Unlimited Ambition

"Oh? That look in your eyes... Did I say something wrong?" Yukari Yakumo chuckled. "It's just a normal part-time job, and you're already scared? What are you going to do from now on? You're not even twenty yet. You have decades to live. Are you going to be jealous your whole life?"

Spring has wavered slightly, but it still maintains the posture of opening its arms—aren't you tired?

"Men... are pretty much like pet dogs. The tighter you pull the chain around their necks, the more they want to run away. If you push them too far, they might even turn around and bite you. Pushing them too hard is not a good thing."

"Hey! What do you mean?!" I couldn't stop talking anymore: "No matter what I say—"

"Shut up!!" ×2

"...Please continue."

Yukari Yakumo adopted the demeanor of a senior sister, as if she were instructing a junior on the art of controlling a husband, but she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.

It's over, or rather, it's a success. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Chunri, however, seemed completely captivated by her, her arm unconsciously lowering itself.

"So, the key is to have a balance of strictness and leniency, and to use both kindness and severity..." Yukari Yakumo continued her speech. Haruhi nodded repeatedly, completely defeated.

"Let's go inside and talk slowly, shall we?" That was the last time I saw Haruhi that day, before I finished my part-time job. It was like a little white rabbit being tricked by a big bad wolf, being led by Yakumo Yukari into her luxurious dining room. After the electronic door closed silently, I never saw her again.

The other girls then came to their senses.

"Huh? Where's Kasuga? Why is he gone?" Tsuruya-senpai asked curiously.

Did that girl just cast a charm spell? I frowned slightly—wait, there wasn't a trace of magic emanating from her. But if it wasn't her, then who was it?

"Greetings, everyone." At this moment, the door opened again, and a woman dressed in a women's suit, who looked like a shrewd and capable housekeeper, came out: "My name is Yakumo Ran. Lady Yukari has already informed me of your purpose for coming. I will take care of the rest of the arrangements."

I whistled, and then I understood. Then, using telepathy, I directly told Ms. Lan, "Your true colors are showing."

"How could this be? I clearly—" The woman who called herself Yakumo Ran immediately turned around to look behind her, then paused for a moment, realizing she had been tricked. When she turned back to me and saw me looking at her with a strange smile, her face immediately turned red.

"What's wrong, Miss Lan? Please continue," I urged with a smile.

"...Please follow me." This female fox had quite a strong mentality; she recovered in no time.

Never mind, since Zi isn't here, you're the same. Little fox.

After that, I was assigned to the position of bartender, Mikuru and Tsuruya-senpai changed into cheongsams and were assigned to be greeters at the entrance. Yuki, on the other hand, was called to the finance office to help with the accounts.

As for the younger sister... since employing child labor is illegal, she was tricked into going to the children's playroom to play.

It was only afternoon, and there weren't many people drinking, so I was happy to have some peace and quiet. I called Yakumo Ran over and, half-teasing and half-getting information out of her, made her quite embarrassed. After being humiliated several times, she wished she could disappear into the ground. This was my way of getting revenge for Yakumo Yukari's earlier nonsense.

Finally, when Haruhi came down the stairs from the second floor with a look of "I've learned something new," she saw me chuckling and Yakumo Ran blushing.

In the past, Haruhi would probably have rushed up and yelled. But lately, for some reason, Haruhi isn't as afraid of me anymore. Although she's become gentler in her actions, her possessiveness is much stronger than before. She'll throw a tantrum at the slightest provocation.

However, this time it was really beyond my expectations. Kasuga's expression changed slightly at first, but then, as if she remembered something, she didn't look in my direction. Instead, she turned to Yakumo Yukari and bowed: "Thank you very much for your guidance over the past few hours. I will keep it in mind."

"I'm glad you like it." Yukari Yakumo returned the greeting and then replied.

"It's getting late, so please allow me to take my leave now. I look forward to seeing you again." After saying this, Haruhi bowed again—strange, when did she become so polite?

"Then goodbye," Yukari Yakumo said with a smile.

"Goodbye." After saying that, Haruhi turned around and walked straight to my side.

"What—" I thought Haruhi was going to express her dissatisfaction again.

