If it was just about awakening bloodlines to enhance their strength, the President probably wouldn't need to go through so much trouble to help Meroune awaken her bloodline.
Because their strength increases after every aid, it's just that their base strength might be different, so the amount each person's strength increases varies, and the increase isn't as large as it was during the initial aids.
But regardless, the strength increase is visibly noticeable, much better than spending a long time training and refining with little to no visible results.
However, she knew the President must have his reasons for doing this. Once she helped the President find a way to awaken the bloodline, he would naturally tell her his purpose for doing so.
The matter of awakening the mermaid princess's bloodline couldn't be rushed, and the President didn't seem particularly urgent about it either.
Right now, what she needed to worry about were the Tohsaka sisters sitting not far away.
The Tohsaka family was very weak, incomparable to the Ichinose and Yukinoshita families, probably about on par with the former declined Rurikawa family. A family of this caliber couldn't accomplish anything.
However, many things don't just depend on strength, but also on connections.
If the relationship is solid, it's possible to first help the Tohsaka family increase their strength and then have the Tohsaka family work for them.
Not only is Tohsaka Sakura Komachi's classmate, but now Tohsaka Sakura also calls the President 'Father'.
Seeing how the President seems quite fond of Tohsaka Sakura, that unreasonable engagement of the eldest Tohsaka daughter, Tohsaka Touka, should also be annulled.
How can such a beautiful Tohsaka Touka not belong to the President?
Once all three Tohsaka sisters join them like Rurikawa Tsubaki did, even without her putting in much effort, the Tohsaka family would do their utmost to share the President's worries and solve his problems, right?
Plus, Tohsaka Sakura and Tohsaka Rin are classmates of Komachi and Shion, and Tohsaka Touka is already a university student, not studying at Sobu High, so they usually don't get to see them. This is even more worry-free than dealing with Rurikawa Tsubaki.
"Let me see, who would be better to handle this matter... The Takamine family isn't weak, the Rurikawa family has been developing quickly lately but still needs some time to digest their gains, and the Ichinose family alone can't handle it."
"But the Yukinoshita family hasn't shown a corresponding attitude yet, and it's not convenient to involve the Yukinoshita family either..."
Airis was lost in thought when she inadvertently glanced around and spotted the Lycoris hidden among the concert audience. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she ordered Aegis to find someone to resolve Tohsaka Touka's engagement.
She herself would wait for the concert to end, have a little chat with Tohsaka Touka, Yukinoshita Haruno, and the others, and drop a few hints here and there.
This way, when the Takamine family is gone and Tohsaka Touka's engagement is naturally dissolved, Tohsaka Touka and Yukinoshita Yukino won't be left wondering who was behind this good deed.
———
Earlier today, before going to the aquarium, Hachiman had promised Ichinose Ayano that he would come to the Ichinose house tonight if he had time.
It wouldn't be a big problem if he didn't go; there was no absolute necessity for him to accompany Ichinose Ayano.
However, thinking about how obedient Ichinose Ayano had been recently, how he hadn't taken her along to many activities, and how he rarely involved her in servitude activities at school, he decided he should properly feed this increasingly obedient little greedy cat.
He found the love-struck Ichinose Ayano quite foolish and annoying, but since she only listened to him and was only love-struck over him, he naturally should pamper her a bit.
She's a pet, after all.
Of course, sleeping at the Ichinose house didn't mean he would only play with Ichinose Ayano.
Although Ichinose Ayano was somewhat adicted, she wasn't insatiable. She never lasted very long each time; it was just that she wanted to continue again after recovering.
He could have Karuizawa Kei and the others bring their school uniforms for tomorrow, then teleport over, bring them along, and teleport back to Ichinose Ayano's side.
Then tomorrow morning, they could all wake up together and go to school with Ichinose Ayano and the others.
———
[Ichinose Ayano's Room]
"Master?"
"I thought you were too busy to come since it's so late?"
