After catching Hatenna, the team bid farewell to the Hatterene clan and immediately chose to leave—the Hatterene species preferred peace and quiet, and Hayashi's group knew they were too rowdy. It was better not to disturb their tranquility.
Just as the group hadn't decided on their next destination, a phone call summoned them to Wyndon.
...
...
Wyndon, Airport.
"Hello, hello—" Chairman Rose, dressed in a gray suit with a small mustache and a rebellious fringe, greeted them enthusiastically from afar, already extending his hand. "I've heard so much about all of you—"
Hisako glanced at the dazed Hayashi, then facepalmed before nudging him from behind. "Mr. Hayashi, go on—"
Are you stupid? Clearly, you're the leader of this team! What are you spacing out for?
"?"
Hayashi took a couple of bewildered steps forward and then, in a daze, shook hands with Chairman Rose. The scene looked like a long-lost family reunion.
"Uh, h-hello—" Hayashi said, looking at Chairman Rose with uncertainty. "Um, Chairman Rose, was there something you wanted to discuss with us?"
Hisako covered her face beside him: 'Mr. Hayashi, you're too green! Now we're at their mercy!'
Seeing Hayashi's reaction, Rose immediately recognized him as a complete novice. If he wanted to trap him, a few well-placed words would be enough. But...
He glanced at Hisako, who was glaring daggers at him, and smiled warmly. "After all, you are the assistant researchers Professor Oak specially dispatched for ecological surveys. As your host, it's only right that I extend some hospitality!"
"Oh—"
Hayashi's face lit up with understanding. Ah, he knew this! It's just a dinner invitation, right?
Just as he was about to speak, he felt Sabrina's psychic powers restraining him. Then, he watched as Hisako stepped forward gracefully from behind him, wearing a polite smile.
"Chairman Rose, it's a pleasure to meet you," Hisako extended her right hand confidently. "My name is Hisako Arato, personal secretary to Young Master Hayashi and Erina. I will be handling all negotiations with you from now on—"
"..."
Rose glanced at Hayashi, whose expression was still frozen in shock, then focused on Hisako. His smile remained as warm as ever. "Miss Hisako, the pleasure is mine."
'Finally, finally someone called me Hisako—'
Hisako choked up emotionally inside.
'Finally, my name isn't just "secretary" anymore—!'
...
...
It must be said—Hisako, who had long been tempered by working under Erina, was worlds apart from someone like Hayashi, who couldn't scheme even if he split into eight hundred clones.
After leaving the restaurant, Hayashi crossed his arms and sighed in admiration. "Hisako is amazing!"
Erina glanced at her boyfriend and said helplessly, "Did you only realize that today?"
Hayashi chuckled. "I always knew she was amazing, but this is the first time I've seen just how amazing she is firsthand."
No exaggeration—Hayashi hadn't understood a single thing Hisako, Erina, and Chairman Rose had discussed at the table. It felt like he was the only fool there… well, aside from Sabrina.
Lol, two idiots at the table.
Hearing Hayashi praise her best friend, Erina couldn't help but smile proudly. "Hisako is incredible!"
Hayashi nodded with a grin, then muttered thoughtfully, "Hmm, maybe I should learn a thing or two about this stuff? It feels kinda bad not being able to join in."
Erina gently took his hand and whispered, "I'll have Grandfather arrange a tutor for you when we get back."
"Thank you." Hayashi sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration. "I just don't know how much I'll be able to learn—I'm not even sure if I have any talent for this sort of thing."
"Don't worry, Master Hayashi! You only need to grasp the basics of this—" Hisako reassured him with a gentle smile. "Have you heard the saying? An emperor doesn't need to be all-powerful; he just needs to place the right people in the right positions to govern the world!"
So Hayashi didn't need to become a master of imperial stratagems. He only needed to learn enough to understand "what was being discussed" and "what the implications were"—the rest could be left to "strategists" like Hisako.
Hearing her words, Hayashi felt a slight weight lift from his shoulders.
With a wry smile, he massaged his shoulders and said, "Feels like the burden just got a lot lighter."
Hayashi was never the type skilled in scheming, and his playful personality made it even harder for him to hide his thoughts—honestly, he was the kind of person who couldn't hold back laughter the moment someone fell for his pranks. How could someone like him ever plot against others?
