Although Miharu Taki Sakura only asked for a glass of juice, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka poured orange juice into a cocktail shaker, then added liquid ingredients like honey and apricot juice.
Seeing Miharu Taki Sakura's curiosity, Ayanokoji explained, "Plain juice is a bit too simple. I thought about it, and I'll mix you a non-alcoholic cocktail."
Oh, I see...
Miharu Taki Sakura patiently waited.
She originally wanted to take a sip of juice and then have Ayanokoji call Mibuomi Aoi in, but Ayanokoji, out of kindness, started mixing her a cocktail.
While she was happy with Ayanokoji's thoughtfulness, she was also a bit worried that Mibuomi Aoi waiting too long outside might become displeased and cause trouble for Ayanokoji later.
But what she didn't know was that Ayanokoji was doing this on purpose.
Mibuomi Aoi came to him on his own initiative. If he didn't show displeasure and intentionally make him wait for a while, how could he elevate his position?
Ayanokoji's action wasn't out of pique, but to use this small tactic to gain the upper hand in the conversation.
Ayanokoji deliberately shook the drink for two extra minutes before pouring the juice into a chilled highball glass and pushing it in front of her.
"Senior Miharu Taki, please have a taste." Ayanokoji smiled happily, looking at her with anticipation.
...
Mibuomi Aoi had been waiting at the room's entrance for about ten minutes.
His dyed red hair was very conspicuous, and many people noticed him standing at the entrance of this casino.
Mibuomi Aoi, a third-year student, Student Council Accountant.
The Renshochen family is a thousand-year-old prestigious family in Japan, with deep influence in both political and business circles. From a young age, he accompanied his parents to various high-society gatherings. As a descendant of a prominent family, he is a dazzling future star.
Upon entering his first year of high school, he joined the Student Council and has been active ever since. It is said that when the current Student Council President Kirari Momobami competed for the position of president, he actively helped and made significant contributions.
Although he comes from a prominent family, he treats everyone equally, with kindness and courtesy, even livestock. He enjoys a very high reputation in the school.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wanted to make him wait at the door to give him a bit of a warning, but he didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled and greeted the people around him who recognized him.
It was as if he wasn't afraid of people knowing he was left waiting at the door. On the contrary, he seemed to be deliberately promoting something, even kindly explaining the rules of the ranking matches and the benefits of getting a card to several hesitant students.
He even knew more than Hanatemari Kazura, like an extremely capable salesperson. In a short while, he persuaded more than a dozen hesitant people to get cards.
Many passersby began to speculate: What was Mibuomi Aoi's connection to this casino?
Kurume Laiwei had noticed him long ago. She quietly walked over to Meari, poked her shoulder, and whispered, "Hey, Meari, do you know why Mibuomi Aoi is here? He seems to be actively promoting our casino?"
Meari glanced at him and pouted, "Who knows? But he definitely has ill intentions, probably wants a piece of the pie."
Meari didn't have a good impression of him.
Meari and the others also knew that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was meeting with Mibuomi Aoi today, so they all came to the Chemistry Preparation Room, leaving the Cooking Room for Ayanokoji to talk.
"Forget it, don't worry about it so much. Let's finish what we have on hand first. Ayanokoji will handle Mibuomi Aoi."
Meari had always been very confident in Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. She believed that Mibuomi Aoi wouldn't be able to gain an advantage over Ayanokoji.
Hearing Meari say that, Kurume also ignored Mibuomi Aoi and went about her own business.
Five more minutes passed, and the Cooking Room door finally opened.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka calmly walked out of the Cooking Room and was momentarily stunned when he saw Mibuomi Aoi surrounded by people.
What's going on? He expected to see him looking furious. Even if he had some composure and hid his impatience, at most he would be expressionless. He couldn't possibly be greeting people so gracefully like this, could he?
It was as if he was deliberately showing his connection with this casino...
"Ayanokoji, you're finally out." Mibuomi Aoi's eyes lit up when he saw Ayanokoji. He quickly said a few words to the people around him and immediately came to his side.
"Mm." Ayanokoji nodded casually, "Come in with me."
"Everyone, I have something else to do, so I won't chat much longer. If you're interested in Landlord, remember to get a card here." Mibuomi Aoi smiled at them, turned, and followed Ayanokoji into the Cooking Room.
Inside the Cooking Room, Miharu Taki Sakura was very relaxed, leaning on the bar, with an unshakeable smile on her face.
The cocktail in her hand was the same as the one Ayanokoji had given her before, which could relieve her tension and help her relax.
Mibuomi Aoi was also surprised when he saw Miharu Taki Sakura. She seemed very relaxed here, even though she had been cold to him yesterday.
"...Aoi, you're here." Miharu Taki Sakura sat up straight, her smile gone, replaced by a calm expression.
"Alright, what do you want from me?" Ayanokoji walked back to the bar.
Mibuomi Aoi didn't overthink it. He followed Ayanokoji to the bar and sat on a bar stool.
"Ayanokoji, I came here to apologize and to offer my blessings for the official opening of your casino." Mibuomi Aoi said sincerely.
"Oh? What are you apologizing for?"
"I won one million yen from Meari. It was inappropriate for me to bully someone smaller than me." Mibuomi Aoi sighed.
"Is that all?" Ayanokoji sneered.
"Most students at Hyakkaou Private Academy are rich or influential. Those who received invitations to the pairing party are even more so. They don't care about winning or losing a single gamble; gambling is just a seasoning.
At that time, there were about twenty tables, and only a few people came for money.
However, Meari and her friends happened to run into Senior Inui Chitose, who conspired with us and wanted to make a fortune from gambling. Can you deny that you secretly conspired with Senior Juraku?"
In Mibuomi Aoi's view, Ayanokoji was already displeased with him, and this level of hostility was within his expectations.
"I'm sorry, I was also unaware of this matter. I truly only wanted Meari to earn money, which is why I gave her an invitation." Mibuomi Aoi looked remorseful but did not admit to having done such a thing.
"I know what I did made you angry, and I am very sorry for it. I hope this card can serve as an apology."
Mibuomi Aoi said, taking out a bank card, placing it on the table, and pushing it towards Ayanokoji, adding, "There's ten million yen in here."
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