Just after Hachiman finished fully aiding Leticia and teleported to Ichinose Ayano's side, he saw Ichinose Ayano, wearing only a slip nightgown, flying into his arms.
Her exquisite, pink, flawless face pressed tightly against Hachiman's cheek, rubbing incessantly, while her delicate, small cherry lips kissed Hachiman over and over.
Ever since receiving the Master's call, she had been eagerly anticipating this moment tonight.
But as the Master still hadn't arrived, she kept worrying that he might not come, yet she didn't dare to keep the Empathy Collar activated to sense the Master's situation.
What if the Master did come, but she was in no condition to serve him properly? Wouldn't that disappoint the Master?
Amid this excruciating torment, she had finally waited for the Master.
If she had to wait any longer, she felt she would go crazy.
"I promised you I'd come tonight, Ayano, so of course I came. I came right after the concert over there ended."
Hachiman raised a hand to stop the little greedy cat who was no longer satisfied with just kissing him. He grabbed her hands, which had found their way to his belt, and instead pulled her into his embrace, making her sit with her back to him.
"Don't be in such a hurry, Ayano. First, introduce me to the new girl. I'll reward you properly later."
Hachiman first kissed Ichinose Ayano, using his hands to firmly soothe this hungry little greedy cat, then looked at the other three girls in the room, also wearing nightgowns. Specifically, his gaze fell on the unfamiliar girl besides Ichinose Honami and Horigome China.
Ichinose Ayano, Ichinose Honami, and Horigome China were all in the same class as him.
Even though he wasn't as familiar with Horigome China as he was with Honami and Ayano, Ayano had already reported to him, saying she brought Horigome China back to her house to protect her from her stepfather's persecution.
But the girl next to them, with shoulder-length hair, the left side of her bangs pinned up, bearing some resemblance to Ichinose Ayano, was clearly a first-time meeting. She didn't seem to know much about his existence either.
The girl, also wearing a thin nightgown, was staring dumbfounded, utterly shocked, at Hachiman, who was tightly holding Ichinose Ayano.
"Th-this... Ayano, this..."
She wanted to tell this strange boy who suddenly appeared in the room to stop, to stop groping Ayano so forcefully, but no matter how she looked at it, Ayano had made the first move...
"Marika, call him Master."
Ichinose Ayano, who was being soothed quite comfortably by Hachiman, reminded the absent-minded Ichinose Marika.
"Ah? What?"
Ichinose Marika was stunned, looking incredulously at her good friend Ichinose Ayano.
Did she hear that correctly? Was Ayano telling her to call this boy Master?
What kind of role-playing game is this? She's never played it before.
"Didn't I tell you this afternoon? Tonight, I'll take you to experience unprecedented stimulation, to completely free you from the restraints and control at home."
Ichinose Ayano rolled her eyes at Ichinose Marika, whose brain had completely short-circuited, then turned her head to ki*ss Hachiman. After catching her breath, she introduced the good sister she had prepared to offer up to her Master.
"Master, her name is Ichinose Marika. Academically, she's a top student; at home, she's an obedient good girl."
"Like me, Marika has been accepting arrangements from her family since childhood: extra tutoring, piano lessons, calligraphy practice... Whether it's studies or other aspects of life, everything is scheduled by her mother."
"However, her family is relatively more ordinary. Her mother makes Marika do these things for better prospects, while my father wanted to use my marriage as a bargaining chip."
"Of course, none of that is important. The key point is that Marika lacks initiative and is very likely, just like me, to call you Master and obey your words."
Having had similar experiences herself, Ichinose Ayano knew exactly how to handle girls like her. So, she had no reservations and directly explained to Hachiman, right in front of Ichinose Marika, how to tame Ichinose Marika.
"Ayano, you, how can you say that? How could I call him Master?"
Hearing her good friend Ichinose Ayano's 'slander', Ichinose Marika's face flushed red. But looking at the silent Ichinose Honami and Horigome China beside her, and at Hachiman, who seemed to hold Ayano without any restraint, her muttering voice weakened again.
