Kenji rubbed his chin, his eyes flickering with curiosity and anticipation; he found this rather interesting.
"The anime 'black lagoon'? I wonder if I'll have the chance to meet Revy..."
Revy was an incredibly charismatic character in that anime, but he soon shook his head. On second thought, maybe not—lest he get shot by that crazy woman.
Kenji was self-aware; currently, he was only throwing his weight around thanks to his great strength. Facing modern firearms, he'd still be dead meat.
He wondered when he'd be able to draw more skills to improve his strength so he could truly have the power to protect himself.
After leaving the company, Kenji didn't rush back to school. Instead, he went to a 4S dealership and bought an extended and widened maybach.
He had more women around him now. Kanako was as passionate as fire, Natsuka was gentle and refined, Yoshida Saki was cute and lively, and then there was his future target, the housewife Hisato Azuma. Relying solely on that two-seater ferrari definitely wasn't going to cut it anymore.
Moreover, when doing some strenuous exercise in the car, the cramped space made it impossible to move freely, which would really dampen the mood.
So, Kenji specifically came to buy this maybach.
Most importantly, the windows and everything were specially made with one-way glass. The privacy was excellent; you could only see out from the inside.
This way, he could go at it in the car in the future without any worries.
A wicked smirk couldn't help but tug at the corners of Kenji's mouth.
Driving this steady and atmospheric maybach, he cruised along smoothly as the scenery constantly changed.
As it turned out, driving this black, restrained maybach was indeed not as eye-catching as the red ferrari supercar.
The roar of the ferrari's engine seemed to come with its own spotlight, while this maybach, though equally expensive, was as low-key as a gentleman hidden from the world.
It quietly wove through the traffic, lacking a bit of the noise and flamboyance.
After parking the car by the roadside, far fewer girls came over to strike up a conversation. When he drove the ferrari before, girls would always find various excuses to talk to him.
Many people only recognized the iconic Mercedes logo; not many recognized the maybach logo, which was a relatively more low-key, luxury, and independent brand.
But this was fine; being low-key and not flashy could sometimes save him some trouble.
Back at school.
Kenji pulled out his phone, just about to call Kanako and the other two girls to go have lunch at that newly opened, highly-rated restaurant outside the school, when his gaze inadvertently swept across the maple forest ahead.
He saw a familiar figure sitting on a roadside bench. That figure was trembling slightly, head bowed as if crying.
Eh?
Kenji's heart tightened, and he couldn't help but look closer.
Isn't that Kurashiki Reina?
Her long blonde hair shimmered with a charming luster under the sunlight. Her explosive figure was hard to hide even in an ordinary school uniform, giving her a unique Charm, she exuded an air of rebellion.
Wasn't this the same Kurashiki Reina he hadn't seen since they parted ways at the KTV?
This girl skipped class every day, so he couldn't even find a chance to flirt with her. Why did she suddenly come to school today?
And she's sitting here crying alone—did something happen?
Kenji put his phone away, adjusted his posture to look like he was just passing by, and then walked over with a relaxed pace, speaking as if it were a chance encounter: "Oh? Isn't this Classmate Reina? Why are you crying here all by yourself? Did something happen?"
"You're... Kenji? Sorry, I've let you see a pathetic side of me."
Hearing the voice, Kurashiki Reina was slightly startled. She quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked up at Kenji.
Those tearful eyes, with a hint of being pitiful and lovely, made one instinctively feel protective.
Right then, the 'Charm' skill on Kenji's body instantly took effect.
Kurashiki Reina felt her heart skip a beat, as if a small rabbit was racing in her chest. Her cheeks instantly flushed, as brilliant as the evening glow in the sky.
So strange!
Why is this happening?
Kurashiki Reina's heart was full of confusion, but at this moment, Kenji's gentle aura was already upon her.