"You've worked hard, Kyon," Haruhi said to me with a nonchalant smile.

"Huh?"

"It's getting late, let's get ready to go back. I'll go to the finance office to call Yuki, you can go to the door to call Mikuru and Tsuruya-senpai." After saying that, Haruhi turned around gracefully and walked away without hesitation.

"Huh?!?"

Chapter Thirty-Six: A Prophecy Fulfilled

Come to think of it, when that woman in springtime becomes proper, it feels out of place. She's clearly not as attractive as she usually is. She just gives off a pretentious vibe.

Therefore, after returning from Yukari Yakumo's place, I spent several more hours cleaning up the erroneous ideas she had instilled in Haruhi. At the same time, I repeatedly emphasized that I love ponytails—I mean, I love your decisive and responsible personality.

After that, Chunri's tense face relaxed, and then she punched me in the face: "From now on, you are not allowed to associate with that woman!"

Then it ran away.

"That's right, that's how it should be, that's the Haruhi I know." I grimaced as I touched the bruises on my face.

So, the next day, which was also the last day of summer vacation, everyone gathered as usual, I treated everyone as usual, Haruhi did his usual antics, Tsuruya laughed as usual, Yuki read as usual, Mikuru acted cute as usual—unusually, my younger sister insisted on coming along—and then we headed to the flea market I had recommended.

"This time, it won't be like yesterday, with another ex-girlfriend popping up out of nowhere, will it?" Unexpectedly, halfway through the journey, Chunri suddenly turned around and asked this question.

"Hahaha... How could that be? Besides, Zi isn't my ex-girlfriend, we're just friends." I explained while laughing it off.

"Really... I hope so." Haruhi didn't press the matter further. She then led the way.

So, while pretending to walk casually and keeping my eyes straight ahead, I whispered to my senior, Tsuruya, beside me, "Are you all ready?"

"Huh?" Tsuruya-senpai turned her head to look at both sides, unsure if I was the one speaking.

"Don't look, it's me. Don't turn your head, look straight ahead, don't let Haruhi see you." I said, keeping my eyes straight ahead.

"Of course I'm prepared—but do you really think your plan will succeed?"

"Of course, given Haruhi's personality, how could she not be interested after seeing those things? As long as she buys those things, and I casually reveal a little information, I dare not say more, but she will basically not be human for the rest of her life."

"...Why do I find what you said so harsh?" Tsuruya-senpai frowned.

"It's just a miscalculation," I said, waving my hand dismissively.

"But Kyon, are those things you found real or fake? I have a feeling they're a bit far-fetched," Tsuruya-senpai appropriately expressed her concerns.

"Don't worry, the books aren't the originals, they're handwritten copies. The items are all imitations I made on the spot. They might be a bit weaker, but they're definitely usable—on another note, someone at Kasuga's current level doesn't need to deal with anything too advanced. It's like a level one newbie can't handle high-level equipment. These low-level imitations are enough."

After I finished speaking, I noticed that Tsuruya-senpai's eyes were unfocused, as if she hadn't been listening carefully.

"Senior?" I tried calling out.

"Ah, sorry, it was so long that I got distracted halfway through... But as long as those things are usable, that's enough, isn't it?"

"...That's right."

"And also, Kyon."

"what's up?"

"Can I borrow those things to play with? — They're the ones Kasuga didn't pick out, of course. They seem quite interesting."

Tsuruya-senpai looked at me with eager anticipation.

"Hey... Senior, aren't you a superpowered person? Why are you interested in magic?"

"Superpowers and magic can't coexist? Who told you that?"

"...Sorry, there's a slight misalignment." It then dawned on me that the opposition between science and magic was something from a past life.

"Will it work or not?"

"No problem, just let me know what you like, senior. It's okay if Haruhi takes it, I'll make you a new one."

"Really? Then I'll trouble you." Tsuruya-senpai smiled happily.

"It's nothing, it's not a big deal, hahaha..." (Besides, you'd be a fool not to boost a girl's favorability with just some cheap fakes.)

"What are you laughing at, Kyon?" Haruhi turned around and frowned.

Oh no, I got a little carried away.

"Ah—look at springtime, so many people!" I quickly changed the subject.

