The next day arrived with a quiet hum of expectation.

Nozomi didn't attend club activities that day. Instead, he stood at the school gate, the cool morning breeze brushing through his hair, as a sleek black car rolled up beside him. Without hesitation, he stepped in, greeted by the soft scent of sakura blossoms and the familiar warmth of Yukinoshita Haruno—the ever-radiant elder sister.

As soon as he settled into the back seat, Haruno wasted no time. She latched onto his arm with practiced ease, pressing her body gently against him. The warmth and softness against his side made him pause, his face twitching slightly in amused exasperation.

"Nee-san, what's with the sudden summon? Don't tell me you missed me already?" Nozomi said with a half-smile, reaching out to ruffle her silky hair.

Haruno's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Miss you? Maybe. But more importantly, I have something juicy to discuss."

Nozomi cocked his head, curious. "Juicy, huh? That doesn't sound very sisterly. Lay it on me."

"Ever heard of Kyouji Yuuki?"

Nozomi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Kyouji Yuuki... Wait, is he the one with a daughter named Asuna? Yuuki Asuna?"

Haruno chuckled, her teasing tone fully activated. "Ara~ so you do know about the beautiful Asuna-chan? My, my, what a lecherous fiancé I have. I just dropped a name, and here you are, recalling his daughter's name instantly."

Nozomi laughed sheepishly, scratching his cheek. "Well, I can explain. It's kinda like this. I sometimes enter these... trances. You know, like divine revelations. In that state, I tend to meet special people. Maybe it's a side effect of being the so-called 'Son of God' or whatever title I was given."

(Total bs)

"Oh~ Special girls, huh? Every time you go into this 'trance', it's always some cute girl you meet. Totally not suspicious," Haruno said with a smirk, playfully poking his cheek. "You're lucky you're adorable, or I would've dumped you into the river by now."

"I swear it's not on purpose!"

"Anyway," she continued, relaxing into the seat, "let's get back to business. Kyouji Yuuki is the president of RECT, a major electronics manufacturer. They're the primary provider of hardware for virtual reality systems—you know, headsets, neural interface tech, all that stuff."

(I'm confused, according to wiki Asuna's father is Kyouji Yuuki, ta wealthy, high-ranking executive at Recto, a powerful tech corporation,..)

"So he's not just a player in the tech world, he's the player," Nozomi said, absorbing the information.

"Exactly. RECTO also holds stock in the VR gaming company we've recently infiltrated—I mean, acquired interest in. After I took over your shares, our influence grew fast. We have loyal insiders now. Yoshiaki saw the shift and decided he wants in. Not just as a hardware supplier, but a full-fledged partner."

Nozomi nodded in understanding. "So today's meeting is with him. Any chance his daughter is tagging along?"

Haruno's smile froze. Then...

"You..." She reached over and twisted the flesh on his waist mercilessly.

"Ow ow ow! Nee-san! I was just curious!"

"Curious about other girls while I'm literally clinging to your arm? Shameless scoundrel!"

Despite her scolding, her smile betrayed her amusement. She leaned in, whispering, "Though, it is a shame. Asuna-chan doesn't come out often. Her mom keeps her on a tight leash—school, cram school, etiquette classes, the whole rich-girl curriculum."

"Ugh, what a waste of good waifu potential," Nozomi sighed dramatically.

Haruno giggled. "Still want to meet her?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind..."

"Say no more," Haruno said as she dialed a number on her phone.

The call connected.

"Mr. Yoshiaki? This is Yukinoshita Haruno. I've heard great things about your daughter, Asuna. She seems like someone I'd love to get to know. Would it be alright if she joined us?"

On the other end, Kyouji Yuuki was more than accommodating.

"Of course, Miss Yukinoshita. It would be our honor. I'll bring her along."

Haruno hung up and turned to Nozomi with a smug grin. "Done. She'll be there. Happy now, you closet otaku?"