'Wh-what's going on? Why don't any of them have any reaction?'
["Ding~!"
["Character Quest Updated, Slave of Desire."]
["The expectations from surroundings, worries about immense pressure, and inner conflicts easily awaken distorted hobbies born from desires hidden deep within the bodies of adolescent girls."]
["The more desires are suppressed, the easier they break through the restraints of reason, becoming uncontrollable."]
["Please eliminate the ever-rising instinctual desires of Ichinose Ayano, Sakurase Shino and Ichinose Marika."]
After listening to Ichinose Ayano's description, Hachiman thought thoughtfully. Based on the laws of the inner world, even without recalling the original work, he pretty much understood Ichinose Marika's nature. The system's prompt sound also appropriately rang in his ears.
Inner World Heroine Ichinose Honami Little Angel
So it's merged with the Slave of Desire character quest, just like with Sakurase Shino and Ichinose Ayano, huh.
Originally, Hachiman didn't know much about the beautiful and well-endowed Ichinose Marika before him, but after combining Ichinose Ayano's introduction with the system quest's description, his vague memories of Ichinose Marika instantly became clear.
Actually, whether it's Sugisaki Kasumi, Sakurase Shino, or the current Ichinose Marika, they all share the same constitution, outwardly proper, but inwardly repressed and lascivious.
It usually doesn't show, but external pressure and stimulation can cause their desires to erupt at any time, overwhelming their reason.
The Slave of Desire quest requires eliminating their desires; otherwise, once they erupt, they will completely fall into becoming sluts.
This quest is so special, merging the character quests of so many inner world heroines. It's probably going to yield a big reward.
"Marika, what are you still hesitating for? The Master is someone even my father has to curry favor with."
Seeing that the good sister she had prepared to offer to the Master was so clueless, Ichinose Ayano could no longer continue sitting in Hachiman's embrace enjoying herself. Barefoot on the gleaming wooden floor, she quickly walked to Ichinose Marika's side and pulled her in front of Hachiman.
"Marika, haven't you always been troubled by not having your own life? Growing up, you only knew how to obey your mother's words, growing up under her arrangements."
"After following the Master, your mother will never again boss you around about your life. You won't have to pack your schedule full every day, leaving no time for yourself at all."
"Even transferring to Sobu High to study with me won't be a problem at all. In the future, you, Honami, and China can all live at my house. Whether going to school or after school, the four of us can play together."
Ichinose Ayano thought Marika was super easy to handle because Marika's family was an ordinary one that only valued grades. Even if they wanted Marika to strive hard for class mobility, their demands were much less than those of her own father, a councilman.
If she didn't want to personally offer up Marika, and didn't want Marika's mother to get involved and reap benefits, she could just reveal the Master's identity to Marika's mother, and Marika's mother would actively send Marika to play with the Master and listen to his words.
"Transferring to Sobu High is possible too? My mother said the transfer requirements for Sobu High are very high now. Generally, top students with good grades can't transfer to Sobu High at all."
Ichinose Marika didn't understand the concept of someone even a councilman had to curry favor with, nor did she believe such words were true. However, hearing Ichinose Ayano mention the transfer matter, she looked at Hachiman in surprise.
She had been sick with a fever during the entrance exams before and couldn't test into Sobu High with Ayano. Her mother had complained about it for a long time, wanting to find a way to transfer her to Sobu High, which had the top deviation value in Chiba, so she could get into a better university later.
But her mother had tried everything and still couldn't get her transferred to Sobu High. It seemed that besides good grades and passing the transfer exam, there were many other conditions.
Could this boy, about her age, really be that amazing, able to do what even her mother couldn't?
"You've really had your brain stiffened by your mother's control. I told you so many benefits, and all you heard was being able to transfer to Sobu High."
