.
"I plan on making my own company and according to the law, I can't do much without an adult signing for me" He made up an excuse Mei could accept. What he needed right now was her cooperation so he didn't reveal all of his plans just yet.
"Then why don't you tell Kyouko about it? She can easily set up a subsidiary company just for you" Mei was curious, since this talk was about business then it was something she can help him with.
"It's because of that reason that I want to keep this from her. I want to build a company of my own and give it to the Kouzuki corporation once it has grown strong enough to be an addition that can tip the scales against the Kurogane conglomerate" Mei instantly understood his intentions. She couldn't help but think how much of a monster Kyouko raised. A six-year-old with an ambition to overthrow one of the biggest companies in the country. She found this notion quite enticing.
"How are you going to fund it without Kyouko noticing?" her drowsiness evaporated and full attention was now on Kazuya's every word. The thought of establishing a secret company was indeed exciting but reality was not that kind. She wanted to hear every detail of his plan and help him with her expertise.
"The funds will come soon. I just wanted to ask for big sis' help before I make a move. I won't be able to do anything unless you agree to help"
"I can help but I want to know things like; how you are going to establish it? What kind of company is it? How are you going to get employees? Those kinds of things. My Kazu may be a genius but he is still six years old" Mei really didn't want to say it but it was to make him understand that this was not a game.
"The less you know for now the better big sis. It's not anything bad and since you will be handling some of the paperwork, you will get a few answers from them. I am still in the planning phase and still studying everything I can so talking about the details right now is a bit difficult" Kazuya tried to calm down her curiosity. He knew that he had lit a fire in Mei since this was her playing field but he had to do this himself or Kyouko will have suspicions.
"Okay… but I'm not going to help you if you don't answer even the most basic of questions. The real world is tough but the business world is even more merciless so let your big sis do her responsibility and let me protect you a little okay?" she was not looking down on him at all, she knew how capable he was and wanted him have as little obstacles as possible.
"Thanks big sis. It's already pretty late and you still have a big day later" Kazuya snuggled up to her and closed his eyes. He put his body in rest mode and began circulating mana for both himself and Mei.
Because of her habit of sticking close to him, Mei had the most progress when it came to her affinity with mana. Kazuya's realized both Mei and Kyouko's natural affinity with mana were a lot better compared to normal people like Miyamoto or Fujiyama. The two were indeed a cut above the rest and knowing that as their constitutions' development will be beneficial for their wellbeing made him want to double his efforts.
Kazuya's ring appeared in his finger to include itself in the circulation. He looked at it and was relieved. This companion of his looked to be in a better state with it's luster back. Maintaining it still required some effort but it was good training for mana control. Because of it, Kazuya's mastery over mana would make his actual skills more precise and he could get a better estimation of his enemies' strength.
The weekend quickly passed by. It was now preparations for exam season at the school. A smiling boy walked through the gates and felt glad that he was back. He took out a piece of paper in his pocket and checked the classes he was going to attend. Most of them were in the second grade's class 2-B. He entered the school and all those who noticed the illustrious S class pin on his chest.
"I'm back!" he declared as he entered 2B's classroom. His eyes locked into a specific seat and found that a stranger getting surrounded by some of their classmates happily talking.
"Hmm?" Kazuya noticed the boy coming straight for him. His classmates were congratulating him for winning the kendo tournament. They made way as soon as they noticed the new arrival and unlike Kazuya, they knew what he was here for.
"I haven't seen you here before. Are you a transfer student?" he was a little surprised that the boy didn't show any reaction to the pin on his chest even though he already noticed it.
"I am" he was curious as to what this person wanted. Seeing the students' reactions, he was glad that he didn't opt to go to the S class.
"Do you know that that seat belongs to someone else?" It was clear to everyone that he came here for Tomoyo. Kazuya understood this after hearing this question.
"I was asked to sit here when I was introduced to this class. I'll be glad to move to one of the empty seats in the back if you can take the responsibility of explaining why to all those related" Kazuya smiled. This was a good opportunity to free himself from being stared at from time to time.
"Oh? You're quite the reasonable and nice guy. Don't worry, I'll tell the teachers that it was me who told you to move. The real owner of this seat should be returning today now that the tournament is over" he said as Kazuya moved his things and sat beside another classmate in one of the seats at the back.
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He asked about the boy who came for Tomoyo. He was named Aoki Takaya, a member of one of the most prestigious families who have deep roots in theatre. He came to attend a few classes earlier his year and was fascinated by Tomoyo's 'unique' demeanor. He claimed that he wanted to make her a model for the role he found very challenging so he kept hanging around her.
"I see… thank you for your explanation" he thanked his classmate and took out a book he borrowed from the library. He was finally free from the commotion and went back to studying. Kazuya already finished most of the old books in Kyouko's study so he decided to make good use of the school and its resources.
"Shiroyuki-san!" Takaya immediately spotted the Tomoyo as she entered the room and called out to her.
