The Underworld, Starting with Debt

"Haruno, what's wrong? Why are you sighing like that?"

"Ugh—the quiz is next week, and if I don't do well, I'm sure Kasumi-nee will yell at me to death."

Ito Koshitoshi was helpless in this matter; he didn't have time to tutor him, and besides, he also needed to find a tutor himself.

"Good luck then, I'm off now, bye-bye."

Goodbye, Ito.

……

After boarding the tram, following the navigation, Ito Etsushi quickly arrived at her destination, the private Seiwa Girls' Academy.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Ito Koshitomo: [Principal of Kourokka Academy, I have arrived at the private Seika Girls' Academy.] (Unread)

A few minutes later, the message was changed from unread to read.

Royal Rikka (Headmistress): [I'll have security bring you in.] (Read)

Ito Koshitomo: [Okay.] (Read)

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Ito Koshi put away his phone and leaned against the wall to wait patiently.

A few minutes later, a tall and strong female security guard arrived at the school gate. She immediately spotted Ito Koshino leaning against the wall, checked her phone to confirm that she was looking for him, and then walked towards Ito Koshino.

"Hello, I am Ito Koshitomo."

"Come with me."

We remained silent the whole way until we arrived at a wooden door with a sign that read "Principal's Office".

"bang bang"

"Please come in," a magnetic voice, as melodious as a clear spring, called from behind the door.

The security guard opened the door and led Ito Koshito into the principal's office. He stopped a short distance from Korokuhana's desk and bowed slightly to her as a sign of respect.

"Headmaster"

"Well, go and do your work."

"Yes"

Upon entering, Ito Koshito was puzzled by the environment of the principal's office. Outside, the sun was blazing and the sunlight was bright. Normally, one would open the curtains to let natural light flood the room, making it bright and luminous, which would also make working more energetic.

However… Huang Liuhua drew the curtains tightly shut, not allowing even a sliver of sunlight into the room. She simply lit a desk lamp on her desk, its soft glow like the twilight before nightfall, creating a tranquil yet mysterious atmosphere. The shadows on the walls danced gently with the lamp's faint sway, as if telling a silent story about to unfold.

After the security guard left and closed the door, Huang Liuhua finally turned her gaze to Ito Koshitoshi. Her deep eyes, peering through the silver-rimmed glasses that perfectly complemented them, were like mysterious violets entwining around Ito Koshitoshi, scrutinizing him closely.

"Ito Koshitomo, right?"

"Hello, Principal of Kourokka Academy." Ito Koshitomo bowed slightly to Kourokka, subtly sizing up the woman before him who might be his future beautiful employer and his hope for escaping his debts.

Huang Liuhua was wearing a red office lady uniform, with the collar folded up by the black lining, outlining her full and rounded figure in a seductive way.

At this moment, she was sitting sideways with her legs crossed, her ripe, juicy peaches seemingly about to burst through her tight-fitting short skirt. Her legs, clad in thin black stockings, rose and fell, weaving a captivating melody of friction between forces.

Unfortunately, most of these beautiful scenes are hidden behind desks, so even someone as tall as Ito Koshitomo can only catch a glimpse of them. But... that makes it even more enchanting.

Huang Liuhua pushed a paper file to the other side of the desk and said calmly.

"Ito-kun, take a look. Is there any error in your file?"

Ito Koshito picked up the file and examined it carefully. After finding no errors, he pushed it back next to Korokuka.

"No mistake, Principal of Royal Rikka Academy."

Huang Liuhua sat up straight, leaning back in the chair. The immense force seemed to tear through the seal of her uniform's V-neck and escape through the gap in the middle.

Her head was slightly raised as she looked down at Ito Kozue with a disdainful gaze, her brows seemingly covered in frost, exuding a serious air. Kou Rikka gathered her white sideburns that hung slightly in front of her, her delicate and pretty face appearing dignified and noble beneath a pair of teardrop-shaped jade earrings, elegant and mysterious, radiating a queenly aura.

Huang Liuhua rested her chin on her slender hands, her small, crystal-clear mouth slightly parted, uttering calm yet serious words.

