After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

Kagura Hikaru and Ayakoji Chiyoko had another argument.

To outsiders, their interactions seemed normal, just like before, chatting and acting without any sign of avoidance.

Only the parties involved knew that they were truly at odds with each other.

Moreover, this time the conflict was not a one-sided mistake on Kagura Hikaru's part but a purer clash of values.

Therefore, the atmosphere was even tenser.

Kagura Hikaru couldn't accept the attitude of Ayakoji Chiyoko treating Saijo Mari as a tool and himself as a gigolo.

Ayakoji Chiyoko also couldn't accept his insubordination for the sake of an outsider.

So, the two began to give each other the silent treatment.

Regrettably, or perhaps fortunately,

since both individuals were very rational in nature, whether it was physical training, preparing for the sports festival, working for the Disciplinary Committee, or attending classes, they would still do these activities together.

They were adept at separating personal matters from professional, a trait that made them superior to the average person.

From this perspective, these two were quite a match.

Of course, in terms of a collegial relationship.

This atmosphere lasted for about a day.

Three days before the sports festival was about to begin, Ayakoji Chiyoko called Kagura Hikaru to the Disciplinary Committee.

"You should remember, during the department meeting, Kiryu Hina mentioned that the sports club was discarding old sports equipment and passing on the procurement of new ones to the Sports Committee," Ayakoji Chiyoko said straightforwardly.

"I remember, it was a purchase of a substantial amount," Kagura Hikaru asked, "Is there a problem with that?"

"A big one."

Ayakoji Chiyoko threw a document in front of Kagura Hikaru.

He picked it up and saw it was a financial report of a local company named 'Mari'.

It showed that the company was in a dire financial situation, having incurred losses for three consecutive years, with dismal revenue.

Even after borrowing three hundred million yen from banks for cash flow, there was no sign of improvement.

Given that it was not a publicly-listed company, the financial report should only be circulated within the bank and the company. Ayakoji Chiyoko had procured such information from somewhere...

Kagura Hikaru merely skimmed through this part since the content was very clear; his attention eventually settled on the enterprise's brand logo.

It was a white bird printed on a round green background.

It looked familiar... that's right, it was on the discarded sports equipment!

Previously, when he and Ayakoji Chiyoko went to the school gym, the gear that the Discipline Committee members were moving had this logo on it.

That meant Mari Enterprise was the producer of those sports equipment.

"This enterprise, they've been taking orders at a discounted price recently, madly accepting orders from across the country at sixty percent off," Ayakoji Chiyoko explained.

"Isn't that a good thing? It shows they're trying to recover from their losses."

"Well... you could say that, but by discounting so much, they'll also have to bear higher cost pressures, possibly even owing employees' wages. Can this enterprise really have such high morale?"

Ayakoji Chiyoko was doubtful about something, and he guessed what it was.

An enterprise on the brink of bankruptcy suddenly starts taking orders at a reduced price, and on a large scale at that.

This unusual act could easily lead to speculation of absconding with the money.

If that were the case, Uka High School would also suffer because they had just placed an order with Mari Enterprise for new sports equipment.

Typically, school procurements like these would only go to established companies, with rarely any change.

If something went wrong, it would be a major embarrassment for the Sports Committee.

Thinking of the Sports Committee, Kagura Hikaru remembered something.

"Speaking of which, this Mari Enterprise's name, it coincides with Saijo Mari's, that's quite a coincidence."

"You've got it backward."

"What?"

"It's not 'Mari Enterprise's name coinciding with Saijo Mari', it's 'Saijo Mari's name coinciding with Mari Enterprise'."

"...Sorry, I don't understand the difference between the two."

Kagura Hikaru frowned in confusion.

"Which means," Ayakoji Chiyoko tapped on the table, saying, "Saijo Mari's name comes from the name of this company, because the chairman of Mari Enterprise is her father."

He suddenly realized.

So that's how it is, no wonder.

...No, that can't be right—if that's the case, wouldn't it be very troubling?

["The atmosphere at home has been bad lately." "Father said he wants to take the family on a vacation to America." "Mom and Dad had a fierce argument, and they talked about getting a divorce." "Mom resigned from Dad's company and is looking for a new job."]

The words Saijo Mari had said swept through his mind one after another.

"Tch..."

"What's wrong, did you think of something?"

Seeing he had a lead, Ayakoji Chiyoko immediately pressed for more information.

"Give me some time." Kagura Hikaru put away the financial reports, "I need to leave early this afternoon, cover for me. Also, I'll need to borrow these documents for a while."

"The least you could do is tell me what you're going to do—hey, are you listening!"

Ignoring the shouts of Ayakoji Chiyoko behind him, Kagura Hikaru rushed out the door with the documents.

If this speculation is correct,

Saijo Mari, your family problems are far more complicated than just your parents getting a divorce.

At this rate, even maintaining a normal life could become an issue.

...

Mari Enterprise.

As a sports brand merchant with a small reputation in Tokyo, with more than thirty chain stores across the country, its headquarters was an unremarkable, gray three-story office building.

For some reason, even without entering, he felt a heavy sense of gloom.

Perhaps this was also a result of preconceived notions.

Kagura Hikaru tightened his tie and strode towards the office building.

Now, he looked completely different from the student in school.

In fact, he didn't look like a student at all, but rather, he had the air of a working professional.

His hair was combed neatly, he wore leather shoes, a deep blue suit, a white shirt with a red tie, a watch on his wrist, and carried a document bag in his hand.

Like a corporate white-collar worker straight out of a magazine, tall and slim, incredibly handsome, and turning heads as he walked.

No bystander could ever have guessed that this was a high school student, whose suit and watch were both rented.

Upon entering the office building, he saw the Mari Company logo and knew he was in the right place, heading straight to the reception desk.

The receptionist had been playing with her phone, but she looked up at the sound of footsteps, her eyes lighting up as she quickly straightened her attire and hair and stood up with a smile: "Welcome, how may I help you?"

...You should represent the face of the company, not a hotel hostess.

Kagura Hikaru thought doubtfully upon hearing her.

He responded with a warm smile, further uplifting the receptionist's spirit, then said: "Hello, this is Mari Enterprise, right?"

Find your next read on empire

"Yes!"

"Good. I'm here on behalf of my client to discuss an acquisition. Could you take me to see your leader?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Acquisition?" The receptionist paused, her face slightly stiffening.

Kagura Hikaru noted that, after learning about the matter, she didn't seem pleased but instead had the expression of someone witnessing a person fall into a pit.

[Acquisition? At this time?]

[No, no, can't let the guest feel uncomfortable, must react quickly...]

[You've gained through "Insight into the Heart": Swimming+2]

[Swimming lv5 (Cannot be raised)]

Another skill had reached maximum level.

Well, it's not like he particularly cared about such things.

The receptionist quickly composed herself and actively led the way.

All the way, she chirpily tried to wheedle out Kagura Hikaru's contact information, which was a bit troublesome to manage.

While humoring her, his gaze was constantly taking in the interior of Mari Enterprise.

Hearing is not like seeing.

The real state of this company, he would confirm with his own eyes.