The next day.
Ryo Yamada slept peacefully until broad daylight, skipping all her morning classes.
After Seiji woke, he didn't get up immediately. Instead, he savored the steady breathing of the girl in his arms while digesting the system's reward.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on conquering 'Ryo Yamada'!]
[Distributing first-stage reward...]
[Congratulations, host, you've received: Complete lyrics and music for "unravel" (Tokyo Ghoul OP) + Advanced Arrangement, Advanced Composition, Advanced Vocal Performance.]
"Unravel"!?
A flash of surprise crossed Seiji's eyes.
This was the opening theme from that phenomenal anime Tokyo Ghoul from his past life... a "legendary song" that broke out of the anime sphere.
Back then, it had swept nearly every anime music chart, winning countless awards. Its heart-wrenching lyrics, explosive arrangement, and the lead singer's hysterical high notes combined to create a listening experience filled with tragic and manic beauty.
The song's performance difficulty was extremely high, making nearly inhuman demands on the singer's breath control, vocal range, and emotional investment.
And now, the system had not only given him the complete lyrics and music but directly infused his brain and body with three skills: "Advanced Arrangement," "Advanced Composition," and "Advanced Vocal Performance."
In an instant, countless complex music theory concepts surfaced.
Various instruments became perfectly integrated in his mind.
His vocal cords and muscles felt as if they'd undergone thousands of temperings, gaining absolute control over sound. He could clearly "see" every note in this song, "hear" the most perfect arrangement scheme, and "feel" that he could burst forth with those earth-shattering, magnificent high notes at any moment.
"Quite a nice reward," Seiji murmured with a smile.
...
...
Meanwhile, in Shimokitazawa, at the Ijichi family apartment.
Ijichi Nijika hadn't slept all night.
That blurry photo, withdrawn at lightning speed, kept replaying in her mind.
Though she hadn't seen the specific content clearly, Nijika's subconscious kept telling her it was a terrible photo... terrible in every sense of the word!!
But what specifically was it?
Nijika racked her brain to the point of breaking, but couldn't figure it out.
She felt she was just one layer of window paper away from the answer, yet couldn't break through.
Troubled and troubled, she eventually fell asleep from exhaustion.
Early the next morning, she drifted into the kitchen like a wandering spirit, sporting two heavy dark circles under her eyes.
Her older sister, Ijichi Seika, who was also up, got quite a fright.
"Hey! Nijika! What's going on with you? Did some vengeful spirit possess you?" Seika grabbed the TV remote at hand and pointed it at her dramatically.
"Sister, you're being way too dramatic..." Nijika slumped over the dining table, replying weakly. "I just couldn't sleep, that's all."
"Insomnia?"
Seika paused, then asked thoughtfully, "Still worried about Ryo?"
"Mm..." Nijika nodded.
She hesitated, unsure how to describe that strange photo to her sister.
She could only roughly explain last night's weird phone call and the photo withdrawal incident.
"...Her voice sounded strange, she kept panting, and gave me lame excuses to brush me off."
"Later... she sent a photo and immediately withdrew it. I only caught a glimpse of her expression... which looked pretty bad."
"I didn't see the details clearly."
After listening, Seika fell silent for a moment, her eyes growing serious. "Her expression looked bad? What kind of bad?"
"I can't quite say. I just instinctively felt that expression was very troubling," Nijika replied with a furrowed brow. "And there seemed to be something else in the photo, something even worse. I feel like I know what it was... but I can't put it into words."
"Enough of this wild guessing!" Seika waved her hand decisively. "If you're this worried, just march straight to her house!"
"Yeah!" With her sister backing her up, Nijika's heart finally settled somewhat.
She nodded, deciding to do exactly as her sister suggested.
After breakfast, she requested the morning off from school and returned to her room to catch up on sleep, conserving energy for tonight's "surprise attack."
...
...
At noon, twelve o'clock.
In the master bedroom of the Yamada family mansion, Ryo Yamada finally woke with aching waist and weak legs.
She yawned and walked out of the room, discovering Seiji sitting fully dressed on the living room sofa, leisurely drinking water as if waiting for her.
An inexplicable sense of tension welled up inside her.
"What's wrong?"
After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, Ryo Yamada walked over to Seiji.
"Sit." Seiji gestured to the sofa across from him.
Ryo Yamada obediently sat down, posture upright, like an elementary school student receiving a lecture from their teacher.
"Let's talk business." Seiji took a sip, saying calmly, "Your family's debts... exactly how much are there? Who do you owe? Tell me everything."