“The prestigious private St. Hua Girls’ Academy has always implemented a secret system: the school-certified ‘secret boyfriend’ system.”

"Students attending this prestigious girls' school often experience immense inner pressure for various reasons, or some peculiar students simply possess an outrageously strong desire for stardom."

"In order to prevent these students from being exploited by certain people with ulterior motives, the school decided to implement the 'secret boyfriend' system after a certain principal and board of directors communicated with the students' families."

"As the person applying for the secret boyfriend position, your job is to pretend to be the boyfriend of students who have needs, and to provide them with positive emotional feedback to relieve their psychological stress. When necessary... you have to give them your all!"

At this point, Sumeragi Rikka's eyes held a meaningful look as she openly scrutinized Ito's younger brother, who was hiding there.

After a pause, Huang Liuhua continued speaking.

“I have reviewed your background check records, your character, and your medical conditions, and most of them are fine.”

"Especially your motivation for applying for the job, 'to pay off your debts.' I've investigated, and your motivation for being in debt because of that father is indeed simple, so you are trustworthy."

"This 'secret boyfriend' system is the biggest secret of our school."

We are extremely cautious about hiring. If someone hadn't left last month, we wouldn't have hired anyone else at all.

"Because I had to be extremely careful and work with the other party to keep this secret, I originally hoped to recruit someone with a certain social standing and a rational mind. A 'penniless' sex maniac would really bother me!"

"Mira originally recommended you to me, but I was planning to decline."

At this moment, Huang Liuhua stood up from her chair, her delicate hand brushing across the desk as she approached Ito Koshitoshi. With her arms crossed and head held high, she looked at Ito Koshitoshishi with a beaming smile.

Do you know why I ultimately gave you the interview opportunity?

"Why?" Ito Koshitoshi asked, quite knowingly.

"For you, Ito-kun, your father was practically nonexistent. He didn't care about you when you were very young. In other words, you developed the habit of self-reliance at a very young age, which also cultivated you into a relatively rational and mature person."

"You have a need to pay off your debts, and you're the perfect partner to keep our secrets. Moreover, compared to others, you have an advantage that makes you even more suited for this profession: you're more energetic and full of life!"

Her slender, jade-like hands were like a breeze caressing the water's surface, bringing a refreshing coolness and endless imagination. Her nimble fingers seemed to be playing a piano, creating a unique melody that exuded a captivating magic, transforming the cool touch into a warm sensation for Ito's younger brother, making him stop and listen intently. Her fingertips gently glided across the surface of the strings, as if she could feel every subtle change in their texture, effortlessly manipulating all sorts of tiny objects.

"Principal of the Royal Six Flowers Academy, you..."

"I've decided to admit you!"

"Thank you, Headmistress!" Upon hearing this, Ito Koshiki straightened up, suppressing the irresistible pull of her forward-leaning posture, and moved slightly away from Sumeragi Rikka, about to bow in thanks. However, Sumeragi Rikka stopped him, her long, beautiful fingers lifting his chin, the allure emanating from her brows adding a touch of royal palace decadence to her dignified beauty. A bewitching gaze perfectly blended haughty aloofness with a lingering sensuality.

"...But before that, let me check your practical skills carefully!"

(Brothers, Ito Koshitomo is the first 'secret boyfriend' recruited since Kourokka took office as the principal. There is a fixed number of secret boyfriends, and new ones are recruited only when someone leaves. I will explain this later, but I will mention it here to avoid any misunderstandings.)

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"So tomorrow... well, it'll be time to start... preparations. Whew—"

"If... someone is there, I'll let... you know, phew—"

"Yes, Headmaster."

"Call me... Rikka!"

"Sister Liuhua"

"Gurgle?∽Gurgle?∽"

Ito Koshito entered the principal's office at 4:30 PM. When he came out, the sun was already beginning to dip below the horizon, and the clouds in the distance were tinged with the red of dusk. Ito Koshito checked his phone; it was already 6:30 PM. It wasn't that Ito Koshito didn't want to continue the fierce battle, but rather that the principal of Sumeragi Rikka Academy was already exhausted!

"I have to hurry to the supermarket to buy some, otherwise all the discounted ingredients for today will be sold out."

