Four Hundred And Seventy
“So the hotel for tonight is booked. I’ve had your luggage transferred there.” Yu-mi said, hanging up her call, as we browsed the shops in Apgujeong, the most luxurious area for high-end shopping in Seoul. “We’ve booked a suite, so I can shut myself away while the two of you keep flirting and more.” Her smile was cheeky. “It hurts though, I’m so poor, now that dad has given away all my share of the company. However will I manage?”
Eri rolled her eyes and snorted, as she browsed through the expensive perfus she was looking at. It wasn’t for her, she didn’t often use perfu, and if she did it was only very subtle scents, but she was intending to buy gifts for the other girls, our parents and other friends. She was still wearing her dress and cardigan, looking very cute and fresh, and we were attracting so looks from the other patrons, Eri’s high Charm drawing eyes. But then, Yu-mi is hardly plain either, and … I was wearing a mask and sunglasses, trying to hide my face as I was famous now.
“I’m sure your father won’t leave you with nothing.” Eri said, weighing up the choices before her, unsure of which to buy. “Besides, Akio can spend your money better than you could. And since you decided to join their Adamant, much as they can be irritating, I can tell you that Shaeula takes bonds seriously and will never let those supporting her suffer, and Hinata believes in fair rewards for good work. Shiro… she’s a wildcard, but she seems to like you, so you’ll be fine. And Akio…” She looked at , and I shrugged.
“Yeah, don’t worry. If you honestly need sothing, just let know and I’ll see you get it. Besides, the Doosan group is in heavy manufacturing, right? It so happens that we are getting involved in that field too. I’m sure there could be opportunities for collaboration, which will make back that twenty percent and more.”
“Is he always like that?” Yu-mi asked Eri, a little bemused. “Oh, that one is sexy yet elegant, I quite like it myself, but even I don’t buy it often.” She pointed to one of the bottles, and Eri weighed it up, before nodding. “I can see how he ended up with so many won. He always knows just what to say…” Yu-mi finished.
“The worst thing is, he ans it.” Eri agreed. “But yes, I’ve listened to Ixitt and the others talk about their plans, and even now Kana will be working hard to construct the facilities, but from just what I’ve heard, when the factories start operating, it’ll be a business worth tens or even hundreds of billions. And that’s dollars, not yen.”
“Really? I’m not too interested in business myself, dad always was planning to have Yu-jun as heir since n are more accepted in Korea, and he thinks he owes it to dear departed auntie. But I’m the daughter of Doosan, so I’m not a total novice. Do tell…” As they talked, I couldn’t help but smile. We had spent the entire night on the mountain, just talking and laughing, gazing up at the stars. Eri and I had never been so relaxed. No longer was she the childhood friend who I needed to protect, but she was an adorable, loving woman in her own right, and as we told the old stories, of the dog, trips to the mountain, stories of school, the baseball gas of the past and this most recent one where I showed off my pettiness (and siscon nature, according to Eri), they were now entirely recontextualised, and tales that now made us both laugh, cry and feel happy. Yes, finally I have the proper mindset, and can have a healthy relationship with Eri. Now… now I just have to make sure I can make everyone happy. Eleven won who depended on , as well as my friends, family, subjects and even Japan as a whole. I had my work cut out for , but it was as if a weight that I refused to confront had been lifted from my soul, and I was feeling confident I could do it.
“So, I’m not as tired as I thought I’d be…” Yu-mi said after Eri had finished at the counter. Eri winced, hardly able to believe how much she had spent on gifts, but I was happy for her to get used to living a luxurious life. The next port of call was going to be an upmarket luxury shop for won’s clothing, which was always hell for to go into, being a man, but as a harem bastard, it was sothing I was gradually getting used to. Harem bastard, huh? Maybe so, but only to outsiders. To the girls I love, I’m going to be the best husband they can imagine. Besides, it’s not only . Power and wealth attract the opposite sex, be they n or won. Lee Jong-su and his gang are the sa.
"You wouldn’t be.” Eri answered her. “Perfect Chirurgery is worth around twenty points in your stats. Well, more in Aether, but you can’t really use that yet. So it’s like going from an ordinary person to an Olympic athlete. It has other benefits too. Smooth, glossy skin, clean, silky hair and…” she flushed a little. “…more stamina.”
“Stamina, huh?” Yu-mi looked at , hiding her smile with one hand. “And that’s sothing you need, I’d imagine. Though I think Akio here needs it most of all.”
“Yeah, not touching that topic.” I laughed. The streets of Seoul were bustling, as one expected from such an important city, and it made curious. Violet-noona’s Territory was on the outskirts, as before this they lived in similar circumstances to the way I used to. When Hyacinth establishes a Ring Gate, I can move between here, Tokyo and London at will. The potential there is imnse.
“So I’m curious.” We had entered the shop, and several very attractive won had approached, leading Eri off, cooing over her beauty, which was more perfect than ever. Eri was always cute enough to be an idol, and as she aged, her beauty went from cute to genuinely pretty, but now it’s a level above that. Perhaps it’s her half-Bakeneko status, she can adjust her paraters to what she considers perfection? Honestly, she’s even starting to remind of Shiro and Tsukiko.
“What is it?” I replied to Yu-mi, who was sitting beside , as another stunning shop assistant handed us warm cups of tea in pretty porcelain cups. “And aren’t you buying anything? I don’t mind, I’m in a damn good mood, I can afford a dress or two.”