Kenji had already sat down beside Kurashiki Reina. He turned slightly and gently patted her back, his voice as soft as a spring breeze: "Classmate Rena, are you facing some difficulty? You can tell me about it; maybe I can help you?"
Feeling the hand gently patting her back, like soothing a frightened kitten, that warm and powerful touch made an inexplicable sense of security well up in Kurashiki Reina's heart.
So warm, so reassuring... Kurashiki Reina's face flushed a few shades deeper. Combined with the subtle influence of the 'Charm' skill, she hesitated for a moment before finally starting to tell Kenji the whole story.
The root of the problem was the club where Kurashiki Reina worked part-time as a model.
The reason Kurashiki Reina had been skipping school lately was because she was shooting a photobook.
The first two days were fine. The various outfits the club provided were normal, at most just regular swimwear, which were all within her acceptable range.
She thought that after working hard for two more days, she would receive a significant amount of money.
But what Kurashiki Reina didn't expect was that those first two days were just a setup to make her lower her guard.
Those guys finally bared their fangs today. The clothes for today's shoot had been changed to extremely revealing erotic outfits!
Some of them were even crotchless, exposing her breasts—utterly indecent!
How could Kurashiki Reina possibly accept this?
Although she usually liked hot outfits to show off her youthful and energetic side, she was still a pure virgin. Deep down, she had her own bottom line and principles; how could she do something so damaging to her dignity?
She immediately and righteously refused the shoot, but those guys showed their ugly faces. Using the excuse that she had unilaterally breached the contract, they not only refused to pay her for the previous shoots but also demanded a huge breach-of-contract fee.
This fee was undoubtedly an astronomical figure for Kurashiki Reina. She didn't know how to tell her sister and mother, fearing the disappointed and worried looks in their eyes, so she sat here crying alone.
As Kenji listened, his eyes twitched and a surge of anger rose in his heart.
These guys, daring to target his woman—they really must be tired of living!
Damn, I guarded against those inside the school, but not those outside.
He suppressed his anger and tried to keep his tone as calm as possible: "It's okay, Reina-chan. Leave this matter to me. Why don't you go sit in my car for a bit? There's milk tea in the car fridge; it should be a flavor you like."
Kenji took Reina's hand. Her hand was soft and delicate, making Kenji's heart stir slightly.
He led Reina to his newly bought maybach, opened the door, and let her sit inside.
As soon as the door closed, the noise from outside vanished instantly, as if they were isolated from the world, leaving only a quiet space inside the car.
The uneasy Reina could only watch through the car window as Kenji picked up his phone and made a call.
Because the car's soundproofing was excellent, she couldn't hear what Kenji was saying. She could only see his serious expression and determined tone, occasionally frowning... Kenji was calling Saito Jiro. Through him, he directly got the number of the boss of the Washimine Group, Washimine Hideo.
The Washimine Group was a powerful yakuza organization in Ginza, and Washimine Hideo was a man of his word.
Kenji thought: didn't he want to build a connection?
Then this was the perfect opportunity to offer a token of allegiance.
Very soon, Washimine Hideo's side found out about the club.
"Yes, that club. I'm giving you only half an hour to clean things up."
Kenji's voice was cold and decisive, carrying an unquestionable authority.
Click. Hanging up the phone, Kenji then sat into the car.
He looked at Reina, who was sitting beside him with a hint of worry and confusion in her eyes, and said with a smile: "Reina, why aren't you having the milk tea?"
Saying that, Kenji took the milk tea out of the car fridge, inserted the straw, and handed it to Reina: "Alright Reina, someone has already gone to help settle this matter. Here, milk tea. Don't just sit there; take a sip and relax."
"Is... is it really going to be okay?"
Reina took the milk tea, her fingers unconsciously pinching the straw as she asked uneasily.
Her eyes were full of doubt. After all, this matter seemed so thorny; Kenji had only made one phone call—could it really have such power?