Hearing this, Ryo Yamada's body trembled violently.
She gave a bitter laugh, reciting in an emotionless tone those numbers she'd long since memorized by heart.
"The bank's mortgage loan, principal and interest have accumulated to 180 million yen; after the hospital's bankruptcy, commercial breach-of-contract penalties to three main suppliers total 150 million yen; and finally... the civil compensation for that fire, after multiple mediation sessions, the final judgment amount is... 210 million yen."
With each number she spoke, her complexion grew a shade paler.
These numbers added up to over 540 million yen!
Enough to make any listed company feel the pain, enough to drag multiple middle-class families into the abyss.
After finishing, the living room fell into deathly silence.
Ryo Yamada nervously kept her head down, awaiting judgment.
However, Seiji's reaction was completely beyond her expectations.
He simply nodded, his tone flat.
"Got it." He set down his water glass. "This afternoon, I'll take you to deal with all of this."
"Eh?!"
Ryo Yamada's head snapped up, her blue eyes filled with shock.
"Deal with it? All of it?" Her voice became somewhat stuttering from excessive surprise. "But that money... is over 500 million..."
She didn't think she... just a short-haired, bass-playing, currently enrolled female high school student with nothing going for her except a somewhat decent figure... was worth such a hefty price tag.
How could she have that much value?
Ryo Yamada's confusion was clearly written on her face.
Seeing this, Seiji smiled.
He stood up, walked before Ryo Yamada, leaned down, and used his finger to gently lift her chin, making her meet his gaze.
"Ryo, I don't share what's mine."
His voice was low, each word deliberate.
"Things that come into my hands, whether people or objects, I'll hold onto them tightly and never let go."
"Since you came to me of your own accord, then for the rest of your life, don't think about escaping from my grasp."
BOOM... !
Those words exploded like thunder in Ryo Yamada's mind!
She stared blankly at the man before her.
This was clearly a declaration stripping away her personal freedom, but strangely, why did she feel... reassured?
A powerful warm current surged from the depths of her heart, instantly flowing through her entire body.
No humiliation of being kept, only the security of being possessed.
As if, after being abandoned by the entire world, she was suddenly declared "property" by a powerful being... that sense of being needed, being possessed, twisted yet incredibly real sense of belonging.
Her eyes grew moist.
Ryo suddenly stood up, disregarding her still-aching, trembling legs, opened her arms wide, and threw herself into Seiji's embrace, hugging him tightly.
"Mm..."
The girl said nothing, only buried her face deep into his chest, letting out a satisfied whimper like a young animal returning to its nest.
Then, the girl raised her head, her tear-streaked, watery blue eyes glancing at Seiji.
The next moment, she actively kissed him.
Seiji felt the clumsy yet passionate response from the girl in his arms, felt her reckless, wholehearted surrender, and smiled inwardly with emotion.
It seemed the afternoon debt settlement schedule would need to be delayed slightly.
He kissed her deeper, hands finding the hem of her shirt. She was still half-dressed from before—his borrowed shirt hanging loose. He pulled it off over her head, leaving her bare again.
She shivered as the cool air hit her skin.
He guided her down onto the sofa, turning her. She understood what he wanted and got on her hands and knees without him having to say it, facing the wall. Blue hair fell over her face.
"Spread your legs more."
She obeyed, slowly spreading her knees wider. The wet squelch when she moved made her freeze.
Seiji looked down at the slick mess between her legs and made a pleased sound. He gripped her ass, thumbs parting her, and pushed in again.
She gasped, higher and raw. The path was already open, but she was still too tight; he had to work his way back to full depth, and every centimeter made her arms shake.
"Still tight even after all that," he said. "You really are worth the investment."
Once he was buried to the hilt, he didn't bother with gentle.
PLAP.
His hips slammed into her ass, sending a shock up her spine. The pace was immediately rough. Sharp, fast thrusts that rocked her entire body, her small frame jerking forward.
Plap plap plap plap plap.
Wet, squelching sounds mixed with the rhythm of their skin clapping together. "Schlick-schlick-schlick."
"Nnh... ! Fuck... !" She grabbed the cushions, fingers clawing, head hanging.
From this angle, every thrust ground deep into that same spot; she was already loosening from earlier, and her body betrayed her faster.
"Still so wet," he observed, watching where they were joined. "Your body's learned fast."
"Don't... say that..." Her voice was weak, embarrassed.
He chuckled and grabbed her hips tighter, yanking her back onto him.
PLAP PLAP PLAP.
She cried out, the sudden force punching the air from her lungs. His grip bruised her hips as he fucked her harder, using her body like a toy.