Nozomi gave her an exaggerated thumbs-up. "Nee-san is too powerful. I bow before your greatness."

--

Meanwhile, across the city in a luxurious estate, Kyouji Yuuki adjusted his suit as he called out to his wife.

"Kyouko, I need Asuna to come with me to today's meeting. It's with the Yukinoshita family."

"Eh? With the Yukinoshitas? You're bringing Asuna?!"

"The eldest daughter requested to meet her," he replied calmly.

Yuuki Kyouko's expression lit up like a well-placed fireworks display.

"The Yukinoshitas are a powerhouse family. This is perfect!"

Her entire life plan for her daughter revolved around high society: etiquette, poise, intelligence, and beauty all tailored to secure a marriage into an elite household. And now, an opportunity had presented itself.

Kyouko rushed to find Asuna, who was just about to head out for cram school.

"Asuna, accompany your father today instead."

"Eh?" Yuki Asuna blinked, slightly startled.

"The eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family wants to meet you," her mother said with gravitas. "This is not the time to be shy. You must carry yourself with elegance and grace. Understood?"

Asuna bowed her head gently, hiding the small ripple of anxiety in her chest. "Yes, mother."

There was no room for argument. As always, Asuna did as she was told, even if the idea of meeting someone so prestigious made her nerves hum with tension.

Yuki Kyoukos expression softened slightly at her daughter's obedient response. Rarely did she show open affection, but in this moment, her tone grew almost gentle. "Good girl. Now, go and make yourself presentable. You are the future face of the Yuuki family."

…

Later, Asuna descended the stairs dressed in a pristine white dress. Her long, chestnut-brown hair had been tied into a soft braid that rested just above her neck, and her clear eyes sparkled faintly in the afternoon sun. Her gentle aura was as striking as her beauty.

Kyouji Yuuki turned and gave a small approving nod. "Excellent. Though I'm not sure why Miss Yukinoshita Haruno requested to meet you specifically, this is a valuable opportunity. Keep your poise and composure, Asuna. This could affect your future."

"I understand, Father." Her voice was calm, the kind of calm honed through years of etiquette training. Not too shy, not too bold—just enough to make people feel at ease.

Kyouji Yuuki was clearly pleased. "Very well. Let's go. This meeting concerns the Yuuki family's next steps."

…

They arrived at an elegantly quiet café tucked away from the city noise, its serene atmosphere ideal for high-level conversations.

Nozomi and Yukinoshita Haruno were already seated. Nozomi wore a polite but relaxed smile, sipping a glass of iced tea with the air of someone who had long grown used to strange situations. Haruno sat beside him, her usual mischievous glint softened by the anticipation of meeting Asuna.

The door opened with a chime.

In walked Kyouji Yuuki, his presence as sharp as the lines of his dark grey suit. But it was the girl beside him who caught Nozomi's eye.

She stepped inside like a breeze of spring. Tall, slender, and carrying a reserved yet undeniable grace, Asuna's presence immediately stirred something in Nozomi. Her soft eyes, framed by her tidy braid, glanced curiously around the room.

Nozomi's breath hitched.

He had seen beautiful girls—Haruno, Yukino, even Sumireko—but Asuna's warmth was different. It was like sunlight passing through a window—gentle, unassuming, but quietly illuminating.

Kyouji Yuuki extended a polite hand.

"Miss Haruno, thank you for the invitation. This is my daughter, Yuki Asuna."

Asuna bowed respectfully. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Haruno. Thank you for having me."

Her voice matched her appearance: soft and composed.

Haruno gave her a long look and then smiled with rare sincerity. "Thank you for coming, Miss Asuna. I've heard many things about you, but seeing you in person... you're even more refined than I expected."

Nozomi couldn't help but stare, completely captivated.

Haruno caught his expression out of the corner of her eye and chuckled softly to herself.

It seemed Nozomi's interest in the Yuuki family's daughter wasn't unfounded after all.