Chapter 720 - 720: The Banquet Venue, The Hayama Family

The car sent by the Yukinoshita family had a privacy partition separating the rear seats from the driver's compartment, making it impossible for the driver to see what was happening in the back.

So, as soon as they got in, Haruno leaned comfortably against Ichin's shoulder and closed her eyes to rest.

Meanwhile, Ichin took out his phone and searched for the hotel hosting today's banquet.

It was a five star hotel that frequently hosted large scale business events and was one of the most well known venues in Chiba.

"Not a bad place."

Turning to Haruno, he asked,

"By the way, I forgot to ask. Is this just a regular business banquet?"

Haruno nodded.

"More or less."

"Every so often, everyone gets together to chat, see if there are any business opportunities, and discuss potential partnerships."

She smiled faintly.

"Occasionally, it's also an excuse to let the younger generation mingle and see if anyone catches each other's eye."

"I see."

Ichin nodded in understanding before looking at her with a grin.

"So if you came here by yourself..."

"Wouldn't you end up getting hit on all night?"

Haruno opened her eyes and shot him a smug look.

"Of course."

"Who do you think I am?"

"I've been the model child among Chiba's wealthy families for years."

"Whether it's my looks, figure, or abilities..."

"I'm outstanding in every category."

She proudly lifted her chin.

"In fact, quite a few families have wanted to arrange a marriage alliance with ours."

"It's just that Father and Mother never agreed."

"Oh!"

Ichin clapped lightly.

"Impressive."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "But since it's Chiba's business circle..."

"I doubt there'll be many internet companies attending."

"I probably won't find anyone worth collaborating with."

"That's true."

Haruno shifted closer and wrapped herself around his arm.

"Most of the attendees today are involved in traditional industries."

"There are a few internet companies that have done fairly well over the past couple of years, but they're completely different from yours."

"So there isn't much room for cooperation."

She smiled.

"But it doesn't matter."

"You already have plenty of partners in Tokyo."

"You don't need to look for opportunities in Chiba."

"Today... Your only job is to be my escort."

"I don't mind."

Ichin took her hand and idly played with her fingers.

"But..."

"What if someone asks about our relationship?"

"Oh..."

"That is a problem."

Haruno slipped her hand free before climbing onto Ichin's lap and wrapping both arms around his neck.

"What do you think would happen..."

"If I just told everyone the truth?"

"Uh..."

"I think maybe we shouldn't."

Seeing the stiff smile on his face, Haruno laughed triumphantly.

She slowly leaned closer and whispered,

"It's just the two of us back here."

"Don't you feel like doing something?"

"I rarely get to wear a dress like this."

"...There's still the driver."

"Don't worry."

"The soundproofing in this car is excellent."

"He can't hear us."

"And the windows are specially treated."

"No one outside can see inside either."

Haruno's words immediately made Ichin's pulse quicken.

"But..."

"Your makeup..."

"I brought all my cosmetics."

"Besides, I'm only wearing light makeup right now."

"I was planning to do the real makeup after we arrived."

At that point...

There was no reason for Ichin to hold back any longer.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled Haruno into a kiss.

The two hour drive passed in the blink of an eye as the two spent the journey wrapped up in each other's company.

After arriving, Haruno carefully touched up her makeup inside the car.

The area that needed the most attention was naturally...

Her lips.

The lipstick she'd applied earlier had long since been completely kissed away by Ichin.

Fifteen minutes later, she finally finished and looked toward him.

"So?"

Ichin immediately gave her a thumbs up.

"Tonight..."

"You're absolutely going to outshine everyone here."

Haruno nodded in satisfaction.

"Let's go."

The two stepped out of the car, linked arms, and walked into the hotel together.

After presenting their invitation, a hotel attendant escorted them into the banquet hall.

"Oh?"

"There are already quite a lot of people here."

The hall was filled with elegantly dressed members of Chiba's business community, gathered in small groups as they chatted.

As soon as Ichin and Haruno entered, they attracted quite a few curious glances.

After all, ever since Haruno had begun taking over the family business, she'd become quite well known throughout Chiba.

Since Ichin intended to drive home later that night, he skipped the alcohol and picked up two glasses of fruit juice from a passing waiter.

Before he even had a chance to take a sip, he noticed several people walking toward them.

"Just as expected."

Haruno whispered before putting on the flawless social smile that Ichin knew all too well.

Ichin's attention, however, was drawn to the young man among the three.

His handsome features and blond hair immediately reminded Ichin of someone from Oregairu.

"Haruno."

"So it really is you attending today."

The middle aged man smiled.

"When your father mentioned it before, I honestly found it hard to believe."

"They've really entrusted everything to you now."

Haruno smiled politely.

"Since I've officially joined the family business, it's only natural that I shoulder my responsibilities and keep my parents from worrying."

"It's been a long time, Uncle Hayama."

"And hello to you too, Auntie."

She then smiled toward the young man.

"And Hayato."

"How have you all been lately?"

The middle aged woman smiled warmly.

"We've been doing well."

"Didn't Yukino come today?"

Haruno shook her head.

"No. You know how she is. She doesn't like this kind of atmosphere."

"She has no interest in inheriting the family company either. Right now she's completely focused on her studies."

She then looked toward the young man.

"What about you, Hayato?"

"Medical school must be keeping you busy."

Just as Ichin had guessed...

The young man was indeed Hayato Hayama.

Hayato nodded.

"There's a lot to learn."

"But every day feels fulfilling."

His gaze shifted toward Ichin.

"Haruno, this is...?"

Smiling, Haruno held onto Ichin's arm.

"Let me introduce him."

"Yukino and I accepted a godmother, remember?"

"He's my younger brother, Ichin."

"Like Yukino, he's also a student at the University of Tokyo."

"He also runs a rather successful game company."

She smiled knowingly.

"Hayato, do any of your friends play games?"

"If they do, you've probably heard of his company."

"Yukino and I both own shares in it as well."

Realization dawned on Hayato's face. He looked at Ichin in surprise.

"I've heard of it."

"It's an incredible rising game studio."

"I believe your best selling game has sold nearly twenty million copies already?"

Ichin smiled and nodded.

"That's right. One of our games has already surpassed twenty million copies sold."

"The other one's not too far behind."

Naturally, the game that had broken twenty million sales was Dark Souls, while Persona had been catching up steadily and wasn't far from reaching the same milestone.

Mr. and Mrs. Hayama didn't know much about video games.

However, judging from their son's reaction, they could tell it was an astonishing achievement.

Hayato then quickly explained to his parents roughly how much a single game sold for.

Only then did they truly grasp just how remarkable Ichin's accomplishments were.

The way they looked at him immediately changed.

Selling twenty million copies of one game was already unbelievable.

Yet he had nearly achieved it with two games...

Not to mention all of the other titles his company had released.

The young man standing beside Haruno...

Was someone truly extraordinary.

...

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