Chapter 96. Godfather!!!
"Thank you."
After completing the formalities for a one-year leave of absence, Xander thanked his kindly homeroom teacher.
"I didn't do anything at all.
Getting early admission to St. Freya Academy also comes from your own hard work.
Keep it up, and I wish you success in the future."
Pushing up his thick glasses, the amiable middle-aged teacher smiled at his student.
"Mm, then I'll take my leave."
Leaving the office and seeing that it was still early, Xander stood at the school gate, leaned against the wall, and quietly waited for dismissal.
After finalizing Pokémon as the escort IP for the AR glasses, Anti-Entropy Headquarters began arranging the production team.
The small group at Gensokyo Company was merely a drop in the bucket; the bulk of the work would still rely on Anti-Entropy Entertainment's seasoned team.
As for who would be assigned, a project this outstanding was, of course, being fought over.
The open and covert strife among factions was something Xander couldn't be bothered with.
Naturally counted as one of Cocolia's people, he helped her obtain plenty of benefits.
Taking advantage of this period of give-and-take, Xander and the others returned to the Far East to pack up and handle school matters.
It didn't take long.
With the ringing of the dismissal bell, the whole school instantly grew noisy.
He let out a breath, put on a practiced smile, greeted a bunch of girls he wasn't very familiar with, and—after turning down several invitations—finally spotted those three "dog sons" with their arms around each other's shoulders.
"You finally came back, you punk."
Seeing him, the three—Kitahara and the others—came running over excitedly, each thumping his shoulder once.
"Where'd you run off to?
Why're you back so late?"
The four fell into step side by side like always, and Kitahara slung an arm around his neck, asking with a grin.
"Had some business and made a trip to North America.
But you lot…"
He suddenly made his move, pinning Kitahara and Ken Sugisaki one in each hand, and sneered.
"Putting on such enthusiasm—did you really think I'd forget you bagging me at the festival?"
Their smiles froze at once.
Kitahara let out an awkward "heh-heh" and played dumb.
"What bag?
My memory's bad—I forgot long ago."
Seeing plainly that Xander wasn't buying it, Ken Sugisaki chose "better them than me," shouted on the spot, and pointed at Kitahara.
"It was all Iori who forced us!!"
Then, with Kitahara still dumbfounded, Ken turned to the "Grandpa Kirito" next to him.
"Kazuto, Iori was the ringleader back then, right!!"
"Grandpa Kirito" hesitated for a beat, but after locking eyes with Xander's unfriendly stare, he bobbed his head like a pecking chick.
"Right, all Iori's doing!"
"You guys!!!!"
Suddenly backstabbed, Kitahara stared in disbelief, finger trembling as he pointed at his two accomplices.
He had just opened his mouth when a cold voice sounded.
"Any last words?"
"I'm innocent—ow—ow—ow—ow!!!!
Ah, you jerk, I'll fight yo—…
Aaahhh—ow—ow—ow—
Brother, bro, I was wrong!
I was wrong!!!"
After loosening up his joints a little, Xander rolled his neck in comfort.
Beside him, Kitahara clutched his waist, hissing in pain.
"Enough, cut it out.
I barely used any strength."
He shot Kitahara a glance, letting this clown settle down first, then said, "I just completed a one-year leave of absence."
At that, the cheerful "Grandpa Kirito" and Ken Sugisaki—along with a still-muttering Kitahara—all widened their eyes in shock.
"Got caught committing a crime?"
"Where are you being held?"
"Need us to bring you meals?"
"..."
All right, all right.
The hint of sadness he'd had instantly turned into a belly full of anger.
He clenched his fists and drew a deep breath, suppressing the urge to beat the three "dog sons" to death.
"No!!
You three mutts can't wish me anything good?"
"Isn't having three super-cute girls with you good enough?"
"You shut up!"
"'Kay."
He shot Kitahara a glare, and the latter obediently covered his own mouth.
After another long exhale, Xander explained calmly, "I went to North America to handle game matters and reached a collaboration with Anti-Entropy Entertainment, so I need to take a leave to work over there.
Got it?"
"Then what about university?" "Grandpa Kirito" asked, concerned.
"It's fine.
I've already been offered early admission by St. Freya Academy."
"…In human terms?"
Everyone else is still grinding for the independent exams, and you just got in without a peep?
And to a top-tier school like St. Freya—one of the best in the world?
Watching the three suddenly unite against a common enemy, Xander arched a brow, then—as if casually—took several envelopes from his tote, pinched them in his hand, and gave them a little flick.
After he had all three fully hooked, he looked up at the sky and said offhand, "As one of St. Freya's sponsors, Anti-Entropy gets a few slots every year.
You just need to intern for half a year at a company under Anti-Entropy, and after passing the assessment you can be directly recommended to enroll at St. Freya Academy.
You do need to work at Anti-Entropy for at least five years after graduation, but I don't think anyone would pass up that kind of chance—am I right?"
He turned his gaze to the three "dog sons," fanned himself with the envelopes, then raised his hand, lowered his eyes to pick at his fingernail, and blew on it lightly.
Noticing their breathing grow heavier, Xander's lips curved into a smile.
He stopped stringing them along, tapped the three documents against his hand, and said, "And as it happens, I have three slots right here~"
"Godfather!!!!"
"Ken has drifted half his life, regretting only not yet meeting a wise lord.
If Xander does not spurn me, Ken is willing to acknowledge you as his godfather!"
The two instantly clung to his thigh without the slightest bottom line, and though "Grandpa Kirito" was a bit thin-skinned, he was also staring hotly at the documents in Xander's hand.
"Scram, scram, scram!
I don't have sons as ugly as you!"
He shoved the three envelopes into "Grandpa Kirito's" hands.
Kitahara and Ken lunged like starving tigers, scaring him into hurriedly handing them one each.
Seeing them treat them like treasures, Xander laughed.
The three brothers were all quite capable, and their character was excellent.
Once they graduated, he could bring them straight into Gensokyo Company to work under him hard as Pals!
No—actually, he didn't need to wait for graduation; he could pull them over as interns, and he'd feel secure using them.
Little did they know their future fates had already been set.
Amid their continuous thanks, Xander parted from them with a smile.
Back home, Seele and Bronya had already packed up bag after bag.
Kiana, Sirin, and Mei had also come over.
They would gather one last time that night for a farewell dinner.
As for Eromanga Sensei, since she probably wouldn't have time to make a new galgame this year, he introduced her to that animation studio under Kaguya's banner.
The post-Pokémon animation would also be produced there, and working as an external illustrator would be enough to keep her busy for a year or two.
After eating together, early the next morning, they once again boarded a ship bound for North America.
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