman with the setting that she’s an employee of the Kouzuki world cultural exchange center.
「 Right? You can’t have too many either. It’s effective to have one old expert-looking person in the mix 」
Kyouko-san laughs
「 So, it’s basically focusing on that single point of credibility? 」
Mariko asks.
「 That’s right 」
Kyouko-san drinks the cup of tea.
「 But, why did Matsumoto-sama change his mind so much after hearing Maki-san’s performance? Was it Luna-san’s power?
Did you do that, Luna-san? 」
Mariko turned, and Luna shook her head.
「 No, I just softened his heart a little so he could speak his mind 」
Luna didn’t manipulate elder Matsumoto’s mind with her Miko power.
「 Still, I was surprised to see his att.i.tude change so much. Why did that happen? 」
「 Well, that old man still wanted to be on good terms, in some shape or form, with his granddaughter 」
Mariko asks. Kyouko-san replied.
「 At first, it was his pride as the grandfather that made him so stiff, wanting his granddaughters to yield, but, after that development, it was his heart that yielded first 」
Elder Matsumoto yielded?
「 The driving force of that old man was quite complex, he was a poor young man who came to Tokyo to work in a group job, struggled to get a pharmacist license, and opened his own, now, he’s the hero of a success story, growing his respectable drugstore chain 」
Hmm.
「 The truth is, apart from his struggle and success story, he’s quite the insecure man. He always feared the people around him would make fun of him as an upstart country b.u.mpkin 」
That’s his insecurity.
「 He was able to use that insecurity as a spark and develop his business, but you see 」
「 That’s why Matsumoto-sama was so fixated on them becoming a pharmacist and working in the same industry 」
Mariko asks
Elder Matsumoto wanted the sisters to quit music and become pharmacists to run his chain.
「 He can’t help it, the old man had nothing to be proud of except for studying hard, becoming a pharmacist, and running a successful business 」
Kyouko-san flicks the rim of the teacup with her finger.
「 Especially those who had been successful in some way, are bound to that success, and will encourage others to do the same 」
Bound to success.
「 For example, those who had success because they studied abroad, will recommend others to study abroad. Those who became successful and won a prize in compet.i.tion will tell others to do the same. Those who graduated from the top universities would say that their key to success was that school. People tend to look at their own success in others 」
Kyouko-san looked at the Matsumoto sisters.
「 But, when he heard the sisters play, he was blown away. The old man had nothing to be proud of but his success in pharmacy. So if he hears that his granddaughters are studying music, then he’ll think that “they’re my granddaughters, it’s nothing that significant,” That’s how his insecurity works 」
He never imagined his granddaughters having musical talents because he did not.
「 However, after listening to it, and finding out that it’s a great performance, then, his world is turned upside down 」
Kyouko-san laughs.
「 If they can play this well, then that talent has to be cherished. He’s more than inclined to support his granddaughters 」
That’s why he was crying
「 That’s just another insecurity, seeing that his granddaughters weren’t upstart country b.u.mpkins like him, but instead, they’re likely to become something far bigger, special, and worthy…He thought that he had the duty to develop the talents of his granddaughters, who had a lot to be proud of 」
Those are problems within elder Matsumoto.
「 Of course, I don’t deny his life. I think it’s great that he single-handedly developed a small drugstore into a huge chain. His effort and enthusiasm are worthy of respect, but… 」
Kyouko-san looked at the Matsumoto sisters.
「 That old man stopped there. He can’t go to the upper world and join the people there. That old man is stuck in his insecurities, wherever he is
The Matsumoto sisters listen to Kyouko-san.
「 So now, I want to ask you, girls. What do you want to do? Are you prepared to go higher? Or will you be stuck there, just like your grandfather? 」
Then.
「 Uhm, I want to ask first 」
Maki-san, the elder of the two, speaks up.
「 Hmm, what is it? 」
Kyouko-san responded with a smile.
「 How much of that is the truth? 」
Maki-san looks at Kyouko-san with a confused look.
Miki-san also gives a stiff look.
「 What? Do I have to start there? 」
Kyouko-san smiled wryly.
Oh right.
These sisters still don’t believe us.
They’re just amazed at everything that happened right in front of them.
They’re not even sure if they’d believe that they got the scholarship.
「 Almost all of it is true, I’m genuinely registered at Kouzuki world cultural exchange center 」
Kyouko-san looked at Ruriko.
「 And the scholarship program is a real thing. Although, the special recommendation program for the next generation talents that Miki-san is eligible for has just been established today 」
Ruriko replied with an elegant smile.
「 Established? 」
「?! 」
The Matsumoto sisters are surprised.
「 Yes, Kouzuki world cultural exchange center, is a subordinate organization of the Kouzuki foundation for history and culture. Since I’m the chairman of that, I can make some things more or less flexible.
Ruriko looked at me while saying that.
「 Just as Onii-sama received Kouzuki SS from Grandfather, Ruriko also received the Kouzuki foundation for History and Culture. Therefore, there’s no need to worry. As stated earlier, the Kouzuki house will take responsibility for supporting the two of you as scholars
Ruriko a.s.serts.
「 Do you need me to prove that I’m Kouzuki Ruriko herself? 」
Ruriko’s elegance and graceful behavior, and even the real jewelry she wears now show that she’s a daughter of an upper cla.s.s.
If they’re still not convinced, we can show them the tv program broadcasting on National TV, showing the Kouzuki mansion and the heirlooms in which Ruriko served as the guide.
「 No, but, uhm 」
Matsumoto Maki-san;
「 Even if all of it is true, it feels like everything’s too fast, after all, we’ve only discussed it just… 」
「 Just past afternoon 」
Miki-san appended to her sister.
