bookbashuk Page 198
Page 198
The two knew that anyone who could become a member of the board of directors of the private Shuchiin Academy must be a key figure with great influence in their respective fields. After returning last time, Kyoko Yuuki inquired about the businesses under Ashikaga Miwa, but the empty numbers presented on paper did not bring any shock. It was not until this moment that Kyoko Yuuki, Akira Yuuki, and the other two realized just how terrifying Ashikaga teacher's wealth was.
"Um... no need, let's talk about business first."
Yuki Shozo first waved his hand, then looked at Asagiri beside his daughter to calm his emotions after being repeatedly shocked, before speaking in a deep voice.
"Utsunomiya-kun, let me be frank. Actually, we in the industry are not optimistic about Professor Kayaba Akihiko's idea. With the current level of technology, it is difficult to manufacture the kind of head-mounted electronic device he envisions. Moreover, directly connecting to the user's brainwaves is also a problem. There are many security risks involved. For example, if the network suddenly fluctuates or even if the network is suddenly interrupted and forced to disconnect, how can we ensure that the user's brain will not be damaged? Even if the technology is advanced enough and the security risks are resolved, there is still one crucial problem."
At this point, Yuki Shozo paused slightly, and just as he was about to speak again, he heard Asagiri chuckle.
"Is it a problem with government oversight? After all, it's chilling to think that electronic devices manufactured by private companies are connected to the brains of tens of thousands of citizens."
"Yes."
After hearing Asagiri point out this potential problem in advance, Yuki Shozo couldn't help but look at him with a hint of admiration. He thought to himself that this Utsunomiya-kun was not only handsome and had excellent grades in sports and academics, but also more mature than the average high school student. But then again, this was no ordinary high school, but the private Shuchiin Academy.
"Well, that's definitely a problem."
Asagiri nodded first, then looked at Kyoko Yuuki and Shozo Yuuki sitting on the opposite sofa and spoke softly.
"But if it's not used on a large scale, and it's a product we develop ourselves that we don't sell to the public, then there shouldn't be a problem, right?"
“That would be acceptable, but…”
Yuki Shozo frowned, his face showing worry.
“I’ve had contact with Professor Kayaba Akihiko before. To put it nicely, he’s a very confident person. To put it bluntly, he’s extremely arrogant. Even if he doesn’t refute other people’s opinions on the surface, no one’s opinion can change his decision. It seems very difficult to persuade him not to put his research results into large-scale use.”
"rest assured."
Asagiri picked up the can of frozen Coca-Cola on the table, took a sip, and then smiled.
"What I'm best at is persuading others."
60
Chapter 60 The Shock of the Love Detective
After the meeting, Asagiri and Asuna Yuuki's father reached an agreement.
On Sunday, Kayaba Akihiko will arrive in Tokyo under the arrangement of Ashikaga Miwa. At that time, he will have a detailed exchange with Yuki Shozo, the CEO of an electronics manufacturer, and the exchange will be conducted with generous terms.
Ashikaga Miwa is providing unconditional financial support. Regardless of whether Kayaba Akihiko's developed equipment can be commercialized, she will fully support him and will only act as a fund provider. She will not interfere in the research and development process or meddle with Kayaba Akihiko in any way.
Of course, after the research and development is successful, she will make some requests, hoping that the electronic devices developed by Kayaba Akihiko and the virtual scenes they create can be used to provide "players" with experience in clearing dungeons.
As for whether or not to let Kayaba Akihiko know about the players and game-related matters, that will be discussed after development is completed.
With such exceptionally generous sponsorship terms that required almost no return, Yuki Shozo felt that even Kayaba Akihiko would definitely not be able to refuse.
"Utsunomiya-kun, want to grab a bite together?"
In response to Kyoko Yuuki's invitation, Asagiri simply waved her hand and replied with a smile.
"I won't disturb your family's precious time together."