"It's fine. Those people should be calling you in a moment. By then, they'll probably be crying and screaming for you to let them off. You don't need to say anything; just listen."
Kenji smiled confidently. That smile seemed to have a magical power, causing the unease in Reina's heart to gradually dissipate.
Reina found it hard to believe, but looking at Kenji's determined eyes, she couldn't help but choose to believe him.
Could just one phone call really have such power?
She still had some doubts, but at this point, she could only wait.
As it turned out, before she had even finished half the milk tea, the phone in Reina's hand rang.
She looked at the flashing number on the screen and was startled. When she looked closer, the caller was none other than that club owner.
As soon as Reina's finger touched the answer button, a shrill scream erupted from the other end, as if an invisible hand were clutching his throat.
"Miss Reina! Miss Reina! We truly know we were wrong—Agh! Stop hitting me! I beg of you, Miss Reina, I promise to send you the pay for your previous shoots immediately, right now! And that breach-of-contract fee—just consider it my temporary insanity and nonsense. Please, in your great mercy, have pity and spare my little life!"
The voice on the other end was tearful, hurried, and frantic, as if it would collapse at any second.
Before Reina could even respond, there was a "click" from the phone, and the call was disconnected, leaving only a dial tone echoing in the air.
Almost the instant the call ended, Reina's phone vibrated, notifying her of a new transfer.
She looked down; the amount was actually five times the original payment.
At the same time, Kenji also received a call from Washimine Hideo.
"Lord Kenji, the matter has been handled properly. Those few guys who didn't know their place have now been arranged to be sunk into the sea. I guarantee no traces will be left."
Kenji nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Mm, I know. You did well. The meeting is still set for next weekend. As for the location, let's make it the Residence at Nanzen-ji Temple. There's a 'Bitches Villa' there with a nice environment. I'll call you then to confirm the specific time."
"Yes, Lord Kenji. Everything will be according to your arrangements. I look forward to meeting you!"
Washimine Hideo's tone on the other end was full of awe and anticipation.
Hanging up the phone, Kenji turned to look at Reina beside him.
The young girl also breathed a huge sigh of relief, as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted. At the same time, her eyes were full of astonishment and curiosity as she looked at Kenji.
"Lin... Kenji, are you... are you really just an ordinary student?"
Reina's voice trembled slightly; she was clearly shocked by the series of events just now.
Kenji smiled and shook his head, his eyes flashing with the light of confidence: "Of course not. I'm also the president of a large corporation. Speaking of which, Reina, since you don't have a job now, why don't you come work for me? I believe with your talent and beauty, you'll surely shine in my company."
"Eh? President?"
Kurashiki Reina's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe her ears.
The youth before her was not only handsome and talented, but now he was even telling her that he was the president of a company?
This was somewhat hard for her to believe.
"Yes. Reina, your looks are so outstanding, I want to train you to be an idol star. As long as you're willing to work hard and follow my plan, debuting successfully will definitely be easy."
Kenji's words were full of temptation and anticipation.
"Can I really do it? An idol star..."
Reina's voice grew smaller and smaller; she was clearly startled by this sudden proposal.
Becoming a star?
In her previous life, this was something she wouldn't have even dared to think about.
"Yes, I think you'll have no problem, Reina. As for the salary, you still need to study hard, so you'll only have time on Saturdays and Sundays. Therefore, let's set it at 100,000 yen for now. How does that sound?"
Kenji's words were full of sincerity and generosity.
"One... one hundred thousand yen!?"
Reina cried out, simply unable to believe her ears.
Just for some training on Saturdays and Sundays, she could get 100,000 yen?
"Kenji is so good to me, helping me solve such a big problem and offering such a high salary... It... it probably isn't just because you want me to join your company..."
Reina wasn't stupid; she knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. Since Kenji was being so generous, he must have an ulterior motive.
Seeing that Reina had said as much, Kenji no longer hid it and straightforwardly stated his intentions.