Perhaps feeling that Ayanokoji's praise was a bit perfunctory, Miyako snorted, not giving Ayanokoji any face, and said directly, "Guest, the taste of the drink is what it is. My performance can't enhance its taste too much. If you think the taste is average, just say so. I'm not someone who can't hear negative reviews."
Ayanokoji gave an awkward smile.
Miharu Taki quickly smoothed things over: "Compared to bartending, Miyako is good at cooking. She's skilled in cuisine from any country, especially Chinese cuisine. She's a master, so you can ask her to make anything you want to eat."
Ayanokoji had already gathered that she was skilled in Chinese cuisine from her red cheongsam...
"Alright then, I won't be shy."
Ayanokoji didn't stand on ceremony, casually listing a few hot dishes he liked. The other party nodded, asked about Ayanokoji's preferences, and then went backstage to cook.
Miyako had already prepared a drink for Miharu Taki Sakura. Now that the third person had suddenly left, Ayanokoji and Miharu Taki sat at the bar, simply drinking the beverages in front of them, saying nothing to each other.
It was Miharu Taki Sakura who couldn't help but speak first: "Ayanokoji, don't you want to ask me why I'm looking for you?"
She had been waiting for Ayanokoji to ask, but he had remained silent.
Ayanokoji took a sip of his cocktail, then said softly, "I do want to know, but if you don't want to say, I don't mind."
Saying that, Ayanokoji turned his head and showed a "pure" smile: "Isn't your mood not good, Senpai? Then I'll just keep you company here. We can talk when you're happy again."
So he was concerned about her at that moment... Miharu Taki Sakura was touched. Looking at Ayanokoji's "innocent" appearance, she really couldn't bear to state her purpose for coming.
But thinking of Zenshoukai, thinking of Mibuomi Aoi, and thinking of her family's expectations, she let out a helpless sigh.
"There's nothing that can't be said. Actually, I came here this time to invite you to join Zenshoukai."
Join Zenshoukai? Ayanokoji was stunned at the words.
He was truly taken aback. Mibuomi Aoi had initially invited him to join Zenshoukai, intending to use gentle means to obtain his patent rights. Later, after things turned ugly, he sent several people to challenge him. Why was he suddenly asking him to join Zenshoukai today?
Could it be that he felt the money he lost was too much and his heart ached, so he thought of reconciling with him again?
Even if he was willing to offer him great benefits and let bygones be bygones, he would never reconcile with him and join Zenshoukai.
He had already won 75 million from him, how could he possibly reconcile with him now?
Currently, Ayanokoji still didn't know that Mibuomi Aoi wanted him to join Zenshoukai for his own sake, not for the so-called "patent rights." However, his thoughts had never changed—it was impossible to join Mibuomi Aoi's Zenshoukai.
Unless... Mibuomi Aoi truly presented something that would tempt him.
Although he had already made up his mind, Ayanokoji showed a troubled expression, as if engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
After a few minutes of silence, Ayanokoji asked, "...Senpai, is this your invitation, or Mibuomi Aoi's invitation?"
"Is there a difference?"
"Yes, there is. If it's Mibuomi Aoi's invitation, I'll refuse without hesitation."
"What if it's my invitation?"
"If it's your invitation, I'll think about it before refusing."
..." Miharu Taki Sakura was amused by Ayanokoji, letting out a burst of laughter and chiding, "You're really honest, aren't you? I thought you'd choose to join Zenshoukai for me."
"My dislike for Mibuomi Aoi is sincere. Even if Zenshoukai has you, Senpai, I don't want to go." Ayanokoji lowered his head and muttered "softly," "Besides... I don't want to see you and that guy being all lovey-dovey."
The voice was very soft, but Miharu Taki Sakura heard it perfectly.
Miharu Taki Sakura found it amusing: "What are you thinking? Didn't I tell you, Mibusakaomi and I only have a family-arranged engagement. There's no romantic relationship between us, so how could we be lovey-dovey?"
"But aren't you working for him now?" Ayanokoji turned his face away as if pouting, "And you even want me to join Zenshoukai..."
Ayanokoji is too childish...
Miharu Taki Sakura, amused and helpless, began to explain: "I am, after all, a member of Zenshoukai, so of course I have to help him with his work."
"Then, Senpai, can't you withdraw from Zenshoukai?" Ayanokoji suddenly asked.
"It's difficult."
Miharu Taki Sakura shook her head and said with a wry smile, "You know, this marriage alliance is beneficial to both our families.
My family also hopes that I can help Mibusakaomi with his affairs. For the sake of the family, I certainly can't act impulsively. Even if I have objections, I can only accept his orders..."
Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps Ayanokoji made Miharu Taki Sakura feel close, but she actually revealed such core information to Ayanokoji.
So Miharu Taki Sakura also harbored resentment towards Mibuomi Aoi in her heart.
Ayanokoji's heart stirred, and he suddenly said, "What if Mibuomi Aoi actively lets you withdraw?"
"Actively let me withdraw from Zenshoukai?"
Miharu Taki Sakura was stunned for a moment when she heard Ayanokoji's words, then she laughed, bending over the table and laughing heartily, her shoulders shaking, tears even coming to her eyes.
Ayanokoji didn't say anything, quietly watching her laugh.
"Ayanokoji, you might not know how much benefit my engagement with him brings. Mibusakaomi will never let go. How could he possibly kick me out of Zenshoukai?"
Miharu Taki Sakura wiped the corners of her eyes and straightened up. A smile still lingered on her face, but it was tinged with sadness.
"I know you care about me, but it's okay, I'm really fine. Alright, don't ask about these things. I was the one who came to ask you about joining Zenshoukai, how did it turn into you caring about how to get me to withdraw?"
Miharu Taki Sakura suddenly realized that the person in control of the conversation had become Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and the questions had suddenly reversed.
She brought the conversation back on track: "Ayanokoji, if you don't want to join Zenshoukai, Zenshoukai will send someone to find you tomorrow."
"Who is it?"
Miharu Taki turned to look at Ayanokoji, not speaking.
Ayanokoji understood: "Senpai, is it you?"
Miharu Taki nodded, her expression serious: "Yes, Mibuomi Aoi wants me to gamble with you tomorrow. The stakes are 80 million."
"I don't want to gamble with you, even if I win, it's meaningless." Ayanokoji complained softly.
"But I have to gamble with you," she emphasized. "This is a task Mibuomi Aoi assigned to me, and even if I'm unhappy, I need to complete it."
Ayanokoji didn't want to discuss this topic, a look of annoyance appearing on his face as he drank the cocktail in front of him.
Miharu Taki Sakura watched him intently, and neither of them spoke again.
Until Miyako brought the food to a nearby dining table.
"Please sit here to eat, away from the bar," the other party said.
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