Kyoko Yuuki covered her mouth and chuckled. She was completely different from the serious, rigid, and unsmiling mother that Asuna Yuuki remembered. In her eyes, there was only the appreciation and love of a mother-in-law for her future son-in-law when she looked at Asagiri.
"Oh dear, what are you saying? You're not an outsider. After you graduate high school and marry Asuna, we'll be family. Hmm... Utsunomiya Asuna... that's a very nice name..."
Hearing that her mother was already thinking about changing her surname after marrying Asagiri, Asuna Yuuki blushed and reached out to tug at Kyoko Yuuki's sleeve, acting coy.
"Mom, we're still at the school gate, please keep your voice down..."
"Asuna, you're still not mature enough."
Kyoko Yuuki leaned close to Asuna Yuuki's ear and spoke earnestly in a low voice.
"Didn't you notice? We've only been standing here for less than two minutes, and at least dozens of girls have been staring at Utsunomiya-kun. You must hold onto such an excellent boyfriend tightly and never let any girl with ulterior motives take him away. Love is war!"
Upon hearing her mother's words, Asuna Yuuki couldn't help but show a helpless expression.
"What?! There's even a middle-aged version of a love detective... really..."
"Asuna~"
Hearing that energetic voice, Asuna Yuuki turned around and saw Kotoko Iwanaga, Chika Fujiwara, and Kaguya Shinomiya walking towards her.
"Your friends?"
As Yuuki Asuna was about to answer her mother's curious question, Asagiri, standing to the side, spoke bluntly.
"She's a girl with ulterior motives."
"Forehead……"
Kyoko Yuuki's expression froze for a moment, then she gave an awkward laugh.
“Utsunomiya-kun…you really do like to joke around…”
"Mother."
Asuna Yuuki glared at Asagiri with annoyance before introducing her mother.
"This is Kotoko Iwanaga from Class A, she's my friend. This is Chika Fujiwara from my class, she's also my friend. And this... is Kaguya Shinomiya, the current student council president of Shuchiin Private School, who's in the same class as Asagiri."
"Four Palaces..."
Upon hearing Kaguya Shinomiya's surname, Kyoko Yuuki's eyes flashed with a strange light. After nodding to Kaguya Shinomiya, Chika Fujiwara, and Kotoko Iwanaga, she turned to Asuna Yuuki beside her and smiled.
"Since your friends have come to see you, you don't need to keep us two middle-aged people company. Go and have fun with them and Utsunomiya-kun."
After saying that, Kyoko Yuuki and Shozo Yuuki turned around and left.
After Asuna Yuuki's parents left, the group returned to the student council office at Shuchiin Academy. Kaguya Shinomiya then looked at Asuna Yuuki sitting opposite her, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing. She simply turned her gaze to Asagiri standing by the window, smoothed her long black hair, and spoke in a flat tone.
"Vice President, I heard from Ms. Ashikaga that you all usually train with her. I and two others would like to join as well. Is that alright?"
"Do you also want to participate in the special training?"
Asagiri smiled slightly, and said with interest.
"you sure?"
"Forehead……"
Seeing the somewhat meaningful expression on Asagiri's face, Fujiwara Chika hesitated and looked at Yuuki Asuna tentatively, asking her question.
"Asuna... your special training... it's not the kind of special training we imagined, but... that kind of special training, is it?"
Asuna Yuuki frowned slightly, puzzled.
"What do you mean by 'this' and 'that'? What are you talking about?"
"that is……"
Fujiwara Chika glanced at Asagiri standing there, and seemed to be thinking of some scene, her cute face blushing.
"You guys should wear clothes during your special training, right?"
"what are you thinking?"
Upon hearing Fujiwara Chika's words, Iwanaga Kotoko couldn't help but roll her eyes and said irritably.
"If it's the kind where you don't need to wear clothes, would it even be your turn? You're dreaming."
