Utaha wore a black off-shoulder cocktail dress today, elegant as a black swan. Eriri, meanwhile, wore a white lace dress—with her brilliant golden hair, she looked like an elf who'd wandered into the mortal world.
Black and white. The two girls' appearance instantly consumed countless memory cards from the gathered reporters.
Seiji stood at the entrance personally, greeting his invited guests.
"Haha, Fujiwara-sensei, congratulations!" A slightly plump, good-natured middle-aged man walked up with a booming laugh. "It's our first meeting—I'm Ishida Takeshi, program PD from Fuji TV."
"Producer Ishida, thank you for coming. I should have greeted you properly," Seiji said with a smile, shaking his hand. "I hope you'll look after Genesis's works in the future."
"Of course, of course." Ishida Takeshi patted his arm warmly and lowered his voice. "Fujiwara-sensei, you're sitting on some serious firepower now. If you've got any good animation projects down the line, don't forget about us at Fuji. Broadcasting slots, promotional resources—everything's negotiable."
The words dripped with solicitation and goodwill.
A company with top-tier production capabilities, led by a famous author—to a TV station, that was a walking goldmine.
"Hahaha, absolutely!" Seiji replied with a hearty laugh.
After seeing off the enthusiastic Ishida—
Next came two guests from the industry with more complicated expressions: a representative from Aniplex and an executive from another major studio.
"Fujiwara-san, congratulations." The Aniplex rep smiled without warmth.
The executive was more polished. He smiled and handed over his card. "President Fujiwara is so young and accomplished—it puts us old-timers to shame. I hope we can cooperate in the future and grow the market together."
Genesis's aggressive entry into the industry was like a tiger crashing into a hunting ground.
The prey were finite.
One more predator meant less food for everyone else.
So the competitors were in foul moods.
"You're too kind, senpai," Seiji replied mildly. "Genesis is just a newcomer. We still have much to learn from veterans like Aniplex. Cooperation is always welcome—so long as the project is right."
The two reps said nothing more and moved inside.
Soon—
The guests Seiji had been waiting for arrived.
The first VIP to arrive was Yamada-sensei.
He wore a formal scholar's suit. When he saw the grand building before him—and the red-carpet spectacle surrounding Seiji—even someone as experienced as him couldn't hide his shock.
"Fujiwara-kun, this is really…" Yamada-sensei adjusted his glasses, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Yamada-sensei, welcome." Seiji stepped forward warmly, shaking his hand. "Just a little side project. Hope you'll forgive the spectacle."
"Side project?" Yamada-sensei smiled wryly and shook his head. "Fujiwara-kun, you always manage to exceed my expectations. Congratulations—you've achieved so much at such a young age. Your future is limitless."
His gaze was full of admiration and emotion.
Seiji smiled humbly, chatted with him briefly, then escorted the professor inside.
...
Next came the editor-in-chief of Fushikawa Bunko, Ryuji Aida, alongside chief editor Sonoko Machida.
"Fujiwara-sensei…" Aida Ryuji's tone unconsciously carried a note of deference. "You've truly given us an enormous 'surprise' today."
Machida Sonoko gazed at Seiji, her eyes gleaming with admiration.
The boy who once needed her guidance had now grown into someone she had to look up to.
"Editor-in-Chief Aida, Editor Machida, welcome." Seiji smiled and shook their hands. "We'll be even closer partners from now on. I hope you'll continue to look after us."
The implication was clear—and both editors immediately understood Genesis's future business direction. Their expressions warmed considerably.
...
The final VIP to arrive was Hiratsuka Shizuka.
She'd dressed up for the occasion—a purple fitted dress, light makeup on her face.
She'd thought she had her emotions under control.
But when she saw Seiji at the entrance—surrounded by people, calm and confident—her heart rippled uncontrollably.
Especially when she noticed the two breathtakingly beautiful girls standing close to him, a sharp pang of sourness and loss welled up inside her once more.
Look at that. That's his world.
Hiratsuka Shizuka's lips curved into a bitter smile.
Equal partners. Young, beautiful girlfriends. And you? You're just an aging Japanese teacher.
So stop having foolish thoughts.
Shizuka took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the chaotic emotions, and put on a bright smile before walking over.
"Fujiwara-kun, congrats! I honestly didn't expect you'd become a CEO already~"
Her tone was breezy, with a touch of teasing—like a teacher joking with a student.
As if that night in Hokkaido had never happened.
But when Seiji saw her, his eyes lit up immediately.
He smiled and approached naturally. "I still have to thank Sensei for her guidance back then. Please, come inside—you'd better have a few drinks today."
That natural familiarity made Shizuka's heart waver again. She nodded and said no more, following the crowd into the venue.
After all the guests had entered—
A seasoned Asahi Shimbun reporter seized the moment, broke through security, and thrust a microphone in front of Seiji.
"Fujiwara-sensei! I'm a reporter from Asahi Shimbun! As a highly accomplished top-tier author, why have you chosen to enter the business world and become an entrepreneur at this time? Does this mean your future creative focus will shift?"
