But then she thought again, the methods this young man used were even more extreme. After a moment of contemplation, she continued: "Anyway, it can achieve the same effect as now."
Immediately afterward, Kurashiki Reina saw stars in the young man's eyes.
More precisely, the appreciative starlight.
Kurashiki Reika felt a strange sensation. She was the quintessential example of success; at her age, even business associates older than her usually only offered gazes of worship. "Appreciation"... that was truly rare.
Especially when projected from the eyes of this young man.
It was as if he was saying... perhaps it was Kurashiki Reika's delusion, but she distinctly felt it—the young man's eyes seemed to say, "I thought you were an idiot, but I didn't expect you to have some intelligence."
"Impressive."
This compliment from the young man stunned Kurashiki Reika even more.
"...Huh?"
She was so flustered that she only managed a single syllable in response.
Impressive. There are too few people in this world with this kind of skill and awareness. Usually, the progression is "Hmph, I won't lose to the great genius" leading to "Oh, the great genius feels so nice, ehe." Regardless of whether Kurashiki Reika can execute her idea, simply having the idea proves she has won at the starting line.
"Amazing," Hayato said again. You deserve to get rich.
Kurashiki Reika tilted her head coolly. She still hadn't understood exactly what the young man was praising.
"What is your name?" Kurashiki Reika asked.
"Hayato."
Kurashiki Reika nodded, offering a slight smile: "I've noted it."
As the majority stakeholder and ultimate authority of the White Lily cosmetics company, a casual word from her could grant ordinary people opportunities they would never encounter in a lifetime.
If it were any ordinary young man hearing Kurashiki Reika say, "I've noted it," he would surely be blushing with excitement.
Hayato calmly nodded his head, and then... "Oh."
Oh?
Kurashiki Reika frowned. Did this young man not know who she was?
But judging by the fact that he called her "Ms. Kurashiki," he clearly knew her identity... Heh, a young man, an interesting young man.
"Oh, right."
Hayato added, "Regarding Kurashiki, you should really ask her for the truth. Although I'm not very familiar with Kurashiki, I don't think she's the type of person to commit such an act."
In fact, even when Kurashiki Reina hated him before, she never laid a hand on Hayato.
Afterwards, she even helped those who were bullied by Nogami Izumi escape their predicament.
He had a feeling that she had also been set up by those people.
"I know," Kurashiki Reika said.
She couldn't help but mutter internally, "Not very familiar," huh... She had assumed this young man was here to help Reina.
"Well, I'll be leaving now," Hayato said, bidding farewell.
"Wait a moment." Kurashiki Reika, as if possessed, called out to him. After the words left her mouth, she was momentarily startled herself, but after thinking it over, she spoke decisively: "I'm interested in you. Could you leave me your contact information?"
Even the principal of this school would add Kurashiki Reika's contact information to their "Special Attention" list, showing just how valuable her contact information was.
For a high school student, this might indeed be quite exciting.
To prevent Hayato from getting too excited, Kurashiki Reika even took out her phone first, generously stating, "I'll add you."
Then she saw Hayato turn back, his face slightly contorted:
"...I'd rather not?"
Hayato's answer was not modesty; it was genuine.
Deep down, he really didn't want to get involved with the Kurashiki family.
Not only were they a powerful, established family, but they certainly wouldn't mesh well with a commoner like him.
Even during the time when he was still "Hayato," his past interactions with Kurashiki Reina were enough to cause annoyance... Kurashiki Reika was good at reading people and immediately noticed Hayato's aversion.
----------------------------------
I've already posted 70 new chapters on Patreon!
If you like the story and want to reaad more, please visit my patreon. Every support is very meaningful!
[patreon.com/Kazenova223]
Thank you very much!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"