The late afternoon sun streamed through the high-rise windows, casting golden slivers of light across the pristine glass desk.
"All right, all right… Don't get mad, little master."With a teasing curve of her lips, Yokoyama Ritsuko brushed back a stray lock of hair. The light caught on her earrings, glinting like fire."Don't tell me you're actually into this old lady? Haven't you already conquered little Kanade? What more could you want?"
Her tone was airy, playful.
But when the name Kanade left her mouth, Shinguuji Akira froze.
The teasing vanished from his face.
"You two… close?"
"If we weren't, why would she tell me something so personal?"Ritsuko's voice softened. "Back when I'd just graduated from Todai, I handled a legal dispute for the royal family. That's when I met her."
She leaned back, legs crossed with deliberate poise.
"Even then, I thought, 'Who could ever be worthy of a girl like that?' Never imagined the answer would be you."
"She's everything a man could ask for. Beautiful. Gentle. Refined. And a genius, no less—bound for Todai's med school."She chuckled softly. "You marrying her… must've built up a mountain of good karma in your past life."
Akira smiled faintly.
Karma, huh?If karma includes reincarnating into this life… and stealing her first time within hours of meeting… then sure, I'm blessed.
"Treat her well, little master. Or I'll come after you myself." Her gaze narrowed with surprising sharpness."To me, Kanade's like a little sister."
"I got it, Miss Ritsuko."
"That tone's all wrong."She smirked. "And don't stress about that incident. It's not like she can marry anyone else now. Just think of it as… a trial run of married life."
Akira scoffed. "Bliss? That was anything but bliss."
"Oh, I know. First times are always messy. You'll get better with practice."
He narrowed his eyes. "You're still a virgin too, Miss Ritsuko. Don't act like the expert."
Her smile vanished.
The playful air shattered. In its place, the commanding presence of a veteran lawyer surged forth.Akira tensed.
"…Forget it," she muttered, voice quieter now. "There are some things you wouldn't understand."
If anyone else had said what he just did, she might've filed a lawsuit on the spot. But this was Shinguuji Akira.She knew better.
Some people didn't just play with power.They were born from it.
"My bad," Akira said after a pause. "I was being a smartass. Don't take it personally."
The tension diffused. Slowly, the warmth returned to Ritsuko's gaze.
Know when to jab… and when to pull back.
"Anyway." Akira's voice shifted, steady and cool. "Let's move on to why I really called you here."
Ritsuko tilted her head. "This the first time you've had guests in your new place?"
"I want your help."
She arched an eyebrow.
"I'm planning to acquire a company."
That got her attention.
Her gaze sharpened. "What kind?"
"Not a big one. A publishing company. Doesn't even need national reach—just a few bookstores in Tokyo. I'll expand it myself."
"…You sure you don't want your father's help?"
"No. He already gave me one concession—to live how I want until I'm twenty-five. If I ask him for more, it defeats the whole point."
The conviction in his voice surprised her.
He wasn't just posturing.This was real ambition.
"…You really have changed," she murmured.
Akira smiled. Reincarnating will do that.
"I need capital. So, I came to you."
Ritsuko blinked. "You're asking me for money?"
"Don't act poor. You've made a killing off my family's cases."
"And why would I just hand it over?"
"Because I'm giving you equity. And interest."
Her lips parted in shock.
"…You little shark."
"You'll get a stake. Work with me, and when this takes off, you won't regret it."
"You mean I get to fund your empire, work for free, and cover losses too?"
"Exactly. The perfect son of a capitalist."
Ritsuko buried her face in her hands and let out a long, exhausted sigh.
"You're bleeding me dry…"
"Better me than my dad, right?"
"...You're unbelievable."
But behind the exasperation… she smiled.
She liked this new Akira.