Just as Fujiwara Chika and Iwanaga Kotoko were contemplating the abstraction, the truly heavyweight god of abstraction, Utsunomiya Asagiri Hideo, appeared and slowly uttered four resounding words.
"I have no opinion."
"You have no objections now?"
Kotoko Iwanaga walked up to Asagiri, looking sullen, and snorted.
"You spent the whole day with Asuna yesterday, and you haven't spent any time with me today~ What special training? No special training."
"Wait a moment……"
Upon hearing Kotoko Iwanaga's words, Chika Fujiwara was slightly taken aback at first, then her face showed shock, her lips slightly parted, making a slightly exaggerated and cute expression of shock.
"Could it be that... the three of you are...?"
"you misunderstood."
Seeing Asagiri wave her hand and deny it outright, Fujiwara Chika breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear the other party add with a light laugh.
"There are four, and one of them isn't here right now."
"What!? What!?"
Fujiwara Chika's vague suspicions were finally confirmed by Asagiri herself, leaving her speechless with astonishment.
"Asuna...do...do you know about this?"
Asuna Yuuki pursed her lips, looking a little embarrassed, but still nodded slightly and responded softly.
"Well... we always talk things out directly."
"How can this be……"
At this moment, Fujiwara Chika, the love detective who has always believed in the motto "Love is war, either you die or I die," was subjected to an extremely strong shock.
"What's so surprising about this?"
Kotoko Iwanaga, who is known for her jealousy and is considered the most jealous person in Tokyo, showed the attitude of the rightful wife, or at least the attitude she considered herself to be, in front of outsiders Chika Fujiwara and Kaguya Shinomiya.
"A relationship built on mutual trust, transcending all worldly concerns, where one can entrust their life to another—that is called a bond!"
Upon hearing Kotoko Iwanaga's words, Asagiri couldn't help but chuckle and tease her.
"You plagiarized my work, didn't you?"
"Hmph, we're all one family, what's yours is mine!"
"walk slowly."
Seeing that Asagiri, Iwanaga Kotoko, and Yuuki Asuna all looked indifferent, Fujiwara Chika and Shinomiya Kaguya were greatly shocked.
So, without my knowledge, the relationship between the four members of the opposing team had already progressed to this extent?
"It's fine if you guys have to train with us, but..."
Asagiri looked at Fujiwara Chika and Shinomiya Kaguya in front of her and asked.
"Your family needs to agree, right? I don't care about Fujiwara-san, but the important thing is Shinomiya-san. Can you move around freely outside of Shuchiin?"
"Don't worry about this."
Kaguya Shinomiya nodded and answered in a calm tone.
"Because of that incident, the number of spies originally placed around me has decreased significantly. As for the main family, as long as I say I'm going to Chika's house to play, there won't be any problems."
"That's it..."
Asagiri nodded noncommittally at first, but then suddenly became serious.
"However, while bringing you along for special training does have some benefits for us, you should also give something in return for it to be a fair trade, right?"
Fujiwara Chika seemed to have anticipated that Asagiri would say such a thing, and spoke in a tone that was half-joking and half-serious.
"How about Kaguya repays you with her body?"
Kaguya Shinomiya was taken aback by her friend Chika's sudden remark. Her face flushed, and she immediately raised her hand to gently touch her cheek.
"Qianhua, don't talk nonsense here..."
"That's it."
Asagiri nodded in deep agreement, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.
"It's already an effort on our side to give you guys special training, and now I have to add my own weight to it? Wouldn't that be a huge loss?"
Shinomiya Kaguya: "..."
She didn't know how to respond to that.
The key point is that what Asagiri said sounded quite abstract, but after thinking about it carefully, Kaguya Shinomiya realized that it really did seem like the other party was losing money.
When a proud, self-important young woman loses her arrogance and her heart begins to waver, it proves...
She has already lost everything.
"Then... equipment or items?"
"unnecessary."
Asagiri shook her head, speaking calmly.