The leather sofa creaked under her shifting weight. She could barely stay up, arms trembling. "Ah! Seiji! Too... much...!"
He leaned over her, one hand wrapping around her throat from behind, not choking but controlling, forcing her head back.
"This is what being owned feels like," he said into her ear. "Get used to it."
She whimpered, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Not from pain. From something worse—acceptance.
Plap plap plap plap plap plap.
He fucked her right through the soreness, into that edge where pain and pleasure blurred. When she finally broke again, it was sudden: her whole body locking, pussy spasming hard around him.
She came with a hoarse, desperate cry, back bowing under his hand.
He didn't stop.
Plap plap plap plap plap.
He rode her out, ignored the overstimulated twitch of her muscles, using the extra tightness to chase his own peak, rutting into her until he buried himself deep and spilled inside her again. Thick, hot, flooding her already full core.
By the time he pulled out, she collapsed flat on the sofa, ass still raised just enough that white cum oozed out and slid down her inner thighs.
She tried to say something. Her mouth opened. Nothing came out.
Her eyes rolled back, and she was gone.
...
...
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the Yamada home.
A trace of ambiguous, decadent atmosphere still lingered in the air.
Seiji lounged lazily on the sofa, one arm around Ryo Yamada, who had just experienced an "overtime match" and now curled up like a docile kitten in his embrace, not wanting to move a finger.
The girl's cheeks still bore the flush of passion, her breathing steady, seemingly having fallen into deep sleep.
Seiji enjoyed this moment of peace, then picked up his phone and dialed a number.
The call was answered almost the instant it rang. Through the receiver came an extremely respectful, even somewhat honored-sounding middle-aged man's voice.
"Fujiwara-sensei! That you would personally call... it's truly my immense honor! How may I be of service?"
Sakaguchi Ken's current mood was even more excited than signing a hundred-billion-yen contract.
Seiji was a valued client of the Kuroiwa Law Firm!
A VIP among VIPs!
The board of directors placed high importance on matters concerning this teacher, specially forming a team responsible for his affairs.
Sakaguchi Ken had fought hard to secure the team leader position.
Receiving this call now, he immediately summoned his full attention.
"Sakaguchi-san, are you available for fieldwork? I'm in Tokyo and need your help with some debt-related issues," Seiji said with a smile.
"Yes! Yes! I'll depart immediately!"
Sakaguchi Ken needed no further reason. His body even instinctively snapped to attention, as if Seiji stood right before him.
"May I ask what specifically this concerns? I can prepare on the way..."
"Nothing too troublesome. My girlfriend has some debts I plan to help her repay. I hope you can help review the legal documents," Seiji said, glancing at the girl in his arms.
Ryo stirred slightly at the word "girlfriend," her eyes fluttering open for just a moment. She looked up at him, surprised.
Girlfriend?
She had thought she would be a secret lover to Seiji, without any public status.
Though Ryo hadn't thought about such things, hearing the words "girlfriend" still made her heart soar with joy, the corners of her mouth curving into a shallow smile before she drifted back to sleep.
"Your girlfriend?" Sakaguchi Ken was slightly taken aback, then understood.
It seemed Fujiwara-sensei had found someone new.
Sakaguchi Ken wasn't surprised by this.
Japan's literary community was notoriously promiscuous... any writer with fewer than fifty lovers would be considered embarrassing.
He quickly responded, "I understand! I'll immediately take the fastest shinkansen to Tokyo. I estimate I can arrive by three o'clock this afternoon."
"Good. I'll send you the general situation," Seiji said.
"Yes, I'll review it on the way," Sakaguchi Ken answered respectfully.
After hanging up, Seiji gently shifted Ryo on the sofa and covered her with a blanket, letting her rest.
...
...
When Ryo woke, the light had changed.
Evening. The windows glowed orange.
She was still on the sofa, but someone had draped a blanket over her. Her body ached everywhere—good aches, the kind that reminded her exactly what she'd agreed to.
"Awake?"
Seiji's voice came from the kitchen. She heard water running, the clink of dishes.
She sat up slowly, wincing. Cum had dried on her thighs. Her hair was a mess. She felt filthy and used and weirdly satisfied.
"Shower's ready," he called. "Get cleaned up."
She shuffled to the bathroom on shaky legs.
The water was already hot, steam fogging the mirror. She stepped under the spray with a grateful sigh, letting it wash away the sweat and stickiness.
The glass door slid open.
Seiji stepped in behind her.
"Efficient," she muttered.
