I'm in a crossover anime world, and I've been transported to Hogwarts twice.

She leaned forward slightly, crossed her hands on the table, and her aura spread out silently. "Every move here could involve huge interests or even lives. The consequences of a wrong move could be too heavy for either of us to bear."

Yukino's face paled slightly. The picture Yukino described was a hundred times more complex and dangerous than she understood management.

She had only seen the surface, focusing solely on how to complete the task assigned by Xian Yi and prove herself worthy of his trust. The coldness and heaviness of reality weighed heavily on her shoulders for the first time.

"So, I will arrange for someone to help you when the time comes."

Yukino suddenly looked up, a hint of resistance flashing in her eyes: "I don't need it."

"you need to."

Yang interrupted her directly, his tone resolute.

"This is not a discussion, but a necessary measure. The people I've given you are not here to make decisions for you, nor are they here to monitor you. They are your eyes, your ears, supplementary light sources for certain corners you may have overlooked, and consultants who can provide professional advice in certain special areas."

Yang Nai's eyes turned unusually serious: "Most importantly, they are your safety rope. When you are about to step into some irreversible trap due to lack of experience, they will remind you and pull you back, that's all."

She emphasized, "Of course, I must make it clear beforehand that the people I arrange will only remind you when you make a mistake. As for other situations, the decision-making power is yours, the execution power is yours, and how to deal with people and how to achieve your goals are all up to you. They are shadows, they are assistants, not the main character. The main character is you, Yukino Yukinoshita."

Yang Nai's words were like a shot of adrenaline, but also like a heavy shackle.

Yukino understood her sister's intention: to protect, but never spoil; to support, but never indulge.

This is a trust that comes with immense pressure.

She pursed her lips, savoring the weight of this gift, and finally nodded slowly.

She accepted the arrangement and the challenges that came with it.

Yang observed her sister's reaction, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.

She knew Yukino's pride, and even more so, her sense of responsibility.

Since she nodded, it means she was mentally prepared to bear all of this.

"very good."

Yang leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, as if he were thinking about the next issue.

After a moment, she spoke again, her tone carrying an undeniable bias: "And also, bring Shiina Mahiru into this."

"Mahiru?"

Yukino was clearly taken aback; this suggestion was completely unexpected.

She frowned and asked, "Why her? What does this have to do with her?"

She thought of Shiina Mahiru's gentle and quiet demeanor, seemingly untouched by worldly affairs, and the thought of her facing the undercurrents of Academy City was simply...

"You think she's not suitable?"

Yang Nai seemed to see through her thoughts, and chuckled softly, his smile carrying a knowing understanding of the ways of the world.

“Yukino, don’t underestimate any woman who can stand firmly by Genichi’s side, especially someone like Shiina Mahiru who exists in an ordinary manner.”

"Do you think she was able to become Genichi's woman with her mother's tacit approval and even some degree of recognition? It's not just because of her cooking and housekeeping skills."

"That ability to calmly control the overall situation, reconcile all parties, and maintain a delicate balance is precisely the soft skill you lack most right now."

"She is thoughtful and observant, often noticing subtle details about people's hearts that you might easily overlook. In a place like Academy City, sometimes the human factor is more important than cold rules and powerful forces."

Yang Nai paused, a complex light flashing in her eyes, but her tone remained calm and composed: "Besides, she is Xianyi's publicly acknowledged partner, and we cannot exclude her."

Yukino was silent.

She had to admit that her sister's analysis made sense.

Mahiru's subtle and unassuming way of dealing with the world, and the sense of calm that seems to soothe all restlessness, are things that she does not possess.

Yang Nai added, "Of course, if the other party is unwilling, then forget it!" (Li Liao's)

Her tone was decisive, emphasizing that unwillingness was the only reason for refusal.

"There's no need to force it. I'm just giving the best advice based on my abilities and the current situation. The final decision is yours, and it's up to you whether or not to invite her."

Yukino's fingertips curled up unconsciously.

Yang Nai looked at her younger sister's profile as she fell into deep thought and did not urge her any further.

She picked up a folder from the table and gently pushed it in front of Yukino: "This contains preliminary information on several key departments in Academy City, as well as backgrounds on some people you need to pay attention to. Take it back and take a good look. As for manpower and Shiina Mahiru, let me know when you've thought it through."