“No, I have plenty of clothes. In fact, I’d like to change before we hit Gangnam later. I’d look a bit out of place in a business suit.” She giggled cheerfully. “Thanks anyway, but it looks like I’m already getting a uniform, no? But… you said you were going to live for thousands of years, right? Seriously?”
“I don’t know if thousands is right. Even the spirit isn’t immortal. But yeah, depending on the species of Fae and the strength of the being, hundreds and thousands of years isn’t impossible. I suspect even the Gods aren’t truly eternal, but if you can live hundreds of thousands of years you might as well be.” I replied, and Yu-mi took a sip of her tea, buying her ti to think.
“Isn’t it hard for the others? From what I understand, so of your won are non-humans, so likely have the sa lifespan. But Eri and the others…”
“Yes. It’s a concern.” I agreed. “But that’s why we have to work hard, so that nobody is left behind. You know, you’re quite lucky, Yu-mi. You may have lost your inheritance, but you’ve gained other benefits. Even having an Eight Moons Chakra Network will strengthen your Material body, so your body will be more resilient, less likely to suffer disease, and will remain youthful for longer. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ll live well into your early hundreds, even without further efforts. And the stronger one gets, the more their Aether and Fortitude Statistics grow, the greater the effects. And …” I smiled, rembering my recent gains. “I know the path to stopping aging entirely, at least physically.” Lowering my voice I continued. “It’s a hard path, but my girls, they are all driven and willing to do whatever it takes. So with our help, they’ll manage it.”
“I see.” Yu-mi placed down her cup. “I guess I should thank you then. Considering I turned you down so coldly. Yet you still saved cousin Yu-jun, and played along with my whims. It looks like I really will have to work hard.”
“Of course you did.” I laughed. “Marrying a man you didn’t know, for such stupid reasons? No, that’s not fair. They were actually noble reasons, sacrificing your happiness for your poor cousin. So I comnd you. It’s not a choice anyone could have made, especially a rich girl such as you, likely used to having things go your way, and… if you’ll excuse the rudeness… being a bit spoiled.”
“I wasn’t spoiled…” Yu-mi pretended to be offended, but her face was red. “Yes, I do have a good lifestyle, but dad is strict with my allowance. It’ll go down now.”
“Ask him to put it back to what it was. I’m sure Hinata will be in touch with him regarding Korean partnerships. Although that will have to wait until we’ve got back the Tengokusentou. Hinata… our engagent was a political one. Motoko and Natsumi’s too. You haven’t t them?”
Yu-mi shook her head, and I explained they were nobles, Motoko being from a very important lineage. “So I’ve no doubt arranged marriages can work out, I love them all and would never part with them now. But… it’s still a bit uncomfortable for most people. Even now, there are a couple of Elves who are making it plain they want to go ahead with a political marriage, and yeah, I’ve spent so ti with Bell recently, and I think she’s pretty great, but…”
“Elves, huh? Dad really picked a strange guy to go to for help. He picked right though.” Yu-mi finished her tea, now picking at so delicious sweets that was on a pretty plate beside us. As she pondered, I took a mont to check my phone. I was getting nurous ssages, from Hinata, Shaeula, Motoko, Daiyu, even Ixitt and Karen-chan. Firing back replies, I realised Yu-mi was looking at carefully, her brown eyes searching. “Oh don’t mind .” she shrugged. “I just realised you seem rather busy.”
“Yeah, everyone’s got things they want to know, progress to update on, or need my approval for things. Of course, so are just flirty ssages saying they miss .” I smiled to myself, amused. “Taking this ti was important though. Eri was the first relationship I entered into, and while it seems an eternity ago, it was actually only around three months. Though when you count my objective ti, it’s more than twice that.”
“I was tortured by your flirting, all night.” Yu-mi giggled. “But it seed to you’ve both made a breakthrough. You seed so relaxed and natural.”
“Yeah, my heart is finally calm. I understand my nature, and the nature of all the girls. There’s likely troubles ahead, but… I know we just have to follow our hearts. Anyway, yes, you can speak.” I said to the staff mber who was standing patiently, waiting for us to finish.
“Young master, young mistress…” the woman addressed us respectfully. With Yu-mi’s deanour, and the fact we were in such a top end store, she likely assud that we were both the kids of a wealthy Chaebol or foreign dignitaries, and the fact this store had staff who all spoke English, and we were communicating in it, only reinforced that impression. “…the lady wishes your opinion on her choices.” She lowered her voice, smiling. “…if I may, complint her liberally. Though I have no doubt you will, she looks amazing.”
“Shall we go then?” At my words, Yu-mi nodded, though she quickly wolfed down the last of the sweets. Seeing looking, she smirked.
“My tabolism should be up to the task now, right?” I couldn’t argue with that, so we followed the staff to the changing rooms at the back. The store had a number of different private areas, and Yu-mi whispered to about several of the other shoppers, saying they were the daughters of rich families. Finally, we reached the destination, but there was no sign of Eri. Shutting the door behind us, the staff mber waited eagerly.
“Your companions are here, young mistress.” She said, and the curtain twitched, Eri pulling it back. I was then struck speechless. Eri’s hairstyle had been changed, her hair was now put up in a more mature, adult fashion, and she was wearing a dress in a deep, midnight blue, with silver trim, evoking the night sky. It was daringly cut for Eri’s usual preference, showing a hint of cleavage, and was slit up her legs, not high, but showing up to her knees. She was also wearing matching high-heels, and a sparkling diamond necklace. A similar hairpin was holding her hairstyle together, sparkling under the light.
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