"?" She looked at the boy who was sitting in her seat. He looked familiar and couldn't quite remember who he was. She thought that he was a classmate so she entered the classroom anyway.
*stare* she kept looking at the boy since he didn't move from her seat. She didn't notice Kazuya sitting at the back trying to hide himself with the book he was reading.
"What's wrong Shiroyuki-san? Why don't you take a seat?" she would usually ignore everyone and sit quietly but today was different.
*shake shake* she shook her head and pointed to where he was sitting. This confused Takaya even more. It was only when the class representative stepped up to tell him that he was sitting in Tomoyo's seat did he understand what she meant.
"Err… That's odd… I've only been gone for a few weeks and the seats have been changed?" He scratched his head. "No matter, I can sit in your old seat then" he moved towards the next seat but was immediately stopped by Tomoyo before he could rest his bottom on the chair.
*shake shake* Tomoyo refused to let him sit. This time he made a guess at what she meant.
"It's okay Shiroyuki-san, the person who was sitting here before said that he didn't mind if he vacated the seat and happily handed it over" he glanced over to Kazuya for confirmation but found that he wasn't sitting on the seat he transferred to.
Kazuya left the classroom to avoid getting disturbed further. There was still some time before morning classes so he moved to the courtyard to concentrate. Today was the official release of 'New Gods Online' and will be the first step to gathering the people he needed for his company.
"Hmm?" Kazuya felt a hostile gaze. He kept reading his book but turned it towards the source of the hostility as to not attract attention. It was Lee and another person who had his back facing Kazuya. They were located in the upper floor of the middle school department and it looked like they were having a conversation until Lee spotted Kazuya sitting at the courtyard.
"Kuuga you bastard! I'm looking at him right now. He doesn't have any sign of injury. Did you scam me? Were those pictures fake?" Lee was venting his frustration.
"Are you sure you want to be seen with me in school? You may have already been disowned by your adoptive grandfather but that matter has not been openly announced" Kuuga remained still and didn't look at Kazuya who was curious about who Lee was talking to.
Lee had been disowned by the Kurogane family due to his actions. He could not defend himself after being shown the video that had already spread around the internet. His continuous plots against Kazuya further disproved his claims of having nothing to do with the cause of his amnesia. Even his reputation in school has been affected and people were talking behind his back.
He had fallen from his high horse. To make matters worse, even random strangers recognized him because of the merciless number of memes that had circulated around the internet. To those who didn't know him, he was simply one of those violent young masters who didn't care about lowly commoners so a lot of people enjoyed poking fun at him.
"I don't care anymore. What's the use of letting them think I'm still with the Kuroganes. Without their support, this would be my last year here in this school" Lee clenched his fists and continued glaring at the boy who he didn't know already noticed them.
"You still have all that cash saved up right? Besides, due to my help, you're more than eligible to apply for a scholarship"
"I have no face left to show here. I'm just talking to you to either get my money back or make sure you live up to your end of the bargain because clearly, I've been had. I've paid less to send my peers to the hospital so don't you dare tell me you showed mercy just because he's a kid"
"I'm already looking in to it. I was surprised to hear the kid went to school today. I'll return your money if you want it… but only after I've confirmed that the job was not satisfactory"
"What's there to look into? Our deal was to cripple him yet he's still walking fine without a care. Just give me my money back"
"I'll give you your money back but not all of it. The amount I return will depend on how much work had been done. You know how I do business" Kuuga had enough and walked away. He was not a nice guy but he always had done business fairly because he held pride in his way of doing things. "If I was indeed played for a fool… I will deal with them myself" he continued his steps and left Lee who was trembling in anger. The boy who was once reading a book stuck out his tongue and gave him the finger before heading inside the building.
Kazuya was satisfied with himself and returned to class a minute before the bell rang. He used door behind the classroom to sneak in without Tomoyo noticing and timed his entrance together with Miyamoto. He was not the only person taking advantage as Takaya also sat down on Kazuya's seat after they were done with the morning greeting.
Class S students were students with identities that required them to be away from school at times. Takaya for example was part of a large family that did theatre so he traveled around a lot to do performances around the country. The same type of people made up the students of class S.
They had special privileges, they could access the class schedules and choose which class they could attend. Although it might sound very envious to have complete control of their time, the school was very strict on these students. If they fail to perform to the school's standards then their status would immediately be revoked. They could either transfer to a normal class or transfer out of the school. This was the price to pay for having such freedom.
Miyamoto of course noticed the change and smiled. Kazuya never wanted to sit there in the first place so he was just taking advantage of the situation. Tomoyo on the other hand still hadn't noticed Kazuya and could do nothing now that Takaya had claimed the empty seat.
Kazuya silently sat at the back and minded his own business. All the teachers were already used to him reading different types of book in class. It ranged from medicine, engineering, architecture, science anything he found interesting in the library. The teachers knew of his prowess already so most of them didn't mind.
"Thank you transfer student. You're a nice guy" Takaya who noticed his return, looked in his direction and used his lips to relay a message.
.