Higashino Akira returned to the living room, where the two girls who had stayed up all night were also yawning nonstop and preparing to rest.
After saying good night to Akira, they went into the bedroom together.
It was a holiday anyway, and Yurikawa Hana had already told her family in advance, so she was not in a hurry to go home.
Akira also took the chance to catch up on sleep.
In the afternoon, a knock sounded at the door.
After tidying himself up, Akira opened the door and left with the person waiting outside, heading in the direction of Shimokitazawa.
Inside a live house called STARRY, he found Kongming.
After a month apart, Kongming could now fluently use Japanese for daily communication.
He had also begun studying economics and local law, and had achieved considerable proficiency with internet applications.
Akira did not rush to discuss serious matters with him.
Instead, he looked at the little blonde rehearsing onstage and threw an Aura Reading at her.
[Name: Tsukimi Eiko] [Fortune: Purple] No mistake.
She was most likely a female character from some anime.
‘Maybe she’s even from the same anime as Kongming.
After all, that name is way too similar to some obscure legends about Zhuge Kongming’s wife.’ Kongming, who possessed golden fortune, should be the core protagonist of that anime.
He was not, as Akira had first thought, someone drawn out of a purely ancient historical figure.
‘That makes sense.
From Kongming’s insane learning speed, I should’ve realized he was unusual.
A normal historical figure couldn’t learn a language in one month while also studying other subjects on the side that easily.’ “Do you like her?” Akira looked at Kongming, whose gaze occasionally revealed a trace of nostalgia, and asked.
“My lord misunderstands me.
Toward Eiko, I merely admire her singing and talent, and I am grateful that she rescued me yesterday, sparing me from freezing outside.” “So, I intend to personally serve as her manager.” Seeing Akira’s searching gaze, Kongming explained seriously, “Ever since I answered my lord’s great wish to descend into this world and begin your enterprise, I have often worried day and night over this past month.
I have weighed matters again and again, fearing that I might betray my lord’s trust and fail to build your great cause.” “However, the conditions of this age are entirely different from the old days.
Past experience cannot be copied completely.
We can only adapt to local circumstances and plan anew.
Fortunately, the underlying logic remains universal.” “After thinking on it for a long time, Liang believes that for my lord, the urgent matter at present is gathering military funds!” “But the local financial groups and elites are deeply entrenched.
Their spheres of influence are highly solidified.
Small movements naturally pose no issue, but the moment we make slightly larger waves, we will easily touch their existing shares.
Ordinary methods make it truly difficult to break through their blockade of an outsider’s upward path.” Akira nodded slightly.
‘We do need to make money.
Otherwise, at the current pace, relying solely on system rewards, I’d have to save for an average of a year just to buy a small piece of territory.
My growth speed is being dragged down badly.’ ‘When I had no subordinates, waiting like that was one thing.
But now I practically have over a hundred death soldiers.
How can I still obediently sit around and wait?’ “Later, Liang thought and thought again, and obtained a method that may be feasible.
It should help my lord accumulate funds as quickly as possible, expand your territory, and bring the great cause onto the proper path.” “What plan do you propose?” Akira also grew serious.
Kongming took a law-related book out from his wide sleeve and placed it on the table.
“Matters forbidden by law often bring tremendous profit.
Although one must not lose the hearts of the people when undertaking great affairs, and many matters cannot be touched, the legal clauses here that were established for the benefit of certain interest groups and are unfavorable to the people are precisely the direction in which we should act!” Immediately afterward, Kongming took out his phone and pulled up a news article about Japanese rice prices rising again while package sizes shrank.
Then he took out another book.
This time, it was related to economics.
He also pointed toward the little blonde singer onstage.
“The people’s hearts are the foundation of a great cause.
They concern human harmony, as well as the hope of stepping openly onto the stage in the future.
We must not leave obvious stains behind.
After obtaining initial capital, we should then use the rules reasonably to bring the money into the light.
Only then can we use it with peace of mind.” Thinking of the Embroidered Uniform Guards who had scattered across the country during this period, Akira suddenly understood.
‘So that’s how the guards who became fishermen, entered the police track, and mixed with the underworld are meant to be used.
It wasn’t random infiltration.
Their identities and hidden locations were planned in advance from the moment they were chosen.’ ‘Their current identities and backgrounds are all meant to help execute the money-making plan more effectively.
As for Kongming, he’s personally handling the operation to turn the money that couldn’t be shown before into clean, legal money.’ And he did not plan to use the traditional method of laundering money through a large number of tiny shops.
Instead, he intended to begin from artist management.
‘Teacher Little Liang really does know how to make money.
And he’s good at it too.
It’s just that his methods are a little wild.’ Afterward, Akira and Kongming discussed the details of the plan for a long time.
They continued until the sky dimmed, until the shop officially opened for business, and the performances onstage began.
Only then did they gradually stop and watch seriously.
Akira also watched Tsukimi Eiko’s performance.
Her level could only be described as decent, but compared with the others who appeared in band form, her stage effect was still quite lacking.
“Then I’ll leave the funding side to you from now on, Kongming.
If you need support, just say so.” Hearing that, Kongming’s expression grew slightly solemn, and he nodded.
When he looked at the girl performing onstage, there was reminiscence, appreciation, and elder-like care in his eyes, but not the slightest trace of desire.
In the end, she was merely another similar flower.
Since I have already offered this body to the nation, why delay someone again?
Being able to see someone similar to an old friend alive is already enough to comfort my heart.
Seeing this, Akira felt more and more that Kongming was treating that little blonde like a daughter-like junior to raise.
…
In the evening, Yotsuya Miko was shaken awake by Yurikawa Hana.
After letting out a long yawn, she walked out of the room with her eyes narrowed, still hazy with sleep.
“Miko, Miko, look!” Hana suddenly ran over from the living room, holding something in her hands with surprise.
Miko focused her eyes and saw two small bags, both filled with all kinds of candy.
Sticky notes were attached to the bags.
One had Hana’s name written on it, and the other had her own.
“Ta-dah!
Halloween candy!” “I didn’t expect Higashino-nii to prepare this after all.” Hana held the small bag of candy meant for her with a blissful expression and cheered happily.
“Long live Higashino-nii!” “Bliss.
Hehe~” “Uu~ I want a big brother like Higashino-nii too.
That would be way too amazing!” On the living room sofa, Toyokawa Sakiko was woken by the noise of the two girls.
She sighed helplessly, then picked up the white envelope beside her in her mouth, walked over to the black-haired girl, and patted her calf.
Yotsuya Miko lowered her head and took the envelope.
The words “living expenses” were written on it.
“Ah, it’s the kitty!
So cute!” Toyokawa Sakiko nimbly dodged the hand Hana stretched out in an attempt to pet her.
After one month as a cat, people should look at her with new eyes.
The current Sakiko was no longer the same Sakiko as before, who sometimes even moved her same-side hands and feet together and stumbled while walking.
Delivering the letter to Yotsuya Miko was Akira’s request.
‘That guy really is something.
He just assigns work to a cat however he wants and doesn’t even care whether the cat can understand him or not.’ Sometimes, Toyokawa Sakiko truly suspected that he had already noticed something abnormal about her.
But he never showed any other reaction, making it impossible to pin him down.
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