The question was sharp and direct, instantly drawing the attention of all the media present.
Countless cameras and microphones swiveled toward Seiji.
Seiji calmly took the microphone, faced the cameras, and smiled faintly.
"Thank you for the question. First, I need to correct something—I've never considered 'switching' to become a businessman. Because in my view, creation and business have never been opposed."
"The reason I founded Genesis isn't to abandon my writing. On the contrary—it's to create better."
"For far too long, many talented creators in this industry have had their visions, their passion, stifled by capital constraints, production limitations, and market misunderstanding. That's a tremendous tragedy."
"And I—" He paused, his voice growing resonant and powerful, full of conviction. "—founded Genesis to end that tragedy. I want to create a platform—for creators across Japan, and even the world—where talent can flourish to its fullest. Here, creativity will be the only passport. Quality will be the only standard."
"So I'm not 'switching' from author to businessman. I'm simply giving my identity as a creator a suit of armor. My work won't stop—it will continue in a stronger, freer form."
The answer was bold and impassioned, igniting the entire venue.
Reporters frantically clicked their shutters. Tomorrow's front page was set.
...
At 10 a.m. sharp, the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially began.
Seiji, as host, stood on the platform alongside Yamada-sensei.
Under countless flashing lights, he held the golden scissors, smiled calmly, and cut the ribbon with composure.
That poise and presence—so utterly incongruous with his age—left everyone present stunned.
After the ribbon-cutting came the cocktail reception.
Seiji moved through the crowd with ease, wine glass in hand, chatting and laughing with industry titans and media executives.
After handling the necessary socializing, Seiji's gaze began searching the hall.
Soon, he spotted her—alone in a corner lounge area, sipping champagne with a somewhat bored expression.
Clearly not used to this kind of corporate environment, Shizuka sat by herself, gazing out the window. Her profile, illuminated by the crystal chandelier, looked a little lonely.
Seiji's lips curled into a slight smile. He took two glasses and walked over.
"Sensei, drinking alone?"
Shizuka turned, saw it was him, and forced a smile. "Yeah, it's too crowded. Not really my scene… Congrats, Fujiwara-kun. You really shone today."
"You're too kind, Sensei." Seiji handed her a fresh glass of champagne and sat beside her. "Actually, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Help?" Shizuka looked surprised. "With what?"
"Nothing major. Just follow me." Seiji glanced around and lowered his voice.
"Okay." Shizuka didn't overthink it and agreed readily.
She followed Seiji through the noisy crowd, down a quiet hallway, and finally stopped in front of the president's office.
Not far away, Kasumigaoka Utaha watched the scene unfold.
She observed Shizuka's familiar figure, and a knowing glint flickered in her wine-red eyes.
...
Seiji pushed open the office door and stepped aside to let Shizuka enter first.
"What is it? You can tell me here." Shizuka walked into the luxurious office, glancing around curiously.
But the moment she finished speaking, the door behind her clicked shut—locked.
Shizuka's heart jumped. She whipped around and met Seiji's gaze—aggressive, hungry.
"Fujiwara… you…" She barely realized something was wrong—
When Seiji closed the distance in a single stride and pulled her into his arms from behind.
"Ah!"
Shizuka let out a short gasp. The warm scent of a man wrapped around her instantly, and his restless hands began roaming freely over her mature, voluptuous curves.
"Are you insane?! Let go of me!" Shizuka was shocked and furious, struggling hard. "This is your company! There are people everywhere outside!"
"That's what makes it exciting, isn't it?" Seiji whispered in her ear, his hot breath brushing her lobe and instantly weakening half her body.
Seiji seized the opening and kissed her pale neck.
"Mmh… bastard… let go!" Shizuka struggled even harder, but her strength was nothing compared to Seiji's system-enhanced physique.
He subdued her easily.
Shizuka's eyes widened. She was about to protest when Seiji leaned in closer.
She instinctively stepped back—but her back hit the cold door. There was nowhere left to retreat.
Seiji didn't make contact yet. He simply planted his hands on the door on either side of her body, forming an absolute cage that trapped her completely between himself and the door. He leaned down, his handsome face looming close, his heated breath nearly brushing her cheek—radiating undeniable dominance.
"Fujiwara Seiji! Get a grip!"
Shizuka's heart pounded from his sudden aggression and overwhelming presence, but she forced herself to stay firm, snapping coldly, "That night in Hokkaido was an accident! I never thought anything of it! If you keep pestering me like this, you're only making yourself look pathetic!"
She tried to drive him away with harsh words.
But Seiji only smirked, leaned in closer, their noses nearly touching.
"Never thought anything of it?" His voice was low and husky. "Then why did your voice sound disappointed on the phone?"
"Why did you dress up today?"
"Why won't you look me in the eyes?"
Each question struck like an arrow, piercing through every layer of Shizuka's facade.
She froze, mouth opening but unable to say a word.
"Sensei," Seiji murmured, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "Stop lying to yourself. Admit it—you've been thinking about me too. You want this just as badly."
"No… don't…"