Right.
It was only this afternoon we met the Matsumoto sisters.
It was about six hours ago.
Only after meeting, we hear about the troubles of the sisters, that they might not be able to continue their music studies.
They performed in front of Minaho-neesan in the music room.
Then, even if she contacts the Kouzuki world cultural exchange center or someone else, they won’t have enough time to research and screen the Matsumoto sisters in time.
「 I started my investigation as soon as you left the dormitory with Marika 」
Minaho-neesan told the sisters.
「 We had to know who you are, where you’re born, where you live, your grades in music high school, your past performance in compet.i.tions, and such. We immediately learned that your father had pa.s.sed away and that you had financial troubles, less than half an hour after our investigation started. Then, I made an educated guess on what Marika’s asking Kou when it comes to you 」
Marika was in danger that her tuition on attending the music high school might get suspended due to the secrets of her birth, she asked for help from us.
So, if the Matsumoto sisters are also in financial trouble after their father’s death, then they’ll come to us for help with their school expenses too.
「 At that stage, I already discussed with Ruriko-san the possibility of making you scholarship students of the Kouzuki house. Of course, we also did our research on your grandfather, his company, and Igarashi Izumi-san. Everything about you, and your family 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 Kouzuki SS is that kind of organization. I think you already know that by now 」
I explained.
The name Kouzuki SS is a security company widely known to the public through the TV specials where Rei-chan and Kyouko-san fight.
「 The research department can make such a detailed investigation in a such short amount of time. And then, Minaho-neesan is working in the information department of Kouzuki SS 」
She can use Kouzuki SS to research as much as she wants.
Besides, Kouzuki SS has already done its research on the major companies in j.a.pan.
So they surely have info on elder Matsumoto’s drugstore chain.
「 Besides, I was also watching your discussion with Kou in the cafeteria earlier this afternoon 」
Minaho-neesan told the sisters.
「 Margo was relaying the conversation there through her smartphone. That’s why I already had everything I need even before meeting you in the music room.
We can’t explain that we have cameras and microphones all around the school to the Matsumoto sisters.
So Minaho-neesan used Margo-san and her smartphone as the leaker.
「 Then, after hearing you play in the music room, I decided to nominate your scholarship. Then, Ruriko-san.
「 I know that Minaho-oneesama’s judgment won’t be wrong so I immediately recommended you two under my name. n.o.body can overrule that decision. The two of you will have the support of the Kouzuki house. If you ask for it 」
Ruriko tells the Matsumoto sisters.
「 Right, but I think your grandfather could pay for your tuition even if you don’t get the scholarship from the Kouzuki house. Maybe you can keep your music studies going 」
Kyouko-san said teasingly.
「 But in return, you won’t get everything you could’ve had by getting involved with the Kouzuki house. That’s basically it 」
With the support of the Kouzuki house, they’re guaranteed to learn music in the best environment and from the best teachers. It is said earlier when elder Matsumoto was present.
「 Well, in the end, it’s all up to you whether you’ll trust us or not 」
Whether the Matsumoto sisters would entrust their lives to us or not.
「 Don’t take it, Matsumoto-san, they’re scary 」
Igarashi Izumi, who had been quiet so far, speaks to Matsumoto Maki-san.
「 Don’t trust them, they’re scary people 」
Matsumoto Maki-san…
「 But, but they’ve been helping us so far 」
She tells Igarashi Izumi.
「 I don’t know the reason why Grandfather changed his mind, what’s more, unknown is if he’ll support us all the time 」
Maki-san is surprised by the change.
「 But for now, we have avoided stopping the music. Miki’s violin won’t be sold off either 」
Miki-san pats the violin case her late father left for her.
「 They already helped us a lot even before handing out the scholarships. That’s why I want to return the favor for all the help they gave us 」
Then.
「 What should Miki and I give in return? 」
She asks Kyouko-san.
Kyouko-san;
「 No, don’t ask me. Speak to the man there for that. He’s the boss of this whole thing 」
She points at me smiling.
The Matsumoto sisters look at me.
「 No look, even if you turn that to me… I mean, this was Marika’s request this time so I just thought that I had to do something about it 」
Marika’s my woman.
When Marika asked me to help the Matsumoto sisters, then it was my duty to do something about it.
「 Me too 」
Minaho-neesan?
「 Kou might get angry if I say this but we have a lot of girls, and all of them are very important to us 」
Minaho-neesan said.
「 But, to me, Megumi and Marika are my top priority. I’m willing to give Megumi and Marika whatever they want 」
Megu and Marika.
They’re both daughters of prost.i.tutes of the Kuromori mansion.
To Minaho-neesan, who Shirasaka Sousuke forced to become a prost.i.tute, abort her child, and whose body can never conceive a child again…
She loves Megu and Marika like her own daughters.
「 Yes, so far, we’ve helped Matsumoto-san for Marika’s sake. I think that’s okay. And so, from here on, Matsumoto Maki-san and Miki-san should discuss once again whether or not you want the support of the Kouzuki house 」
I told the sisters.
「 That’s why, if you think that you should give something back for what we’ve done so far, you have to thank Marika, not us 」
Everyone in the room focused on Marika.
Marika’s been holding Matsumoto Maki-san’s hand all the time.
「 Takahata-san, what should we do? 」
Noticing once again, that their hands are still connected, Maki-san asks Marika.
「 Uhm, I’ve been thinking 」
Marika begins to speak slowly.
「 Maybe girls loving girls is okay 」
Huh…
「 Kukuku! I totally agree with that! 」
Kyouko-san, who’s a lesbian, laughed happily.
「 Then…I also think that having s.e.x with Kou-kun is good… 」