"What request? Please speak."
"Actually, sponsoring you this time is mainly because I want to take my friends along to Antarctica to have some fun."
"No way!" Gin Toudou rejected Jhin's request without a second thought. Antarctic scientific expeditions were no joke; the slightest carelessness could lead to disappearing into the deadly white snow of Antarctica, just like her best friend Takako Kobuchizawa.
Whether considering the personal safety of Jhin and his group or the reputation of the expedition team, Gin Toudou could not accept it.
"Mr. Jhin, if this is your condition for sponsorship, please forgive me for being unable to accept it. Life is not something to be trifled with!"
Rejected by her, Jhin didn't show the slightest hint of anger. Instead, he applauded her approvingly. "Well said, Ms. Toudou. It is precisely because I considered the safety aspect that I invited this Ms. Ozawa here. She is also very familiar with Antarctic scientific expeditions and can be called an expert. She will also be responsible for educating my friends."
"In addition, our company has some technologies that need to be tested in Antarctica, so regarding safety, you can rest assured."
"I'm sorry, I cannot understand what you mean, nor can I just believe your rhetoric like this."
"Of course. Ms. Ozawa, could I trouble you to chat with Ms. Toudou? I believe your professional knowledge will surely convince her to agree, right?"
Takako Kobuchizawa suppressed the urge to reunite with her best friend in her heart and answered with high spirits, "Leave it to me, Mr. Jhin. I will definitely persuade Ms. Toudou!"
Gin Toudou didn't understand why this strange woman before her gave her a familiar feeling. She was certain she hadn't met the other party, nor had there been any interaction between them. It was fitting, as she also wanted to see how much real skill this person Jhin called an expert actually possessed.
"Ms. Ozawa, please follow me this way."
"Okay."
Before leaving, Gin Toudou gave Kanae Maekawa a look. The latter immediately understood. She brushed back her wavy brown hair and began to discuss other matters with Jhin. If they could secure the sponsorship while refusing the additional personnel, that would naturally be best. If Jhin withdrew the sponsorship, the Antarctic expedition wouldn't be affected too much. After all, this expedition was organized spontaneously by the original team members of the first expedition.
Without Jhin's sponsorship, the conditions would just be a bit tougher in various aspects, which was within their acceptable range.
"Mr. Jhin, may I ask how many friends you want to join the Antarctic expedition this time?"
"Counting me, a total of nineteen people."
"Nine... Nineteen people?! Even... even you are going too?" Kanae Maekawa clutched her forehead in a headache. If the number were within three people, it might be negotiable, but this was a solid nineteen people. No matter how one thought about it, Gin Toudou wouldn't agree to let so many inexperienced people join.
Wait, if counting that Ms. Ozawa whose level was still unclear, wouldn't that be a full twenty people?
Kanae Maekawa felt like someone was drilling into her temples with an electric drill. Now, the originally quite well-funded expedition trip looked like it was going to turn into a tight-budget journey.
A commotion came from outside the izakaya. Someone was shouting Gin Toudou's name, hoping she would come out. Seeing that her friend was currently occupied, Kanae Maekawa asked Yumiko Samejima to go out and take a look.
"It seems that such a large number makes things very difficult for you." Jhin took the cola brought by the waiter and took a sip. No worry could be seen on his face, as if he was certain his request would be agreed to. Kazami Kazuki didn't order a drink; she directly grabbed the cup from his hand and drank from it.
"Ahaha..." Kanae Maekawa gave a dry laugh. "Our expedition base isn't in a safe range suitable for tourism. You want to add nineteen inexperienced personnel all at once... out of safety considerations, we definitely cannot agree to your request so lightly."
"I agree."
"Huh?!"
Gin Toudou finished her exchange with Takako Kobuchizawa. She had found traces of her best friend in this stranger. If she could teach those joining personnel and have them pass the assessment, Jhin's request wasn't impossible to agree to. "But you and your friends must pass our safety knowledge audit."
"I knew Ms. Ozawa would definitely make you change your mind." Jhin stood up and extended his right hand to her. "Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation."
"Pleasant cooperation."
Just as the atmosphere was very harmonious, Yumiko Samejima walked in noisily with three girls. She pushed the girls in front of Gin Toudou. "Captain Toudou, these three kids are looking for you."
To the side, Takako Kobuchizawa almost jumped up on the spot, her head hitting the ceiling, because her daughter was among these three girls.
Jhin walked in front of her to prevent her from losing control of her emotions and going straight up for a vivid family reunion.
Gin Toudou's serious face tightened even more after seeing Shirase Kobuchizawa. She asked in a deep tone, "What are you doing here?"
This was the first time Jhin had seen these three protagonists. He sized them up with interest.
Black straight long hair, looking cold as ice, but actually the girl speaking to Gin Toudou with the tone of a stubborn donkey was definitely Shirase Kobuchizawa.
The girl next to her with the bob cut and strange bangs was Tamaki Mari.
The remaining one, the orange-haired girl with a great figure and a large bun hairstyle—Miyake Hinata, that's you.
"So why won't you let me go! Aren't you short on money? Here is five hundred thousand in cash!" Shirase Kobuchizawa angrily pulled out a thick brown paper envelope. According to her, it contained a full five hundred thousand in cash.
"No matter how short on money we are, we won't accept your five hundred thousand." Gin Toudou didn't want to accept the money, nor was she very willing to let Shirase Kobuchizawa join this Antarctic expedition. She turned the conversation to Jhin. "Moreover, I don't have the authority to let you join right now. This Mr. Jhin is the one in charge."
Shirase Kobuchizawa followed her gaze to look at Jhin. The other party's youthful appearance made her blurt out her inner thoughts, "So young. You didn't just find some handsome guy to brush me off, did you? Or did this guy bribe you to use connections?"
Even if it were fake, you can't say it to someone's face, Shirase!
Tamaki Mari and Miyake Hinata complained in their hearts in unison, simultaneously covering their eyes. They couldn't bear to watch the scene that would follow.
Shirase Kobuchizawa also knew she had misspoken, covering her mouth in panic.
I should have taught this stupid daughter more about how to conduct herself in society back then.
As a mother, Takako Kobuchizawa held her forehead and sighed.
____
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