"These virtual idols are really interesting," Aria Shichijō said with a smile. She was also watching the video's from the side.
"In the next five years," Akira replied slowly, "virtual idols will reach their peak. Anyone will be able to become one."
"So you built the platform in advance," Aria Shichijō said thoughtfully, "and established the first generation."
"Controlling the platform is like taking a slice of someone else's cake," Akira said calmly.
"I wanted a slice too," Aria Shichijō replied with a smile, opening an email in the laptop. "But if I joined in directly, there wouldn't be enough cake. So instead, I kept an eye on potential clients for you."
Akira Fujimiya looked at her first observing before looking at the information in the email, not particularly surprised with what he saw.
Several wealthy companies had already started planning virtual idol. They had clearly seen the business potential and the enormous market waiting to be tapped.
"These companies—" Aria Shichijō said in a serious tone, "—can develop their first batch of virtual idols in half a year at most."
"In three months, I can push my first batch to its peak and secure the market," Akira replied while staring at the screen.
"And cooperate with them?" She asked.
"There's no end to making money," Akira said calmly. "If someone wants to eat the whole cake alone, that's pure greed."
"If it were me," Aria Shichijō said thoughtfully, "I would buy them out and make sure I'm first."
"For me, virtual idols are partners—friends I can work with. Agencies can be the same too," Akira replied.
"I always had a feeling you weren't that kind of person," Aria Shichijō said softly.
"Really?" Akira smiled faintly. "Your intuition is very accurate."
Aria Shichijō was slightly stunned.
Akira didn't say anything as he opened Hikigaya Komachi's livestream and watched quietly.
"Are you planning to set traps for them while cooperating?" Aria Shichijō guessed.
"I expect nothing less from Young Lady" Akira praised, without looking at her.
"They shouldn't be that stupid… how could they not see the trap?" She asked, confused.
"They can't see it because they don't realize how serious the problem is," Akira said lightly.
Aria Shichijō fell silent, then her eyes lit up.
"I see… that's the core problem!"
"I hope your conclusion matches mine," Akira said, glancing at her.
"I suppose the virtual idols under your management will undergo strict training first," She said with a smile.
"You guessed right. And after that?" Akira asked with admiration in his tone.
"Once these companies agree to cooperate with you, they'll naturally follow your development direction," She said calmly. "You just need to add one clause to the cooperation agreement. When they inevitably make mistakes, they'll have no choice but to withdraw from the market overseas."
"I won't lie, but I'm a little worried they'll find out," Akira said, frowning.
"This clause exists in many areas of cooperation," Aria Shichijō reassured him, gently placing her hand on the back of his. "You don't need to worry. They will never guess this."
"How do you know such things?" Akira asked, holding her hand.
"The Shichijō family's investments aren't limited to this region, there are also many places overseas that the Shichijō family has invested." Aria Shichijō explained. "I study where others have failed, summarize the lessons, and make sure not to repeat them."
"That's an excellent method," Akira said, calmly, "I've learned something valuable today."
Aria Shichijō smiled warmly, her admiration for him growing.
.....
At noon,
Hanada Yui called.
Several companies had reached out to them, requesting cooperation in virtual idol projects.
"They're all major players," She said seriously. "I think they want to dominate the virtual idol market."
That's why she called to remind him and also ask for Akira's opinion.
Akira wasn't in rushed.
He asked her to agree to preliminary talks and gather more details.
Hanada Yui was a little surprised by Akira's reaction.
"These companies are likely testing my reaction," Akira explained. "If I refused outright, they'd cut investment immediately. They don't want to compete with me head-on."
After Akira's explanation, Hanada finally understood and felt deep admiration for his strategy.
After hanging up, Akira called Yukinoshita Haruno.
She had already received the same information.
"If it were my mother," Haruno said lightly, "she would have the virtual idols of these companies say something they shouldn't, then immediately kick them out of the market."
"But you won't do that," Akira said.
"Of course not," Haruno said calmly. "If someone follows the rules, we can all continue to work together but — If they break the rules, they'll get what they deserve."
Haruno had already arranged meetings with the executives of those companies.
They knew she was the second-largest shareholder of the video website. With her presence, cooperation would go smoothly.
The information provided by Aria Shichijō did not mention any existence beyond the Yukinoshita family.
He too didn't think much of it since the market for the virtual idols is not yet big enough to attract the real powerhouse.
At least, not yet.
.....
Totsuki Academy
A taxi stopped in front of the academy.
A black-haired girl with a ponytail stepped out.
"Miss, you haven't paid yet," the driver called.
"Here you go," she said, handing him a crisp bill. Her pronunciation was slightly stiff, but clear.
The driver took the money and asked if he wanted to wait for her to come out.
The black-haired girl shook her head.
"A student from Totsuki Academy? That's impressive," the driver said before driving away.
The black-haired girl looked at Totsuki Academy in front of her, waiting for someone to pick her up.
Not long after.
A woman in business attire drove up to the black-haired girl.
"Hello, are you Miss Kazami?" asked a woman in professional attire.
"Yes, I'm Kazami Nana." Kazami Nana replied politely.
"Please get in. The Nakiri family has prepared a welcome meal for you," the woman said, opening the door.
"I'm here to find the God Tongue," She said as she sat down.
"Miss Erina Nakiri is traveling at the moment. It's summer vacation," the woman explained cautiously.
"Take me to her," Kazami Nana said firmly. "Ten years ago, I lost to her. Now, I will be the one who win against her."
.....
Ten years ago,
Her grandfather brought her to visit Totsuki Academy, where they meet for the first time.
She had met Erina Nakiri, known as the God Tongue, and directly challenged her.
And she lost—undoubtedly.
It was devastating for the young girl who was praised to be one the best by her respectable grandfather.
After returning home, Kazami Nana trained tirelessly.
She didn't even take the exam to become a top chef.
All her focus was on defeating Erina Nakiri.
In her room, there was a photograph of Erina Nakiri.
She looked at it every day for ten years, waiting for the day she could defeat her.
"After I defeat her, I'll take the exam to become a Master chef," she thought, staring out the window. "Then I'll strive to become a Grandmaster chef and truly understand the 'Mind' that I've mastered."
Originally, she had thought the 'Mind' was an awakened superpower.
In reality, it was simply the ability to perfectly remember and replicate other people's cooking.
She called it perfect memory or Mind.
{T/N: Novice chef < Junior Chef < Special-grade chef < Master Chef < Grandmaster Chef }
.....
When the call came from Totsuki Academy—her Grandfather, Erina Nakiri was slightly confused.
Because there are too many people who want to challenge the Tongue of God.
In addition, when she met her, they were both still too young.
She didn't even remember her opponent's name!
But after hearing her grandfather's description and words, Erina's expression changed.
So she was actually the granddaughter of a Master chef? And also someone who could become a top chef at any moment?
But—
In order to challenge her, the other party didn't even have time to take the exam to become a top chef?
A challenger who had trained for ten years.
Someone who had abandoned professional certification just to face her again.
Among the Ten Council members of Totsuki, only Eishi Tsukasa might pass the top chef examination.
No one else could!
This challenger was different.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,417