So when he realized he might have to study "imperial stratagems," he couldn't help but feel stifled! Fortunately, Erina and Hisako's words gave him some relief.
...
...
"Actually, Chairman Rose didn't have anything particularly major to discuss with us." Hisako adjusted the non-prescription glasses on her nose, trying her best to exude a "professional secretary" vibe. "The main reason he invited us was to probe—"
Hayashi gave her a strange look, taking in her full office-lady outfit, complete with sheer black stockings and high heels, then leaned over to whisper in Erina's ear, "What got into Hisako? Why the sudden wardrobe change?"
Business attire, black stockings, high heels, and glasses—Hisako now looked every bit the "secretary."
Erina stifled a laugh. "Remember that female secretary who was with Chairman Rose during dinner?"
"Ah—" Hayashi showed a look of realization and said, "You mean Oleana?"
Erina glanced at him and then remarked sourly, "You even remember her name!"
Even Erina had to admit that although that female secretary named Oleana had a somewhat precarious hairline, her attractive figure and those alluring long legs probably hit her boyfriend's sweet spot.
Damn leg fetishist! Is showing off legs the key to popularity? Did a pair of long legs in black stockings just steal your soul?
Ugh!
"Well, she is kind of an important character," Hayashi said, resting his chin on his hand, completely oblivious to Erina's jealousy. "But how did Oleana provoke Hisako?"
'So he only remembers her because she has a lot of screen time?' Erina felt relieved and said softly, "After we got back, Hisako told me that Oleana's mature demeanor overwhelmed her in terms of presence. As a fellow secretary, she felt really frustrated."
Huh? Presence?
Hayashi made a confused Enderman face and couldn't help but say, "How old is Oleana, and how old is Hisako? Why even compare?"
Hisako is a teenage girl—why is she comparing herself to a woman in her twenties or even thirties in terms of maturity? Isn't that just looking for trouble?
Erina gave Hayashi a helpless look and said, "It's about a woman's pride!"
Huh?
...
...
According to Hisako's summary, Chairman Rose's goal was to probe whether Hayashi and the others had any ulterior motives for coming to the Galar region—after all, Professor Oak's sudden "ecological survey" application was way too abrupt. With no prior signs, it was only natural to suspect there might be hidden reasons.
'Hmph, that flashy man must be worried we'll interfere with or uncover his plan to capture that centipede—' Hayashi curled his lips and muttered, "Who even cares about some lousy centipede?"
On paper, Eternatus's base stats are insane, reaching a whopping 1125 after Eternamaxing. But anyone who's played the games knows one thing: type advantage trumps all, and special attack reigns supreme. Eternatus's explosive stats just happened to run into Zacian and Zamazenta—not only do they specialize in special attacks, but they also have type advantage, reducing Eternatus to a mere centipede.
Erina's ears twitched, and she looked at Hayashi strangely. "What did you just say?"
Hayashi blinked and said, "I was thinking about what to eat tonight."
In life, everyone faces three profound philosophical questions every day: what to eat for breakfast, what to eat for lunch, and what to eat for dinner—though for some with bigger appetites, there's also afternoon tea and midnight snacks.
"You just finished lunch, and you're already thinking about dinner?"
"What can I say? My girlfriend's cooking is so good, she's already molded me (my stomach) into her shape."
"Speak properly! No weird phrasing!"
"Got it! I'll always love Erina Nakiriiii—"
"Keep it down!!"
"No!! I! Will! Always! Love—mmph—"
Erina, her face bright red, covered Hayashi's mouth, flustered and embarrassed. "Just shut up already!!"
Why does this guy have to be so shameless?!
"Mmmph—"
Beside them, Hisako was moved to tears. She sniffled and said excitedly, "As expected of Master Hayashi! You easily accomplished what we couldn't!"
To so effortlessly pluck at Erina's heartstrings—truly amazing!
"And Hisako! Don't you go along with his nonsense!"
"Yes, Erina!"
"Don't just agree verbally—take it to heart!"
"Yes, Erina!"
"You'll take it to heart, right?"
"..."
"You will, right?"
"..."
"Say something!!"
"I'm sorry, Erina."
"Gaaaaah—"
Today's result: Erina's defeat.
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