Soon after that, Family car arrived with my luggage, so I took it to my room. After leaving my things there, I went down and sat in the living room.
-"What do you plan to do today, Yue?"
~"I have no concrete plans. Most likely, I'll look around to familiarize myself with the school."
-"Then how about we show you around?"
~"Sure."
-"Let's go then!"
Rindō jumped from the sofa and went toward the entrance. Momo and I followed after her.
-"Tell us something about yourself, Junior."
~First was a test, and now it's an interview? Well, what do you want to know?"
-"Your hobby?"
~"Music."
-"Favourite color?"
~"Purple."
-"Birthday?"
~"September 17th"
-"Preferred food?"
~"Anything made for me by friends or family."
-"Then how about..."
Rindō and Momo showed me around important places in the school while I continued to answer their questions. It took us over three hours to visit all of the main school grounds, during which I got to know my two dorm mates.
After we returned to the dorm, Rindō and Momo had to go to do their work as Elite Tens, so I was left alone in the dorm. Taking out a laptop from my bags, I started a video call with Yukong.
-"How is it?"
~"I was accepted and already moved into a dorm."
-"Knowing your luck, there are probably some beautiful dormmates there."
~"There are."
-"Just remember that you are technically a minor."
~"That didn't stop you."
-"Not that you were against it."
~"True. So how did the meeting go?"
-"Ugh, I hate those third-generation rich children who try to woo me, dear Aeon. I can't stand them."
~"Just use my name to scare them off."
-"While it would indeed scare their grandparents, those young masters are ignorant of your existence. Though you seem oddly popular among the ladies."
~"Just ask Ji Xuanyuan to help you."
-"She has her own problems. You wouldn't believe how many people try to help her break the engagement to pursue her 'free love'. Are those people some kind of characters from novels?"
~"When you are shielded from any hardships for your whole childhood, you start to think that the world revolves around you."
-"Let's not waste more time on them. There will be a meeting you need to attend in about three weeks."
~"Sure, send me the info. I'll get a leave of absence from the Old Man."
-"I won't bore you with the detailed data on the profits and expenses, but I will send you documents later. Did you finally get a secretary?"
~"No, but I'll ask Rin to work with me later."
-"Then I'll wait for her message."-Suddenly, I heard the knock on the door of Yukong's office.-"Sigh."
~"Be sure to call me if you have some free time."
-"Sure."
Ending the call, I left the laptop on the table and spent the rest of the day leisurely.
The next morning, I was standing on the backstage of the entrance ceremony venue. Old Man Nakiri was also here, and we talked to pass the time.
-"Prepared the speech?'
~"I'll ad-lib something."
-"You..."
~"Sadly, I can't just repeat a speech from last year like someone."
-"This is a privilege of age and experience."
After giving the Old Man a strange look, I looked at the stage that was visible from here.
~"You or me first?"
-"The main actor is always last."-Said Old Man before passing me and walking on the stage.
Shaking my head, I listened to the well-rehearsed speech and waited for my turn. When I was called, I entered the stage and stopped before the microphone.
My appearance caused a small commotion in the crowd, but I ignored that and started speaking.
~"Greetings. As you are aware, I'm the transfer student that will join you from today. To not bore you here like some other persons, I'll just share my conviction with you. No matter what happens, let's make sure we won't regret where we ended. And to those who will climb to the top, I'll see you on the way to the summit."
After finishing my words, I walked back backstage, disappearing before everyone could recover in the audience.
-"You had some nice words there."
~"Thank you. I learned from the mistakes of those with age and experience."
After some more words, I left the Old Man and moved to where my first class was to take place. I arrived just as the bell announcing the beginning of the lesson rang. Inside the classroom, most of the workstations were already taken, but I quickly noticed an empty spot next to familiar pink hair.
~"May I join you?"
-"Of course, I kept this place for you."
~"Then excuse me."
Soon, a teacher entered the classroom and announced the contents of today's lesson, cooking the prawn chowder in pairs. After reading the recipe and watching my hands, I looked at Sakura. She nodded, and we started to cook.
There was no need for words between us two. She and I cooperated countless times in the kitchen. One could say that we had more experience in cooking as a team than fighting. After dealing with this assessment perfectly and receiving an A, we left to where she had agreed to eat breakfast with her dormmates.