Yukino's gaze fell on the dark folder, which seemed like a heavy magnet, drawing in fragments of her future destiny.

She reached out, her fingertips touching the cool leather surface, and a torrent of emotions—a mixture of excitement, trepidation, and immense responsibility—instantly overwhelmed her.

The gates of Academy City were slowly opening before her in a way she had never imagined.

Her sister was not only her guide and gatekeeper, but also the one who laid out a safety net behind her.

232 Kaguya Shinomiya's Grievance

The construction of Academy City began like a sophisticated machine, with each component quietly meshing together under Yukinoshita's direction.

However, beneath this seemingly calm surface of preparation, undercurrents never cease to surge.

One undercurrent, clearly filled with dissatisfaction and grievance, was rushing menacingly toward the office where Genichi Hanyu was.

The door was pushed open rather roughly, the force so great that the heavy solid wood door panel slammed against the wall with a dull thud.

Kaguya Shinomiya appeared at the doorway, her usual elegant and composed demeanor, as if she had everything under control, completely shattered.

Her eyes were slightly red, her long eyelashes were still damp, her lips were tightly pursed and turned down, and her face was full of accusations that she was very wronged and needed to be comforted.

She rushed to Genichi Hanyu's large desk, slammed her hands on the surface, leaned forward slightly, and stared at him with watery eyes, her gaze filled with a relentless intensity.

"Xuan Yi Jun!"

Her voice carried a barely perceptible sob, but more so suppressed anger and resentment.

When Genichi Hanyu saw Kaguya Shinomiya's appearance, his eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

He put down his electronic pen, leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms in front of him, and looked at her with a gaze that was both reassuring and questioning. His voice was steady: "What's wrong, Kaguya?"

"what happened?"

Kaguya Shinomiya seemed to be ignited by this seemingly ordinary question, and her voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"That woman, Yukinoshita Haruno! What right does she have! What right does she have to exclude me!"

Her chest heaved slightly, clearly furious: "Why is Yukino Yukinoshita allowed to participate in such an important project as the 510 Garden City, a core project related to the future foundation of Chaldea, and why is Shiina Mahiru also included, but I'm the only one excluded? Am I that worthless in her eyes? Or is she just so wary of me?"

"Excluded?"

Genichi Hanyu repeated the word, and seeing Kaguya's excited yet aggrieved expression, combined with her mention of the Academy City plan, he instantly understood. It seemed that the personnel arrangement list from Haruno's side had deeply provoked this proud young lady, Shinomiya.

"Okay, I'll ask for you."

Instead of immediately comforting or blaming Haruno, Genichi Hanyu took the most direct approach.

He picked up the dedicated communicator on the table—a device connected to Chaldea's internal encrypted circuitry—and dialed Yukinoshita's number directly.

The phone rang only twice before being answered. Yukinoshita Haruno's voice, languid yet incredibly clear, as if she had everything under control, came through: "Genichi? Is there some new instruction you need at this hour?"

The sound of rapid keyboard typing could be faintly heard in the background, indicating that she was busy.

Genichi Hanyu cut to the chase without any pleasantries: "Yono, regarding the Academy City preparation team, I heard you excluded Kaguya? She has some objections to that."

There was a silence of about two seconds on the other end of the phone, followed by a very strange laugh from Yukino Yukinoshita, filled with deep confusion and as if she had heard something unbelievable.

"Ah."

Her laughter was clearly transmitted through the receiver to Genichi Hanyu's ears, as well as to Kaguya, who was holding her breath and listening intently.

There was no trace of apology or nervousness in that laughter; instead, it was filled with a sense of absurdity.

"Xuan-ichi, and Miss Shinomiya?"

She clearly guessed that Kaguya was nearby.

"Is it possible that the massive Shinomiya zaibatsu was already on our list of core partners from the very beginning of the project?"

Genichi Hanyu paused for a moment, holding the communicator, and looked up at Kaguya Shinomiya, who was nervously awaiting her verdict across the desk.

His gaze was calm, but the message conveyed beneath that calmness made Kaguya's heart skip a beat.

Yang Nai's voice continued, clear and businesslike: "The Shinomiya Zaibatsu is responsible for supplying more than 30% of the top-grade materials for the Academy City infrastructure projects, has undertaken the construction of energy pipelines in at least four core areas, and its cutting-edge laboratories have signed several key technology sharing agreements with us."