Ito Koshito rushed past the principal's office and sped toward the tram station.

As dusk fell, a sporty and beautiful young woman was resting on a bench in the track and field stadium, her training session now over.

"Phew—that feels so good!" The cool water flowed down the curve of Kato Mio's lower lip and into her mouth. Her throat moved gently, and one could imagine the water sliding down her throat, bringing her moisture and coolness.

Sweat trickled down her forehead, tracing her delicate features, across her high nose, and finally dripping onto her tight-fitting sports top. The top clung to her shapely figure, the fabric sticking to her healthy, sun-tanned skin, highlighting her slender yet strong back and shoulders.

"I'm so tired. Lately, the pressure is starting to get really high again!"

Kato Mio reached up and wiped away a few drops of water that had accidentally spilled from the corner of her mouth, dripping down her chin and mingling with the sweat on her body. Gazing up at the sunset, she thought about her conversation with Principal Sumeragi Rikka. 'A secret boyfriend? Could he really relieve my stress?'

"Huh? A boy? He's so fast!" Kato Mio glanced casually at the edge of the track and field and spotted a male figure in another school's uniform rapidly moving towards the school gate. She couldn't help but marvel at his speed. 'How come there's a boy from another school? But if I could train with someone this strong, I'd definitely become stronger and run even faster!'

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

As the last rays of sunlight sank below the horizon, most of the club activities at the private St. Hua Girls' Academy came to an end, and the students gradually made their way home in small groups, chatting and laughing as the sun set.

However, all the noise and hustle and bustle were shut out through the curtains of the principal's office. In the dimly lit room, the outlines of various objects became blurred under the yellowish light, each item seemingly shrouded in a thin mist, losing its usual sharpness and clarity.

"Drip—drip—" The faint sound of dripping water seemed to be amplified countless times in the silent space, becoming clearly audible.

The sound source... seems to be coming from the desk.

A damp, sticky smell filled the air. Huang Liuhua trembled slightly as she walked from the sofa to her office chair. Every step seemed to be against her tingling, fair thighs. With each step, an electric current swept through her body, vaguely conjuring up the suffocating feeling she had just experienced, as if she were imprisoned in a bottomless ocean, her mind being overwhelmed by the waves.

The short distance from the sofa to the office chair felt like an eternity to her, making her unbearably itchy.

"Phew—" Leaning back in her comfortable office chair, Huang Liuhua let out a long sigh of relief. Looking at the desk that had turned from wet and sticky to white, Huang Liuhua raised her eyebrows in surprise.

She pulled out the cabinet, picked up the phone inside, and scrolled through the contacts. Finally, her finger landed on a woman's screen and she dialed the number.

Chapter Twenty-One: Imperial Six Flowers and Kurashiki Reika

"Hey, Rikka, what's up?" A proud yet magnetic mature voice, seemingly capable of penetrating the heart, came from the other end of the phone.

"Sister Lihua..." Huang Liuhua's hoarse voice, barely audible, trembled slightly as it reached the ears of Kurashiki Lihua on the other side.

"Hmm? Rikka, what's wrong with you?" Seemingly noticing Rikka's weakness, Kurashiki Reika became anxious and asked more quickly.

Kouroka was one of Kurashiki Reika's few close friends. They were very close, and Kouroka confided many of her thoughts and secrets about women to her. Now, it seems her good friend is in trouble, and Kurashiki Reika is extremely anxious about it.

"I'm fine, Sister Lihua, don't worry." Huang Liuhua picked up the water glass on the table and took a sip. Although the water in it had been replaced with a milkshake, it still quenched her thirst. "I was just too reckless just now. I didn't prepare in advance before doing things, so I was too busy and didn't have time to drink water. Now I feel a little thirsty."

"Phew—it's good that you're alright. What were you doing just now? You made our Rikka so busy." Kurashiki Reika breathed a sigh of relief, putting aside her worries, and asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Sister Lihua, do you know Ito Koshitomo?" Korokuka didn't answer directly. Instead, she asked for the name of someone Korokuka believed to be unrelated to her.

"Ito Koshitomo...why are you asking him?" Kurashiki Reika asked, slightly puzzled.