-"Lord."
~"You should call me Yue here, Sakura. What do you want to ask?"
-"What do we have to achieve for this world to fall into your hands?"
~"While this might sound vague, we need to claim Opportunities of the Protagonist. What are those Opportunities? I'm not sure. I decided not to use Divination until it's necessary. I know that Soma is the Protagonist, so I plan to see what he will face."
-"Will you assist him or take what was to be his directly?"
~"For now, I just plan to act from behind the scenes. During those years, I already gained some of this world's Luck, nearly not enough, but it shows that I'm on the correct path."
-"I see."
~"Don't think about that now. To us, this is a well-deserved vacation, so just have fun."
-"Yes."
We were the first to arrive at the meeting place, so Sakura took out the bentos she had prepared, one for herself and one for me, and we waited for the others. Ten minutes later, five girls and four boys walked and joined our table.
-"Sakura, Master Yue."
~"Rin, Tomoe."
-"Yue, I see you already received Sakura's bento."
~"I did."
-"Sakura, do you know where the senior Isshiki is?"
-"He was still cooking while we left. He should be coming here soon."
~"Mind making the introductions?"
-"Right, this is Yue, the person who took care of us and the orphanage we came from. Yue, those are Shōji Satō, Zenji Marui, Shun Ibusaki, Daigo Aoki, Ryōko Sakaki, Yūki Yoshino, and Megumi Tadokoro, our dormmates in Polar Star Dormitory."
~"Greetings, Juniors."
-"Hello, Senior! I heard your speech. Were you nervous going before everyone?"-Yūki asked enthusiastically.
~"It wasn't so bad. I already got used to being watched."
-"Man. Give me advice on how I can be more handsome."-Daigo looked at me with jealous eyes.
~"God created me like that. I have no advice for you."
We exchanged some words, but most of them were rather reserved. As we were talking the last member of their drom joined us.
-"Nice to meet you, Yue."
~"Pleasure is mine. You must be Isshiki."
-"Yes, I'm. Sakura and Rin often spoke about you, and seeing you now, I can understand their passion."
~"I'm honored to receive their favor."
-"I'm glad your youth blooms, but you better not harm them."
~"Don't worry, I'll never bring harm to my family."
Despite his goofy appearance, I could see the seriousness in his eyes when speaking about his dormmates. As we got to talk, he soon dropped his guard against me and became truly friendly. My next class was together with Isshiki and Sakura, so we went there together.
After the school day ended, I returned to my dorm, where Rindō and Momo were resting.
-"Yue! We left some dinner for you."-Rindō greeted me.
~"Thanks. Later, one person will come here. Please let her in."
-"Who? Your girlfriend?"
~"Secretary."
-"Secretary?"
-"Like Erinacchi's Hisako?"-Momo tilted her head.
~"I don't know who you are referring to, but Rin will assist me with some of my businesses outside while I'm busy."
-"I see. Sure, I'll let her in later."
~"Thanks."
-"Yue, do you need some special ingredients? We are contracting suppliers of this dorm, so we can add some things for you."
~"Hmm, nothing comes to my mind."
-"OK. If you remember something, be sure to tell me."
~"Sure."
Days continued to pass in relative peace. I got to know my classmates, passed every assessment, and step by step, my reputation started to build. Before I could notice it, the time of the meeting mentioned by Yukong arrived.
I already got permission from the Old Man, so rather than prepare for lessons, I was wearing traditional hanfu rather than a suit and changed my hairstyle to fit my clothes more. I already got info that the driver was coming, so I was waiting for the car to arrive.
-"My! Yue, what's the occasion?"
~"I have to take part in a boring meeting between rich people."
-"Good luck! Oh, will you return today?"
~"Yes, but late at night, so don't wait for me."
-"I see. Remember that after the next week's holiday, the Training Camp will take place."
~"I know."
-"On the subject, are you free during the holiday?
~"I planned to visit some friends."
-"Then how about going together?"
~"Sure, what about you, Momo?"
-"Can Bucchi go to?"
~"Sure, I believe that children will love him."
We talked until I heard the car arriving outside.
After a quiet ride, I arrived at an upscale resort just outside Tokyo, where I instantly noticed members of the Family waiting for me. Displaying some of the aura that I gained as emperor, I exited the car and instantly became the center of attention.