"Indeed...so many people..." Haruhi saw the entire street filled with vendors and shoppers, and suddenly became interested. She started running quickly.

It's quite frightening, really. Of these people, aside from a few genuinely there to browse, the vast majority were sent by the organization. And among the stall owners, not a single one was unrelated. This so-called superpowered organization certainly seems to possess considerable power, and with Tsuruya-senpai, this half-baked politician and businesswoman, they've unknowingly gained considerable influence.

So... this is fighting for the god you believe in, you bunch of bastards. Your lives aren't yours to worry about right now, but at least put in some effort—what's with that awkward, bewildered look? Can't you at least try to act convincingly?

Afterwards, I looked at my senior with a reproachful gaze. She gave an awkward smile.

"There's nothing we can do, none of us are professional actors..."

"Then why don't you hire some professionals! Isn't the Tsuruya family rich? If you can't hire big stars, hiring some second-rate actors will do," I continued to complain.

"...My family won't spend money on this kind of thing...The government's finances are also very tight."

"Say it, say it—say it my ass! You think you can get away with just acting cute? If Haruhi finds out, then everything is over!"

"I'm sorry..." the senior student said, sticking out her tongue.

"I told you not to act cute!"

"What does it matter? Chun Chun is usually so carefree, she's unlikely to notice anything," Tsuruya-senpai rolled her eyes and said dismissively.

"Unless Haruhi is even more of an idiot than you!" I retorted.

"Kyon, Tsuruya-senpai! What are you doing? Come over here!" At that moment, Haruhi, who was walking in front, turned around and waved to us. She seemed completely unaware of what was wrong around her.

“…Okay, maybe Haruhi is indeed a bit more of an idiot than you.” I sighed softly. “I apologize to you.”

"You are welcome."

"No, it's what I should do."

After that, my senior and I caught up with the main group. We then pretended to walk forward casually.

"Where is the designated location?" I continued to whisper with my senior... It's not that we can't communicate telepathically. But ultimately, her body is just that of a mortal. Although she can use this kind of mental magic at close range with my help, it damages her mind and soul. Once or twice won't be a big deal. At most, she'll just feel mentally exhausted and need a good night's sleep. But if it goes on for too long, sudden death would be the least of her worries. Her soul being scattered is also not out of the question.

So, magic is... well, it's kind of scary.

But I don't care.

"It's about this area," Tsuruya-senpai replied, then looked around and pointed to an inconspicuous stall not far away, saying, "That's it!"

I followed my senior's finger and looked over. And there it was: the things I'd prepared! Two stalls on either side of the street. One displayed Buddhist scriptures from the East, including the Great Compassion Mantra, the Shurangama Mantra, the Tantric Dual Cultivation Great Joy Zen, the Taoist Maoshan Secret Records, the True Transmission of Longhu Mountain, Laozi's Commentary, and the Great Method of Yin and Yang Intercourse. The bright red ones were Vermilion Fruits, the pink ones were Peaches of Immortality, the liquid in the bottles was Ten Thousand Year Stalactite Liquid, and the solid was the Exquisite Springtime Pill. Next to it were also a Three-Five Demon-Slaying Sword, a Shura Blood-Transforming Blade, and a Binding Immortal Rope (sex version).

On the other side were Western artifacts: the Book of Fallen Angels, the Book of Dark Magic, the Gospel of Judas, the Book of Solomon's Demonic Teachings, the Book of Slaanesh, and the Gospel of Matthew, the Albis's Divine Magic Manual, the Ten Commandments, the Seraphim's Omniscience, and the Commandment Against Adultery. The pointed thing was a Titan's Trident, the long thing was a True Cross, the green thing was a Crown of Thorns, and the thing crawling was a scarab beetle…

Good, good, it's all here. It seems no one embezzled it. Otherwise, someone would have died.

I nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Chunri's route. At this rate, it would only take a few more seconds—

"That plush toy over there is so cute!" Haruhi exclaimed like a child, then ran off to the side, taking the other girls with her.

Actually, you're much cuter than springtime—don't turn around! Otherwise, you won't see what I'm preparing!

I panicked and was about to run over to pull Chunri back on the right track when I realized that a hand had somehow appeared on my shoulder!