"Thorough," he corrected, reaching for the soap.
His hands slid over her skin, ostensibly washing her, but the way his fingers lingered on her breasts, dipped between her legs, made it clear this wasn't just hygiene.
She leaned back against him, too tired to protest when he turned her around and kissed her under the spray.
Clean, warm, and almost human again, she stepped out and toweled off.
He handed her an oversized shirt—his—and nothing else.
"Wear this."
She pulled it on. It hung to mid-thigh, sleeves past her fingertips.
She collapsed back onto the sofa, exhausted. Her body still ached, but the shower had helped.
"Stay here tonight," he said.
She started to protest—band practice, obligations—but he cut her off.
"I already told them. Emergency meeting about your debt. Overnight."
She stared at him, then huffed. "You're insane."
"You're the one who came to me with the offer," he replied.
She couldn't argue with that.
He sat down beside her, pulling her against his side. She let him, too tired to resist.
"Sleep," he said. "Big day tomorrow."
She closed her eyes, the weight of everything finally catching up to her.
...
...
At 2:50 PM.
Sakaguchi Ken appeared at the entrance to the Yamada residence.
"Fujiwara-sensei, hello. I'm Sakaguchi Ken." He bowed respectfully.
From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the blue-haired girl beside Seiji and immediately understood... this must be Fujiwara-sensei's new girlfriend...
Miss Ryo Yamada, mentioned in the materials!
"Good afternoon, Sakaguchi-san. Thank you for making the trip."
Seiji nodded, gesturing to Ryo Yamada. "This is Miss Ryo Yamada. All debts under her name... I hope to settle them completely today. You'll be responsible for preparing the corresponding legal documents and notarizing with those creditors."
"Yes, Fujiwara-sensei!" Lawyer Sakaguchi didn't even blink, immediately agreeing.
After completing this transaction, his commission wouldn't be small!
Over the next hour.
Ryo Yamada existed in an almost dreamlike state, digging out those debt collection notices, court summonses, and lawyer's letters she'd thought she'd carry for life.
Sakaguchi Ken looked at these documents, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Banks, corporations, private lending companies, massive civil compensation... These debts were intricately complex and staggeringly large, enough to directly declare any family enterprise bankrupt.
Fortunately, he'd done considerable homework on the way.
Sakaguchi Ken swiftly categorized these documents, organized them into files, and drafted corresponding settlement agreements and notarization materials.
Five o'clock in the evening.
"Fujiwara-sensei, Miss Yamada, all documents are ready," Sakaguchi Ken reported with a long exhale. "May we now contact the creditors?"
"Begin," Seiji said flatly.
Though it was five o'clock, approaching quitting time.
But did Japanese corporate slaves actually think they could leave on time?
"Yes."
Sakaguchi Ken took a deep breath and dialed the first number, calling the credit department of one of Japan's largest commercial banks... Tokyo Central Bank.
The call connected quickly.
"Hello, I'm Sakaguchi Ken, attorney with Kuroiwa Law Firm. I'm calling on behalf of my client, Miss Ryo Yamada, regarding a mortgage loan from your bank, to negotiate settlement matters."
The credit department head on the other end sounded somewhat surprised. "Attorney Sakaguchi? Kuroiwa Law Firm? That Yamada girl can actually afford you people? What, looking to negotiate installment payments, or apply for bankruptcy protection?"
Sakaguchi Ken replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Neither. My client is prepared to settle the full principal and all interest on that loan in one payment today. Please prepare the relevant documents and bring your legal counsel to... " He glanced at the address. "...to the Imperial Hotel's Royal Suite conference room at six o'clock for in-person settlement and notarization."
Deathly silence fell on the other end of the line.
Generally, banks don't accept early settlement... it's considered breach of contract, requiring penalty interest calculation.
But Ryo Yamada's debt clearly qualified as a bad loan.
The bank would be thrilled to settle early... how could they possibly refuse?
"What did you say? Full amount? One payment? Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?!" The credit department head immediately raised his voice, asking excitedly.
In the background, sounds of surprised commotion could be heard.
"That's correct. If your side is willing to settle the remaining principal and interest at thirty percent, we're willing to settle everything today," Sakaguchi Ken responded calmly.
"No! At thirty percent, how is that... that's way too much!" the credit department head immediately protested.
Though bad loans could theoretically be settled at a discount once they reached a certain level... after all, cutting losses was better than nothing.
But the credit department head couldn't possibly agree immediately. He had to fight for more... it concerned his performance.
====
You can read up to chapter 120 on patreon.com/NiaXD.