-"Young master."-Bowed noname guard.
~"Is Grandfather inside?"
-"Yes, the Family Head is expecting you."
~"Lead the way."
Ignoring the murmurs around, I soon arrived in the main room. There were many people present here, but all of them were cowed by three old people sitting by the table in the center.
-"Yue."
~"Grandfather."
-"Hou? To think that you can talk to us so easily, you have a nice grandson."-Spoke a man of European descent.
-"You think I'll allow my own great-granddaughter to mix with someone unworthy, Rothschild?"-Spoke a woman who was the Head of the family whose branch Ji Xuanyuan was born to.-"Our Chinese clothes suit you well, young man."
~"Thank you for your prise great-grandmother-in-law."
-"As if that girl would listen to you, Old Zhao. Yue, I heard you entered Tōtsuki."
~"Yes."
-"Why?"
~"To learn cooking."
-"I know that. I'm asking why didn't you choose a different place?"
~"I can learn all the knowledge that universities offer in the Family, so why waste time there? I already got a diploma."
-"I see. Do what you want. Those Nakiri, while not influential, can indeed open some doors when needed."
-"Come sit with us. I don't want more bees to fly around you without my dear great-granddaughter present."
And so I become the fourth player in the game, known as the dialog between old friends. While praying to Loki in my mind, I counted the seconds until the end of this meeting.
It was well after midnight when I returned to the dormitory. The sky was already slowly brightening, so rather than sleep, I decided to relax in the garden. Taking out a gift I received from my great-grandmother-in-law, an old guzheng that passed the hands of some old poets from the Warring States period of China, modified to include the modern amount of strings, I sat down on the porch with some sake and started to play.
Entering the meditation, I totally isolated myself from the outside. Not having to divide my attention between countless puppets while monitoring the whole world at the same time can sometimes be therapeutic.
I returned to reality only after the sake ended when the sun was already in the sky.
-"Drinking in the morning? Can you even drink?"
~"As long as no one tells on me."
-"Your secret is safe with me."
~"Thanks Rindō."
-"I didn't know you could play... What is that?"
~"Guzheng."
-"Can you play other instruments?"
~"I should be able, but aside from some piano, I never learned how to play other instruments."
-"Nice!"
I looked to the side, where Momo was sleeping on the chair, hugging her Bucchi.
~"What hour is it?"
-"Almost eight."
~"Then I'll have to hurry for the class."
-"You going like that?"-She looked at me, still dressed in hanfu.
~"Of course not. I'll go get a shower. Can you do breakfast in my sted today?"
-"Sure, but you owe me one."
After washing and changing clothes, I joined Rindō and Momo for breakfast, after which I went to class. It would be another normal day if not for the holiday that starts the next day. After the plans of the three girls to visit the orphanage became known to their dormmates, they also decided to join our trip.
Thanks to the holiday atmosphere, the day passed quickly, and just as I was about to go back, a teacher told me that Old Man Nakiri wanted to see me. After entering his office, I was surprised to see him and some other Teachers present there.
-"Yue! What did you do?"
~"What do you mean?"
-"Just today, Tōtsuki Group received over a hundred offers of investment and thousands of orders for catering, mostly from China."
~"Sigh."
-"Does this have something to do with your absence yesterday?"
~"It does. I met with some people who were unaware of me joining the Tōtsuki. As most of them are old and traditional, they have cooks that inherit their positions generation after generation, but after tasting some modern dishes that I prepared due to their interest..."
-"You just tapped into a market of extremely wealthy old nobles, huh?"
~"Will you be able to deal with them."
-"Don't worry about me, I informed Sōe about it, and he will deal with them. Thank you."
~"Don't mention it, Old Man. Though you can send me some of your treasured sake."
-"You've got a taste. Sure, just don't drink in the open."
~"Then I'll excuse myself."
-"Have fun during the Training Camp later."
Leaving the office, I returned to the dorm, which was empty as the Elite Ten had a meeting scheduled for the day. Having nothing to do, I decided to prepare dinner and take an early rest today.
The next morning, I woke up early and prepared for our today's trip. Rindō and Momo were also getting ready, so I waited for them before the three of us went toward the entrance to the Tōtsuki, where members of Polar Star Dorm were waiting for us. Together, we went to the city, our first destination: the orphanage.