Ichinose Ayano looked at Ichinose Marika, who spent her days either in tutoring classes or hobby classes and had almost become dull-witted from studying. She raised her hand, poking Ichinose Marika's cheek while scolding her in a tone of frustration and care.
"Mmm... But it really is hard to transfer to Sobu High now..."
Ichinose Marika, being poked several times on the cheek by Ichinose Ayano, didn't know how to react. She could only close her eyes, dodging slightly while muttering softly.
What could she do? Her mother had always been like this.
If her exam scores dropped, her mother wouldn't even want to eat with her. It was only after a long time, when she got good grades again, that her mother's expression would clear up.
If she could transfer to Sobu High and study with Ayano, her mother should be happy too.
Because Ayano's father is a councilman, and Ayano, as the daughter of a councilman, is also a top student with excellent grades and character, her mother always compared her to Ayano.
Ayano tested into Sobu High, but she failed because she was sick. Her mother was very angry. Now that she couldn't transfer either, her mother even wanted to hire a tutor for her to study hard in secret, aiming for her to test into a better university than Ayano.
It was only because Ayano invited her over to play that her mother let her come first, not rushing to find a tutor.
"Ayano, don't force her. How are you any different from Marika's mother like this? Let Marika think it over carefully and make her own decision."
Seeing how the love-struck kitten he raised was now acting like a villain forcing a good girl into pr*stitution, Hachiman felt somewhat speechless. He pulled Ichinose Ayano back to his side and punished her by spanking her f*rcefully on his lap.
Although he knew what Ayano said was absolutely correct, and given Ichinose Marika's inner world heroine personality or constitution, to put it bluntly, if he didn't do it, someone else would.
Either he turns a blind eye to Ichinose Marika, who could fall at any moment, or he must make her his exclusive before she falls.
But right now, Ichinose Marika was still very innocent. He couldn't possibly expect Ichinose Marika to kneel on the ground upon first meeting, or force Ichinose Marika, could he?
He wasn't even willing to take the initiative, let alone force Ichinose Marika.
Before many inner world heroines are crushed by pressure and become slaves to desire, one could say they are even more pure and aloof than the heroines of the surface world.
It's just that they usually have some quirks in their thought processes, making them easily thre*tened or manip*lated, leading them from one mistake to the next.
To reasonably and properly handle Ichinose Marika, he needed to think of a compromise.
"Mmm..."
Ichinose Ayano didn't have that many thoughts. She did all this just to receive the Master's reward, to receive the Master's affection.
Seeing that Hachiman didn't plan to reward her, she obediently lowered her head and lay across Hachiman's lap to accept the punishment.
Actually, punishment was pretty good too. As long as it was the Master personally punishing her, she was very happy. Using the Empathy Collar alone was quite torturous. It was very pleasurable when the pleasure came, but after the pleasure passed, it was an even more unbearable emptiness. Without personally serving the Master, she couldn't lie beside him and quietly feel that sense of substantial security flowing within her heart.
Hearing Hachiman speak up for her, Ichinose Marika glanced at him gratefully, only to find that Hachiman wasn't paying attention to her but was instead looking at Ichinose Honami, another member of the large Ichinose family.
"Honami, why aren't you and China saying anything? Hmm? Ayano, what's with that collar?"
Hachiman temporarily set aside the idea of educating Ichinose Marika and looked towards Ichinose Honami, who had been keeping her head down and remaining silent. He was about to say something when he noticed the black collar around Ichinose Honami's swan-like, slender, smooth, and firm neck.
Not only was Ichinose Honami wearing this black collar, but Horigome China, who also had her head lowered, had an identical black collar around her neck.
[T/N: It SEEMS my 2nd Account has been suspended 😞. I can't operate it anymore. But, if you search, you can see it still there. Novels are all there. I have made another account("Ambi_Guy") for now and will shift the novels as soon as possible. It may take 1-2 days, so I ask your all understanding. I have also sent an email to WebNovel and asked regarding the situation. As soon as I get an update, I will let you all know. Have a great read~ 👍😄👍]
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