"From a business cooperation perspective, the Shinomiya Zaibatsu has not only not been excluded, but is one of our most important strategic partners. As the representative of the Zaibatsu, isn't it obvious how much participation and influence Miss Shinomiya has in the entire project?"

Yang Nai's words were logical and well-organized; each word was like a piece of ice, striking Kaguya's heart.

Her previous assertive accusation of being ostracized suddenly seemed incredibly weak and naive in the face of such facts.

"Can that be the same?"

Kaguya Shinomiya, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, raised her voice again due to excitement and embarrassment, trying to refute, but her voice clearly lacked confidence.

"The Shinomiya Zaibatsu's cooperation with Chaldea is an official business, a commercial transaction!"

"But……"

She hesitated for a long time, but couldn't bring herself to say the rest.

However, Yukino Yukinoshita and Mahiru Shiina directly participated in the core management and team building as close associates of Genichi Hanyu!

They have access to the truly core secrets of Academy City: its planning blueprints, personnel arrangements, and future operating models!

And what about Kaguya Shinomiya?

For now, she can only represent her family at the negotiating table to discuss material prices and project progress!

In her view, this was a world of difference!

It's blatant treatment of outsiders!

She guiltily looked away, no longer daring to look directly into Genichi Hanyu's eyes, which seemed to see right through people.

Those hidden little thoughts of hers, feeling neglected and that she was less important to Yukino and Mahiru than Yuzuru Genichi, were laid bare by Haruno's businesslike approach.

Genichi Hanyu sighed helplessly as he looked at Kaguya's fierce yet cowardly, embarrassed and angry appearance.

How could he not understand?

Haruno's answer was true, but Kaguya's dilemma was not about the superficial business cooperation.

What she really cares about is the sense of distance, whether she can participate in Genichi's core business in a more intimate way, like Yukino and Mahiru.

"Kaguya, if you have a personal interest in the specific management and construction of Academy City, you can certainly join in."

He paused, looking at Kaguya's eyes that lit up instantly, and continued, "As for Yukino and Mahiru, relying solely on the two of them to successfully establish and manage Academy City would indeed put a lot of pressure on them, and the challenges they face would be beyond imagination. Haruno has arranged an assistant for Yukino, but it's always good to have another reliable and capable person to share the burden."

He deliberately emphasized reliability and competence.

"Perfect timing. Your business acumen, negotiation skills, strategic vision, and sensitivity to resource allocation are all qualities they might lack."

Genichi Hanyu tried to give her a way out and a way to use her strengths: "How about helping them share some of the burden? I'll talk to Haruno and give you a suitable position where you can use your strengths."

This is almost the clearest promise and invitation that Genichi Hanyu could give.

He recognized her abilities and was willing to open the door for her to join the core team of the company.

However, after hearing his words, the expectation and radiance on Kaguya Shinomiya's face dimmed and froze at a visible speed, eventually turning completely black.

She felt as if she had been greatly insulted, or as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head.

Should we send her to join Yukino Yukinoshita's team?

Let her work as an assistant to Yukino Yukinoshita, whom she has always secretly competed with and regarded as a rival in love?

Should we share the burden?

Go and help?

And under Yukino's arrangement, he also needs to get a so-called suitable position?

This is completely different from what she imagined—to be one of the mistresses of the house, participating alongside or even leading some of the affairs!

It feels like being given a secondary position out of charity, and then having to depend on others!

The immense sense of loss and her intense pride caused Kaguya Shinomiya's arrogance to rebound to its peak instantly.

She suddenly raised her head, her face dark as she looked at Genichi Hanyu, her crimson eyes burning with the flames of humiliation and a stubborn refusal.

Then, in a resolute and determined tone, she clearly stated, "I! Am! Not! Going!"

Before Yuzuru Genichi could even react, she turned abruptly, her footsteps making a rapid, crisp sound on the floor. Like a whirlwind carrying anger, she stormed out of the office without looking back, leaving behind only the still slightly swaying door and the thick, unyielding sense of grievance, resentment, and the wounded pride unique to Kaguya Shinomiya.

Genichi Hanyu stared at the empty doorway, listening to the receding footsteps, and could only let out another deep, helpless sigh.