Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had already realized what Hanatemari Kazura wanted to say, but he didn't speak, choosing instead to continue listening.
Hanatemari continued to speak.
"My father has been busy with work ever since he joined the government agency, and he didn't settle down and marry my mother until he was over thirty. At his age, the possibility of promotion is already very slim."
"So, he sent me to this school, hoping that I could be noticed by a wealthy young master from an influential family who could help him, in exchange for a chance at promotion."
Ayanokoji asked: "Do you blame your father?"
Hanatemari Kazura shook her head and said softly: "My father has always been very good to me. Since I was little, he has given me a much more privileged living environment than most people. Every time I go home, he also cares deeply, asking about my well-being and the recent situation at school."
"He's just like the family elders of the past, asking me to follow my parents' wishes and the matchmaker's words. What do I have to blame him for?"
Hanatemari Kazura believed that her life was already quite good. She didn't know how many girls were sold by their families for "bride price."
At least, her father gave her a choice, allowing her to enter Private Hyakkaou Academy, a prestigious school, so she could actively choose someone she liked.
The people she could choose from were all from wealthy families, and each of them could ensure she lived a life of comfort and abundance. She didn't know how many people wanted this opportunity but couldn't get it.
Hanatemari Kazura was quite open-minded about it.
Ayanokoji was silent.
All along, Hanatemari Kazura had always shown a bright and cheerful smile in front of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Meari, as if nothing could make her sad.
Ayanokoji had also always regarded her as a kind, gentle, and naive young lady who was inexperienced in the ways of the world. What he hadn't expected was that the secret she had been hiding was even more realistic than Ayanokoji had imagined.
Whether it was Meari's parents insisting that Meari curry favor with a younger girl her age, or Hua Shouqiu's father sending Hanatemari to Private Hyakkaou Academy to get himself promoted.
Their parents' initial intentions were all to make their families live better, which was understandable.
However, for the coerced individuals involved, it was not a good thing.
Ayanokoji joked: "Since that's the case, didn't your father say he wanted you to find someone who could help him? Is it really okay for you to confess to me? I might not be able to help him."
"My father doesn't have a prominent family background; he's just an ordinary person. He passed the civil service exam when he was young and rose to the position of deputy director through his own abilities."
"But because he never engaged in factionalism, he only realized at this point that he had no support."
Although Hanatemari Kazura's father had social standing, he was only a "deputy" director.
Above him, there was a director, who received all the offerings, no matter where they came from. Below him, countless people coveted his position, and if he made even a small mistake, he could be replaced at any time.
This position was very awkward; he was stuck, unable to move up or down.
By this age, he finally realized the importance of interpersonal relationships, but it was too late. It was very difficult for him to find internal support.
So, in order to get a chance for promotion, he turned his gaze to his well-bred little princess, and with a heavy heart, sent his daughter to Private Hyakkaou Academy, hoping she could bring him opportunities for advancement.
"For him now, whether it's financial support or a promotion in status, both can help him advance quickly and gain support."
Hanatemari Kazura looked up and asked with a trembling voice: "Ayanokoji-kun, what do you think I'm worth?"
"This cannot be measured by money." Ayanokoji frowned.
Was Hanatemari Kazura treating herself as a slave that could be bought and sold? This was no longer an era for human trafficking, and Ayanokoji didn't think he could give a suitable price.
Hanatemari Kazura took Ayanokoji's hand, looked up, and whispered: "Then let me put it another way. If… I date you, would you be willing to help my father?"
"…I do have quite a bit of money on hand, but it's my own money. To ask me to use all of it on an unrelated person, I can't do that."
"Not now. My father gave me three years. He just told me to find someone who could help him get promoted before graduation."
"Do you think I'm a potential stock?" Ayanokoji found it somewhat amusing.
Hanatemari Kazura neither knew his background nor his specific wealth, yet she impulsively said she wanted to date him.
Did she think he could grow into someone capable of influencing the director's position within three years?
"In three years, I should be able to help." Ayanokoji said meaningfully: "But… you have better options, don't you? Why choose me?"
"I can only comfort myself this way. Who told me to choose you?"
Hanatemari Kazura, of course, knew that there were many more suitable candidates than Ayanokoji. As long as she offered herself and agreed to be their girlfriend, they could help her achieve her goal immediately.
But Hanatemari Kazura didn't want to do that.
"I've figured it out. Anyway, I've already given my body to you, so I might as well take a gamble on you."
Hanatemari Kazura voluntarily opened her arms and hugged Ayanokoji, her voice tinged with sadness.
"If you still can't help Hua Shouqiu's father by the time we graduate, then we can only break up. You don't need to feel guilty; he'll probably find me a marriage partner who can help him by then."
This was truly an offer one couldn't refuse.
Even if she couldn't help Hua Shouqiu's father three years later, she would proactively choose to break up with him, not dragging him down or entangling him.
One could say that as long as he accepted Hanatemari Kazura's "confession," he would be able to "freeload" off her for at least three years, which was completely harmless to him.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka touched her hair. Just as Hanatemari Kazura thought Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had agreed, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka softly said, "What you said is very good, but… I refuse."
Hanatemari Kazura looked up, her cheeks flushed, her eyes revealing deep confusion.
She couldn't understand. She had already revealed the "mission" she carried, completely abandoning her pride to throw herself at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Why would he refuse?
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka gently pushed Hanatemari Kazura away: "I have a few questions, Hanatemari, can you help me answer them?"
"First, isn't your father a deputy director? His salary should be quite good. One million in pocket money a month should still be more than enough, right? You should be able to afford the 100,000 yen monthly tribute, right?"
"Of course, it's because my father doesn't plan to give me money."
Hanatemari Kazura gave a self-deprecating laugh: "He hopes I can become a 'cinderella' and attract a sympathetic Prince Charming, thus leaping over the dragon gate. So, ever since I entered middle school, he stopped providing me with financial support."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka continued: "But in reality, you waited a long time, and Prince Charming never appeared."
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