I became the King of Ryukyu

On my way back to school, my phone rang.

The message displayed is: [Landlady with very large breasts - Never eat her food - Has violent tendencies]

Zheng Yi hung up the incessantly ringing phone; the caller was simply asking why he hadn't shown up in class that morning.

It's not that we're urging him to study; we're both adults.

It's only natural to worry about his safety, given that he's the most talented man on Kumejima who never misses a day.

With his left hand on the handlebars, Zheng Yi typed on Line with his right: "This genius is out taking photos. See you at the restaurant at noon."

He put away his phone and strolled towards the lakeside student restaurant.

The October sun in Naha felt warm and cozy on my skin, and the sea breeze carried the aroma of miso soup wafting from the cafeteria, making me quicken my pace unconsciously.

After getting his food, Zheng Yi carried the tray and found a seat by the window. He had just picked up a piece of fried chicken and hadn't even had a chance to put it in his mouth when a plate was slammed down across from him.

I am like the ancient musician.

She was wearing a loose white T-shirt today, her hair was casually tied in a ponytail, and her dark circles were lighter than yesterday—it seems the izakaya business wasn't too bad last night.

It could also be that they have made peace with themselves.

But the look in her eyes when she looked at Zheng Yi still carried that murderous aura that said, "I'm tired, don't mess with me."

"Hey, Yuki-kun, you look great today," Zheng Yi said politely.

"Shut up and eat your food." Yuki picked up a piece of tamagoyaki and stuffed it into her mouth. After chewing it a couple of times, she suddenly frowned. "This tamagoyaki is too sweet. It's not as good as the ones I make myself."

Zheng Yi almost choked on the miso soup.

"Are you serious? The tamagoyaki you made almost got Tetsuya killed last time."

"That's because he's too fragile."

"After he finished eating, his face turned blue and he lay on the ground for half an hour."

"He's detoxing."

Zheng Yi paused for two seconds and decided not to dwell on the topic any further.

My own appointment as a retainer might have saved that kid's life.

Zheng Yi's silence did not mean that Youji would let him go.

"But you," Yugi put down her chopsticks, squinted at him, "what big project have you been working on in the attic lately? Tetsuya said he could always smell something burning at night, like garbage being burned."

"...Is Tetsuya such a loose tongue?"

He also said you moved eight microwave ovens upstairs.

Zheng Yi's hand, which was holding a fried chicken, froze in mid-air.

"Eight microwave ovens," Yuki repeated, her tone carrying a subtle, almost smug pity, as if she were looking at someone with a wit. "Fukuzumi-kun, are you planning to open an appliance store in the attic, or are you cooking something?"

"I'm conducting an experiment."

What kind of experiment requires eight microwave ovens?

"...academic experiment."

"Would academic experiments turn the room into a fire scene?"

"That's because the microwave ovens are different brands, and the power is unstable!"

"Oh." Yuki nodded, her face expressionless. "So you're not cooking shit."

"Of course not!!!"

"That's good," Yuki said, taking a sip of the miso soup. "Because Tetsuya said it smells similar."

Zheng Yi decided to end the topic.

While military generals may be loyal, it doesn't mean they lack their own dreams, family ties, and lives.

Just then, a faint, floral scent wafted over. A tray was gently placed next to Zheng Yi, and then Supervisor Aragaki Rio sat down with a smile.

"Oh, do you mind if I sit here?"

"No problem, no problem!" Yugi quickly moved further inside.

Zheng Yi's eyes quickly swept over her. Supervisor Aragaki was wearing a beige knitted cardigan today, with her long hair draped over her shoulders, exuding a gentle and intellectual aura.

This was in stark contrast to the woman opposite him who seemed to want to kill him with her eyes.

Aragaki Rio glanced at Zheng Yi, then at Yuki across from her, a meaningful aunt-like smile appearing on her lips.

"Are you two arguing again?"

"We didn't argue," Yuki said calmly. "I was telling him not to conduct dangerous experiments in a residential area."

"I'm not lecturing her—"

"Look, you're getting impatient again." Rio Aragaki shook her head with a smile, picked up a piece of pumpkin salad from her plate, and said slowly, "You two are really like a pair of sworn enemies. You see each other every day and you argue every day, but neither of you is really angry with the other."

Zheng Yi and You Ji spoke at the same time:

"Who said he/she is my enemy!"

Rio Aragaki laughed even harder.

After laughing, her expression became slightly more serious as she turned to Zheng Yi: "By the way, I heard you've already reported to the Marine Biology Research Club? How's your work with the students at headquarters going?"

Zheng Yi nodded: "It's alright, just helping her tidy up the water tank and feed the fish and stuff."

Rio Aragaki gave a soft "hmm," picked up her teacup, took a sip, and seemed to be carefully considering her words.

After a while, she slowly said, "That classmate from the main campus... well, her background is rather complicated. Her family owns a large business in the main campus, and she's intelligent, but sometimes her methods are unpredictable. You'll have to be careful working under her."

Supervisor Aragaki's words were subtle, but the meaning was clear: Mioko from the main campus was no ordinary person; even the school considered her a formidable opponent.

"I understand, thank you for the reminder, supervisor," Zheng Yi replied earnestly.

Rio Aragaki regained her gentle smile and waved her hand, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. You two hurry up and eat, you have class this afternoon."

The meal ended in a subtly tense atmosphere. You Ji stood up first, carrying the tray, and left, not forgetting to turn back and glare at Zheng Yi before she left, as if to say, "I'll settle the score with you about the microwave when I get back tonight." Zheng Yi pretended not to understand and lowered his head to stuff the last piece of fried chicken into his mouth.

After saying goodbye to Supervisor Aragaki, Zheng Yi walked out of the restaurant, rode his bicycle through two blocks to the Marine Biology Department.

He had originally planned to resign.

The reason is simple—he no longer needs this job.

With the income from his underwater treasure hunts and the future output of Shadow Isles, Xiaobailong's financial situation has far surpassed the stage of "being short of money." A monthly salary of one million yen is certainly tempting, but having to deal with a strange young lady all day for it doesn't seem worth it.

However, when the elevator stopped on the 25th floor and he stepped out, what he saw made him instantly change his mind.

Two burly men in black suits and sunglasses were dragging a blood-soaked man out of a side door. The man's legs were clearly broken, dangling at an unnatural angle, leaving long trails of blood on the floor. Something was stuffed in his mouth, and he could only make indistinct whimpering sounds.

Push open the door to the activity room.

Mioko Honbu was standing in front of the water tank, her back to the door, holding a bottle of chilled Ramune soda in her hand, as if the commotion in the corridor had nothing to do with her.